For House and Dominion, Sonia's Rescue Rangers!

After making contact with the SRL fleet you made plans to aid them. A unit has been sent ahead to lay a minefield along the planned escape route. Meanwhile the rest of your mobile force will do what it can. Your command ship and escort jumped in to join the allied formation. In addition to direct support it's also allowed Versa to help assist the gunnery of the bigger ships. Due to battle damage you've been forcibly disconnected from Versa's system. It's too dangerous to try reconnecting while the fleet is under fire. Hopefully her gunnery assistance will be enough.

Everyone else has jumped in behind the enemy fleet and begun to cause as much damage as they can. It's a desperate attempt to distract them but it has helped keep some of the enemies from simply overwhelming you.

At your end of the field the fighting soon becomes just as desperate as it was before your arrival. The AI assisted gunnery is definitely making a difference but the fleet was already on its last legs. Fire from the Executioner batters down the extra shields of the Monitor and then much of the protection on the right most super. Their attempt at a shield restart is interrupted by a few more shots from the Cinquedea.

"They're going to lose that ship on the next volley." Maybourne warns.

Time to make a fateful decision.
"Evacuate one of the Sledges. We'll use it to block the next volley."
"But sir-"
"Do it now! Versa calculate ideal positioning so the rest of our mediums can help soak some of the damage. Helm be ready to go evasive if it looks like that Executioner is going to kill us instead."

Roll 3d100

Rolled 100, 53, 60 = 213 (3d100)

>>3418105

Rolled 3, 80, 21 = 104 (3d100)

>>3418105

Rolled 65, 74, 95 = 234 (3d100)

>>3418105

For House and Dominion!

If high is good we have 100, 80, 95. If low rolls are what we need we got 3, 53, 21. Maybe sledge-kun will actually manage to survive?

Versa sends out heading data to each of the ships and soon Mezan's Eclipse is swinging in towards the aft sections of the beleaguered Super. The sledge that's being evacuated positions itself farther ahead while dropping shuttles and escape pods. Emergency teleport capsules are probably being reserved for the last ones to bail out.

Corvette fire continues to intensify while the timer counts down to the next jump.
"That minefield better be ready when we arrive." Says Mezan. "We're not going to get another chance at this."

"They're charging for the next volley!" warns sensors.
The helmsman of the doomed sledge reverses engines then side slips behind the Super and locks tractor beams.

The first shot from the Executioner is largely soaked of by the overlapping shields. Of the second only part of it is intercepted, the rest striking the drive section of the Sledge and destroying half the ship and scattering debris and flame in every direction. One of your Eclipses rolls avoiding the worst of the third but still losing part of an engine pod. The final shot punches through the shields, inflicting damage to much of the upper starboard side of the Super. Some of the engines are lost, but enough are still online to keep going.

You're thrown against the restraints once again as fire from the Cinquedea peppers your ship. Fortunately the reprieve has been long enough for the Monitor class medium to restart its shield generators. It's able to absorb any subsequent fire. At least for a few minutes.

At least some of the crew aboard the sledge is still alive because they use their tractor beams to haul themselves onto the aft section of the Super they were shielding.
"Looks salvageable." is you r assessment.

"Looks can be deceiving Viscount. The ships interior is being consumed by plasma fires."
Versa brings up a scan showing that the Sledge will soon be gutted. The crew teleport out soon after.

The fleet gets the signal to jump soon after. That minefield had better be in place.

Did you want the rest of your units to keep hitting the rear of the enemy formation?
Or do you want them to join you so that they'll be protected behind the minefield?

[ ] Continue hit and fade
[ ] Take cover behind mines

>>3418228
>[ ] Take cover behind mines

Get to cover and be ready to receive the enemy. If plans haven't already been made. Make sure our fleet is ready to GTFO from this galaxy real soon. I think the Neeran are going to be alert all over the place.

>>3418228
>[x] Take cover behind mines
Fucking plasma fires.

"Tell the others to cease attacks on the enemy rear and link up with us at the next reversion point.
Then send a signal to our main fleet that we're pulling out of this galaxy. Things are way too hot around here and I'm betting they'll only get worse."

Your people to the rear turn and get out as quickly as they can. They'll need to make 2 jumps to catch up. All escort craft with the SRL fleet maneuver to get a clear line of sight before the jump. The Neeran have seen this enough times. Half their corvettes pull back to the carriers or supporting transports. The rest try to make it difficult for your own corvettes and attack cruisers to get a clear line to jump with the fleet.

As your unit jumps out Versa puts up the outbound angles of the other friendly ships in their escape. Many of the attack cruisers have been forced off and will have to make a subsequent realignment and jump. Things are going to get messy.

On reversion you see the minefield ahead. Battleships and the AM Helios are deploying torpedoes and mines as fast as they can. The numbers are impressive but it's questionable if it will be enough. The fleet pushes through carefully, allowing time for the mines to maneuver out of the way.

"Alert, field deployment is not optimal." warns Versa.

"What's wrong?"
"The mines are not close enough to the reversion point."

Maybourne isn't sure there's enough time to move them safely, especially with more friendly ships on the way. The enemy may have time to shoot down some of the mines before impact. Though in the case of the AM mines that may not be a big problem.

The Commanding officer of the SRL detachment doesn't especially care as long as it buys time for his fleet to make a proper escape for one.

[ ] Move them, arm on schedule
[ ] Move them, but dont arm until enemy arrives
[ ] Keep them where they are

>>3418412

> [ ] Move them, arm on schedule

FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

>>3418412
>[ ] Move them, arm on schedule

>>3418412
>[ ] Move them, arm on schedule

"Move the mines. We still arm on schedule. Have all ships begin cold launching conventional torpedoes and add them to the field. Maybe we can saturate their torpedo defenses."

After pushing through the minefield you have Mezan bring her ships around, ready to direct their forward firepower into the enemy fleet when they arrive. Allied ships continue to jump in and take up positions to assist. The other groups arrive later than you were hoping but still before the minefield activation.

Some of the damage already done to your forces is a bit worrying, the mediums especially. Repair scarabs are hard at work patching as best they can in the short time available. For now they're simply covering holes with armor so that there's some protection until it can be done later.

"Projected arrival in 10 seconds. Minefield arming."
"All shields front. Watch your fire, we still have a few friendlies straggling in."
In theory the mines shouldn't target them but it only takes a few. Or one big one. Energy discharges could blind their sensors and make IFF difficult to confirm.

Versa is in the middle of confirming that the scrap cannons and other armaments on the Supers are ready when the first ships begin to arrive. The Executioner reverts with her bow alreading beginning to enter the minefield. A few of its escorts are similarly far forward, though the other Supers are in a staggered formation as before.
Two heavy cruisers are blotted out by explosions and you're unable to get a solid read on the lead super due to AM detonations. Regardless the scrap cannons open fire on what should be its bow. The Cinquedea reverses engines with afterburners active trying to keep from hitting the mines.

"Target the Krakens." Mezan orders her gunners.
Spinal mount Medium plasma and heavy phase cannon fire tear into the torpedo defense ships, shredding three of them in the opening barrage. It opens enough of a hole that mines are able to hit the Cinquedea, though not enough to overwhelm its shield.

A wave of enemy corvettes launch or detach from their mother ships, spreading out in all directions towards the edges of the minefield. Those closest to the field begin launching plasma balls to kill, disable or blind mines and warheads.

The Cinquedea changes course, turning broadside to spread impacts out across a larger surface area. Its guns continue to inflict damage on your mediums. Versa redirects scrap cannon fire towards it, apparently satisfied that the main weapons on the Executioner are disabled.

Do you want to spend enough SP torpedoes to cripple to the Cinquedea? Just enough to take out its guns, or simply focus conventional fire while withdrawing?

[ ] Cripple it
[ ] Knock out its guns
[ ] Conventional fire

>>3418642
>[ ] Knock out its guns

>>3418642
>[ ] Cripple it

>>3418642
> [ ] Cripple it

>>3418642

[x] Knock out its guns

Extract allied forces. The enemy is going to keep the field.

>>3418642
Do we have enough supers to tow the Cinquenada if Versa coordinates it?

>>3418744
Maybe if there weren't 2 Super carriers, another 10 heavy cruisers, more than a dozen mediums and many thousand other enemy ships nearby.

Also that Executioner may be down but it is not out. Even without their main guns it's still a hazard.

Anyone want to tie break?

If no tie break within 5 minutes we're going with cripple since it had the most votes under the 30 minute mark.

>>3418739
>>3418740

>>3418806

RIP SP torp stockpiles before reaching the objective

>>3418806

Cripple

"Back us away from the minefield. Any ships with spare SP torpedoes target the engines and main guns on that thing."

Two assault corvette wings immediately dive in, each launching a salvo and breaking off before reaching the nearest side of the minefield.

On the flanks of the minefield the corvettes trying to get around it towards your fleet are met with a hail of torpedo fire from starfighters and drones. Two groups of ships are caught by surprise, having apparently been distracted by more immediate threats and apparently not noticed them. Others are more difficult and the fighting there is what you would have ordinarily expected.

Satisfied Tama is taking care of things there you turn your attention back to the main battle. Mines continue to hammer the enemy super even as the first volleys of SP torps strike home. Enough punch through a partial gap opened by an AM mine to take out their starboard afterburner. While powerful the explosion is largely contained to its section, detonating AM stores pushing the vessel farther to port.

While the maneuver spoils the attempt to cripple the big guns it makes the main engines an easier target. Many of the remaining nearby mines dimple the shields with impacts. A storm of scrap cannon fire likewise helps wear down the defenses. With the minefield dissipating assault corvettes help hold back the oncoming wave of smaller craft and make a hole for one of the attack cruiser wings to punch through, dropping a combined salvo into the supers engines.

As detonations become visible you send the signal for everyone to fall back.
"Let's go! Let's go! If we're lucky most of their fleet will stay here and help repair those two and we can lose their main force."

"Let's go! Let's go! If we're lucky most of their fleet will stay here and help repair those two and we can lose their main force."

Turning and burning a bright explosion lights up one of the mediums on your side.

"Zinovev's command ship has been hit." reports Maybourne.
It looks like half their drives were taken out when an afterburner module was hit. Mezan is already on it, having the helmsman change course to help pick up the wounded Shukhant. You're about to suggest one of the other Eclipses get it but the other two aren't looking so great. One has the engine damage from the last area's battle and the other has recently taken a hit near the bow.

Assault corvettes help cover you while tractoring the vessel then you're headed for the SRL fleet as fast as you can. Versa's gunnery support was diminishing somewhat as the Supers were gaining distance but once you close in again they're able to put fire into any heavies or mediums trying to pursue.

"They're pulling back. Enemy Shallan vehicles are going out wide. It looks like they're going to keep tracking up from range."

By this time Tama has withdrawn the starfighters and is preparing to have the escort carriers jump. With the extra time spent charging their drives the SRL fleet is soon ready to get clear of the galaxy. Your people's help is needed shuffling salvage between the larger vessels before the jump to put less strain on the damaged super. A few repair scarabs head over as well.

Double checking that everyone has the same rendezvous coordinates as what your main fleet will be headed for the SRL ships jump out. You and a the remaining pursuers are hot on their heels.

Exiting the galaxy long range sensors soon begin to detect multiple powerful drive signatures headed your way. At least two of them have to be enemy Supers on an intercept course. It's expected to take an hour for them to catch up. Over the next 30 minutes you consider options. The SRL ships cant outrun them given the current state of their drives and if both vessels are Executioners you're going to take a lot of losses.

Before that happens though they break off and head back. A few minutes later sensors detect 3 Faction supers angling towards the fleet. Once they're a bit closer Baron Izolan Xedols hails you.

"It would seem we caught up just in time Viscount. Knight Cinayk suggested we modify the FTL signature of the Heavy Carrier to that of an Alliance Capital Ship. Apparently that was enough to scare them off."

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The projected course of the SRL fleet will take them back to the Alliance invasion forward staging area on this side of the cluster. In theory it should be possible to get serious repairs looked after more quickly there. Most of the damage your fleet has taken can be field repaired it will just take longer. Getting more SP torpedoes could be difficult. Not impossible but resupply is going to be stretched at this point and time.

Did you want to continue with the SRL fleet to the staging area or did you want to go somewhere else? If necessary the fleet can stop here to transfer salvage.

>>3418908
>"It would seem we caught up just in time Viscount. Knight Cinayk suggested we modify the FTL signature of the Heavy Carrier to that of an Alliance Capital Ship. Apparently that was enough to scare them off."

Great timing and planning. It's almost as if we have competent people working for us. Thank both of them for the timely arrival and have our fleet join with the SRL so we can get them patched up enough so that they can make a longer jump unaided.

Also to remind the SRL commander he owes us a favor for coming to his aide and saving them and their Supers. Also they will also need to think of a way to thank/ repay Mezan for sacrificing one of her ships. This is not to say we shouldn't think of how to repay her for her losses. But to let them know he owes the Shallan Admiral something for the loss of ship and crew.

>>3418936
I'm fine with heading with the SRL to drop off salvage and resupply. After that last galaxy I think the crews need a breather, before we head on to our next targets.

Question for planning, there is another force coming from the north that isn't Neeran Empire but is not confirmed un/friendly, right? Should we plan on encountering them on the galaxies on the route here? What is the projected time table for that force to arrive? We may need to head directly to our target depending on the time window. If we want to make sure we get there before that force shows up and stars making a mess of things.

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>>3418950
>there is another force coming from the north that isn't Neeran Empire but is not confirmed un/friendly, right?
The north east and very likely yes.
>Should we plan on encountering them on the galaxies on the route here?
Your objective is in a dwarf galaxy that is 4th or 5th closest to their likely invasion point.
>What is the projected time table for that force to arrive?
They haven't entered the cluster in force yet but they could begin to arrive as early as a week from now. Latest Intel projections show it should take them 2-3 weeks at best to secure their beachhead before pushing outward.

>>3418936

We may as well head to staging to ensure we recover any crews that had to be taken aboard the SRL supers on the way out, get some fresh intel on friendly raiders or enemy strongpoint galaxies, and possibly see if the SRL guys are willing to thank Mezan's crew.

See if we can't restock some SP torps, share collected intel on rebel groups, turn over prisoners, top off some fuel and maybe secure some spare fuel tanks for the captured Neeran Tanker?

Quick turn around, and I'd guess we'll want to skip to one of the small galaxies near our objective.


And we can always see if there are some Dominion or otherwise friendly ad-hoc units being reformed that are looking to join up on our mission. Mezan might also pick up some additional shallan bodies?

>>3418807
We can get reimbursed for the SP toros from the SRL guys.

> Did you want to continue with the SRL fleet to the staging area or did you want to go somewhere else?

>>3418987
>>3418936

We saved the SRL group so we can be shameless about it.

>>3418975

>Ulgean

Oh joy, so we have to compete with the Neeran Empire and the Ulgean's who've gotten their freedom and are looking to take turf from them. That's not a terrible thought at all!

How much do we want to bet they're going to throw a fleet or three our way targetting the super yards. And oh hey we will just be sitting over a Neeran world and will demand we remove ourselves or be shot. More enemies to shoot, but hey at least they'll give the Neeran extra hassel and maybe allow us a chance at those super yards.

Alright, lets regroup and recover with the SRL forces. Drop off unneeded loot or loot that will be to cumbersome to drag along and get more ammo. And again, make sure SRL commander is aware how much he owes us and Mezan. And also talk to Mezan about repaying them for sacrificing their ship.

>>3418992
>>3418996

>be shameless about it
>make sure the SRL commander is aware how much he owes us and Mezan

That just seems so terribly not Sonia.

And I'm the guy that wants to define the target world as an artificial construct to technicality our way to legal orbital bombardment & turn over the false flag war criminals to the rebels because non/false uniformed folks are nothing more than spies.

Now getting them to link up with us to raid, pillage and salvage our pirate-blooded guts out? That would be a Sonia move.

>>3419021

If their heavy hitters weren't floating scrap yards and liable to slow us down. I'd be all for telling them to come with us. As it is, they are a liability and we can only hope they decide to pay us back later by coming in sometime down the line to help us with either those Super yards in our target galaxy. Or just providing us support when we need it. Of course they could just hand us a Super for all our troubles.

And making sure the SRL commander is aware he owes us one and owes Mezan a ship. Is just good business. I don't know about being shameless, but should make sure he is well aware he would have lost a lot more ships and crew as well as prestige back in the SRL if he came back without those Supers. Maybe suggest to him he try and buy a Dominion Fast Super.

>>3419040
>Maybe suggest to him he try and buy a Dominion Fast Super.
That would be like suggesting to the Ukraine that they should buy F-22's.

>>3419021
> That just seems so terribly not Sonia.

You mean Crazy HasSonia the SP torpedo salesman and Salvage Queen wouldn't want fair compensation even if it means someone else who would have suffered much worse and possibly lost all their ships if we hadn't acted wouldn't ensure she had enough supplies to complete her mission?

You all have been playing with too many resources for too long to remember how shameless Sonia can be when needed.

All it would be is fair compensation for the resources we expended, not to mention the lost Sledge.

SRL are our allies, but they aren't part of our House.

>>3419050

As far as I can recall, Sonia has always been fair to allied forces when it came to bailing them out for a larger strategic interest, or cooperating with them in order to tackle targets that would savage our force.


Asking for some compensation is fine, but treat the allied force that was in a bad spot with respect. We can't rule out that these Supers and their SRL buddies might be in a position to reinforce our fleet when we're in the bad spot.

And we're not some big damned Terran Alliance Hero Ship protecting certain tech.

>>3419073
True.

But it's just SP torpedoes. They should have plenty.

We're on an important mission not just for our House but our Dominion. A key mission in fact.

When it comes down to the wire, we have to ask for what we need.

>>3419079

I can't imagine they were holding on to many SP torps when they were about to lose their Supers.

We'd be firing EVERYTHING. And possibly AM generators as scrap cannon ammo.

>>3419083
That's why we're stopping by the staging area.

Before talking to the SRL fleet you assure Mezan that you intend to repay her for the loss of the ship. If everything goes well she might be reimbursed by both you and the Warlords.

Contacting the SRL commander you make them aware that with your gravity well generator the fleet can stop for repairs at any time if they're needed. It would be good to make sure the Super you helped save didn't suffer a failure. While on the topic you make it clear that their Warlord owes you one for the save. More importantly they also owe Mezan for the loss of her Sledge.

"The many thousands aboard are certainly grateful. They'll try ta find a way to repay the good Admiral. If they cant I will do what I can. And if for some reason I can't then I'll make sure my Warlord will. Somehow. Either way they'll know of what you did for us. I'm to understand the crew members who abandoned ship have been given a heroes welcome aboard."

Discussing plans its agreed that the fleets will stop farther out from the galaxy you just left. Once in real space the gravity well powers up. Though not strictly necessary within the cluster it's added insurance.

Repair teams from both fleets are soon hard at work. Your units took considerable damage. Easy repairs are cycled through quickly. Corvettes and some other SRL ships and transferred over to help them free up dock space. 8 Hours are spent on repairs needed to make the SRL fleet safe to jump.

Resuming flight it takes the better half of a day to reach the Alliance staging area. Patrol ships challenge the fleet on approach and order all of you to drop to real space for a quick inspection. Satisfied that you're not a Neeran fleet false flagging they send navigation data. Soon enough the fleet arrives at a busy repair area. A larger version of Cascade Class mobile base is present along with an older one refit from a mobile asteroid fort.

An Iratar unit has a number of Mega class ships modified to conduct more extensive repairs to Medium cruisers. Everyone is logged in to be looked after in sequence. The burned out Sledge is considered only briefly and is soon recommended to be scrapped.

Warlord Bhumi Patil soon contacts you and thanks your fleet for rescuing one of their units. She should be able to get you a replacement Sledge powerful enough to keep up.
"I wonder if you might consider trading me the remains of the ship that was lost? Not all of the Warlords have gained full access to certain PCCG upgrades they've performed on our design."

Looks like someone wants to haggle over scrap and salvage. Mezan is getting a replacement ship regardless. What would you be willing to trade the burned out wreck for?

>>3419180
>What would you be willing to trade the burned out wreck for?

What do they have available to haggle for? If the PCCG upgrades are that valuable. We should obviously try to get something good out of this. But first, what are they willing to haggle that is of equal or greater value to the PCCG upgrades on that Sledge and maybe throw in some of our own salvage to get some of their salvage.

>>3419180
What do they have?

Can they loan us a replacement Super for the duration of our mission? Otherwise a reasonable amount of SP torpedoes us always useful.

Open to their offers though.

>>3419205
>Can they loan us a replacement Super for the duration of our mission?
Nothing that could keep up with yours unfortunately. That doesn't mean she wouldn't be interested in sending a fleet unit out to your target area as backup. It might take a bit as their support craft took heavy losses.

>>3419200
>What do they have available to haggle for?
-Bear medium transport (not a front line ship, they have some back home)
-Medium salvage ship (Poor defenses)
-South Reach Fast Battleships with upgrades (You could further improve them)
-An Oberon blockade runner with cloak and 1 week old codes
-500 to 1k SP Torpedo stockpile

>>3419267
-South Reach Fast Battleships with upgrades (You could further improve them)
-An Oberon blockade runner with cloak and 1 week old codes
-500 to 1k SP Torpedo stockpile

All of these and we keep the battleships.

Just as an opening offer.

>>3419267
>South Reach Fast Battleships with upgrades (You could further improve them)
>An Oberon blockade runner with cloak and 1 week old codes
>500 to 1k SP Torpedo stockpile

These interest me the most. Are they equal to the PCCG upgrades they want? Or shall we haggle some of our own salvage for certain parts?

>>3419295
>Are they equal to the PCCG upgrades they want?
In theory any 1 of them could be equal to a crippled ship with superior tech. The Warlord hasn't been able to acquire it through the black market yet. Probably because she's not on the best terms with certain other Warlords, the PCCG or both. This is as much a political matter.

Gotta be up for work. Resuming tomorrow night.

>>3419367

Well then an upgrade-able SRL Fast Battleship seems like a good start to at least trade for the PCCG upgrades on the medium, at least to me.

What from our salvage would be worth either the SP torps or the Oberon on their own and together?

Questions for tomorrow.

Oh and roll a d100 for SP torpedo resupply.

>>3419367
How upset would PCCG be with us if we made this deal?

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>3419397

>>3419267
>SR Fast Battleship

Doesn't J-D basically produce one of, if not the top of the line variant of this? And a cloaked version?

I have to question the wisdom of potentially taking downgraded, presumably crew-heavy (800 crew a pop still?) battleships into our fleet. How badly are these things a downgrade if we're able to upgrade them?

The last time we did behind-the-lines raiding on the Neeran front, I recall manpower being one of our major resources to manage.


This Warlord seems to be in terrible shape, judging by their access to tech.

>>3419486
I assumed crews would be included with the ships.

After all, it's a good experience for them to train with us and people are one resource Warlords have a lot of, no?

>>3419492
>>3419486
Also crews would get a share same as normal from our salvage, given our reputation I would imagine that would be a big draw for them to risk doing with us.

>>3419492
>>3419494

Wasn't one of the reasons we didn't take the SRL merc allies for this mission (and with at least 1, a J-D upgraded SHC) because we didn't want to involve non-Dominion forces to minimize any sphere world claims?

Why would we suddenly take on SRL ships & crews when we barely got the shipless PCCG aces?

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>3419267
>-An Oberon blockade runner with cloak and 1 week old codes
This seems like the most useful choice. Worst case, we trade it to some rebels on our way out and it counts against alliance salvage. The battleship would be fine too.

>>3419180
>An Iratar unit has a number of Mega class ships modified to conduct more extensive repairs to Medium cruisers.
>Mezan is getting a replacement ship regardless.
Can we buy any of the present mediums as a replacement for the one we lost? There's probably a fleet that will head home after repairs and Sonia has the cash reserves required to purchase one.

>>3419397
Rolling

Also, now that we're back in friendly territory, review the fight against that fleet with Versa to see if we can do anything to increase the survival rate of our medium cruisers in engagements like these.

>>3419513
Well then people aren't an issue after all.

And if they're under our command, then they get paid as crew, not by making claims. Still, we pay our crews exceptionally well.

Like I said, the ships would be ours not theirs at that point.

Or do you think the PCCG aces would have a claim on the world?

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>3419397
Bones

>>3419267
>-An Oberon blockade runner with cloak and 1 week old codes

>>3419420
I'm curious about that as well. Also, what kind of person is Bhumi Patil?

>Last thread Versa noted how shit everything about the scrap cannons was aside from the accelerators and power systems
That got me thinking. J-D has helped to design the current top of the line siege phase cannon cannon turret, the house is producing large plasma cannons and the turrets for them. Sonia's companies produce dedicated point defense mass driver turrets and specialist torpedoes. Would it make sense to design an upgrade package for scrap cannons or dedicated higher quality turrets for them? Specialist ammunition would be another idea. High power one shot repulsor devices at the center of a scrap cannon shot could make the weapon more effective at breaking up formations of smaller ships by making the scrap act like a traditional AA shell.

>>3420143
Well the big advantage is that we can fire scrap, so ammo resupply ain't an issue.

The main downside is that we're firing scrap.

>>3420144
If they run out of scrap and start firing salvage instead... does each shot have a chance to lower Sonia's sanity points?

>>3420143
We could maybe help design a better "scrap cannon" as much as the idea of throwing scrap and salvage is a no. There could be a market in building a better cannon. Especially if it means a profit and a chance to gain more salvage.

>>3420152
> throwing away money

Sonia: "Fuck no. Everyone with PA hop in the cannon, we're going to get shot over there so I can hit them with my HF blade."

>>3420143

I'm still just amused that the suggestion of "why don't we launch obsolete standard corvettes as massive explosives? The Dominion could finance their fleet upgrades selling them." became an actual weapon.

>>3419420
>>3419818
Patil was one of the last Warlords to stage raids against PCCG space. She also targeted a number of shipyards belonging to the main CCD member companies. When they continued to be a problem she carried out an orbital bombardment of the planetary headquarters of one company. Surviving company brass and shareholders alike have taken that rather personally.

The PCCG know that she'll gain access to the tech eventually they've just resolved to make it as difficult as possible for her. They'll be annoyed but they should get over it soon enough.

>>3419422
>Rolled 73
Good enough roll. You haven't been able to get replacements for all of the SP Torps you expended helping the SRL unit but most of them.

>>3419389
>What from our salvage would be worth either the SP torps or the Oberon on their own and together?
Most Neeran salvage apart from a fast medium or larger would be of little interest to them. They'd prefer to keep the torpedoes.

>>3419513
>Wasn't one of the reasons we didn't take the SRL merc allies for this mission [...] because we didn't want to involve non-Dominion forces to minimize any sphere world claims?
I was under the impression people didn't want their slower Supers holding you back but that's just me.

You could always trade 2 iou's for having them hit that galaxy but make no claim against your objective?

>>3419486
>Doesn't J-D basically produce one of, if not the top of the line variant of this? And a cloaked version?
Yes. Daska made sure the line was upgraded with tech borrowed from the newer Iratar Battleships. Probably done under license since the House already had an existing deal for the EC-K with them.

>How badly are these things a downgrade
Not much of one actually. The original design always had the ability to be upgraded with a cloak, just most Pirates couldn't get hold of one. Out of date systems have been replaced with newer models clearly copied from Iratar as well.

The upgrade they referred to is a modification that replaces the heavy torpedo launchers (or minelayers) with spinal mount LD plasma cannons. While this does increase its overall firepower it takes away one of its strong points. The heavy torps were fairly versatile and could be armed with specialist payloads like shield breakers. Having the guns in a spinal mount is also a point against it, as 2 of its Faction competitors lack that problem.

In the mod's defense its fuel reserves mean much longer battle longevity. They wouldn't have to return and rearm with heavy torpedoes in an extended fleet engagement.

Opening negotiations with a fairly unreasonable suggestion you scale back to the Oberon and two of the battleships to evaluate them. Even if they're still worse than the Alliance's version, your House has much better LD plasma cannons than the SRL.

Engineers and House intel look over the ships in detail as soon as possible. The SR Battleships are lacking in certain areas as expected and can easily be refit to deal with that. Armor is not the same quality on the outside but they've added a new under layer that makes up for it.

Maneuvering characteristics are only slightly changed. One of the older Knights have volunteered to take one of them when the fleet deploys.

>>3419486
>presumably crew-heavy (800 crew a pop still?)
Crew requirements have continued to decrease, about 500, though it's still a good idea to keep more aboard for additional shifts or as prize crews.

The Oberon has been concealed with the other cloaked ships in the unit and are currently outside of visual range of the refit area.

Engineers are hard at work repairing your damaged Mediums. It's going to take more than 3 days to rebuild damage to Eclipses, even with the help of your crews and some shallan tech experts. Fortunately their main guns are being swapped out with longer ranged republic versions.

Another chapter of Dominion Knights is present and a trade is worked out for Zinovev's crippled flagship. Reconstruction is expected to take longer than a week for the new model Shukhant but as the other chapter will be here on guard duty for some time they've agreed to swap out ships.

For the older Shukhants it should be possible to get the 6th gen one operational on time to join the fleet. The Knights had already assigned some of their spare people to help with repairs. The wrecked 5th gen may not be a write off but it's going to be a struggle to get it back in operation. That wont be any time soon.

What did you want done with it? Not much trade value atm.

>>3421489

Temp loaner to the SRL guys we saved, if they'll head our way later?

They could probably use an extra medium, and can transfer the crew to a ship they capture on their way to or once they've joined up with us.

>>3421511
>Temp loaner to the SRL guys we saved, if they'll head our way later?
It could be a couple weeks to certify the thing. They'll probably be ready to head out again before that. Though you never know.

You could always transfer it to RSS and they can deal with it later.

Sorry kind of out of it tonight.

Repairs will be completed, stocks of assault corvettes and parts refilled and a few replacement crews and pilots picked up to top up the reserves. Salvaged Neeran ships that aren't immediately useful are traded in to the Alliance earning some credit for later. Intel is very interested in some of the captured equipment, and the crews involved in the false flag operations.

The following day you find out that you're not the only one to have seen similar activity. Two more units were observed attacking rebels with Republic and Kavarian ships. Each fleet uses vessels only from one particular Faction. The Alliance wants everyone to be on the lookout for more of these groups. If encountered they must be stopped.

While Alliance IFF's are more secure they're especially worried one of these units might make use of their ships and codes since that would be even more damaging. If you think it's necessary to challenge an Alliance unit acting suspiciously then do so. Expect others to do the same with your mobile units.

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Tama wants to go over deployment plans with you.
"We've ended up placing ourselves in a situation we were trying to avoid. Once we leave the Alliance beachhead we'll have to worry about enemy interception or at the very least their attempts to track us."

The Admiral has 3 suggestions ready.

1) Continue towards the next targets as you'd already planned. Raid 2 other dwarf galaxies along the way. Provided they dont become major fights, those should be avoided at all cost until you reach your objective.

2) Take a course out away from the beachhead, seemingly not aiming for anywhere then change course in flight and head for the target.

3) Make a feint at one of the main enemy galaxies, possibly with decoys. Change course and make efforts to minimize drive signature.

Or did you have another plan in mind?

>>3421837
> 3) Make a feint at one of the main enemy galaxies, possibly with decoys. Change course and make efforts to minimize drive signature.

This seems good. Also quickest.

>>3421837
>3) Make a feint at one of the main enemy galaxies, possibly with decoys. Change course and make efforts to minimize drive signature.

>>3421837
>3) Make a feint at one of the main enemy galaxies, possibly with decoys. Change course and make efforts to minimize drive signature.

Didn't a Neeran once tell us it was possible to use the Veckron Crystal/Amplifier to beef up a drive signature to ridiculous amounts?

>>3422180
Found it

https://archive.4plebs.org/tg/thread/40714184/#q40741789
>There are stories that our people could greatly augment their own personal energy output. With an item like that an experienced or powerful enough Neeran could theoretically destroy a starship. Or fool an enemy's sensors into thinking they had a fleet ten times their size."

>>3421837

>3) Make a feint at one of the main enemy galaxies, possibly with decoys. Change course and make efforts to minimize drive signature.

>>3421837
The idea mentioned here >>3422180, >>3422290
seems worth trying. We have several Neeran who might be able to try if we brought the artifact. Otherwise, ask the Alliance if we can get a Krath engineering team to help modify our drive flares.

Deciding that the third option might be best you contact Uller with an additional plan in mind.
"We're going to make it look like we're part of a larger force headed for the central most galaxy. I'd like to pad out our potential decoys. Back on the sphere I remember someone mentioning using an amplifier artifact to create decoy signals in subspace. Is that a thing anyone with us could manage?"

"I will discuss it with the others. They will need special assistance I'm sure if it even is possible."
"I'd like to make it work so just tell me anything you need."

They get back to you 3 hours later.
"We'll need a ship with a view port or as little between the inside and out as possible. Line of sight with the edge of the ship's drive bubble would help us focus. Energy shields that we can tune to block certain parts of the EM spectrum. Neeran sized Medical stasis units would be a good idea as well."

Not many ships in your inventory have a parade bridge or even windows for that matter. They're generally only seen on civilian ships or in peace time. One of your Excalibur class ships still has its topside parade bridge intact fortunately. It's in rough shape, with some of the blast shutters refusing to retract, but a team is able to get it back in livable condition within a day.

Uller believes they'll be ready in time for departure. They should be able to create a signature similar to a city ship or a number of smaller ones. They've not that experienced with doing this so they remain limited.

[ ] City ship
[ ] More / Smaller

>>3423696
>[x] More / Smaller
Seems more believeable than a single city ship to me.

>>3423696
>[ ] More / Smaller

I'm pretty sure if they see a city ship, we will have all the attention in the universe we could ever want. Which is NOT what we want.

"We'll stick to smaller ships. Maybe an ACC or two or a few Heavy Carriers? Whatever is easiest."

Works is also done on the 3 Eclipse class ships to allow them to fake a super heavy signature. It should be easy to switch it back again later. It would certainly be a good idea to do so on final approach to the target.

Repairs are still progressing on schedule even though the Eclipse is not a great ship when it comes to speedy refitting. Some of the engineering teams are working double shifts with the promise of downtime when the fleet is in FTL. The Kavarians are apparently prepared for such eventualities. Their repair ship has rest stations with built in sleep headsets to maximize available crew.

You and Troy talk and spend a few hours sending off messages to the kids when there is some down time. Things remain under control back home. No emergencies to report.

As final preparations are underway there is the question of Versa's command and control system. In battle a Medium cruiser remains more susceptible to damage. Some impacts still get through and when taking fire from a Super Heavy they can be powerful enough to disable the system. For this reason and others it's usually only placed aboard capital ships.

Did you want to move Versa to another ship at this time?

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Sleep headset rest stations are still a long way from this. Though I suppose it would be possible now with the current medical tech. Just expensive.

>>3423896

If we moved her over to any other ship she will likely be required by Terran authority to tell them everything about whatever ship she has been attached to. Which was an understandable reason why the Baron didnt want her on his ship. Also there were fears that having her aboard Dominoin vessels would harm morale.

Has the fleet gotten used to her presence enough that we wont receive a moral hit if she is attached to a Dominon vessel?

And if we have reached the point where the moral hit is negligeable. Do we want to risk the Terran's learning about all of Outer Haven's systems or all of Foreberances systems? I am more concerned about her learning about Outer Haven's systems.

Out of the Foreberance and our Heavy Carrier, which would be a less risky for Terrans to learn about?

I know Foreberance is an old ship which we've been modifying since the end of the Warlords Campaign. But are there certain systems on it that neither the House or the Dominon want the Terrans to learn about?

And I get the feeling after this deployment anons will want to sell the Heavy Carrier because we emergency bought it because we thought we were going to fight our own house. And having it is a large drain on resources, but it is a much newer vessel compared to the Forberance and likely has many more secret technology that I'm pretty sure the Dominon doesn't want the Terrans to learn about just yet.

So again, in terms of secrecy. Which ship presents the least amount of security risk. When Versa returns to the Terrans and have her give them the data on whatever ship she was on.

I assume it is out of the question to ask Versa to delete from her memory any scans or data of any of our ships she was attached to? I don't know much about AI, but I assume that would be akin to asking someone to get a lobotomy or whatever. Just to forget something.

>>3423696
> [ ] More / Smaller

Can we mimic Kythra drive patterns? Just to mess with them?

>>3423896
Nah, Versa is fine where she is.

>>3423944
>Has the fleet gotten used to her presence enough that we wont receive a moral hit if she is attached to a Dominon vessel?
Some of them. The majority remain unconvinced at this stage.

>Out of the Foreberance and our Heavy Carrier, which would be a less risky for Terrans to learn about?
I'm not sure if the carrier could even handle the command and control systems. Even the Ceres built versions are meant as fairly cheap refit platforms, not a top of the line craft like the Talos and Cage Heavies.

Forbearance is out of date by any measure. It's upgrades have let it hit above its weight class far past the point it should have been replaced. Aside from the guns and a few intel databases there isn't much the Terrans could learn from it. At least in theory.

If the war were to end tomorrow it would probably be used to help haul smaller ships to be scrapped for as long as its hull lasts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsO-7ENKGP4

>least amount of security risk.
Keeping Versa on Mezan's ship and staying out of direct fire situations is still the best.
Forbearance would be ok with minimal work, though it might take time to verify.
Quattro+ is mostly Neeran and House Kharbos tech so high end stuff can be dismissed as experimental.
Outer Heaven and Sovereign are bad for different reasons.

>>3424043

Well with all that, then yeah, keep Versa where she is on Mezan's ship. Though I'd at least like to make sure we have the Foreberance screened for any sensitive intel or systems. If we hadn't before, should the need arise that we need to move her over to the Foreberance for god knows whatever reason.

>>3424043

Forbearance had something like 6 different sub-command centers, iirc from the boarding threads?

Any chance that one of those isn't really utilized and could be configured into a limited access deal so Versa wouldn't have full access to the whole ship?

Possibly via a partial AI war protocol?

>>3424063
Not impossible but it would take time to perform the necessary modifications.

Did you want to have crews begin work necessary to do so (and secure archives) while the fleet is headed to its next destination?

>>3424076

I'd like to.

While I understand the morale problems and the mistrust of Versa, that system being on Mezan's ship has some rather serious risks. Like incapacitating Sonia if the ship takes a hit.

I'd like to at least give our people time to get working on precautions, in the event that Mezan's ship takes a hit or it becomes impractical to risk using the system from her ship due to enemy action.

Any other preparations before departure?

>>3424129

Can we secure some planetary shield generators to upgrade an escort Medium or two for the Supers?

>>3424129

Nothing really comes to mind that isn't just extra padding and wasting time.

>>3424043
Which ships could handle Versa the easiest?

Mentally spinning my wheels and getting nowhere tonight. I'll write up some things at work tomorrow since it shouldnt be as busy as today was.

Give some thought to how you want to enter the target galaxy. Stick with what you've been doing, or try to use captured codes?
Or even send in the blockade runner with an infiltrating team to take out a sensor array.

>>3424238
>Which ships could handle Versa the easiest?
Sovereign and Eclipse(II).

>>3424129
-Does the Alliance have a dedicated V-torp ship available which we could attach to the fleet?
-A dedicated team of alliance diplomats to help out in case we run into the former Neeran client species that's expected to invade this cluster in a couple of weeks could prove useful as well.
-Stock up on ships from the rebel ship fund if the alliance wants us to bolster the partisan presence in our target galaxy.

>>3424254
Let's stick to what we've been doing so far. If things prove too challenging or there's an opportunity we can still fall back to the codes.

>>3424256
How much "at risk" is Versa of being lost if we lose Mezan's ship?

>>3424129
Can we buy a pair of proper storm cannons for the Earl class ship?

>>3425020
There's a teleport capsule for her core systems, though there is never a 100% guarantee that they'll always work. There is also a risk of her being captured as a result.

>>3425498
You can requisition some from the Alliance but there are none available for sale.

Additional ships intended for use by rebels you encounter are requested. 3 squadrons of Nirium and older Vulture class are picked up. You've seen older CCD warships around as well but being a Dominion unit the Alliance would prefer you take ships from your own Faction. This is as much so that you can make use of them in an emergency as allowing allies to operate with you.

Considering the lower end Dominion designs there is one class you haven't seen made available.
"What about the Hellcat?"
"They're being given to the SRL." replies Maybourne.
"Right. That makes sense."

A dedicated V-torp ship is also requisitioned. When it arrives you initially mistake it for a newer model of long range battleship until you notice the central section is greatly stripped down. It looks like they reused sections from the original prototypes to build its central core. Most of the body is devoid of weaponry aside from a central heavy torpedo launcher at the bow. The outboard drive sections retain their plasma cannons however so it's hardly defenseless.

Your subordinates are glad to see the Dominion can field a modern V-torp ship. You've seen a few other updated Terran ones that seem to be based off heavily modified Sydney class ships.
The commander of the new addition confirms that they can fire their weapon without irradiating the entire crew, which is always good.

To ensure the vessel has an escort that can keep up your small contingent of LRBS II's are assigned to it. With luck it can blend in while in normal operation.
"Any chance we can help that out by adding holoprojectors?" you suggest.

"I swear you'll throw holoprojectors on anything." exclaims Mezan before heading forward to check on ship operations.

You look to Maybourne. "So is that a yes or a no?"
"I'll see if we can buy some more."

Unfortunately the area is running low. Alliance covert logistics teams have been requisitioning all of them. Probably for concealed asteroid bases. It was worth a shot.

"Final checks are good."
The damaged Eclipse II's are the last ships to rejoin the fleet at the edges of the staging area. There isn't much wait. As soon as they've formed up the fleet jumps. Anyone watching the fleet's FTL movements will count at least 5 additional super heavies in formation. You certainly have enough support ships for such a fleet.

Engineering crews that have been busy helping with refits get a chance to rest along the way. The same cant be said for the Neeran members of the fleet. They're pushed to their limits trying to maintain the flase signatures for as long as possible.
A few unidentified ships are detected trying to match the course of the fleet while still near enemy controlled territories. Unsurprisingly they're suspected to be enemy scouts trying to get better readings. Because of this it isn't until very near the planned course change point that you signal Uller to halt the illusion.
While exhausted they've gained a great deal of experience with handling such a trick. It can be done again in the future but they'd just as rather not.

Two thirds of the way to your objective the fleet is preparing to reduce speed to minimize drive signature. Most of the cloaked ships will soon detach and begin striking sensor arrays before your arrival.

"Unidentified ship detected on an intercept course." reports sensors.

From the available readings it looks to be little larger than an attack corvette, though it's most certainly using an FTL system of Neeran manufacture. It doesn't match any known ship in the enemy inventory or rebel ships sighted so far.

Tama is quick to speak up.
"If that's an enemy we can't let them report our fleet strength."

>Your orders?

>>3426261

Get someone in there to knock them out of FTL and board them. Before they can report to anyone.

>>3426261
Send everything after it. Fire Drakes, Assault Corvettes, anything we've got.

>>3426261
Send a unit of our fastest/most maneuverable at ftl ships after it

>>3426261
Send a unit of ships with fast FTL to intercept. If it's of unknown design, it could just as well be a ship cobbled together by rebels or dissidents.
Or the Neeran might have copied the Krath drive flare scattering tech, so be careful.

>>3426261
>>3426632
It could also be a scout for the Ulgean fleets that's trying to establish contact with the Alliance prior to their invasion. So, yeah, I'd prefer to not shoot that ship immediately.

>>3426021
>"I swear you'll throw holoprojectors on anything." exclaims Mezan before heading forward to check on ship operations.
>You look to Maybourne. "So is that a yes or a no?"
>"I'll see if we can buy some more."


Lol. He isn't wrong. Do we have holo-projecter grenades? I'm remembering how they explode, we could throw holo-projecters from hiding and make them look like Sonia so that they get shot close to enemy troops and then they blow up, give them incentive to not shoot us in close combat just in case.

>>3426261
>From the available readings it looks to be little larger than an attack corvette, though it's most certainly using an FTL system of Neeran manufacture. It doesn't match any known ship in the enemy inventory or rebel ships sighted so far.


This is why we brought the Grav Well generator. Trap it with that then initiate communication and board it, it may be from a separate group.

Status update:
1)my wrist is killing me.
2)I anticipate having a lot more time for H&D the next couple weeks.

>>3428508
I hope those two aren't related!

>>3428508
>1)my wrist is killing me.
I think this came up before when you had trouble using a mouse and somebody suggested using a trackball instead. I don't know how insurance stuff works in Canada but you'll likely qualify for therapy if there's danger of this becoming a chronic ailment. It might be worth visiting your physician instead of toughing it out.

Regardless, I hope things get better soon.

>>3420177
Hey guys
What if
Mass driver launched boarding pods

>>3432686
It's come up before. Space Marine boarding pods.

I'm so happy, nobody else wanted it before.

We could even make the pods teleport cages in case we miss. And also put a drill on the front so they could use that to penetrate deeper into the ships.

>>3432686
>>3433649
Terrans did this and even put SP material onto them.

It didn't end well, but that might have changed since we last asked.

>>3433728
Well really I think it would be better to have drill type bunker buster missiles to get through armor and attack internal systems.

Or limpet mine style torpedoes that could latch onto ships and crawl along to the same spot to focus damage.

I mean, I really view Supers and Heavy Cruisers as being too big to really be affected much just by losing chunks of armor.

We don't use Time on Target barrages as much as we could either, for instance. Especially now that we have Versa to co-coordinate it.

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"Send a unit of EC-K's to intercept, and tell the gravity well and an escort to stand by in case they need to drop to real space."

"Orders sent, but I'm not sure the grav well generator could power up quickly enough." replies Maybourne.

"They can't use the focusing to trip their drive?"
"Might still a bit chancy at FTL."

At any rate it's still a good idea to have the gravwell crews ready. If the attack cruisers manage to knock the other ship out of FTL they can then help trap it.

Following the intercept on sensors the incoming ship changes course to match the speed and direction of your fleet. Multiple attack cruisers soon take up positions surrounding it. It takes a few minutes but soon enough there are signs the ship has cut active sensors. After another minute the commander of the cruiser squadron contacts you.

"They claim to be part of a rebel group that's trying to get in contact with the Alliance. Given the state of their ship I'm inclined to believe them."

"Which empire sub-faction are they with?"
"That's the thing, they have crew from at least three client states. Aladore, Trayan, even a few Spikers."
"Okay, what specifically do they want?"
They wouldn't be searching empty space for Alliance fleets just to give high fives all around.

"They want the Alliance to know that the rebels are gaining significant support in a number of galaxies but they'll need help. Soon."

You hesitate to ask anything specifically about your target galaxy in case they escape or get a signal off.
"Do they have any info about the galaxies closer to the Ulgean approach?"
"They think there may still be rebel groups present but the Neeran have put wiped out their main fleets. Population centers have either been recaptured or scorched."

That's not good.

What's your plan?
[ ] Escort them back to Alliance beachhead
[ ] Secure their ship, send rebels back to Alliance beachhead aboard faction ship
[ ] Send unit of ships to loan to the rebels there
[ ] Capture and hold them for now

>>3433850
>[ ] Secure their ship, send rebels back to Alliance beachhead aboard faction ship
Delete the sensor records too, if we can. Don't want it getting out that our big drive flare trick was a decoy.

>>3433850
>[ ] Secure their ship, send rebels back to Alliance beachhead aboard faction ship

>>3433850
>[ ] Secure their ship, send rebels back to Alliance beachhead aboard faction ship

Inform them that we've already dealt with multiple false flag attempts from the Empire using captured Alliance ships and personnel to scorch population centers so extra precautions are necessary.

We will also need to examine their ship to determine how they found us, in case the Neeran Empire can also find us that way.

Finally, give them our personal contact info and our guarantee as a Noble of the Dominion that if the Alliance is too slow to act we will do what we can personally pressure the Dominion will step in to give aid to at least help with protecting innocent civilians.

Let's steal a march on the Alliance here for getting allies in the area. Also it should help to pacify concerns about us, since we have a pretty awesome reputation for things like this. Also that we already stopped one false flag attempt, and even moreso if they don't believe it was a false flag that we were willing to prevent Allied Atrocities.

>>3433850
>What's your plan?
We do have stuff like the forward operations bases and fleet fund ships that were intended to be used by and strengthen rebels. If the resistance in our target galaxy has been more or less wiped out, we might as well provide the materiel to these guys.

Do they know anything that's worth knowing about the Ulgean forces approaching the area?

>[x] Secure their ship, send rebels back to Alliance beachhead aboard faction ship
If they want to get in touch with Alliance commanders in this cluster, this is probably the most efficient way to do it.

>>3433963
>Do they know anything that's worth knowing about the Ulgean forces approaching the area?
Not much. Just that nobody is looking forward to dealing with them.

>>3433985
They don't have a particularly good reputation?

"Inform them that due to security issues involving Neeran false flag attempts we'll need to send them to the Alliance staging area aboard one of our ships.
Have a long range battleship secure their vessel then catch up to us once the crew have been transferred to another fast ship. Do we have a Clarent or anything else we could send them back aboard?"
"I'll find something sir." Maybourne assures you.

The rebels dont really like the idea of giving up their ship but see it as a preferable to a number of alternatives. Their ship drops out of FTL along with an escort to supervise their recovery. Within a few hours everyone else has caught up.

Analysis of the ships shows that it's been built using tech copied from smaller Rovinar vessels in addition to Neeran tech. Other than their power systems the ship is unremarkable. A single engine with 2 spinal mount phase cannons and 4 drives plates attached to a central body. Fuel tanks on outriggers act as makeshift shields. Not great but it has substantial fuel range and endurance.

"No additional info on the Ulgeans?"
"Just that they've always been seen as the Neeran fleet's yes men. Nobody really trusts them, and they're not exactly known for dealing with things diplomatically when they have superior firepower available."

Clearly they must be used to only having a hammer to work with.

Approaching the next target the cloaked ships head out ahead for the usual smash and grab with the enemy sensors. Hopefully it'll be easier than the last galaxy you hit. The approach side is that of the less dense region of the galaxy. The opposite side has the denser regions where stars are too close together for habitable systems to survive. That puts the three super heavy shipyards on the far side.

When the cloaked units report in you find that the sensors along the left flank have been reinforced. They struck a few but were unable to do any real damage to the combined sensor coverage. Units closer to the middle and the other flank fared better and the Krath mercenaries managed to steal a few sensors.

Did you want to send raiding units into the interior to exploit the gap or will you be taking your fleet in?

[ ] Send in raiders from here
[ ] Take fleet into the galaxy

>>3434124
Will we be able to request reinforcements from the alliance invasion fleets on the dark green approach if things go poorly for us?

>>3434167
>Will we be able to request reinforcements from the alliance invasion fleets on the dark green approach if things go poorly for us?
I'm going to assume you mean if the fleet goes into the galaxy.

It would probably be a good idea to leave a com relay outside just in case. The signal might still be detected but it's certain it'll get through in that case.

>>3434180
>I'm going to assume you mean if the fleet goes into the galaxy.
Yes.

>It would probably be a good idea to leave a com relay outside just in case.
We should probably do that, then.

>>3434124
>[x] Take fleet into the galaxy
This is our target, right? Might as well go all in.

>>3434124
>[ ] Send in raiders from here

If it helps to keep things moving I'm fine with switching my vote to raiders instead.

>>3434389
>>3434233
I prefer to have more than 2 people voting but I guess that's not going to happen.

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"We'll park a safe distance outside the galaxy for now. Launch raids into the interior like before. Make disabling addition sensors and communications a priority. Hera, Phas and the Baron are up first. The rest will swap out after a day or so, or as needed."

As the first three groups head in Tama suggests having crews begin working on setting up one of the captured sensors. It'll be aimed towards the shipyards.
"With a narrow enough field of view we might be able to focus it enough to see any large fleets launch even though we're outside normal long range."

"Wouldn't it be easier to have a cloaked ship drop sensors and com relays closer to the yards and network them back to us?" you ask.

"It could be. That would be more work, it would use up all our spare sensors. Also they might see enough FTL movement of the ships dropping them to trace where they're deployed."

You have that Oberon blockade runner. It could probably do the job and not get caught, but then you might not be able to use it for other covert missions. For now it's easier to wait for the field teams to bring back more stuff you can potentially use.

Baron Xedols and Hera each bring in the usual assortment of broken warships and the occasional odds and ends. Phas however requires the salvage Kilo to pick up her latest acquisition. An Archangel Type Fast Medium. It will need some structural work certainly but the engineers think they can get it done, it'll just take awhile.
"How long?"

"Two weeks maybe?"

The Krath mercenaries have spent most of the day on the lookout for useful and easy to acquire ships and equipment. They've narrowed down a few potential areas but need more time. They're requesting data on what regions your raiding parties are going to strike next as they'll need to avoid those and search elsewhere.

[ ] Tail
[ ] Center (Near previous raids)
[ ] Area closest to target system
[ ] Dense region

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The Yang dwarf galaxy is like this galaxy but smaller.

>>3434590
>[x] Tail
We might as well focus our raids there. That's the side with the strengthened sensor setup, right?

>>3434590
>[ ] Center (Near previous raids)
Hopefully they'll think we've moved after raiding once and will have reinforced other areas.

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>>3434609
The end of it has a substantial sensor gap at present.

>>3434590
[x] Tail

See if we can knock out sensors and damage logistics infrastructure, as that appears to be the 'friendly landing zone' for Neeran reinforcements.

If we can damage the main logistics bases via raids and blow up the smaller ancillary ones in outer systems, we can degrade combat readiness by forcing the damaged logistics bases over their capacity. The fleet assets will have to eat into their supplies and pick up the slack.

Is there intel on how the Neeran fleets hop between galaxies? Could we attempt to subvert their navigation sensor arrays (Neeran Nav Guild Equivalent?) and send bad data to fleets to fly them into spooky/killy space between galaxies?

Like that one fleet during the civil war that Kharbos was chasing.

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>>3434662
>send bad data to fleets to fly them into spooky/killy space between galaxies?
Inside of a galaxy cluster the charting is much better and more active and the risks of severe anomalies are lower. You're thinking of the bigger navigation stations located at the edges of galaxy clusters.

>>3434683

So we'd be limited to dropping them into 'safe' reversion points that are filled with massive antimatter minefields?

Still, do we have enough intel on the Neeran to subvert such a system, or does it effectively not exist?

fucking captcha post

>>3434690
Fleets are going to ask for navigation data when incoming towards a galaxy and the commanders would decide themselves where to go based on available intelligence. If there was no enemy activity reported in the area and it was routine peace time patrol you might get away with it. It's a tactic better suited to terrorist attacks on the unsuspecting.

You tell the Krath that you're going to focus on the tail region of the galaxy.

Lyas has some success targeting additional sensor arrays but has to break off due to a substantial response force wanting to visit reprisals on the fleet. On the plus side this leaves a fairly wide area open for the rest of you to plunder.

Zinovev locates a good sized logistics base while a small tanker convoy is present. By the time he leaves there isn't a ship or fuel container left intact. In the process they picked up a surrendering cargo ship carrying ground vehicles.

Your group takes out logistics facilities on an asteroid station and a lunar base. Last in the area is a planet that intel reported was fairly under defended towards the end of last year. That still seems to be the case new though for different reasons. The atmosphere isn't reading the same as before and the neeran equivalent of a modular station is in orbit acting as a cargo handling facility.

"What are we looking at?"
"I believe this planet suffered an orbital bombardment several months ago." Versa answers, pointing out a number of craters and swaths of burned surface. Its not completely uninhabitable but it isn't exactly a place where most would want to set up shop.
"A few population centers are still intact but they're few in number."
"Protected by shields?"
"Shields protecting industrial areas, some of which happened to have city within their bubble."

The planetary industry is still producing material for the war effort. Did you want to deal with them or simply remove the handling station in orbit? There are some SP kinetic impactors if you wanted to take out the shields then follow up with mass drivers.

1A) Leave the surface
1B) Limited bombardment
1C) Destroy all surface industry

2A) Leave the station
2B) Destroy the station
2C) Capture / Salvage station

>>3434892
>2C) Capture / Salvage station
>1A) Leave the surface

Inform them that if they don't send a signal off, we won't sound any ordinance at them.

But if we get disrupted during salvage, mission priorities will change to doing as much damage as possible.

Then when we leave

> Limited bombardment

So they don't look complicit.

>>3434892
>1A) Leave the surface

>2C) Capture / Salvage station

>>3434892

Give one of the rebels a chance to contact the surface. See if they can get people to shelters after we've jammed the place. Have a few people prepared to commissar them if they're spies

Unless they ring up rebel remnants somehow,

1B) Limited bombardment

2C) Capture/Salvage station

Ensure we've got a few ships positioned for early warning of reinforcements and jamming up.

>>3434892

>1A) Leave the surface
>2C) Capture / Salvage station

Lightning storm outside! Shutting down for the night.

>>3434892
>1A) Leave the surface
>2C) Capture / Salvage station

>>3434903
Dis

>>3435160
Good luck.

"Ready the boarding teams."
"Here we go." you hear Maybourne say as she straps in.

"Nav, I want you to jump the Eclipses in as close to the station as possible. We're going to surround and capture it. Shoot to disable. Deploy attack cruisers in positions around the planet to cut off escape routes and cut of long range coms. Once captured we'll break down the station for transport. Heavy teams you know the drill, secure reactors and command areas so they cant trigger a self destruct."

The navigators relocate to a better location for a micro jump in system. While that's happening one of the few remaining rebel contacts from the long range scout is brought to the bridge.

When the fleet jumps in you land almost on top of the station. Forward weapons blast the few warships present. The station doesn't even have time to properly raise shields. A few assault corvettes catch the partial shield activation and are deflected with off in different directions.

Swinging in above a station arm the aft bays on the Eclipse dump their LST's. Within seconds they've latched onto docking connectors and are disgorging troops into the interior. Having had time to study the layout of another station like this you captured the Marines know precisely where to go. Within a few short minutes key areas are secured.

"Have our guest hail the planet. If they leave us alone we'll leave them alone. Don't give us cause to bomb the surface."

Having been put on the spot the rebel crewman isn't well prepared for making announcements or speeches. Fortunately they get the vital information across even if it's not the best propaganda brodcast you've ever heard.

"T-the rebellion is not defeated. We still fight for your freedom from the Neeran. We will return to liberate this planet. For now please wait for our return."
You signal to have coms close out the broadcast now that everything you need has been said.

Capture of the station is easy. Clearing it of local workers while preparing to salvage it is much harder and more time consuming. Any HLV's that are docked are loaded with people to be sent planet side so you dont have to deal with them. Most of those are only capable of sublight anyways so it's not much of a loss.

Attack wings intercept a few ships arriving in system or leaving the planet. None of them manage to get a signal off as far as anyone can tell. With the kilo class ship being forced out of range by enemy movements elsewhere you're forced to buddy jump the station out using two Eclipse. Not ideal and the return to the fleet will be slower but it'll get the job done.

"Sir we're detecting ground fire."
"Aiming for us?"
"No, they're trying to shoot down a pair of outgoing transports. It looks like they've been hijacked."

A moment later coms confirms that two ships leaving the surface are requesting to join you and fight for the rebellion.

[ ] Refuse
[ ] Take them to another system
[ ] Agree

>>3436632

If they come with us, they're going to need to be screened. Once they are screened, point them towards wherever the rebels are in this galaxy and let them go. If not rebel cells in this galaxy. Then we can always take them along and give them proper training and put them in another galaxy where rebel cells are active.

>>3436632
>[ ] Take them to another system

>>3436632
>>3436646
This seems sensible. Just make sure not to take the ships directly to our fleet. If any of them are knowledgeable about this galaxy, they might provide us with some idea where to set up the forward base modules.

>>3436646
>If they come with us, they're going to need to be screened.
That will be arranged.

>point them towards wherever the rebels are in this galaxy
You have yet to make contact with any.

>>3436647
>>3436666
As you may be operating in this galaxy for some time did you want to deploy one of the bases you brought along? Or set up a dedicated (mobile) staging area for rebels until you make contact with a local group?

>>3436632
> [ ] Agree

But yeah, highest security protocols.

>>3436682
It would make sense to set up one of our bases if we start collecting more rebels.

While you'll be taking the rebels with you they'll have to be screened before allowing them anywhere near the main fleet.

Once you've withdrawn from the system you make contact with the salvage fleet and set up a rendezvous point. The Kilo and teams of engineers are brought in to inspect the station and any captured transports. Meanwhile Uller and Alliance intel personnel begin screening the rebels, searching for sleeper agents.

Of the several hundred that boarded the transports from the surface nearly 40 of them are found to have suspect intentions. Half that many turn out to be Neeran loyalists that had every intention of giving away rebel positions or causing sabotage.

Those who are cleared can be brought back to the fleet. They still wont know where it is but they can at least start some training. Zinovev captured Neeran ground vehicles, mostly smaller conventional ones. You could get the rebels training on those, captured warships or the Faction built ones.

What sort of unit would you like the rebels to form first?

[ ] Ground force
[ ] Neeran ships
[ ] Faction ships

>>3436842

A combination of both, with a focus on Neeran ships.

>[ ] Neeran ships
>[ ] Faction ships

>>3436842
Considering how incredibly lethal ground campaigns against Neeran forces tend to be even for properly trained and equipped professionals, ship training seems the way to go. If they had prior training, Neeran ships seem like a natural choice. If they don't, we might as well train them on factions equipment.

>>3436864
>prior training
Many have basic training with firearms but that's about it. Nearly all of them are raw recruits. A small number are older rebels that survived the bombardment and rebuilt new cells. Other than the crews of the two transports none of them have piloting experience.

"We upgraded the medical suites right?"
"Right. To deal with any fallout if shield breakers are used in the atmosphere again."
"Tell the medics to see if they can do memory imprinting with the recruited rebels. Hopefully that will shave some time off training, even if its only for future recruits."

With 7 Neeran battleships and numerous smaller craft now operational the pilots of the two transports are brought in. After trying their hand at the helm in training mode they soon get the basics down. With their help a training regimen is worked out to get the rebel recruits up to speed.

Roll 3d20

Rolled 15, 10, 20 = 45 (3d20)

>>3436936

Rolled 66, 57, 66 = 189 (3d100)

>>3436936

Rolled 8, 1, 1 = 10 (3d20)

>>3436936

derp ignore last roll forgot to change to d20 like an idiot

Rolled 17, 17, 14 = 48 (3d20)

>>3436936
>Roll 3d20
It's probably a pretty significant challenge to adapt the imprinting systems to new races.

With some work the medics and the pilots think that they could eventually get training time down to 9 days with memory imprinting. That'll produce some green as hell pilots but it's better than nothing.

"So the imprinting works?" you ask.
"It works but for better results they'll need to fully monitor some recruits as they go through regular training. That way they can compress key parts of that into a single imprint."
"How long?"
"18 to 21 days until all the bugs are worked out and the first group finishes."
"So not soon."

Hopefully you'll be able to find more rebels who have actual pilots among them.

On the next day's raiding the others continue to target enemy logistics, sensors and communications. There has been a response. Outer sectors are on increasingly high alert and from what you're hearing shipyards farther in are preparing to transfer additional warships to help them.

Tama's attempt at modifying one of the long range sensor arrays to focus on a smaller area pays off. Two super heavies are detected launching from one of the shipyards and are on their way to help patrol the hole you've punched in their sensor net.

"What are we looking at?" you ask Versa.
"Profiles match that of a Super Carrier and a Scorcher. Both ships have an escort of heavy cruisers with some Quattro mediums as backup. I am unable to determine of they have Kraken torpedo defense ships with them."

Probably wouldn't be good to bet against it.

Maybourne turns to you. "What's the plan sir? Stay out here or get inside before they put new sensors up?"

[ ] Remain outside, possibly relocate
[ ] Head inside galaxy
[ ] Harass them so they cant deploy sensors

>>3437051
>[ ] Remain outside, possibly relocate

I am loathe to get caught in another big battle again.

>>3437051
Seems like they're sending a fleet that's well equipped to deal with battleships and larger vessels.

What do our officers think? Would it make sense to pick off the sensors as the fleet deploys them? They won't be able to guard them all without risking the supers' escort.

>>3437051
>[ ] Head inside galaxy

>>3437051
[ ] Head inside galaxy
Can't remain reactionary. Let's go balls deep.

>>3437066
>What do our officers think?

Phas is the first to speak up.
"If we focus on their fleet of bigger ships it will just buy time for the regional forces to get new sensors back online. If we ignore them it runs the risk of giving them time to track down our main fleet."

"Then what? We should go somewhere else?" Asks Hera.
"Make them think we did. Or better yet, punch a hole in the opposite sides heavier network, all the while remaining here. They seem to be much more concerned about sensors on that approach."

"Overthinking." proclaims Hera. "Minefield and gravity well. We get a ton of mines ready before hand, ask the AI to plot their most likely reversion points then we drop a field somewhere. Maybe let the starfighters do the support work so we dont risk more ships."

You look to Lyas next who appears to still be considering options.

Baron Xedols looks over the charts.
"As long as we intend to continue avoiding major fights our best bet would be in the interior. If would be difficult for anyone to follow us into the dense star regions and FTL sensors would hard a harder time distinguishing our drive flares from stars. It would slow down our raids though. Each would need more time to get in and out of that area and into the more populated on open star fields."

>>3437190
> Xedols plan

Honestly raising isn't our main goal, we should start conserving our forces.

And we can always use a consistent route with smaller forces to bait them into a minefield there, where escape is restricted.

If we could hide cloaked ships along their escape route, we could use the gravwell generator to then split their forces and hit them again as they escape.

>>3437190
I guess hiding in the dense star region is the way to go.
Does the quantum communication device allow us to stay in touch with the alliance from this galaxy or is the range not long enough for that?

>>3437238
>Does the quantum communication device allow us to stay in touch with the alliance from this galaxy or is the range not long enough for that?
I keep forgetting you even got that thing.

It should be able to reach the fleets on the east flank from here. Leaving a larger conventional coms array outside is a good idea as well.

Okay heading into the interior looks like. What did you want to tell the Alliance? Just that you're here and will be operating in this galaxy? Or did you want to tell them anything else? Request reinforcements?

>>3437273
Give them an update on the forces and general defenses present. It would also help us shift our operations from raids to more serious preparations for their arrival if they could give us a time frame to plan with for the arrival of larger alliance units in this area.

>>3437273

Provide some intel, mention possible eradication of rebel forces.

Warlord of the Maelstrom is back, baby.

That said, we should attempt to get some intel on those shipyards to report enemy super heavy numbers.

Information is ammunition, and if we have the ability to report intel via quantum entanglement that is untraceable, we should do so regularly.

But do not provide our fleet numbers or that we have 2 SHCs, as that information could be intercepted by spies after transmission.

>>3437190
Suppose we could hide in the stars and just be the biggest pain in the arse possible.

>>3437273
Analysis of possible enemy strength and sensor coverage etc. Basically all combat data we have.

>we should attempt to get some intel on those shipyards to report enemy super heavy numbers.
One of the better equipped Krath ships make a quick run and determine that numbers at the shipyards are still similar to what were previously observed by intel. 6 Supers there at any given time. A few that must have been completed since the last pass by intel have probably been moved closer to the front.

Before attempting to head into the galaxy with the full fleet you send off a report to the Alliance and request an update on when the Alliance will be capturing this region. Their response is not promising. It may be 8-12 weeks before any substantial fleet presence considers going after the Yang galaxy. Most of the focus is going to be on the main galaxies and the navigation routes towards the center of the Empire.

Obviously if the situation there looks promising for a quick victory they could divert more temporarily. Until then there are Rovinar fleets that may attempt raids but they cant promise anything.

If you find anything that is absolutely a priority for the Alliance to secure they'll try to divert ships more quickly. Be certain it is though. They dont want to get out there only to find a planet with a sensor jamming crust.

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Messages sent and received the fleet jumps towards the sensor gap. You make it to the outer edge without incident. Zinovev and Lyas take their units out ahead to scout the best path to reach the denser regions.

Arron being more than a little curious decides to investigate the enemy super fleet. He reports back with sensor data showing that the Scorcher has seen a few modifications.
"I think the plasma array has been fitted with multiple long range sensors. I doubt they can fire their siege weapon while the sensors are deployed but that thing could become a problem for us later."

Tama agrees.
"Especially if it hangs back and is used to vector in other fleets on our position. Scorchers aren't that good at ship to ship engagements because they're a big target. They've mostly stopped building them. This certainly gives them another support role."

You look between your officers. "Any chance they've detected us?"
Arron doesn't seem to think so.
"They've started looking outside. The star density in the interior should still make it too difficult for them."

Well that's good.
"Keep an eye on its position." you order.

A few hours later you reach the star dense regions of the galaxy. Space outside is bright like being near the core of a major galaxy, not like you'd usually encounter in a dwarf.

While trying to find a good initial staging area you get a message from the Krath mercenaries. They've found a station that is preparing and provisioning a number of new warships for deployment to help hunt down your fleet. They want to put covert ops teams aboard the station and steal the ships from their berths. Obviously they lack the personnel to pull this off on their own. Backup would also be needed if enemy reinforcements were to appear.

How much of your special forces would you be willing to commit to such an operation? Or would you prefer the more expedient solution of sabotaging a majority of the ships? I doubt this.

>>3437622

Realistically, how much of our special forces do they require?

Is this a repeat of our own ship theft mission? Or would we be jumping in attack forces to support? Or laying a minefield to shake pursuit?

>>3437622
Combination strikes by Special Forces and a series of cold launch torpedoes to hit any communications.

>>3437622

I love the initiative, this is an incredible tech grab opportunity. I'd be willing to commit most of our special forces power to getting this done right.

If they're provisioning a high quality unit, we might get to loot some Neeran SPs too!

What size ships are we talking here?

I hope we acknowledge Tama and Arron for their successful scouting efforts.

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>>3437782
>>3437680
>Realistically, how much of our special forces do they require?
Quite a bit.

You have enough recon teams and commandos that working with the Krath mercs you could probably take 2 medium cruisers easily enough. That or the 1 heavy cruiser.

If you split them up, using them as pathfinders for conventionally equipped power armor troops, taking down communications? Probably 4. 4 Mediums, or 2 and 1 Heavy.

If you wanted to risk more it would require a lot more manpower. Power cell troops being infiltrated into parts of the station in large numbers then busting out of cargo containers at a set place and time. You're going to be fighting a lot of enemies. It's high risk but there's a chance to capture quite a few ships relatively intact.

Regardless of the scenario it would be a good idea to have a fleet ready to jump in and provide cover or slag the rest.

1A) Full stealth, small number of targets
1B) Stealth pathfinders, middle number of targets
1C) Infiltration station assault
1D) Disable station shields. Surprise fleet attack while docked

2) What ships would you want to target for capture?
Fast Mediums
Cordate ECM Medium
Quattro Med
Compact Heavy

>>3437808
To be clear, 1d will result in a lot of busted ships that will take quite awhile to repair.

>>3437808

>1 Have stealth group infiltrate with the Krath ready shaped charges and other disabling equipment. Get them to learn more about the station, then we capture a Neeran transport of some kind. Send it in with more troops/ special forces and with the Krath stealth team. Disable the station and its response teams. And try to get the mediums out. While making it difficult for the Neeran to get that heavy and other ships out.

>2 Primary targets are the Fast Mediums. But if they can grab one of the ECM ships that will give us some good intel on their ECM tech and maybe hopefully snoop in on their tech and comms. And maybe even better jam their units once we know what frequencies or whatever their units are working at in this galaxy. Also the infinitesimal chance there might be intel on one of those ships that we could use.

>>3437852
>shaped charges and other disabling equipment.
Yes you can split off a few people to plant explosives.

>capture a Neeran transport of some kind
You already have an Oberon blockade runner with cloak and 12-13 day old codes. You can put a lot of troops aboard with it if you want to, or you can use cloaked ships to do it. That remains to be decided. If you were only going after a small number of targets it might not be worth wasting it at this time.

>try to get the mediums out.
I'm counting your post as a vote for: 1c) trying to get as many intact mediums as you possibly can.

>>3437808
>1B) Stealth pathfinders, middle number of targets
>Cordate ECM Medium

>>3437808

1A&D) Target a medium for takeover & disable the station shields.

2)
Fast Mediums


The way I see it, securing a mostly intact fast medium would be the primary prize of this mission. It gives us a solid upgrade to a raiding force.

But the primary goal here is to remove enemy fleet assets, and this station that supports them. If we can hit this fleet while it is at anchor and without the benefit of the station shields, that seems to be the maximum carnage option, and I want maximum carnage for maximum speed.

And I doubt people will support it due to salvage greed, but I'm all for overkilling the Compact Heavy & Quattro if our initial alpha strike doesn't cripple them. Either of those ships is valuable to our main fleet, but could cause terrible damage to our fleet if allowed to enter the fight properly.

>>3437808
>1B) Stealth pathfinders, middle number of targets

>Compact Heavy

>>3437808
1D) Disable station shields. Surprise fleet attack while docked

2)
Compact Heavy

Seeing more of a 1B, possibly with a bit of 1D.

Split vote on the fast mediums or the compact heavy. Any tie breakers?

>>3437937
>>3438009

I'll change from Fast Medium to Compact Heavy. It can always be used to blast neighboring ships/station sections if captured...

>>3438009
I feel like we have a pretty solid Medium fleet, I'm worried if we need to fight supers they're going to get volleyed off the field quickly and was hoping to bulk our heavy numbers.

>>3438055

Yeah, I agree with that sentiment.

We'll need to steal some planetary shield generators to equip on it.

"As much as I like fast mediums, we're going to need heavier warships in the days ahead. Krath and Recon teams will help clear the way for additional boarding teams to take the ship. Anyone left over that can do infiltration will help to take down the station shields.
When it's time to make your getaway take down the shields and signal the rest of us to jump in."

Rob Ecord speaks up. "We've set up friendly IFF codes for several teams on this mission in case you get split up or somehow capture more ships than planned. They'll expire in a day or two so it's not the end of the world if you lose them."

Eldal unsurprisingly volunteers to take part.
Valeri suggests that he and Fusaro could help as well if Estavan Risto were to stay behind and assist your personal guard.

1A) "If you insist."
1B) "No, I need you here."
1C) "Maybe I should go? I could steal an extra ship."

>2) Infiltration vector
2A) Krath Merc cloaked ships
2B) Oberon blockade runner

>>3437808
> 1B) Stealth pathfinders, middle number of targets

> Fast Mediums

We can't compete in direct engagements, so it's better to be able to hit in more places too fast for them to respond.

Either they hole up and we wreak havoc, it they split their forces and we pick them off.

>>3438163
> 1C) "Maybe I should go? I could steal an extra ship."
> 2B) Oberon blockade runner

Because I like playing Solid Shark missions.

And the Oberin codes lose value the older they get.

>>3438163
>1B) "No, I need you here."
Also partly I imagine we'll want everyone with Sphere-experience alive for when the time comes

>2B

>>3438163
>1A) "If you insist."
>2A) Krath Merc cloaked ships

>>3438163

1A) - only if Fusaro has had proper training for Neeran infiltration ops & Risto is willing to assist personal guard
2B) - Oberon blockade runner

While I like infiltration missions, I feel like this is one of those 'growing up' instances where we have a greater responsibility to not participate and remain in command.

>>3438218
>only if Fusaro has had proper training for Neeran infiltration ops
She has. You are at war with them after all.
>& Risto is willing to assist personal guard
Certainly preferable to going aboard the station from his point of view.

You joke with Valeri about taking part in the mission yourself, though he doesn't find it all that funny. Reluctantly you give him permission to take part.

The Blockade runner will be responsible for getting the majority of the team aboard. Best to use it while the codes are still good. Your fleet will approach the general vicinity of the base at the slowest FTL speeds possible then set up for a direct jump from as far away as you dare.

Any Mercenaries going in separately shadow a tanker on the way in a few hours before the Oberon. There are no early distress signals or signs the base has gone on alert.

"You hate the waiting part too." Mezan observes. "Better to be in the first wave to get it over with."

"I have responsibilities to the fleet." you reply.
"Obviously. That didn't stop you from gallivanting off on that sphere mission of yours."

"I didn't expect to be gone for more than 3 years, just most of one while the Dominion was rebuilding."
"And what if you'd gotten yourself killed out there?"

You pause to consider a response.
"Then the House would have found another Baron." you finally reply. "The terms of my will were made clear enough."

Mezan shrugs. "Alright. As long as you're remembering that the terms of your will this time involve your kids when we check out this oddball planet. We both know you're going to go down there once we finally get around to it."

You turn your command chair towards the diminutive admiral.
"Don't you have a Shallan expat bond drive you should be working on right now instead of heckling me?"

Mezan raises her hands in mock surrender.
"Okay. I just get the impression that you need to be reminded of certain things occasionally."

Going back to watching the displays you wait for the teams signal that they're preparing to make their escape. A few minutes later there's an update from the sensor feed on one of the cloaked ships.
"Alert! Station shields are down, no signal has been sent yet."
"Jamming?"
"None yet."

[ ] Jump now
[ ] Wait for the signal
Roll 4d20

Rolled 16, 10, 15, 8 = 49 (4d20)

>>3438346

>[ ] Wait for the signal

Rolled 13, 15, 17, 11 = 56 (4d20)

>>3438346
>[ ] Wait for the signal

Rolled 8, 7, 14, 3 = 32 (4d20)

>>3438346

[x] Wait for the signal

Rolled 1, 19, 13, 12 = 45 (4d20)

>>3438346
>[x] Wait for the signal

"Hold! Hold until we get the signal." you order.

The coms officer seems surprised at the command.
"Sir?"
"The shield is still down." confirms sensors.
"As long as there's no jamming we wait for the signal."

It's a long wait. Far longer than you would have expected. It's passing the ten minute mark when the go code finally comes in.
"Jump!"

The fleet snaps back in real space at medium range. The heavy cruiser and the ECM medium next to it have lit up their Alliance IFF's. Watching the displays it looks like the heavy had extended shields to protect the station but has now retracted them to normal settings. Both ships fire into the docking clamps that are holding them in place, reversing away from the station.

"The other mediums are still locked down but they're beginning power up sequence."
"Slag their engines."

Not that they needed that specific order but it helped to reinforce the point. Your unit and Zinovev's hit the other warships still in dock before they can get their shields online, the Knight unit swinging in from below.
Despite the surprise attack their Corvettes still manage to launch quickly. They're soon tangling with your own assault corvettes. Despite the tenacity of their small craft crews all major warships are quickly reported as crippled and the station defenses are beginning to collapse.

As the two captured ships break free and try to get some distance from the fighting the mercenaries signal that they're headed for the rally point. In another minute the tanker docks go up in flames, though the damage remains largely contained.

The Kilo is on the way in to help grab salvage quick. Which 2 crippled mediums do you want them to grab? It would probably be best if they got the same thing to help logistics with parts matching.

[ ] 2x OH type
[ ] 2x Archangel
[ ] 2x ECM
[ ] 1 Quattro & 1 Nautilus (Screw you logistics, I do what I like)

>>3438477
>[ ] 2x ECM

>>3438477

[x] 2x OH type

We already captured an ECM type intact, so in my mind a pair of OH types is the best option as far as parts commonality and existing modification experience.

If we can buddy jump a third out, I'd vote for an ECM to pull spare parts for the captured one.

I'm 100% for blasting anything we can't quickly run off with. I do not want to get pinned down by a super carrier loaded with corvettes and a scorcher.

>>3438477

Swapping to OH's >>3438505 anon made a good point

>>3438505
>>3438477
Yeah, this all checks out for me.

>>3438505
Supporting

Sending the Kilo to pick up both Scarecrow type mediums you turn your attention to the ECM ships. It might be a good idea to take one along for spare parts since your force has limited experience with them. You order two of the Eclipses to jump one of the crippled vessels out then order a retreat.

Once you link up at the rally point Jan transfers over with one of the mercenaries and another guest. The Merc, who's taken on the appearance of a blinged up Kavarian, provides some theatrics for your benefit.

"Introducing the latest addition to the rebel cause; Captain Gun."
He steps out of the way for a worn looking Shallan woman with enough age lines to be Mezan's grandmother.

"Trelta Gun, formerly of the Neeran Empire." she says to you with curt nod. "Being here is not my first choice."

Mezan gives her a sidelong glance. "Definitely not born in the Federation."
"No shit. They promote you for spotting things like that?"
"They promoted me for killing Neeran scum and anyone trying to-"
"OKAY enough of that both of you." you interrupt.

You introduce yourself and ask the captain what they're doing here.

"One of your guys that made himself look like a Neeran told me I had two choices. Change sides or bleed out on my own bridge. Said I could join the Federation forces in exile since they're hiring."

You look to Jan who shrugs. "It was faster than clearing the ship. We were out of time."

Sighing in annoyance you look back to the captain.
"Fine. I'm the one financing this expedition, what do you want?"
"My own planet in the "shallan expansion territories" that were just conquered by the State. Once your Federation is restored."

>What say?

>>3438550
> What say?

What makes her think she can contribute enough to own an entire planet.

>>3438550

>What say?

We dont make any calls on planetary ownership. As nice as it would be for us to say "We claim this world for House J-D." we cant. If she wants to own a world all her own. We can always point her in the direction of the SRL mercs. I'm sure if she has enough whatever she could own a planet. But for Shallan worlds she'll need to talk to the Alliance.

In the mean time. Get some plans in place to remove her if she becomes a liability. Tell her if she wants to own her own plant she'll need to work with the Shallan Federation. What does she want to ensure her compliance in future endeavors?

I don't exactly trust her with our ultimate plan. But she could at least be useful in bringing additional firepower.

>>3438550

Her own bridge? Did we finally kill enough damned Neeran that they have to let client species actually command warships?

And if being here isn't her first choice, what is?

>>3438550
"Miss Gun, while I do appreciate your compliance with our infiltration team I feel like I need to be honest with you. I can't promise you your own world with any of the Factions unless you wish to own an airless ball of rock somewhere in the Dominion backwaters. The Shallan State is an independent political entity, as are the people trying to restore the Federation. We might very well end up with a two-state solution for the foreseeable future and even then I can speak for neither of them.
What I can offer you is the value of your ship and a job with this fleet or a ticket back to Alliance territory and your pockets lined with cash. Or if you prefer it, I can have your short term memory erased and let you "escape" in one of your ship's emergency teleporter capsules.
However, if being here is not your first choice I'm more than willing to listen to reasonable alternatives."

>>3438554
>What makes her think she can contribute enough to own an entire planet.
"Isn't that always what you guys offer? Some nigh impossible over the top goal for the help to strive for? Since maybe one in fifty might survive the war chasing a goal like that you're farther ahead just handing the reward over to whoever made. Can tell the others then, "see we keep our word if you work hard!" ...right? Hmm.. that doesn't sound entirely right. I might have misheard a few things about your Factions over the years."

"That'll be up to the Federation government once restored. What can you contribute in the here and now?"

The Captain begins counting off things to potentially offer.
"Com cyphers and encryption. A few hidden reserve bases that I'm not supposed to know about. How to actually make use of our ships because you're flying those attack cruisers wrong."
"How can you fly an attack cruiser wrong?" questions Mezan.
"I dont know but your guys are managing it somehow. I guess life finds a way. Oh, I think I can convince two other captains to desert their posts but they're going to need actual rewards for doing so. In the here and now, not some nebulous bullshit like a future for our people."

Stopping here for the night.

>>3438626

>I might have misheard a few things about your Factions over the years

"Well, I mean... if you'd rather join the Dominion I technically have a good standing with the new Emperor. And we do sort of grant planets, and noble titles such as 'Baron' to those that command their armies. I own more than half of a planet, myself."

>How can you fly an attack cruiser wrong?
>Mezan's response

I've never been more disappointed in our little blue Admiral than this moment.

>>3438647
Disappointed that her people are apparently screwing up?

Or did I do a bad job of indicating who was talking?

>>3438626
>"Well, I mean... if you'd rather join the Dominion I technically have a good standing with the new Emperor. And we do sort of grant planets, and noble titles such as 'Baron' to those that command their armies. I own more than half of a planet, myself."


> Being a Governor of a planet is a lot more reasonable than an owner. But an owner isn't *impossible*. It's just really hard and takes a while.

> As for the Captains, here and now is a lot easier for me to do as a Viscount of a House and disgustingly rich Captain of Industry.

> I could actually *buy* a planet. I own terra-forming companies after all.

> So if they're looking for here-and-now benefits, joining the Dominion is the best bet.

> Otherwise you can try with the Alliance, but once we pass you off to them then our offer is off the table.

Let's push her for joining the Dominion first and offering being able to rule a planet with a possibility of owning it.

>>3438667

"How can you fly an attack cruiser wrong?" disappoints me.

I'd hazard a guess that they're flying the attack cruisers like smaller eclipse IIs, while the ships in question have some sort of design quirk that lets them take better advantage of maneuvering or a weapons firing pattern that it was designed to utilize for better something?

Or they're just flying the ship/shield profile at the wrong angle of attack.

inb4 they're flying them in 'default' rather than 'original' control config, like my buddy with AC7. Seriously, who doesn't change that before even playing a game about fighter jets?

>>3438550
Does the FA have some kind of budget to pay informants?

>>3439130

Like the funds that Sonia could have used to hire more Supers?

>>3438686
>flying them in 'default' rather than 'original' control config
I'm going to say you're not far off.

As the captain soon points out they're flying them more like Dusk II's instead of a weird heavier assault corvette.
"They're rolling before hard turns because that's how the engines and maneuvering drives on your Dusk attack ships are aligned. With our ships its best to make a hard turn to port or starboard. That way the outer sections protect the central core from damage if they get hit."

You look to Mezan.
"Really?"
"How would I know that? I was never an attack cruiser pilot. I trained to command fleets and Captain the larger warships."

"Someone get our Alliance representative up here and see if they have a payout system for informants. They must have, but if they dont I'll pay and then bill it to the Alliance as a legitimate operational expense."

Once the Alliance observer has arrived you explain the situation that Captain Gun is going to be assisting the fleet. It's pointed out that rulers of planets in the Federation are elected positions.
"You're telling me nobody rigs those elections? How do you deal with opposed factions of equal numbers and support?"
"It varies from planet to planet." Mezan replies. "Coalition governments are encouraged."

Deciding to keep the captain interested you point out there are other options.
"In the Dominion it is possible to become the ruler of a planet. Either a Governor or a Baron in charge of military fleets. I own more than half a planet myself. Technically I can just buy entire planets because of my terraforming business connections."

Gun gives you an incredulous look.
"And your people just let you do that? Buy an entire planet then fix up the atmosphere?"

"Not once they figured out what I was doing, and its not just the atmosphere. I'm using gravity well generators to slingshot planets into habitable orbits."

"The shit?" Gun looks to the others present. "She's making that last part up right?"
Most of the others shake their heads except the few not familiar with your history.

"I wonder if the Neeran know about this?" She whispers to herself in disbelief.

The Alliance rep points out that it's unlikely. Like the Terrans the Neeran use a powerful subspace field generator that deforms a jump drive's quantum wavefront in the same manner as a natural gravity well. It has no noticeable effect in real space.

"Informative. Back to our original topic. Do I have to make a choice right now about joining the Federation or the Dominion?"

You dont think so, though it might be a good idea to make that decision sooner rather than later. There is still this entire deployment to worry about.
The Captain is informed that her crew will have to undergo screening before you'll risk deploying them. Gun agrees but on the condition that she, or members of her crew that have been cleared, can be present during interviews. She wants to assure her crew.

>Are you ok with this?

>>3439586

Her conditions are agreeable.

For the time being, we will continue to occupy her vessel and restrict access.

All members of her crew will be allowed to determine their own fate, including any that fear being marked as traitors by the Neeran. Prisoners of War will be treated as such.

Spies and saboteurs will be shot? Please?

>>3439586

Sure, so long as she and those present are screened and understand that anyone who is compromised will be held as POW's until such a time as we can deprogram them in the case of sleeper agents. Or be placed in holding cells until this deployment is over.

If their presence will help keep the crew calm then by all means.

>>3439586
Gun + One of our personal guard.

Does she know anything about the target planet?

>>3439586
Yeah, sure. She also sounds like somebody who might want to join either the SRL or PCCG mercs. We should at least offer her a fair overview of her options.

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You agree to let the Captain and officers who have been cleared be present for other interviews.
"Anyone who doesn't pass screening will be held as POW's until the end of the war. The same goes for anyone who doesn't want to take part in operations against the Neeran.
If anyone somehow passes screening and then decides to commit acts of sabotage they'll be treated as a spy."
"What happens to them?"
"If they weren't forced into it by Neeran mind games they'll probably be executed."
"Fair. Let's get started."

Following the raid the Empire's forces have moved to increased readiness at all bases. Patrol groups are filling in the damaged communications networks and the big fleet are now deploying twice the number of sensor arrays at the edges of the galaxy. Enough are pointed inwards that it will be difficult to hit the longer ranged outer arrays.

For now your fleet is heading deeper into the denser regions, trying to find a few spots with good FTL lanes into the open region. Hopefully you can set those up an ingress and egress points for the raiders and potentially lure pursuers into minefields or other traps. On that note you're going to need mines and torpedoes, or the materials to construct AM mines since you'll run out eventually.

As the Empire's shallan ships make use of torpedoes you suspect Gun might have some ideas for where to look. She's provided locations of 2 Commanders that she may be able to flip. 2 hidden reserve bases that she wasn't cleared to know about are also marked. No telling what will be there but supplies are a good bet.

The captured warships are eventually brought back to the fleet and docked with the Supers to free up the Kilo for additional work. Losses remain minimal so there are plenty of engineers available to take a look at them.

When she takes a break from interviews and debriefings you ask Gun if she knows anything about your objective.
"I've only been posted in this galaxy for 8 months. I haven't been to every planet yet. I do know that it was low on the charts showing rebellious activity, uprisings and so on. Most of that section was. I think the Rebels all left for space so they wouldn't endanger their planets. A good idea in my opinion. I've seen enough orbital bombardments."

"Any rebels still in the area?"
"It's possible. The Rekesh were building warships throughout that entire region supposedly. Once the Neeran realised it wasn't for war effort they blew up several heavy cruisers. Some of them might have survived."

Did you want to investigate Gun's targets, begin to look for local rebels, or examine the target system?

>>3439780
Linking up with these rebels seems to be the most time sensitive option. As long as the Neeran don't find out gun switches sides, her Intel should remain good.

>>3439780
Definitely want to investigate the bases for extra supplies. If we have to hold down the planet for a while we'll need as many defences as possible.

>>3439809
>>3439839
Look for rebels until Gun has enough crew ready to help check out the hidden bases?

>>3439888
sounds good

>>3439809

I agree that locating rebel forces seems to be the most time sensitive.

As for the commanders, we'll need to turn them in quick succession if we want to liberate both, or risk a Neeran crackdown. Hopefully this will be easier once we've located rebel forces. It will also draw attention to that region.

As for the reserve bases, I think we should use the data on their locations to see if we can locate additional hidden reserve bases in similar locations. We'll want to hit as many of these as possible before the Neeran attempt to activate what I assume are the mothballed ships and supplies there.

>>3439888
I like it.

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The next 2 days are spent searching for signs of rebel activity throughout the central regions of the galaxy. Minor raids are still being conducted nearer to the "eye" of the galaxy to keep the enemy guessing.

A few cloaked ships tap into communications arrays in systems closer to the primary target. Since there was known to be a substantial rebel presence from those worlds it would make sense that they might still be using Neeran coms. Maybe even tapping into them like you are. Intel finds some minor signs of this.

Much to the annoyance of her peers Hera manages to find conclusive evidence of rebel activity. A small cargo depot had just been hit before her arrival and sensor logs her people pull from the station's remaining arrays confirm them.
"Our sensors tracked a Rekesh Battleship and two frigates for a few minutes before they got out of range."

When combined with data recovered by the others Versa manages to narrow down a region bordering the dense star clusters. Only a few inhabited systems are still within their area of operation. It's still a lot of territory to search.

"They're going to want the same things we do." says Mezan. "A way to get into the dense regions quickly to hide from pursuers."

You'll need to set aside quite a few ships to search them all quickly and thoroughly.

"If they see too many ships searching those approaches they might bolt for another area." Maybourne points out.

[ ] Use cloaked ships to search approaches
[ ] Use more ships to reduce search time of approaches
[ ] Set out automated probes to hail their ships
[ ] Keep searching open areas
[ ] Other ideas?

>>3440091
>[ ] Other ideas?
We could keep an eye on smaller convoys and poorly guarded mining operations. Anything that's a worthwhile target for rebels trying to rebuild who are also doing their best to stay off the radar. They'll have to get their supplies somewhere.

>>3440091
>[ ] Set out automated probes to hail their ships

>>3440091
>[ ] Use cloaked ships to search approaches

But don't send all of them out. Keep a group for us to use but make use of our stealth units.

>>3440091

[x] Use cloaked ships to search approaches

As >>3440149
says, dedicate a team to it and maintain a number for scouting/hunting targets.

And get an old challenge/pass phrase from some of the rebels we've liberated, hopefully that buys our messengers some credit.

>>3440091
>[ ] Use cloaked ships to search approaches

>>3440091
> [ ] Use cloaked ships to search approaches

> While we wait, hit those bases that Gun wasn't supposed to know about, in a way that lets the rebels know someone else is operating here

It would be ideal if we could draw those Captains Gun said she can flip into being part of a strike force against us + rebels so that they could switch sides during a battle.

>>3440209
>And get an old challenge/pass phrase from some of the rebels we've liberated, hopefully that buys our messengers some credit.
They'll try but the rebel cell leaders point out that they didn't have much contact outside of their own sector.

About half the cloaked ships will take part in search operations for the Rebels. The rest will continue their regular duties, rotating out for rest or repairs.

What more than a few of the rebel recruits are good at is systems maintenance. Those that have failed out of the pilot programs early are assigned to the newly captured heavy cruiser. The Engineers with Jan's help have cleared most of the systems as ready to use. With Faction personnel and a few from Gun's ship the Heavy is mostly operational.

Mezan brings the available forces to your attention.
"We have enough for a false flag unit of our own now if we wanted them to jump in first when vising these bases. A heavy, a medium, 8 Battleships and two squadrons of enemy attack cruisers. I wouldn't want to put them into a straight up fight on their own but it's a start."

[ ] They can take point when checking the reserve bases
[ ] Take point when helping Gun's recruiting
[ ] Dont use them yet. Hit bases
[ ] Dont use yet. Recruit Gun's contacts