I got my first strike by just quickly clicking at athens with no expectations for precision, and got few more before i got hard badge. maybe best idea to jsut keep playing quick till you hit one?
clive was easy... just take care to have like 1500+ ammo from lvl 22 farming and you never have to aim or worry even if most don't hit boss, just jump to its vicinity and backwards still in air, so you dont hit the ground where it might aim.
I didn't have that bad problems with lvl 7 in end... just manage to pass the guards and hope leave point is nearby (it was at 3rd to last corner for me, leaving me leisurely time)
Well, my preference for Atropos was 3x split homing laser, 1xacid homing laser, healing bombs and rocket/hp hull+2x defensive lasers. i was uncomfortable against the prison stage in last part, and i don't know whether split actually adds damage.
i never defended base... all i did was chased the yellow balls and upgraded allied fighters first, and then basic ship abilities in turn, not sure what this holding enemies off is.