Away, towards and a direct all mean the same thing surely , which is push along the line created when measuring between the two closest points between performer and target.
Where as any direction could also read without a target
base contact suggests a final destination or at least an attempted final destination if it's trajectory is intersected with terrain on a direct push
Whilst an indirect push (one not containing the towards, away or direct keyword) would allow me to draw the line from any point of my base to any point on the target base as long as it could be achieved with a straight line, correct?