Rules on spacecraft engagements
Space warfare is to be dissociated from ground warfare. Where the latter is undoubtedly the clash of two armies great in numbers, the former is to be defined as two gigantic beasts of steel and fire. When one of them is rendered unable to fight, all firing solutions are to be suppressed; and the rescue of the losing party organized.
Contrary to what many people think, there are way fewer casualties during space battles than any other form of engagement, and utter destruction of a spacecraft is a rare occurrence. This is all thanks to a treaty signed a long time ago and upheld since then, plainly titled Rules on spacecraft engagements.
Fight to neutralize
While the treaty acknowledges that during wartime, any tactic is legitimate, it stipulates that any captain or admiral is to fight for neutralization rather than destruction. Targets of choice are main system weaponry, engines and life support systems, while power sources and command bridges are preferably avoided, as long as the power dynamics allow it. The goal is to make the enemy surrender while suffering as few losses as possible on both sides.
Duty to rescue
Once a battleship has surrendered or is rendered unable to function, it is the duty of the victors to help the mangled crew escape their wreck. Firing upon a ship that has turned off all weaponry and sent a distress signal is against interstellar law. Once the situation comes to this, crew members are to be considered not enemies, but prisoners and treated as such.
Crime of fake surrendering
For the losing party, fake surrender is an absolute no-go. When their ship is unable to fight any longer they are to wait for rescue and not attempt any pointless struggle. Shutting down weapon systems on purpose to rearm them at the last minute, or ambushing rescue teams when they come aboard are some of the highest possible crimes by the rules of space combat, and warrant the total annihilation of the vessel and its occupants without mercy.
Comments