**Winchell Chung** @nyrath@qoto.org · Nov 12, 2022, 17:16

**Winchell Chung** @nyrath@qoto.org · Nov 12, 2022, 17:16

Winchell Chung @nyrath@qoto.org

Nov 12, 2022, 17:16

In the 16th century some navys would take a ship, pack it to the scuppers with high explosives, then try to maneuver said ship into the enemy fleet and light the fuse. The hope was to destroy the entire fleet with one ship. A "hellburner".

It seems to me this would be an irresistible concept for a scifi space opera with interstellar battlefleets. I cannot recall any examples but I sure there must be some.

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/hellburners-weapons-destruction.html

**Dave T-W** @davoloid@qoto.org · 2022-11-12T17:42:44Z

Dave T-W @davoloid@qoto.org

@nyrath I guess the problem with that scenario, as demonstrated in The Expanse, is that you can see the ship long before it becomes a threat. If it's actively maneuvering to intercept but doesn't respond to comms, there's probably rules for defensive action.