Location: Main Dining Room, Nightshrike

Mark left the room for a few minutes and returns with datapads, datachips and a
holoprojector.  A few moments later a PK droid placed food and a large pot of caf on the table.  Clearly Mark was preparing for one of his big planning sessions.
The commander looked around the room.  ”We’ve been on the defensive for the past few missions; escort duty, recon.  It’s time we got back on the offensive.  Now while we didn’t gather the data we wanted from Phindar Prime, I have used other sources and have slected our next target.  We are going to hit a Typhon Energy fuel convoy in tansit, capture what we can, destroy what we can’t.”

He looks to the newcomers, especially Arin.  ”I would like to iterate that while this is a civilian company, they are under military contract.  The ship is manned by Imperial navy personnel, the cargo is military grade petrochem.  There is a possibility of a civilian observer or two on board but this is low.  I further point out that Typhon Energy has allied itself with the Imperials, using that power to try and drive the other two primary fuel companies out of business.  They have used pirates, mercenaries and Imperial personnel in their dirty fight.  Typhon is not innocent.  If you have any reservations, let me know before the mission.”

“Now the mission will be composed of three key elements.  Firstly, the Nightshrike.  She has our heaviest guns, including an ion cannon and tractor beam.   Secondly, our starfighters.  Our three ships are fully operational and the R-41 has the benefit of an ion cannon.  Also, Mr Pertwee’s order has arrived and we have five concussion missiles at our disposal.”

“The role of these two elements will be to jump in, neutralise all starfighter defense and the convoy.  Ideally we will force the ships to surrender, else we can try to disable them with ion cannons.  Worst case scenario, we destroy them.  While I want those ships and cargo, depriving the Imperials of them is more important.  The Nightshrike will also need to try and jam all communications, to prevent a rescue force.”

“The final element  will consist of our boarding forces.  I am loaning a rescue and maintenance vessel from our ‘friends’.”   Mark doesn’t mention who these friends are, assumedly as he doesn’t want the newcomers to know.  ”This vessel is specifically designed to board fuel tankers in distress so maintenance and rescue teams can board.  This ship will be packed with enough people to manage the freighters as well as our boarding force.  This force will board and capture any vessels we subdue.  Once they’re captured they will leave a crew behind to manage the ships while they move on to capture the next vessel.  We will be using civilian crew to fly the freighters to free up our people for the harder jobs.”

He pauses.  ”So our first step is to assign our people.  Then we can fine tune the tactics.  Your choices are simple.  We need crew for the Nightshrike, pilots for our fighters and a strong boarding force to protect the civilians.  We could also use a pilot for the boarding vessel, though one of the boarding party can perform double duty.”

“So where do people see themselves doing the most good?”   Mark poured himself a cup of caf and grabbed a sweet roll and sat quietly to allow the Talons to discuss.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Tue 14 Aug 2012.

CC9 seems to have been waiting for this. He steps forward slightly, his imposing bulk quite a sight. "It would be of greatest strategic value to place me in the boarding team. While I have programming for heavy weapons I lack the piloting software for starfighters. I have, however, recently been updated with piloting software for freighters, and if no others are available can perform that duty to satisfaction."

He pauses slightly and then adds, "As was covered exhaustively at our initial briefing I also possess targeting, tactical and battle software that does not include prime directive safeguards against eliminating hostile civilian targets... should the situation tactically warrant it."

Cor puts her hand over her face briefly at CC9's last statement and then says quietly, "I would be most effective on the Nightshrike, either in a comms or engineering position." A look of nervousness crosses her features briefly but she shrugs it off, straightening in her chair and schooling her expression into one of neutrality. "A9 could serve on the Nightshrike or as maintenance, repair and astrogating on one of the boarding teams but he is not prepped for combat and would be... ill-suited to a firefight. My B1 battle droids can serve as boarding team gunners. They are neither as sturdy nor as advanced as CC9 but they have suitable combat software and will follow CC9's orders without hesitation."

Mark nodded.  "I also thought we might leave one of your B1's on each freighter we capture to serve as security and also a set of 'eyes' as it were so you have access to each ship.  If we capture more than two we will have to use other people."

"In the light of the type of operation, I would be best used as a fighter jockey, if you trust me with one. I used to fly TIEs, but I believe, I can get familiar with the ones you have rather quickly, and I'd also prefer to keep my face out of the view of the imperials for now", Arin said. He thought for a short moment and continued, "Any intelligence on the composition of the convoy - any escorts or armed freighters? What kind of troops on board - Imperial Marines, Army or Stormtroopers?"

Greyrhynn, standing with his hands behind his back growls in his language. His small translation Droid beeps, then speaks. "Permission to sp.." the driod crackles into static, and the wookie closes his eyes and shakes his head, clearly frustrated.

He begins speaking again in his language, a long sentence in his native togune. When he finishes, the Droid beeps and begins translation...


.....in the hissing language of trandoshan.

Greyrhynn, snarling at the Droid, grabs a data pad and begins typing, then hands it to the commander.

Mark read the datapad handed him quickly.  "Ms Lambar, perhaps you can take a look at the wookie's droid when time allows so he doesn't have to pass notes all the time.  Very well Mr Grayrhynn, you volunteer for the boarding team.  You may even be the ideal person to pilot the boarding team's transport."

Looking to Arin,  "My XO and I have some gathered data on the convoy and was hoping for more from the most recent mission which as you heard went awry.  Perhaps you can bring some information to the table being a member of Phindar's pilot force."

Mark passes around some datapads.  "Here is our most recent stock inventory.  Familiarise yourself for these are all the tools we have to use."



OOC: The Talon inventory is in the 'Current Inventory (Black Talons' thread.  It list all ships, weapons and munitions available.  So Grayrhynn and Arin especially can look out what resources are avaialable (and maybe Gray can pick up a few nice toys).
This message was last edited by the player at 07:29, Tue 07 Aug 2012.

Sheila turned to look at Arin, the back of her mind was tickling when he said he was a fighter jock. "I know you.  I just can't remember where." The unspoken addition was 'how did you end up a stormtrooper rather than still flying TIES'
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:56, Tue 07 Aug 2012.

"Same thing heree, miss", Arin replied, "you were a TIE-pilot before?"

"I would be happy to, Commander."  She nods to the wookiee and smiles somewhat hesitantly, clearly as intimidated as hell by the walking pile of muscle, sinew and fur.  Wookiees are notoriously bad-tempered, and especially hard on droids.

Mika considers.  She could easily fit well on the Nightshrike, either working the computers or in engineering.  Heck, she could even pilot if needs be, but she feels a pull towards the boarding teams, that's where the action would be.

"I'm not much use in taking the ships, but I might be able to provide some good support for the boarding teams.  Slicing into the internal security or bypassing locks or what have you.  I think I'm of most use there, though if you'd rather can help out on the Nightshrike."

Besides, Mika was starting to get a taste for jacking ships.

Fisrt she glances up at Shepperd.  "I'd love to fly.  On the other hand, I can't patch anyone up if I'm in a fighter.  NOr can I do any slicing if that's needed, although 10 may have that sewed up."

Then back at Arin and rattles off the last ships she was attached to.  and finally.  "Mouse."  He was here, she might as well trust him.  Of course, depending on where she recognizes him from, she might slap him.

<OOC>
Just so people can think about it, here are the list of jobs people could possibly undertake:


Nightshrike
Pilot
Co-Pilot (Can assist with pilotting or take over nearly any role on board)
Sensor Operator
Shield Operator
Damage Control/Engineer
Gunner (Heavy Turbolaser) x 2
Gunner (Heavy Ion Cannon)

* Roles like astrogation and comms is also needed but would be a 'double-duty' as they're not going to keep you busy in combat.


Fighter Squadron
Pilot - Z-95 Headhunter x 2
Pilot - R-41 Starchaser

* Remember the fighters are likely going to be matching up against TIE's which are superior in speed and agility so you'll want to be skilled to vounteer here!


Boarding Party
Pilot - Boarding Vessel (Doubles as Marine)
Marine x TBC (at least 4)

* The marines will be escorting civilian crew from Phindar Petroleum.  They have no real combat experience but know these types of ships backwards.  You get them in safe and they can jack the ships.


So we have more jobs then we have people but some jobs can be doubled up (like co-pilot can do targetting and sensors; engineer can do shields, etc) or done by droids (A9 could easily do some of the Nightshrike jobs)

I'd like to give PC's their pick of place (though mark may recommend a spot he
thinks better suits your skills).

Each team will also need a leader (with Mark in overall command).

</OOC>

"Ms. Masters I can assure you.  If we have a medical situation so serious that 2-1B-D3 can't handle it, then we've already lost.  Your skills have been creeping up in the simulator lately I've noticed so you are certainly a candidate for a fighter."

"Mr Branden, if I gave you a fighter, you would be flying against your former allies, possibly even people you know.  I need to know that when the fighting starts that you can pull the trigger.  Can you do this?  I will think no less of you if you say no and would find you another role to play in this mission."

"Ms Trake, you are one of the few here with capital ship experience.  I would really prefer to use you on the Nightshrike, possibly as co-pilot, where your varied skills could be put to best use.  Think on it."

"What about the rest of you?"

Heigran sighed and looked up from his Pazaak game.  "Well normally I'm a black marketeer, a gambler and rescuer of damsels in distress."  Seeing Mark is not smiling he changes tact  'Tough crowd'.

"I guess I'll volunteer to fire up one of those big guns of yours.  If I'm gonna ride into battle I'd rather be on the most heavily shielded and armoured ship with terrajoules of power at my command."

His face takes on a serious look for the first time since getting on the Ghtroc.  "I trust you'll be offloading my people before this fight.  They've been through enough already."

"We'll be returning to our base of operations in this sector to refuel, arm and collect our fighters.  At that time we'll be offloading the wounded and getting them into bacta tanks.  They'll be safe until our return.  We'll also let your resettled colleagues know their location"

Mark did not add 'In case we all get killed' on the end of his last sentence, but he didn't need to.  The risks with this mission were clear.
This message was last updated by the player at 00:50, Wed 08 Aug 2012.

Heigren reaches back and gives Grayrhynn a gentle punch in the. . .elbow, since he couldn't reach any higher.

"Time for some payback, it's gonna be fun.  Especially since I'll have a bigger gun than you.  Bet I mow down more Imps than you.  Say fifty credits per kill?"

Cor clears her throat slightly and sits up more straight.  Without so much as a glance at Arin she says, "Commander, will great respect - if he cannot open fire on Imperials then of what use could he possibly be?"  It seems an honest enough question, if not very diplomatically phrased.

The wookie, listening to teh conversation, puts in when all is silent, trusting in the translation droid.  He growls a short phrase in his language. The droid beeps then speaks

"I wil...." there is static, then it clears again "..oarding party." The wookie, expecting something like this to happen, was pleased that he got the majority of the point across.  He stood straight, slammed his right fist into his left shoulder in salute, then stood easy again with a nod to the commander.

Flash, who came in at the same time as Mark when he returned from the very short break and took an unobtrusive seat in the back, now speaks up.

"Hate to throw another matter into the mix, right, but what about Phindar's cloakshape fighters?"  He shrugs.  "No reason not to have some extra guns, and I'm better in a cockpit than just about anywhere else."

Arin looks at Cor with a calm expression on his face. "Miss, have you ever been a commanding officer? While I was down there with the stormtroopers, I was their commanding officer, if not in any other way than in name. As a commanding officer, I was obliged to be concerned of their safety, though I could do little to save the life of my sergeant. This, however is different. If I am flying with you, I am looking after you with the same diligence as I tried to do with the men under my command. So yes, I can fire upon the Imperials if, or rather when needed. I might know some of those I have to shoot at, but the alternative would be serving a regime that does not have the best interest of its citizens in mind."

Cor looks directly at Arin, her gaze measured and more than a little hard.

"Sir, I would be very thankful if you were to stop putting words into my mouth, as the expression goes."  She points at the Commander.  "Did I make comment upon your performance with the Imperial troops under your command?  I did not.  The Commander brought up the possibility of you not being able to fire upon Imperials.  Was I wrong to query it?  Am I a lesser person for wanting more information?  I am fairly certain I do not need to be a commanding officer to appreciate the facts of the situation."

She surveys his face for a few moments before adding, "You do not know my opinion of your performance on Phindar Prime.  You do not know because I have not told you.  Cease pretending you have information that you do not have."