A mission kill leaves a super-dreadnought falling into a gas giant

The surviving destroyer's attack has disabled the second super-dreadnought's engines rather than destroyed its hull outright. In this fictional setting, impacts against the larger ship's energy screens transfer momentum to the protected ship, pushing it toward the gas giant below. Accurate intelligence supplied by the Drifters lets the attackers direct their lasers against the engines, leaving the target unable to arrest its fall. Its escorts initially pursue the destroyer and turn back too late to save the ship, although they can recover escape pods and evacuation shuttles. Henry welcomes that rescue despite his hatred of the enemy and the possibility that the escorts could attack again. His earlier role in destroying the species' future gives him another reason to avoid unnecessary deaths. The victory has still cost half his two-ship squadron, and rescue operations leave the enemy captains with a choice between withdrawing with survivors and risking them in renewed combat.