Quoted By:
>5
“The alien supercapital engaged.
A stream of relativistic ions ripped towards the RAIN, tracking our position as the spinal weapon burned through its half-second firing cycle. Every optical sensor on the RAIN blanked, showing an endless field of static-white.
A miss – but an exceptionally close one. The edge of the beam had glanced past our hull by no more than a hundred meters, shooting past us to tunnel deep into the depths of Mizar-A. Radiation exposure warnings ticked onto bridge displays, informing us that the RAIN’s habitable compartments had just suffered an acute dose of ionizing radiation.
It was too close. The next firing cycle would almost certainly score a hit, and I held no illusions regarding our prospects should that transpire. Even if our vessel’s hull remained intact, there would be no one left to command her: the radiation bleed-through alone would wipe our data instantaneously and kill me soon after.
We had no choice but to deny them the chance. And so, the instant the RAIN entered her engagement window, my launch-key drew its customary blood-tithe. The balance of the ship shifted subtly – an almost familiar motion. For the second time in that hour, our sensors blanked – caught in the wake of a drive plume burning at overdrive temperatures.
At this range, there was no need to conserve fuel. Our missile accelerated furiously fast, crossing the distance to our adversary in less than a minute. Solar plasma and point-defense fire alike failed to find purchase on a warhead encased behind a half-meter of ablative plate.
The nominal yield of the warhead was in the mid-gigaton-range: designed to break colonies and reduce stubborn defensive installations. Here, it had met both duties admirably. And as the light of a second sun bloomed on the surface of Mizar-A, I hoped that it would also be sufficient for a third task: to humble the last great protector of their species.”
- [UNSIGNED], EXECUTIVE AUDITOR, TRS NOVEMBER RAIN, AD. 2242, SEPTEMBER 10th, PERSONAL JOURNAL
>Roll 1d20, best of three for critical damage on target. DC: 10
