The escort ships reacted immediately, spreading out as they tried to escape the tightening formation.
Solenne's drones quickly moved to cut off the right flank, forcing several ships to change course before they had gathered enough speed.
At almost the same time, Lysara disabled two smaller cutters with precise shots aimed directly at their engines, leaving them drifting without destroying them.
Astra only fired once, but that single shot crippled the lead escort before it could rotate its main guns into position.
Aurelian watched the battle calmly before giving the order everyone had expected.
"Disable them. Do not destroy unless there's no other choice."
His fleet answered immediately.
Within only a few minutes, the Kharov inspection flotilla realized this was never a simple relay dispute.
It was an ambush from the beginning.
