Zoraster Incident

The Zoraster Incident was a battle between HMS Jessica Epps of the Royal Manticoran Navy and the IANS Hellbarde of the Imperial Andermani Navy in the Zoraster System of the Silesian Confederacy. ()
== Prelude ==
With intelligence on an pending transfer of genetic slaves to a New Hamburg-flagged vessel using the false transponder code of a Andermani-flagged frighter named Sittich in the Zoraster System, Admiral Honor Harrington dispatched Captain Erica Ferrero and the HMS Jessica Epps to intercept the slaver as part of Operation Wilberforce.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Harrington or Ferrero, the IANS Hellbarde, an Andermani heavy cruiser that had shadowed and harassed Jessica Epps for months, followed her to Zoraster.
== Order of Battle ==
=== Royal Manticoran Navy ===
* HMS Jessica Epps, CO Captain Erica Ferrero.
=== Imperial Andermani Navy ===
* IANS Hellbarde, CO Kapitän der Sterne Guangfu Gortz
== Course of Battle ==
Jessica Epps shadowed Sittich toward the system hyper limit in stealth following its departure from Zoraster. Once Sittich's identify was confirmed with a Ghost Rider drone, Ferrero ordered her communications officer to transmit a demand to the slaver to reduce its acceleration to zero, cut its wedge,and prepare to be boarded. Jessica Epps continued to close on the slaver when she unexpectedly received a message from Hellbarde demanding Jessica Epps deactive her targeting systems and break off her approach to Sittich.
Meanwhile Sittich responded to Jessica Epps' earlier message, followed immediately by a second message from Hellbarde demanding that Jessica Epps comply with their previous instructions.
Following the second message from Hellbarde, Lieutenant Commander Shawn Harris was able to localize Hellbarde's position ten million kilometers behind Jessica Epps. In response to Hellbarde's presence, Ferrero ordered her to stand clear and not interfere with Jessica Epps interception of Sittich, claiming that the ship was a suspected slaver.
Hellbarde immediately trasmitted a third demand for Jessica Epps to deactive her fire control, transmitting omnidirectionally, and her message was intercepted by Sittich, who in turn contacted Hellbarde requesting protection from Jessica Epps. Ferrero transmitted a second, more confrontational message to Hellbarde, demanding Hellbarde stand aside and not interfere in Jessica Epps' interception of Sittich. Before Hellbarde could respond, Sittich sent a second message to Hellbarde, claiming that Jessica Epps was threatening to fire into her.
Ferrero ordered a least-time intercept of Sittich and sent Hellbarde another message asserting Jessica Epps right to intercept a suspected slaver. With Jessica Epps at battle stations, Ferrero ignored Gortz response and ordered a single warning shot be fired at Sittich.
Jessica Epps launched a single missile while Hellbarde launched a full broadside at Jessica Epps in response. Ferrero immediately ordered Jessica Epps to engage the Hellbarde. The subsequent engagement last three quarters of an hour and resulted in the destruction of Jessica Epps and the near total destruction of Hellbarde. ()
== Aftermath ==
Category:Manticoran Battles
Category:Andermani Battles