They were subject to counterfire. Missiles were also easy to dodge, as demonstrated by our training accident back in Sol system. The plasma torpedoes ...ere more likely to hit, but again could not be considered capable of delivering a knockout blow to a ship with a functional shield. However, a single plasma torpedo could take out a shield, and if an enemy was kept busy enough, we could saturate his defenses with missiles. So, I reluctantly assigned our four Shiros (all we had) and two of our. She looked at him and kept on stirring her batter."Then why are you so fidgety?"Jim blew out a breath."What's the use? I'm going to tell her sooner or later, anyway, so I might as well tell her now." I think I hurt Hildy's feelings last night," he said."Oh?"'Oh?' meant 'you haven't explained anything yet, so start talking and don't stop until I tell you to stop'."I think she feels left out," he said."Left out? What did you say to her," his mother asked."It's what I didn't say," Jim explained.. ?Ok, but you can’t watch me getting undressed.?Relieved, I walked through to the kitchen and quickly disrobed. Turning my attention to the cutlery draw I pulled out the largest knives weighed the merits of each, a couple were quickly set aside; too small for the task at hand. Uncertain whether a clean or serrated edge would cut most efficiently, I finally decided on a wedge shaped chef’s knife and began to sharp it on a small whetstone before liberally sterilising it with antiseptic. The handle. "Well we aboard the Acies Mentis have a tradition and it has worked verywell for us. You see these voyages are long and lonely for the men whomiss their wives and sweethearts back in port. So to cure thismelancholy, one member of the crew is designated to be the Mistress ofthe Wardrobe. This is to help keep the spirits of the crew up and thevoyage safe and quick so everyone profits. All the better for a luckyvoyage, having a fine lady aboard that the men can admire."I nodded my head, of course.