Karl noticed the contact approaching, as well, and eased the throttles forward, moving ahead of the Scarecrow on an intercept course.  He built up some speed, kicked his maneuvering thrusters to spin sideways, so the plane wasn't facing the oncoming ship, but the howitzer was, and let it coast forward.

He keyed his comms, on an open channel.  "Unidentified vessel approaching the satellite-buoy line, you will power down and identify yourself and state your intentions, or you will be fired upon."  He left the channel open, but cut the mic.

"Ed, if we get close enough to go for precision fire, I want the first round ready to take her in the bridge.  One from the howitzer, five from the pulse cannon as fast as she'll rattle them off.  Stand by to fire on my command..."

The ship had gone quiet once it commenced coasting...a low thrum built up, as the weapons systems went active and the pulse cannon charged.  A couple of stray vibrations were felt as the howitzer tracked onto target...right now, it would just be firing at the ship, not close enough to pick out specific locations...but as the oncoming ship got larger on the viewscreen, the howitzer followed it.

Roy's face barely flickered a grin at Stoly's report.  Half a mile was practically right on top of them, for the work he and Lyri had outlined.  He glanced over at Jesse.

"Ready to go for a run?" he asked, his grin broadening.  "A little under a kilometer...depending on the native growth, that should be pretty easy to cover in a hurry..."

He glanced over at Lyri.  "We better plan on hitting the ground ready to shoot.  Landing that close is going to alert them that something is going on, best if they don't even get a chance to report that much..."

He didn't know how much initiative the Hyrians encouraged in their military...but he could just imagine some eager captain intercepting a message about hearing retros firing in the distance and then silence, and deciding it was time to take his ship to investigate it, himself.  Best if they just went silent, period.

Seeing the morningstar move to intercept Spartan veered the Crow to the third buoy. He notified the bubble gunners and kept staring at the screens, giving Gordan a thumbs up for noticing the opponent. On his other side Rodney worked hard on the data for the third buoy. They saw it soon enough.

Garrat sits quietly in his crash seat, his large rifle propped stalk against the floor like some crazy staff.

  "Do we know the layout?"

   Used to love vids , growing up... I like war  movies and sci-fi stuff..though? the  sci-fi stuff is almost like cartoons nowawadays......But WWI air war movies.... those were great.... there is always the scene, where  the Germans , or  allies strafed the aerodrome....Looks like we get to do that here!..and Von Bern?... Unlike your past?... aircraft on the ground, do not count as kills....they count as GTs...

 ...You have a Plan..LC?  Si's voice soothing  yet, expectant.

  Aye, You and Your  wing take out the two fliers...Me, Von Bern and the rest of us... will shoot up what we can on the ground.... been damn nice to have a torpedo craft to  hit the Hangers, but the transports  will be coming soon....so?  Maybe  we need those intact...don't be afraid to shoot them up..Seabees need work too....

 Let's go, Candy... we'll climb  and dive  down  one the ones in the air, when they react to the attack....

 Aye, Ma'am...right behind you...Shadow?... don't get shot  down..I promised Morris!

 Are you kidding?.. I have a  Russian Viper  with me... I'm not worried!


  Viper... are you saying i am the  , Snake, Comrade?

  on the  tiny moon, Hyrian's  went  about their Business, checking Fighters. a few off them where in the barracks watching Vids..seems like the Fleet was  doing  another  'sweep'..it  didn't  seem to concern them.

  Shadow  divied followed by the rest of the 'V'.  Against the Black  the  little   dots   didn't  see like  Much. The Tech in the  Tower  started to COM to the  incoming fighters..thinking it was  replacements  ...but?..weren't they coming from the wrong Direction?  The Tower  tower  Fellow COMed  the  Commander of the base...he..never heard the answer,,,

  Shadow opened Up as soon as his ship  was being  bumped by the   weak atmo... hard ammo at first...just a  flash from the Gatling Cannon and  two  Aircraft in the middle of the flight  line  exploded, one shell missed  and hit  the  Ground sending ground  crews  reeling...

  Kat fired at the tower, lazers, Pulse to start tore into the  Building and  the COM tech  as well as his  two secretaries, a small fire  started  inside the building...

 The sirens   blared, ground crews  were Confused  as Vin Bern and his  people opened up with everything... Bodies  were  chewed up  or cut apart by lazars and pulse weapons... hard  ammo slammed into the Ground, or blew the wing off an aircraft..

 The  two Fighters In the Air  turned to Follow  Kray and Kat, But  Si and Flores  came down from  the 5 o'clock  and torched them  both...

  as the   Fleet fighters  regrouped, hanger doors  opened   at the third ( of 3) hanger  doors opened  and Fighters  started to take off from inside the hangers.

 well.... that's not good... Von Bern... your group  take out fighters  trying to get in the air  from the Flight Line.. we'll Take on the Hanger Fighters....

 Then he COMs to Frans,.. Frans?..yeah.... we're  Gonna need help.......

 we're  Coming....

 ..You heard the man... all fighters in the air... head towards  Dark... take out  anything, not  ESN....

  Lyri shakes her  head, we know there are two walled  outposts, each with a  large COM tower... there are 40-50 Troops? each place..and  those who came here said they saw Mechs  walking around..more or less open ground,,some small scrun trees and such..i don't know... the plain is dominated by the  hill the  bases are on..that's what we got....not like we have  people coming here every day..  her voice was  calm, with a bit  of tension as they neared the Drop


 The Duces come in low on the horizon... Just as they see the top part of the COM tower,  Stoly calls for the Landing.

  ramps  are  Coming down,  leave as soon as the skids touch...clock is ticking!


 with in a Minute... the skids Hit the ground, the ramp opened as the   troops  Poured out.

...........

  Rolf's  team  poured out as well , Morgan  stepping  slowly  at 'a crouch', to try to stay hidden in the gloom as long as he was able.. the rain wasn't too thick, but the Mist rising  from the ground  was getting thicker.

  Right then...  CAt You  and these three, follow, but at a distance... If ya see anything while we close in.. then give a yell...

 He looks at the three,she gives you an order?..You follow it....Now..lets kill some dogs.....and knock out that tower....

   The Heavy weapons   team  came  Up the Middle, with Rolf, while the  rest flanked them, spreading out, Keeping low... looking for  guards or mechs....

  As they Veered away, the   Tech turned to Sarah,Ma'am?..Two Blips  , both Red, one Big, one small coming from  Hyrian space.... There is another Blip, just on the edge, behind us...near the Line...

  The ScareCrow was getting closer to #3.... Karl issued his challenge...

  The Voice on the end sounded more  like a growl then a voice..but could be understood Dis is Kaptain Horg, of the Hyrian Vessel, The Bite... you our in  are space... you will stand  down.. or be destroyed......
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:58, Fri 24 June 2016.

"Zeon, be ready for number three in five. Make it a new record mate, we have incoming bogies. I hope you marine boys have your eyes open. Mac, time to mount the minigun mate."
Spartan gunned the Crow forward as fast he could, throwing her in a last minute reverse as he reached the buoy.
"Rodney, scramble that bogey's systems if you can, get the Morningstar the edge she needs. Zeon, Go time buddy!"
He smiled a reassuring smile at Gordan, knowing the kid was bound to be scared and nervous. So far, despite that, he was doing a good job.

In reply to ironwood (msg # 36):

"Guns pull up firing solutions on the three different hostiles, prioritize based on size and range from us." She says addressing LT Termaine, "Nav, give me a plot of their current velocities, and overlay it on our plot. If any of them are aiming for an intercept I want to know about it as soon as possible." She addresses ENS Klattenhoff, "Helm standby to execute evasive maneuvers on my mark, until then continue on current plan." Various affirmations came back to Sarah from their respective stations, as the Ironwood continued on it's course. Data flowed across Sarah's screens, as it was sent to her console and updated by both the computers and her crew.

As the Ironwood approached the target, attitude thrusters began firing sending the ship into the preplanned tight rotating spiral as the ship continued on it's course to the drop off point. The hanger bay doors opened to space as the ship prepared to drop it's payload.

  The Bite was closing In, Corvette Class, heavy armored  as most Hyrians...and slower..like most Hyrians.

  It was bearing  down  on the Morningstar,...in another Minute...Human scum... you will be  in range and we  will fire, if you do not   surrender... your maintainence ship as well....

  The Crow  was at the  3rd buoy.

  As they swiveled  around , The larger vessel... was recognized as a destroyer, the smaller Vessel  , a sloop... way at the far  side of their  screen, the  other  dot vanished.. they assumed Hyrian, but  , unsure.

In reply to Fighters (msg # 34):
F25 to F1 Acknowledged Out Replied Justin switching to Flight only coms he glances to port and starboard taking in the Flight Ok B Flight group on A Flights Port Side keep an eye out for Bandits and Hesitant Beta's; Keep coms open and let everyone what your up to. Once we get close Pair up Carl with Geri, Benjamin with Ivan JG your with Me. Banking Justin lead the Flight forward Shepherding a Flight of Beta's as they came about.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Fri 24 June 2016.

  The Battle  was Joined In ernest , now... Shadow  and Kat Broke to the  right on their  return trip, shooting  up the fighters  closer to the hangers,  while hitting the hangers  themselves...

   Commander  Von Bern was chasing  a H   Si and Flores strafed the row of  fighters   further  towards the   tarmac, then rose into the  air  to  start tracking   Hyrians  as they tried to  gain altitude from the hanger..

 explosions on the Ground  accounted  for another few  fighters... a few more  were damaged enough   that the  grounds crew ran away from them... the second  Hanger opened  up, as did the 3rd... fires   were breaking out  from the lazars  and Pulse weapons

 The   control towers had  Flame  licking out its  windows

  Von Bern was chasing  a Hyrian with his  wing  man taking out another  grounded  aircraft.

  the other  Two Beta pilots where chasing  4 of the Hyrian that had taken off.

  more fighters, from the other Hangers  were taking off...

  ..................

 Frans  and the rest of the Fighters were closing in,Avir..... take the Lead....

 the fast little felrite  fighters  shot  forward ... eager  to find themselves some Hyrian...

   Steele spoke up...Now?.....

 ......Comon..Steele?

 ......Comon......


 All right.. quick though....

 Steele hit  all COMs,Ok..Folks?  we are in for a  real...DOGFIGHT!...... You know what they  say... its  not the  size of the DOG..in the fight... but the size of the fight, in the DOG.... we'll get them with out  DOGGED determination... We'll HOUND them  every step of the way!...

 Shadow's voice  comes  back with a chuckle, Just hurry up and get here.....

 Foster  started  singing "...i can't get a long little  doggie... i can't even get on , that's small.... I can't get a long  little doggie... I can't get a doggie, at all....


 Howe join in,what we need, is a flight of Mailmen!

  Frans breaks in,ENOUGH!!!!...Shadow... a wave  of  fighters  come from Verian space.....

  Never mind them LT Frans..... you and your fighters  go  help out the LC... we have enough fighters left back here to  tend to them....
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:41, Fri 24 June 2016.

Shouldering his duffels Ickabab readied the HMG then followed the others off the Stoly; once clear he moved to one flank and crouched, covering the immediate area as the Transports emptied and took off. When the team moved off he jogged along keeping pace with the others keeping a wary eye out for any sign of threat.

The cargo bay door of the Crow opened, again letting a buoy drift out with Zeon attached by filament. As the convicted murderer of five got to work in his rehabilitated state, Spartan kept a close eye on the trackers. He heard the Hyrian over the comm and noted its size.
"Nilsson, don't get drawn in an all out battle with him mate. Hit em and run. Those corvettes are beasts if it comes to armour. Circle em and stay out of his gunlines. He won't be able to keep up in your turns."
All across the black he saw flashes of light now. The battle had begun in earnest.
"Back inside Cap," Zeon's voice came back. Seven minutes flat, not bad.
"Scrambling The Bite's motion and target trackers Cap'n, lets hope our systems work properly" Rodney stated, already working opening a comm to the Hermes.

"Hermes control, this is Scarecrow. We have three buckets filled. Repeat, three buckets filled."
Soon as the bay doors closed Spartan gunned the crow to the fourth buoy, unfortunately closer to the corvette. On the screen the red dot suddenly showed the name of the ship below it. Gordan looked up at him, shock on his face.
"Don't worry kiddo, captain Nilsson is there to keep us safe,"

He hoped he wasn't lying to the kid.

In reply to Ironwood (msg # 41):

As the details on the two Hyrian ships appeared on her battle board the time ticked to zero and the two shuttles zipped out of the Ironwood. "Happy Hunting," LT Termaine called to them over the comm as they exited the ship.  Sarah looked at the sloop and the destroyer. "Helm, bring us to..." she lists off a series of numbers and a engine power level as she glances at the screen, running the math in her head. "Guns I want a firing solution on that sloop, you are free to engage once we reach maximum range."

Karl's response was cool, steely.  "Captain, I am Captain Nilsson of the Earth Marine Corps, attached to the ESN.  The ESN disputes your claims to this space.  You WILL hold your distance, or suffer the consequences."  He paused for a moment, before adding, in a dangerous tone, "Our people refer to our Marines as 'Devil Dogs.'  You don't want to find out just how accurate that description is."

He watched the range close, waiting for that threshold where the howitzer could actually deliver precise shots instead of general targeting.  In space, with minimal gravitational influence and no atmosphere to affect the ballistics on the projectiles, it was a much greater range than for planetary attacks...but it was still up-close-and-personal, when discussing astronomical distance scales.

He keyed Comm One.  "Hermes, Morningstar is closing on a Hyrian corvette.  Preparing to engage."

As the shuttle approached the planet, Roy pulled on his ghillie suit, trading his traditional seat near the cockpit for one next to the ramp so he could be the first out.  He checked his gear, verified the condition of the Barrett he was carrying, and verified that the Kalashnikov was in a gear bag that could be quickly slung over his shoulder.

The shuttle touched the ground, the ramp started down, and he was off the ramp before it had fully settled to the surface, looking for a place to set up his weapon with a view of the comm tower he was supposed to target.  He found a point...the backside of a low hill with a break in the growth that let him set the rifle in place, while keeping it unobtrusive.  He activated the scope, and began searching the tower, looking for the actual transmitter unit.

  Captain Horg   frowned at his  screen as he  replied,..You Human scum!.. I have little to fear from  one puny earth ship and its  scavenger  vessel....

 Right before the  Hyrian answered, Karl and Spartan Noticed the difference  in their  screens, they were working Perfectly...for the ESN....

 On the  .....Hyrian side...of the Screen were 7 large Dots.... what was unsettling.. the red dots were about twice the side of the Green dots that were just entering the ...Everest side...of the screen.. those  dots were the  Hermes and Odin..so far.

 at   Mid screen , at 12:00 was   the Iron wood, with the a slightly bigger  dot of red that was  the  destroyer.. with a smaller  red dot that as the sloop..

  way to the North of the  screen was dozens of green and red  tiny dots  that moved  aroun , like ants on a kicked anthill.

 Gorden looked at Spartan and pointed to  the 7 large dots...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:02, Fri 24 June 2016.

  The  screens  fizzled a bit then lit up again....

  their  screens, they were working Perfectly...for the ESN....

 On the  .....Hyrian side...of the Screen were 7 large Dots.... what was unsettling.. the red dots were about twice the side of the Green dots that were just entering the ...Everest side...of the screen.. those  dots were the  Hermes and Odin..so far.

 at   Mid screen , at 12:00 was   the Ironwood, with the a slightly bigger  dot of red that was  the  destroyer.. with a smaller  red dot that as the sloop..

  way to the North of the  screen was dozens of green and red  tiny dots  that moved  aroun , like ants on a kicked anthill.

  The Hyrian freighter  was gone from the screen

   Lyri and  the Spooters   fllow  spencer  and  set  a few yards  away. With their   coloring and the darkness, it almost seems  a waste  of time to  crouch and  Run....

   Having hand her weapon ready , since they  started the  Transfer, see began to search the walls  with her  scope, then the  tower....all COMS..

 ..scoping..now... see  two guards  walking the  southern wall... can't  see the other  three walls..there is a Building roof, just visible , that the tower  is built  around....there is another large..flat roof... we have to figure that is barracks , garages , or both.... I see no Mechs  from here......

 Supe  and his people spread out  waiting for Jess and the Mechs...


...................

 Hemsly comes across... we're Moving, are mech is  Keeping low and slow.. I can see  one guard on out  south wall.. I can see on guard on your   WEST wall..repeat..one more guard on your west wall.... confirmed  roof on both Buildings...No mechs.....

 Rolf  lead the MAin force   quickly and quietly through the   short stubby tress and  High grasses.. they were  about 500 yards from the walls... Morgan, about  540.. Cat and her  squad, right behind them

Jesse motioned for the team to be ready to take off once they landed.

Hirr, you take off after Roy and Lyri.  Make sure me, Melia, Carl, and the others have a clearing. Keep me up to date on who you see and what they've got so that the rest of us can quickly prepare.

Those I mentioned going with Carl keep alert.  The rest of you guys...keep them off us, especially Carl.

She looked to Roy.  You bet.  You know I like the long haul.

She gave him a wink as she took the ramp opposite him and the minute the ramp dropped...she motioned for the felrites to take off and then she did.

 Lt Hirr  purred  at  Hunter,..now  you will be   seeing  us in  the action......, Her tail slipped over him as  The Felrites too off, loping though the   small shrub-like trees  and High grass,  little showed their Movement, save for the   spotty tails in the grass

  The  teams  Moved up with Carl in the Middle he had a side arm out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Fri 24 June 2016.

As soon as Roy picked out the actual transmitter module, he settled his scope on it.  "Transmitter array, top of the tower.  I'll take my shot, Robbins, I want you to pick out power relays, signal converters...any crucial components that are on the tower structure, call them out to me as I call for a next target.  Lyri, anyone starts up that tower, you drop them."

He keyed his comm, and said, softly, "Target going silent in three...two..."  He left off counting, took a deep breath, and let it out smoothly, feeling his body go almost perfectly still.  And, in that moment of greatest stillness, between one heartbeat and the next, he squeezed the trigger.