General question:

The stream is basically a cutting beam with more damage and a slightly longer range. I'd never use it, because the range isn't so hot, and keeping those aliens far away is too important. It does do a ridiculous amount of damage, but not quite as much as dual cutters - and since you only get 1 in the game, and since it's so late you're almost entirely fighting aliens, it's mostly just not worth the trouble.

I know -- I wanted to stay as far away as possible from the aliens. That creeping hull rot really sucks. I really had a tough time at the Christmas L-Point (trying to get back) until I figured the way to survive.

Is there something wrong with your sensors? It looks dangerous!