The final scenario was the hardest.
A deep-space engagement: their destroyer, escorting a damaged research vessel through contested space, ambushed by a Vantir patrol. The research vessel couldn't fight and could barely move. The Vantir were faster, better armed, and—as always—terrifyingly coordinated.
"This is a kill-box," Isabella said, studying the tactical display as the scenario loaded. "They've positioned themselves to cut off our escape routes. Standard doctrine says we hold formation and fight our way through."
"And standard doctrine gets us killed," Roman said. "Same as Kepler-186."
Isabella glanced at him, surprised.
"I've been thinking about your solution," Roman admitted. "The one where you redefined the objective. So—what's our actual objective here?"
"Get the research v
