The attackers fire while well beyond the missiles' nominal powered range, initially confusing the observers aboard Paladin. In this fictional setting, range is normally calculated against targets that retain some ability to evade. The missiles keep moving after their drives stop, and a planet cannot maneuver away like a ship or an orbital platform. The estimated attack contains at least 1,500 missiles, each thought to carry a 500-megaton fusion warhead. The threatened world must try to intercept a bombardment that the nearby destroyer cannot prevent.
Chapter · 30:12-32:34
Remnant Faction: missiles can coast beyond their powered range
A planetary target cannot evade missiles coasting beyond their powered range, leaving Paladin to witness a bombardment it cannot stop.