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You wake up four hours after docking and having begun repairs at the Gentris Beta IV shipyard. The repairs you requested will still take another five or six hours or more but with the sleep headset you don't need to spend all of that time out of action resting up. Checking the status of the station you see that its under attack again. Starfighters from the nearby planet the station orbits have been carrying out raids around the clock. Ships from another House have already captured or destroyed much of the infrastructure on both of the Planet's Moons that were being use to aid the Lat'tham troops.

Heading up to the bridge you check in with the over all situation in the system. Two corvette squadrons are forming up with a slightly singed Rovinar Battleship, probably with plans to go after the orbital platforms the starfighters have been using as a base.

"Battle update from Yineput." announces the com officer on duty, breaking the relative quiet.

Everyone on the bridge stops what they're doing and listens in.

"Decrypting. Friendly forces have confirmed that the Heavy Carrier TCS Yorktown was captured by enemy troops and stripped of her torpedo stockpiles early in the battle. After failing to surrender to our allies she was... destroyed by a Rovinar Heavy Cruiser. Unknown if any of her crew were still aboard, but it was acting as a forward repair base for Lat'tham elite cruiser squadrons."

"What about the House Super Heavy cruisers?" You ask. "We saw some of them going active before we left."

"Super Heavy Cruisers from the 1st and 3rd Dominion Expeditionary fleets have been partially captured by the enemy. Two attempted to break orbit of Yineput IV, but one was stopped and crippled by combined fire from five Ascendancy Heavy Cruisers, including the House Helios Flagship. House forces are attepting to assault the other four and retake them. They're being delayed by enemy crews already put aboard."

"What about the one that escaped?" Asks Kavos, enting the bridge and relieving the sergeant that had been looking after her post.

"It jumped into orbit of Yineput III where it has reinforced the orbital defenses."

"Damn." you curse.
"This is going to be a slugging match." Says Kavos wearily.

You stay on the bridge and begin looking through data on Wing and crew status. You've taken on some personnel from other House ships that were destroyed but with the number of hull breaches most of your ships have suffered you're still a bit undermanned.

Alex contacts you a few minutes later.
"Hey Sonia did you hear the good news?"

>>21673097
"That they stopped one of those Super Heavies from escaping?" you answer.

"No, about the ship armor. On their last trip back the Akagi salvaged the remains of two Kavarian Medium cruisers that had been deployed with their government to assist the Terrans."

You have to quash the momentary sense of hope that hits you before you get too excited. "Wont they have the same old crappy armor most of that class has?"

"No sir! The Kavarians may have their fleet size limited by treaty but they keep the remaining shipyards active, scrapping old ships and building newer ones to keep the engineers skilled. Also to sell the hulls to the Terrrans and Republic. Any ships they've been allowed to build from scratch are equipped with the same armor as the late model Attack Cruisers. Its all torpedo armor, maybe better grade than what we use."

[ ] We need to get some of that armor.
[ ] It might take too long / we need back into combat
[ ] other

>>21673140
[x] We need to get some of that armor

>>21673140
>[ ] other

Give me an ETA for the installation of that armour.

>>21672766
You know, reading that wiki is awesome. You put a lot of work into the ships - site already, though its still unorganized. Nice work.

>>21673157
Seconding that.

>>21673157
It might add 2-3 hours. Roll 1d4, lower is better.

Rolled 3

>>21673193
Well, let's see how that goes.

Rolled 2

>>21673193
I say we install it even if its 4 hours. Our standing order is to keep the wing alive, not hound for glory.

>>21673140
Status upadate: Our house and where its troops are deployed. Also, if it is better than what we currently have, we are honor bound to steal it for our house.

Before you can answer the comms officer interrupts your thoughs.
"Lieutenant, there's a Rovinar officer who wishes to see you. They're at one of the docking hatches."

Great, now what. "Can you ask someone near the airlocks to show them to my office?" You flip the com back on, "Alex get hold of some of that Armor any way you can, you have my authorization. If that's not good enough wake up Arthur, he's a Knight. I might not be available for a bit."

"Will do."

Stepping off the bridge you head down the hall a short distance to the office you never use. A systems status display on one wall shows the extent of the repair efforts along with missile and torpedo stores. Both are running low again.

>>21673315
Most of the House fleet and personnel are in the Yineput system trailing behind the main battle. The remaining battlecruisers are helping to protect the three Carriers which are helping provide starfighter cover to Houses still in the fight. Elements from the 1st and 2nd attack Wings have been towed to the same shipyard as you where they are undergoing repairs.
There are some cruisers, Frigates and standard corvettes from the House present with the Carriers but not from any full squadron.

>>21673450
Order someone to link in with the 1st and 2nd attack wings, we need to know what their plans are.

>>21673539
Well, do that while looking after what the Rovinar want. Maybe we can deploy together, should reduce casualties.

A few minutes later the (you think male) Rovinar is shown in. It isn't wearing the flowing robes common among the diplomats you've encountered, or the similar looking dress uniforms. This clothing looks to be a cross between a duty uniform and an armoured vac suit.
"Thank you for receiving me on such short notice Lieutenant."

"What can I do for you?" you ask, wanting to cut through any potential small talk.

"The battle against house Lat'tham is progressing such that you could be of more use elsewhere. There are now other attack cruiser units active helping in the Yineput system, both Terran and Rovinar. Even now spare ships are taking more bases from the enemy to fix our supply chain issue." He pauses.
"We know the Terrans sent you an optional invitation to their planned orbital assault."

"Nice to know people care about my well being so much that they spy on me." you respond dryly.

"Weapons were stolen from the fleet, the Rovinar Fleet that is, while it was in enemy hands. They need to be accounted for, recaptured, or even destroyed. What cloaked ships we've recovered are checking enemy positions in the local group, but there is one place we cant check. The Terran Super Heavy Cruisers."

You frown. "You're better friends with the Terrans than we are, just ask them."

"I mean the first six super heavy cruisers that House Lat'tham captured."
"Oh."

The officer continues. "One has remained in the Yineput system but five have left Lat'tham space entirely. We'll need ships capable of J-26 FTL speeds in order to catch them. Your House has Kavarian attack cruisers."

>>21673675
"Are you telling me that House Lat'tham pulled 5 Super Heavy cruisers off of the battle line and sent them somewhere else entirely? At a time like this?"

>>21673675
"What sort of weapons were stolen? Or is that going to remain a secret?"

>>21673675
"We have maybe a handful of them. Your people have advanced starships that surpass everybody but the Terrans I thought, don't you have anything fast enough?"

"Not at this time. The Terrans only have a pair of Battlecruisers they can spare, and the few ships that made up the Kavarian fleet contingent attached to the Terrans was all but destroyed. As the Iratar Government do not normally sell their ships to the Dominion you are one of the few Houses that have come into possession of fast enough ships."

"And what are we supposed to do if we do catch up to them? My Attack cruisers, do not have the firepower to attack a ship a thousand times more massive than my own, even with SP weapons."

"Even if you were to confirm that they had the weapons we're looking for aboard that would be enough. If you managed to destroy the weapons, that would merely be a bonus."

>>21673778
"We don't know why. We only have speculation at this point."

>>21673821
"They..." The officer pauses and contemplates the response. "They're a modified Veckron weapon we co-developed with the Republic before their civil war started. That should be enough."

>Questions?/What say?

>>21673882
I guess we would get some kind of scanning device to find these weapons?

>>21673882
Which ships in our squadron are capable of the necessary speeds? Only the K-types?

>>21673882
Aren't Veckron Torpedoes normally carried aboard smaller ships because of the whole "kill the crew of the ship that launches them" thing? That would mean they've found a way around that little problem.

"So let me get this strait. You want me to chase after 5 Super-Heavy Cruisers and some how or another confirm whether they have modified Vecron Torpedoes? You'd best have one hell of a carrot."

>>21673882
"So speculate"

>>21673944
Fuck it, i always confuse squadrons and wings. I meant attack wings.

>>21673919
"They would be easy to detect. They're cylindrical assemblies approximately 250m in length by 40m meters across. Given the time constraints they will either be inside externally mounted cargo modules or attached directly to the outer hull."

>>21673882
"Huh. You know, if had experimental Veckron torps and were about to loose a massive battle for my houses survival i'd use them, even if its just to spite the enemy. How much damage could these things cause to the expeditionary fleet?"

File: 1353449310242.gif-(30 KB, 1770x1098, 3rd Wing new organization 4.gif)

>>21673944
>Which ships in our squadron are capable of the necessary speeds? Only the K-types?
Ships boxed in blue.

>>21673958
"These are meant to be mounted externally on certain starships then hooked into the power systems. "
You get the feeling he's leaving something out.
>and some how or another confirm whether they have modified Vecron Torpedoes?
"If you were to enter the drive bubble produced by the ships while at FTL it would only take seconds to scan for the devices."

>You'd best have one hell of a carrot.
"They warned me about that with you. Peace of mined that they wont be turned against you in the future isn't enough?"

>>21674065
"A great deal. But using more than one inside a star system could result in FTL becoming unusable within 20-50 years in the area.

>>21673965
>"So speculate"

"They're giving them to the Warlords. Its an irrational enough answer that few are willing to believe it. With the hostages they may even have unlocked the weapon safeties by now. It makes little sense."

>Going for dinner.

>>21674154
"Considering my current standing orders are to, and I quote "to keep your wing alive and intact.We’ve lost too many ships, fighters and crews in the opening battles and those since. The First and Second Attack Wings are crippled and so are all but a handfull of our light cruisers. All we have left in operation are your Wing and three of our Carriers." your plan sounds like an excellent way to get arrested and court-marshaled for disobedience in the face of the enemy. Absent countervailing considerations, my orders simply leave me no choice but to refuse.

>>21674154

I'm going to be honest with you. I have exactly five ships capable of going J-26. Four attack cruisers and a frigatte. Against 5 supers with an unspecified amount of veckron devices. I can at most try confirm the existence of those weapons and pray the terrans had no military AIs running on these ships. If they had we are as good as gone as soon as we enter the drive bubbles.

And you seem to be fairly certain that they have the weapon, so why should i risk it? Carrots, you know?"

>>21674154
>"They warned me about that with you. Peace of mined that they wont be turned against you in the future isn't enough?"
House J-D has less developed worlds than I have fingers, and our military is... limited at best. I doubt we're worth even regular Veckron weaponry.

>>21674336

To clarify, this is a vote to do the mission, but milk them for all its worth. We are not risking the whole wing, if we only go to check if they have the weapon we can even send only one ship.

It's completely within our orders (since we aren't risking much of the wing) and favors owed from the Rovinar and by extension the terrans can only help us in the future. Especially if our SP-thingy gets out.

>>21674212
Has anybody even tried to enter negotiations with House Lat'tham? They should be agreeable to it at this point.

>>21674424
As the author of this: >>21674248
I can say that this is simply a bargaining position.

>>21674430
I'm pretty sure the ruling house will insist on their heads.

>>21674248
>>21674404
>>21674336
The Rovinar officer seems put off, as though he's never had to deal with a situation even remotely similar before. He seems almost ready to leave.

Almost but not quite.

"You're correct, your House is in a bad position to risk what little you have. Still your ships would offer a margin for error. What... what would it take to convince you otherwise?"

>>21675019
I do you a favour, and at some point in the future, you do me a favour.

>>21675019
Well, what nice stuff do the Rovinar have?

>>21675096
"We could offer ships. Replacements for any that are destroyed in this mission. Our SP torpedoes would be less than useful to you though. We could also offer financial compensation, material or equipment resources."

>I do you a favour, and at some point in the future, you do me a favour.
"That may work as well. I'll need to check with my superiors."

>>21675019
You need my help and at some point I may need some help of my own, so just a owing me a favor will do.

>>21675256
I like that.

>>21675256
>>21675059
So, these two then? I don't need to put up a survey up?

>>21675321
We have three votes for the favor. Might as well get going.

>>21675321
I may be biased, but I find that having the Rovinar owe us something could be very beneficial in our uncertain future.

>>21675255
OP, do you mind the players editing the House and Dominion wiki for grammar and composition/clarity?

I was thinking of getting into this quest by reading all the threads from the very first ones months ago and adding their relevant information into the wiki for reference.

I vote get more ships

Rovinar favors have served us well in the past and I would love some beefier personal armor.

"So, thats it? You'll do it?" The Rovinar asks sound a bit confused about the whole exchange.

You nod. "Yes. You should send me the data necessary for us to detect your super weapons as soon as possible though."

"Certainly."

"And priority for repairs." you add.

"I'll see to it. I must depart and tell my superiors." He moves towards the door but stops.
"All of this. You're willing to risk everything you'd said it was necessary for you to protect just for a favour?"

"I never said what that favour was." you reply icily.

"I pray I am not called upon to find out."

You ask his name and he give it as one Sub Lieutenant Karres before leaving.

>>21675550
Go for it. Though if some information conflicts leave a suitable notation so I can fix it later. Some of the info on the Megacorps may need to be edited for instance.
I retconned a bunch of stuff in preparation for this quest and may not have changed all of my notes accordingly.

>>21675692
Why? I don't think there is much we can still get in the power armor department (except a second one, which is nothing less than decadent.).

I'd rather have some of their not-quite-bleeding-edge tech for our attack cruiser production line. If that becomes a success our house (and by extension us) could get filthy rich.

"Jerik-Dremine-class attack cruiser" go!!!

>>21675801
Thanks, OP.

>>21675824
Well recon is cool and all but I subscribe to the 'my face is my shield' theory of ground combat, so I'd prefer something with big armor plates and some kind of hardmounted gun.

Of course investing in our House is a much better long-term plan.

>>21675994
Heh. But we are INVISIBLE. When we aren't busy setting things aflame with a fusion gun, of course.

Anyways, storing the favour might come in very useful later. Rovinar have quite a bit of influence.

You call up everyone and let them know about the plan to go after the missing Terran ships. There are a few protests, even after you let them know that only 5 of you will be going. Mike wouldn't mind volunteering but his ship cant match the FTL speeds necessary. Alex is silent.

Daska speaks up. "Sir, with all due respect, if you're going to go on another suicide mission could you at least leave some standing orders or request to the Commander about some promotions for the rest of us?"

"I'm glad you're concerned about my safety Squadron Leader." you reply sarcasticly. "Seriously though everyone this is crazy dangerous. If anyone aboard the selected ships doesnt want to take part we'll find another."

>Do you have any inspiring words for your pilots?
Also, state the following Y/N ?
>"I'm authorizing triple combat pay out of my own wallet, in advance."

>>21675792
>>21675824
free repair of all of our ships in our exidshion that is currently in non operational status. (they have no need to know this incluides a superheavy until they already agreed)

>>21676134
Success in this mission will help eliminate a major threat to the fleets of the Dominion.

>"I'm authorizing triple combat pay out of my own wallet, in advance."
Yes.

>>21676134
Is it really that much of a suicide mission? If all goes well, we jump in a few million km from the carries, take a few pictures, and jump out again.

>>21676134
Yes on the triple pay. And ask Alex in private if he has something to say.

>>21676134
Log some promotion orders. It shouldn't take long.

"Fellow soldiers, we have traveled a hard road together, and you have never let me down. You are the best of the best, and you prove that every minute of this senseless conflict. What I am asking you to do is follow me once more - not for personal glory, but to save others. The weapons we are searching for have the potential to not only destroy the largest warships any of us is likely to see, but to completely cut off whole star systems from FTL contact for decades. Maybe even half a century. We can't let those bastards get away with those things without putting up a fight.

Everyone in, say aye. Everyone else, do what you do best, and fight until you win."

>>21676134
>>Do you have any inspiring words for your pilots?

The enemy has captured Veckron weaponry and despite losing the battle for their homeworld, sent 5 super heavy cruisers away with them. Wherever these ships are headed, if they manage to slip away, it'll mean big trouble for our forces in the future.

We need to keep an eye on that cargo, you know that just as well as I do. Our ships are among the few fast enough for this job. So it's either this suicide mission today, or facing an enemy equipped with WMDs in the near future.

I'd rather take my chances now, to be honest.

>>21676134

"Okay ladies and gentlemen, i think we all know that i'm a sucker for suicide missions, but i'm not doing this out of a misplaced desire for lametta. This is seriously important.

If those Rovinar superweapons sneak behind us not only Jerick-Dremine, but every house participating in this fleet action is as good as doomed.

If they are not the pirate warlords will gain a weapon that has been described as a fleet killer.

The brass needs accurate recon on it, badly, and we are the only unit in the theatre with the skills and ships to provide it.

We've proven again and again in the last few months that we are among the best the dominion has to offer and we will prove it again.

I'm authorizing triple combat pay out of my own wallet, in advance. And yeah Daska, i'm going to start spamming command with promotion form.

>>21676298
That ones the best up to now.

>>21676249
"Alex, you okay?"

"Yeah, just a little stressed. Normally I've always been fine under stress, even when I was a kid." He pauses to take a deep breath then exhales.
"We had a couple of close calls back there. The armored bulkheads on my ship took damage within ten meters of my bridge. I don't know if we would have even had time to activate the emergency teleporters if it had been any closer. I lost a lot of people."

"Do you need to sit this one out?" You ask him.

"No. No, I'll be fine." he assures you.

>What do regarding Alex?

>>21676431
Trust his decision. He's never let us down.

>>21676431
I think we should suggest he stays behind and does some easier assignments until he has recovered from the loss of his crew.

We need somebody we can trust back with the rest of our wing anyway.

>>21676431
When in doubt, ask Kavos.

>>21676487
Hrmph, Daska. And Mike. Seriously.

>>21676519
Mike? Yeah. Daska? Not sure.

>>21676530
She's a bit interested in getting promoted, but otherwise as trustworthy as Mike and Alex. And she is a better tactician than them.

And why would we need someone trustworthy back at the wing? Its not like they will immediately defect to Lat'tham as soon as our back is turned.

>>21676431

Taking him on a suicide mission after he's just lost a lot of his crew might not be the best idea to be honest.

>>21676368
>>21676313
>>21676298
Well, between these I'd say you have enough pilots and crews for the five ships.

>>21676497
>When in doubt, ask Kavos.
"I leave that problem for the on base psych to figure out normally. Sometimes pulling them from combat is a good thing, other times not. Now would not be best time to order a psych evaluation, especially if the unit is forced to scramble.
It could be a couple of day before we see action again on this pursuit mission, or hours until our House is called to battle for those left here."

>>21676579
It's 1 am here, so I'm most likely a bit too paranoid. Meaning I'll stop for the night after this post.

But I think Alex and Mike will both be required to reign her in just in case she gets a bit too focussed on doing something silly/daring to get that promotion.

I don't want to come back to only one third of our wing because somebody thought it would be best to push their luck.

Anyway, good luck with whatever decision you reach.

Getting to work, you divert as many resources as possible to making sure that the five ships going with you are ready. Prepared, not just for combat but for survival. The FTL drives and drive plates are checked and calibrated, with the engineers making sure there are enough spare parts to partially rebuild the core if something happens. If you manage to lose all your drive plates enough of the ship will be presumed gone that getting back into FTL wouldn't be remote possibility.

While the faintly gold tinged armor plate is being attached to your ship you do your own visual inspection of the exterior. The rows of exposed drive plates running down the length of the "tail" of your ship provide more push at FTL than nearly any other equivalent ship class. The Excalibur and "Baby Excalibur" Clarent class have sets of armored shutters that slam shut when not in FTL to provide more protection. Most ships have the plates hidden behind armor plate at all times like the Bittenfeld but that cuts down on efficiency at high FTL speeds.
From what you saw most Rovinar warships don't seem to mount the number of plates necessary for the high speeds required. Doing a quick check through archives you do find that there have been some of their Light Cruisers rigged out with better drives but they seem a bit bulkier than normal. Odds are they wouldn't be able to keep up with an attack cruiser at sublight with the mass increase.

Four ships rebuilt from captured or wrecked Kavarian Attack Cruisers, along with one smuggler built Clarent are ready to move out when the time comes. Kavos was able to get hold of four SP torps for each ship should it be necessary to go into combat.

>>21676148
Trick Rovinar into providing free repair for a super heavy that we would never be able to repair on our own. I like it

>>21676718
Seriously, i would be very, very surprised if Daska managed to pull off something more daring than what we usually do. And also a bit impressed, admittedly.

>>21676766
This is so good.

Survey!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3K3NSFC

Is Alex coming with us or are we substituting someone else? Its his ship mind you, and most others in the unit experienced with the class already have their own.

Also do you plan to screw over the Rovinar with the repair request?

>>21676967
I voted for saving the favor. I want us to discuss it with the Knight Commander or another higher officer when we get the chance.

>>21676967
Screw over is such a harsh phrase. We will simply ask for free repair for all our ships in the expeditionary fleet that need it.

>>21676967
I think getting our super heavy repaired isn't worth antagonizing the Rovinar.

>>21677052
This seems like a good idea. Seconded.

>>21677052
I agree that this should be saved until later

File: 1353463705309.gif-(11 KB, 1391x574, NAV DRH 3.gif)

>>21676791
>>21676766
I really expected more people to vote for this. Certainly more than [s]zero[s] One.

After weighing your options regarding pilots you reluctantly decide to have Mike take command of Alex's ship. Alex is pissed but respects your decision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fk9Y0BSdqc

Launching from the station a few of the pilots from Third Wing provide an escort out away from the station. With enemy corvette squadrons starting to jump into the system to attack the station you're glad for it. Daska and Arthur blaze path and soon you and the others are jumping to FTL.

It takes eight jumps worth of dropping out and realigning to make it to the nav station on the far side of House Lat'tham Territory. A Frigate broadcasts navigation data to you on a secure channel once you're in range. A Krath ship seems to masquerading as one from House Lat'tham to get legit data.

"This station wasnt sabotaged in the same manner as the others but all of the surrounding sensor and communications arrays are pointed towards DRH 3." The captain explains as you align for the next jump.
"Meaning even if we wanted to use the long range coms to contact the other expeditionary forces it wouldnt work." Finishes Kavos.

Linda checks the power reserves again then activates the drives. This wont be like the last FTL pursuit mission, this time the enemy ships will be nearly at their destination by the time you catch up.

>>21677459
>Alex is pissed but respects your decision.

Please have somebody keep an eye on him while we're gone.

And I guess we'll owe him an explanation why we made that decision.
Something about already costing him his leg, most likely.

File: 1353464556647.jpg-(38 KB, 1360x550, Time to Jump out.jpg)

>>21677459
>And then suddenly we have more people voting for Alex.

After weighing your options regarding pilots you decide to have Alex remain in command of his ship. You hope that you made the right decision and that the time in transit will be good for your long time wingman.

Looking out at the bright lights of space through the viewscreen and the HUD you can see the stars from the DRH 2 relay falling farther behind each hour. Ahead are the swirls of light making up the next relay and what the locals call the South Reach Cluster. Somewhere between here and there is the fleet of starships you have to scan down. From the data that was sent to you there are other routes the rebelling House may have used to send off the captured weapons. You assume they've already dispatched ships to check those.

You have a minimum of 48 hours until you're projected to catch up with the other ships. What did you want to do in that time?

>>21677629
Sleep for everyone.

>>21677629
>After weighing your options regarding pilots you decide to have Alex remain in command of his ship. You hope that you made the right decision and that the time in transit will be good for your long time wingman.

Get some sleep, spend some time talking to Alex.

>>21677629
See how Linda and Kavos are doing.

>>21677686
>>21677790
I would say try to combine these two

>>21677629
I would suggest we should be making some plans that will help us keep our squad alive while completing our objective.

>>21677496
>Something about already costing him his leg, most likely.
That's Mike.

>>21677686
You use short range FTL coms to tell everyone in the unit to get some rest. Real rest, not just with sleep headsets, and that goes for the crew as well.

First things first though, you set up a secure channel with which to talk to Alex and ask him to do a regular check in while in flight.
He tells you a bit about his time at OCS before the campaign started, and some of the training to help people deal with Battle fatigue combat stress. Its possible he met Daska while there but he cant be certain.

"I was supposed to spend one more year in school but then the call up happened before the next semester started and I joined up with the navy to be a pilot."

>>21677790
Linda hasn't been her usual self. Normally more interested in her job as a navigator she's never had very high scores in the simulated boarding drills. Now she's spending more time at the range the Marines have set up. When you catch up you see she's using a small ballistic pistol converted for use with micro rocket propelled slugs.

>What say, to either?

>Promotions
>RE: Kavos
For every stupid and suicidal action I undertake, Kavos prevents at least 9, and turns them into sane, and only slightly less effective, decisions.

>10 years later
>Serveing under Knight Commander Kavos

>>21678024
>Linda
"Branching out a bit?"
See if we can provide some advice and/or help.

>Alex
"I didn't know that. What did you study?"
Ask him why he decided to become a pilot. I'd guess it's not a decision most upper-class students would have made.

>>21678115
>Linda
"Branching out a bit?"

You manage to startle the other woman who hadnt noticed your approach. She immediately looks back to her weapon, safes it, then turns back to you, looking to see if there's anyone else here.
"Sonia. Y-you..." She stops and laughs nervously, covering her mouth. "Oh. Okay, you scared the hell out of me."

"So?"

"Oh, the gun." She looks at the weapon then puts it in a holster slung nearby. "I know we've been boarded before but until that flash bang went off on the bridge I didnt really take it seriously. I always figured the security teams would fight them off or give us some warning if they couldnt."

"Well, dont take it the wrong way, but it wasnt like we were the only ship where that happened." You assure her. "Where did you get the pop gun?"

"Like it? I bought this after the run in with those Norune bounty hunters. I wanted something that would keep accelerating in a vacuum."

That's a bit more hardcore than you would have expected someone like her to buy, but then again it's also the sort of analytical thing you'd expect.

>>21678115
"The first couple of years are mostly generalized Officer training. Its meant to give up and coming Nobles an idea of how to make use of forces be it gound, navy or starfighters."

"So why become a corvette pilot if you had all that? Wouldn't a navy officer aboard the larger ships be better?"
"No, are you kidding? If you're in it for the long haul it will pay off but the fast track for promotion is either Infantry officer leading into the Marines and Special Forces, or becoming a corvette pilot. Both have good odds of letting someone become a Knight. You know about the odds of survival for infantry from your father though."

File: 1353471433430.gif-(14 KB, 913x655, FTL Pursuit.gif)

You spend a little while talking to Kavos who's been busy using the time to write letters to the family back home.
"How did everyone take the news of your promotion?" You ask when arriving on the bridge.

"I recieved a few messages after our arrival in Lat'tham space but before communications were cut. Even with the promotion I'm still not the primary wage earner. My spouse is a senior dock manager at one of the shipyards around Dreminth. It pays well."

>Anything you wanted to talk to Kavos about?


>I would suggest we should be making some plans that will help us keep our squad alive while completing our objective.

There should be a total of 5 Super Heavies, and you have 5 ships. Distances between the ships are exaggeratedly small in the pic. Also the Clarent and 5th enemy ship aren't on there because of reasons.

You could have everyone go after the same ship simultaneously in the hopes of providing more targets if you're fired upon or have each ship go after a single target.

It is recommended that you try to match drive fields with the Supers if you're to scan them. You could also try to overload their drive field to drop them into real space, but since your ship is much smaller and bound to have a weaker field that might not work so well.

Your plan?

>>21679266
We'll take one Super. The other ships will pair up and take another two Supers. Once we match drive fields and start scanning, we'll also start firing. First priority is weapons. Second is drive plates. The moment we find one of those Veckron weapons, we focus all fire on it. It'd be neat if we could aim precisely enough to cut them free of the hull, and thus potentially recover them, but I doubt that will work.

Ask Kavos about her future plans. Is she in for the long haul?

File: 1353472969334.jpg-(20 KB, 629x342, HereHereHereHereHereHereH(...).jpg)

>Kavos
"I have no intentions of stopping now. I could have retired two years ago but then I would have been reactivated again when this past years raids started."

>>21679393
Be advised that the only gap in the weapons coverage of these ships is a narrow area directly behind them where the aft sublight drives are located. There are still a few phase cannon that could hit you there but you'd be (mostly) protected from the Plasma cannons, SP torpedo launchers and heavy phase cannons scattered around the rest of the ship exterior. These vessels have a very large number of weapons. The Terrans upgraded them considerably from the original Kavarian design.

On the other hand you'll be inside their shield while you can still use yours.

>>21679650
>genie

We could sure use one of those right now.

Can we use tractors to anchor ourselves to the Supers? If so, it should be relatively easy to stay in the gap.

"I'm glad you're with us, Kavos. I probably would have gotten myself killed a month ago without you."

>>21679729
Yes its certainly possible, starfighters do this all the time to stick to the outer hull of starships and fly along the surface.

>>21679833
Then we have our plan. If we had some of those pulsed tractor-repulsor weapons it would be even better.

>>21679857
Besides being prone to parts failure those are fairly energy intensive. A battlecruiser could mount a pair of them if all of the other weapons were stripped.

Three days and two hours into the flight the navigator aboard one of your ships sounds the alarm. Your group of ships are closing in.

Half sprinting most of the way there you enter the bridge along side a few of the senior bridge crew as they trade places. Sitting down in the pilot's chain you throw on the HUD and begin checking system and sensor readouts.

"There." Says Linda indicating a bright light that could have been mistaken for a star several hours ago.
Magnifying the image it resolves into five points of light holding a loose formation several thousand km apart from each other.

"That's definitely them." Confirms Linda. "No signs of other starships in formation with them, just the five super heavies. I'm detecting some wake from their drive fields. It could cause problems if we come in from directly behind them."

Kavos looks to Linda's station then moves closer. "Ships do not produce drive wake like this."

"Not normally." Linda agrees. "It can happen some times on ships that use multiple cores to support a single field. It doesn't look severe enough to cause structural problems for the ship, its mostly something that has to be watched out for in larger fleet movements where it could disrupt smaller escorts."

"I knew this was too easy." you mutter.

"Contacts on long range sensors." Announces Arron.

"Yes, we know Arron." you answer rolling your eyes.

"No, aft. Two contact closing on us."

"Closing? We're already at J-26, I thought ships didnt go faster than that." you look to Linda who cross checks her data with Arron.

She shakes her head. "They're moving faster than us. Not quite J-27. From the drive flare I would say they're Terran."

"Battlecruisers?"

"No, medium cruisers both of them. They'll have caught up thirty minutes after we reach the enemy fleet."

Kavos turns to you. "That does not give us much time to scan then ships safely once we reach them and there's still the drive wake."

[ ] Risk the wake, come in from behind
[ ] Avoid wake, come in from sides risking weapons fire
[ ] Wait to see what the two new ships do
[ ] other

File: 1353477133917.png-(17 KB, 311x333, Warning Branching Realities.png)

Survey time! See you guys in the morning.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3GKCTVT

Bump

Bump. Hopefully we survive this.

>Ask Linda if she thinks she can handle the wake, if so, come in from behind, if not, wait for the two new ships.
"I don't know. I've never had to fly through the wake of such a large ship before. Most of our simulations for drive wake were with Centurion class ships or Y-type transports, and you know how big those are."

"So what could happen?" You ask her, filled with equal parts curiosity and dread.

"It might just bounce us around a bit if we're lucky."

"And if we're not lucky?"

"I'm sure we'll be fine."

You make a mental note to tighten your safety restraints when you get closer.

Roll 3d100

Rolled 62, 38, 96 = 196

>>21684600
Cant be that bad

>>21684600
Are we doing averages, or highest of 3 sets?

Highest number of votes were for Risk the wake btw.

I'll be back in a bit. Feel free to keep rolling or discuss how much damage you plan to do.

>>21684657
We're still in testing on that. 6 out of 10 people did vote to switch to it though

Survey link from last week is here.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RGDRXV9

>>21684659
What would happen if we damage the Veckron weaponry?

>>21684885
That would be good to know.

If everything works as planned we should jump in and scan for the weapon. If we see it we fire every SP-torps we can at it, as well as our main weaponry if we are inside the Superheavys shield bubble. After 20-30 seconds tops we jump out again.

If we don't find the weapon we jump out again as soon as our drive plates can handle.

>>21678350
>Linda

Seeing how effective bridge crews have been at fighting us during our boarding actions, we should suggest to her to simply lie on the ground, and hope they'll let her surrender instead of just throwing a few grenades into the room.

>>21685260
Well, not every boarding action is led by a invisible, powerarmor-wearing and fusion gun toting badass.

>>21685281
Still, without any decent armour, surrender is probably the better option for the non-combat personnel.

>nobody wants to risk it unless I say for sure we're doing highest of 3
Fine. We'll do that for the next roll how about?

>>21684885
>>21685240
Nothing bad probably. They need to be charged before they're really dangerous.


It takes another four hours for your ships to close in on the enemy fleet. So far your course has been parallel, both to avoid accidental collision and to avoid any wake that might have been generated farther back.

"Stick to the plan we discussed earlier and pair up. Get in behind them where their aft sublight drives give us a blind spot. Watch out for that wake."

"I notice we're going after our target alone." Says Kavos once you close the channel.

"Our ship is more advanced." You tell her, while considering adding that you're also an awesome pilot. That might be taking things a bit too far though.

As you come along side your target and reduce speed Linda and Arron at last get a good look at the ships catching up from behind.

"One Odyssey and one Trident class Medium Cruiser. They're both long range experimental ships."

"They're trying to jam communications in the area but we're still close enough to the rest of our ships that it shouldnt be an issue."

>>21685501

A Odyssey-class, huh? Aren't those things the terran elite ships? I have the strangest feeling that the terrans want to fight vekron with vekron.

>>21685529
Wouldn't they rather put the Veckron stuff on the cheapest ships with the worst crews?

>>21685539
Vekron stuff is pretty bulky and needs lots of energy, as far as i remember it can't be shot from small ships.

File: 1353517206138.jpg-(35 KB, 1024x373, Before&After_shooting(...).jpg)

"I don't know what their mission is but to hell with them, we have our own work to do."

You tell Linda to pull in behind your target and are immediately hit by turbulence. Its like flying a fighter into an atmospheric storm, though a hurricane or cyclone might be a better comparison. The vibrations that start to carry through the ship are intense enough that Linda is forced to break off and attempt the approach again. Two of the others have the same problem but it looks like Alex and his Wingman are able to reach their target on the first try.

You hold onto the arms of your chair as Linda bring the EX-K in again, this time managing to reach the field bubble of the larger ship, though off course by a slight margin. Waiting for the navigator to match the field frequency is even more nerve wracking than on previous occasions with the wake still bouncing you around. You cant even grab the controls until you're through.

"They know we're here. Plasma cannons are being aimed aft." Says Arron.

Roll 1d100 (Highest of 3, we'll see how this goes)

Rolled 51

>>21685688
Hmm....

Rolled 67

>>21685722
rolling

>>21685662
Actually they can be. The first purpose built VT bombers were only slightly larger than Frigates, but they were effectively glass cannons. Despite their firepower against monstrously huge vessels they stood little chance against equivalent sized ships. The second generation of these ships were built in the Republic using larger cruiser hulls with the launcher at the bow in the hopes that some of the crew in the aft sections would be unaffected.
The Terrans sometimes mount them in the bow of their super heavy cruisers and evacuate surrounding sections (say ~2km radius) when its necessary for them to fire.

Rolled 50

>>21685688
Okay, rolling the third one since it seems there only 2 players atm.

>>21685836
Oh dear, I just arrived.

>>21685923
Just roll then. It won't hurt.

Rolled 71

>>21685943
Well, it wont change anything since we are best of three at the moment? Well, i'll roll anyways.

>>21685966
OP might take it because we'll actually have 3 rolls by 3 people with yours. And even if he doesn't, 67 and 71 aren't exactly a world apart.

"Got it!" Yells Linda, as the EX-K enters the drive field of the other ship. You grab the controls and wrench them to the left, taking cover behind the ship's aft super structure. Fifty phase cannon beams and a pair of Plasma cannon shots pass through the space you just vacated, though some of it grazes your shield. Six of the aft cannon continue to batter your shields even as you slip back and forth trying to evade.
Tightening down the trigger you return fire, destroying a pair of the guns with phase cannon followed by torpedoes.

"Scan at 20%"

"Sonia, do not use the phase cannon." Kavos warns. "It will draw too much power."

"Right." You switch over to only torpedoes, using single fire to target the individual turrets until most of the aft ones have been disabled.
"Evade!" Warns Arron.
You hit the emergency thrusters just as the aft fusion drives throttle up and begin to tighten their output thin beams. The maneuver pops you back up above the hull's cover, exposing you to weapons fire once more. Your primary and secondary shield drop in the time it takes to correct your movement and get into cover once more, just barely staying out of the weaponized exhaust.

Even as you watch though the magnetic thrust vectoring on the larger vessel starts to shift the fusion plasma output upwards, closer to the EX-K's belly.

"Arron any time now."

"Scan complete! None on the surface but this ship has a forward launcher."

[ ] Drop back
[ ] Try to do more damage
[ ] Other

>>21686262
[x] Drop back

>>21686262
drop back

>>21686262
Is there any chance of hitting the forward launcher from here, and is this forward launcher the experimental weapon we are searching?

>>21686262
>[X] Drop back

>>21686309
You could try launching torpedoes over the length of the ship have them curve back down to hit the bow.
You'll need a good roll though. Try for it? Y/N

>>21686438
I'd try it, but i seem outvoted already.

>>21686438
We can do that if the other ships don't manage to account for all the wmd.

File: 1353521309116.gif-(9 KB, 476x646, FTL Pursuit 2.gif)

>>21686438

>>21686487
What, so its only a usual terran VT launcher, not the rovinar super special one? I wonder if its worth it...

>>21686438
>Given the time constraints they will either be inside externally mounted cargo modules or attached directly to the outer hull.

Would probably waste our torpedoes, lets check in with the other ships before doing anything.

"Reversing engines." With some reverse thrust you drop back from the enemy ship and exit the range of their drive field. Linda takes control even as the turbulence starts to shake the ship once again, doing her best to back the EX-K out of the danger zone. Once clear you check the status of the ship. No hull damage it seems.

"How are we looking?" you ask.

"Energy reserves are getting low." Reports Kavos. "We can't fire phase cannon without things becoming dangerous and after we drop back into real space it will be a few minutes before we can use the afterburners."

"Fine, we'll deal with that problem when we get there. How are the other ships?"

"One of the other teams still haven't started their scan. Flight Leader Palaiologos has finished but we've lost contact with his wingman."

You check your sensors but there's no sign of Samuul Kuritz or his J-Type. The other two ships are only just now starting to catch up with their target. leaving 2 more after that.

Do you plan to split up and have you and Alex each take 1 of the remaining ships, both of you go after the same one or do something different?

>>21686833
Ask Alex what happened to his wingman and if they've seen the weapon? I advocate splitting up, it seems to me that there isnt much space in the blind spot of the supers, its likely going to be easier doing this alone.

>>21686833
What are the Terran ships doing?

>>21686897
"He took a bad SP weapon hit and lost most of his forward hull. I don't know what happened after he dropped back, there was a lot of debris. We confirmed that some of the Rovinar Weapons are on board and tried to hit them with a torpedo barrage."

"Did you hit any of them?"

"At least two containers."

>>21686931
"Still closing. We have fifteen minutes until they catch up." Says Arron.
"But we'll have arrived at the next Nav Relay in thirteen or fourteen minutes." Points out Linda.

Roll 2d100 for wake surfing. Best of 3

Rolled 55, 16 = 71

>>21687030
surf that

Rolled 90, 61 = 151

>>21687030
Okay, lets do this.

Rolled 7

>>21687030
>First roll.

Rolled 70

>>21687062
>Second one.

File: 1353524235200.gif-(17 KB, 1194x654, FTL Pursuit 3.gif)

So, just to be sure. You guys want Sonia and Alex to split up?

Also, I hate to do this right in the middle of things but I have to step out and change the tires on my car. Might take an hour.

>>21687148
I'm against letting Alex go off on his own, considering his... questionable mental constituation at the moment.

>>21687148
I already suggested it way up there, but thats what i think makes most sense.

At the next nav point we make sure to drop out far away from the Supers, wait for the terran ships and find out to which faction they belong. If they are on the same mission as we are we can tell them which ships carries the Rovinar weapons so they can do their worst while we fly back to pick up alex's wingman.

>>21687258
>constituation
constitution

>>21687148

OP, is there enough space for two attack cruisers in the blind spot of a super heavy?

Back.

>1 for splitting up, 1 for sticking together.
Figures. Do I need to put a survey up? I didn't really have time when I left.

>>21687374
Yes, just not as much maneuvering space. Then there's the engine exhaust to contend with.

>>21688228
Looks like it. I still think less maneuvering space is problematic. And Alex can handle himself, he's a goddamn veteran and our wingman.

File: 1353530052663.jpg-(114 KB, 776x381, Divide & Conquer.jpg)

Survey up!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6G7VK3L

>>21688385
I voted for hitting the weapons, but only if they're on the sides/in easy to hit places.

After having Linda move your ships closer together you contact Alex.
"We don't have much time left. We'll each have to go after one of those ships and scan them down. If you think you can land fire on any of the weapons you find do so but don't get yourself killed."

"Understood, and good luck."

Your two ships split up and close on the two remaining cruisers yet to be scanned.

"The other flight reports they've found another ship with weapons on board. They've taken damage trying to get some shots off at them but didn't have much success."

Either with experience from last time or a lack of trouble with the enemy drive field the turbulence isn't nearly as bad on this approach. There are a couple of moments where the drive wake starts to shake the ship around but it still isn't nearly as bad.

"Stand by with targeting data on the torpedoes." You order as the two drive fields meet. It takes barely ten seconds for the drive fields to match up, letting you through.

Roll 1d20

Rolled 16

>>21688685
Rolling.

Rolled 8

>>21688685

Rolled 17

>>21688685
Rolling time

Rolled 5

>>21688685
rollin'. We are still in best of three mode, aren't we?

This time you're not near as badly positioned upon entering the larger ship's field bubble. Still you're presented with all of the same problems, aft facing phase cannons, fusion drives, and limited space to maneuver. First things first.

Putting the EX-K on its side you dodge between the exhaust of two of the engines, letting Kavos take care of launching torpedoes. The faint tug of tractor beams try to pull you into the path of one engine but you roll towards the underside, escaping the reach of those particular emitters. While empted to use the phase cannon to damage the sublight drives you dont want to risk being unable to jump back into FTL later.

"Aft phase cannon are disabled." reports Kavos. You resume control of the torpedo launchers for a moment and blast one of the fusion drives until its disabled, giving you more room to safely part the ship.

"Scan complete, there's nothing here!" Says Arron.

"What, really?" you respond, genuinely surprised.

"Incoming!" Warns Kavos.

You slam the throttle into full reverse and between you and Linda back out of the Super's drive bubble before the torpedo volley can reach you. Six warheads pass through the edge of the field and disappear.

>>21689045
>We are still in best of three mode, aren't we?

Yes. Though if a couple of people roll really low in a row it will doom us all. Under this system you don't get an equipment and experience bonus. Still, it seems to be working out for everyone at the moment.

>>21689124
I think we're just incredibly lucky at the moment. I'd rather not lose somebody just because 3 people roll at nearly the same time and /tg/'s crappy RNG cooks up the same number 3 times.

After suffering through the turbulence and backing away to a safe distance again you wait to see how Alex has done. Its another two minutes before his ship appears and begins to back away.

"Alex, you alright?"

After getting no initial response coms suggests the jamming by the approaching Terran ships may be be getting too strong. Still, he's holding speed and not falling back out of control.

"Linda, find us a point to drop out of FTL that wont have us reverting right next to these monsters. Swing us near each of our ships, hopefully they'll get the idea and follow suit."

With time until the arrival at the next relay running out you'll just have to hope the others catch on.

Alex seems to get the picture quickly enough and with the two of you moving in formation both other ships soon begin to follow. After increasing speed Linda directs to flight a few degrees off giving you a few light years distance when you drop out.

"I want damage reports on all ships and start charging the capacitors for another jump back to recover Kuritz and his crew. We cant leave them out in deep space."

As the crews of all four ships get to work one of the Terran Medium cruisers jumps in, much closer that you would have liked. Six Assault Corvettes disengage from docking clamps positioned around the mid section of the Trident class vessel. Within a few seconds all of them have torpedo locks on you and the rest of your unit.

"We're being hailed."

>>21689560
And despite all the help we've been giving them the terrans prove again that they are dicks.

>>21689560
These assholes better be friendly

"Com, put them on my screen."

Your smaller display flickers to life, showing the face of an older clean shaven human male.

"This is Captain Mahmoud Al-Helaisy of the TCS Neptune, identify yourselves immediately or you may be fired upon."

"May?" You consider making a wisecrack but you're not sure you'd live to tell about it. "Knight Lieutenant Sonia Reynard of House Jerik-Dremine. I'm the commanding officer of the Third Attack Wing."

The other officer merely blinks in response. "This area has been classed as an active combat zone. According to treaty stipulations I am permitted to demand your purpose and intentions for being here."

>What say?

>>21690199
>According to treaty stipulations
Do we have a copy of that treat?

Anyway, we were following 5 super-heavy cruisers that were captured by house Lat'tham.

>>21690266
>treat?
Treaty.

>>21690266
Add that we have confirmed that those things have an experimental rovinar vekron weapon on board and we were the only ships with a fast enough hyper-drive to follow them. The Rovinar didn't ask us to keep this secret so we can reveal it to the Terrans, they are buddies anyways.

>>21690327
I think it would be best if we just mentioned veckron weaponry in general.

>>21690347
We can do that, too.

>>21690347
Just the words captured veckron weapons, rogue house, and pirates getting said weapons might get their attention

>>21690327
>>21690347
>>21690266
>Do we have a copy of that treaty?
Yes, will post after the conversation as it looks like it wont matter all too much.

"The Rovinar Navy requested my unit investigate those five super heavy cruisers you saw. They've been captured by House Lat'tham and ours were the only ships fast enough to catch up. Specifically, we were to find out if their missing Veckron weaponry was aboard. It is by the way. They have three ships carrying containers filled with new launchers and torpedoes." You pause then add. "Is that a good enough reason for being here?"

The Captain orders his other ships to stand down then turns his attention back to you. "In the intrest of cooperation, I would like to request copies of your sensor data to assist in both of our missions."

Wanting this conversation to be over as soon as possible you agree and have the sensor records transmitted to the larger cruiser.

"Thank you for your assitance Knight Lieutenant." Says Al-Helaisy with what on the surface seems to be a level of kindness. You're sure its just a masquerade though.
"Try to be careful if you decide to visit the navigators station nearby. Many of the residents are in the employ of the Warlords and will transmit your outbound speed and vectors to pirates in the area."

You make a note to yourself to remember that while watching the assault corvettes load up on the Medium cruiser and jump out.

>>21690266
You glance through the hastily drawn up document all ships were provided with at the beginning of the campaign.

The short version:
When in combat zones ships flying IFF's from other Factions can be challenged if given cause, at which point they must provide data on their mission objectives. Normally this is overlooked and people will just go about their business, but once challenged the other ship has to provide some indication of what they're doing. If they lack a reason for being there (such as fighting Pirates, assisting allies or engaged in priority missions for their faction, etc) they can theoretically be escorted from the combat zone. The rather obvious loop holes were so that Terran and Rovinar ships could be escorted out of sensitive areas of Dominion space without causing an incident.

A necessity given that 3 of the 4 Nav relay points the Dominion is responsible for maintaining have historically been hit by the worst pirate raids.

>>21690926
Awww, we should have asked what their mission is.

"Any chance they were really House Lat'tham troops?" Asks Alex a few minutes later. "We could have asked what their mission was."

"I'm pretty sure they were Terran Alliance. The Lat'tham people I met at the party didn't seem like a bunch of assholes until after they started shooting at us. These guys are assholes before they shoot you. Its a very complicated dynamic."

"I think that's just the difference between how officers and nobles are expected to act at parties along the Houses." Alex points out.

"I hate to interrupt but..." Kavos trails off letting you finish the rest yourself.

"Shit, we've got a rescue operation to pull off."

After checking that the capacitors have recharged enough for some low speed short range jumps your squad heads out.

[ ] Split up to cover more area
[ ] Stick together in case pirates spot us
[ ] other

>>21691194
Split up, our ships are pretty much at 100% right?

>>21691194
Search in pairs, we have 4 ships left, right?

>>21691250
I second this.

File: 1353544275539.gif-(6 KB, 966x679, Deep space SAR.gif)

>>21691225
Yes, though keep in mind your power reserves are still not anywhere near 100% and ammunition is about half. You still have 4 SP torps though.

>>21691250
Yes.

"How far back along our course do we need to look?" you ask Arron as he sends you a rough search grid.

"Well, provided they didn't keep moving for long or drift off course we're looking at a search zone 16,000 Light years by as much as 500 light years. I sure hope someone on board survived to activate their rescue beacon."

"What's the range on their beacon?" Asks Linda.

Everyone looks to Kavos who sighs. "Our survival gear was fairly non-standard. Flight Leader Alex said that the bow was hit the worst, thats where most of the crew are on these vessels so its where new equipment would be replaced first. Older beacons found in the aft sections... might only have a range of twenty to fifty light years."

Oh shit. "There has to be a way to narrow that down. We'd be out here for days searching."

"We could construct a simulation based off the last sensor records, that'll take two hours to set up though." Suggests Linda.

Alex speaks up over the open channel. "Or we could ask for the Navigators Guild to send out a rescue ship, they do this sort of work all the time don't they?"

[ ] Start searching now (Indicate on map)
[ ] Wait for sim data
[ ] Call in the professionals
[ ] Other

>>21691596
Start searching and have Linda run the sim while we do so.

I think we shouldn't involve the nav station, at least yet. If they're really in league with the pirates, this could cause trouble.

>>21691657
Agreed. Pirates will be all over our ship looking for salvage I bet.

>>21691657
Where did you want to start? I mean if through dumb luck you guys found it there wouldn't be much point in finishing the computer modelling.

>>21691770
Can we start searching from the center outwards whilst Linda prepares the simulation?

>>21691804
Sure.

Roll 1d100 for data accuracy.

Rolled 93

>>21691902
Rolling.

>>21691908
Oh my.

File: 1353546986603.gif-(7 KB, 1164x682, Deep space SAR 2.gif)

>Rolled 93
mother of god.jpg


You start your search at the middle of the recovery zone. With that ship having been hit earlier on its less likely (though not impossible) that it will be towards the station end. Time will tell though.

Constant micro jumping and long range scans continue to cut into your power reserves. Without a few hours to stop and recharge you're in a bad way should you get into combat. The chances of that increase the longer you're out here looking. Eventually someone is going to detect your ships out here and a pirate will get hold of the data and start looking for salvage. Or a way to make some salvage.

Three hours into seach efforts Linda comes up with the new revised search area.

"Well that certainly narrowed it down. Good work." You congratulate Linda.

"Thanks. I really expected them to be farther back but the sensor data shows there's a chance the drive may have retained power allowing them to coast. If its wrong though we'll be back a square one."

Where do you want to concentrate your search efforts? Also, split up or stick together in pairs?

>>21692171
In pairs in the search zone.

>>21692201
Station side or outgoing side?

>>21692201
Seconded.

>>21692227
Station.

File: 1353549794130.gif-(6 KB, 371x392, Damaged J-Type.gif)

With the new nav data loaded you change course and jump the 2000 light years to the next area. Searching the revised recovery zone should take 13-15 hours depending upon complications.

"What use is a rescue beacon with a range of 20 light years?" You ask Kavos while conducting scans. "Even if they activated it as soon as they were hit -and the Terrans weren't jamming long range coms- we were out of its broadcasting range in seconds."

"Maybe even less than a second." interrupts Arron.

"Why did you think there were so many safety precautions taken by the guild to scan for distortions along the flight path before jumps like these? When ships disappear in the space between galaxies they're rarely found. We're lucky the fighting was so close to this cluster."

Barely two hours into the new search zone one of the other ships picks up a distress beacon. Heading there it takes a minute to triangulate the position, but once enough of you are in range that's easy enough.

Your last micro jump gets you within a half million km from the wounded vessel. The J-Type or Heavy Type Attack Cruisers were much bulkier than similar designs of the same family. The short lived Union built them to bulk up their fleet early in the Faction wars but were unpopular because of the added construction cost. Samuul Kuritz must have invested a lot of resources making sure the bulky attack cruiser could keep up with the rest of the Wing.

"Its an automated beacon that's active." Says Arron.

"If there are crew on board they'll likely be in the remaining life pods with the stasis fields active."

First priority would be locating the crew.
Second would be the actual status of the ship itself. Having it suddenly explode would probably hamper rescue efforts.

>>21692695
Assuming you want to have teams search the ship, did you want to try and get it operational to jump again or have a pair of you take it in tow?

Roll 1d300 for survivors. higher is better.

Rolled 46

>>21692773
Rolling.

>>21692817
In addition to that, take it in tow.

Come on, we get 3 rerolls. Don't make me roll all 3 of them.

Rolled 76, 4, 61 = 141

>>21692892
rolling

Rolled 83

>>21692773
Please more

Rolled 54

>>21692912
Whoops

Rolled 114

>>21692773
Rolling
>>21692912
1d300 not 3d100

Rolled 189

Time to see if anyone is alive

"I want teams over there five minutes ago. Dispatch damage control teams from every ship to make sure she isn't going to explode. Er, wait it isn't in danger of blowing up is it?"

Arron shakes his head. "Damage was largely contained. Fusion reactors that did blow blew outwards through the existing breaches. The Sublight drives are mostly intact though a lot of the fuel stores have ruptured. Drive core should be ok."

"What about the bridge?"

"Gone. That section's been totally destroyed."

The shuttles launch and teams begin to comb through the wreckage. It only takes a few minutes for some of them to gain access to the pressurized aft areas and begin checking escape pods. A half hour into operations one of the team leaders report in.

"So far we've located 83 crew members in escape pods. From what they're saying the emergency teleporters were triggered so there's a chance more made it off."

"Chances we'll find more in the damaged sections?" You ask.

"Cant say. Its been more than five hours before we got here, so there's a chance crewmen in cut off sections would still have enough atmosphere in their suits."

Roll 2d20 for additional survivors

Rolled 6

>>21693204
First d20.

Rolled 18

>>21693237
And the second roll.

While two of your ships make ready to take the crippled J-Type in tow the damage control teams continue to sweep for more survivors. A pair of shuttle trips are necessary to move cutting equipment over to get through fused blast doors but it works.

Eighteen survivors are found in the port sections while six more were taking cover in the access shafts for the starboard sublight drives.

"We're out of possible locations where people might still be alive sir." Reports the engineering Chief in charge of the damage control teams.

"Good work. I wish there had been more but tell your people we owe them."

"Aye sir."

[ ] Pull everyone back to the other ships while towing
[ ] Keep skeleton crew on board
[ ] other

>>21693421
Nothing works right? Pull them off.

>>21693421
[X] Pull everyone back to the other ships while towing

You open a channel to the other ships and all of the damage control teams still embarked. "This is Lieutenant Reynard to all personnel, pull back to your ships and evacuate the wreck. We need to move this ship some place safe and do it quickly. If more equipment fails over there while we're in flight I dont want more people to die over it."

While the shuttles begin to pick up the remaining teams you have to deal with a logistics problem. Where to go for repairs.

"Linda what do you know about the nearest station?"

"Besides what the Terran said about staking the place out? Not much. But all stations have some form of criminal elements and shady characters hanging around. Or thats what I've been told. The station where the Bittenfeld was rebuilt was really nice."

You hold up your hand to stop her. "Up until I was stabbed in the back you mean."

"Well, just don't announce your presence this time."

"You have to admit that was a bit excessive, pulling two crazy stunts in the same day where we could be easily identified?" Says Arron.

"You be quiet." you tell your upstart sensors officer then ask for Kavos' opinion.

"We could paint over the remaining serial numbers, unit markings and change our IFF. As long as we don't start a firefight inside the docking ring we shouldn't be identified. Or, we wait until our systems are charged back up and try to make it back to House Lat'tham territory with a ship under tow."

File: 1353555536843.gif-(13 KB, 1357x574, NAV DRH 3 b.gif)

>>21693777
>Where to?

[ ] Closest Nav station
[ ] Lat'tham space
[ ] One of the other Nav Relays
[ ] other

>>21693932
Voting for Lat'tham space

File: 1353556740916.jpg-(73 KB, 600x1493, INCEPTION YO DAWG.jpg)

>>21693932
Survey time again then. Decided to throw in a curveball.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5JSCK63

>>21694200
Clearly deeper is the only option

>>21694200
>http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5JSCK63
If there's a hole it's a woman duty to thrust into it... Thank you for the insane plans as always

>>21694245
Shouldn't we at least get our data back to the Rovinar before we run off doing more suicidal stuff?

>>21694354
The easiest way would be to take your ship (since its the fastest) in to the Nav station, go aboard with a team and hand it off to the Rovinar Embassy. If you were really set on the whole infiltration thing thing it would also be the ideal time to establish yourself with the locals as a Pirate/Mercenarcy/what have you, looking to sell the crippled ship and buy supplies you'll need. Like hull paint for instance, and ammo.

>>21694665
Sounds really tempting, but I'm falling asleep in front of my screen.

So best luck for whatever the other players will decide to do.

>>21694665
See now that you put it that way you have me convinced that is the way to go.

>>21694866
"Establishing" us with the local Pirate/Mercenarcy I mean

>>21694701
So far only 4 people have voted and its split between 3 options, so no easy way to say how it might go. I may end up leaving it for the morning.

>>21694866
Well if we were going to do it that does seem the most logical way to go about it.

Personally I figured if... well no I shouldn't really give my opinion, it might sway the vote.

>>21694927
That might be best but I was thinking.
If we can run on over to the Nav. station to give them the info they need couldn't we ask if they have any information about any "activity" in the area or if they know of any pirate/smuggler/ Mercenaries in the area
Depending on what they know we might have our target for our infiltration.

Bump.

Bump.

Rolled 17, 70, 77 = 164

>>21694200
>http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5JSCK63

We should head over to terran and rovinar fleets, get them informed on what the hell is going on in Lath'tham space. Come back with a fleet full of terran fast attack battleships and wreck shit up.

Survey is currently tied between NAV REP 3 and infiltrate on your own initiative. Should I have another vote between those two?

>>21699481
your decision, whatever you think will be faster.

New survey now reduced to 2 options.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/82RG8DZ

>>21699517
I voted NAV REP 3, but after we've delivered the intel, we should definitely ask our commander if she'd agree to our infiltration idea.

>>21699575
Seconding this idea.

>Not turning out to be the best day for me to keep a quest running. I will have to leave again for a bit in 2 hours time but we'll see what I can get typed before then.

Weighing your options you decide that the risks associated in either heading back to Lat'tham territory or deeper into Warlord space is too great. If the situation with the rest of your House Fleet hasn't improved in the past three or four days they'll need help. The REP 3 relay should be where the Kavarian Expeditionary fleet and the 1st Terran fleet are located. You cant be sure if the Dominion 2nd Expeditionary fleet is there or not, they may have moved on to the REP 2 relay in preparation to flank South Reach and cut off routes into the Republic. Likewise any remaining Rovinar Fleet groups could be anywhere.

"Linda I want you to plot a series of jumps that will take us to NAV REP 3."

She nods and gets to work without another word.

"What about the remaining crew?" Asks Kavos. "They could have been teleported to a nearby system."

On one hand they're your people but on the other you have few up to date records on the area let alone the composition or enemy forces that might be holding those planets. They could be dead or captured by now or waiting for pickup.

"Do they have recovery beacons?" You ask, "Newer ones I mean?"

"Yes. If they lit them every ship in the area would know their location, friend or foe."

[ ] Leave now
[ ] Remain behind with 1 other ship and search
[ ] Everyone wait until you've checked
[ ] Other

>>21701363
[x] Everyone wait until you've checked

>>21701363
>[ ] Remain behind with 1 other ship and search

We'll either be able to pick them up with one ship, or there'll be so many enemies our four ships won't be enough.

File: 1353611070189.gif-(5 KB, 677x429, Deep space SAR 3.gif)

>>21701408
>>21701423
Since 2 of the ships will have to stay with the wounded vessel either way, lets just get on to having two of you start searching until more people decide what to have the others do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSRnUiwEzP4

"This is a nearby Dwarf Galaxy. According to our old records all of the sectors highlighted in yellow should have habitable worlds." Explains Kavos.
"How many locations did you want to search and which ones first?"

>>21701797
Lets try searching the three systems furthest away from the Nav station

File: 1353612163371.gif-(5 KB, 993x665, Deep space SAR 3.gif)

"Alex, lets do some Recon. With our sensors it shouldn't take us very long."

"I copy. All systems ready to go."

Roll 3d100 for Recon

Rolled 85, 65, 8 = 158

>>21701977
Here we go

Rolled 57, 79, 43 = 179

rolling.

Rolled 100, 90, 62 = 252

>>21701977
Best of three, right?

File: 1353614102837.jpg-(230 KB, 1200x721, 1341636128342.jpg)

With the ever increasing number of ships showing up on long range sensors the closer you get to the dwarf galaxy its easy to remember this is hostile territory. Linda makes sure to plot her jumps accordingly, staying away from heavier traffic patterns. This isn't as easy as you might think, because most of the flight patterns of other ships are randomized, possibly for the same reasons. People just don't want to get into a fight while going places.

The first system you check is home to a high gravity world. There is system traffic but for the moment you're safe from running into patrols.
"Lets keep the IFFs turned off." suggests Alex.

"Scanning... I have a hit. There's a good chance one or more of the teleport capsules are down there. Bad news though, it's near a small outpost."

Arron sends you the data. A small bunker complex is on the planet near where the pod appeared, it isn't very well guarded though. Small arms and a pair of starfighter grade micro phase cannon turrets guard the facility.
"This looks like its meant to defend against technicals and infantry. Poorly armed ones at that." You comment. From the number and disposition of starships in the system you could micro jump in, send down shuttles and recover any crew members before anyone could threaten you.

>Your orders?

>>21702387
You have 4 assault shuttles and roughly 40 Marines available between your two ships.
Spare crew and damage control personnel could also be equipped for combat but be aware they're not as good as Marines.

>>21702387
Jump in, launch shuttles and get out as quickly as possible is as good a plan as any.

>>21702608
As the Marines load up in the shuttles the Sergeant in charge of your detachment contacts you.
"Do you want us to minimize collateral damage if possible or go in guns blazing?"
Speed of the operation and safety of the marines will be an issue depending on what you pick.

Roll 1d20

AFK for a bit as previously mentioned here >>21701363

Rolled 6

>>21702638
[]Go in gun Blazing

Rolled 8

>>21702638
Blaze that shit up, Marines

Rolled 4

>>21702638
Go in guns blazing.

Rolled 6

>>21702638
They're the professionals. I would prefer it if they tried to prevent casualties, but if it's necessary to rescue our crew, they can do whatever they want.

>>21702387
Are we sure the owners of the compley will be hostile? I'd hate to wreck some colonies facility just because we forgot to check.

>>21703041
>Are we sure the owners of the compley will be hostile?
No, you're not.
I'm surprised nobody suggested intimidation from orbit really.

>>21703723
I suggest intimidation from orbit.

>>21703723
I support this.

You jump in as close to the planet as you can, forming up along side Alex and letting him take the lead. With his ship being the slower of the two it makes the most sense. Pulling in as close to the atmosphere as possible you launch shuttles from 250km up. All four craft drop like rocks, hurtling downwards while decelerating.

Kavos leans forward in her chair. "Any of the missing crew down there would have a hard time coping with the higher gravity, it's close to three times standard."

"Will our Marines be okay?"

"Yes, they have high gravity training and I made sure they equipped repulsor belts before deploying. They don't help much but every bit counts."

As the shuttles approach ground level you realize you'd forgot something. You have scary powerful starships sitting in orbit where they could end the world for some ground pounders just by dropping pieces scrap out the door.

"Hail the outpost. Tell them to surrender and hand over anyone they may be holding. If they haven't done so by the time our shuttles get within visual range we'll start dropping rocks on them."

An old toothless Kavarian answers the com. "What you want? We're already payed up for this month."

"We want those officers and crew you found nearby."

He seems to think for a second then shakes his head. "Fuck you. They wrecked an entire field full of crops with their joyride machine. I'm selling em on the market to pay for damages."

[ ] Marines you're clear to fire
[ ] Offer to trade for them

>>21704322
>[ ] Offer to trade for them
Seems fair to me. They did destroy part of his livelihood, after all.