In reply to The Watcher (msg # 274):

Mr. Battalion, are there any spacesuits on this ship?

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 275):

Yeah, though given your size it might not be a good fit.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 276):

I've just got to get us in visual contact range. As long as I have a visual on the target, I can make a connection.

Batallion, I'm going to need a copy to take the helm when we execute this maneuver.

Here's the plan Xander- Make for the capital ship. It's either with us, or against us, but we won't get out of this fighting with the small craft.

I need you to create a distraction, and allow us to slip into visual contact range of the ship.

I'll create a tunnel with their ship, and pull myself and Batallion prime toward it.

Copy Batallion will continue to pilot the ship. Batallion and I will secure a landing bay for the ship, which will dock with Rebecca.

Xander will rejoin us and we will be welcomed or take the ship as necessary.

Hope you brought your sense of fun, because we're going to fly 200MPH through dead space toward a Capital ship, and smash me into it.

You know, unless our guys still hold the ship. In which case, less fun.

Suit up.

In reply to Flux (msg # 277):

Mech and shuttle fly off in the direction of the capital ship, wherein the reason for their inability to contact or detect the Mastodon becomes clear.

Four probes of some kind have surrounded the Mastodon (top, bottom, port and starboard), and are firing a continuous stream of energy at it that has left the ship completely encased in what appears to be crystalline ice. Fighters swarm around these probes, taking pot shots at various exposed pieces of the hull.

There is no other capital ship in sight, but as you enter NOS (near-object scanning) range, your communications systems sizzle with a noise that typically means "You're being jammed, and BTW we see you."

Three small, piloted mechs (perhaps one story tall each) break apart from the assault on the Mastodon, swooping toward you with vigor.

They are moving VERY fast, and close to within one area in what seems like the blink of an eye.




~~ COMBAT ~~
Shuttle (Flux, Battalion, Rebecca)
Abraxas (Xander)
Wasps x3

*** Note on vehicular combat: when your vehicle is called, anyone in it can take action in any order, unless there are enemies aboard said vehicle **
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:21, Mon 27 Oct 2014.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 278):

Flux quickly engages the autopilot, releasing the ship's steering to extend his hands and focus out toward the approaching wasps.

[Gravity Manipulation 81]

Flux connects with one of the rapidly approaching wasps, and immediately begins a drastic increase on the wasp's gravity.

"Let's see if we can't slow their approach and tee these up for Abraxas and Xander, who we'll have to hope is savvy enough to recognize a sports metaphor and a battle tactic when confronted with it."

In reply to Flux (msg # 279):

Nods her head in time with the music dancing with percy.

The shuttle radio crackles to life with Xander's voice. Flux, what is the likelihood that we can capture these mechs? It's experimental tech, and could give us a huge edge. Priority first being 'not getting shot out of the air,' but what are our options if we wanted to capture?

Can you create a stasis field for something that large? If not, we could always try shooting to disable. Or, there are the disabling probes around the Mastodan...if I could take direct control of one of them we could use it to ice the bogey mechs, nice and clean.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:08, Mon 27 Oct 2014.

In reply to Xander (msg # 281):

I've got them bunched up and snuggled. Destroy em, hijack em, disable em. Just keep em from coming any closer to our ship by whatever means you deem necessary.

In reply to Flux (msg # 282):

Battalion does his best to pilot the ship around any enemy that get too close.

Honestly... capture them?  These guys are nuts...

Xander lines up his targeting sights on the closest interceptor. A wireframe schematic outlining the bogey appears on a secondary monitor, but the information it provides is minimal. Neither Xander nor the targeting computer recognize the design.

Dark tech, hmm? Well, let's see if we can keep it mostly in one piece...

He lines up a shot where he guessed the power conduit transference would be, and then squeezes the trigger.

[Reason - Identify Weak Point: 55]

A crackling whine builds into a deafening crescendo as the railgun discharges a hypersonic volley of AP rounds into the turbulent Venusian atmosphere.

[Shooting: 56 (Bullseye)]

The rounds tear cleanly through the lower torso of the mech, and Xander crows with satisfaction as the glow of plasma around the leading Wasp's engine begins to fade, nosing  the mech towards the surface.

Flux, I severed the power transference! It can still shoot, but it's engines are dead. Can you manipulate it's gravity to keep it pointed in a safe direction and bring it along? If we play this right, we can keep the whole thing intact to study. Let up on impeding the other two if you have to...I think I have an idea on how to handle them...

Abraxas' own thrusters surge to life in a roar as Xander pushes the throttle to maximum, blasting his own mech to meet the threat...and then past.

Come on, you bastards. Chase the big scary battlemech that just took out your leader, not the unarmed shuttle...

Xander kicks Abraxas into an arcing loop as the Mastodon and its assailants fill his view. He sets his sights on the probes shutting down their ride home, and the high-pitched whine resumes as the railgun capacitors rebuild their charge...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Wed 29 Oct 2014.

In reply to Xander (msg # 284):

The remaining Wasps peel off to chase after Xander, firing ineffectively as they swoop past. The damaged Wasp remains suspended in Flux's gravity field, unable to pivot to point its weapons anywhere useful.


~~ COMBAT ~~
Shuttle (Flux, Battalion, Rebecca)
Abraxas (Xander)
Wasps x3
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:36, Fri 31 Oct 2014.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 285):

[Gravity Manipulation 31 (2 karma)]

Flux maintains his connection and the orientation of the damaged mech, beginning to draw him in like so much sheepdog.

"Affirmative, I've got him pointed away and am pulling him in. You may want to a drive by of the ship to see if a few Batallions can land on some mech windows.

Flux glances at the dubious Batallion

"It's not like you're going to run out..are you?"

In reply to Flux (msg # 286):

And where would I run to?

Batallion pilots the shuttle closer to the larger ship and looks for a place to land or dock.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 287):

Rebecca continues to dance and sing disconcertingly.

Xander brings the railgun to bear on the ionization probe nearest the Mastodon's main interdiction and weapons batteries. He hovers his retical over the target outline, and the lets loose a withering hail of depleted uranium.

[750 Round Burst: 61]

[Damage: 50]

The probe weathers the beginning of the fusillade, but the sheer energy contained in the volley causes the probe's frame to collapse and explode in a shower of sparks.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Wed 05 Nov 2014.

In reply to Xander (msg # 289):

Nice shooting Tex.

If there's something that gets the blood flowing like space combat that you can do with your pants on, I just don't know what it is.

Am I right?

In reply to Flux (msg # 290):

She tosses percy in the air during a spin

I'm not wearing pants.

In reply to Flux (msg # 290):

Battalion smirks.

Xander's voice crackles back over the com, Well, I can't say I've done anything in micrograv, but this upper atmo stuff *is* pretty damn exhilerating. Let's keep it up lady and gentlemen, we need to free our ride and then bug out with all the goodies, while avoiding getting shot. Simple, right?
This message was lightly edited by the player at 20:05, Wed 05 Nov 2014.

In reply to Xander (msg # 293):

To Becky and Batallion


See, this guy gets it.

Continue disabling the probes incapacitating the Mastodon. I've got the suit locked on a course back to the ship, and will begin disrupting the remaining mechs.

Batallion- You're sure I can't like, make a chain of you and use you to clothesline a mech? I.. I just want to throw you a things.

In reply to Flux (msg # 294):

The feeling is mutual.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 295):

One of the four probes immobilizing the Mastodon explodes into a cacophony of sparks and slag, but the remaining three seem sufficient to keep the larger ship at bay. For now, at least.

The two wasps chasing Abraxas (and Xander, within it) open fire with their rear-mounted laser batteries.

[Attack: 16]
[Attack: 68]

Abraxas's console flashes red as his left shoulder is hit, registering 20 damage.


The third (immobilized) wasp remains pointed harmlessly toward the planet, though a basic scan indicates that it seems to charging up its backup capacitor. Perhaps it's not as immobilized as you thought.

~~ Next Round ~~
The Ship (Batallion, Flux, Rebecca)
Abraxas (Xander)
3x Wasps
3x Eyebots
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:15, Fri 07 Nov 2014.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 296):

Flux dons his walkabout suit along with his primary and backup oxygen supply. It's clear this suit has been designed specifically for Flux and that he's accustomed to maneuvering within it.

Batallion, you have the con. Your primary mission objective remains rendezvous with the Mastodon and transference of mission objectives to ship's Captain with the full compliment of this ship's crew.

As a personal aside, I'd remind you that not supporting us in these actions is likely to be met with hostility or your own death, at my own hands or those of SAGE.

Not that you needed to be reminded, but you strike me as the sort of fella who can appreciate an occasional reminder of mutual benefit and assured destruction. Clear?

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a little fun along the way. I'm sure Xander would appreciate some suppressing fire..

Xander- I'm entering the battlefield. Watch and learn.

Flux unceremnoiously steps out the ship's airlock, immediately making contact with the disabled mech and launching himself toward him.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Gravity Manipulation 51]
[Haste 68]

Flux collides with the disabled mech at the front of its viewing panel.

"Honey, I'm home!"
[Fighting 97]
[Damage 50]

Flux rips open the cockpit and proceeds to remove the pilot, gently accelerating him toward the Mastodon for interrogation.

"Not that I'm counting, but.. Flux 1, Team 0"

In reply to Flux (msg # 297):

Rebecca stares with disconcertingly large anime eyes at Battalion.

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 298):

Your reminders aren't necessary, I know where we stand.

But maybe YOU don't...

Battalion continues to pilot the shuttle toward the Mastadon.