"Confirm.  You are with Alpha, Grey 10.  Grey 1 is your flight leader."

Hearing Alpha, Neeva followed suit, her voice calm, her tone reassuring.  "Beta flight, we're going in loose, not tight.  We hit weapon range with two clicks (space units) between us.  Each pilot locks a separate target, so call them as you lock them.  Keep moving, but fire all missiles or bombs as fast as you can lock them.  Once you're empty, go defensive and hold back until both flights' missiles and bombs have impacted or been destroyed.  After the debris clears, we'll see if we need to continue.  An average shot from our triple basters won't even punch through Blood Angel's hull plating, so we don't want to close unless we absolutely have to."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Mon 13 Feb 2006.

Roger that Grey 7. Nirro gets ready to make an attack run on the Blood Angel so he switches his  shields to double front and waits for the actual attack order.

"Oh ya, and don't forget to double your shields up front" Neeva added.

OOC: Thanks Nirro!  I'd forgotten that terribly important detail. ;-)

Tania gripped her stick with whitened knuckles as the Blood Angel loomed in her view. It was not in her nature to lambast people or even raise her voice but there were just too many hotdogging pilots in this squadron. If lone wolf tactics worked, they would not need squadrons; the Alliance would just send hordes of individual starfighters into combat. Now they lost yet another pilot for no real gain. If he had just waited until the rest of them were in range, they might have been able to exploit the damage he had done. Now all he did was blow up prettily for the benefit of the Imperials. Him and his nearly full missile magazines.

Even now other pilots flew on their own as if they were some kind of superman. As the person who had to patch man and machine together after missions, Tania foresaw that she would be getting very, very little downtime....

Roger, Grey Seven. All shields front. Now was the time to implement a plan she had partially thought of. Hopefully it would work and they would not get vaped on their first pass.

Jamie smacked his forehead as he realized he had forgotten that life-or-death detail, checked his own shields, and transmitted to the rest of Alpha wing again.
"Alpha wing, make sure you have shields double front."

OOC: I think I already had them that way, so I wasn't thinking about it...

Little was said as Nirro and Christian formed up with their groups and prepared for their attack runs.  Alpha wing packed in close as they prepared their run whilst Beta flight spread out in a loose formation.

As the ranges closed, space lit up with a display of launch flares as torpedoes and missiles were launched.  This was added to by the glow of turbolaser fire that shot out from the Blood Angel.

Green 3 took a near-direct hit from a turbolaser blast but in a true testimant to its rugged design, the ship kept coming, adding two pairs of torpedoes to the fray.

Everyone kept launching until all their magazines were empty.  Missiles and torpedoes flew in at the Nebulon B who's point defence lasers began firing.  More warheads got through than were destroyed but it was sporadic.  The frigate's shields began to drop but not quickly enough for anyone's liking.  One of Neeva's missiles however, managed to slip through a weakened section of shield and impact against the hull before the shields could be rotated.

Finally one of the turbolasers caught Jamie's craft head on.  The little craft vapourised in the blink of an eye and was gone.

Z-95 Headhunter Grey 1 has been destroyed

After nearly 30 seconds of intese combat only Jamie's craft was lost.  The frigate had a little over 50% shields left.  Everyone's magazine was empty.  A trio of missiles and a pair of torpedoes still tried to lock on the frigate as point defence lasers tried to destroy them.

Unpreturbed the Blood Angel moved ever closer to the Deepstar and Sarah.

Docking time remaining 9:00 minutes

---

Congratulations Jamie!   You are the first true kill in the game!  Whilst everyone had their craft damaged beyond repair, you are the first to have your craft totallty destroyed (ie. -100 Hull points).  Critical hit from a turbolaser battery can really spoil your day.

There is a trio of missiles still in flight as well as a pair of torps.  The Blood Angel is still heading towards the Deepstar.  Nobody has any missiles/torps left.


Battle map can be viewed at:
http://servious.customer.netsp....au/stuff/bt_map.pdf


ALPHA FLIGHT
Grey 3  -  30/30SP  115/120HP (Missiles Expended)
Green 2 - Shields 83% Hull 92% (Torpedoes Expended)
Grey 10 -  Undamaged (Missiles Expended)

BETA FLIGHT
Grey 7  -  Undamaged (Missiles Expended)
Grey 2  -  Undamaged (Missiles Expended)
Grey 9  -  Undamaged (Missiles Expended)
Green 3 - Shields 0% Hull 29% (Torpedoes Expended)


ALLIES
Deepstar - Shields 0%  Hull 27%  1 x rear turbolaser destroyed
Sarah - Shields Destroyed  Hull Failing


ENEMIES
Blood Angel - Shields 54% Hull 82%


DESTROYED
Alpha (all destroyed)
Beta (all destroyed)
Gamma (all destroyed)
Green 1, 4
Grey 1, 4, 5, 6, 8

Damn! Nirro thinks to himself, I thought for sure we would have done more damage than that! Time for some drastic measures. Nirro will accelerate to attack speed making sure his sheilds are double forn he will fly defensively and attempt to enter the same square as the Blood Angel.The idea is to fly  directly above the Blood Angel. Once there he will cut his speed to match hers and begin to fire on the bigger ship from point blank range.

"All those missiles and that's all that happens?"  Xil exclaimed, "What a gyp."

Christian swears over the comm.  "God-Damn son of of a Gammorean!"  He looks at the formation of the wing.

"We have to hit it with everything we have..we gotta give the Deepstar time.  Hit it hard at the same time BETA Wing.  Our hope is that our numbers and speed can slow it down..maybe even damage it."

Neeva stared at the screen, her mouth hanging open.  Blood Angel should not have been there.  But there she was, with only 50% shield loss!

"What the...!"

One starfighter had managed to single-handedly bring Blood Angel's shields down to 70%.  Eight starfighters in a carefully ochestrated attack had only managed to bring Blood Angel's shields down to 50%.  The squadron had launched enough ordinance to bring down two Frigates.  But to leave one Frigate with only 50% damage to shields?  Inconceivable!

Neeva's father had forced her to study small scale space combat tactics as part of the preparation for her eventual take-over of his empire.  She hadn't paid too much attention to the boring lessons offered by Eee-en, the tactical droid that served her father, but she was bright and had a knack for the subject.  It took the young Twi-lek only an instant to reach the only logical conclusion: the SIM had been rigged with regard to Blood Angel.

Although she had no true military experience to speak of, she'd heard of such things: a SIM designed to test how soldiers handle defeat.  It made sense, now that she thought about it.  Soldiers in this resistance group probably encountered defeat much more frequently than success.  As far as she knew, not a single resistance group in the galaxy had yet to win a significant battle against Imperial forces.

A small part of her mind noticed that Grey 1 had been taken out by turbo laser battery fire.  Too bad.

Defeat.  Neeva didn't really care.  It was just a SIM, she told herself.

And yet... it wasn't over yet, was it?

The Twi-lek woman opened her com-channel.  She turned on her 'command' voice and spoke.  "Greys, engage the point defense cannons as close as you can: set up straifing attack runs at cruising speed to make yourselves look like easy targets, like you're going to attack the cannons, get right in their faces--but don't fire.  Fly total defense.  We just want to distract them so that some of these damned missiles can do their job."

Neeva continued after a brief pause, her tone conveying a sense of urgency.  "It's our only chance, Greys.  I'm not kidding.  These second-hand triple-blasters won't be worth Bantha Poodoo against Blood Angel's armor plating.  If the remaining live missiles don't hit Blood Angel, we loose."

Neeva moved her fighter in to Blood Angel's side, following her own orders, heading directly for one of the point defense lasers.  The remaining live missiles had only five or ten seconds of life remaining before they deactivated.  It was all going to happen right now, in the next ten seconds: either Blood Angel would be blasted or the Greys would retreat.

She shuddered to think about how some of these adrenalin-filed humans would react if she gave an order to retreat.

Defeat was a harsh school master.  Few were willing to accept her lessons.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:47, Thu 16 Feb 2006.

I hope you know what your doing Grey 7. Nirro shouts into the comm. You are crazier than anyone I have evr known but it just might work! That being said Nirro angled his deflector sheilds to the port side of his craft and flew as close to the point guns as he could, hoping to distract the gunners. At least while they were aiming at him they couldn't shoot down the missiles. Unless they shoot me down so quickly that they still have time to finish off the missiles. Gotta make sure that doesnt happen! Nirro flew total defence and slowed down to cruising speed. Trying to slip past the point cannos without being turned into a smoldering ruin.

"This is going to be a close one.  Let's hope those missiles strike true."  Xil rushes in with his wingmates towards the Blood Angel, targeting the point defense cannons and any other targets of opportunity.

Tania's mouth went very, very dry as the Blood Angel seemed to weather the barrage of missiles with only minimal damage. As a doctor training in the Alderaanian Institute of Sciences, it was drummed into her not to take a simulation lightly. If you failed in a sim, how did you expect to succeed in real life?

"Roger Grey Seven. Here's to hoping our remaining missiles do the job or we are in serious bantha dung."

Everyone collectively holds their breath as each of the pilots makes their treacherous runs against the Blood Angel.  A testament to good flying, all manage the manaeuver successfully.  Neeva catches a point-laser hit that drains her shields but causes no other damage.  Green 2 takes a turbolaser hit as he flies away from the frigate after his run which strips his shields and causes light damage to his craft.

The missiles and torpedoes run true to form and all strike the frigate in the port-aft area and explode miraculously.  The explosions are far more spectacular than the volley and this time the group is rewarded as the frigate's shields fall and one missile manages to explode the hull.

Despite the hits, the Blood Angel continues forward.

---

Well this time the missiles seemed to do their job.  The Blood Angel's shields are down.  But she's still coming.  I know you've been making plans so lets quickly finish this sim off one way or another.



Battle map can be viewed at:
http://servious.customer.netsp....au/stuff/bt_map.pdf


ALPHA FLIGHT
Grey 3  -  30/30SP  115/120HP (Missiles Expended)
Green 2 - Shields 0% Hull 61% (Torpedoes Expended)
Grey 10 -  Undamaged (Missiles Expended)

BETA FLIGHT
Grey 7  -  0/30SP 120/120HP (Missiles Expended)
Grey 2  -  Undamaged (Missiles Expended)
Grey 9  -  Undamaged (Missiles Expended)
Green 3 - Shields 0% Hull 29% (Torpedoes Expended)


ALLIES
Deepstar - Shields 0%  Hull 27%  1 x rear turbolaser destroyed
Sarah - Shields Destroyed  Hull Failing


ENEMIES
Blood Angel - Shields 0% Hull 80%


DESTROYED
Alpha (all destroyed)
Beta (all destroyed)
Gamma (all destroyed)
Green 1, 4
Grey 1, 4, 5, 6, 8
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:38, Sun 26 Feb 2006.

Neeva had hoped for more, but 80% hull was close enough.  She decided againt calling for retreat.

"Everyone behind Blood Angel: match speed and heading.  Shields double front.  Fire at will.  Any Greys who wants to, combine your fire with the Ys--their laser cannons have the best chance of penetrating Blood Angel's hull plating.  If we can damage her faster than she recovers shields she'll have to turn around to engage us.  That's our goal, force her to stop and fight."

Neeva knew the Zs would do very little with their triple blasters.  But if the Ys could hit, then Grey Squadron still had a chance.  She moved her Z into a short range pursuit vector and move what was left of her rear shields to the front.  Neeva coordinated with Green 3 to combine her fire--hoping the Y would score a hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Sun 26 Feb 2006.

Xil deftly pilots his Headhunter to Blood Angel's six, ready to blast him with every joule of power his blasters can put out.

Well, here we go.  Let's hope this works.

Well, thats better than nothing I guess Nirro thinks to himself. He forms up on Grey 7's wing opening up his triple blasters as he switches his sheilds to double front. Come on guys! lets finish off this imperial garbage heap and go home He says a little more confidently than he feels.

Christian smiles.  about time. he thinks to himself.  "  Focus fire on engines..maybe we can stop her before she gets in range of the sarah.  He circles around with the rest of the wing, and speaks as an afterthought.  "..And watch the blasters..one hit and we're a memory."

As Green and Grey squadrons begin to pour fire into the Blood Angel from behind, they begin to have an effect.  Whilst concentrated blasterfire does little, when combined with the ferocity of the Y-Wings lasers and ion cannons it begins to have an effect.

Unable to bring her turbolasers to bear, the frigate fires back with ineffectual point-defense lasers which the pilots have little trouble defending against.  Soon the frigate has little choice but to turn, bringing her larger guns to bear.  As she turns her engines begin to speed up and soon the frigate makes the jump to hyperspace.

As the frigate disappears at faster-than-light speeds, the simulators collectively go black and the cockpits lift.  Finally all the pilots both alive and 'dead' are able to emerge from their simulators.

A Rebellion simtech stands nearby and salutes the Flight Officers.  "The Commander sends his compliments and orders that you all report to the debriefing room in one hour.  In the meantime you are free to acquire refreshments and change out of your flight suits."

He looks pensive for a moment and then says.  "If I may say so, that was some pretty hot flying.  Wow, to take on all those TIE's and a frigate in a Headhunter.  You guys are either reallty good or really crazy."

Seeming to remember himself he comes to full attention, salutes stiffly then marches off.




OOC:  Well the simulation is over!  My congratulations to all.  I will work out XP during the next few days and let you know.  Needless to say you will ALL hit level 2 and a few of you might even make 3!

This is the time for you guys to gather and meet each other and debrief before you get grilled by the big guns.

The debrief will be an 'exit point' for this game.  Anyone who wishes to leave Black Talons will be welcome to do so then and still receive XP for this mission.  Let me know if this is your intent.  All of you of course are welcome to stay on.

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:43, Sun 05 Mar 2006.

Neeva stood and stretched.  She let out a sigh and allowed herself to accept the Simtech's praise, not sure if this group was good or crazy.  Before the tech could march off, she called to him, "Which way to the mess hall?  I'm famished!"

She looked around at the other pilots, trying to gauge how many of them she had ticked off.  She kept a smile on her face.  It wasn't too hard: she was, after all very glad the SIM was over, and achieving the mission objective certainly didn't hurt.

Jamie emerged from the simulator with an ear-to-ear grin.  He gave the machine a once-over and thought for a moment, probably considering the credit value.
"I always forget how fun these things are...I gotta get one...Good job to everyone who survived!"
He looked up at the other pilots and gave each a personal grin before leaving to change into more comfortable clothes.

Christian stands, looking around, arching his head to the side with a small crack.  His face, one of a neutral look, gets out of the simulator.

Despite himself, he had a small smile on his face.  The sim went better than he had expected.  TIE fighters were faster and more manuverable than the headhunters, though the TIE had no shield.  And for the majority to not only survive the TIE's, but to take a frigate on and chase it away was a hell of an effort.

He looked aroud at the team.  "This may prove to be interesting." he mumbles to himself.

He looks at the twelik, noticing her voice is the same as GREY 7, and nods at her with a note of admiration and respect.  she's a good tactician, that one..but still has to listen to others.

Christian jumps out of thesimulation and goes to his room, his mind tracing over the simulation.

Xil squints for a moment as the cockpit to the simulator opens to allow the artificial lighting pour in.  He pulls off his flight helmet and wipes the sweat off his forehead.  Pulling himself out of the simulator, he looks like he had wrestled with a rancor.  His hair is disheveled and he has a look of fatigue in eyes.

Walking to the pilots that are already out of their simulators, he nods his head in their direction.  "That was fun, huh?"  He stretches down and touches his toes then rolls his shoulders.  "Do you think the Commander will be pleased?"

"snap, snap, snap" went Cyril's mind as soon as he exited the simulator. He would opt not to talk for now. He simply takes a quick glance at each of the emerging pilots, waiting for all of them to appear, taking mental pictures of them as they exited their respective sims. He knows that if he wanted a heads-up on everyone before they actually met the Commander, this would be the only opportunity he had, unless one of them actually came up to him and started a conversation. He nonchalantly looks around the simulator room while still leaning on his own machine, seemingly in awe of the surroundings, to throw off everyone as to his real intention of gazing at them.

"Grey 7", he notes, as he pieces together the voice and the hunger of the female Twilek that had been his wing commander and overbearing impromptu squad leader.

"Grey 1," he thinks next, matching the voice of enthusiasm in the 'dead' pilot comm. "Flight Officer Webb," he remembers the Captain calling him when she had berated him. He forces himself not to frown when he remembers that the Captain had also named him. Then again, what was his worry? It wasn't as if anyone really knew who he was - not yet anyway, and he realizes that if he wants to keep appearances, he needs to create an identity here, and fast.

Cyril notices the mumbling of one of the other pilots, and the man stands with the stance of a seasoned soldier. He still couldn't place which Grey number he was, but at least he believes that this one was the 'strong but silent' type, who's actions spoke for him instead. There was more to this guy than meets the eye, and Cyril takes a mental note to find out what it is.

"Grey 3," Cyril finds himself thinking aloud. To catch himself, he continues, "I presume. That was some fine shooting there. I'm impressed by your precision. Don't worry, I'm sure any commander would be pleased by your consistent performance." He realizes that by giving his voice away, he had practically identified himself, and given himself no choice but to make his first impression on the squadron now.

Giving the other rebel an informal salute, Cyril says, "Cyril Hyquin, aka Grey 8: Administrative Communications Officer with a license to fly." He had given his position as a half-truth, because he was sure it would pass any attempt to verify it. After all, he was living proof that the top brass kept secrets from it's rank-and-file, though that was pretty much common knowledge.