During the investigation of a col cost 2 plant in the 4th system I discovered, a NPR (I am assuming) jumped me. Their first salvo hit my Missile Destroyer, Fletcher, with 47 strength 9 warheads... And yet she emerged intact, albeit crippled. My return fire from my remaining 4 destroyers and the 3 operable launchers on Fletcher obliterated one of the enemy vessels. In fact, it only took 3 of my strength 8 ASMs. The remaining 40 self-destructed. Note to self: Put passives on next version of ASMs. My next salvo was spread out among the 5 remaining hostile vessels (beating a hasty retreat at 7700km/s), and destroyed all of them. Turns out they were just FACs. Next course of action... Return to the Fletcher and nurse her injuries, then continue advancing on the planet.
Damned sight better than my first Aurora engagement...Granted, that one was against precursors.
Update: Three 7600t vessels just appeared on my area sensors.
Update: All three destroyed, apparently from outside their missile envelope. A 4th 7600t vessel, of a different class, appeared during the engagement. Closing to engage.
Update: "Star Dragon" destroyed. 1 fleet salvo. I just realized there are no escape pods. Perhaps not an NPR. 1 week to the planet. We shall see.
Update: Strength 5 thermal contact on the planet. Leaving fleet in long-term orbit pending construction of troopships.
