[@ClocktowerEchos]

The guidance systems aboard the nuclear missiles are heavy, but not particularly intelligent. They've been programmed with the sequence of maneuvers required to impact the target site, but have no brains or awareness beyond that. The missiles carry comparatively little in the way of re-mass, and so their maneuvers must be fairly efficient. Still, despite the lack of haste in their approach, the missiles have much higher acceleration than a starship, and the lead they've gained is significant. 

The cathedral watches on as the xeno ship maneuvers to give chase. Aboard it, Met-Um's many heads grin, but only for a minute. Perhaps it was wrong to foul the mission of proclaimed pacifists, but the children of sinners are indeed touched by sin in Ouroboros culture. Such is the value placed on blood. Met-Um wondered if the cathedral would make the jump back to civilization before or after the missiles hit. A report from her navigator answered the question.

The cathedral disappears from realspace.

The xeno vessel would be able to close the gap on the missiles, assuming they had a competent and decisive helmsman. However, the string of maneuvers the missiles must perform as they near the target site has shorter and shorter pauses as time goes on. Closing the distance is a matter of intelligent piloting, but intercepting the missiles between maneuvers is a matter of precision guesswork. And the closer the missiles get to the target, the more dangerous the maneuvers for the xenos become. If the missiles reach their kill-burn, the pursuit vessel may not have enough time to avoid impacting near or in the site themselves, assuming they survive the blast.

Met-Um was disappointed she wouldn't be able to see the results for weeks, maybe months. It could almost be said to be a matter entirely in God's hands, with an equal chance of failure and success.