>>6014257“So, Inger, what you're saying is that people never try to weaponise this zombie fungus, not even once?” She is caressing a shelf of maitake the same uncomfortable way Silas did his precious flower. “Well, I would never get the security clearance to deny or confirm that anyway.” Why are your officers so weird?
“How's the chicken sitting in your stomach, Sylvie?” Maybe it's something to do with everywhere else on the ship being near-antiseptic clean. “Still fine, thanks. Can I get some more?” She passes the plate of orange mushrooms to you before launching into another speech. One would think that hot women make for better lecturers, but you doubt you would do any better on a mycology pop-quiz than a horticultural one after Silas' (strictly) hypothetical information session. After all, their other, more superficial qualities can only pull so much weight.
You almost choke on the mushroom when the klaxon rings again. Tim maintains a calm tome over the PA system, “Everyone to combat position. This is not a drill. I repeat, Not a drill.” You and Inger scramble to run in opposite directions without so much as a farewell.
Silas and a confused Pahan greet you at the aeroponic gate. Before long, you three arrive at the combat information centre. Moynihan is already there, giving out constant updates to Tim and the bridge crew. “Two contacts, bearing 3-0-0, elevation 0-4-0. Distance 1 mil klicks. Over.” Three red dots blip impatiently on the holo-projector while keeping a parallel course with your cruiser. “Identity confirmed. One Marlin light-cruiser. One Sparrow destroyer. Light damage on both bogeys.”
This must be the HK squadron deployed to cut off your retreat. But what are doing so far out here, and so badly understrength? “Another contact just warped in. Distance 1.4 mil klicks. Friendly.” Your answer came in the form of a hail moments later. “This is Captain Thanaret of the Ban Rachan. Do you copy, Vanilla Skyline, over.”
You grab a headset off the commander's table, “Copy. This is Commander Thornton of the Vanilla Skyline. What's the situation, over.” After a few tense seconds, the reply finally arrives, “HK squadron tried to ambush us. And failed. Please read and follow my ins- suggestions. Over.”
<span class="mu-s">Moynihan turns to you, “Ma'am, they have also enclosed a flight plan.” He tosses it onto the screen. Silas dourly comments, “So he wants us to just block off their retreat while he gets all the credit? A raw deal, but I wouldn't cross this one, capt'.”</span>
>Follow Thanaret's instructions and keep your distance. He already won this battle, let him do the mop-up.>Engage the light cruiser at stand-off range. You can at least contribute something to the engagement.>Charge in. They can't be allowed to repower their warp drive and jump away again.>Pincer Thanaret's ship. There won't be a better chance to claim the bounty on his head. (Silas is against this course of action)>Write-in. 