>>1336381
Huzzah! For House and Dominion!

>>1336381
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

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You've set out with a fleet for the Jerboa dwarf galaxy. A trio of dwarfs are located between yours and Helios' home galaxy and all but one have been captured by Nasidum and its allies. Disrupting enemy logistics may help give the local Helios fleets a chance and buy time for your allies to come to their aid.

Your fleet is based around the Qlippoth, a captured and modified Neeran heavy carrier. Fast, tough and heavily armed it has so far been able to keep you in the fight. Two modified Lance Class medium cruisers act as escort for the carrier and support ships. The Outer Heaven, your custom fit Neeran Fast Medium Cruiser, is currently acting as your command ship.

Four wings of attack ships, a Fast Battleship squadron and a drone carrier round out your fleet and provide flexibility.
Two mixed squadrons manned by Helios rookies have been added to the fleet. They seem to be quickly learning the tricks of the trade.

Since arriving in the Jerboa dwarf galaxy you've struck out at convoys, outposts and colonies. These raids have caused enough damage that the enemy has begun to divert more resources to dealing with you. While some sectors have merely been strengthened in other cases they responded with sufficient force to chase you half way across the galaxy.

Your raids have brought in impressive salvage hauls, large enough that several yielded more than you can safely take with you. Some of it was transported back to friendly lines while your fleet sought repairs. In other cases you've been using a Mining Barge to hide away stockpiles for recovery after the war.
A few officers have compared this to squirrel like behaviour. Hopefully other squirrels don't find the hidden stashes before you can return for them.

>>1336398
How have you been TSTG?
Feeling better?

>>1336408
Better and worse. Well enough to run.

Or I will be once these pills kick in. It'll be a little while for the first story post.

>>1336458
Good luck!

With an enemy troop convoy on the move your forces are are preparing to conduct hit and fade attacks against them. Meanwhile other ships will lay a medium sized minefield at a reversion point ahead of them. With luck it will slow their movements or cripple troop ships and force them to delay additional jumps.

The first two attack waves catch the convoy by surprise, inflicting damage on a number of ships, and weakening the escorts. By the time they're hit by a third attack the remaining fleet has reorganized their formation. Fire lanes are cleared to let the Lance Mediums and Heavy Cruiser at the center of the formation throw out devastating barrages of heavy phase cannon fire. Knight Class ships group around the more valuable transports to protect them.

The change in tactics isn't enough to take your attack wing commanders by surprise but it does limit the damage they can do. The fourth wave has just enough time to make a run on the convoy before it jumps straight into your minefield.

Surveillance probes let you watch as the enemy fleet and escort are plastered by a wave of mines. Not enough to wipe them out, or even cripple half their number, but just enough to make a bad situation worse.

"They've sent a distress signal to a nearby com relay. It's too powerful for us to block."

[ ] Take out the com relay
[ ] Send a team to hack the relay

>>1336618
What defences does that relay have?

>>1336381
For house and dysfunctional super state!

>>1336618
>[ ] Send a team to hack the relay
Might be able to feed bad intel on where the fleet is headed.

>>1336640
>What defences does that relay have?
Probably just a few automated defense platforms to scare off potential looters if any. They're basically just a large communications satellite.

>>1336651
Thanks. Let's see if we can hack it.

>>1336618
[x] Send a team to hack the relay

Always fun to subvert the enemy communications.

And we sort of need to do this anyway.

>>1336618
>[ ] Send a team to hack the relay
Likely they'll know somethings up regardless because of the inital SOS, but what if the attacks and convoy locations were... fudge within believable parameters?
"Here comes the cavalr- where the hell is everyone? Oh shit."

Arron heads out with the recon team to try and quietly hack the communications relay without being noticed.

The troop convoy meanwhile looks to be limping off of main trade lane to nearby outpost only a couple light years away. It looks like it was intended to support search and rescue or civilian salvage operations and according to old data should have shields similar to that of a modular station. It could be they're seeking additional protection from your attacks until more forces arrive to assist them.

Troop Convoy Strength
1x Heavy Cruiser (+ HLVs)
12x troop transports (+ HLVs) (4 Crippled)
2x Lance Class mediums
6x Battleships (2 Crippled)
72x Knight LCRS (5 Crippled)
24x Frigates (12 Crippled)
288x Attack Corvettes (4x Attack Corvette Wings) (18 destroyed, 20 crippled)

[ ] Wait until you've secured coms (Roll 1d100)
[ ] Keep up the pressure (Roll 2d20 + 1d100)
[ ] Drop your entire fleet on them before they reach the outpost (9d20 +1d100)

>>1336710
>[ ] Drop your entire fleet on them before they reach the outpost (9d20 +1d100)
While we may be able to deceive any reinforcements initially time is on their side, and that shield could be a very big factor in prolonging the engagement. They're on the back foot right now too. If we also wanted to take the station for emergency field repairs and such it would be easier to do so when its on its own. Actually TSTG could we send some of our faster FTL ships ahead to try to deceive and board the station? Or just take it out period? How slow is the convoy going?

>>1336710
>[x] Wait until you've secured coms (Roll 1d100)

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>>1336730
>Actually TSTG could we send some of our faster FTL ships ahead to try to deceive and board the station? Or just take it out period? How slow is the convoy going?
Deception is out of the question; there just isn't enough time.
You may be able to take out the station before the convoy could reach it at sublight.

It would be a race against time, and it's unlikely the station would be undefended, but it is possible.

>>1336758
Never mind then, its probably best to just pounce the enemy now, than string our forces out and give the enemy an advantage.

>>1336710
>>1336758

This sort of begs a question that I may have asked and gotten an answer for previously.

Qlippoth has Neeran corvette turrets or the older non-corvette plasma cannons, right? Did our people ever figure out how to launch those plasma siege balls?

If we do bring in the big guns, it seems like giant balls of plasma slapping their formation or Heavy would be extremely useful.

>>1336766
It's equipped mostly with Neeran corvette-turrets.
They can be operated in plasma ball mode but it's murder on your fuel stores. Shield penetration in that mode is lower but its better at damaging shields overall.

>>1336710

[X] Wait until you've secured coms (Roll 1d100)

If I'm a tie breaker, I'm going to have to err on the side of caution. If we drop Qlippoth before we have the relay secured, we're going to get another kill force dropped onto our head, rather than a force that believes it just has to chase off or deter a raiding force.

>>1336766
[ ] Drop your entire fleet on them before they reach the outpost (9d20 +1d100)
This is a bit risky but taking them out now is just too tempting.

Wow. A tie. Who could have guessed that might happen?

Either way we need a roll of 1d100 to start us off.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>1336842
ROLLING BONES

>>1336848
Bones have been rolled.

>>1336842
if we're at a tie, I withdraw >>1336814
to support the other side. No point in holding up if someone else doesn't break the tie.

I've got far more important trouble to cause misreading maps!

Looks like you're preparing to bring the whole fleet in. Arron has reached the coms array and the recon team should be aboard it and begin hacking in moments.

Roll 9d20

Did you want to focus on doing damage to the smaller troop transports, their fleet as a whole, or focus on disabling the Heavy?

Rolled 18, 17, 17, 6, 2, 11, 14, 19, 19 = 123 (9d20)

>>1336886
Break up their defensive formation with a volley or two of plasma balls, focus fire our heavier assets on the Lances, and exploit the disrupted enemy with our attack wings & fighters?

I'm fine with going after the smaller troop transports and the major components of their escort forces. That heavy is a nice prize, but it can only be one place at a time, and needs escorts.

We can do more (imo) damage by tearing into the smaller vessels after breaking up their formation and downing the Lances before they can become fire support rally points.

Here goes nothing with dice!

Rolled 18, 16, 6, 15, 7, 6, 10, 10, 5 = 93 (9d20)

>>1336886

Try this again

Rolled 19, 2, 8, 1, 2, 13, 13, 3, 1 = 62 (9d20)

>>1336886
Focus on stopping the heavy transport and their defensive assets. We can hunt down the scattered smaller vessels later and they will be less able to mount a defense if they reach the station than their heavier counter parts.

>>1336953
Damn with those rolls maybe my advice should be disregarded as well!

>>1336953
actually a very good point.

Combine tactics plans but focus on disabling the heavy assets instead of smaller stuff?

>>1336971
Sounds good, at least until reality or rolls show us otherwise ehehe. Ah crap I shouldn't tempt fate like that.

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19, 17, 17, 15, 7, 13, 14, 19, 19.
Minor pain-train is go.

You might have to reconsider a few ship designs if current Fusion research keeps going the way it does, TSTG. Big spheromak designs are rapidly becoming outdated and some of the more esoteric shapes are showing more and more promise.

>>1337065
>if current Fusion research keeps going the way it does
2 steps forward 1 step back? Though with the time and funding needed to redesign the experimental reactors each time they learn something new it's more like 2 steps forward 1.8 steps back.

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>>1337084
The shapes they come up with get wackier every generation. The newest thing on the scene is internal cusp confinement where they use the own internal charge of the plasma to keep it compressed.

Depending on how much you want to believe, Lockheed is meant to be making good progress to the point where they could be producing shipping container sized reactors to power military bases within 20 years.

You have Qlippoth prepare their weapons to fire in plasma ball mode before the fleet jumps in within weapons range of the convoy. There's a slight delay after reversion as the plasma weapons charge, then fire off the barrage. The gunners don't have a lot of practice using the guns in this setting but in this case that works to their advantage. Hit by a somewhat uneven barrage the formation momentarily breaks up, trying to shift to provide better cover.

Attack wings move to engage from above and below and your heavier ships switch to providing covering fire. Hiding in Qlippoth's shadow your drone carrier launches its full compliment of fighters. Another volley of plasma balls force the enemy corvettes to break formation to evade. It looks like they'll try to close the distance with your wings to give them a better change against your larger attack cruisers.

Enemy troop transports push for the station at full burn, while the Ascendancy class Heavy begins a roll. heavy phase cannons on the outer hull fire off as quickly as possible as fresh ones are brought to bear. You've seen this before, they're probably overheating their guns with the higher rate of fire then cooling them while they're in cover.

"Our attack bombers have launched torpedoes at maximum range. Returning to rearm."
"Sir, the Ascendancy is launching starfighters. Four groups and climbing."

That's going to be enough for them to make up for your numerical superiority. To make matters worse the Recon team has finished their hack. While successful they're warning of a very large fleet of reinforcements that could arrive inside of 40 minutes. No exact numbers.

1a) Reform fleet for better point defense coverage
1b) Focus on target(s) then leave ASAP

If 1b wins: Which targets to focus on?
2a) Escort
2b) Smaller transports
2c) Heavy Cruiser

Even with point defense your drones are going to be needed to help counter that many fighters.
3a) Rearm Drones for anti-fighter work
3b) Sacrifice drones to cover a quick attack

>>1337207
1b) Focus on target(s) then leave ASAP
2c) Heavy Cruiser
3a) Rearm Drones for anti-fighter work
Still going with my earlier line of thinking. Also I would rather sacrifice other munitions (like SP torps) than drones at this point, as we're behind lines again and have limited resupply (aka what we 'liberate').

>>1337207
Are the enemy fighters deploying in the newer formations that protect them from plasma balls or older, tighter groups?

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>>1337259
Dispersed formations since they're launching straight into a battle. You're not in a good position to target them with plasma balls unless you pull your wings back.
Otherwise you'd be doing pic related.

>>1337251
>Also I would rather sacrifice other munitions (like SP torps)

Confirmation on SP Torpedo use?

>>1337251
I'll second this.

>>1337314
I don't think SP torps are called for at the moment, this isn't a do-or-die.

>>1337207
>1b) Focus on target(s) then leave ASAP

>2c) Heavy Cruiser

>3a) Rearm drones for anti-fighter work

>>1337314
If thats agreeable with everyone else.
>>1337334
Definitely not do or die, I just see drones as a valuable resource we want to conserve behind lines. One we can't really hope to replace. Not that SPs are on trees but I believe our reserves are ok right now (are they TSTG?) and want to seal the deal before pursuing the enemy to the base gets too time consuming and costly materially and strategically.

>>1337373
>Not that SPs are on trees but I believe our reserves are ok right now (are they TSTG?)

This was how much you arrived with.
>The Outer Heaven has 40-ish SP's while each Wing has about 20. Some Knights may be hoarding additional ones but don't expect more than a dozen at best.

"Rearm the drones for anti fighter work. All ships concentrate your fire on the Heavy Cruiser. Once it's down, we're out of here."

Fire from your fleet is having a hard time penetrating the shields on the heavy. The rotation isn't helping matters, bringing fresh shields to bear just as you're starting to punch through. A few lingering escorts are also soaking up some of the fire with extended shields.

"Wing Commanders, either try to punch through or break off to put some fire on that heavy."

"We're taking a lot of torpedo hits from the enemy bombers sir!" reports Lyas. "I'm pulling the attack cruisers back so we can loop around. Hopefully the assault corvettes can screen us."

The first wave of rearmed drones finally launch from the carrier and begin to add missile fire to the increasingly desperate brawl. Some of the transports and Frigates have reached the cover of the outpost shield, a few with the help of the battleships.

Attack cruisers swing out and around behind the Heavy using afterburners to avoid the worst of the fighting. Starfighters trying to reach them through the main battle are cut to pieces by your point defense or the arriving drones. Phase cannon fire from the Heavy shifts from uselessly hammering Qlippoth and her escort to targeting the attack cruisers. While they're taking some heavy hits their added firepower is enough to start doing serious damage to the Ascendancy's engines.

"They're launching HLV's!"

Frigate sized transport craft are undocking from the internal bay on the Ascendancy and flying towards the station.

"It looks like they've extended their forward shields to give them some cover."

The attack cruisers could keep hitting the engines on the heavy, taking it out of action for a long time. Or they could try to knock out the HLV's before they reach safety. There isn't time to do both.

[ ] Cripple the Heavy
[ ] Kill the troops

>>1337546
[x] Kill the troops

kill the troops, and all the damage this convoy has taken was for nothing.

>>1337575
>[X] Kill the troops

>>1337546
>[ ] Cripple the Heavy

>>1337546
>[x] Kill the troops

>>1337546
>[ ] Kill the troops
Time for some cold ass shit. Nothing we haven't done before though in the context of a war. Can we be reasonably sure that the troops are on the HLVs? I mean even if they're not it'll be very hard deploying them from their near crippled ships anyway.

"Lyas, kill those HLV's."

"Copy that."

Attack cruisers with afterburners flash past the heavy while the others continue to drop fire into its more vulnerable sections as they pass. An unlucky ship is lanced by a dozen heavy phase cannon shots and explodes.

The faster ships soon catch the HLV's, their weapons fire tearing the transports to pieces. They don't have long to make certain the job is finished as more fire from the Ascendancy and newly launched fighters continue to pelt their shields with fire from behind.

Lyas orders the unit to break off as they're taking too much damage. Most of the HLV's have been hit though some made it to the safety of the station shield. The Heavy looks like it will eventually reach safety, though it will probably need several days at least to conduct repairs.

"Pull everyone back. Disengage but cover the salvage ships long enough to conduct recovery operations."

Qlippoth and her escort change course to exit the gravity well while maintaining covering fire.

Now that there's time you look over the reports from the Recon team. They've managed to intercept a few updates including reports that there are 8 Medium cruisers and 18 attack wings on the way. Intel thinks these two fleets were supposed to link up closer to the front then punch through Helios lines to assault two key worlds.

You've probably halved the fleet's ability to conduct a large scale planetary assault.

Salvage and recovery reports ready after picking up a few crippled attack cruisers. Smaller ships are being hauled back by others in their units. Drones are covering your retreat, preventing enemy fighters from causing you more serious problems.

The Outer Heaven, battleships and other less damaged ships screen Qlippoth and the attack wings as they jump. Damage is going to take time to repair but you've inflicted longer lasting damage on the enemy.

>>1337825
Nice. Lets not lose focus on our job (raiding aka kicking ass whilst suffering the least attrition) and get out of the general area of operations before a foe not trifled with comes by. Ahhh, it must be so frustrating to be on the other end of this. Even when our world was semi occupied and the run was a full fledged battlefront we still weren't dealing with half the BS we put the enemy through then (besides just outright winning and then reestablishing control with relatively little resistance.). I wonder how many people of various rank Sonia has made have mental breakdowns (besides our house with the whole helios thing ahaha). Any interesting anecdotes on that front TSTG?

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A rather large enemy fleet is currently stuck babysitting the Troop convoy you just shot up. It's unlikely they'll leave a Heavy Cruiser stranded there if it can be fixed in under a week, but it's questionable how long they'll wait around.
Your fleet is parked in the cover of some overlapping nebula. Safe for the moment but still fairly close by all things considered if that fleet starts to look for you.

While the attack wings need a lot of repair work once again there are always some ready for action.

Intel doesn't have any new data for you yet but that tapped com relay will eventually provide more missions.

Your orders?
[ ] Low level raiding
[ ] Wolfpack convoy raiding
[ ] Move to different oversector
[ ] Other

>>1337894
>get out of the general area of operations
1 vote for GTFO of the oversector

>>1337925
>[ ] Wolfpack convoy raiding
If we actually manage to force that enemy fleet to start looking for us we might be able to leave this oversector with a bang by crippling that Heavy.

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And I think we'll stop here for the night.

>>1337925
Could we conduct a raid on the way out of the over sector? Preferable not right at its border so the enemy can determine where we entered the other one from. Actually if we raided North-West roughly where the enemy trade lanes have a 4 way intersect we could potentially enter any of the 3 adjoining sectors without the raid giving away our intentions there. With the major colonies there there's bound to be something. Not that we want to get too close.

>>1338087
I don't see why not.

>>1337925
< Second for raiding our way out.

>>1336398
>A few officers have compared this to squirrel like behaviour
All my kek

>>1338622
I'll support this >>1338087 because I enjoy the smell of burning plasma in the morning.

>>1337925
We could disable some of the communications relays in the sector to put additional strain on the local infrastructure while we relocate.

>>1339026
I almost forgot - we still have the mission to capture that one commander available. It seems like something we should try to do before leaving the sector.

>>1339034
Why don't we raid most of our way out while leaving behind the cloaked ships to extract them, then they can catch up while we make repairs?

>>1337925
>[x] Wolfpack convoy raiding

So it looks like we're doing some raiding as we leave this oversector. A mix of wolfpack tactics with some units targeting communications arrays.

Roll 4d20, first 2 are the important ones.

Rolled 8, 1, 2, 19 = 30 (4d20)

>>1339103
Well, here we go...

Rolled 8, 5, 11, 11 = 35 (4d20)

>>1339103
Dice!

Rolled 15, 16, 17, 7 = 55 (4d20)

>>1339103

>>1339112
>>1339107
>>1339127

Haha clutch save.

>>1339127
I was about to try my luck with a second roll. Good thing you posted before I could.

>>1339127
God dammit bless you anon.

I wonder if we could take the heavy with Helios troop support?

>>1339156
I'd assume it's pretty unlikely with half a proper planetary invasion army currently on the ship.

>>1339158
That just means you get a J-D recon team onto the bridge to vent the troops sections.

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The remaining undamaged attack ships are sent out as the fleet begins to relocate. A few of them hit com relays while others locate targets of opportunity. Once found more ships are brought in to overwhelm the smaller targets. All the while the wing commanders keep their people on the move, not lingering in any area longer than they have to.

The jamming craft don't remain in constant operation, only powering up long enough to give the attack squadrons time to hit targets and withdraw. Better than to give away your presence by blocking out communications across a wide area.

Not having been needed up until now your reserves assist the attack units with a strike on a small convoy in a high traffic area before you escape from the oversector entirely.

You're currently on the border. Where do you want to relocate your fleet to?

>>1339162
If doing that intel mission in the sector is not an option I'd suggest we move to the east of the galaxy and drop off our loot in allied space.

>>1339169
And by east I mean west. The area with the single major colony beneath 3 major colonies close together.

>>1339169
>If doing that intel mission in the sector
You mean these?

Ransom 1
Kidnap the family of an enemy R&D specialist so their release can be traded for vital intel.

Ransom 2
An army officer currently posted as part of an occupation garrison has been flagged as a priority target by intel, though information on why was apparently unable to be transmitted.

>>1339179
>[x] Ransom 1

>>1339179
Yeah, mission 2. Thought the guy was a commander, not an officer. Sorry for the confusion. I'm not really interested in kidnapping civilians.

>>1339179
Yeah we were going to use the raiding to draw off enemy forces while our SF and stealth ship pulled mission 2

>>1339188
>>1339195
There hasn't been any new updates on the target so your people will have to make do.

Unless there are objections Roll 2d100 for infiltration and locating the target.

Rolled 81, 13 = 94 (2d100)

>>1339204
Now looting enemy officers.

Rolled 44, 64 = 108 (2d100)

>>1339204
If you believe hard enough, all of your rolls will be 100s.

Rolled 10, 80 = 90 (2d100)

>>1339204
Let's see if I should stop rolling...

Rolled 52, 12 = 64 (2d100)

>>1339204
Yaaay thanks!

The recon team manages to safely reach the planet and link up with the local Helios cell responsible for sending the request. With their help it doesn't take long to locate the target. The officer in question is believed to be responsible for the transfer of POW's, determining where they should be sent.

If captured and interrogated you could find the locations of several holding facilities.

Roll 2d100 for capture and extraction.

Rolled 25, 95 = 120 (2d100)

>>1339236

Reynard's Rescue Raiders soon?

Rolled 94, 55 = 149 (2d100)

>>1339236
MOREDICE

Rolled 10, 49 = 59 (2d100)

>>1339236

>>1339262
Used my luck up early I guess.

>>1339257
>Reynard's Rescue Raiders soon?
>25
Maybe?

>>1339260
>94
Oh good.

I just realised that MOREDICE was an anagram for MEDIOCRE.

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The operation isn't completely flawless but it's the next best thing. The officer's tendency to remain shadowy and aloof around their fellows means it takes longer for anyone to realise they're missing. Because of this it's much easier for the extraction team to get them off planet and link up with with their ride out of the system.

It seems they work for intel and have been taking part in interrogation of some POW's in addition to determining where some should be sent. More talkative ones are sent to particular holding facilities while difficult ones are sent to others.

Interrogation reveals that a few of your personnel that are MIA and assumed captured have indeed been sent to a few local facilities.

A convoy at the north east edge of the galaxy is preparing to leave for Nasidum space carrying wounded personnel and POWs in stasis. Some of your people are aboard.

>Your orders?

>>1339300
Do we have any intel on if that convoy's contents or strength?

Or which facilities may have more pilots/knights/commanders, rather than say ground forces or PDF?

>>1339300
Do we know what a convoy like that would look like?

>>1339300
>>1339308

I guess a slightly more accurate question for the convoy is if we are looking at a medical POW convoy (primarily wounded moved to better medical logistics/facilities), or if it is simply a POW convoy that happens to have wounded due to transfering POWs in stasis.

Or if it is carrying wounded Nasidum/enemy wounded and POWs, rather than wounded POWs.

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>>1339308
>>1339310
It's one of several small convoys forming up at a small nav station. On its own the convoy wouldn't be much trouble for your people, but the station defenses are powerful. You'd have to wait until they jump but at that point you'll be out away from the galaxy and would have to find a way back while being within detection range of long range sensors.

The convoy itself is made up mostly of damaged ships requiring longer refits, empty transports and medical ships.

>Or which facilities may have more pilots/knights/commanders, rather than say ground forces or PDF?
The 2 closer to the front appear to be mixed facilities.
The one to the north is for more difficult prisoners, while the one to the east is for more cooperative ones. Or at least those not giving the guards a hard time.
The prison to the north east you'd previously learned the location of is for "long term interrogation."

Is there an ebook version you can read? Always wanted to read FH&D but I feel that when I archive crawl I like to do it on my kindle.

>>1339341
Sounds like we should pay that convoy a visit, use it for cover and blast the engines/drive plates of everything that isn't a warship.

Abscond with whatever transports/medical ships we can quickly jump out, and then recover whatever friendly personnel we can.

If possible, get the medical ships to just surrender so we don't have to shoot them, with a guarantee that we're only recovering any prisoners fit to return to our care. Any enemy wounded or critically wounded patients will remain in medical care, and any ships that surrender will be released at a trade lane.

As for warships and transports, every engine/drive system we destroy damages the enemy's logistics chain. Let's create a bigger engine shortage than that offensive against the SRL did.

Also, we don't have to capture EVERY prisoner ship, just prevent them from leaving the galaxy where possible.

Then we kill the fuck out of any non-prisoners at the "long term interrogation" location.

>>1339340
Some medical frigates have been equipped with larger numbers of stasis systems as the war has gone on. In some cases they've been used to help transport refugees while using a minimum of space.
POW's are usually put in stasis for transport when possible in order to keep them from causing trouble. Because of this it's likely that some of the medical frigates are doubling as prisoner transports.
No way to know for certain the medical status of those being transported.

>>1339357
Not yet. I feel like I'd get super hung up on editing. I need to take a look at what some of the other QM's have done with ebooks to get an idea of what's involved.

>>1339341
Would it be possible to infiltrate some ships in the convoy and jump to the helios galaxy instead when the convoy leaves for nasidum territory?

>facilities
Seems like we should at least evacuate the one for long term interrogations. It might also give the helios ground troops something to do.

>>1339366
<Some medical frigates have been equipped with larger numbers of stasis systems as the war has gone on

The expensive stasis units you say? LOOOOOOOT

>>1339364
err, to clarify:

Blast warships to bits if needed/possible, but just crippling their ability to jump and letting them weigh down the enemy logistics/repairs is reward enough.

>>1339364
>pay that convoy a visit
>>1339368
>infiltrate some ships in the convoy and jump to the helios galaxy
>>1339369
>LOOOOOOOT
Looks like we're going to send a group after the convoy.

Only fast ships to help with the convoy and the rest of the fleet go after the long term interrogation facility? Or did you want to send a larger force after one or the other.

>>1339390
Send half the bb squad along, in case they need to drag a larger ship around. Otherwise the split you suggest seems fine. Can Helios intel help us with either of our targets?

>>1339394
>Can Helios intel help us with either of our targets?
Helios intel operatives that had been undercover had previously given you the location of the interrogation facility, though they didn't know they were doing that kind of work there.

They have no intel on the convoy. There is a reason they wanted your help kidnapping that officer after all.

>>1339369
One very good rule of thumb is that you never damage the enemy's ability to treat wounded where practical. If we take those stasis units away, we damage the enemy's ability to care for both their own wounded and any of our wounded that they capture.

I'd rather not fire on medical ships if it can be helped, but I imagine it wold be brought up if firing on a military medical transport was a space war crime.

>>1339403
Will we be trying to loot the medical frigates entirely, just the stasis containers, or letting them go after we've secured our people?

You guys decide while I make a run to the drug store.

>>1339423
Capture, later release possible after we assess.

>>1339429
Sure.

>>1339300
>It seems they work for intel and have been taking part in interrogation of some POW's in addition to determining where some should be sent.

Do they have any news on that Helios general who stayed behind when we evacuated some of the Helios troops?

>>1339423
It's in our best interest if the enemy can afford to place wounded enemies in stasis, so we should be very careful when it comes to reducing their capacity to do so. Maybe keep on or two for emergencies, and send the rest back.

>>1339423
Capture, offer to release thm to a neutral party for aid relief during the war with the understanding the wounded soldiers will be held in internment camps or sent to the FA.

Of course we will charge the FA for the use of the ships to compensate our houses loss of them.

And the houses/Families of soldiers treated by them. Our house soldiers will get a discount.

Fuck I'm trying to think of a third way to bill people. Could we also have them sell medical supplies and such to civilian populations?

Regardless take the ships if we can, loot the Stasis pods otherwise and leave the medical supplies with a hidden stash of booze and a note for the grunts to find and search for it on the ship.

>>1339429
>>1339442

See my idea for a limited Red Cross style organization. "Reynolds Saviour Solutions".

>list of drug side effects.
Jesus, it's like one of those commercials.

>>1339447
>Do they have any news on that Helios general who stayed behind when we evacuated some of the Helios troops?
Any captured troops from that planet haven't been transferred off it yet.

>>1339394
>Send half the bb squad along
ok.

You order your faster ships and half your battleships to head off to deal with the convoy.
"Try to take the medical ships in one piece. Catch and release once we have our people."

Meanwhile you head for the interrogation facility with the main fleet. It appears to be built into an asteroid. Difficult to detect unless you know where to look.

Adel points it out. "A protective formation of asteroids are positioned around the station to make it harder to detect. They must be held in place with weak tractor beams."

"Defenses?"
"Hard to be sure. We'll certainly be spotted on approach."

You and your bodyguards could take a stealth LST and get another ship to drop you behind the cover of another asteroid farther out. That might let you infiltrate the station or disable defenses.

Or you could just count on the fleet's fire superiority and cover an assault by the Helios troops.

[ ] Infiltrate
[ ] Assault

>>1339564
>[x] Infiltrate

>>1339564
We should try to infiltrate first. It will make things easier for the Helios troops. We will need them to take control of the facility anyway/

>>1339567
>>1339569
Roll 2d100

Rolled 97, 94 = 191 (2d100)

>>1339586
2d100

Rolled 35, 40 = 75 (2d100)

>>1339586
Would it be possible to send some extra people to stay on one of the asteroids and stay in contact with the fleet just in case?

Rolled 56, 14 = 70 (2d100)

>>1339586
Rollin Thunder

>>1339609
Yes.

>>1339564
>>list of drug side effects.
>Jesus, it's like one of those commercials.
Every drug is like that, don't worry about it.

File: 1484011873840.gif (1.84 MB, 202x360)

1.84 MB GIF

>>1339588
>97. 94
Nice.

While your personal guard are never thrilled when you insist on deploying yourself you assure them that the fleet is only a micro jump away.

Your ride micro jumps in behind one of the larger asteroids in the belt, remaining only long enough for the LST to detach, then jumps back out again. Activating holographics the LST begins the several hour long flight to the enemy base. It could go faster but then your stealth wouldn't do much to conceal the approach.
Besides, the extra time will mean a few more repaired ships ready to fight.

The pilot is careful to mind their repulsor distribution as they begin to decelerate. Too much force against one of the asteroids would probably be noticed by whatever systems hold them in place. Slowing down by an outer asteroid allows a few marines to bail out with camo shrouds, com relays, missile launchers and other gear. They should be able to handle anything that doesn't have shields.

"Watch for detection grids. This seems like the sort of place that might have them."

"I'm seeing lidar aimed at the facility from the outer rocks. Must be to watch for escapees. We should be fine."

A quick survey of the exterior locates sensor and communications arrays as well as the main entrance to the facility. A borehole probably created by mining barge leads into a docking bay large enough for perhaps a dozen ships. Not huge by any means but large enough for transports to go in and out.

Rufaro and Valeri plant explosives on sensor arrays and long range com systems before you swing back to the entrance. Security measures are in place to prevent easy escape. You spot large vents marked with what sections they're connected to sitting out in the open. All are pointed at the main entrance of the cargo dock.

"Looks like if there's a prisoner escape or uprising they'll vent the corresponding sections right out into space." says Valeri. "I get the feeling prisoners don't get a chance for a second attempt."

The next few minutes are spent searching the docks and locating an outer control room that keeps watch for escape attempts. The officers on watch are quickly incapacitated.

"We have vent controls here sir. Must be a backup in case someone inside took control."

[ ] Vent the guards & staff
[ ] Lock down vents, trigger Prison riot
[ ] Lock down vents & prisoners. Clear the way for the fleet

>>1339673
>[x] Lock down vents & prisoners. Clear the way for the fleet

>>1339673
>[ ] Lock down vents & prisoners. Clear the way for the fleet
Let's minimize the risk for everybody involved. No need to have any of our people killed a few minutes before they're rescued.

>>1339673
>[ ] Lock down vents & prisoners. Clear the way for the fleet
As tempting as it is to vent everyone else we do have a bigger picture to consider. Still what a glorious 2.3 seconds of depressurization that could have been. Actually getting the prisoners is priority though.

"Lock down the vents and prisoners. I don't want them stumbling into a fire fight or the station crew deciding to kill them."

With that out of the way you set about opening the way for the fleet. Valeri and Rufaro begin to disable internal security measures in a wide enough area for your ground troops to secure a foot hold, then you set off the explosives.

Station external coms and sensors go down all at once and the fleet jumps in. The Outer Heaven escorts the Helios Frigates to the docking bay entrance then launches LSTs in support. In the span of a few minutes the bay is swarming with friendly troops and they're storming the base. J-D special forces in Power Cell Armor assist where they can.

Inside of 20 minutes the base has been secured and most of the staff has surrendered. POW's are quickly loaded onto the troop ships along with captured officers.

"What about the garrison sir? Leave them, or set them adrift in escape pods?"

>>1339791
Leave them, disabling communication equipment of course.

See if we can hit the third POW site?

>>1339791
Toss them all in cells with a little food and water, then have send out a distress call on a timer so we can get to the other POW camps. It'll be funny.

Also don't forget to steal anything valuable that isn't nailed down and all the base's servers. Or whatever's used to store information in the future.

>>1339791
>>1339806
Remove that have from the first sentence.

>>1339791
Keep the commanding officers, take all the weapons, and make sure to erase their database after making a copy.

>garrison
I'm not sure if launching escape pods into an asteroid field is a good idea.

>>1339801
>>1339806
The remainder of the garrison are locked up in the POW's former cells with supplies enough to last them until someone comes looking. A distress signal is also set to go off in a week just in case.

The rest of the base is thoroughly looted. Everything the engineers can cart off with a few hours notice is salvaged. You don't even spare the computer cores.

Small arms help to stock up the Helios troops replacing some of their more worn out equipment. They may have taken a few losses securing the station but the success of the operation has helped improve their morale.

A small transport craft that was in dock has been added to the fleet intel assets. Their codes could allow them into dock with 1 of the other POW sites.

[ ] Rescue the more difficult prisoners before they get themselves shot
[ ] Rescue more cooperative ones before they spill more secrets
[ ] Target a facility near front before they're processed

>>1339791
Garrison can stay on the station or take their chances in escape pods.

We steal what we can for intel/supplies, then destroy the facility.

Anyone still aboard by then has chosen their fate

>>1339842
>[ ] Rescue the more difficult prisoners before they get themselves shot
Surprisingly hard choice.

>>1339842
Let's rescue the troublesome prisoners.

>>1339842
[x] Rescue more cooperative ones before they spill more secrets
The transport should help with the higher security, so hopefully we can get in without them getting the word out and hit another facility before we book it.
Or we could get super lucky and hit all of them. That would throw their high command through all kinds of twists.

>>1339842
>>1339860
Oops, that should be
>[x] Rescue the more difficult prisoners before they get themselves shot

>>1339842
>[X] Rescue the more difficult prisoners before they get themselves shot

>>1339858
Definitely. Although how bad not getting the one's who are talking can be probably depends a lot on who's there. With a bit of luck maybe Helios can free up some assets to rescue the POWs at the camp we don't take care of.

>>1339842
>[ ] Rescue the more difficult prisoners before they get themselves shot

>>1339877
Especially now that you can give them data on where it is.

The fleet heads back towards some of the first sectors you hit when arriving in this galaxy. According to intel reports security remains somewhat elevated but as long as you're careful it shouldn't be a problem.

By the time the fleet gets within range your people have worked up a holographic facsimile of the officer you captured which Valeri can make use of with his suit holographics. It should get you in the door and at least start them transferring some prisoners to the captured ship. That will buy time to get some other work done.

The rest of the fleet elements looking after that prisoner convoy still haven't linked up with you yet and that could take some time.

"Codes are good." reports coms.

There are a few ways to do this. Use the small transport to get as many troops aboard as possible and disable parts of the facility like you did last time.
Stage an attack with other elements of your fleet and help "evacuate" the POW's to a more secure base.
Have your team aboard the base falsify ship ID codes so you can bring in 3 of the Helios frigates under enemy IFF.
The exploding transport trick. Frigates hide inside Y-type transports until they're close enough to the base.

[ ] Small transport & troops
[ ] "Evacuate" the POWs
[ ] Falsify ship ID codes
[ ] Exploding Transport
[ ] Other

>>1339939
>[ ] Small transport & troops
We do have some of the most advanced special forces in the Dominion.

>>1339939
>[ ] Small transport & troops
If it ain't broke and all that.

>>1339939
>[ ] Small transport & troops

>>1339939
[X] Small transport & troops

>>1339944
>>1339947
>>1339959
Roll 2d100 for Valeri 's deception and disabling security.

Rolled 14, 60 = 74 (2d100)

>>1339999
>9999
Well, we have our roll target

Rolled 86, 54 = 140 (2d100)

>>1339999
Nice quads.

>>1339939
>[ ] Small transport & troops
Best to do this right, although I would have loved to see the exploding transport option written up.

Rolled 92, 45 = 137 (2d100)

>>1339999
checked

Your attempts to disable security near the dock are successful, but you're not able to knock out quite as much as in the previous base without notice. When the alarm goes out Valeri is rushed to the control room with one of the other station officers. Once secure inside the locked down control room he's able to take out most of the officers with a stun pulse grenade then take care of the remainder with a pistol.

"The entire base is on alert now. I'm locking down security and opening you a path but they may have got a signal off."

"Understood." You signal the transport to call in the fleet while the troops you had aboard spread out.

Your allies move section by section securing the prison. Valeri opens the cell blocks once secured and the freed officers and crew make a run for the docks.

"Viscount, our reinforcements are 2 minutes out." reports the transport crew.

"Copy that. Valeri, any chance the station garrison has surrendered yet?"

"I... might need a medic at the control room to speed that up sir. I stunned most of the people in charge taking the place."

"Right. What are the remaining troops up to?"

"They've blown open the armory and suiting up with power cell armor and two heavy power armor. One squad is headed for the docks, the others are guarding their remaining weapons while they equip."

Those could give your allies a hard time in holding the docks.

[ ] Lure them into ambush by Helios troops
[ ] Sneak up behind and start stabbing
[ ] Other

>>1340070
>[ ] Sneak up behind and start stabbing
We haven't gotten into a good melee in a while.
Blade in one hand plasma pistol in the other taking down power armored troops completely unprepared to fight against invisible anti-tank weaponry.

>>1340070
>[x] Lure them into ambush by Helios troops
See if we can get them to cluster up then Lightning gun them from the rear to disable them so the Helios troops can unload on them all at once.

>>1340070
[x] Sneak up behind and start killing

If our specialty ammo is designed to kill Neeran, can we multi-kill power cell armor while they move down a hallway?

Slicing and dicing works, too. But we do tend to get beat up during that.

>>1340070
>[ ] Sneak up behind and start stabbing

>>1340127
M-M-M-MULTI-KILL

>>1340127
>specialty ammo
At this point I think you might have to specify which Ammo. There was a ton initially proposed and we started with the Splinter rounds since they were existing technology. The crazier ones might be in production now.

>>1340147
Whatever form our 20mm AP ammo takes, now.

>>1340123
Lightning gun isn't part of your default recon suit kit at this point. Usually your jump jet suit.

So keep to stabbing until your cover is blown then switch to plasma pistol or 20mm specialty ammo is what I'm seeing.

>>1340070
[ ] Sneak up behind and start stabbing

I was debating a roll since it's been awhile but at close range it would be more difficult to miss.

It's been a long time since you got any real use out of your HF-Blade.

Power Cell Armor hasn't changed much over the years, especially models assigned to second line facilities like those for holding POWs. Two quick stabs to the back of the neck and the rear most two of the squad drop. Those ahead of them start to turn as you flank around the side catching the next in line.
Bright beams flash from your Plasma pistol, hitting three more as you turn.

Pulling the blade free again you charge the second last power cell trooper, elbowing his gun aside as you jam the blade into the side of his neck. You put the body between you and an enemy to the left, using it for cover as the soldier sprays the area with mass driver fire. A few rounds graze your helmet but none hit solidly.

A pistol head shot downs the remaining trooper.

The suit of heavy power armor -if it can be called that- rocks as its pilot tries to bring it around. It isn't one of the powerful suits you've fought in the past but a heavily upgraded power loader. It has a layer of professionally mounted armor, meaning most fire teams would be hard pressed by it without anti-tank weapons.

But you have an anti-tank gun.

Diving aside as it strafes the hall with its MG and lasers, you put a shot into either knee joint all but crippling it. Circling around behind it, you change pistol fuel cells then blast its power supply. A good kick sends it toppling face first to the deck.

"Valeri hook me up to the intercom."
"Go ahead sir."

"This is Viscount Sonia Reynard to remaining enemy forces. I just soloed one of your power armor squads with a knife and one pistol magazine. Surrender before you force me to actually break a sweat.
Valeri send them the security footage if they don't seem to be getting the message."
"Aye sir."

Statements aside, you might actually need a bit of a breather after that.

>>1340346
>That announcement
God damn it's good to be Sonia.

>>1340346
>"This is Viscount Sonia Reynard to remaining enemy forces. I just soloed one of your power armor squads with a knife and one pistol magazine. Surrender before you force me to actually break a sweat.
>Valeri send them the security footage if they don't seem to be getting the message."

That random isolated world knight with us will probably laugh heartily when he hears about this.

inb4 someone we know from the Lat'tham coup heard that and remembers us

Once your ships dock with the station a team is able to get some medics to the bridge and revive one of the officers. They in turn help issue the surrender to the remaining troops. It's questionable how much it was needed, the remaining power cell troops had mostly confined themselves to holding the armory rather than trying to retake the rest of the base.

The addition of their equipment to your salvage haul is a welcome one. Allied troops, including some of the POW's, would like to get their hands on the power cell armor. For now you've given the remaining heavy armor to the Helios guys. Goodness knows none of your people would want to use that death trap.

Enemy officers have been taken into custody as before while a similar arrangement has been made with the regular troops and the base prison cells.
You're gone to run out of brig space for the officers at this rate. Maybe you should bet one of those stasis equipped medical or evacuation ships for use as a prison barge?

After escaping the area you realise that there may be a bigger problem. Some of those rescued nobles think you should be taking orders on where to send the fleet from them. Those from Helios are well enough off since you can just kick them over to the salvaged ships you've given their space force.
Commodore Harrison seems to be getting them under control.

An Earl, who appears to be the head of House Noctis, is demanding you return them to Helios lines as soon as possible that they resume command of their forces.

By now the other POW facilities are likely to have been warned. Helios intel will probably be working on plans for rescue attempts.

Do you want to return to friendly lines at this time?

>>1340454
Might as well, we've ran out of cargo space and resorted to caching loot in the sector. A jailbreak should cause quite a stir anyway.

>>1340454
We do have some loot caches we could transport over to friendly territory.

>>1340454
I want to hit a high value target on the way back to be honest.

>>1340454
Yes. Check with Helios intel and see if they need us to do anything on our way out.

>>1340454

To the Earl, "Respectfully, this fleet is part of a joint operation with allied houses, headed by House Jerik-Dremine. Please be patient we will get you back soon." (Unless of course people want to ignore him or have something better to say to said boss Earl.)

And I am for heading home at this point.

>>1340454
Are we in a position to leave a few wings to continue scouting/harassing/communication-sat-hunting again? or are we too loaded up with prisoners/POWs?

As far as I can tell, the greatest impact we can have right now is returning these POWs to the main line to rejoin the fight.

Did we stash those fuel tankers for use as emergency fuel supplies due to their explosive nature if shot? I'm not sure it is wise to try and bring them thru the enemy line.

>>1340595
They would certainly function as engines for asteroid KKV's.

>>1340488
>>1340491
You have hidden a lot of salvage in loot cashes so you're not that bad for salvage space. The main problem facing your fleet is that the attack cruisers are still a bit busted up from tackling that troop convoy. Its harder to repair them quickly. Also a couple squadrons were sent to help catch that medic/pow convoy. Overall you're under strength right now but the recovery of a few of your pilots has helped.

>>1340595
>tankers
I don't recall. They may have been sold to the smugglers? If they're still with you then they are NOT a full fuel capacity. Too dangerous. You could always change that and use them as tanker bombs.

>Are we in a position to leave a few wings to continue scouting/harassing/communication-sat-hunting again?
I wouldn't recommend it due to being a bit under strength right now, especially if your fleet has to cross the front lines.

>>1340493
>Check with Helios intel and see if they need us to do anything on our way out.

Contacting the resistance.

...Targets found within Oversector.

>ETR: 1
>Ransom Targets: 1
>Troop Convoys: 1
>Intel Operations: 7 4

>Emergency Teleport Receiver
Recently arrived, it is with a fast moving fleet that will soon reach the front lines. It will be difficult to catch.

>Ransom Targets
A more conventional target, this nobleman is a wealthy merchant of value to a number of minor Houses. Currently assisting with enemy logistics, their capture might interrupt or delay some trade contracts. Their ransom is expected to being in a good haul.

>Troop Convoy
A large troop convoy has just arrived but their departure has been delayed several times as they wait for reinforcements. Apparently they're worried that someone will hit them as soon as they leave cover.
While damaing their troop transports would be idea simply conducting low level raids against the station they're docked at would further delay their departure.

>Intel Ops
1. Assassinate defector
2. Insert Agents
3. Recover agents and get them across the lines
4. Smuggle weapons to resistance
(There would be others but you don't have your cloaked ship back yet)

>>1340653
>Intel Ops
>2. Insert Agents
I doubt the enemy knows about our latest captured transport yet so it can probably be sent to deliver some agents.
>3. Recover agents and get them across the lines
Well we are (probably) heading back to friendly lines so this isn't exactly a problem.
>4. Smuggle weapons to resistance
Depends on if the resistance is capable of getting to a cache nearby or if they require the weapons to arrive on an enemy held planet.

>>1340653
>>Intel Ops
1. Assassinate defector
Traitors must die.
3. Recover agents and get them across the lines
If we're heading home, lets bring these people home too.

>>1340688
>Depends on if the resistance is capable of getting to a cache nearby or if they require the weapons to arrive on an enemy held planet
Intel can provide a suitable IFF for one of your captured transports.
They'll also compensate you for whatever weapons you can get there. So if say, you provided the resistance with a suit of newly captured power armor, you'd be reimbursed later. Also the enemy would be wondering how the hell the resistance suddenly got hold of such high tier equipment.

>>1340653
I'll support this >>1340688

>>1340738
Helius intel could even fake documents that a traitor in the enemy's ranks got it to them.
I keep forgettin their name. It's Nasidium, right?

>>1340755
>I keep forgettin their name. It's Nasidium, right?
Check the OP

>>1336381
>Houses Nasidum, Xygen and Bonrah form the core of the opposition.

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>>1340806
I've played myself.

>>1340653
I wouldn't mind doing this >>1340688 and maybe getting more information on that assassinating target.

>>1340823
>more information on that assassinating target.
Now if only it was self assassinating target. It's late. I'm laughing a random shit.

A fleet officer, who was a lesser noble from a minor House, supposedly took a ship out on patrol but actually switched sides. They'd accessed as much information about allied fleet deployments as they could in the weeks leading up to the defection.
Regardless of the reason their House and most of their allies want the traitor killed.
Some of their family members have quietly posted a bounty for the officers capture at 10 million.

>>1340864
I say we capture him.

>>1340688
Looks like we're doing all of these before we clear out of the area.

I'm falling asleep so we'll leave it for the morning.

Oh yeah, did you want to try and hit an enemy logistics base to steal some drones on the way out?

>>1340864
I wouldn't mind capturing him, but if that is too difficult killing him is just as good.

>>1340912
I don't see a reason not to so and nothing completes a round of raid than looting a logistics station on your way out.

>>1340864
Capture him kill if we cant.

What happened to that guy and the tanker from last session ?

>>1340912
< Did we want to try and loot

Why even ask this question? Yes, a thousand times yes oh Captain my Captain.

>>1340454
Assure the earl we'll return to allied lines once we've finished our work in this sector. If they can offer any advice on where to cross the frontlines we'd be grateful. To help them pass the time until we can get them back to their fleet, let them have a look through a list of salvaged ships we currently have with our fleet. Maybe they can find something they'd like to buy to strengthen their remaining forces.

>Also posted this on the wiki talk page
>>1340864
>Some of their family members have quietly posted a bounty for the officers capture at 10 million.
Maybe the enemy's intel managed to blackmail the officer? Like that mission with the researcher we didn't do. If possible, capturing the officer seems preferable.

>>1340688
Sounds good to me.

>>1340653
>troop convoy
Delaying them sounds like a good idea. Can we throw some asteroids at the station shields to keep them worried about attacks?

Also, any news about reinforcements for our allies in this galaxy?

>>1341819
Throwing asteroids has been proven time and again to not be worth it. ToT torpedo barrage and overwhelming force is the most successful tactic we've developed for stations.

>>1341813
Yeah, we definitely need to communicate/placate the Earl.

Agree with him that the majority of these POWs are needed on the other side of the main line, but we still have another attack force returning with more liberated POWs. We'll break thru together.

As for now, the salvaged ships seems good, plus "please rest and ensure you are fit to return to combat" and/or "please help us sort thru some of the other liberated POWs"?

If House Noctis was local, maybe he knows of sites where stragglers might be trying to hide or black sites they put into hibernation like Aries, that we could help him recover something from before we cross the lines again.

>>1341863
Sad to say it but it's the truth. I can remember asteroids working on 2 occasions.

The time when the Pirates used them to drag half the Dominion Expedition forces out of FTL and into an ambush to delay them.

The time when Nasidum decided to make massive fortresses out of several and stick engines on them.

The only other time I can remember that was similiar was was when we struck a military base planetside with a tanker dropping from space.

Ships are just all around to mobile for it, unless you are breaking up massed formations with one that has engines that is.

Stations could be taken out but then you would have to ensure they got no ships close to it that can push it. In which case it would be better to just outright attack it or capture it.

>>1341110
Looks like he left. There were just as many people saying to capture him as to let him go so he's escaped with a ship.
Probably just as well as he could have remote detonated the tanker with explosives he'd set in key areas.

>>1341813
>Assure the earl we'll return to allied lines once we've finished our work in this sector. If they can offer any advice on where to cross the frontlines we'd be grateful. To help them pass the time until we can get them back to their fleet, let them have a look through a list of salvaged ships we currently have with our fleet. Maybe they can find something they'd like to buy to strengthen their remaining forces.

Once the fleet is preparing to see to its next set of targets you personally meet with the Earl to inform them of this. While still unhappy they agree to look over the available intel on the front lines and the list of salvaged warships.

Two squadrons of assault corvettes will deploy to strike at the convoy, launching torpedoes from beyond weapons range before retreating. Two attack runs should be more than enough to panic the locals and make them paranoid about follow up attacks.

Wing Commander Jaihon has spoken with one of the recently rescued officers and devised a plan to help things along. They'll drop modified probes in the surrounding systems to transmit false communications. The enemy should detect them and think that they're signs your fleet is preparing to attack.

Fleet elements begin to deploy on their respective assignment. As a recon team is needed to stand any chance of capturing the traitor it looks like you're up.

"Is this really worth the bounty sir?" asks Rufaro.
It might not be, but capturing the traitor could let you know what information they've given up.

Roll 2d100 for infiltration of the planet and locating the target.

Rolled 32, 1 = 33 (2d100)

>>1341943
If the alternative is another full fleet rescue operation because Helios Intel is compromised again...

Rolled 100, 70 = 170 (2d100)

>>1341943

"The bounty doesn't matter. Showing that traitors aren't safe with the enemy is the message. A capture just provides us with intel and a very good propaganda piece."

>>1341948
>>1341950
>perfect landing right in the middle of a military parade

Rolled 38, 86 = 124 (2d100)

>>1341943
Bounty is nice but not the main objective. The objective is to punish a traitor and if we happen to get info in return that is nice as well

>Also, any news about reinforcements for our allies in this galaxy?
Helios continues to bring in reinforcements as available.

The rescue of those POW's and their return to the lines might convince the Ruling House to send reinforcements of their own a bit sooner.


"The bounty doesn't matter. Showing that traitors aren't safe with the enemy is the message. A capture just provides us with intel and a very good propaganda piece."

It seems you don't have any trouble reaching the planet's surface. The crew even manage to ID another ship making their landing around the same time as you.
"Bounty Hunters sir. Normally they're out looking for former SRL pirates."
"Maybe they're taking a vacation?" suggests the flight engineer.

That seems unlikely.

Once planet side you make sure to track what the Bounty hunters are up to and they soon inadvertently point you in the direction of your target. They're definitely after the same person but that can work to your advantage.

"We could make it look like they captured him after we've made the grab to help cover our escape."
"Or take him from them after they've made the grab."
Suggest your bodyguards.

[ ] Just grab him first
[ ] Use bounty Hunters as scapegoat
[ ] Let Bounty Hunters capture, take from them

>>1341980
>[ ] Use bounty Hunters as scapegoat
Lucky.

>>1341980
>[X] Use bounty Hunters as scapegoat

When in doubt, assume all bounty hunters once hunted our people for the SRL bounties

>>1341980
>[X] Use bounty Hunters as scapegoat

>>1341982
>>1341985
>>1342000
Roll 2d100 for capture and escape.

Rolled 32, 54 = 86 (2d100)

>>1342001
Deus vult

Rolled 49, 28 = 77 (2d100)

>>1342001
Framing their taco stand while blowing the target's!

Rolled 39, 97 = 136 (2d100)

>>1342001
We are sooo mean. I love it

File: worry intensifies.png (327 KB, 512x535)

327 KB PNG

Rolled 43, 29 = 72 (2d100)

Well... the original mission did call for killing the target. Maybe the bounty hunters will have better luck?

>>1342005
>>1342006
>>1342008

Looks like we escaped with slightly less than half of him?
"Stop screaming and hold onto that belt or you'll bleed out, dumbass!"

at least it's a clean get away?

>>1342016
>>1342018
I can't stop giggling.

>>1342018
>>1342016
Well, capturing the upper 49% of the guy is probably enough to keep him alive if until we can get some replacement parts. If were smart enough to bring stasis gear.

>>1341938
Sorry, I thought you mentioned using asteroids as weapons.

Something that none of those events were.

Asteroids big enough to require aid to deal with would require ships large enough to be needed elsewhere, and themselves can be handled by non-combat ships at the station.

>>1341980
We still have those medi Al ships to help with the POWs yes?

I'm out of town for a large part of the day, can I vote in advance to do my Red Cross idea with them or to at least SELL them back not give them back?

>>1342032
part of our standard kit, I think.

"CLEAR A PATH, PEOPLE! MEDICAL EVAC COMING THRU!"

[Random civilian to another] "Was that body in a stasis field flying or did our new overlords spike the water with something?"

>>1342039
>"CLEAR A PATH, PEOPLE! MEDICAL EVAC COMING THRU!"
That's actually a pretty decent cover story. Qlippoth probably has tier 3 medical facilities, so as long we didn't damage the head too badly things might still work out.

Catching up to your target outside of a restaurant next to an embassy, things are a little more crowded than you'd hoped. A delay would seem in order but the Bounty Hunters are still going for the target.

"Keep on the target approach from the other side."

A second later it looks like he's noticed something isn't right and he and some other officers head for the entrance to the embassy. You have to pick up the pace to keep up.

"If this turns into a tug of war I'm going to be really annoyed."

And then someone starts shooting.It could have been one of the officers or the bounty hunters, you don't know, but suddenly everyone with a gun has opened up. Which is everybody because it's war time and these are officers.

Your squad downs the pair escorting the target and move in... only to arrive a few seconds late as he's hit by a stray phase rifle shot.

"Abort. Target is down, abort." says Valeri.

>>1342039
>>1342045
If only you had a medic disguise uploaded to your database of possible images. Valeri still has the data for the officer he was previously disguised as. You could try that. Mind you there is still a firefight going on and getting hit will compromise the disguise.

[ ] Let's get out of here!
[ ] No, put him in stasis.
[ ] Fake enemy officer + stasis

>>1342038
>We still have those medi(c)Al ships to help with the POWs yes?
Part of your fleet is off dealing with that yes.

>can I vote in advance to do my Red Cross idea with them or to at least SELL them back not give them back?
The ships sent to deal with them were going to be doing catch and release with the Medical Frigates.
I'll try to remember to bring this up again once back in friendly space for any future encounters.

>>1342054
>[x] Fake enemy officer + stasis
If the red cross or something similar is still used to identify medical personnel, we could quickly make one with a bit of table cloth and a marker, tomato saucer or wine.

We could also use Sonia's civilian holo disguise in addition to that "I'm a doctor!".

>>1342054
[x] Fake enemy officer + stasis

have Rufario get the guy, while Valeri stays in cover and calls for covering fire to recover the "asset" or the guy's name. Act like he is sending his minion while he preps a stasis field in cover.

If needed, Sonia moves off and acts like the third party that dropped the guards, but tries to pin down the bounty hunters with flashbangs or slightly more fire.

Most of the enemy forces probably lack helmets to detect IFFs and proper comms, so Valeri's yell for cover fire on speakers should trigger almost automatic "our guy" responses, especially if no one really knows exactly who/what officers are present due to public area.

tl;dr
act the part of enemy leadership, enemy grunts likely to follow due to chaos.

>>1342064
>>1342070
Roll 3d20

Rolled 5, 17, 6 = 28 (3d20)

>>1342096
>3d20

Rolled 11, 14, 7 = 32 (3d20)

>>1342096

Rolling for assuming leadership

Rolled 18, 15, 12 = 45 (3d20)

>>1342096
enemy deference to leadership

>>1342100
>>1342098
>>1342097

well, I think we got Sonia shot due to always being the last roll?

Rufario and Valeri will never let us live this one down...

>>1342104
>well, I think we got Sonia shot due to always being the last roll?
I'm pretty sure the last die isn't always Sonia's. Or at least her ship doesn't always end up in the last slot.

>>1342111
>I'm pretty sure the last die isn't always Sonia's.
It isn't always. Though it makes the most sense in this case.

The three of you pull back into cover before switching to one of several disguises. Valeri once again takes on the guise of the enemy intelligence officer while you and Rufaro change to a civilian appearance.

"Remember to add some enemy equipment markings to a few of our backup disguises next time."

Valeri does an admirable job of rallying the other officers against the bounty hunters while you and Rufaro try to grab the target officer.

"I'm a medic, cover me!" She shouts.

You're forced to dive for cover as a burst of fire nearly hits you. It looks like Rufaro has got him and is pulling the body to safety. A nearby wounded enemy Knight yells for you to pull him to cover. That takes a second as you'd rather not blow your cover at the moment.

"Grenade!" warns someone just before the flipped table you're hiding behind dents in several places from shrapnel hits.

The others are away and have the officer in stasis but you're still pinned. Fortunately the Bounty Hunters seem to be falling back. In another minute the fighting has moved away from the restaurant as a squad of marines charge out of the Embassy doors, rushing past you.

[ ] Get out of there
[ ] Offer to help the Knight to a hospital (capture)

I need to run some things over to my sister's place. I'll hopefully be back before 3.

>>1342173
[X] Offer to help the Knight to a hospital (capture)
He does need medical help.

>>1342173

Well always more ransom to be had.

[ ] Offer to help the Knight to a hospital (capture)

>>1342173
>[ ] Get out of there
No need to be greedy.

>>1342173
>[ ] Get out of there
Focus on the mission.
Ships tend to be more reliable and profitable things to salvage anyways.

>>1342173
[x] Get out of there

If there is some random bystander cowering nearby, tell them to help the wounded. Otherwise, GTFO.

I'd suggest knifing the Knight's face if there are no witnesses and he is from one of the Major 3 Rebel Houses, but people probably wouldn't back that.

You get out of the are as quickly as possible by making like a panicked civilian and running away from the action once the worst of the shooting has subsided. Your bodyguards are most of the way back to the ship bu the time you catch up with them. Not quite how you planned but it looks like everyone still thinks the Bounty Hunters are entirely responsible for everything.

"We need to get out of here soon before someone realises we didn't take him to a hospital."

The crew of the transport manage to distract security at the landing pad long enough for you to disable a few sensors and get the stasis unit inside and aboard.

Escape is a bit more complicated than planned but most of the focus seems to be on the small ship the Bounty Hunters are using as they try to escape. Planetary control wants to keep everyone in system until the situation is resolved but Helios intel manages to give them a good enough excuse that the ship leaves the range of the planetary shield before they think to question it.

Returning to the fleet the stasis unit is sent off to the nearest medical bay. One of the doctors will update you on the traitor's status in a few hours.

While you've been busy more of your transports and marines have been helping Helios intel with the other missions. In most cases they just need a ship to make use of.

Agents have been inserted without incident, though recovery of others has been more difficult. A few ship from your attack wings needed to screen the escape of the transport involved. A weapons drop to local resistance has been carried out but the crew were forced to jettison the cargo in a different area due to the presence of heavy AA emplacements. The resistance should still be able to reach the weapons but it will take longer.

A few attack runs have been made on the troop convoy with minimal damage to the attack ships taking part. They're returning to rearm.

Intel has located 2 potential logistics bases to hit on the way out. Both should have drone stockpiles.
The first has a drone manufacturing plant, but its defenses are heavier and it is closer to an enemy response base.
The second is a reserve stockpile. It's not as heavily defended but it won't have as many drones available.

Which one did you want to go after?

Tstg, would it be possible to mount 4 of the long range cannons from the quattro on the fatter lance hull the terrans use for their carriers? It might make a decent long range fire support ship.

>>1342391
If you removed all of its carrying capacity, yes.

>>1342389
The reserve stockpile.

>>1342389
Lets hit the reserve.

>>1342389
Reserve for sure.

>>1342389
Reserve. We can always return and conduct a blast-n-snatch on the manufacturing block.

>>1342410
>>1342403
>>1342397
>>1342401
Being a reserve base the defenses are something of a pushover compared to that troop convoy you brawled with. Jamming prevents calls for help and the sudden arrival of a Medium cruiser and several battleships almost within their shield perimeter prompts the surrender of several ships caught in dock. The station follows suit a few minutes later.

Roll 4d100 for loot. 1st roll is for Drones

Rolled 63, 45, 60, 7 = 175 (4d100)

>>1342415
lewt!

>>1342415
Top quality salvage!

Rolled 17, 8, 75, 27 = 127 (4d100)

>>1342415
Dron

Rolled 20, 62, 4, 36 = 122 (4d100)

>>1342440
>>1342415

Now with actual rolls.

Rolled 69, 17, 22, 33 = 141 (4d100)

>>1342415
Just for fun.

63, 62, 75, 36

What an average set of rolls.

>63, 62, 75, 36

You've recovered 63 Aries starfighters. The engineers will get to work on completely wiping their computer systems and installing J-D Drone OS's on them. They do report that the Aries control software has been updated recently with better routines. They probably operate 10-15% better than your equivalent combat drones. You may need to get an update from the Ruling House for your Heavy Drones.

The usual assortment of missiles, torpedoes and other gear are recovered. Crates of small arms ensure you'll be well set for supply drop to resistance groups in the future.

High value materials are prioritised for recovery, especially FTL components, high maneuver drives, stasis systems. There isn't a lot of any one thing present. Nothing exceptional but all useful.

A few transports are docked to the hull of Qlippoth for the ride back.

The Earl and a few other officers and Knights have located what they believe to be a good place to cross the lines. It's a bit close to where you re-entered enemy space last time. Could be that your movements there allowed Helios to strengthen their position.

Risk using the same location? Or would you rather cross through one of the groups of nebula?

>>1342510
Did our POW convoy force link up with us?

I think we should make our return thru a nebula region, as we tend to draw pursuit forces after us, and that could translate into bad news for any strengthened Helios region. And if we can hide the full extent of our return, we don't suddenly free up all the forces sent to defend against us.

>>1342510
>Risk using the same location?
Let's give their idea a try. It will probably help our standing with them, if we let these guys contribute a bit.

>You've recovered 63 Aries starfighters
Are these the same type as the aries combat support drone listed on the wiki or different ones?

>>1342394
>If you removed all of its carrying capacity, yes.
That was the idea. We could go completely crazy and combine it with the logh torpedo nose modification suggested a few threads ago.

>>1342510
>Risk using the same location?
Let's play it risky.

>>1342547
>Did our POW convoy force link up with us?
Not yet. There are a few times and places for potential rendezvous behind enemy lines. If they're in friendly territory at the moment you should be able to contact them fairly easily once you make it across the lines.

>>1342561
>Are these the same type as the aries combat support drone listed on the wiki
Yes. There are a few stealth ones but not many.

Sorry I panicked because all my drones were missing from my autocad files.

Anyways, headed across the lines at the same point as before.

Let's get a roll of 2d100

Rolled 56, 62 = 118 (2d100)

>>1342679
>Sorry I panicked because all my drones were missing from my autocad files.
Did you manage to find them?

>Let's get a roll of 2d100

Rolled 50, 35 = 85 (2d100)

>>1342679

The job isn't done until we've got these POWs back to friendly lines!

>>1342688
Yes, I'd created a backup archive of all the starfighters. I must have done most of the work on the drones in the archival file without realising it.

Rolled 85, 48 = 133 (2d100)

>>1342679
MORDIC

>>1342679

Not sure if late or not, time to see if dice works

>85, 62
Let's hope we're not getting most of their fucus.

>>1342709
dice+2d100

Rolled 34, 72 = 106 (2d100)

>>1342679
Once again <. <

>>1342713
Thanks used to doing on comp, mobile is weird.

>>1342720
Get clover from fdroid if you're on android. It makes browsing 4chan on mobile pretty bearable.

You manage to make it to the front without much interference. That changes once you open communications to let your allies know about your presence.
A trio of Eminence class ships move to intercept you, along with numerous other front line units.

The fleet reaches friendly lines first but it looks like the enemy may just try to overwhelm your allies in the area instead.

Did you want to have some of your fleet assist the nearby Helios units?

[ ] Assault Corvettes
[ ] Mixed units, but only a single pass
[ ] Medium Cruisers
[ ] Anything battle ready not carrying salvage
Or some combination?

>>1342762
>Or some combination?
Assault Corvettes and Medium Cruisers. If some of the battleships aren't carrying salvage, have them stay behind as well.

>>1342762
[ ] Anything battle ready not carrying salvage