Quick Decision

Explosions sparkled in the stratosphere of the planet. Weapons that had been left in orbit following the initial raid disrupted the locally integrated planetary defense sensor and communication systems.The Inquisitorial fleet’s sensors detected a small fleet decelerating from the orbit of a hot inner gas giant in response.

“Sensors indicate multiple small high velocity craft deploying in an attack formation,” reported the fleet bridge scanner servitor.”
“Numbers?” questioned Pilgrim.
“Four thousand and ninety six exactly.” Came the flat response.
“If they have shown their complete hand they do not have enough to significantly disrupt our maneuver,” quietly stated Hawk.

As if in answer at that moment collision alarms sounded aboard the leading elements of the fleet including Pilgrim's flagship the “Emperors Will”.

The helm servitor called for orders, “Collision evasion maneuvers commencing in 5 seconds unless priority over ride cancelled.”
“Hulk 80 by 500 kilometers, under power detected entering real space,” reported the fleet bridge scanner servitor.
“Intersection of orbits of 30 ships within 30 to 200 seconds as of now.”
“Time to our intersection,” demanded Hawk.
“One hundred and ninety two seconds as of now,” came the response.
“Cancel collision evasive maneuvers solely for the ‘Emperors Will’,” commanded Hawk, pressing his Inquisitorial rosette to the priority override validation console.

Cataclysm

Incandescent bubbles of light and energy flared around the falling fleet. Some was refracted by ether phase change screens produced by the ships. Others bursting close by the silent ships were reflexively penetrated by responding flares of light and debris from the ships as hulls burst open under the impact of the energy bursts. Still the fleet fell until close to the planet when ejected payloads hit preplotted trajectories. This time the fleet burned as fusion drives accelerated the ships from the tormenting energy bursts.

Payloads flared red on hitting the atmosphere. Some burst with massive electromagnetic impulses to paralyse electronic communications. Some burst into unbearable flares of light to destroy ground based optical sensors while the remainder fell hot but momentarily impassive on to their selected targets.