>>5832742Without reinforcements, your first officer's advice is definitely attractive. However, the Armitage is a well-balanced light cruiser and, if Silas is any indication of that particular crop of academy graduates, also well-led. "All remaining thrusters to full power", Silas sighs in relief, "We're moving in." His breath cuts short.
Without main engines, you have to steer clear of the unpredictable asteroid belt. A direct hit with the main guns could easily saw Sparrow-2 in half, which leaves only the secondary battery. Hopefully its shield generator won't be able to cope with lasfire nearly as well as Marlin-1's.
As you are moving into firing position, Moynihan pings your console again, "Ma'am, Sparrow-2 is reversing course. It is heading straight for us." Yet another martyr. "Wait a moment, new readings coming in. It's... not a Qyngur vessel. A Bowyer-class destroyer? It can't be." What? How? A Terran destroyer in Qyngur service, such a thing should be impossible. "It is hailing us. Should I open a channel?" Putting the request on the widescreen, you are struck dumb when she appears.
"Sylvia Thornton, you will pay for what you've done to my daughter." The woman looks only faintly familiar. However, that spiteful glare is unmistakable. It is also directed at the wrong person, since you were either fast unconscious or securely locked-up for most of the Hermes incident. You try to mumble some half-excuse, half-apology, but Johnson jerks his hand to cut the comms, "Don't let them see your weakness. Whatever you did, keep it to yourself." Realising the entire bridge is watching, he smoothly adds, "That would be my advice, Ma'am." You nod and smile weakly, "Thank you, Johnson. I will consider it." After you have dispatched Sofie's vengeful mother, of course.
Main guns all powered and ready, you send salvos after salvos in the destroyer's direction, only to hit innocent asteroids. As is expected of Coreworld engineering, your adversary is fast and nimble. You impotently watch the blip steadily draws close to torpedo range. Without most of your thrusters, it would be difficult to dodge the impending salvo.
Suddenly, like a stumbling runner Sparrow-2 slows down and jerks a little. Johnson exhales expectantly, "Launch detected, PD ready for interception. Huh? It is not aimed at us." Before the ship can regain momentum, 12-inch railgun slugs tear through its hull, followed by several more laser beams. Elysium excitedly shouts on the intercom again. You definitely have to drill some discipline into that kid. In the meantime, Johnson orders Moynihan complete a full scan on the launched objects. Lifepods. This is getting more and more strange.
<span class="mu-s">With the Armitage finally arriving on the system's edge, you now have several choices.</span>
>Quickly destroy the wreck and retreat.>Thoroughly secure the wreck and lifepods while Jean-Pierre distract incoming hostile patrols>Further fortifies your current position and hold your ground.>Write-in 