Pak and Archer wait their turn to be run through a simulation. The two simulators turn back on for the next simulation. For this simulation it appears that neither veritech (currently in jet mode) is loaded with missiles.

Pak can see that the other veritech in his flight is a USAF VF-1A painted entirely in Gunship Grey with low visibility insignia. The VF-1A is piloted by 1st Lt Jack Archer of the U.S. Air Force.

The controllers voice is then heard over the ‘radio’. “Ok guys listen up this is going to be a dogfight against a pair of bogies. Good Luck!”

Directly to their front both Archer and Pak can see the glow of a pair of objects rapidly approaching. There isn’t much time to react as the ‘merge’ (when both groups of craft pass by each other) occurs.

OOC: As an FYI, Pak is the flight lead
Please post the following so I can figure out where you are at after ‘the merge’

• A perception roll (to ID what your facing)
• One strike roll (this is a head on shot at one of the two badguys)
• One dodge roll (they will be shooting at you head on)
• Make a ‘dog tail roll’ (Pilot VT @-15%)

Also check out the Dog fighting rules in house rules thread
link to a message in this game

Archer opens up to full military speed, his VF-1A equipped with the more advanced FF-2001D engines easily vectors ahead of his flight lead.

Perception = 5
GU-11 Strike = unat 18 (110 MDC)
Dodge = unat 27
Dogtail = FAIL

22:15, Today: Jack Archer rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5.  Perception .
22:16, Today: Jack Archer rolled 12 using 1d20 with rolls of 12.  GU-11 burst at target +6.
22:17, Today: Jack Archer rolled 12 using 1d20 with rolls of 12.  dodge +14.
22:17, Today: Jack Archer rolled 81 using 1d100 with rolls of 81.  Dogtail 80-15= 65%.

In reply to Jack Archer (msg # 2):

As the controller sounded off, Gun Ho "Gangnam" Pak banked his blue fighter toward the enemy. "Sim Control, this is Gangnam, read you five by five, engaging bandits! Gangnam is winchester." he said keying the mic, in a thick Korean Accent.

Gangnam watched Archer's bird accelerate and laughed just a bit to himself. "Kid is in a hurry to die." He was about to key the mic and say advise him to throttle back, but realized the kid either had a hot bird or was feeling exuberant. No time to organize a tactic. As Archer broke to engage at the merge point, Gangnam's mind formed a quick plan to use Archer's over-eagerness to both of their advantage.

A THACH WEAVE

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8DAL...IcY/s1600/thach2.gif

As one enemy broke to engage Archer, Gangnam barrel-rolled just a bit and maneuvered behind archer to engage the bandit on his 6, greasing off a blast of 55 mm shells in a volley of tracers of doom. The Thach Weave was invented at the beginning of American involvement in World War 2, allowing a wingman to bait an enemy with his leader out front, turning behind friend and foe and clearing the six of the guy out front. Simple really, but hey, this nothing was simple anymore.

"Fox Four!"

Actions:
Fire at inbound target as it approaches (not selected by archer)
Dodge
Execute a Thach Weave barrel roll with Dog tail roll to clear Archer's 6 if possible

Rolls:
Perception = 14
Init = 9
GU-11 burst= UNAT 9 (Miss)
Dodge: Unnat 20
Dog Tail: Pass 16/60

12:06, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 10 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 9.  Init.
12:08, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 9 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 6.  GU-11 blast as ingressing on merge. Whiff
12:10, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 20 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 8.  Dodge.
12:19, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 1 using 1d100-15 with rolls of 16.  Dog tail roll needs 60 or under.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Thu 24 Jan 2019.

As Pak and Archer begin the merge both pilots open fire and briefly see flashes of light coming from the enemy bogies.

Archer’s GU-11 fire is evaded, and the weapon fire from the bogey is evaded too. He fails to latch onto the bogies tail, as it vectors away.

Pak fires on his bogey and misses. The weapons fire from the bogey is evaded. Conducting a ‘thatch weave’, Pak easily gets on the tail of the bogey Archer was focusing his fire on. The bogey that was gunning for fails to get on Pak’s tail.

Pak finds himself in the perfect position to light up one of the enemy bogies. Archer finds himself in the position to watch Pak’s ‘six O’clock’ by trying to tail the other bogey.

[Private to Gun Ho Pak: Perception roll: The aggressors are another pair of VF-1’s!]

OOC:
Pak please make a piloting roll, then strike rolls for your actions, and auto dodges for each action.
Archer, please make a dog tail to get on the other bogey

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 4):

Gangnam immediately expected the pursued fighter to turn and fire, or shake him off. He'd fought VT's in DACT training. They had superiority over all and any traditional fighter. Quickly, he selected GERWALK mode, and applied just a bit of retro-thrust to give the pursued fighter a little space, then opened fire, the gunpod a bit wonky, and always trusting built-in weapons a bit more. The old-time Mauser roared and caused the plane to buffet a bit, as the lasers extended, shooting red lances of light, overtaking the 27mm tracers. Then he pitched up, to deny a scissoring enemy room to get on his six, matching his maneuvers one for one to keep the gunsight in front of the enemy jet.

Applying power, Gangnam continued on the enemy's 6, the lasers shooting beneath the tracers once again, hoping at least the pilot had something to dodge. He wasn't sure if it was another organic pilot or the AI. He'd fought ghosts before. That's why his old plane needed wetware. He prepared to dodge if the guy could draw a bead on him, and released more fury from the internal guns. A good Winchester row was good training, but a rack of sidewinders would be nice having a bead on the enemy's six. "Pow! Muthafucka!"

Actions:
1. Change to Gerwalk and maneuver as described to defeat scissors maneuver (flat or rolling)
2. Fire linked burst from 27mm and head lasers
3. Fire linked burst from 27mm and head lasers
4. Dodge or repeat attack
5. Maintain dogtail maneuver

Rollage: Today's theme? The dice hate me!

Three Attacks: 23:08, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 39 using 3d20+5 ((13,10,11)). Dmg: 24
Dodge: 23:09, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 16 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 4.
Dogtail Roll: 23:16, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 91 using 1d100 with rolls of 91.  pilot dogtail roll, 60 needed.

Tilt dodge rolls:

23:22, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 318 using 5d100 ((92,76,56,26,68)).

If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all...

In reply to Gun Ho Pak (msg # 5):

Extra shots (using GU-11) for actions 4 & 5:

09:52, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 14 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 11.  Attack 4 with GU-11.(hit, barely)

09:53, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 8 using 1d20+3 ((5)). (the dark blue dice hate me!)

Auto Dodges:
09:54, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 71 using 5d20+12 ((16,7,15,18,3)).
(red is no better, though the individual rolls don't seem to be recorded with the +12)

Pak stays mostly on the other VF-1’s tail as it goes evasive making a series of flips and turns. The maneuvers are enough to ensure that none of Pak’s weapons fire connects, and is enough for the other VF-1 to break contact. The two veritech are now facing towards each other and able to fire on one another.

Meanwhile, Archer maneuvers to engage the other VF-1, and ends up having to go evasive…

OOC: Pak, just focus on your enemy. I have a plyer who is MIA so Archer (an NPC) is mixing it up with a PC who is being NPC’d.

Also just so you know, the other player made an evasive action roll and passed, with you failing your roll he was able to break away from you. Please make 5 actions, and 5 auto dodge rolls, but keep in mind that your opponent is in position to fire on you as well.

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 7):

It was time to have some fun. Real fun. Dogfighting was getting nowhere fast. In truth, he believed he was being ham-handed with the controls. The maneuvering thrusters were even more sensitive than the ghost's. The Valkyrie was supposed to be a three-mode fighter, good in all forms of combat, and he had little experience in CQB inside a... a Veritech. "This is training, right?" he thought.

Instead of turning or trying to yo-yo the other fighter, he hit the throttle and decided to fly at the enemy as if in a knife-edge pass. As he closed on the bandit, he executed a guns defense, and laid down suppressive fire with his GU-11, pushing the gerwalk's throttles to full afterburner. As he closed on zero separation, he fired another blast from the GU, just to see if the guy was a flincher or not. He hoped his guns defense was good, then laid bare his arm, rolling into a knife-edge at the last second, simultaneously attempting a full-throttle guardian body block/grapple with another veritech. If he succeeded, he would switch to battloid and grapple with the other fighter/gerwalk/battloid in a full nelson, stretching the mecha's spine.

Sneaking in a blow with his off-hand, he punched the other mecha amidships, and, hopefully in melee combat range, gave the other ship a knee to the bum, while maintaining the hold.

[Private to Darkside Trooper: Actions:
Maneuver as described, keeping boresight on tango, zero-separation on convergence (knife-edge pass), throttle up, execute "guns defense" (multiple auto dodges)
Mode: Gerwalk
Throttle: Full
1. Fire GU-11 Burst
2. Fire Gu-11 Burst
3. Body Block/Tackle (or GU-11 burst if they retreat)
4. Transform to battloid
5. Hold/stretch on bandit (or GU-11 Burst)

Bonus Melee Actions:
6. Sneak an ambidextrous punch
7. Kick in bum/engine exhaust while maintaining grapple

Defensive:
1. Auto Dodge
2. Auto Dodge
3. Auto Dodge
4. Auto Dodge
5. Auto Dodge

6. Parry
7. Parry

Les Roulens:
Attack 1:
00:23, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 10 using 1d20+3 ((7)).
Attack 2:
00:25, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 15 using 1d20+3 ((12)).
Attack 3:
00:26, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 16 using 1d20+4 ((12)).
Attack 4: Battloid transformation
Attack 5:
00:28, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 7 using 1d20+4 ((3)).
Attack 6:
00:29, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 18 using 1d20+4 ((14)).
Attack 7:
00:29, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 6 using 1d20+4 ((2)).


Auto Dodge rolls:

00:31, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 61 using 5d20 ((12,2,15,12,20)). All +12

Parry Rolls:
This sucks! 00:33, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 4 using 2d20 ((2,2)).All +8

Init Roll:
00:35, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 8 using 1d20+2 ((6)).

What I did:
The Move keeps him in front of me, hopefully in a pass, otherwise, I'll fall in behind him in lag pursuit, if he tries evading my head to head and continue firing the GU-11.]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Sat 02 Feb 2019.

Pak’s maneuvers towards the other veritech in guardian mode while the opposing veritech (still in jet mode) maneuvers towards him. The other veritech opens up with it’s nose lasers.

Pak’s first burst of GU-11 cannon fire is off the mark, as broght floses of light pass by his veritech. His second burst is deftly evaded by the other veritech as Pak’s own veritech registers an increase of heat on his hull in the form of laser impacts. Pak evades the subsequent laser fire from the other veritech as he himself transitions into battliod mode. Attempting to close the distance and actually punch the other jet mode veritech is impossible as the two mecha, traveling at velocities measured in kilometers per second pass by each other in less than a millisecond. As such Pak’s brain still goes through the motions of trying to hit the other veritech. Those observing the simulated dogfight can comically see Pak punch and kicking the vacuum of space.

Pak turns around to find his opponent has done the same thing.

OOC: Pretty much the same as before. I forgot to tell you to roll a dogtail at the end of the melee, so instead of rolling for you I just had you turn around and able to face the other guy. That said please add a dodgtail at the end of the melee so as to ‘set up’ the next melee.

Can you please list your rolls with the attacks? It makes it a lot easier for me to resolve the round. For example, this is what the other player did. You can leave all the rolls below.

Observing the simulated 'dogfight' being displayed on the screen Roy chuckles as the pilot in the FRS.1J attempts to punch the pilot in the VF-1J.

He then turns to Major Tikkanen, who is also observing. "Look if you don't want him that's fine. With this group of shuttle and fighter pilots being trained up if none wash out we'll have 8 pilots and no veritechs for them to fly."

If it hadn't been for the fact she'd just finished a 'feedback session' some other pilots a little earlier she'd have been inclined to laugh at the antics of the erstwhile shuttle pilot herself.

"At least he tried that in here." She replied with a low growl as she looked over his jacket on her tablet. "I suppose if I can keep him from trying to kill himself he'll be able to pass along pointers on Null-G to the others." She sighs.

She looks over at Cmdr. Fokker and shrugs. "Unrelated, but if any of those VF's end up with out a pilot, mind if we swap out my MK I's for any MK II's?" She says. "I've five I need to have replaced." She notes, then looks back at the tablet.

"His other scores are solid." She notes. "Sure, we'll take him in." She says after a pregnant pause.

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 11):

Roy looked down at his own tablet and made tapped it. "You know he's not the first one to have tried that."

"Abut the ejections seats. Your not the only squadron commander whose trying to scrounge up mark twos."

"So on another unrelated I've heard from a very reliable source that your going to lose your operations officer. It seems like UES Macross CIC wants him as their rescue operations coordinator."

"Anyhow don't be surprised when you get the e-mail."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:41, Sun 03 Feb 2019.

"Paska..." She mutters.

"Thanks for the heads up." She says genuinely. She doesn't say much else, there's really nothing much to say.

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 9):

The pass and grasping into thin air seemed quite silly. He laughed to see the other pilot make the same mistake. Probably he was another rookie like himself. Battloid grappling at top throttle was probably not the easiest in space. The tension had broken though, Gangnam was having fun now. He decided to keep his distance from the enemy, though well within visual range and a knife fight.

"Well, MMA in space doesn't work so well. Let's try some more battloid combat. What about laser targeting?"

He tried training the targeting computer, including the IRST and laser on the dodging enemy pilot, promising to buy the pilot a beer whenever the scrap concluded. He might not be that great of a pilot or he could be an ace, but Gangnam himself couldn't hit the broad side of the barn. These fighters were just that maneuverable. Improving the targeting computer with a programmer and a higher rate of fire on the cannons couldn't hurt either. Higher firepower lasers would be even better out in space.

Whether the weapons systems worked or not, Gangnam squeezed off three blasts from the GU-11, thrusting from side to side to evade incoming fire. He tried a hi yo yo to catch the bandit in full pursuit or in lag, staying at full military throttle. With his GU-11, he tried to lead the Veritech a bit more to account for higher speeds. Then, if he could only get on this guy's six...

[Private to Darkside Trooper: Actions:
1. Weapon systems roll (fail)
21:02, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 98 using 1d100 with rolls of 98.  Weapons Systems Roll/needs 60.
2. GU-11 Blast
3. GU-11 Blast
4. Gu 11 Blast
Attack rolls:
21:06, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 14 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 11.  GU-11 Blast No. 3.(40 Dmg)
21:06, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 8 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 5.  GU-11 Blast No. 2.
21:05, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 7 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 4.  GU-11 Blast No. 1.
5. Dog tail pilot roll: Pass
21:13, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 57 using 1d100 with rolls of 57.  Dog tail roll needs 60 or under.

Auto Dodge Rolls:
21:18, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 63 using 5d20 with rolls of 17,7,18,6,15.  Auto Dodge rolls, all +12.

Initiative:

21:19, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 13 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 11.  Init.]

Archer finally gets in a position to face his opponent, in one of the Australian VF-1J's. As he races towards the other mecha he stays in Jet mode, and opens up with his GU-11.

13:53, Today: Jack Archer rolled 92 using 7d20 with rolls of 1,5,14,19,16,19,18.  Auto dodges +14.
13:52, Today: Jack Archer rolled 78 using 7d20 with rolls of 4,18,2,15,13,17,9.  GU-11 burst at target +6.
13:59, Today: Jack Archer rolled 7 using 2d8 with rolls of 6,1.
13:59, Today: Jack Archer rolled 12 using 2d8 with rolls of 4,8.
13:59, Today: Jack Archer rolled 9 using 2d8 with rolls of 5,4.
13:59, Today: Jack Archer rolled 9 using 2d8 with rolls of 6,3.
13:59, Today: Jack Archer rolled 14 using 2d8 with rolls of 6,8.
14:03, Today: Jack Archer rolled 43 using 1d100 with rolls of 43.  Dogtail 93-15= 78%.

Action 1: GU-11 burst @ target, MISS
Auto dodge, FAIL
Action 2: GU-11 burst @ target, unat 25 (140 MDC)
Auto dodge, Unat 19
Action 3: GU-11 burst @ target, MISS
Auto dodge, Unat 28
Action 4: GU-11 burst @ target, unat 22 (90 MDC)
Auto dodge, unat 33
Action 5: GU-11 burst @ target, unat 20 (90 MDC)
Auto dodge, unat 30
Action 6: GU-11 burst @ target, unat 24 (120 MDC)
Auto dodge, unat 33
Action 7: GU-11 burst @ target, unat 16 (70 MDC)
Auto dodge, unat 32
DOGTAIL: PASS 43%

Pak opens up with his GU-11, as does his opponent. None of his cannon fire hits, but neither does his opponents. The two veritech’s dance, trying to get on the other’s 6 O’clock. Pak in battliod mode and his opponent in jet mode.

Neither pilot is able to gain the upper hand and remain facing one another…..

OOC: Jeez this is like a dogfight against a boss (or real person) in an Ace Combat game!

[Private to Gun Ho Pak: Just an FYI, the dog tail doesn’t cost an action. So I rolled an attack for action #5.]

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 16):

Seeing the other pilot finally gain position, Gagnam banked hard to starboard and popped a smoke...

Action: Dodge 19

In reply to Gun Ho Pak (msg # 17):

Gun Ho gunned it and went to his gun, firing a long blast at the attacking fighter.

Action: Shoot, and pathetic miss

18:17, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 8 using 1d20+3 ((5)).

Pak activates his smoke dischargers and tries to use the expanding cloud of smoke as cover. The smart but unconventional tactic doesn't help as the simulator pod is rocked hard indicating the veritech is being struck by cannon fire.

The simulator abruptly shuts down, indicating that Pak has been 'killed'.

Archer takes notice that his wing man just got snuffed out....and readies himself for a 1 vs 2 dogfight.

In reply to Jack Archer (msg # 20):

The end of the fight came suddenly, but wasn't that always the case? Whomever he was fighting was good. When the sim-lights went out and the MFD's flashed "CRUSHED," then killed he opened the canopy. Then, he realized he left archer in a lurch, with bad odds. He hated to be that guy, and of course, the first to die in the sim. Still, it had been an education. Beers for friend and foe tonight...

When he emerged, he could be seen dressed in a black Spacy flight suit with red highlights and a matching helmet. On his sleeve was a "Cobra" patch, of the 10th Fighter Squadron, the "Vipers," who adopted the Cobra logo and battlecry. He took off his helmet and looked up at the monitor before watching the ongoing fight. He looked for the water-cooler, spotted Cdr. Fokker and snapped to attention wordlessly.

He was a rather small man, with a wiry build, standing around 5'8 at the most. He had black hair, and a Koreanness to him, underscored by a Korean flag under the UN Roundel on the opposite sleeve. His eyes seemed bright and of fairly good humor, and after a dogfight, was quite drenched in sweat.

Aksa pumps her fist as Jack blows Pak's plane into digital dust-bunnies. "Well done." She says, making some notes on her tablet. "Could have potted him 15 seconds ago, but, well done." She shrugs.

She then turns back to the screen to see if Archer would pay the 'ultimate' price for the sin of breaking formation.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:19, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 22):

With nobody in the room but himself at the moment, Gangnam availed himself of some water from the refrigerator. Grabbing two bottles, he chugged one down and discarded it in the recycling, once empty. Then, he cracked into the other, sipping slowly and making his way to the control room to watch, monitoring the ongoing dogfight on video screens.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:03, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 22):

Fokker puts a 20 dollar bill down on the console in front of him. “Twenty bucks says Archer beats those two.”
This message was last edited by the player at 16:35, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

In reply to Roy Fokker (msg # 24):

Pak heard the CAG's deep and resonant voice even before he saw the tall, blond westerner. The bet was brash. A good pilot was at a severe disadvantage at two-on-one. He had not observed Archer's performance closely, but guessed he had similar skills and abilities as himself, and the enemy alike. Archer would nearly need be a peer to the CAG himself to pull it off.

In his mind, for the briefest of a second's fraction, he thought of laying his money down. "Poor form to bet against a wingman. Bad for morale," he thought to himself. "All the same, best not bet on such a longshot..."

The female Major in the room, also a pilot, and by the all but dried sweat stains on her flight suit, has likewise been in the 'box' this day, looks over as Pak enters the area and acknowledges his presence with a nod. She is tall, at least 175cm, and fit, given the muscle tone of her arms, exposed by the rolled up sleeves of her grey and black flight-suit. Her blonde hair is tied up in a high pony tail and her eyes are a piercing grey.

Her flight suit has a few patches. One of which is the Finnish Flag, another a yellow squadron patch *.

She looks down at the American bill placed on the console by Captain (Navy) Fokker. She weighs the odds. On the one hand a combat pilot with multiple years of combat experience under his belt. On the other a pair of less seasoned but still highly capable pilots. There were other factors to consider but those put side by side resulted in a wash. Then there was of course Fokker's bet. No doubt he felt it a way to make some easy money. She looked back up at the screens. Well, if they can't work out how to down a single target, regardless of experience, this would go a long way in helping that process along to make the next time easier. She mused to herself.

And then, sometimes one just needs to do the sociable thing just because it's sociable.

"I'll see the wager Kommodori." She says in a lightly accented mezzo soprano, using the Finnish word for his rank. She unfortunately did not bring any Euro with her to the sim that day, but, she was good for it. She is a Finn after all.

---

* http://robotechrisingsun.wdfil...ex/No11SqdnPatch.jpg
This message was last edited by the player at 16:31, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

Those watching the simulated dogfight watches as the JASDF VF-1J tries to get on the tail of Archer’s USAF VF-1A and help out his wingman. The act is in vain though as Archer’s gunship grey veritech hammers the RAAF VF-1J with GU-11 fire, causing it break apart.

The VF-1A and VF-1J then engage each other...

Having taken out the Australian VF-1J (he wasn't sure which of the Aussies it was, but he or she flew well), Archer vectors to get on the other remaining VF-1J.

17:12, Today: Jack Archer rolled 32 using 1d100 with rolls of 32. Dogtail 93-15= 78%.
PASS

17:18, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 98 using 6d20 with rolls of 18,18,19,16,20,7.
17:18, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 11 using 1d20 with rolls of 11.  Auto dodges +14.
17:20, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 59 using 7d20 with rolls of 3,4,14,10,10,4,14.  GU-11 short burst at target +6.
17:22, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 11 using 2d8 with rolls of 3,8.
17:22, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 6 using 2d8 with rolls of 3,3.
17:22, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 8 using 2d8 with rolls of 6,2.
17:21, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 9 using 2d8 with rolls of 2,7.

Action 1: MISS
Dodge: Unat 25
Action 2: MISS
Dodge: Unat 32
Action 3: Unat 20 (90 MDC)
Dodge: Unat 32
Action 4: Unat 16 (80 MDC)
Dodge: Unat 33
Action 5: Unat 16 (60 MDC)
Dodge: Unat 30
Action 6: MISS
Dodge: NAT 20
Action 7: Unat 20 (110 MDC)
Dodge: Unat 21

Archer is unable to hit his opponent, but his opponent has the same problem.

The two veritechs continue thier deadly ‘dance’.

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 29):

Gun Ho had nothing to add at the time, seeing the Major, whom he assumed to be skipper, conferring with the CAG and evaluating the gunfight unfolding before them. Archer and the surviving pilot were very close in skill. He wondered if his wingman was dueling the pilot who killed him or his original opponent. The great thing about Veritechs was they were hard to hit, on the other hand, that was a disadvantage if you were dogfighting and trying to kill one.

Seeing this as an academic exercise more than anything, Gangnam checked the stores remaining for each pilot. They may soon be reduced to head lasers and spitballs without some more 55 mm. As the fight continued, Gangnam began to look at tactics each pilot used, what was successful, what was not. He contemplated hypotheticals, as if to say, "What if he did this instead of that?" A good dogfight, even a lost dogfight, provided it was a sim, is always a chance to learn.


[Private to Darkside Trooper: Actions: Give me a tactics roll, just to get a better angle IC on dogfighting and 3-mode combat.
16:10, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 18 using 1d100 ((18)). (PASS)]

Archer noticed that his GU-11 was running low on ammo. So to end things quick he alternated fire between his nose cannons and GU-11but took aim at the other veritech’s cockpit. He tried to get the head laser to link up with the nose cannons but it didn’t work.

06:27, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 41 using 3d20 with rolls of 12,18,11.  odd attacks GU-11 +6 .
06:27, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 36 using 3d20 with rolls of 10,11,15.  even attacks 20mm cannon +5.
06:25, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 71 using 7d20 with rolls of 16,14,4,9,3,14,11.  Auto dodges +14.
06:23, Today: Jack Archer rolled 88 using 1d100 with rolls of 88.  WPn Sys link cannon and head laser 85%.
06:06, Today: Jack Archer rolled 94 using 1d100 with rolls of 94.  Dogtail 93-15= 78%.

Action 1: WPN Sys: FAIL
Dodge: Unat 30
Action 2: Unat 12 (20mm, 60 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: Unat 28
Action 3: Unat 16 (GU-11, 130 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: FAIL
Action 4: Unat 13 (20mm, 50 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: Unat 23
Action 5: Unat 22 (GU-11, 170 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: FAIL
Action 6: Unat 17 (20mm, 60 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: Unat 28
Action 7: Unat 15 (GU-11, 60 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: Unat 25

As Pak watches he realizes that his wing man is dueling with the pilot that killed him.

[Private to Gun Ho Pak: Although neither pilot is in guardian mode, it probably offers the best flexibility in space.]

Aksa watches in silence as Jack runs dry on 55mm, reverting back to the lackluster nose lasers. She rubs her chin and does some mental calculations.

"How many rounds did Ambrose have left in his pod when he was shot down?" She asks, already knowing the answer. [Private to GM: By my read, he only used one long burst before he stopped posting so, 20 rounds used out of 200 ]

The controller pulls up some data and confirms her number. "Ummm, lets see...180 rounds."

"Put the pod into the debris field of Ambrose's VF as in intractable item." She says then looks at Captain (Navy) Fokker. "Lets see if either of them notices." She says. "Before they decide to start throwing punches." She sasses with a wry smile tossing a little friendly shade in Pak's direction.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 33):

"Sure why not?"

Unable to get on each other’s six the two veritech continue to face off. Both seems to be either out of GU-11 ammo or seriously low. Archer alternates between his 20mm nose cannons and his GU-11. His opponent is now only firing his nose lasers.

Archer’s veritech is struck by some nose laser fire but it’s clear no real damage occurs. Then as his veritech is struck by more laser fire, a burst from his GU-11 scores a direct hit on his opponents cockpit. The big 55mm shells easily tear through the cockpit canopy, pilot compartment and nose of the VF-1J shredding it and literally chopping it off from the rest of the veritech.

At that point Archer’s ceases fire.

The simulator technician utters a profanity "Mother fucker" as he hand Fokker a 20 USD bill.

Archer get's out of his sim pod and makes his way to the control booth.

Aksa rubs the bridge of her nose and shakes her head. "Se siitä." She sighs.

"I'll stop by later to drop off your winnings." She says.

A grumbling Jack leaves the simulator clearly not pleased with the end results and after blinking in surprise in seeing both his former and current commander in the same room he snaps a salute.

"Ma'm, sorry for not a better result" he nods at his former commander with a tired smile. "Commander Fokker"

"No shame in it." Aksa says. "That's what the sims are for." She adds.

"That said..." She says, looking down at her tablet and donning her reading glasses, she swipes at the screen a bit, bringing up data leaving the room in awkward silence for a moment. She looks up and motions for Pak to join the group.

"First of all. Please welcome Captain Gun Ho Pak to the squadron, I'll introduce you formally at the next All Call." She says looking at Captain Pak.

She remains silent while the others do the whole 'welcome to the team' bit.

"Archer. Charging off on your own got your wing-man killed." She says flatly. "You've more combat experience then everyone in this room combined, excluding Captain Fokker." She notes. "You know better then to tear-ass off alone like that." She lets that sink in.

"Communication, you all need to talk more to each other. Ambrose, O'Neil, you could have set up a good double team on Archer. Pak, you should have told your wing-pair to get his ass back into formation. Archer, I didn't hear a peep from you, at all."

"O'Neil, I'm glad you learned to joys of the GU-11, sadly it was a bit to late. Had you opened with that instead of your flashlights things might have turned out differently." She notes dryly regards the early hit he'd scored with the lasers. Had that been a burst of 55mm...well.

"Pak. I thought Kamikaze attacks were a Japanese thing; who knew." She remarks sarcastically. "Head on at 2.6kps? Lets not see that again. Ever." She says looking over the rim of her glasses at Captain Pak.

"Ammunition." She says. "One of you ran dry, another came damn close. Keep your eye on that counter and if you find yourself in a situation, start looking for the exit. 'Discretion is the better part of Valor' isn't just a platitude; disengagement from a fight is sometimes the best choice."

She looks back down at her tablet and then removes her glasses and slips them into a pocket on her flights suits shoulder. "I think that about covers my critique. Good effort." She says. She makes a hand gesture indicating that the group can, and should, make their own comments and observations.

Archer attempted to validate his approach with his previous combat experience. "Ma'am I was making use of the more powerful engines I have. We did it all the time against the Iranians, and it worked. They guy in the Eff-fifteen would charge in while the guy in the Eff sixteen covered his six."

"In this case, my wingman stayed with me, performed a thatch weave, and got on the six of one our opponents."

"It wasn't until the individual engagements drifted apart did I stray from my wingman, and to be honest, all four of us are guilty of that."

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 40):

Roy decided to add his own observation, one that Major Tikkanen didn't have. "Y'all should try to go for weak points on the enemy craft, like say the engines, or the cockpit."

"The alien tri-thruster fighters are well armored, in fact the analysis from the few hulks we recovered show they are slightly more armored then a veritech. So try to put your cannon fire into their engines."

"Well Archer, we aren't fighting the Iranians out here now are we?" She retorts after Fokkers advice.

"And your tactic is predicated on a very key point. That your wing-man actually knows what the fuck you are trying to do." She says. "Which brings me back to 'Communication'. 'Not. A. Peep.'" She adds. "If you'd have coordinated it on your approach I'd be inclined to give you a pass, but you didn't." She then points at Pak.

"Just because your wing-man had the intuition to improvise on the fly and read your intent doesn't excuse you."

"As to your last point, you will find no disagreement from me on that." She huffs. She settles a bit. "Look, and this goes for everyone, those giants out there seem to fight in swarms, if you get separated they will swamp you. Situational awareness is key. Know where the enemy is but more important know where your ally is." She adds, the hard edge gone from her voice.

She then nods at Roy. "Thank you, I knew we'd captured a few samples, but I hadn't seen any reports filter down yet. It's appreciated." She says genuinely.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:17, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

"Welcome to the group, captain" Jack welcome and shake the mans hand if available with a smile.

"Yes, ma'm. The joy and horror of the GU, I will have a better look on it in the future" Jack awkwardly scratch his head. "The communication was a error from both of us I would guess, once the dog fighting began it was easier to focus on a single opponent and once I was done it was already to late to aid Lt. Ambrose"

In reply to Jack O'Neil (msg # 44):

"Yes ma'am," He said no more than that, clearly this guy was stoic and had little intention to say little more than that. He was very guarded, Tikkanen would notice. It might be English as a second language, but Gangnam was clearly a very disciplined warrior and a very tough nut to crack.

She was right about her criticisms. The flying tackle was ill-advised, though he was unsuccessful entirely with a gun pod. "Perhaps, Major, me being new to Valkyries, now would be a good time to institute a proficiency program with the GU-11. My marksmanship was poor. As fast as combat is, our computers can't keep up. It's going to require some training for me to gain skill with the weapon. As it is, the 27 mm in the nose is probably more accurate, even if it is half the size.

"Accuracy and weapons qualifications would help us achieve your objectives of targeting key weak areas, too, CAG. I could always try mounting a LANTIRN pod onto the GU, sort of an improvised Laser Aiming Module..." But that was neither here nor there. After making his brief observations, he was quiet again.

Looking at Gun Ho, even in a sweaty flight bag, his insignia was perfect, and his uniform was to the highest standard. Not in Irish pennant anywhere, or a patch askew, or even fraying around the elbows. The itself was black with red highlights, matching the Viper Squadron patch on his sleeve. Even with CAG wearing his hair shaggy, he still favored the old grooming standard, wearing his hair to old USAF regulation.

He smiled to the man greeting him returning the handshake with a surprisingly strong grip for a little guy. "O'Neil" according to his tag. "It is nice to meet you. You and your partner flew very well. Same for you, Mr. Archer. You had the hot ship, and I think I saw what you were doing setting up the weave. Congratulations on your two victories. May they all come so easily in the real world. And please, call me Gangnam."

"Sim time sim time sim time." She says regards Pak's broaching the subject of weapons training. "We'll get you in the box as often as we can. Same with live fire." She says.

Regards his suggestion she puts on her engineers hat and crunches the numbers in her head. "The GU-11 already has a laser targeting suite." She says simply, leaving it at that, knowing the LANTRIN system is far to large and unwieldy to be mounted on the GU-11.

"Your transfer orders will be cut and delivered shortly." She says to Pak. "Until then, our squadron area is in the Central Hull on the 8th floor and our hangers are on the left side of the ship, on the 1st floor."

She stows her tablet and thanks the techs for their work and assistance.

She nods to Captain (Navy) Fokker. "Thank you for your insight. We appreciate it." She says sincerely. Definitely adding that to our toolbox... she muses inwardly.

Making her way to the door she stops just before leaving, her hand on the door jam.

"When you see Levina and Jannsen next...try not be to surprised, or give them to much grief, about the rope." She says without turning around, then, she departs.

[Private to GM: I figure Roy saw and heard the issuance of the punishment from the control booth a little while earlier.]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:13, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 46):

Gangnam watched the woman depart and looked, offering but a shrug over to O'Neil. "I take it we are dismissed?"

At that, he packed his flight bag and headed to the locker for a quick shower. Dressing quickly afterwards, he waited for the other pilots for the squadron, determined to get to know them, and hopefully, make some new friends, given most of his former squadron was dead. "I hope it goes better for this lot than it did the last..."

When other pilots emerge, he smiled. "Hey, if there is nothing better to do, I need to buy my wingman a beer, and get one for the guy who killed me," he said congenially.