A Lesson in Strategy

Retrieved from the logs of the ZTSS Zephyr - 2605.9.17
Log recorded following the detection of a derelict freighter in a decaying orbit of Beta Hydri VIa.
Captain Nikoloau: Launch a probe into a higher orbit, and spin us around.
Ensign Molina: Sir, shouldn't we power up shields and weapons? That hulk looks like a fresh kill.
Nikoloau: They didn't teach you about the chain of command at the academy then?
Molina: Apologies, sir.
Nikoloau: Zobor, get ready to slow us down, but keep the engines cold for now.
Ensign Zobor: Yes, sir.
Nikoloau: Now, you're all recent graduates. Tell me, what do you think took out the derelict?
Molina: Sir, it looks like the engine took a hit from a railgun, then the hull was blown open by an explosive of some kind.
Zobor: A standard Orizonter tactic is to disable a target before boarding, could be what happened here. Sir.
Nikoloau: Indeed, but I can see they're still teaching you to fight in a war that's never going to come. Orizont didn't do this, not in Beta Hydri.
Molina: So it's pirates? Or nomads?
Seven seconds of silence followed
Molina: … Sir.
Nikoloau: If there were any nomads in the system we'd have detected an energy surge from their jump drives. That leaves pirates or rogue Tavastian drones. Either way we don't want to be spotted.
Molina: Sir, the probe is in position.
Nikoloau: Good, give me an active scan of the far side of the moon. Shen, get ready to power up missiles and PDCs. Don't worry about shields or guns. Oh, and everyone get ready for a hard burn.
Lieutenant Shen: Yes, sir.
Probe P-1 transmitted data for thirteen seconds, before connection was abruptly lost
Molina: Sir, something just took out the probe! It spotted-
Nikoloau: A ship. Yes, I see it. And it's got one nasty railgun.
Zobor: Sir, if I understand the data right, that gun would punch right through our shields.
Nikoloau: Indeed it would. Zobor, power up engines and give me a hard burn. We need to drop altitude. Shen, fire a Salvo of missiles at that ship's last known location, then send out two probes to guide them in.
The Zephyr then exited low-power standby. Six missile tubes were fired, along with P-2 and P-3. Sudden deceleration may have caused structural damage: recommend hull inspection.
Molina: Sir, incoming missiles!
Nikoloau: PDCs will handle them. Zobor, we can't let that railgun get line of sight on us.
Zobor: Diverting power from shields to engines, sir.
Connection lost with P-3. Four missiles intercepted by hostile countermeasures. PDCs two, four, and six open fire on incoming projectiles to inadequate effect. Five projectiles remain.
Shen: Sir, those missiles, they're-
Nikoloau: I know. Give me manual control of PDC four. You take six.
Another friendly missile intercepted by hostile countermeasures. PDC two performing suboptimally - suspect interference due to electronic warfare measures. Three projectiles remain.
Zobor: I'm getting an altitude warning!
Nikoloau: Hold course!
Final friendly missile reaches target. Connection with P-2 lost. Hit unconfirmed. One projectile remains.
Shen: Six has jammed! Switching to two!
Final incoming projectile intercepted by PDC two. Significant audio interference from bridge. Officers are reminded to avoid excess vocalisations when on duty.
Nikoloau: Excellent work everyone. Molina, send out the last probe and make sure we got them.
Destruction of hostile vessel was thereafter confirmed. Details of the vessel's armaments have been redacted from this log by authority of Captain Nikoloau, in concordance with the Peacetime Espionage Act.
Decrypted essage from Captain Nikoloau. For authorised personnel only: "How in the blazes did a bunch of pirates get their hands on state-of-the-art Orizonter railguns and missiles. This was supposed to be a training exercise. Are we not even safe two Gates away from ZT itself anymore?".
Please note that anyone in possession of this transcript without the leave of the FRZT Navy is legally obligated to return it to the proper authorities.