66.Battle Continues

Bill and Will coordinate a defensive strategy against the Others' forces, successfully preventing Death Asteroids from targeting Earth or the Bellerophon by using a deceptive attack with inert ammunition followed by nuclear strikes. Despite this tactical win, the main battle continues to push the human forces backward, and resources remain critically strained.

Bill receives an update from Will about conditions aboard the Bellerophon, where roamers are assisting humans in the cargo bays. The Others appear to be maneuvering Death Asteroids to target either Earth or the Bellerophon. Bill and Will devise a strategy: using continuous salvos of inert rail gun ammunition to lull the Others' defenses before interspersing ballistic nuclear weapons, successfully destroying six Death Stars before the Others recognize the tactic. As the Others escalate their response with zap attacks, Thor reports coordinates to warn the Bellerophon of incoming fire. Recognizing the critical importance of protecting the Bellerophon, Will orders all available weapons—lasers, particle weapons, and spikes—concentrated on the Death Asteroids, even though this weakens their overall defensive position. The concentrated assault succeeds: after multiple zaps are fired (some missing due to the disruption), two nuclear weapons detonate nearly simultaneously, destroying the last Death Asteroids attempting to target Earth. However, Bill reports that the main battle continues to deteriorate with their forces being pushed back and options running scarce. Will departs to consult with other command groups, leaving the outcome uncertain.