In Drifter's Folly, two destroyers approach a much heavier force at 10,000 kilometers per second. Their existing velocity extends the reach of missiles fired ahead and limits the time spent within enemy weapon range. Once the destroyers have passed, the enemy missiles lack the change in velocity needed to catch them. Before revealing themselves, the destroyers have already placed 700 missiles ahead of their approach and programmed them to arrive as one coordinated time-on-target strike. The attack concentrates its penetrator missiles on one super-dreadnought while the ships prepare to direct their lasers against the other. Gravity shields allow the destroyers to survive the initial return fire, but increasing proximity eventually defeats that protection. One enemy super-dreadnought is destroyed, and one of the two destroyers is lost with 400 people aboard during the close pass.
Chapter · 1:08:55-1:20:49
Two destroyers exploit velocity, surprise, and time-on-target fire
Two fictional destroyers combine a concealed missile barrage with a high-speed pass against super-dreadnoughts, losing one ship during the attack.