There was a long pause after Heigran's comments.  Clearly the response was not what they expected which had been the plan.  Slowly, the range began to close, though far too slowly.  The Nightshrike had to get in close to use her jammers.

The Imperials came back on the comms and again ordered the freighter to change course.  Heigran continued his banter.  The cool demands of the Imperials were met with salty wit and banter from Heigran, playing his role of the old salt to the hilt.

After the freighter had closed even further the sensor picture began to show more detail.  The first thing of note was that each freighter had a weapons turret.  The turret was small for anything bigger than a laser cannon but it added a new threat.

Finally the Imperial commander got sick of his talk and gave and growled.

"I am deploying fighters to disable your vessel.  If you have not diverted course in the next thirty seconds, they will destroy your engines.  Either way I'll have your ship, your licence and your hide in a prison cell."

On the Nightshrike, the girls could see that indeed the escort had broken off and was closing.  As they did so, the sensor images became clearer and she could see there were four TIE's in the wing and all were closing with the Nightshrike.

Zyra whispered on her comm something to Heigran.  Moments later he responded on the comm.

"Bring 'em on!  Ayieeeee!" he screamed in some sort of warcry.  With that, Zyra jammed the Nightshrike to full throttle, aiming to close the range.  Arin and Sheila had to quickly make up the speed.

The teams closed.  Heigran was screaming curses on the comm, shouting for imagined men to roll out the guns, load with round shot, prepare the boarding pikes and other commands that made him sound like he was either in some old pirate holofilm or completely insane, probably both.

Zyra watched the range close.  She needed to cut it close.  They needed to get as close to the freighters as they could but still give the fighters time to defend themselves.

She kept the Talon comms open as they closed.  "Get ready everyone.  Almost there, al. . .most there.  NOW!, NOW!, NOW!"

---

OOC: Combat round time!  2 day turnaround people!!!

The TIE's (4 in total) are currently 15km (30 squares) from the Nightshrike.  The Nightshrike, Arin and Sheila are moving at the Shrike's top speed of 6 squares/round.  The TIE's are closing at half speed (5 squares/round) but they'll undoubtedly speed up when they see trouble.

Mark and Flash will need one round to power their ships and detach.  The Nightshrike gunners will also need a round to power their weapons.

The freighter convoy is approximately 50km (100 squares) distant.  The jamming is only good for about 5 kilometres.

CC9's team is about 100km away from the convoy on it's flank.

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:12, Tue 30 Oct 2012.

Zyra kept the Nightshrike pointed towards the convoy.  She turned on the comms.

"We have to close the range.  Gunners fire at will but watch for friendlies.  Mika you have the sensors, assist our gunners.  Cor, can you see if you can and A9 can put on more speed?  Also have the jammers ready.  Heigran, keep up your communications until we start jamming."

Arin readied his fighter for the battle. "Raider three, set shields double front and ready the missile launcher for one round at maximum range. We will target the ones closest to the center to make their formation split. After launching the missiles, we will break to port side and engage the enemy at close range. Nine, if you concentrate fire on the outermost fighters, we'll handle the middle ones."

Having given up piloting duties to Zyra, Mika attacks the sensors like a predator.  "On it." she says tersely while her fingers play across the console.

She engages the sensors, moving them from passive to scan mode.  She was tempted to go to search mode, but best to make sure there weren't any surprises first.  She starts pushing the new data to the gunners, fighters and boarding ships.

08:29, Today: Mika Trake rolled 23 using 1d20+13. Sensors (didn't include the equipment bonus of +2 for Scan mode).

"Freighters have weapons turrets," Cor states in a calm but firm voice over Channel Talons.  "Repeat, freighters have weapons turrets.  Watch out for their additional fire and be ready for any other tricks."  She speaks quickly to A9 in Umbaran and gets on the business of attempting to boost the Nightshrike's speed.

(( Ship speed rolls: 37 for Cor, 15 for A9 (though I suppose A9's help might be a synergy bonus instead, in which case Cor got, what, 39?) ))
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Wed 31 Oct 2012.

Xil waited with the others on the transport. Knowing that the others would soon be engaging the imperials he switches his thoughts to his own part of the mission. Xil spends time going over the tactics they last used on this type of freighter as well as the training exercise CC9 had put them through.

At Zyra's command, the Talons flare to life.  As the XO powers up the ship's shields, the gunners power up their heavy weapons.  The Nightshrike feels a burst of acceleration as Cor and R2-A9 coax a little more power from the engines.

On Arin's command, both he and Sheila loose a missile towards the oncoming freighters.  As he does so Mark and Flash power up their fighters and begin to turn to port, pushing power to their engines.

---

OOC:  Update!

This was a surprise round as the TIE's didn't expect this.

Currently all four fighters are in close formation with the Nightshrike and are flying at the Nightshrike's top speed.

The four TIE's are 9.5km from the Shrike & Fighters (so at extreme weapons range)

The missiles are closing on the fighters (5km from target)

---

Battle status

Nightshrike 180/180SP 220/220HP
Arin (R41) - 30/30SP 100/100HP (1 missile remaining)
Sheila (Z95) - 30/30SP 120/120HP (1 missile remaining)
Mark (Z95) - 30/30SP 120/120HP (1 missile remaining)
Flash (C/S)- 140/140HP

TIE 1 - Uninjured
TIE 2 - Uninjured
TIE 3 - Uninjured
TIE 4 - Uninjured

Missile 1 - 5 rounds left (Attacking TIE 2)
Missile 2 - 5 rounds left (Attacking TIE 3)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:45, Wed 31 Oct 2012.

Mark increases his power to the maximum speed Flash's cloakshape can match then pulls off to port, swinging out wide in preperation of the weave.

"Two on me."

"Three, follow me." Arin mirrored the commander and spread the formation onto the starboard side, increasing speed  to match the Cloakshape's maximum. "Shields double forward, we'll open fire at a closer range."

Zyra noted the increase in power in satisfaction.

"Great work Cor, give me all the speed you can.  Also be ready to shore up the shields.  Mika, feed targeting data to the guns.  Gunners fire at will, but don't shoot if a friendly is within two kilometres of the target.  Heigran. . ."

Zyra paused, she didn't really know what to do with the Zeltron.  "Uh, keep confusing them."

Her own job was easy.  Aim for the freighters, push the throttle to max.  If a TIE didn't get out of her way, she'd run them down.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Thu 01 Nov 2012.

Per orders, Mika focuses on the sensors, pulling data and feeding it to the gunners.

07:37, Today: Mika Trake rolled 24 using 1d20+13. Computer Use - Sensor Operator.

Grayrhynn sits quietly and patiently, scratching his head, waiting for his turn

The approaching TIE's didn't flinch as they faced oncoming missiles, ion cannon fire from the Nightshrike and laser fire from the weaving fighters.  They accelerated to top speed, evaded the missiles, got a few hits on the Nightshrike's shields as they approached then flew down either side of the cruiser.  The missiles chased the fighters but the superior speed of the TIE's kept them safe from them.

The TIE's did not get off unscathed.  The PK droid firing the port turbolaser, bolstered by sensor data from Mika, caught a TIE in it's cone of fire and blasted it to bits.  Mark and Flash also managed to hit a TIE with their combined fire but failed to destroy it.

The Nightshrike flew on towards the convoy.  The fact that the cruiser had no aft weapon coverage didn't seem to bother Zyra.

The two flight pairs finished their second Tallon Weave and found themselves in front of the Nightshrike, the nearest TIE's now 9km behind them.

The freighter convoy meanwhile continued to close.

---

OOC:

After two rounds, one TIE is dead, another seriously damaged.

The Nightshrike is heading full speed for the freighters (lets say 'north' for ease of reference).  The three remaining TIE's are 6km behind the Nightshrike and heading away (south).  The missiles are 1km behind the TIE's (so 5km from the Nightshrike) heading towards the TIE's (south)

The two Talon wingpairs are 3km in front of the Nightshrike (so 9km from the TIE's) facing north.

The Nightshrike is approx 35km from the convoy and closing.

The boarding craft remains 100km from the convoy off its port flank (heading south perpendicular to the convoy).

---

Battle status

Nightshrike 150/180SP 220/220HP
Arin (R41) - 30/30SP 100/100HP (1 missile remaining)
Sheila (Z95) - 30/30SP 120/120HP (1 missile remaining)
Mark (Z95) - 30/30SP 120/120HP (1 missile remaining)
Flash (C/S)- 140/140HP

TIE 1 - Serious hull damage *Stabiliser damage*
TIE 2 - Destroyed
TIE 3 - Uninjured
TIE 4 - Uninjured

Missile 1 - 3 rounds left (Attempting to acquire new target)
Missile 2 - 3 rounds left (Attacking TIE 3)
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:44, Fri 02 Nov 2012.

"Raider 8," CC9 orders to Grayrhynn, "accelerate to full.  Bring us to 15 kilometres from the convoy... just out of firing range."

"Raider 5, circle back and maintain five kilometre spread between us.  Engage weave on my mark.  Don't get more than ten kilometres from Talon Prime."

Following his own plan, Mark put his fighter into a starboard turn until he was heading back towards the TIE's, matching Flash's top speed.  He set an alarm on his sensors to warn him when he strayed more then eight kilometres from the Nightshrike.

Zyra nodded in satisfaction.

"Great work team.  Keep it up.  We should reach the convoy in less than one minute.  Let's be ready."

Heigren walked onto the bridge.  He was still cursing and playing out his 'pirate captain' role through a wireless headset.

"Ye all a bunch of scurvy knaves.  You're all craven goat molesters.  If ye don't all turn about and set sail I'll give ye a taste of me parrot."

When he reached Zyra and Mika, it could be seen he was carefully carrying a tray.  Without stopping his rant he carefully placed two mugs of steaming coffee and two fresh muffins with cream on a console between Zyra and Mika.  Without breaking his tirade he walked out, one mug still on his tray.

"Fire the planks, make them walk the cannon.  Set sails for the nearest tavern wench me hearties."

He disappeared out of the bridge.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Sat 03 Nov 2012.

"Acknowledged, Raider Lead. Raider Three, you heard the man." Arin shifted his fighters position according to the order while maintaining the relative speed to that of theother wing. "Ready when you are, Lead."

Flash, too, swings his fighter around in position for the Weave.  "Let's show these tin-plated scrotums how a real pilot flies!"

With the shuttle beginning to accelerate it was obvious that the others had engaged the convoy. Xil checked his gear and blaster rifle again. He was ready for his part.

Grayrhynn swung the transport onto its new course.  CC9 took the liberty of dropping their sensors to passive in the hope of hiding them from view.  They didn't need sensors at present anyway.  They knew where the convoy was and the convoy wasn't passive so it wasn't hard to track them.

The Nightshrike continued to aim straight for the convoy.  A9 and Cor bypassed, rerouted and diverted power from any system they could spare and were rewarded with the engines running at 115% of maximum.

Meanwhile the fighter pairs continued to engage the TIE's.  Outmaneuvering the missiles, the remaining TIE's formed a wing trio and charged at Mark and Flash.  The pairs flew passed each other without a hit to either side.  Arin and Sheila also missed as they weaved past.

The TIE's fell in behind Mark and Flash.  Mark dropped behind Flash's unshielded Cloakshape and threw all his shields to double aft.  It was a smart move as the next moment a flurry of bolts slammed into Mark's ship, stripping the shields away.  Before the TIE's could capitalise on this, one of the missiles, temporarily forgotten by the Imperials, crashed into a TIE and blew it apart.

The final missile, ran out of fuel and continued to fly off into space.

---

OOC:  So another TIE is down, courtesy of a missile.

Mark and Flash have a pair of TIE's 1500 metres behind them.  Arin's wingpair is 1.5km to Mark & Flash's right.  Both wing pairs are now 14km behind the Nightshrike.

The Nightshrike is 20km from the convoy and closing fast.

The transport is 95km away and closing slowly.

---

Battle status

Nightshrike 150/180SP 220/220HP
Arin (R41) - 30/30SP 100/100HP (1 missile remaining)
Sheila (Z95) - 30/30SP 120/120HP (1 missile remaining)
Mark (Z95) - 0/30SP 120/120HP (1 missile remaining)
Flash (C/S)- 140/140HP

TIE 1 - Serious hull damage *Stabiliser damage*
TIE 2 - Destroyed
TIE 3 - Destroyed
TIE 4 - Uninjured

Mark growled.  "Shields down.  Two on our six."

He threw his ship into another port turn, though he made the turn a little less sharp this time.  He wanted to ensure Arin's turn was tighter and he got a clear shot at the TIEs.  He kept jinking in random directions throughout, using every defensive tactic he knew.


OOC: Full defensive

"Three, cover me. Lead, I'm coming to bail you out, hang on."

Arin turned his fighter sharply and pushed for all the power the engines could give. He had the advantage of coming at the TIEs that were preoccupied with the other pair of Talons and he was going to get at their backs. Hopefully, the other pair was going to survive long enough for him to render aid.

"Prime, you need to take shots at the TIEs, if possible. Just make sure, you don't shoot our own while you are at it."

Time was of the essence.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Sun 04 Nov 2012.

Cor mutters to herself in Umbaran when she hears Arin's words, the language briefly coming through on the Talons comms. 

"A9," she adds, switching to Basic, "continue to boost the engines.  Fighters, if you can get them back in range of the Shrike's guns we can help."

With that she continues to boost the engines.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Mon 05 Nov 2012.

OOC: A quick note.  The Nightshrike can be of no assistance to the fighters for two reasons:

1.  Starship weapons have a maximum range of 10km (20 squares) as per the core rulebook.  The TIEs are 12.5km away.

2.  The Nightshrike has no weapon that covers the aft firing arc (info is in the 'schematics' section of this game).

The only way the Nightshrike could assist would be for the cruiser to turn around and head back to bring the fighters into range.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:27, Sun 04 Nov 2012.