>BOARD. Partially disable vessel; attempt a boarding action.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In unison, two dozen combat frames rise to attention. Dull red ocular units fixate on you: a blur of near-infrared heat. The space around you is hazy from evaporating coolant. A low, pervasive sting fills the air as volatile monopropellant bleeds out from overfilled RCS packs.

you blurt.

One of the frames steps forward, arm servos compensating subtly for the inertia of two underslung fragmentation guns. You notice that his right vambrace is painted dull red.

The response is coarse with vox-distortion.

you cant.

asks another combat-ancillary. A missile rack clamshells open on her suit, as if to underscore her question.

You consider the question for a moment before responding.



You repeat the old solar adage as you turn away.