Description

When a Shaltari warrior is officially shamed for his comportment in war, he has few routes to redemption. One is to pilot a Shaltari Fireship. While such weapon-craft could easily be automated by such an advanced race, it seems the aliens deliberately designed these as a combat ritual, the ultimate proof of bravery. The Shaltari pilots the craft, packed with volatile fuel, right into the teeth of the enemy, ejects at the last moment, then watches the fireworks. The craft latches on to the target and burns its entire payload forward in an incandescent cutting beam before melting to sun-hot slag. Naturally, many do not return. Those that do are welcomed back to the fold, honour restored.