Ok, this may be an obvious one, but:

when firing at the fore or aft section of the tantive, can you count the other section as the recipient of the extra damage from Ruthlessness?

I want to say yes since they are technically separate targets.

I think no. Because if Tantive suffered damage with assault missiles only one section suffers damage
(from FAQ)
Assault missiles:
If a huge ship is attacked by Assault Missiles, which damages all ships at
Range 1 of the defender, the player measures range from the targeted
section. The huge ship’s other section does not suffer damage in this case.

but this is not all ships at range 1 its you must choose A ship at range 1.

Except it states 1 other ship at range 1. The other section of the Epic ship is not 1 other ship.

dammit, will you guys just let me have this one.

Nope ;-)

dammit, will you guys just let me have this one.

Not a chance!