**Somewhere in space**

Three medium sized freighters were moving in a line formation, with several smaller escort vessels forming up on their flanks. A decently protected convoy, but it would not do them much good. They had assumed this obscure route would be a less traveled one, that they were entirely alone on their journey. They were wrong.

"Alright. There they are. Keep communications to a minimum and maintain formation. Increase speed." A voice crackled from the speakers.

The three siastriplinicorns occupying the cramped control room of the *Bifrost*-class Interdiction Vessel "Uni-455" illuminated the dimly lit compartment with arcane flashes as they articulated the vessel.

The lead siastriplinicorn's horn sheath was combined with a visor that fit over his eyes and connected to the vessel's external camera array, through which he observed the convoy ahead. Uni-445, Uni-564 and Uni-342 would assault the freighters from their 6 o'clock and from above. Uni-555 and Uni-654 were approaching from the flanks in a pincer movement. Just as siastraplinicorn doctrine mandated.

"Just remember, men: they cannot see us. This will be like taking candy from a sitting baby duck on a log!" Captain Daintyflash of Uni-445, one of the nation's most highly decorated Interdiction Vessel aces, reassured his crew. "Now, you doubtlessly remember procedure; empty tubes one through to six in a broad spread when I initiate a mauve glow."

The other siastraplinicorns nodded silently. 

The mission was nearly compromised when one of the escorting fighters drifted too close, but the two pilots of the craft were rendered befuddled by a hex one of the magically endowed siastrapilicorns was able to cast upon them from such close range. Once this interruption was dealt with, it would be too late.

"Rainbow." spoke the voice through the speaker once again. Captain Daintyflash's horn suddenly shone a refulgent mauve. This was the codeword to initiate the attack.

The cloaked figures of all five vessels wobbled and betrayed their locations for a brief moment as spreads of arcane torpedoes closed in on the convoy from port, starboard, and above. Siastraplinicorns were not ones for accuracy. They preferred to thoroughly perforate their target with an absolute swarm of incoming ordnance.

"No time to admire handiwork! Break formation and return to base! Bail!" The commander of the formation exclaimed. The five ships rapidly spun around and sped off at the maximum speed the crafts allowed, each taking a greatly divergent course to the others in the group.




**Back at one of many surreptitious Siastraplinicorn Interdiction Vessel asteroid pens, hours later.**

Captain Daintyflash brought the tip of a hoof up to adjust his cap as he examined the read out on the monitor before him; the after action report. Of the 30 arcane torpedoes launched, around 16 registered as hitting their targets. Two freighters were lost out right, and the final one had sustained damage so serious that it was creeping through space at a crawl, either likely to be abandoned or preyed upon by another siastraplinicorn pack at a later date.

Of their own losses, Uni-555 had an engine failure during the escape. Just about motionless and with no power going to her cloaking systems, she was set upon by the escorts. Her crew did not return. Captain Daintyflash pursed his lips and lowered his head mournfully. He kicked his left and then right hind legs back, which was a sign of mourning for his kind. 

"It is always a shame when good 'corns don't come home, Captain..." a voice spoke. The clacking of hooves followed as another, more official looking siastraplinicorn moved up to his side. "But for the sake of your career and those of your colleagues, they had better have had operational self-destruct devices outfitted upon launch. It would be a travesty if they became wise to the origin of their woes. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this."