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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tun Kai Poh" data-source="post: 8482320" data-attributes="member: 6761960">Sounding the All ClearCaptain Ashanti faces her officers in the fleet legion channel: Commandant Almarik of the Ching Shih, Commandant Singer of the Patrice, and Commandant Torres of the Jubei.Nobody wants to be the first to speak. But Almarik goes ahead anyway. "Sir. They lose more ground than we gain if we stop. Their short-spools can't maintain charge for long, and they'll have to power those down. We don't have that problem. Ching Shih's main gun will be ready to fire again in less than an hour. We can also use the time to rearm and repair our fighters and corvettes.""They can do the same with their carriers," replies Ashanti, unconvinced. "I'm more concerned with Union's ability to get reinforcements into place to block our further advance. Our intel has reported possible capital ship activity less than a week away on the other side of Lighthouse Station.""If we burn hard, we can evade them," says Torres."Even if we beat them today, the Hannibal is still recovering from drive sabotage. It will be close.""Sir?" Almarik raises a hand like a schoolgirl. "Are we assuming that we'll leave Strike Captain Gopalakrishnan and his crew to fend for themselves?"Ashanti sighs. "If we can at least get half the fleet to Purview-friendly territory, it will be a success. So yes, that means abandoning them."These last words put a chill on the discussion. The officers say no more. Singer glowers. Almarik fidgets."Discussion is over," says Ashanti, presently. "I've made up my mind."Captain Ashanti appears composed and calm when her hologram appears before Tabitha."Inform your ships that the truce is on. We will power down weapons and begin search and rescue operations right away. We expect your marines to withdraw quietly."She waits patiently while both fleets begin the process of standing down. "To be frank, Captain, you've run out the clock. While I was about to give orders to commence firing, we received confirmation of your Naval Auxiliary groups moving to intercept our advance. Had we not wasted over a day trading blows with you, we could outrun them. But my engineers can't seem to undo the damage your marines have caused. So now, we wait for Captain Petrie to arrive, before we decide what to do. And I'd appreciate it if you could release Strike Captain Bannon to us.""We'll have the Mirrorsmoke Marines hand her over on the way back, Captain." Tabitha replies, "We will also transfer the survivors of your boarding parties back over," she turns back to the Union fleet comms. "Well done everyone."There's a murmur of assent but little else. The loss of the Wagner stings deeply. "Vera, send word to Vice Admiral Gentle and update her on the situation. Meade, Ki, Evans - head over to the Wagner and the We Demand Hazard Pay. Sweep the area for lifeboats and other survivors. Colonel Milch, I am putting the Shamokin's S&R teams at your disposal to help retrieve any of your Lancers that might have survived the fight. And I suppose you'd better lend the Arminius a hand, Ki." Tabitha says with a wan smile.Ki chuckles. "I don't suppose they'll say thank you for that."</blockquote>

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