Editing First Belt Ice-Hauler Convoy (section)

=== Standoff and withdrawal ===

Following the Meridian's return fire against VPS Irongate, which disabled two of the corvette's four manoeuvring thrusters, Rhys Carver ordered Irongate to withdraw to the corridor's sunward perimeter. The three blockade tugs, lacking weapons and without Irongate support, cleared a passage. Okafor transmitted a final protest over open channel, stating that the Cooperative would face formal Syndicate legal action. Petra Volkov acknowledged the transmission without reply and ordered the convoy to proceed.

Convoy Alpha-1 reached the Vesta Foundry Platform at approximately 14:00 on 14 March 2065 CE, delivering its cargo approximately six hours behind the original schedule. The three Syndicate prisoners were transferred to Vesta Foundry Platform security at arrival.