Editing First Belt Ice-Hauler Convoy (section)

=== Interception at Vesta approach corridor ===

At approximately 04:17 shipboard time on 14 March 2065 CE, Convoy Alpha-1 entered the defined Vesta approach corridor at 2.31 AU. Syndicate Marshal Declan Okafor had positioned three blockade tugs in a spread formation across the corridor's nominal centreline, with the armed inspection corvette VPS Irongate, commanded by Rhys Carver, holding station approximately 800 kilometres to the corridor's sunward flank.

Okafor transmitted a standard Syndicate inspection demand, ordering all seven Shackleton haulers to heave to, cut drive plumes, and accept boarding parties for manifest verification and lane-fee assessment. Petra Volkov responded by transmitting a formal written refusal, citing the absence of any recognised regulatory authority, and ordering the convoy to maintain course and speed. The HSC Meridian moved to the convoy's leading flank.

The following timeline summarises the key events of the interdiction:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Time (shipboard, 14 March 2065 CE) !! Event
|-
| 04:17 || Convoy Alpha-1 enters Vesta approach corridor at 2.31 AU
|-
| 04:23 || Syndicate inspection demand transmitted by Marshal Okafor; Volkov issues formal refusal
|-
| 04:51 || VPS Irongate closes to 200 km; Syndicate boarding skiff launches toward hauler Callisto-4
|-
| 05:04 || HSC Meridian interposes between skiff and Callisto-4; warning shot fired by Meridian
|-
| 05:09 || Boarding skiff docks with Callisto-4 despite warning; boarding party of four Syndicate personnel breaches outer lock
|-
| 05:14 || Meridian tactical crew, led by Sable Idris, detaches and docks with Callisto-4; boarding party repelled; one Syndicate crew member killed in lock confrontation
|-
| 05:22 || VPS Irongate fires on Callisto-4 with kinetic deterrent round; minor hull damage; 2 Shackleton crew injured
|-
| 05:29 || Meridian returns fire; Irongate suffers thruster-pod damage; Rhys Carver reported wounded on bridge
|-
| 05:47 || Irongate withdraws to corridor flank; blockade tugs yield passage under continued Meridian escort
|-
| 06:31 || Convoy Alpha-1 clears corridor; proceeds to Vesta Foundry Platform approach
|}