A chit for those times when your vessel should have stayed in dry-dock. This counter could best be used to mark a severly damaged / destroyed vessel that is now dead in space and a navigation hazard. It also allows for a counter for wreckage rules that may provide cover or an obstacle for remaining combatants. Though the fire ball is very much a fantasy illustration with little basis in reality (since fire is a rather difficult concept in a vaccum) It may be used to illustrate ignited atmosphere rapidly venting from the obviously critical hull breach and break-up.