Things that were brought up at the end of the thread, but weren't archived due to sup/tg/ being down for migration:
1. Scavenge and salvage what we can from the Fed transports.
2. Get the flight recorders and black boxes from the Salamis cruisers and the transports. We can try to decrypt them and try to form a logistical map of

the Federation's supply pickup and dropoff sites. This could give us the location of the Solar System (since they need to keep it supplied, but unlikely

as Revil isn't that stupid), as well as telling us where the Feddies are keeping that fuel depot ship for their fleet. If we destroy that, we destroy

their local main fuel source, and maybe destroy some of their ammo dumps at the same time.
3. Use computer-aided scanning of the stars and Nell's powers to search for the Solar System. Look for odd heat blooms (the mirrors getting heated by

the sun), sources of oddly-refracted light, and anything else out of the ordinary.
4. Regarding our psycommu Zaku cruise missile: if we can't jury-rig one of the bits and its psycommu unit to the Zaku, perhaps we could use a lasercomm

deployer. At period intervals the missile drops a lasercomm bouy behind it so it can be remote-controlled from the Outer Heaven. If not lasercomm bouys,

then maybe radio amplifiers to boost a control signal as it flies.

We've gone over how to find and destroy the Solar System.
Any ideas on how to capture it and turn it against the main Federation fleet?

>>15372338
...Well okay, looks like we can cross #3 from our list.

While looking for the works of Archimedes, we need to talk with Ookowara about turning a Zaku reactor and one of Nell's bits into a macguyvered pseudo-nuclear cruise missile.

>>15372338
>Leaving 20 minutes later made all the terrible difference.
Totally know the feeling, Apologised.
For me, it's the difference between a 1 hour commute, and a 2.5 hour commute.

Luckily, since you have a good idea of what you want to find, you're able to find it without too much delay.

>The Archimedes Heat Ray

>The 2nd century AD author Lucian wrote that during the Siege of Syracuse (c. 214–212 BC), Archimedes destroyed enemy ships with fire. Centuries later, Anthemius of Tralles mentions burning-glasses as Archimedes' weapon.[27] The device, sometimes called the "Archimedes heat ray", was used to focus sunlight onto approaching ships, causing them to catch fire.

>This purported weapon has been the subject of ongoing debate about its credibility since the Renaissance. René Descartes rejected it as false, while modern researchers have attempted to recreate the effect using only the means that would have been available to Archimedes.[28] It has been suggested that a large array of highly polished bronze or copper shields acting as mirrors could have been employed to focus sunlight onto a ship. This would have used the principle of the parabolic reflector in a manner similar to a solar furnace.

Armed with this new knowledge you wade into the discussion.

"...don't be daft David. Everyone knows the old archimedes mirror weapon never worked." Ookawara argues.

"Why?"

"Because you needed a clear day, hundreds of mirrors, all of which have to be in total sync with each other. Nobody ever got it to work."

"So, what you're telling me is that you'd need to put it in space, make it up of hundreds upon thousands of mirrors and then align them all using a computer network. Probably the size of a small ship, about say, that big?" You say, stabbing a fingure at the tiny slug like form of the small rectangualr control ship in the center the glittering cross.

There is a pause in the briefing room.

"Well shit." Mauser states.

YOUR ORDERS?

>>15372402
Get long range scans looking for defenses.
I want to know if we can capture the control ship.
Also have Ookawara put together a Zaku torso and reactor, that we can use as a nuke if we need to destroy the Solar System.

>>15372346
>3. Use computer-aided scanning of the stars and Nell's powers to search for the Solar System. Look for odd heat blooms (the mirrors getting heated by
Basicly Nell would look for where there should be a large concentration of people for the fleet but there isnt.

>4. Regarding our psycommu Zaku cruise missile: if we can't jury-rig one of the bits and its psycommu unit to the Zaku, perhaps we could use a lasercomm
Or we could just use missiles and dumb fire them at the thing.

I'm suggesting hitting the mirror from the flank if we can because it'll increase the number of mirrors hit by each projectile.

>>15372426
>Also have Ookawara put together a Zaku torso and reactor, that we can use as a nuke if we need to destroy the Solar System.

You know that's illeagal right?

I mean that's like the whole reason this thing had to be built in the first place.

>>15372427
Ah, of course. You're right.
The Solar System is a stationary weapon. We can use dumbfire as long as we calculated the trajectory right.

But we still need to see if there are any defenders, like Salamis cruisers or Magellans. Possibly a Trojan Horse or 3.

>>15372402
Well, Revil certainly not going to leave the solar system undefended, and if the transport managed to send out a distress call, the Feddies know there is someone behind them.
BUT hopefully most of their fighting strength is deployed against Solomon, so if we act quickly we may be able to blitz the mirrors from behind and unload all of our or ordnance, taking as many mirrors out as possible. Or we could try to jury-rig the psycommu-zaku-gun-thingy and use that to disrupt the mirrors.
How close do you think we can get to scout out where the mirrors are? Close enough for Nell to send in bits, not attacking anything, just seeing who's there?

>>15372443
Really? I thought that a suit going into critical overload was a loophole in the Antarctica Treaty.

>>15372453
That may be, but we'd be rigging it to act as a nuke, nullifying the loophole. I think the loophole only covers if suits "accidentally" go critical.

>>15372443
We can just use the parts for the engines on some missiles. Would they need any real guidance system to keep flying in a straight line?

>>15372443
>>15372470
Alright, then we can't use the Zaku cruise missile idea.
But we could probably still do a lot of damage if we load up every single munition we've got.
I think taking out a Federation super-weapon is a good use of all of our ordnance. We'll just fall back to Pezun to reload.

But first, we need to get recon done and find out what defenses the Solar System has.

>>15372483
It would depend on how littered the area is with debris, as well as ships looking out for such a thing, though they most likely wouldn't stop all of the missiles, they might stop enough.
It's not a bad plan, I think we need a little more info before we act on it though.

>>15372501
>I think we need a little more info before we act on it though.
So how's this: we use our long-range cameras to see as much as we can.
Then we have Option and Nell deploy and scout around, with their priority being to stay unnoticed.
We'll formulate a more detailed plan once we know what kind of defenses we're going to be facing.

Sound good?

>>15372514
I can agree to that.
Once we have enough info, we can act. But we don't want to wait too long, we don't know if the Feddies know there's someone behind them or not, the faster we act, the better chance we have of retaining the element of suprise.

David Lister of Earth. You have the ability to inspire great fear. Welcome to the Sinestro Corps.

>>15372544
Okay, so we can have Ookawara working on the missiles from >>15372483 while the Outer Heaven, Option, and Nell get more recon data.

Okay, assuming that we can blow through the defenses, and capture the control ship, could we fire the Solar System on the Federation Fleet?

Umm... what if we just had Elaine spray a hail of GIANT GATLING GUN ROUNDS at the thing? In space you never miss, because eventually someone, somewhere will have a bad day.

Crack a mirror and it doesn't work so well.

>>15372622
Yeah, that'll knock out a few hundred to maybe a thousand or so mirrors, but would that be enough?
I mean, yes, it'll reduce the effectiveness of the Solar System, but would it reduce the effectiveness enough to prevent it from being a weapon?

>>15372641

we can fire while we close with the damned thing?

>>15372622
Again, the same thing with dumb fired missiles, depends on the terrain and intervening ships. Also, we'd have to partially be in front of it to crack mirrors, putting us deeper in the Feddie fleet. I think the main idea is to wreck shit from afar and run, not letting the Federation use their numerical advantage.

>>15372662
Yes, but again, there's the problem of destroying ENOUGH mirrors for the weapon to be taken out of commission, and for it to be so far damaged that it would take an extensive amount of time before the Federation could repair the damage.

And if there are any defenders, like some Trojan Horse carriers with GM's, then we'll need to be fighting them and less of our ammo could be devoted to shattering mirrors.

We all want to destroy the mirrors and shoot them up; it's just a question of the most efficient method to do so, for which we need recon data on the defenses to come up with.

>>15372617
Unlikely, given the time and effort required to aim hundreds of individual mirrors. Plus the Fed fleet is a far more scattered and widespread target then Solomon is, so it'd probably be less effective.

Better to just frag as many mirrors as possible, though they undoubtedly have spares aboard transport ships nearby.

>>15372691
Actually, what about item #2 from >>15372346
We don't need to destroy the fleet, just their fuel depot. They'll have no more He3 for their reactors.
And if we capture their control ship, then we could aim the system.

>>15372683

So sit back and look at the pretty mirror array and hope it doesn't fire while we sit around with a thumb up our Zaku's thrusters?

The first order of the day seems to be working out what sort of defenses the Heat Array has.
For this role you send a quick message down to the Flanagan component asking if Nell is up for some recon work.

"To be honest Commander, given how low we are on bits, that's probably the best use for the Elmeth at this point." The man on the other line admits. You decide to set up Option and Rance as her escorts, no need to skimp on protection if you don't have to.

Whilst the three of them are getting ready to launch you begin discussing logistics with Captain Mauser.

"So, just how quickly will we be able to close the gap on this thing if we think it's viable?"

Mauser thinks on this for a while.

"Well, judging the distance, it's operating outside of the earths shadow above Side 4. If we were boosting stealthily, not expending much thrust mass, just concentrating on being unobserved, I'd say three hours. Going in full burn, no care for stealth? About one. Although they're going to know were coming if we do that."

>>15372719
You check the fuzzy images you were able to pull on the array. Normally spotting weakspots in stuff like this comes pretty easily to you. Today nothing seems to stand out. The obvious answers seem to be take out the command ship or break enough mirrors. That said, this thing is huge. HUGE.
Almost twice the length of a colony cylinder and about as high. That's a LOT of mirrors.

You aren't even sure if a nuke would be enough to take them out.

You try to study the image some more, but nothing further comes to you.
After about thirty minutes of them leaving your recon party reports back.

"For a structure of it's size, it's not quite what I'd call heavily defended. We make about 8 salamis and a 1 magellan class warships protecting the array, all with full GM compliments and a fair number of balls and space fighters."

From their data you can see that the front area of the weapon is completely undefended, presumably because anyone balsy enough to charge it runs the risk of getting the superweapons blast right in the face.

Attacking from the sides would be more sensible, but that's also why those parts are defended...

YOUR ORDERS?
BRB Dinner.

>>15372691
Most likely, but hopefully Solomon will see the explosions and check to see what's going on, perhaps giving them a chance to... do something about it....
If I remember correctly in the canon (hah, canon) the Feddies fired it by surprise, catching the defenders of Solomon off guard. This way, they'll at least partially know what's going on.

This is why you flank.
The reason Nelson's tactic won at the Battle of Trafalgar was once his ships broke through the enemy formation his broadsides were raking through the ships length wise passing through more of the ship with each shot.

>>15372754

it also had nothing to do with the lack of cannon anywhere but the sides?

>>15372723

Computers control the system right?

Any dragoons or security personnel on board?

We need a commando raid to secure the ship and transmit instructions to the mirrors to rotate HARD. Spinning them out of control. Probably having them burn up in the atmosphere.

>>15372792

our commandos are all earthside with Garma, ircc

>>15372723
Man that thing is huuuuge.
Also, going to assume the Magellan is the command ship.
If we go stealthy, we'd be able to jump the sparse defenders and get more shots in on the mirrors, but taking longer may give them a chance to fire.
If we go in full burn, they'll know we're coming and be able to mount a defense, but we'd hopefully be able to smash the mirrors before they fire.

>>15372816

Hmm. Part of our powers includes giving instructions or fiddling with weapons right?

Destroy the command vessel, try to NT affect the mirrors to blast the Fed fleet or Luna 2.

Otherwise we could just try to send instructions to self destruct.

>>15372754
This, just flank the damn thing. 8 Salamis and 1 Magellan is fairly paltry, and they have to be fairly spread out to cover something that huge. You don't even have to waste much time destroying them, just blow past them and attack the back of the mirrors in high-speed passes.

>>15372792
All of our dragoons are either on Earth with Garma, or at Grenada.

>>15372754
The problem with a flanking attack on the mirror array is that it's the most heavily defended area, and because of the way that the array is laid out, presents the smallest target profile.

We need to either attack the Solar System from the rear (so we have the entire array spread out in front of us and makes hitting targets easier, but we have to deal with defenders), or from the front (again, target profile is largest, but we're also right in the firing path).

>>15372842
The Solar System is specifically immune to our Newtype powers, as explained in the previous session.

>>15372842
Can't command the array, was in the last chapter.

I just thought of something, since it's a mirror, don't we just have to smash the focusing part, i.e. the middle? Or am I completely off base on how it works.

>>15372862

No focusing bit. Each mirror is aimed at the same point, causing it to heat up.

What we need is a metorite storm... Grab a 'roid, stuff it with explosives, turn it into a ship sized cracker grenade?

>>15372862
It's not a single mirror, it's an array of hundreds of thousands of mirrors.
And even if we destroy the command ship, there's no guarantee that they won't be able to get a replacement to quickly bring the weapon back online.

>>15372862
It'd be nice if that's all it would take but all of the mirrors themselves are remotely controlled. One or more ships could take over transmitting instructions to the rest of the mirrors but it could buy some time.

>>15372883
Well, we have the missile idea from Arty in >>15372483
We could probably add a jacket of submunitions and fragmentation casing without too much trouble.

>>15372884

Oh wait, each mirror is huge and fragile and a ton of them are next to each other.

Destroy all opposition, go the middle, give everything a VERY HARD PUSH to collide with the next. Momentum should take care of the lot. A wave of destruction starting from the middle.

>>15372906
Maybe, but you have to take in account that eventually that wave will peter out because each time a mirror strikes another mirror which was a rest to transfer the kinetic energy, some of it will be lost.

Using missiles with lots of submunitions and shrapnel fired at angles to maximize their effectiveness would probably be better.

>>15372906
The mirrors have maneuvering jets, so that's highly unlikely.

Okay, I think I see where my thought process went wrong. I was thinking that the light was bounced from the other mirrors to a central group of mirrors that acted as the aiming function.
But from what I understand, each mirror is just positioned to focus the light at a single point, creating intense heat. Oh well, can't blame a guy for trying.
But I think coming in from behind (if we can) would be the better option, as we could 'shotgun' the array and try to take out as many as possible.

>>15372896

Well, it looks like we're crashing the feddie's tanning party, crushing their defense force, and then smashing some mirrors and their controls.

Start with a stealth burn and at the half-way mark go full burn

>>15373000
Nice work, Arty, as always.
I wonder if any Federation munitions survived, and if we can salvage them for this.

>>15372983
Or we could come in from the side, hopefully the impact will send some of the mirrors flying out of position. And while the mirrors have jets, do we meta know if they're automatic or if a specific command has to be given. In other words, if we disrupt them, will they instantaneously get back into position or will we disrupt them by attacking the human component as well.

>>15372975

Yea I was considering that and using arty's plan for a full spread of missiles disable large clumps of mirrors would be the best.

We're in the age of M-Particles, doubt they'll rely on anything that requires remote control from large distances. Clearing out the defences and the control ship should be sufficient.

We can follow up with lots of stomping until enemy reinforcements get here. Which should be awhile and we can see them coming a long way off.

When we get close to the heat ray, get between Fed forces and the mirror.

If they attack us at range, we can dodge and their shots will damage the mirrors. If they are hesitant to attack, it gives us an easier time to attack them.

>>15373012
IIRC they're computer controlled and automatically correct themselves if they ever go out of formation.

You guys should also take into account, we aren't exactly in a position where we can custom build a lot of specialty munitions.

>>15373049

We captured beam spray guns right?

We need beam spray. Lots of it.

Okay, so it seems that our plan of attack is:
Coast in slow to be unnoticed as we prepare lots and lots of Arty's Type 1 and Type 2 mirror-fucker missiles.
When in range, or when spotted, launch all missiles and do a full burn towards the mirror array.

David and Rance go in for the control ship, Elaine sticks with the Outer Heaven to destroy mirrors, and Option and Jolyne keep defenders busy. If possible, get between the defenders and the mirrors so that their misses will contribute damage to the array.
Nell stays back and snipes Salamis cruisers.

>>15373049
Yeah, maybe we should get a rundown on what we actually have munition wise.

Also, we're probably over thinking this a little bit. The plan doesn't have to be perfect, just enough to muck up the Federation's plans. We may be the Natcherman, but we're only one ship.

>>15373057
Like, what, taking like 3 or 4 beam spray guns, MS-tape them together with the firing systems connected to a single trigger, for a pepperbox beam pistol?

>>15373091

That or get some beams sabers/heat weapons and hold them out while we run full throttle.

>>15373091

>pepperbox beam spray gun
>Spongebob_with_Wallet.jpg

>>15373100
Or grab mirrors and use it as a club/throw them to break other mirrors, and/or defenders.

>>15373157

Point it sideways.

And make it spin.

Then we can easily attack from the side.

>>15372402
>Archimedes

>>15373157
I...guess it could work, maybe, though run-time would be pretty limited.

>>15373118

>>15373118
>>15373243
Seriously? We're going to try to macguyver together a sawed-off beam spray shotgun?
I guess it could be interesting, if we have enough beam-spray guns.

Alright, so, are we all agreed on going with >>15373075
In addition, try to jury-rig a beam-spray shotgun from extra beam spray guns.

I'd like some kind of consensus when Apologised gets back.

>>15373086
>Yeah, maybe we should get a rundown on what we actually have munition wise.


Not enough to enact Arty's plan. Hell, certainly not enough time to even build that many penetrators even if you did have the resources for it. I mean christ you're engineering team is big, but it's not THAT big, it's not going to be able to make anything near enough for that.

>Like, what, taking like 3 or 4 beam spray guns, MS-tape them together with the firing systems connected to a single trigger, for a pepperbox beam pistol?

>MS tape

It's called welded metal. Seriously.

>>15373075

>>15373330

>yo dawg, so we heard you like guns, so we put a gun on your gun, so you can shoot, while you shoot.

>>15373346
>It's called welded metal.
Well yes, but it just doesn't have the MacGyver feel if it's not tape of some variety, preferably duct tape.

>>15373346
Okay, so we can't put together the missiles.
Is there anything else we could use to produce huge explosions without committing war crimes?

>>15373388

Disable the capitals on site, manoeuvre them into place and blow them up.

I wonder if it'll generate any EMP.

>>15373388

cripple enemy mobile suits, then throw them into the mirrors and shoot the reactors?

The answer is obvious. We make a bomb, go in fast and heavy, smash the control ship, deploy bomb while fucking shit up, once bomb is ready fall back while continuing to fuck shit up, bomb detonates, go back in if any mirrors are still there, proceed to fuck them up some more.

>>15373388
I don't think so, I think we'll just have to go in guns blazing, and hope we can take out enough to cause a dent. We should have OH make a sweep or two of the mirrors, taking out as many as possible.
I think >>15373075 's plan is sound, even without the mirror killer missiles.

>>15373397
Automatic fail-safes will quench the reactors. Maybe if we're lucky to get one with lots of missiles and ballistic ammo, but they'll likely have expended it by then.

>>15373402
There'll be an explosion, but the reactor would still automatically quench. We may as well use chain-mines.

>>15373438

We dont need a fuck huge explosion.

We need flying debris. Which an exploding cap will provide lots of.

>>15373424
We currently have many bombs, but they are all too small to make much of a dent in the array, considering that it's bigger than colony.

We need something bigger.

>>15373424
Apologised said in >>15372723 that we don't know if a nuke could even take them all out, and I'm keen on not breaking the Antarctic treaty thank yo very much.
Really, what I hope we do here is:
1. Call attention to the Heat Ray
2. Move forces from the front line to defend the Heat Ray, making breakthroughs more likely
3. Get out alive while still striking fear into the hearts of our enemies. We may be separated from friendlies, but we're still bad asses one and all.

How about if we send a communication to any Zeon forces we can reach and get some help.

>>15373445
Yes, but how do we manuever the capital ship into a position where it's explosion and the resulting shrapnel will damage enough of the array to be effective?
I don't think we have any tugboats, and it would put a lot of strain on MS thrusters.

I suppose it could be done, however, given enough time.

>>15373482

The Elmeth?

>>15373472
Not likely, as most, if not all forces are dug in the defense lines, which is fairly distant from the location we're going to attack. Also, they'd have to come through Federation lines to get to us, as well as the fact that any communication would possibly give our position away, and the unlikelihood that our forces would get the message.

We could gather up all of the scrap material from the last battle we can get along with anything with some mass could use as a penetrator and use the ship to accelerate it at the mirror. We come in stealthy then ramp up our speed at the last second.
Once we're close enough we let go of the debris, decelerate the ship and follow the stuff in, shooting at MS and ships the whole while.
Once we've punched through the flank of the mirrors we head for the control ship.

If the pieces we drag in for the attack run have enough mass it should no only shatter some of the mirrors but send that debris flying along a similar path causing a shotgun effect.

>>15373472
I don't know if we're in range of the Zeon lasercomm network. This is a Federation supply lane we're in.

>>15373500
That sounds like a plan, and really, I'd like for us to quit muckin about.

Why destroy the array? Isn't it enough to destroy the control system? That should buy us enough time to report the weapon to zeon and come up with more permanent measures.

>>15373500
I suppose that could work.
Apologised, could we gather up enough debris for this to be feasible?

>>15373521
IIRC, and meta-knowledge, but in Stardust Memory they had the array back up and running about an hour after the control ship was destroyed.

>>15373518
Equipment loadout to save time, based off what people seemed to be using last week.
Everyone should be carrying some Beam chaff grenades and the OH should be prepared as always to beploy their own chaff plus defense missiles.
If we havent already can we fit chaff launchers in place of the AP mines we would have used on Earth?
David: Nacht Zaku - GM shield, Beam Carbine, Bazooka, Grenades, Beam chaff launchers, beam sabers
Jolyne: MS-14C/Jg - Zulu shield, Rail cannon, backpack cannon, Grenades, beam naginata
Elaine: MS-14B/Jg - Gundam Shield, heavy gatling, beam rifle, grenades & Panzerfausts
Option: Galbaldi Alpha - Gyan shield, Beam machine gun, bullpup MG, Beam Sabers [EWAC package?]
Rance: Zaku Kai - 90mm MG+GL, bazooka, chainmine, grenades.

Ask Rance about the Gyan Marine shield Bernie used to use. If he wants he can take it but it might just get in his way so dont force him.

>>15373552

Give at least one beam spray gun to each member.

No sense using the more precious ammo on fragile mirrors.

>>15373521
They probably have the program to position the Heat Ray in a database somewhere. So even if we take out the control ship, they could just send in another ship.
So by wrecking as much as we can, we hope to delay them even further than the time it would take to get another ship, making them replace mirrors as well.
And if we destroy enough, we may cut the Heat Ray's power by making it have less mirrors overall.

>>15373552
Also, don't forget Zolomon's Heat Hawk that we salvaged for David. Might come in handy.

>>15373552
If Ookawara can, let's macgyver that beam-spray shotgun. It might be useful.
Otherwise, I agree with all other loadout options.

Hey....


How thick are these mirrors?

I mean...It just occurred to me....I mean we are a mobile suit...we are kinda big, and strong, and armored.

We could...always launch ourselves out of the bay into the array.

>>15373593
The array is still bigger than a colony, and is composed of hundreds of thousands of mirrors.

>>15373552
Right. And I screwed up a couple other things too.

David: Nacht Zaku - GM shield, Beam Carbine, Bazooka, Grenades, Beam chaff launchers, beam sabers, Wrist beam spray
Jolyne: MS-14C/Jg - Zulu shield, Rail cannon, backpack cannon, Beam spray Gun, Grenades, beam naginata
Elaine: MS-14B/Jg - Gundam Shield, heavy gatling, beam rifle, Beam spray gun, grenades & Panzerfausts, Beam naginata
Option: Galbaldi Beta - Gyan shield, Beam machine gun, Bullpup MG, Beam spray gun, Beam Sabers, [EWAC package?]
Rance: Zaku Kai - 90mm MG+GL, bazooka, chainmine, grenades.

Rance cant carry one because his suit cant support beam weapons. Beam sprays to be tossable with no extra ammo?

>>15373602
Im really doing this largely for comedy, It would never work. But stillt he idea of launching us out as fast as we can go and colliding through mirror after mirror while throwing scatter bombs.. just a great mental image

How about instead of attacking the mirrors themselves, we go after any kind of support structure that hold them together?

>>15373531

>Apologised, could we gather up enough debris for this to be feasible?

There is a fair bit of debris, and quite a few of the warships are actually still mostly intact, so they make pretty big chunks. But lashing all of that together would take time.

>>15373655
There is nothing holding them together, it's just thousands of individual mirrors that have computer controlled thrusters that do the aiming.

It mgiht take time. But its worth it. It getting off 1 shot while we work would be fucking terrible. But its better then allowing it to fire continuously.


GO GO GO race against time. Fucking get everything together and hit it

>>15373657
From our intelligence, could we see any large chunks of mirrors missing? We'd probably just need a good chunk or 3, though lugging an extra warship will probably slow us down.

>>15373657
How much time? All team members should launch now and start dragging back pieces ASAP depending on how long it's going to take.

i'm going to laugh when the solar system fires before we reach it due to us delaying.

This is a possibility of unmitigated proportions, here we have what appears to all pretences a federation superweapon, we should be working to capture this intact. Its poorly guarded by what would normally be expected of something of this importance because they simply aren't expecting anything out here. This suprise is our greatest weapon at this point, as Aces, ability and mobility are on our side, get in close take them apart before they know we are there. As we are in space we only need worry about heat and visual sensors, we can cover both by moving in behind debris, a large rock or broken parts of other ships, which given the war going on should be reasonably plentiful.

My plan for a total capture of this superweapon stands that we get a solid piece of debris set it to an intercept course and follow it in on lowest power settings. For the larger convoy protections we will likewise accelerate debris to an intercept course for those craft and to the most likely manuver positions to avoid these makeshift munitions. Presumably by the time they begin firing on this barrage of space junk, assuming they do, our squad ought to be close enough to launch a blitzkreig attack on the other craft. From there we can use their own super weapon as cover, they will either have to fire on their own weapons system or withdraw as they cannot stand against the Aces of Zeon.

What would be frightening is if the technological race brought on in this continuity would have extended to the Feddies programming the mirrors with a networked flocking protocol.

Throw a big enough object at them and proximity sensors end up shuffling one mirror which in turn has another mirror move until a large enough hole for the object is made.

Perhaps we could make a false positive for the Feddies to go after using a laser comm buoy bouncing signals off the mirror.

Hell a big enough lightshow using the mirror as a giant canvas might also be an option to warn Solomon faster.

>>15373737
My god iv been a fool!

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! What are we doing trying to destroy it. LETS FUCKING STEAL THIS SHIT.

SORRY FEDDIE SCUM BUT WE NICKED YOUR SUPERWEAPON OUR BAD BRO!

Then we fire it at the Federation Fleet

>>15373820

The federation fleet that's DIRECTLY in front of Solomon? That Federation fleet?

>>15373830

we could always shoot Luna II with it.

>>15373830
Well....

it would get rid of those pesky Feddie bastards and Solomans falling anyway....

OR!

Luna 2. Which I believe is the Feddies supply base/depo

hold it is it close enough that we can point it at Luna 2?

I'm getting the feeling this is going to be one of those threads where we get nothing done.

the solar system is quite possibly one of the SILLIEST super weapons, even for gundam

>>15373830
But if the Federation Fleet is in the direct line of fire to Solomon, how were they planning on using the Solar System to attack the space fortress without hitting their own ships?

Anyway, I'd love to capture the Solar System. I really would. But we should still prepare to destroy it just in case we can't capture it, or use it against Feddy forces coming to reclaim it.

>>15373881

Make a hole in their formation?

>>15373874
Okay, look. Either way, we go to capture the weapon or we destroy it, we need to get a big chunk of Feddy cruiser and push it on our way, right?
So let's do that, and depending on how the situation unfolds, we'll take it from there.
We capture it if possible, destroy it if not. The priority, however, is to deny its use to the Feddies.
Everyone agreed?

>>15373900
Agreed

>>15373900
Anything that'll get us moving.

>>15373874
I agree.
I'm calling a vote!
There's no way we're gonna destroy the whole thing. Therefore, I vote that we grab some mid sized debris and gun it. We need to strike hard and fast, cause fear and disruption in our enemies. That was our plan for being behind enemy lines, and we should stick to that.

>>15373869
>>15373911
>>15373913
>>15373900

So the plan is, lash a chunk of a cruiser to the ship drag it along until it reaches a good velocity and then let it go, and then, let it hit first? Or burn ahead of it, make your attack and then see where the Salamis lands?

>>15373941
Come in behind it. The feddies will either shoot at it or they wont.
If they do it's drawing fire from us. If they dont it hits the mirror formation and punches a hole through it we can use to get to the control ship. Even if we're in front of the mirrors as long as we're relatively close they wont be able to focus enough on us to damage the ship or the suits.

>>15373941
OH needs to burn ahead so we can draw fire away from the wreck. Hopefully we'll have the defenders too occupied to stop it in time to do no damage.

>>15373983 here, got with what Arty says, better plan.

>>15373969
I will third this to get this wreck in the making under way.

>>15373969

Don't forget that if they do blow it up, the debris will still create a shotgun effect. All the more power to us. Either way, it's going to hit something.

Anyone else getting the feeling that the Feds are using this as a "We've both got giant nukes" piece and once we break it we're going to get Ghiren'd?

>>15374044
Hey! Don't metagame.

>>15373969
Seconding this plan.
Let's weld some beam-spray guns together for a beam shotgun, and go capture/destroy ourselves a Feddy mirror array.

>>15374071
Psh. Newbie. We've been metagaming in this quest since it started. Just look at Garma's hair.

>>15373969
>>15373983

You quickly set up a lash system to attatch a relatively intact salamis cruiser that was abandoned before it could explode. The benefits being that it's unlikely to fall apart as you drag it.

The engeneering team and you work together at record speed, and manage to get "the wrecking ball" attatched in under 30 minutes. It's a bit rough and ready, but it should last you long enough.

With the weapon attatched you begin pushing towards the Array. Given the extra weight and loss in maneouvariblity towing another starship you're forced to go full burn straight towards the array. This is going to be the most tricky part of the plan. That the Array isn't ready to fire, and wont fire at you when they spot you and figure out what your doing.

You push forwards regardless, with Nell still on recon duties keeping tabs on the enemies movements. It seems that the ships defending the weapon have begun to move to join up and intercept you. It's a good sign as it implies that one way or another the Array isn't yet ready to fire.

The downside is that you've got 9 Federation Warships with full Mobile Suit and Ball compliments coming your way, without cover or the element of suprise. Plus you're still hauling a great big ball and chain, but despite that the OH is putting out more thrust than some of you can manage, meaning that you wouldn't be able to keep up if you jumped off the ship.

From the looks of things arriving at the mirror would take two hours. Contact with the enemy, about one.

YOUR ORDERS?

>>15374145
Can we fire beam chaff in front of us, ala smoke bombs? That'd cover the approach of the OH, then we split off - one team drops to engage the federation forces in a rearguard action while another covers the OH while it does it job on the array. Rearguard team's probably going to need Nell to haul ass back when they can't fight any longer.

>>15374145
>Given the extra weight and loss in maneouvariblity towing another starship you're forced to go full burn straight towards the array

God fucking dammit. That completely destroys both the smash and the grab plans. How many more hours would it have really taken to line up on the flank?

>>15374145
Aw, no beam-spray shotgun?

Anyway, I think that we should stay on the ship for another hour, and the OH releases the 'wrecking ball' when we make contact.
David, Rance, and Elaine go in and start wrecking the Salamis cruisers, while Jolyne and Option stick with providing support to the Outer Heaven, whose jobs will be to put up a wall of flak to destroy the balls and GM's.
Nell stays out of it, and provides targeting solutions and tactical updates.

>>15374173

>Can we fire beam chaff in front of us, ala smoke bombs?

The Outer Heaven comes equipped with 4 Tadpole class defensive missules which spread a decent area with Beam Chaff, normal chaff, flares and minovsky particles. However, those four are all you've got for this entire raid. You hadn't used any for the initial attack on the convoy's luckily enough, but once they're gone, they're gone.

>How many more hours would it have really taken to line up on the flank?

Without towing the ship? Less hours actually. About 1 hour 20, maybe an hour if you really thrashed the engines?

>>15374145

cut the salamis loose, launch all mobile suits. Nell should use the salamis wreck to hide her bits on the approach, then strike the enemy ships with them.

mobile suits are to engage the enemy defense force while the OH attempts to break through the weakest point in their line.

We kill the defense group fast and then hit the super weapon

>>15374191
I think Arty is complaining about how we could have slowly nudged the hulk up to the desired velocity without going full-burn, just that it would have taken a bit longer, and he wants to know just how much longer that would have taken.

I thought we were gonna PUSH the ship and hide behind it not tow it!

>>15374211
>>15374217
Yes, bring the wrecked ship in from the flank accelerating slowly so as not to be picked up until the last minute. That was pritty much most of the basis for the plan we all agreed to.

>>15374217
It looks like Apologised tried to incorporate this plan >>15373983
or Arty's plan wasn't specific enough.

>>15374257
Yes, I do have to be more careful about spelling out every fucking minute detail but if I had it would have just resulted in us delaying on doing anything in this thread for another two hours.

>>15374257
It looks that way but that guy decided to back Arty's plan after he read it.

>>15374257
Yeah, but >>15373988 nullifies >>15373983 .
Maybe Apologised didn't catch it in time.
And besides, Arty's plan had more votes than the other one.

>>15374288
Unlike the bitching which looks as if it will end up delaying the thread for 2 fucking hours.

Maybe the Pilot misheard or something? I dunno, let's just go with it. As with every plot, there's always the chance of miscommunication or something going wrong. And it's no fun if we just kill the Solar System without a fight.

Regardless of whose fault this is, we need to deal with it.
Now, I'm thinking that in addition to >>15374185 we have the OH fire 2 Tadpoles once we make contact with the defenders.
First priority is the Magellan, and then the Salamis cruisers.
Sound right?

>>15374217

That would not have worked. On many many levels. I mean maybe you could have welded the thing on the front, and I guess the stresses wouldn't have destroyed the ship, but that would have taken more time, and how exactly would you have thrown it off.

>>15374249

>Yes, bring the wrecked ship in from the flank accelerating slowly so as not to be picked up until the last minute.

That would have taken longer, and given that a distress signal was almost certainly sent from if not the ships you just attacked, then the escape pods that were launched then odds are they were scanning the area for you anyway.
Even if they WEREN'T to drag a whole other starship would have required you to go full burn anyway just to stand a chance of reaching it before tommorow. Which would have been a heat bloom the enemy would have noticed.

>>15374339
True enough. At what point should we try to sling shot the wreck? Probably before we hit the battle line, trying to go below them, where they're guns aren't concentrated? (Going to assume that they'll be shooting us before the wreck.) Say, can we have a couple people hop in the wreck and jump out behind them? Or have them wreck the array?

>>15374370
I think we should cut the wrecking ball loose as soon as we make contact with the interception force.

As for hiding some people inside the wreck...I think it might be possible.
If we fire the Tadpoles and spread AB chaff, then the enemy won't be able to riddle the hulk with beams, and we might be able to jump out closer to their capital ships, maybe behind them and fuck up their engine blocks.

Let's get a quick estimate from Ookawara to see if it's possible.

>>15374357
>Would have taken a day + heat bloom reveals your position

Fine whatever. Try and point the wreck at the Feddes and/or the mirror before cutting it loose then I dunno, shoot them or something.

>>15374357
Also, Apologized. A few threads back, you said that Gato was dead. But from as far as I remember, the only time we encountered him we only cut off his MS's arms and legs because we wanted to recruit him. But his Indian Wingman who's name escapes me rescued him.

Did he die between then and now?

>>15374357
Well, so much for stealth. Stop towing the cruiser and maybe it'll hit a few of the mirrors.

Best option now is to try to outrun the enemy interception team, and do a strafing run on the mirrors and its control system.

As has been pointed out, anything that creates a lot of shrapnel is going to be incredibly fucking effective. Even if it's just an explosive duct-taped to an asteroid, that'll crack a large amount of the mirrors around here.

How much spare explosive ammo do we have aboard the OH? I figure we should breach anything that'll create a lot of shrapnel - abandoned ships, Federation ships that aren't yet abandoned, small asteroids, that sort of ting.
Shove explosives in the holes, and blow 'em up in a big shrapnelbomb.
Of course, if we have any shrapnel-generating explosives that don't need to be shoved into the arse of a GM or warship to make shrapnel, do so.
Fuck, just open the cargo bay of the OH and start dumpin' grenades out of the thing as we fly past the mirrors.

>>15374445
Would that produce enough shrapnel? Would it destroy enough mirrors?
Wouldn't it be better to destroy the defenders so that we can get more time to secure the array or damage it properly?

>Just start dumping spare ammo out the cargo bay after rigging it to explode and spread shrapnel
Good to see Zolomon Ringo's death hasn't reduced our capacity for batshit insane plans.
Agree with trying to use any nearby warships/asteroids as really big grenades.

>>15374370

>Say, can we have a couple people hop in the wreck and jump out behind them? Or have them wreck the array?

The ship your towing doesn't have holes quite big enough for you to hide IN, but certainly you can hide behind the ship. At this distance, you're unlikely to be spotted.

>>15374416
>Also, Apologized. A few threads back, you said that Gato was dead. But from as far as I remember, the only time we encountered him we only cut off his MS's arms and legs because we wanted to recruit him.

Who exactly do you think was piloting the Jupiter Ghost?

>>15374484
>9 Federation Warships with full Mobile Suit and Ball compliments coming your way, without cover or the element of suprise.
Could even the Nachtmaren take this on?

>>15374490
>Who exactly do you think was piloting the Jupiter Ghost?

Generic Faceless NPC Pilot #230293?

>Who exactly do you think was piloting the Jupiter Ghost?
I am frustrated.

>>15374487
Well, we have a Salamis hull RIGHT HERE. Let's stuff it to the gills with whatever explosives we can get into it in an hour, with a timed detonator. But I was really looking forward to capturing the Solar System.

Instead, I'd like to have David and Rance hide on the hulk and make a DYNAMIC ENTRY into the rears of the Feddy cruisers while they're concentrating on the OH and the rest of the team.

>>15374490
>Who exactly do you think was piloting the Jupiter Ghost?
Kelly Layzner
http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/Kelly_Layzner

>>15374500
Even with the Outer Heaven's increased speed, it'll still be in the engagement envelopes of the defenders for quite a bit.
I'm still for fighting and destroying the defenders, but if others feel differently, please post.

>Instead, I'd like to have David and Rance hide on the hulk and make a DYNAMIC ENTRY into the rears of the Feddy cruisers while they're concentrating on the OH and the rest of the team.

>Best option now is to try to outrun the enemy interception team, and do a strafing run on the mirrors and its control system.

>Just start dumping spare ammo out the cargo bay after rigging it to explode and spread shrapnel

Do these plans? Unless someone has a real desire to engage the enemy units?

>>15374573
I think OH is going to stay and destroy the defenders. And we can't really use the wreck as hitting a ship with another ship is harder than launching it at the now undefended array. We're just thinking if we can sneak a couple people behind or under the ships, it would make the odds more favorable.

>>15374559

I'll double check the mission in question, but does Kelly Layzner really strike you as someone who would do a clandestine black op for Gihren?

>>15374586
My plan is to have David and Rance hide on the hulk, which we let loose and make it look like we're using it as a kinetic wrecking ball on the array.
We have the OH fire 2 Tadpoles when in range to spread AB chaff and keep the defenders from turning the hulk into swiss cheese.
The OH releases the hulk at the same time.
The OH and the rest of the team make it look like they're going for a strafing run of the array.
While the defenders are occupied with the OH, David and Rance appear from behind and start destroying cruisers.
Everyone else provides cover, aiming to destroy GM's and Balls.
Elaine to do her impression of the Heavy on the Balls and GM's.

>>15374634
Sounds like a plan. Do David and Rance need any special gear to wreck the ships faster or can we just go nuts?

>>15374634

Quickly give out the orders. With the enemy fleet in front of the array, you doubt they'd fire, which means that you can be fairly sure you can operate with impunity in front of it for the time being.

Already mounted up, you switch from the Outer Heaven to the abandoned Salamis with Rance as your wingman.
The cable attatching the two of you is severed and the Outer Heaven fires a pair of Tadpoles ahead of itself, directly on your flight path.
As you drift along, the Outer Heaven abruptly changes course, hopefully drawing the enemies attention away from.

Given a choice between a fast moving, sentient and fully armed target and a slow moving unthinking one, the enemy forces make the obvious choice. Ignoring even the use of the tadpole missiles, they begin to chase after the Outer Heaven instead of engaging you. Beam cannons lance out from tiny spots amidst a sea of glittering mirrors in front of you, but over these distances you doubt they'll have much success with hitting your nimble warship.
The real tricky business will come when the GMs engage.

>>15374772
As the distance begins to shorten you and Rance stealthily leave the cover of the cruiser and begin to gently push towards the enemy ships, they're position much easier to spot behind a white background rather than say, a starfield.

White units on a white background however, are correspondingly harder to spot. So that's why you don't notice two squads of Balls heading towards the Salamis cruiser. Probably meaning to knock it off course.

If you move to engage them, you will delay your time of attack, and run the risk of alerting the enemy to your presence. If you leave them be, they will probably either push it out of the way, or accidentially set off all of the high explosive you stuffed into it.

YOUR ORDERS?

>>15374778
Hurting the array is more important. Go for the Balls!

>>15374811
What? To tasteless?

>>15374811

You redirect your attentions to the incoming balls instead.

Coming unexpected, your first opening salvo's take a terrible toll. Your own beam carbine takes out several as does Rance's 90mm SMG.
Without expending too much thrust you close the gap as the now disoriented Balls attempt to find you by the time you get a second burst off they're already sending 100mm shells whizzing around you.

You dart and dash between the enemy fire as effeciently as you possibly can, some of the shells come close but you manage to avoid any hits. Rance on the other hand takes a couple of glancing hits, but manages to weather the storm. By this point your third attacks have finished the enemy Balls off. However, it's a fair bet that the enemy knows your here. On the other hand that could also work in your favour as they might try to split their forces to deal with you and the Outer Heaven at the same time.

By this point, you'd imagine that aside from other things, the OH is dumping all of it's ammo out of the bay doors like it's a heavy bomber or something.

From here, you can either continue with your attack run on the Federation ships, or you could try to attack the Array directly, although it will take you several hours to reach it.

>>15374975
Use the thrusters of our suits to give the ship an extra push for the time being.

>>15375001

That's not really going to amount to much, but, I suppose...

>>15375001
I'd rather go fight the Feddies, as hopefully it will take their mind off of the high explosive we sent toward the thing they're guarding.

>>15375001

No point. It'll invite attacks from the Feds.

We're better off putting distance between us and the derelict. Make US the decoy for that big bomb.

>>15375028
>>15375034

Attempting to waylay further attacks on the payload, you charge in to engage the rear of the enemy formation. Seeing your assault, the enemy splits into to groups. A pair of Salamis flank the Magellan that turns to face you, as the remaining Cruisers continue their duel. You can see flashes of explosions and beams as the Outer Heaven continues to punch it's way through the engagement envelope of the enemy ships and mobile suits.

The frontal cannons of the enemy ships target you from long range, but your small size, black camoflage patterns and defensive maneouvering (you hope you have enough to return to the Outer Heaven before this is all done) enable you to avoid these tentative long range shots.

Burning as hard as they are, you expect the GM's to launch at the last moments to avoid having their ships arrive before they do.

>>15375028
Oh, and let's ask Rance how he is doing and if he has any fancy ideas for taking these guys out faster.
We need to talk to him more, bring him into the team. If we make it out.

>>15375123
inb4 Rance is critically injured and his suit crippled and he overloads the reactor to finish taking out the Solar System and save us with a viking death, from which he joins Zolomon in the afterlife.

>>15375122
Are we able to line up any shots with our bazooka or beam rifle at this range?

>>15375122
Should we try to use our Newtype powers at this point? Or would it be too risky, and we might end up bleeding our brains out?

>>15375183
I'd rather hold off a bit, we still don't know how much we can push. Also, we should save it for the GMs, using it to get close and such.

>>15375202
Sounds fine.
Rance has the chain-mines, which are anti-ship munitions. Let's have him attack the ships while we keep the GM's off of him.

>>15375123
>bring him into the team
Really? While I understand the sentiment, Jolyne's evaluation was that keeping him in the Nachtmaren might actually hinder his career.

The point of engagement occurs. The GM's hurl themselves at you at close range from their stand by position atop the bows of their ships.
Deploying that late however has exposed them to your fire. Still close together your shot's land home, dealing devestating blows. At least three are killed by attacks from your Bazooka, and Rance deals a similar toll with his Grenade Launcher. Despite these losses they continue to close, and to add to the troubles of the enemies Beam Pistols, the ships themselves are firing off a heavy cloud of flak and missile fire.

"Stay close to me Rance!" you order your wingman as you dive into the maelstrom at full burn. The enemy are punching their retro-thrusters for all they're worth, but they've built up too much Delta-V to stop and all they're doing is trying to enlarge the engagement time as much as possible.

>>15375268
You dive in close, using the enemies own vessels for cover. Dodge under a GM's beam saber swing and give him a parting blow with your foot mounted heat blades. You see a shower of sparks as you score the nonfatal blow. Whilst Rances finishes the wounded Mobile Suit you're already engaging the next one. The beam spray gun sends diffuse purple blots of energy into the sky, scorching your armour but doing little more. You lash out with your heat rod in return, and rip the pistol out of his hands before he can get a second set of shots in. You smack him about the head with it with a flick of your Nacht-Zaku's wrists only for Rance to barrel it out of the way with a shoulder ram, it collides with a nearby Salamis.
You punch out the other side, turn, and fire all of your disposable weapons, panzerfausts and a spread of grenades detonate against the rears of the Federation warships. Hopefully one will be damaged enough to lose mobility. Which with a bit of luck should prevent the array from firing any time soon.

Behind you the Solar System Array glints malevolently as it readjusts in some inscrutable way, and like a flock of seagulls over a sea, several squadrons of Saber-Fish fighters rush in to attack you.

"Now this brings me back." You remark.

You crack your knuckles, check your ammo, and then, get back to work.

TO BE CONTINUED

>>15375253
True, but that doesn't mean we have to be distant or not make sure he's fine in the middle of a battle. If we survive we can make a decision on that, but right now, he needs to know that we trust him and he should trust us.

>>15375183
No, those powers completely crippled David the last time he used them; we don't want to be crippled in the middle of enemy battleships.
It's likely we only have 3-5 uses of the power before our brain completely mushes anyway. Better save it for the battle of Solomon or A Baoa Qu.

>>15375272
Alright, so next week, push through the Saber-Fish, sink the cruisers engaged with the OH, and then regroup with the rest of the team, most likely refueling and rearming in the process?

>>15375272
Omake?

>>15375279
I think that was more of "All the weapons belong to me!!!" thing we pulled than using the power in small doses.
But yeah, we won't be throwing it around willy nilly.
>>15375295
Sounds like a plan, hopefully we will have enough ammo to last that long.

I have an idea.
What if the crew of the Outer Heaven board the control system, and David uses his newtype Haaaax to ensure that our boarding party's guns are the only small arms that actually FIRE during the boarding effort?

We'd need to clear out every single defending warship to do so, but we could tell the entire solar system to destroy itself. Or to destroy Luna 2.

>>15375330
To break it down further:
1. Fight through the Saber-Fish squadrons, concentrating more on getting through them than downing them all.
2. Arrive at the rear of the cruisers engaged with the OH and the rest of the team.
3. Expend all remaining ammo, if any, on the flanks of the cruisers.
4. Dock with the OH for emergency refueling and rearming.
5. Launch and sink any remaining cruisers and harassing Saber-Fish.

>>15375349
This, of course, assumes several things.
#1 that the OH has staff willing to do this crazy bullshit,
#2 that the control system is vulnerable to boarding,
#3 that newtype Haaax will work on things like machine guns and defensive turrets (they are technically part of the Solar System)
#4 that Revil, Ghiren, or Bandit don't hijack something, fly it right past the control ship, spraypaint "PLOT ARMOR LOL" on the control system before blowing the control system up with everyone on board.

>>15375349
Might work, because the commands are being given to the rifles and pistols of the defenders, rather than the Solar System itself.
However, such a use of David's powers would take him out of commission for quite a while, assuming that it doesn't result in permanent damage.
You remember how badly out of it when he used his powers for a 1 single attack.

>>15375349
>>15375375
Too many things that could go wrong with using our powers at this stage, especially against a target that we know is immune to our powers.

Apologised, you still around? Want one of us to archive?

Alright, session has been archived. Remember to vote, everyone.