Interlude 4: Kicking the HORNET's Nest

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Be Aware: The following is an excerpt from an internal thought log contained in a squirt transmission received from Ray-D7107 on 12/28/18811 at 1243 Melanicus local time. At the time, Ray was scouting the Proxima Hydrae system when she encountered a HORNET Fleet Support Ship.

1: Range to target, 500 light-seconds. 100 seconds to weapons release. 50 seconds to power up. Still no indication they've detected me. No sign of escorts, but they've got to be here somewhere.

4: I hope this works.

7: Why oh why couldn't they have given me standoffs instead of short-rangers?

1: Range to target, 460 light-seconds. Begin power up.

5: Z-Bombs #1 and #2 spinning up, 40 seconds.

6: Agitator rifles charging from batteries, 5 seconds.

3: Bringing reactor online, 8 seconds.

6: Agitators charged, standing by.

3: Reactor ready for full power on demand.

10: This is for Zid, you psyching nutter!

11: Noidal won't even see me until I'm right on top of him.

5: 20 seconds until Z-Bombs are fully spun up.

8: Where are the escorts? I don't like this.

7: As long as I get the Support Ship, I'm a good trade for that.

5: Bombs are spun up, releasing.

5: Drive on #1 is engaged.

5: Drive on #2 is engaged. Bombs are running free and clear.

4: Yeah! Eat it!

9: Beginning sidestep burn, reactor at 100%.

1: CRUISER 5 LIGHT-SECONDS DEAD AHEAD!

4: Nuts!

7: Psycher was behind an asteroid!

9: RANDOM WALK

4: He's right on top of me!

1: TWO BOMBS INCOMING

6: RIFLES FIRING

LOG INTERRUPTED

5: What happened? Am I okay?

1: Main scope is dead, shutters opening on backup.

6: Rifles #1 and #3 are dead. #2 is recharging. #4 isn't responding, I'm trying a reboot.

6: I know I took out one bomb. I think I caught the edge of the gravity pulse from the other.

9: Drive containment field is destabilizing. I have two seconds before I lose it.

2: Well, nuts.

1: Bombs are still running clear. Another 200 seconds before impact, then another 300 before the light gets to me.

6: Don't even get to know if I killed the psycher.

11: Sending squirt transmission to Melanicus. Last thoughts?

1: Long live the Republic!

2: Long live humanity!

LOG ENDS

Be Aware: Ray-D7107 was listed on the Wall of Honor as a Martyr for Mankind (First Class) for this action.

Reminder: The highest honor possible is to die in defense of humanity.

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