>>6348211Without its main FCS tower the <span class="mu-i">Hand of the Throne</span> could not effectively engage targets at long range. With Holloway now commanding the fleet through Admiral Ruhi, Pact ships began to pick apart the Imperial formation. Kestrels and Glory Bs would focus down enemy ships that slipped out of formation and pull back once the <span class="mu-i">Hand</span> attempted to bombard their position.
Hotdogs took potshots at engines and primary gun batteries, neutering the heavy hitters and hobbling the fast movers. Whenever the Imperials tried to pin down Pact ships, they dispersed before they could engage, almost as if the response was predicted ahead of time.
On the dreadnought’s bridge, Arcturus Garan sneered at the sensor feed as more and more of his ships were lost. Though the Imperial Fleet was still in the fight he could see what was happening.
“Have the nearest ships move into tight formation with the <span class="mu-i">Hand</span> and prepare for a hyperspace jump. Give the order for the rest of the fleet to retreat.”
Requests for confirmation came from multiple captains across the tactical network; they could still win this.
“No, something’s changed; we’re bleeding ships and the Pact scum aren’t dying fast enough. If we keep going they will kill us with a thousand cuts.”
Garan was furious, this was to be his moment of triumph, where he finally broke the Pact. But he was no fool; he would not squander himself and his entire fleet just to throw a tantrum.
Two more Imperial ships died as the dreadnought jumped into hyperspace.
>Quest will continue later. 