Chapter 4B: Asteroid Battle

With the successful transfer of the remaining hostages from the second lifeboat to the Sentinel, Captain Kara Rael's primary objective was achieved. As the hostages were escorted to the medical bay for evaluation, Captain Rael turned her attention to the damaged Draco Separatist patrol boat.

"Ensign Carderas, inform the crew to prepare for scuttling procedures on the patrol boat. Lieutenant Douklan, set coordinates for a safe distance. Lt. Jr. Chen, prepare to initiate scuttling protocol," Captain Rael ordered, her voice firm and decisive as she directed her crew to carry out their tasks.

A couple of minutes later, with a nod from Captain Rael, Lieutenant Jr. Fu Chen gave the order to initiate the scuttling protocol. With a series of precise shots from the Sentinel's weapons, the damaged patrol boat was engulfed in a flurry of explosions, reducing it to a smoldering wreck.

As Ensign Alonso Carderas diligently monitored the sensors, his attention was drawn to a peculiar anomaly nearby. Hidden within the depths of an asteroid, his sensors detected the presence of a hidden base, its structures camouflaged among the rocky terrain.

"Captain, I've detected a hidden base within the asteroid. It appears to have been recently evacuated," Ensign Carderas reported, his voice tinged with urgency as he relayed the information to Captain Rael.

Lieutenant Douklan, standing nearby, chimed in with a grim realization. "Captain, it's possible that the Draco Separatists were using this base as a staging ground for their operations. The Starlight may have evacuated its personnel as we approached. The patrol boat fired on us with very little provocation, which probably means they were keeping us occupied to waste time. " he suggested, his voice somber as he considered the implications.

Captain Rael nodded in agreement, her expression resolute. "We cannot allow the Draco Separatists to regroup and threaten innocent lives again. We will transmit a fully detailed report and the coordinates of the base to Navy High Command. They'll want to investigate further," she ordered, her voice firm as she made her decision.

With all the hostages aboard and their mission concluded, Captain Kara Rael gave the order to set course for Draco III, the nearest outpost where they could report their findings to High Command and begin the next phase of their mission.

In Engineering, Lieutenant Katlina Komarov wasted no time in rallying her team to assess the damage sustained during the intense battle and to initiate repairs on the Sentinel's systems. With a sense of purpose and determination, the engineers set to work, their expertise and skill essential in ensuring the frigate's continued functionality.