This thread is for communications between ships and events that affect all ships, including combat and travel. Threads for individual ship interactions will go up soon.

The vessels of King Squadron are now underway, traveling to the edge of the system to prepare for a jump. The Harald Wartooth, the Angantyr, the Randver, and the Valdar, will arrive in approximately 12 hours, however the Sigfred miscalculated their course and arrive 12 hours after the rest of the squadron as they course correct and avoid a coronal ejection mass they would have passed through.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:19, Sat 22 Feb 2020.

Shortly after they were underway, Captain Takagara hailed the other vessels in the squadron, ++ All ships, this is Angantyr-actual. All actuals are requested on channel eight-six, I say again eight-six, at 0830 for mission planning ++


At the appointed time he began, recounting their orders from MSC Valna, ++ Our mission is clear: sortie to Ultima Black, reconnoitre and then patrol the system. If there are other forces insystem, enforce our sovereignty with vigour ++

++ We can expect support and resupply from the outpost on Ultima VI, of a limited nature. Beyond their handful of non-combatant vessels, nothing else should be making a peep ++

++ Fleet is staging locally to us, and the Rangers will be deeper into the Dead Zone, investigating these silences. Our role is to ensure there are no surprises for them from behind our lines ++

His tone was wry as he continued, ++ Its a messy system, full of icebergs more massive than Haven ... bar Ultima Six which has hoarded all the rock for its moons ++

++ Potential threats could come in the form of smugglers and pirates, remnants of the Brotherhood, or whatever unknown forces are causing the silences ++

++ Rumours aboard the squadron have this as a milk run, the presence of a squadron of 'vettes excessive. If it isn't, then Command has us here in force because of the importance of us finding whatever's lurking to pounce on the rest of the fleet whilst they stage ++

++ We need to be sharp out there, people. Fleet is relying on us ++

Taking a breath, he began to open up the channel to the rest of the captains, ++ Each of us brings different experiences to the table, different perspectives. Let's model the threats and our options before I confirm your orders ++

++My primary concern iz outlining ze contingencies and fallback planz first.++

++Az clarified by MSC Valna, ze Outpost may require...assistance should hostile forces be present. Naturally zis would require zat ze Outpost be ze first rendezvous position. I fear we must be prepared to.... scuttle ze outpost if necessary. ++

++If ze outpost successfully evacuate or iz otherwise not a priority, my experience iz zat a jump location and target should be predetermined. An unoccupied system would be best if not for our Beasts' appetite. Only ze Wartooth would have ze stores to jump again. Pursuers would have to be taken into consideration az we wouldn't want to lead them straight to Haven, nie?++

++And, I would like to...apologize for my abandonment at the officer's lounge on Hallus. Having lived so long on Both, such decadence does not sit well with me. I was wrong to not inform you.++

++ I have set a schedule for emergency drills to take place during the spike, one that i am not aware of either. I suggest you all do the same, and possibly identify weak points in our collective response time. ++

++ As for the outpost, its presence is of strategic importance, and i would prefer to have its safety marked as a primary objective. However, should we find evidence than an attack by superior numbers is imminent, i would like to have an evacuation plan set up beforehand where we would take the crew on board our ships before Spiking out with them to a safer system. Outposts can always be rebuilt, but the crew has knowledge of Hegemony space and naval command structure. One way or the other, this intel must be denied to an enemy, and i'd rather do it while preventing loss of life. ++

++ These are, of course, precautionary measures. I have no proof such a force would be waiting for us, or whose arrival imminent, but i would rather not be caught unprepared. ++

Zazan makes a series of approving clicks
++Indeed. It would also be foolish forget about ze possibility of us breaching back into realspace and Station Ultima Black VI is already destroyed.++
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Mon 24 Feb 2020.

The Squadron leaves Anatoli behind in their rear-viewers, a dwindling dot as they accellerate to a significant fraction of the speed of light, Spike drives warping gravity and space around them to speed the journey. Aboard the ships, were it not for the sensor systems, you might believe that you were simply standing still in the void. Inertial control systems and artificial gravity projectors on all decks made it feel no different than standing on the station or even on the planet surface.

Only the Sigfred lags behind. In a matter of hours, you will be far enough from the system Primary to make the Drill out of the system to Ultima Black.

There are other INS warships in system and you can track the broadcast IFF data even as you speed towards the system edge. Even more than a casual check of sensors and comms indicates a normal, though perhaps slightly tense atmosphere in system. After all, they are watching five warships leaving station simultaneously and heading for the borders of known space. It's a not insignificant force and surely, everyone is talking about it.

++This is Wartooth-Actual. We are looking forward to the drills and testing ourselves in this mission. The system presents a lot of navigational challenges. Our bunkers are full and supplies stocked, ready for any casualty. Should we get into trouble, I would suggest we practice emergency docking and refueling. Should we need to get a courier ship out in a hurry, I would like to have done the procedure before. Would any other ships be willing to practice UNREPs* and emergency dockings?++

++In addition, I propose that the Wartooth wait for the Sigfried so that we can drill out together. We can rendezvous with the rest of King afterward. It would also allow for a contingency if we do have some unexpected company waiting for us as we jump in. We can drill out if there is any danger and warn the rest of the Fleet.++

*Underway Replenishment

++ Good suggestions and observations, captains ++, offered Volsung, his tone clear that he was considering what impact they might have on the mission parameters.

It shifted as his thoughts coalesced, becomming firmer but more authoritative too, familial intonations slipping into how he spoke unconsciously, ++ Securing our emergence point into Ultima Black is our first objective. All ships, except the Sigfried, will drill together. Recommend drilling in formation to ensure the Wartooth is covered and able to execute an escape drill outsystem if we encounter hostiles on emergence. Protecting her should be considered a secondary objective throughout our stay insystem ++

++ If our emergence point is clear, I expect the Wartooth to remain on station to wait for the Sigfried. If initial scans are clear, we will establish comms with the outpost from the Angantyr initially ++

++ Depending on planetary orbits when we emerge, I expect to task the the Randver to burn in towards Ultima Six Outpost and ensure a secure perimeter around it, whilst both the Valdar and Angantyr will complete preliminary scans of those outer planets are in alignment with a slower burn in. Both ships will remain close enough to provide support for the Randver ++

++ When the Sigfried emerges, she and the Wartooth will complete secondary scans as they make rendezous with Ultima Six Outpost and review the situation there. If necessary, the Randver may need to use her boarding tubes to gain access ++

++ Once the station has been assessed and secured, I intend the squadron to complete flybys of the remaining planetary bodies, based on proximity with the station, and thence establish regular patrols. At all times, one ship will remain in proximity with the station ... though I hope this will include a degree of shore leave ++

Taking a deep breath, he finished, ++ Your commands are your own, though I am happy to review any training plans or exercises you intend to conduct prior to emergence. Until we have secured Ultima Six Outpost, I would request that such activities take into account any risk to the orders I have laid out ++

++ Given how freshly minted the squadron and our crew are, please ask if there are clarifications or concerns regards my orders - now is a far better time to resolve any confusions or doubts than in the thick of things ++

++A very sound plan Sir. I would like to pose some....suggestions...if I may.++

++First I propose zat we set ze L2 Lagrange of ze outermost planet nearest to ze drill point as ze secondary rendezvous after ze outpost.++

++Next, I would also suggest zat we agree on a first response protocol. Perhaps nearest ship to an unidentified IFF signature makes tight-beam contact and demands identification while developing firing solution and transmitting to ze Squadron? Would it be safe to assume you delegate firing authority to ze captain of said ship? Or do you reserve zat right unless ze Angantyr is unreachable? Ideally ze Sigfried would be positioned such zat her sonic launcher can disable rather than damage the ship.++

++I would also like to dizcuss ze possibility of pursuit. Should an unknown vessel flee, do we pursue? Do we attempt to disable? Or do we disengage and observe? Quite useful to outline zis before we get all hot headed abouts it.++

++Finally there iz ze subject of formation, Valdar would serve well center, with it's flak batteries providing cover. Angantyr and Randver could flank Valdar at port and starboard. Sigfried could be high center above Valdar to provide a clear line of fire for it's sonic charge launcher. Wartooth would bring up ze rear obviously directly behind Valdar ++

This message was last edited by the player at 05:12, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

++ Excellent. As for formations, i would suggest the following. ++



++ In this diagram, King would occupy positions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. The Valdar would take point on 1, the Randver and Argantyr covering the flanks on 2 and 3 and the Sigfred covering the rear on 7. The Wartooth would be on position 4, where it would be protected from all sides. This would also provide maximum firepower in a frontal engagement, while retaining flak capable ships at the front and rear of the formation defensively. ++

Diana paused for a moment.

++ I'll be frank, gentlemen. It is my belief that we are sent out on this mission as bait. Five corvettes are a sizable force, sent out to a border system next to the Dead Zone that is rumored to have Brotherhood remnants and a potential unknown in it... and yet there is not one among us that has been a Ship Master for more than a day. I feel... we are sent in as a force strong enough to deal with stragglers and remnants, but whose possible defeat would simply inform the Hegemony that a Cruiser fleet would be required, without risking the loss of a more senior commander. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 13:28, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

Zazan smiles a wry smile that can be heard over the comms. ++Oh now zat iz a bold statement Captain Hersson. Now I must ask....has there been evidence to support such a claim? Zer are some secrets here to uncover, zis is known but MSC Valna had emphasized our duty to our ships and crew...that does not strike me as laying ze ground work for a nobel sacrifice. Though it does appear zat she was expecting trouble. ++

++I believe zat we all can attest to ze...eeriness of this operation and are dying to hear your analysis on ze subject.++

++ Evidence to support it, no, merely circumstantial at best based on the rumored unknowns in the system: Politically, a military engagement with unknown forces in Ultima Black would allow the Hegemony to claim the resulting conflict as a defensive war, which would garner more public support than a war of aggression. Though it would not matter as we would likely still end up going, or others in our place. My reason to mention this is mostly grounded in not wanting to see this as a 'milk run', for which, indeed, no tangible evidence exists either. Even less so, in fact, a sizable force such as ours would maximize the odds of High Command receiving combat intel regardless of who would be the victor of such an engagement. ++

++ I appreciate the concern for the Wartooth but we are not a fragile princess. The augmented armor plating will keep us in the fight. After all, we are more akin to a combat medic than a timid nurse. We do not want to be coddled or singled out as more important than any other ship of King Squadron.++

++As for this mission, we will not be any better for speculating until we have information to go on. When I was salvaging, our worst enemy was our own imaginations. We can think all we want, captains, about possibilities but the best case will be to get our hands dirty, so to speak. ++

++ You misunderstand, Master Hargrave. The Wartooth is the only ship in King Squadron outfitted with cargo space. It carries our supplies, therefore its continued survival is key to the success of our mission, making it the least expendable ship in the Squadron. Added to that is the fact that the Wartooth's offensive layout makes it neither flak capable, nor having a damage output comparable to the Plasma Beams of the two Karvi-class Corvettes. It is also the slowest ship in the Squadron, which leaves it as the most likely candidate for center formation. Would you agree with this assessment? ++
This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Fri 28 Feb 2020.

Brow furrowing as conversation shifted to speculation, Volsung let his Captains air their concerns and suggestions. After a sufficient time, he decided to interject

++ Thank you for your input, Captains. Let us keep our fears and rumours in check, between ourselves, but I would encourage them to continue to be raised here, where they may spark a thoughtful debate ++

++ Whilst we travel together, I believe the formation suggested by Captain Hersson is solid enough. If for no other reason it permits us to test our crews with a relatively simple formation, and let them see us operate as a unit. We will each occupy our own patrols soon enough, and if more complex formations are needed in the future then mastering the basic will be our ally ++

++ Until we split, I suggest that contact responsibility sits with the Angantyr; if we are indisposed, then it falls by seniority. Once we have begun to operate more independently then standing orders will be as laid our by Captain Mysh: tight-beam contact, relayed to the rest of the squadron if possible, whilst a firing solution is established. If they fail to heave to for inspection, each Captain retains firing authority, but Command has emphasised the need to assert our sovereignty. Disable or force surrender where possible, unless it imperils your ships or crew ++

He paused, wincing as memories surfaced unbidden as he turned his thoughts to the broader context of engaging, ++ Pursue, but no further than the system limits and be wary of them controlling the engagement. You will not want to permit yourself pulled out of position... or into a trap ++

++ Finally, Lagrange 2 of Ultima Black Outermost is confirmed as secondary rendezvous insystem; our prior drill point in the system before if we need to regroup outsystem ++
This message was last edited by the player at 14:45, Sat 29 Feb 2020.

Transmissions from Anatoli and other stations and ships throughout the system become increasingly less common as you speed out of the system towards the edge of the heliopause where the jump to Metaspace could be made.

Your sensors are fixed on the coronal mass ejection that Sifried has to route around. It is the most major celestial event in system at the time and there is constant updates and chatter from monitoring stations and other ships regarding the System-wide hazard.

Content that the squadron was in the most reasonable shape it would be, until his captain's had a chance to work on their crews, Volsung nodded once to himself, ++ Let's ensure we capture scans from the mass ejection before we drill, captains. Sensor drills to prepare for Ultima Black. Please have crew and ship readiness reports ready for me when we exit ++

Good to move on, unless there's more to come from this scene

++ Understood. Valdar moving to take point and matching speed with the Wartooth. Valdar out. ++

Diana then began to relay the orders to her crew about the formation they would be flying in, as well as ensuring they would be capturing the scans as per Volsung's instructions.

One by one, the connections are terminated and each Ship Master returns to their own ship and crew, in a tiny warship, hurtling towards the vastness of the Black...

>>>individual ship threads>>>

++++NEARLY TWELVE STANDARD HOURS LATER++++

Across all ships, with the notable exception of the Sigfred receive a roughly similar message from their own helm department, audible throughout the ship on the PA system and all personal comms.

"Attention all crew, we are approaching the Akkadia system Heliopause. Prepare all stations for upcoming Spike drill to Ultima Black. Repeat. We are approaching the Akkadia system Heliopause. Prepare all stations for upcoming Spike Drill to the Ultima Black system."

From here, the jump would take at least at least 72 standard hours and deplete the main fuel stores for an FTL jump, leaving only system drives and auxiliary spike field manipulation functional until refueling. The rear-facing viewers and sensors showed only the slight glow of yellow Akkadia A and barely visible, smaller red Akkadia B and the stars and galaxies beyond.

Comms are still coming in from the relay buoys and stations throughout the system. There's nothing really interesting to look at and it's hours old by now anyways. Four of the five ships stand by to make the jump to a nearby system. They could wait another 12 hours for the Sigfried to catch up to them, or they could go now. Either way, they need to decide if they can afford to trim the course and try to save themselves extra time at the risk of potential disaster or further delays. Astrogation says the charts have been updated recently, so there shouldn't be any complicates from that end of things, but trying to move thousands of tons of metal through light years of empty space to another system was never easy, even in the ancient times...

You are all in communication with each other, except for the Sigfried. She's still about half way back, so expect it to take 6 hours to reach her and 6 hours for her reply to reach you. By that time, she'll have arrived at the Heliopause with the rest of you.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 08:27, Sat 14 Mar 2020.

Zazan spends a few moments to dispatch his latest moves on the three dozen go and chess matches he has open on the net while the squadron is still within buoy range.

++Randver-Actual reporting in. The Randver is prepped for Drill and and awaiting further orders, Over.++

++ Valdar standing by, prepped and ready. Has the Sigfried mentioned any technical problems that may have caused them to lag behind? ++

++Wartooth reporting all systems nominal. Ready to drill out. Confirm Wartooth is to wait for the Sigfried after arrival at Ultima Black.++

++ All ships, jump on the allotted mark ++, confirmed Captain Takagawa from the bridge of the Angantyr, ++ We will see you in Ultima Black, Captain Karsen ++

Frowning, Diana decided to message the Angantyr again.

++ Captain Takagara, please confirm: We are to jump without the Sigfried in formation? Would it not be more... prudent to wait for them here, rather than in the reduced intel system we'd be drilling out into? ++

++ I thought we had covered this in our briefing, Captain ++, came Volsung by return, calm and measured, ++ Her evasions by virtue of the solar flare here have put her off course. Our orders suggest a certain alacrity. We spike as planned ++

This came up in the all-Captain's conference, where I understood folks to be comfortable

++ Certainly, Captain. I merely sought to have this officially stated for the record, as our meeting was not. ++

OOC: Yeah, my bad ^^;
This message was last edited by the player at 16:35, Wed 18 Mar 2020.

++ So noted ++

OOC: No worries, suspected as much :)

The four lead ships of King Squadron reached the heliopause, beyond the positive pressure of the solar winds and incidentally, outside the significant reach of gravity well. It was here that the meta-dimensional currents could be navigated, where the fabric of space could be warped and pierced, allowing all faster than light travel to take place.

All four ships prepared their course according to the shared charts. Navigators had been working for the hours upon approach and with a few last minute corrections, each ship laid in their course and spun up their Spike drives to launch them on their meta-cosmic trajectory.

Within moments, the 4 ships are gone. Disappearing in flashes of light and energy, only just visible by long range sensors throughout the rest of the system.

From here on out, for the 48 hours in transit, no communication can exist from the ships of the squadron to the outside world.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INS-Harald Wartooth: Your drill is carried out with perfection. Ensign Gerson admits somewhat sheepishly for a cyborg that he has been carrying out these sorts of drills for years and in part this is how he keeps his crews in such great shape. They carry out the mock exercise with complete precision and ideal decorum and in record time. This small crew could teach something to the rest of the Astral Forces, no question. The captain is caught off guard of course, but the XO makes sure he is properly appraised of the situation and suggests the correct course of action when asked.

INS-Angantyr: Your drill is handled with some frustration, crewmembers are roused from their bunks during otherwise uneventful hours in metaspace and forced to investigate a phony power spike. They understand that it is a drill quickly, but they seem to resent being put through the paces somewhat, though the grumbling is minor and the skipper hears none of it in person, only through reports after the fact.

INS-Randver: Your drill is exercised quickly and one might argue hastily, though the objectives are met. There appears to be something of a growing grudging respect for the captain of the ship among the crew, and the XO appears to be more in control of the situation than before. The bellyaching and slacking off has decreased over all and the crew seems more alert than before.

INS-Valdar: Your drill is handled with the discipline and professionalism that exemplifies the values of the Astral Forces. You can see there is a little extra spring in their step as they see you emerge, still wet from your shower and dressed as well as could be expected as you participate, proving your willingness to lead from the front and put yourself to the same standards as the rest of your crew.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In two short days, you emerge back into realspace and for the first time you lay eyes on the Ultima Black system. You can see the vast array of ice world stretching out towards the star.

From here on the edge of space, you are still receiving the IFF beacons from your local squadron and... in a moment, the beacon from Ultima Black IV station. It seems to still be functioning. It will take a couple of hours before they detect you and send hailing signals. As for the rest of the system, you'll need to initiate a scan.

The four ships bridges report in over the local commnet, using point-to-point narrowbeam transmissions for operational security. It seems everyone arrived in good shape without any major issues, though each ship reports being put on an unexpected emergency readiness exercise.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:21, Mon 30 Mar 2020.

Glancing around his own bridge, Captain Takagara nodded once in satisfaction and opened up a channel to the nearby vessels of his squadron, ++ Excellent navigation, my Captains. Let's open some distance from our point of emergence and initiate scan, please ++

He turned back to his own crew, "Let's open our eyes and ears, see what's here"

Finally, he opened a channel to the output, knowing it would take some time for the signal to propagate, ++ Hailing Ultima Black VI station; this is Captain Takagara of the Angantyr. We've arrived insystem and will be commencing our patrols ++
This message was last edited by the player at 07:26, Mon 30 Mar 2020.

Diana took a deep breath as they arrived, one she let out when she didn't detect any signs of enemy ships, and lack of anything opening fire on them. It paid to assume the worst at times. She gave a small nod when she was informed the beacon was still operational.

- "Excellent work. Commence a full system scan, let's get a preemptive check done for places of interest and see if we need to get our in-system maps updated for the upcoming patrol."

She then replied to Takegara's message.

++ On it. I advise we remain at the edge of the system in formation until we get word back from the station, and the Sigfried has once again joined us. ++

++ Confirmed, Captain Hersson ++, came the swift reply, ++ Not wholly stationary, however; I want some distance from our emergence point whilst our scans propagate so we're not sitting ducks ++

++ Naturally, Captain. We wouldn't want the Sigfried to Spike in up someone's ass. ++

Upon spiking in and seeing the IFF beacon broadcasting (at least was broadcasting a few hours ago) Zazan relaxes. He directs the crew to begin the data gathering.

++Understood, Randver iz underway and scanning. I hope ze spike was as productive for my fellow captains. I am discovering zat ze crew of ze Randver are quite... colorful. ++

Oscar gave a nod to the few crew on the shift with him. ++The Wartooth is standing by to assist in repairs and replacements as required.++

A tense hour or so goes by as you scan the black around several systems, each prioritizing a sector of space that might house something of interest to you. One by one, the shared system profile on the tactical network of King Squadron is updated.


Ultima Black Primary: [No Data]

Ultima Black I: [Out of Range]

Ultima Black II: [Out of Range]

Ultima Black III:
Ice Planet. Freezing temperatures. Above Average Gravity. No atmosphere. Ice volcanism.

Ultima Black IV: [No Data]

Ultima Black V: [No Data]

Ultima Black VI: Neptunian Planet. 10 Moons. Large structure complex on largest moon. Indari Hegemony IFF signals. Emissions from smaller EVA activity. Two Elephant-class cargo-haulers. Massive ships, but not armed or FTL capable, their only purpose is hauling in gas or ice to the refinery at Ultima Black VI. Comms also picked up normal ship to ship broadcasts from the cargo vessels and the station. No other vessels or anomalies detected in that area.

Ultima Black VII: [No Data]

Ultima Black VIII: [No Data]

Ultima Black IX: Ice Planet. Subzero temperatures. High Gravity. Thin Atmosphere. Thin rings.

System Edge (Local): UNKNOWN OBJECT DETECTED. 94.7% PROBABILITY: UNKNOWN STARSHIP TYPE
Your sensors have detected an unknown vessel, roughly frigate-class in mass accelerating towards your position along the system plane. The type and configuration of the vessel is unknown and matches nothing in your database.

Now that you have seen it, it likely has had time to see you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:54, Thu 08 July 2021.

++ Scatter, Kingsmen ++, commanded Volsung swiftly over the squadron command channel, ++ Evasion pattern six, whilst we have light lag. Full scans, please, of the unknown craft from the Randver and Angantyr. Designate her 'Sable-One', potential first contact ++

Letting those orders propagate, he turned to his own crew, ++ Send to the Hegemony station: 'Further to our prior message, unknown vessel encountered. Challenging', then scan the new contact and hail Sable-One, standard INS challenge ++

He thought quickly, adding on the squadron channel, ++ Wartooth, Valder: Scans of VII and VIII, if you might be so kind ++

Diana frowned when the unknown contact appeared on their shared scanners. The System edge, that was... Volsung, she believed. Her own scan of Ultima IX didn't return with anything worth noting to anyone that wasn't an astrogeologist, and as such she was more interested in details of the unknown ship that had just arrived.

- "XO, i want that ship scanned on all frequencies and monitored at all times, with all resulting data logged into our databanks. We'll pool the data into a probe once we reach the station, so for now i want to make sure we don't end up missing anything. The more intel we gather, the better, and High Command can sort it out once they receive it."

She listened to Volsung's message, and added something to her orders while relaying to the others that the Valdar would be scanning Ultima VIII next, as per orders.

- "Planetary scanners on Ultima VIII next, if you would."

Oscar alerted the rest of his crew and issued the orders to bring the Wartooth into proper formation. The scanner data was still trickling across his screen but he needed to get the new data up. Looking to the bridge crew with him, he spoke with a slight smile, “Someone warm up a new pot of caff. Looks like we might have a long day.”

Leaning over the console, he queued up the response to their new orders. ++Wartooth copies. Acknowledge scan target as Ultima VII. Sable-One designation assigned to unknown.++

Grabbing a fresh cup of caff, Oscar looked to the scan display. “Alright folks, let’s hit Ultima VII with the high beams.”

++Understood, preparing scan++

Turning to his bridge crew he barks "Helm: Evasion pattern Six. Comms: Prepare scan of contact mark Sable-One. Gunnery: Firing solution. XO: Confirm boarding team on Standby.

Captain Mysh hits the shipwide: "Harken Randver: Single contact, frigate size. Unknown designation and eager to get close."

The Randver, Valdar and Angantyr swing about, coming into a dispersed protective formation with the Wartooth behind them. General quarters alarms sound throughout the ships and announcements sound over the PA. "Actions station. All crew to action stations." Each ship begins to hum with a vibration only heard when the combat systems come online, capacitors and power banks loading up along with the spike drives revving up for battle.

All main scopes are focused on the unknown vessel, now designated "Sable-One"



The ship is strangely shaped, with negative spaces inside of it and some sort of unusual power core near the center of mass of the vessel. The mass is less than any of the corvettes in the squadron, and it appears to be somewhat fragile in design. It may not even be a warship, given it's unusual configuration. No visible weapons systems appear, although the early images are unclear.

Given that it was moving towards you already, it must have been in flight before you emerged into the system and yet... it couldn't have known you arrived before the hard speed of light carried your shapes to their scopes.

The various crew chiefs bring back some similar version of this answer: "Do you want us watching the bogey or scanning other planets?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:00, Thu 07 May 2020.

Diana thought for a moment before turning to her bridge crew.

- "Hmm... After the Squadron Leader was made aware of the new ship, we were ordered to scan the planet, but... Eh, the planet's not going anywhere. On my authority, focus on our new arrival. Switch to alert code yellow, with all crew on station, and ensure everyone has their shields within reach in case we do get boarded. Prep for defensive flak duties, but do not yet power up our main weapons: Given its path and trajectory when we first detected it, it may not even be hostile. How's the data collection coming along?"

She opened the channel to the other captains.

++ It's only one ship, and technically they're passing along the system's edge. Given our advantages in numbers and firepower i'd like to suggest hailing them on open comms first. So, who wants to do the honors? ++

The vessel continues its approach. All hails remain unanswered. It has done nothing but continue it's originally detected trajectory. No changes on your scanners or detected broadcasts.

It will be within weapons range within approximately two hours.

Oscar looked at the image of the unknown vessel. Sable-One was on a beeline for the squadron and it was shaping up to be an unfriendly encounter. Oscar keyed the tight-beam comms. ++If there is going to be a fight, I request permission to rendezvous with the Sig so they have an up to date scan picture when the spike in. Plus, I think it is wise not to leave any of our ships alone in this situation.++
This message was last edited by the player at 04:39, Fri 08 May 2020.

Captain Takagawa pursued his lips, considering their options, then flicked open the channel to the other captains, ++ No response to hails, nor our presence. Perhaps it is a derelict, or perhaps our presence is not noteworthy? ++

++ Your thoughts, please: I might cautiously recommend an approach and attempted boarding by two ships, whilst two remain to continue scans and await the Sig ++

Diana was the first to reply.

++ I believe the most effective way would be to reposition ourselves into its current course and heading, so that in order to avoid us, it would need to adjust its course. Should they continue to ignore us, it would then be a reasonable assumption that the ship is a derelict of sorts, giving us a reason to board for humanitarian reasons, rather than it being seen as a hostile maneuver. And if they do adjust course, it will be confirmation that we are being willingly ignored, also giving us a valid legal reason to investigate the ship. Either way, we should continue to send out hails on all frequencies and in all known languages, just to be on the safe side. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 10:09, Fri 08 May 2020.

Mysh feels the acceleration as the Helm executes the evasion order. ++A shot across ze bow would be a clearer message. I remind you all dat zis is Hegemenony space and Sable-One iz refusing hailz from INS craft.++
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:33, Fri 08 May 2020.

++ I would respectfully disagree, Captain Mysh. Everyone knows how wars end, very few how they began. I believe it is in the Hegemony's best interests to have it well documented which side was the first to open fire, which points at what i would call the necessity of avoiding taking military action against Sable-One, in favor of the alternative reasons mentioned earlier. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Fri 08 May 2020.

++Nie Nie, Captain, please excuse if I believe zat waiting to see if an unknown ship flying under an unknown flag decides to fire unknown ordinance with an unknown range at you or any other ship in zis squadron is not an appropriate response.

Zis is ze frontier, zer is little room for nuance. If Sable-One responded to Captain Takagara's hails, zis would be a much different conversation. For all we know Sable-One does not monitor standard frequencies.

Have we detected a drive plume?++

The discussion goes on, data and calculations are being made automatically by the tracking systems and comms crew. Sable-one is approaching in a deceleration arc consistent with moving to the outer regions from within the system, soon entering the system's edge beyond the Crohn limit, that point where the star's gravitation field no longer significantly interferes with with spike fields and FTL travel. It is clear the unknown vessel will pass within engagement range of King Squadron and then cross the Crohn limit.

If Sable-one reaches that area just past King Squadron, they will be clear to make a jump out of the system. Perhaps back to the Akkadia system, Antoli and Hallus... or in a half dozen other directions, to other Hegemony Border worlds.

The unknown contact continues to ignore all attempts at hailing and does not behave as if it is even aware of King squadron's presence. There is no detectable drive plume, but the ship is clearly in the very last breaking phase of travel to the system's edge.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:23, Sat 09 May 2020.

Diana opened the comms again to reply to Mysh, but paused a second or two, believing it better to focus her efforts on the Squadron as a whole.

++ Captains, the type and make of this ship, including its power source, is completely unknown in any of the Hegemony databanks, both military and scientific. Captain Mysh is correct in that we have zero information on its ordnance and effective range, but if their ships were never encountered by our scanners, i feel i must point out that the same applies to Sable-One as well. To it, our combat capabilities are very likely a complete unknown as well, giving us the upper hand through our numerical superiority if nothing else. Captain Takagara, the ship seems currently locked on course to Spike out of the system, do you wish the Squadron formation to reposition into its current flight path with orders to board should it prove incapable of changing course? ++

++Sable-One has had plenty of opportunities to answer hails. I would recommend aggressive posture in case this is a Brotherhood ploy. A position of strength, if you will.++

Sensors across all ships reports a metaspacial breach in proximity. The missing corvette has arrived, joining the rest of King Squadron. The vessel appears undamaged and operational.

++ Across her bow, if you would Captain Mysh ++, stated Captain Takegawa firmly, as the metaspacial wash rippled across the Angantyr's sensors, ++ Captain Hersson, please manoeuvre with us to block her path ++

++ Captain Hargrave, bring Captain Karsen up to speed and manoeuvre freely to support us ++, he finished, before turning to issue the necessary commands to his own crew. They would blockade this silent craft's escape, so he needed them ready for boarding and fire support

++Aye sir, firing warning shot++

Captain Mysh turns from his Comms console "Gunnery: Prep and fire a warning plasma beam across Sable-One's bow. Comms: inform us if zer is any change in Sable-One's course or condition. Helm, Angantyr and Valdat are moving to block Sable-One's path, adjust as necessary."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Sun 10 May 2020.

Oscar affirmed the receipt of instruction from his squadron leader. He gave the order to his bridge crew to rendezvous with the Sig. He opened a tight-beam to the other ship.

++Welcome to Ultima Black, Captain Karsen. We have a situation involving an unknown contact, designation Sable-One, that has refused all contact. We are to support the squadron and prevent the escape of Sable-One. The Wartooth will follow your lead.++

Diana passed the Squadron orders on to her helm, before replying.

++ Done, sir. Would you like us to prep boarding shuttles? Taking the ship as undamaged as possible would be recommended. ++

++ Indeed, Captain, indeed ++, confirmed Volsung even as his own crew readying themselves for just such an action, ++ Whether it is derelict or not, I fear this is not the last time we might encounter such a vessel ++

Diana turned to her XO.

- "Prep the boarding shuttles. Gear up on the assumption that there's something harmful in the air on that ship, the fact that there is no crew response while the ship itself appears undamaged worries me."

She thought for a moment, before adding her decision.

- "I'll be joining the boarding team myself. I am a healer of some skill, once on board i will set up a comm server to establish encrypted team communications with the Squadron so the audio and video feed may be monitored and added to the datalogs."

Although Sable-One is still roughly an hour away from any effective combat range, tactical sets up a firing solution to get their attention and the ship vibrates slightly as the magnetic acceleration coils cycle, emitting a burst of superheated ionized gas contained within an artificial magnetic sheath. By the time it reaches the unknown vessel, it is mostly dissipated in the vacuum as the coherence breaks down.

The blob of expanding cooling gas passes by the unknown vessel, but even before it gets close... Sable-one begins to increase in velocity. They're determined to get beyond the system limit, it seems. Or maybe just get close enough to your ship to fire back effectively.

++ All Kingsmen, engage! Fire to disable ++ commanded Volsung sharply, ++ Weapons and manoeuvre freely. Our goal is to prevent them from reaching the spike limit ++

At seeing the actively hostile behavior of Sable-One, Diana nodded to herself.

- "Valdar, our primary objective is flak duties for the Squadron. Focus on providing cover for the Squadron without maneuvering into their lines of fire, as normal. Active fire from our main weapon is approved if a firing solution can be established without sacrificing primary role efficacy. We're in this together folks, let's take Sable-One nice and easy."

She wondered whether to add a command to preferably disable the ship if possible, but decided against it. Her previous orders to prep an EVA team would already hint at it, and for most of the Squadron this would be their first taste at actual combat. Fine tuning what she observed from them now would come later, that was what training was for.

++Understood, moving to engage. The Fractal Impact Thrower of ze Sigfred should prove effective in disabling Sable-One. Suggest Randver, Valdar, and Angantyr harry while Sigfred delivers a stunning blow.++



Zazan punches the shipwide key "Harken Randver, ze prey is refusing hails and accelerating. Approx. 1 hour to close ze distance."

It occurred to Diana that she was planning a few things, but hadn't yet informed the rest of the Squadron. It was something she chalked up to not being used to being in a formation of ships, and swiftly moved to correct that oversight.

++ Given that Sable-One might have unknown weapons, i would suggest having the Valdar focus on defensive flak coverage. I would also request permission to be part of the boarding teams when entering Sable-One, i have an EVA team on standby if need be. ++

++ Noted, Captain ++ replied Volgung non-committedly to Diana's request, ++ Make the necessary preparations, but let us see how events unfold ++

As Sable-One closed in, faster now, Diana gave her crew their orders in a calm and collected tone.

- "Helm, evasive maneuvering please. Sensors, analyze combat weapon impact effects against Hegemony military database to determine efficacy of enemy armor and weapon systems and known comparable ship specifications. Gunnery, fire at will to disable."

13:48, Today: Diana Hersson rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Fire on Sable-One.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Mon 18 May 2020.

Bringing the Angantyr on an aggressive heading, Captain Takagawa was calm and succinct in his orders though he began to realise that his green crew needed more. Sadly not quickly enough, and he stifled a curse as they fire too early and too wide

Seeing the situation escalating, Oscar sat in his bridge chair and monitored the maneuvers. After a moment, he broadcasted to the formation. ++Wartooth is engaging Sable-One. Up-shifting to gain solution.++

Looking to his veteran bridge crew, he issued the orders. “Helm, mark intercept course and standby for firing solution. Coordinate with Gunnery for an up-shift 30 seconds prior to max range. Gunnery, I want  to fry them. Aim for drive modules and exposed sensors if you can make them out.”

OOC
Phase 2 set
Firing at Target In Phase 1
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Tue 19 May 2020.

Zazan, knowing that they were dealing with the unknown kept his orders simple. Gunnery, fire into in real space. We must gauge their capabilities. Fire to disable.

Helm, Set to phase 1.

23:09, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Fire on Sable-1, phase 1 to 0.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Tue 19 May 2020.

All ships of King squadron open fire as Sable-One moves into range. The local commnet is a flurry of reports, data and coordination between crews as they adjust their formation to cover each other and bring their weaponry to bear on the unknown intruder. The order to target to disable goes out throughout the squadron and the gunners crack their fingers and necks as they prepare their firing solutions. The Angantyr is the first to fire, a bright blue beam of magnetically funneled plasma bursts from the prow of the Karvi-class corvette, but at the last moment, Sable-one rapidly adjusts her position, coming about into a direct attack vector with King squadron and the deadly lance slips by into the void.

The Valdar surged forth, Diana's crew eager and willing to defend her squadron and deliver death to their new enemy. With no missiles incoming, she turns her flak batteries on the target. They burst with fire, blooming like deadly orchids across her hull, sending streams of particle beams into space to blanket Sable-One. A cheer goes from the sensor stations as it seems certain Valdar's shot will hit true. Suddenly, as before, Sable-One shifts, sliding side-wise through the black and evading the wall of fire. There's a moment of silence on the bridge as they send data back and forth furiously. Several crew-members report almost simultaneously. They're tracking the target correctly, but there are no detectable drive plumes when she maneuvers. They've double checked it, it's not an error, there's just no detectable emissions there. She's moving without any detectable reaction mass expelled and her acceleration is beyond any known engineering envelope.

The Sigfred opens up, launching a sonic warhead towards the target along with a blast from the sandblaster battery, sending tiny specks of metallic debris in a small cloud like a giant shotgun blast. This time, the gunners realized they aimed into the wrong phase and the ordinance simply passes through the shimmering mirage of the ship as it pushes itself into a higher energy state.

Panic starts to sound on the voices of the crew. They're throwing everything they've got at it and nothing seems to be getting through. Suddenly, to their horror, twin blades of light pierce the black from the enemy ship, one sweeping beam nearly hitting the Sigfred, only missing by mere kilometers because of the helms quick reaction. The second beam however, strikes at the Valdar, biting into her hull and sheering off her secondary comms array and one of the tracking antennas on the port side. Alarms shriek throughout the ship as the crew tries to get it under control. Ensign Reedersen runs up and down the bridge, barking orders, forcing her crew to maintain discipline and go about the damage report. It's not critical damage, but one or two more hits like that and the Valdar will be in serious trouble.

Reports go out throughout the squadron, analyzing what appear to be two unknown energy weapons that slice through your hull armor as if it wasn't even there.

The Harald Wartooth opens up with their particle projector, and to the short lived joy of the crew, strikes Sable-one in a huge storm of electrical arcs and radiation bursts... but appears to do nothing. A moment later sensor stations report that no apparent damage was done to the enemy. Focusing on trying to simply glance the target rather than bring the full destructive force of your weaponry to bear is not having the desired effect at all. It's armor is simply too strong for half-measured attacks.

The Randavarpulls in closer, slipping between the Harald Wartooth and the Sigfred before it engages it's V100-Series Plasma Cannon, unleashing the wrath of the Indari Hegemonic Navy on this intruder. The scene is tense across the squadron as they watch another blazing lance of blue fire seek out a target and... there it is, it strikes the strange ship right across the dorsal superstructure and a massive radiation flare comes across all sensors. As it clears, you can see the hit clearly dealt serious damage to the ship, melted and glowing debris fragments trail it as it tries to change course again, perhaps to make another pass on your squadron. A cheer goes up across the commnet. The enemy ship can be hit. They can be hurt. They can be defeated. Your XOs offer quickly that this may not be the time to attempt to disable this unusual but advanced vessel. It was hard enough to hit in the first place and analysis is already coming in that the damaging blow was rather fortuitous.

OOC: You will need to set your phase, target phase, and roll your attack rolls 1d20+Gunnery+5

You have now determined that Sable-One was occupying phase 4.

Diana sat in her captain's chair, feeling goosebumps as the shudder of being hit went through the ship. Damage was worse than anticipated, both Sable-One's maneuvering and weapon systems were off the charts, meaning disabling it required more luck than actual skill.

- "Gunnery, set the next salvo to as close to phase 4 as you can get it. Helm, continue evasive maneuvering, set to phase 2."

She forced herself to keep her voice level and calm, trying to lead by example. It was a problem that the ship had a much better spike drive than they did. Not just because of the increased maneuvering, but also since her crew hadn't actually been trained to fight in phases that high. Some improvisation would be required, but fortunately her First Officer had things in hand in terms of discipline, so she could leave that to her: If she had mixed herself into it, it would risk having the opposite effect.

12:20, Today: Diana Hersson rolled 13 using 1d20+8 ((5)).

Oscar looked at the few people in the bridge crew before taking a slow, deep breath. He pulled up the tactical data again and thought a moment before giving his orders. "Good work so far, people, but this fight isn't over. Helm, set the phase for two, and target the phase three. Guns, I want to feel the rad-burn from here. Fry them again."

He gave a quick nod to the XO to make sure that the orders were clear and understood. The Wartooth was not a true combat vessel but she was tough and had claws. He keyed the comm-link for the squadron channel. ++Wartooth reports a clean hit but no damage. Shifting phase and firing for effect++, he intoned in a voice that he had used many times when giving play-by-play of a salvage op.

Combat
Shift to phase 2.
Fire on phase 3.
17:56, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 10 using 1d20+8.  Gunnery Roll vs Sable-One R2.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:53, Thu 29 Oct 2020.

"Focus on scans and ECM", called out the Captain to his crew aboard the Angantyr, "She's a slippery beast and we want her hide intact"

Watching the other vessels of the squadron, he listened to their comms chatter for a few moments. They needed a feel for their opponent before they could co-ordinate a strike and he let the other captain's know that

Ship to Phase-2; fire into Phase-4

12:30, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Fire on Sable-One.
12:32, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 2 using 1d6.  Phase Difference

Gunnery, fire to phase 2. Fire to disable.

Helm, Set to phase 2.

But even as the orders leave Zazan's lips his brain is processing. "Phase 4, zis is quite ze capable adversary!"


19:52, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Fire on sable-1.

Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 4 using 1d6.  Phase difference.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

The squadron of Corvettes pushed the fight, engaging the intruder with the fury of a hornet's nest, swarming in and lancing fire across the unknown vessel. Sensors indicate Sable-One is maintaining their phase, operating still far above what should be possible for known technology. In response, the ships of King Squadron increase their own phase state and fire as high as they can, into the second phase range to try and get as close to their prey as can be done.

Sigfred sends another cloud of metallic shards towards the enemy, keeping their limited sonic ordinance in reserve. The burst misses, enemy ECM images deceiving your sensors and disrupting your targeting solution. Your gunner swears and slams her fist down on the console in frustration as Sable One dances away again.

Diana's ship, the Valdar, refuses to so much as miss a beat as they close in with ruthless efficency, practically within stabbing distance, filling the darkness with blazing needles of coherent energy, trying to catch the enemy in a web of death. Again, the unknown ship manages to slip away, nearly impossible to lock down, but the net is tightening. With every attack, there's less and less room to maneuver. Sable-One is still venting atmosphere and bleeding radiation from the hit just a few minutes ago and her helm is increasingly erratic.

A burst of EM radiation - Comms officers throughout the squadron report that the target is attempting a simple digital broadcast transmission... what seems to be an SOS. According to their fleet training, they quickly work together as a squadron to jam the message. Five ships against one seems to overpower their transmitter and wash the message into meaningless static. Whatever they were trying to send out, probably won't make it back to any of their friends.

Aboard the Randavar, Shipmaster Zazan Mysh calls for another careful attack, avoiding any vital or critical locations to prevent destroying the target entirely. The plasma lance screams out through the vacuum and strikes the armored hull of Sable-One, scorching and melting a gap into it, but sensors report no critical or major damage was done to its systems. Gunnery reports that the target vessel is damaged, but attempting to preserve it at all costs is hampering their ability to stop them from fighting back.

Just then, another two prismatic beams scar the void from the bow of Sable-One. The Angantyr and the Sigfred both experience the teeth-rattling sensation of their ship jarred by an energy beam slicing through their hull for a moment, leaving glowing scars in their wakes. Damage alarms sound throughout the ship and both captains begin receiving automatic damage report updates while the crews scramble to find hull breaches and lock down ruptured power conduits.

Shipmaster Hargrave orders his Corvette Tender to fire again, another charged bolt of particles is expelled into space to miss the target by a few thousand kilometers. So far, they've been unable to lock it down, still contended with heavy ECM and jamming from the unknown craft. However, the energetic attack forces Sable-One to adjust course again, dodging through the hail of fire towards where Shipmaster Takagara has taken up station in this fight...

INS-Angantyr burns hard, leading the pack and firing at the last minute. The plasma lance reaches out and almost gracefully skewers Sable-One near the bow, blasting through the softer parts of her hull and in a billowing white-glowing cloud, sends debris out the other side. Massive atmosphere ventilation and radiation leaks can be detected across the front half of the ship and the heat is building up. The engines flicker for a moment and a power spike and drop is detected on the target vessel. She's badly damaged. Another hit like this one would disable her... or destroy her. A cheer goes up from the crews on all ships, despite their seeming technological advancement, you've delivered a decisive blow.



OOC: You can't fire above your Spike-drive rating. I just capped you at 2, but everyone technically landed within the range to hit, so it's all good. The Angantyr takes 3 damage and the Sigfred takes 6 damage. This cuts completely through your armor so do not apply that. Firing to disable halves your damage before armor is applied, so that's why you're having a hard time damaging the ship. Firing to disable is only necessary if you're absolutely certain it's going to blow up and even then, only on the "killing" blow. In effect, you're avoiding anything critical and just shooting their armor. See page 67 in the core rule book.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:08, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

Zazan reluctantly relents on his decision to fire to disable, lamenting the loss of potential unknown technology to recover and analyze.

"Gunnery, fire to phaze 2.

Helm, keep present phaze" (Phase 2)


12:19, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Fire on Sable-1.

12:19, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 2 using 1d6.  Phase Difference.

- "Good work. Keep firing, even if we don't end up hitting it we'll drive it into the others' firing angles. Keep blocking their communications, if we're having this much trouble fighting one i'd rather not be facing several later on."

Diana kept her words calm and composed, attempting to impart her calm on the rest of the crew. Combat was a tense affair, and she would do what needed to be done to have the bridge keep its head while her XO went around issuing more detailed orders.

- "If Sable-One's realized it's bitten off more than it could chew, that means it's realized it cannot win. Send out the order to stand down again on all known frequencies, and instruct boarding teams to stand by and wait for my arrival if and as soon as Sable-One is fully disabled, by force or by choice."

OOC: 17 to hit, rolled 1 on Phase difference

"Steady!", called out the captain as the Sable-One's beam sliced into their armour, "We've been kissed, but that's all"

He smiled as their own return fire pierced the stranger in return, crying out more solidly, "Now! Press her! Dead in the water, though; we'll want her secrets!"

Ship to Phase-1; firing into Phase-2, to Disable

07:23, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 28 using 1d20+8.  Fire on Sable-One.
07:23, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 2 using 1d6.  Phase Difference.
07:25, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Leadership + Wisdom.

Oscar grimaced at the tactical display. “Helm, phase 2. Guns, fry the bastard.”


Combat Roll- 20
Phase roll- 2

22:46, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 20,2 using 1d20+8,1d6.  Attack Sable-One, Phase difference.

The Squadron has closed in now, their unknown prey frantically breaking and juking to escape the withering volleys of fire from the wolf pack. Sable-One is venting atmosphere on several decks and radiation from what seems like some sort of auxiliary power hub just aft of what your combat computers believe is the primary sensor array, based on the amount of coherent EM radiation, likely transmissions coming from that blister.

The Harald Wartooth, though not a dedicated warship continues to land accurate fire on the enemy vessel and analysis suggests, that were it not for it's heavy armor and agility, those blows would have been substantial. The gunnery officer is to be commended for so many successful hits on an enemy target. After action reports will, in a matter of hours, indicate that almost all if not all the charged particle blasts from the MetaSpace Particle Projector, using the power of a weaponized Spike Drive were mainly deflected and absorbed by this ships combat armor plating, but never the less, that's a tricky weapon to aim and the Wartooth isn't a combat ship, although you could hardly tell based on the skill and tenacity of her crew. Her gunner was first to land a hit on the intruder and kept up the fire with a notably clumsy weapon throughout the fight. Word about the squadron is that she's already being called "Deadeye" by the crew. (OOC: +1 to gunnery for the Wartooth so long as your gunnery crew leader is available and not incapacitated.)

The Angantyr, named for an ancient Old Terran king, just as the others of the Squadron are, followed noble Takagara's direction, firing at the battered armored plate to try and cripple the ship without risking catastrophic explosion of the reactor... his shot strikes true, blowing through what must have been a weak point in the armor and stripping away meters of protection in a blast of focused plasma. At this moment, the enemy vessel fires back, one beam missing the Angantyr and the other slicing into the Valdar again, cleaving apart armor and bulkhead like paper as half a dozen alarms sound throughout the ship, damage crews and automatic failsafes kick in, sealing off part of the ship as several compartments depressurize. Luckily, with the crew in battle gear and wearing their pressure suits, no serious casualties are reported. (OOC the Valdar takes another 7 damage. This has been updated in the status page.)

The crew of the Randver erupts in cheers across the local battlenet as their shot strikes the aft of Sable-one and in a cascade of burning gasses, radiation and debris, the sensors finally indicate that your target has been disabled. An energy spike was detected but quickly dissipated after several minutes, an event consistent with the target vessel powering down their reactor to avoid a catastrophic failure and explosion. Sable-One is badly damaged, on the float and leaking atmosphere, liquids and shedding pieces of itself as it goes dead in the black. The various lights wink out and the temperature begins to fall slowly.

You have defeated your first enemy and their ship, though badly damaged, is now your prize. A thorough examination of your local area indicates no other ships of any kind and you are still too far out to have received a message from the friendly station. Matching speeds with the derelict will be a simple task and even if they were able to break through your jamming array, something your comms officers consider very unlikely, it will take likely a day or more before someone could even reach you from elsewhere in the system, which of course, you would likely see coming. There is still a weak signal emanating from the craft, which your signals experts have determined with high probability is a rescue beacon, likely activated by the reactor shutdown event. It is a simple matter for one of your ships to jam that transmission within this proximity.

As your crews celebrate and the mood is positive but still tense, there is the matter of what to do with the enemy vessel. She is larger than your corvettes, a proper frigate in size and mass, though her design is utterly alien to you and any modern sensibilities regarding ship design.

When the second beam struck the Valdar, the ship shuddering, Diana glanced at the screen that told her which sections were currently depressurizing. No crew casualties, fortunately, though as with all combat at those distances, a fraction of a millimeter to either side might have hit something critical. Corridors between sections were not vital when everyone was at their stations. When Sable-One powered down, she turned on the ship's comms.

++ Good work crew, Sable-One has been disabled. Injured crew, report to Medical, and repair crews begin efforts to patch up the hull until we can get it properly looked at in drydock. Nothing on the exterior, we'll be continuing to head towards the station shortly. All other crew remain at your stations for now. Captain Hersson out. ++

She then contacted the fleet itself.

++ Captains, my sensors indicate that the temperature on Sable-One is slowly dropping. If we are to bring home survivors for Intelligence to interrogate, i suggest we move it to the station fast. Other than that, i congratulate you on what will hopefully be King Squadron's newest flagship. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Wed 13 Jan 2021.

Oscar smiled as the enemy vented and spun. He gave a hearty yawp of triumph with the rest of the crew as the tac-computer fed the details. "Hell of a show, Guns. I got a bottle of good stuff we will break out once the system is clear. Right now, let's get the rest of King Squadron secured and under the gantry," Oscar said and pressed the squadron comms button.

++ Wartooth to King Actual, we are going to start prepping for in-system repair configuration. Once squadron repairs are complete, we can tow Sable-One.++

Listening to Oscar, it did not take Diana long to reply.

++ Valdar to King Actual, we took some hits in the fight, but no critical systems were hit, and only a few minor injuries among the crew. We would have no issues with heading to the station as-is and repairing on location, giving the crew some shore leave to celebrate King Squadron's first victory. Also, it seems Sable-One's life support systems are down, and i feel it is in the Hegemony's best interests to have as many survivors among the enemy crew as possible for interrogation and diplomatic purposes. I would repeat my advice to head for the station with Sable-One in tow ASAP, assuming the other ships of the Squadron may also travel unimpeded. Regarding Sable-One, should we prepare a boarding party? ++
This message was last edited by the player at 00:31, Sat 16 Jan 2021.

The din in the Randver is almost unbearable, as the raucous crew celebrates their killing blow. Zazan hits the general quarters alarm again for a breath. "Attention, ze bogey iz incapacitated. Boarding tubes to be prepped for launch. If you sailor want to claim your prize, there's still work to be done."

++Randver Actual to King Actual, seconding ze call for boarding, before data can be dumped and officers culled.++

Taking a moment to handle the Angantyr's casualties, Takagara smiled at the wealth of suggestions coming from his captains, ++ Sigfred, Randver, prepare for boarding Sable-One; Harald Wartooth, confer with the Valder over her damage, Angantyr and Valder will provide overwatch ad cover. We will secure Sable-One and take her in tow, then continue to the facility as planned ++

He forced a small smile with those orders, knowing his own crew were keen to lead the assault themselves, ++ Let's hustle ++

++ Understood, Angantyr. Permission to launch a shuttle for boarding action while maintaining overwatch, i've brought some personal gear that should come in useful and my marines and shuttle are already prepped. ++

++ If handling damage, overwatch and boarding isn’t going to leave you short-handed, Captain, be my guest ++
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Sun 17 Jan 2021.

++ Understood. We'll be heading for the Randver to make use of its boarding tubes, it would be more efficient than cutting our way through an airlock of unknown make and origin. ++

"Attention, Boarding party from Angantyr iz shuttling to use our tubes. Sync comms prior to breach and play nice. Reminder zat we have no intel so watch what you shoot. Fire when fired upon but fall back on heavy resistance.

Easier to search a voided husk than a detonated one."

++Copy all, Wartooth will pull along side Valdar and begin repairs. We will also do our best to provide cover and status updates of Sable-One.++

Oscar turned to his XO, “Let’s get the word from the Valder folks on what parts they need. You’ll lead first shift for repairs. I’ll lead second. Meanwhile, when we close, let’s get our scanners on that hull. No shielding means they shouldn’t have any issues with us poking our nose in their business.”


OOC: Starting repairs as soon as practical. Deep scanning Sable-One with onboard scanners for more detailed info on the ship.

The Sigfred acknowledges and pulls in to dock temporarily with the lead Corvette and take on troops. The squadron, having atmospheric capability was not equipped with any parasite craft or shuttles, thus all transfers must be done via docking tubes or "on the float"

Between the four ships with significant crews (The tender having only 6 souls on board) you manage to form two boarding parties of 10 each, divided into a total of 4 combat squads, each led by a Proven Warrior of the Astral Corp. The transfers are done in good order and in less than an hour, the Sigfred and Randver are ready to begin their assault, each ship taking up on the starboard and the port of Sable-One and ready to breach the seemingly depressurized aft-section where most of the damage was done and likely no defenders would be waiting.

Sensors reports no new developments. No new signals or signatures detected. The Wartooth works to bring the Valdar into it's 'arms' to begin repairs. The crew of the ship itself and the damaged vessel will work together with the roughly 20 tons of parts and materials onboard the Wartooth to fix her back up. Aside from the hull damage, it looks like some of the comms and sensors have been cut from the ship, leaving a blind spot on her. (-1 penalty to sensor/comms checks on the Valdar until repaired.) Other crews can begin emergency repairs, patch jobs to mitigate the damage temporarily.

Unfortunately, none of your ships or science vessels or dedicated intelligence/recon. The Wartooth has a more sophisticated scanner array, but mainly for planetary body mapping and analysis. What you can determine about Sable-One simply from surface scans may be limited. (OOC: Make a Computer Check for each ship and crew, the Wartooth can get a +2 from their advanced sensor array.)

So far, the unknown ship itself is still and dark. It is slowly venting heat through the radiator systems and not generating any new heat.

When the Valdar's shuttle docked with the Randver, Diana's equipment showed that she wasn't taking this lightly. Every single one of her marines, including herself, had a modern shield on their backs, and she was wearing a Combat Field Uniform with low-light goggles and an atmofilter, covering a number of precautions. Those familiar with such devices would recognize the briefcase she was carrying as a portable Comm server, capable of linking the comlinks of the Marines and, to those aware of its operational range, capable of reaching comlinks aboard the Randver as well to set up a short range internal, heavily encrypted network without needing to sacrifice ship-grade comm blocking efficiency. Once disembarked, she looked around for Zazan, or his XO to be briefed on the plan.

Oscar tapped the sensor scope display at his command chair. The docking was going on and he preferred not to be jolt on his feet when the arms locked in. Cursing under his breath, he couldn't make the scans any clearer. There was too much debris and the repair work was likely going to get in the way too. He keyed the squadron comms again.

++This is Wartooth. I'm going to pipe my sensor data to you. Having a hard time clearing it up.++

OOC:
15:03, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 6 using 2d6+2.  Computer Check.

Despite a thorough sweep, all you're getting back are surface material data. The ship is made out of stuff that shouldn't exist or be possible for it's design. You're getting indications of Copernicium, Gallium, Ununbium and more... elements that have no business occurring naturally or for long periods of time and yet there they are, according to the scanners.

Since the reactor seems to be offline, there's no information about the powered systems, just a hunk of impossible materials.

Ensuring the scans from the Wartooth are shunted to his techs and the boarding parties formed, Takagara opened up the squadron channel once more, ++ Green light on boarding. Execute ++

12:47, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 11 using 2d6.  Computer Check

Zazan, hesitates for half a moment, unsure of his abilities following the crash. The uncertainty is obliterated as an avalanche of Both discipline and training slam into him. He's going into that ship if it kills him.

Making eye contact with his XO, Zazan keys the ship-wide."Attention, I will be leading the Randver's boarding party.  XO Wardiaz has ze ship."

Meeting Captain Herrson near the tubes, Zazan looks more like a combat engineer than a captain with his technical kit at his hip and a void rifle slung off his shoulder. He gives the captain a salute as the order and welcomes her on on board and they head for the boarding tubes. Zazan meets with the Randver's party and sets about checking his carbine and kit as the order from Captain Takagara comes in.

"Temper ze adrenalin sailors and be ready for anything. "

Both assault pods hit almost in the same microsecond. Onboard the Angantyr they were analyzing the data sent over from the Wartooth. Randaver hitting just at the same time as Sigfred, 22 spacers crossing over into Sable-One to make the assault and secure the ship.

From opposite flanks of the target vessel, four teams entered the darkened ship. Diana and Zazan on one said, and Sigfred's troops on the other. Power was down, the ship was cold and there in the aft halls, the atmosphere was thin. Oxygen and combat suits kept the assaulting Astral Troopers alive. The hull cut through, they entered, using thermal vision, and light enhancement to make out their environment in the near pitch-black. Plasma damage was obvious throughout the ship, melted and overloaded components dripping down the bulkhead.

Zazan's team pushed in quickly, heavily armed and ready to fight. Over the commnet, they report discovering corpses, incinerated as well as the damage to various systems and controls.  They are reporting human corpses. A single individual tried three shots on them but none hit and they fled deeper into the ship. On the other hand, Diana, taking a different corridor is held up. Her eager troopers push on and after the fifth hatch... an explosion sets off, killing two troopers and sealing off their ingress path. Now she would have to lead her remaining troops the long way around and either take up the rear of Zazan's team or try to climb through the powered down reactor section to get further into the ship.

Reports from the Sigfred over the local commnet are no resistance encountered, but they are moving carefully, taking their time. Zazan will likely beat them to the bridge at this pace.

Zazan's team has discovered what they have determined to be two resisting crew members with weapons holding up at a junction in the ship ahead. His team has suggested a flanking maneuver along the hull and dipping back in through a plasma-burned hullbreach and assaulting them from the flank. An effect, but risky move as the outside of a vessel is often unstable and dangerous due to gas and radiation leaks. The other alternative is to push the attack through the narrow passages, but without support from another team, it could be costly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:44, Sun 24 Jan 2021.

Faced with the choice, Zazan does not batt an eye. He designates a warrant officer to lead the team in the ship and asks for volunteers to follow him into the void.

"To put it mildly, zis will qualify for hazzard pay and a commendation."

Edit: corrected NCO to warrant officer
This message was last edited by the player at 05:59, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

Diana was making good time, keeping an eye out for trouble, when an explosion further up ahead made her dive at a wall for cover. When no enemy fire followed, she looked to see two of her marines had died to an explosion. Given the state of the path ahead of them, it was fair to say there was no risk of an enemy attack, and so she strode forward with a determined confidence.

- "Not on my watch, you don't."

She knelt at the corpses, pressing a hand on each of their chests, and focused, closing her eyes. A moment later, the wounds of the marines' bodies began visibly knotting back together again, and judging by the skin showing under ruined uniforms there would not even be a scar to commemorate the event. Once she was done, she got up and took a deep breath, swaying a little unsteadily on her feet from the combination of adrenaline, and mental strain.

- "Right, let's see if we can move around this. Remember folks, this is not a race: I can only pull that one off so many times and, as Jones and Williams can now tell you, dying still sucks. So be careful."

OOC: 2x Biostasis (level 1), followed by 2x Psychic Succor (level 2) for a total of 8 Psi Points to get my two formerly dead Marines back up.

01:00, Today: Diana Hersson rolled 9 using 2d8 with rolls of 6,3.  1d8 + target's Con healed (min 1) on Jones and Williams.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:00, Mon 25 Jan 2021.

++ Sitrep, folks ++, requested Takagara quietly over the shared channels, ++ Who are we facing? What flag do they call their own? ++

Zazan just finished notifying his XO of the names of the volunteers when the call came in. ++King Actual zis iz Randver actual, we've got humans, well, what iz left of zem anyway.

The Randver's team haz made good progress but I have two zeal- er...++ Zazan stops himself. He was acting on rote memory. "No, definitely not zealots of the brotherhood, that war is over Zazan."

++Two hostiles zat have impeccable pozitions. To get past zem and to ze bridge I am leading a fire team into the void. One fire team remains at ze junction awaiting the teams from ze Sigfred and Valdar++
This message was last edited by the player at 03:24, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

Oscar stared at the sensor scope for a long time. He was more used to exploring firsthand and giving sitreps to his ship. For a moment, he felt overwhelmed as he looked at the hazy screen and began to feel frustrated with himself for not being able to help. Oscar stood up suddenly in anger and threw the projection image onto the main display in a fit, almost unintentionally. That was when he saw it, the detail breaking out of the image when it was upsized. He keyed his comms immediately. It wasn’t haze, it was venting radioactive material.

++Randver Actual, this is Wartooth. I’m showing hot, vaporized material with a high Geiger reading 25 meters ahead of you. It’s sputtering and irregular. I can’t predict it either, but there is a rent in the armor to the right that you can use to bypass the gas. I think it is a plasma burn, so watch your suits if you decide to take it. Likely is going to be longer taking the detour but you won’t have to deal with the gas. Sending tactical data and alternate route to you now so you can decide. Wartooth, out.++

After checking with her Marines, Diana activated her compad as well.

++ One of the doors shorted out and blew its mechanism when we were trying to open it. I've got two marines with light injuries, but our intended path is now blocked off by debris. We'll either have to take the long way around to follow after Randver Actual, which we can't because of the two injured having damaged vacc suits, or cut through the reactor room. We'll check the reactor room first, get some radiation readings to see if its safe, but either way it's going to take us a while to link up. Sigfred Actual, can you pick up our flak? If we can't proceed through the reactor room due to ambient radiation, we're stuck in this section, over. ++

OOC: Using another 1 Psi Point on Omen: Is (prolonged exposure to) the reactor room safe?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:42, Thu 28 Jan 2021.

The Angantyr reports after over an hour of analysis, they have created a model of the target vessel through scans from the Wartooth. They've mapped out the hull surface about between 16cm and 2m of the hull internals depending on composition. Beyond that and the materials resist any sort of deep scan. This is somewhat expected on a military vessel with armor and reinforced bulkheads, but here it comes back weird. These are all beyond theoretical composites and compounds, stuff that shouldn't be able to exist, much less easily enough to make an entire ship out of it. Further analysis determines the ship was armed with what seems to be two swivel mounted beam weapons of a type currently unknown. Sensors recorded bursts of energy not unlike that of an engage spike-drive, suggesting weaponized, focused metaspatial energy. Something which has eluded Hegemony scientists so far. The drive system is equally enigmatic; absolutely zero exhaust or reaction, but at the same time, no gravitons either. Despite a thorough scan, your signals officers are at a loss for what it could be. None of that makes the slightest bit of sense. Power source is consistent with an ulta-efficient fusion reactor. The radiation leaks are probably not because of reactor damage, but rather, the ship itself used radioactive gasses in various means which have now been ruptured. The surface of the vessel is now thoroughly mapped and available for transmission. It goes without saying that this design, its insignias and markings are unheard of in the ship record. They don't appear to be anything decipherable at this time. The ship is fairly badly damaged from the fighting, and there is some discussion amongst the comms crew about if this was intended to be a warship or not based on it's behavior and configuration. She's larger than your corvettes, something you would likely consider a true Frigate in terms of size and capability but now it's clear that her technological base is beyond the Hegemony. Whoever is behind this is an unknown power.

Aboard Sable-One: With Oscar's help, Zazan's split team avoided the deadly venting gas and moved through the damaged armor plating around to where another gap in the hull was rent, their magnetic boots on their vacc suits helping them make decent time. Void carbines ready, they plunged into the deck and immediately caught a crewmember with a vacuum suit unawares. Proven Warrior Thorne quickly takes control of the hostile and strips them of their weapon, pinning them against the bulkhead before they can even react. No further sign of the second hostile at this junction and your secondary team moves up, cautiously, but covered by your team until they reach the same area.

Although wounded, Jones and Williams linked arms and began to evac themselves to the assault pod. Their vacc suits were damaged and they were still injured despite what their skipper may have done. They wanted to continue, but they were going to follow orders regardless.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:25, Fri 29 Jan 2021.

When Jones and Williams turned to head back, Diana halted them for a moment.

- "Once you get back to the Valdar and report to med bay, have them do a full body scan on my orders. Your wounds may have been healed, but shrapnel is still shrapnel so there may be some of it still inside, and this ship has too many unknowns to simply assume it's just like the metal matrix composites we're used to. Also, no more than light duty for a week, and only when cleared for it by Medical."

She put a hand over the internal comms, indicating that this next part was for her team alone. The comm server was still set up to record all chatter after all. She lowered her voice ass well, just to be safe.

- "If possible, try not to let people know i'm a Psychic. I want to hold a command by my skill, not because of something i was born with."

Once Jones and Williams had left, she looked at the entrance to the reactor room, taking a deep breath as she closed her eyes to concentrate on something. She then sent a message over the general channel again.

++ Randver Actual, Sigfred Actual, the reactor room seems safe to pass through and should allow us to link up with Randver Actual in... fairly good time. Should we link up as planned, or proceed to hold the reactor room to prevent sabotage, over? Ambient reactor radiation levels after spatial compensation are... zero. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Fri 29 Jan 2021.

++Wartooth actual, you are owed a secret!++ Zazan thanks the fellow Bothislian in a somewhat obscure idiomatic phrase.

++King actual, Valdar actual, we have secured a crew member and will begin interrogation. We await the crew of ze Sigfred and Valdar to push to the bridge.++


Zazan casts an eye over the prisoner held by Proven Warrior Thorn.

09:55, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 11 using 2d6.  Perception of captive. .
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Fri 29 Jan 2021.

Oscar smiled at Zazan’s comment and was about to key a response before he stopped. Now was not the time to banter. They had more work to do. When Savle-One was secure, then they could banter. In any case, Oscar stored it away for later. He addressed the remaining bridge crew save for the helmsman. “Alright, get some rack time if you can. Helm and I will supervise the work from here. Next shift is on in four hours. We will start a three shift rotation until work is complete and we head to the station. Helm, grab yourself some caffe and a quick bite from the galley. I have the conn.”

Diana, as far as you can tell, the reactor room should be safe. Scans showed it was powered down for safety after the ship became derelict. Usually this requires a living and competent engineer or some sort of ship safety protocol. All bets are off on this ship, but entering, even with the three remaining troopers plus yourself may be enough. As far as you can tell, your spacers have a near idolization of you at this point.

You can try to go around the collapse or instead go through the hull and move along further. So far, only static from Zazan's team. Something is blocking the commnet.

Zazan, your captive looks at you with massive wide eyes, terrified and unarmed and begains to babble at you and your sergeant. कृपया मुझे मत मारो! मुझे मत मारो!!


"Um, Captain Hargrave... there's only six of us on this ship. We don't have time for rack if we're going to repair the Valdar. We'll need techs from other ships and the automation will pitch in, but it's all hands on deck, skipper."

This message was last edited by the GM at 07:34, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

Diana frowned when she heard the static in trying to get through to the others. It was worrisome enough that she was missing a few marines in her crew -- though thankfully without casualties -- but something being strong enough to suppress an active comm server on nothing but backup power felt a little bit out of reach even given the technological disparity between Sable-One and the ships of the Hegemony. Still, there was a job to be done.

- "Right, getting nothing but static so let's head for the reactor room, we'll cut through there and see if we can reach one of the other teams. While we're there, keep a look out for manuals or something similar, we'll pass those on as intel to help Command figure out how the ship works. It may not be in a language we can understand, but it should be fairly obvious what it would look like."

While most information was stored on computers and terminals these days, and she suspected the same to be true for the owners of this ship, engineering manuals by nature would need to be able to be accessed even in the event of a complete power failure and, optionally, by people not trained in their use in case something happened to the engineering crew. Operational manuals tended to be fairly simple to understand in that setup, providing enough information to patch things up enough to reactivate life support and limp back to the nearest port even if they didn't necessarily go into detail, and with the reactor having been shut down manually as a safety precaution, she hoped there would be something similar in this alien ship as well.

OOC: Is that sanskrit, by any chance? That's the only language i know of that has the "upside down underscore" on all its letters :D

Also, planning to do a detailed search of the reactor room, holding ground until i can confirm Zazan's message since i didn't actually receive it. Is there something like Taking 10 or 20 in this system?

++King Actual, Valdar actual, cancel last, ze crew are unintelligible.

We are proceeding cautiously to ze bridge. No sign of ze team from ze Sigfred or ze Valdar. ++

"Proven warrior, please secure ze captive and ensure zat he is gagged as well. Let us proceed, we are playing for information, if we encounter any hostiles we shall disengage and hold firing lines on ze angles of approach. "
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

Aboard the Angantyr, Captain Takagawa paused thoughtfully for a moment, considering their next move carefully, ++ Valdar Actual, King Actual. Secure your prisoner and continue your sweep, interrogation can wait. We will send a packet with our findings once we have something High Command will believe isn't ramblings ++

Glancing around his bridge, he instructed his own crew to ensure they maintained scans for further vessels; it would not do to be distracted at a time like this.

++ All Actuals, King Actual. Prioritise repairs and if we have idle crews let's lend a hand ++

Oscar let his face not show the embarrassment of his mistake. It’s not a salvage op, he gently reminded himself. Looking to his helmsman and making a note of the courtesy the crew member has shown in correcting the mistake, Oscar nodded slightly.

“A quick clarification then. We are prioritizing the work parties. If you have time, grab a cup of caffe or tea and some food. If we run into problems, I’ll initiate a shift based supervisory system. Seems I was getting no ahead of myself. In any case, my order still stands, helm. Grab a bite and something to drink. I can monitor the bridge till you get back.”

Hearing the squadron comms, Oscar gave a quick reply. ++Wartooth copies. Wartooth out.++

"Aye aye, skipper." Your NCO replied automatically and then spoke up "Skipper, I think there's some kind of jammer blocking our signal." He pointed to his multitool and waved it towards the reactor room, showing spikes of EM radiation across multiple comms bands. "It seems to be coming from the reactor room. Might be damaged equipment creating a spark gap and flooding the airwaves." You and your remaining troops push forward, carefully, finding empty void suits, floating equipment and corpses badly burned from plasma fire. Overhead, gaps in the hull lead out into the darkness. Geiger counters click softly, the radiation in this section is elevated, but nothing more than you might expect aboard a damaged starship. Your suits will protect you from the worst of it. As you go, you check what look like lockers, spilling out familiar and unfamiliar tools and items. Several objects that look like they might be commpads or dataslabs are gathered by your men as you go carefully picking your way through the deck. Eventually, you reach the reactor room. The hatch is sealed and what you assume are back-up emergency lights are lit around the hatchway. There's been no evidence of a reactor leak from the external scans or the combat damage inflicted. Everything appears consistent with an emergency reactor power down event.

OOC: It sure is!
If you're going to take it easy and slow (which I am assuming you are), no roll is necessary in this case. You simply search thoroughly and find what there is to find. In general, rolls represent something where a chance for failure exists because of pressure of time, danger or something dramatically interesting. Patiently searching for documents isn't exciting enough for a roll if they're not intentionally hidden.

Zazan's team proceeds, captive bound behind them, unfortunately, given that he is wearing a vacc suit, gagging him is essentially impossible. Of course, without touching helmets with you, he can't exactly say anything either. Your Proven uses a knife to pry off what he tells you he thinks is the antenna on the helmet 'so he can't call for help'. The rest of you push ahead deeper towards the bow of the ship. More corpses, some without even vacc suits. Either they didn't have time or there weren't enough to go around. So far a rough dozen bodies... Your troopers are keeping count as you go. The going is slow, there are exposed cables, pipes and damaged bulkheads all along and more than once pieces of twisted metal have to be cut through. It's been almost an hour since the assault was launched and you're only half way up the ship.

As Warrior Garland steps around another floating toolbox, a beam cuts through the empty space and bores a hole in the deck plating. He quickly takes cover and signals to the rest of your troopers to watch out, marking him on your HUD. Just 30 meters away, looking to be tucked in behind an open hatch, long thin and tightly bundled needles of metal poke out, clearly a weapon. "Skipper, I don't think we can flank this one. The other corridor has collapsed... er, melted from our battle. I think it's just one. How do you want to proceed, sir?"


The Bridge of the Angatyr is tense. They were excited earlier, but the lengthy assault operation has been on edge. It's longer than you'd usually see in training and the alien ship doesn't do anything to ease their nerves. Ensign Bertim Carte approaches you and quietly speaks to you. "Lord Ship Master, I am beginning to wonder if this is some sort of trap. We have analyzed the ship and the battle to our fullest ability barring further data and there are some... peculiarities." Concern is evident on his weathered face.

"Yes, sir. Aye aye. We'll get it done." The crewman has a smile on his face as he feels understood by his captain and at the same time, that there is something he has some real control over for the first time in this mission. Once dismissed, he heads back down the corridor with what seems clear to be renewed energy.

Diana continued her careful approach, stowing away whatever equipment she could find that looked important, unknown, interesting or any combination thereof in her and her Marines' packs. If it looked fragile all the more so, given that everything that was now floating freely would come crashing to the floor as soon as the station's artificial gravity field would get a hold of it, and tossed about by the rush of air through the holes in the hull. Likewise, things that were too big to be taken with them she tried to secure with what was available so it wouldn't go floating out into space later, and placing the smaller items they decided not to take with them back in the lockers they had come from, just in case. When her NCO pointed out the radiation, she gave a nod in return.

- "Good work. We'll keep heading for the reactor room, you keep an eye on that spike to see if you can narrow down what's causing it, how to fix it and if we can do that without putting anyone in danger."

Once they reached the reactor door, Diana turned to her NCO again, not directly requesting an update, but allowing him to pick up the hint. She wanted her crew to be able to think for themselves, and figured this was a good opportunity to get some training in on the side.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:19, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

Zazan whistfully pines for the days when he was planetside and a smoke grenade would do the trick. Alas, vacuum and zero-g renders such terrestrial approaches inert.

"Zis will take a few minutes. Hold positions and do not peek ze bastard."

Zazan pulls out an instapanel, energizes it with a type A battery and fold it to form a 1m x 2m x 0.02m bulwark.

"Proven Warrior, who is your top shot in this team?"

After the warrior is identified, Zazan continues.

Ooc: Would like to role

Warriors of ze Randver, on my mark, we will provide a diversion for our warrior as he takes his shot. We will use this panel as cover to take potshots from to draw the enemies fire. Once ze enemy opens fire, our warrior will take his shots"

To the trooper he says "Do not miss warrior, Good luck.

Warriors! Ready....Mark!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:06, Thu 04 Feb 2021.

Diana's troopers had reached the sealed hatchway to the reactor department and stacked up along the corridor walls, looking about with the alertness of eager soldiers, ready for a fight. The Proven Warrior scans the hatchway. "hiss- not -hiss- ecting anything immediat-hiss-dangerous -hiss- eleva-hiss- hard -hiss-diation." He stops himself and puts his helmet against yours to use the air inside to transfer the sound, creating a some what tinny effect. "There is an increase in the EM interference. It's my conclusion that the source of the jamming is within this section or very near to it." Even helmet comms were getting staticky. "Ma'am, do we cut it open?"

Zazan's team followed his instructions, taking a few minutes to prepare and then one of the Warriors lifts up the makeshift shield and rushes down the corridor. Two flashes of intense light, but neither strikes the shield, instead panicked energy fire incinerates several wall panels of unknown purpose and function. In the vacuum of the depressurized part of the ship, the designated marksman fires twice and confirms a hit. Moments later, the halls are dark again and your lead element indicates all clear. Advancing carefully, you find a human crewman in a vacc suit, armed with a strange looking long needle-like weapon, floating dead against what looks to be a pressurized hatch, the first you've encountered onboard this vessel so far.

Diana had to take a moment to consider the options, before turning back to her Marine.

- "Yes. We'll likely not have comms though, so keep an eye on each other and communicate through hand signals. First sign of trouble we're bugging out, as much as we'd need to link up with Captain Mysh's squad we're at half strength as it is. And keep an eye on those readings, if it gets dangerous, stop."

In the end, she trusted her gut when it had told her earlier that there wouldn't be adverse affects from passing through the reactor area. She signaled for the bags with assorted items they had found to be placed well back of the door first, just in case an EM burst would wipe whatever was on it. Odds were that they were insulated against similar effects due to necessity and design, but she'd rather not take chances.

Pulling out his metatool, Zazan issues instructions as he busies himself with cutting open the hatch. "Secure zat weapon and cover our rear. "

He remarks that his unconventional crew have been so far on the ball. He had his reservations when he first boarded the Randver and they were deepened during the transit in-system. But when it mattered most, when the only thing between them and the void is mere millimeters, he is content with his command.

The Proven Warrior, serving aboard the Radnver with minimal Astral Trooper support left, produces the cutter and begins to breach the hatch. In a short time, they breach the hinges and seals and open the hatch, tearing it away as the single atmosphere puffs out towards you in a small pressure differential. The reactor room is made open to you, though silent and mostly dark. The static is increased now. No communications are possible here with your local system. Something is overwhelming it.

OOC: Here is a good place to make a search check with limited time. Take +1 to your team working together.

Zazan slices open the airlock and a gust of a single atmosphere gushes out. Alarms sound. The ship was shutting down oxygen systems to prevent full decompression. His troopers lashed up the strange weapon and policed the body away from the hatch way, under watch. Your men trust you. They might not be the greatest soldiers, but they believe in your and your command. So far they are doing their best and even the smaller mistakes are quickly rectified. The door opens and you can see what looks like some sort of bridge section with three floating figures.

Diana moved in with her team and, after making sure there was no enemy lying in wait for them, wasted little time in having her team spread out to search for the source of the interference as efficiently as possible.

12:36, Today: Diana Hersson rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Search - Not sure what bonus or penalty i'd roll for, but i included the +1.

In reply to The Void (msg # 120):

"Move in, keep to cover and stay sharp. Floating doez not mean dead."

Zazan himself takes up an over-watch position at the hatch, void rifle trained on the nearest body. It takes considerable willpower to keep his focus on the bodies and potential sight-lines instead of taking in what must be a foreign and fascinating bridge.

To keep himself and his men on task he barks out, "SitRep! What are you seeing warriors? Signs of life?"

Master Diana and her troopers cover the large reactor control room carefully. The huge device, which must be the reactor is silent. Only the dim pulsing of emergency lighting illuminates the room. The room is severely damaged, at first there is some confusion. Where are the control systems? Shipmaster Diana finally realizes it... the twisted melted metal blobs were the consoles. They'd been wrecked beyond recognition with plasma weapons. The reactor itself seems to have similar damage, much of it is essentially slagged and still glowing from the heat.

Further investigation finally reveals a pair of vacc suits with human corpses within, foaming at the mouth and very very dead. Neither of them were armed. After several minutes surveying the damage, your NCO raps on your helmet to get your attention and pushes his against yours to speak to you. "Found the problem. There's an auxiliary power conduit that's been damaged. It's probably supposed to maintain life-support systems in the even that the main reactor goes down like in our ships, using battery backup. It's forming a spark gap that's jamming us. We can damage it with cutters or explosives. Cutters might be dangerous."

Meanwhile, Zazan leads his troopers deeper into the ship. You seem to have come across what looks like a control room of some type. Emergency lighting fringes the cabin, but there's no indication of functioning control interfaces, most of them smashed or badly burned and melted by what you suspect is weapons fire. In the center of the chamber is a large structure, a column of varied thickness rising from the deck up to the ceiling with several strange metal branches splitting off from the trunk in equal pairs of varying thickness and lengths.

Three vacc suits float without movement in the middle of the ship. A fine spray of blood covers much of the room, likely because of the explosive depressurization of the room. Several small devices that look a bit like handguns float free in the cabin.

Diana grimaced as she recognized the metal blobs for what they once were. Oddly enough though, the people in the reactor room appeared very dead despite the reactor room itself being undamaged by the battle. A side effect of having shot at the former consoles, perhaps?

- "Hmm... Neither. I'd like to avoid using explosives on what is ultimately a minor nuisance, and as for cutting... Well, something killed these crew, and it wasn't any of our ships that did it. Let's move on out of range of the interference and let the techies figure it out back home. Keep an eye out for ambushes until we're far enough out to get comms back."

"Yes Ma'am." He held his helmet to yours, his face right in yours. "We'll have to return to the assault pod and back to the ship. We can't communicate with Captain Mysh like this." His face was scarred on his cheek and brow and was lit up by the emergency illumination. He and your troops looked slightly nervous. Lack of communication was never good and it made soldiers uncomfortable.

Diana considered the proposition, and nodded.

- "Let's do that. We'll drop off the gear we found while we're at it, and use a different entry point to link up with one of the other teams. Powering through would likely take just as long anyway."

With a nod, he takes up cover and ushers you out of the reactor control room. With no signs of hostility you're quickly on the retreat back to the assault pod. You can exfil back to the ship but from there some preparation will be required before you can relaunch. Regardless, you've launched a successful assault on the engineering section and secured it clear of hostile. As you reach the assault pod, your communications come back on line, a direct line from the ship's comm system feeding you a local network and your own comm server as well offering support.

"-hsss- tain Herrso- hiss"

"Captain Herrson."

"Come in please. Status report."

You recognize the XO on the Karvi...

As soon as the communication came through, Diana activated her own comms.

++ "This is Captain Hersson. We were in the reactor room, there was a spark gap creating comms interference, but we couldn't fix it without risk so we let it be. Currently doubling back to another entry point. What's the situation, over?" ++

"Shipmaster Mysh has reached the vessel's bridge. Please return to the ship. Signal distrupted. Transmission repeats."

"Shipmaster Mysh has reached the vessel's bridge. Please return to the ship. Signal distrupted. Transmission repeats."

The assault pod is intact, waiting for the recover order, sending it back to the launching ship. From there though, it would be a while before you could launch another attack... it was retreat or try another path to meet up with Zazan.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:13, Fri 12 Feb 2021.

Satisfied that the bridge is secured, Zazan comms back to the Squadron.

++King Squadron zis is Randver actual. Sable-one bridge iz secured, repeat bridge iz secured. Still no word on teams from Sigfred or Valdar.++

"Warriors of ze Randvar, we have accomplished our objective. Very well done. Proven Warrior please post sentries and collect ze bodies and weapons for analysis back on ze Randver."

Turning to the bridge itself, Zazan addresses the ship itself. "As for you, my beast, let us see if we can get to know each other."

Ooc: would like to do some rolls, namely: tech/astronautics, computers and security to see what I can see.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Fri 12 Feb 2021.

Oscar listened to the squadron comms with interest. After a moment he added his own voice to the chatter.

++King Actual, Wartooth Actual. Request permission to gear up my Gargoyle and prep for salvage and recovery operations on Sable-One.++

Where she was now, Diana could hear Mysh' transmission.

++ Wartooth Actual, this is Valdar Actual. The consoles in the reactor room were slagged, and one of them is creating a spark gap. We think it's the one managing emergency life support systems so we didn't disable it, but it's causing strong electromagnetic interference to the comms in the area which, due to our proximity, rendered our comm signals temporarily inoperable. Our original route of entry was blocked off, but with the bridge under our control, are my men still needed? We've already made a sweep for things resembling commpads or dataslabs and other objects of interest and have several such items on our persons. Status is two light injured and no casualties, zero enemy engagements. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 00:41, Sat 13 Feb 2021.

Zazan sends his message back to the ship, thankfully Wartooth has been hanging close by to rely your messages despite some unknown interference. His first inspection of the strange 'bridge' reveals two key things:
First: All the key systems have been destroyed.
Second: The symbolism and layout of the bridge is bizarre. It's not a normal ship design. For some reason, it has a huge metal probably computer structure right in the center of the bridge where the captain would usually sit on one of your ships. For some reason it's all written in some form of hindi with some other sigils you can't recognize at all. They seem truly alien.

Your troopers get about to policing corpses, collecting potential weapons and other floating items into bags.

The word comes back from the leading ship in the squadron. ++"Wartooth. We have limited time. We are unable to tow or transport the defeated vessel but we must proceed with our mission. You have two hours to retrieve from the target ship. Launch as soon as you can."++

OOC: Make a Pre-tech roll. Take -2 since you do not have pretech as a skill.


Diana, your troopers are awaiting you just outside the assault pods, trying to rest, but they are armed and they look at you with eagerness in their eyes.

++"Hold position. Gather your troops and recall to ship immediately."++
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:48, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

Diana frowned, and her hands immediately went for her compad.

++ Come again, King actual? This is a First Contact situation, where the enemy was at least aware enough of Hegemony technology to be confident enough to take us on five to one. Our best ships still do not come anywhere close to their level of technology and, need i remind you, Sable-One had a heading to the region of space we had just jumped in from. We cannot have the Hegemony taken by surprise, the recovery of Sable-One takes precedence. We will need to get it to the station even if we have to physically push it there, after which i would strongly recommend the immediate launch of a comms probe to summon a recovery team, with King Squadron assuming a defensive formation around the station until their arrival. Then and only then do we proceed with the mission as ordered. A threat to Hegemony security as a whole takes precedence over our current orders. ++

Oscar cinched down the last clamp on the gauntlet of the Gargoyle when he heard the message come through. Not wasting time, he checked the system diagnostics and rode the suit to full power. Three hours of life support if he didn't pop the top while in. Oscar had no plan of doing that. He stood in the airlock and made his way through one ship and into Sable-One.

++Wartooth Salvage Operations are live. Transferring Wartooth comms to bridge. Gargoyle is the new designation for Salvage Operations. Gargoyle-1 is showing all systems nominal. Three hours of playtime remaining. Proceeding to the reactor for damage control and instrument recovery before moving to bridge of Sable-One. Request any available teams to retrieve components that Gargoyle-1 is able to recover for maximum playtime. Moving to reactor room now.++

Oscar fell into the natural rhythm he had known most of his adult life. Breaking apart frigates and long-haulers was a far cry from this ship. Sable-One was about the most advanced thing in the known universe to Oscar. He would rip her down to the keel if he could and store her in the Wartooth if he got the chance. Priority was going to be anything that looked like it would have value for the Fleet. His mind ran through critical systems that would link the reactor, especially if the bridge had been all but destroyed by denial efforts. Oscar knew ships though and no matter how advanced, he was hoping he could pick out the right components to harvest.

OOC:22:44, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 7 using 2d6-1.  Tech/Pretech.

"Time to pack up Warriors, exfil back to ze boarding tube.

We are leaving."

++"Ma'am, this is King XO. Actual is in a briefing, unavailable. We have orders to protect the system and confirm the presence of hostiles in system and engage them if possible. These orders come straight from High Command via MSC Valna. I repeat, we do not have time for a full salvage operation. We need to secure the listen post and locate the presence of further hostile vessels and disable them if at all possible."++

The XO of the Angantyr, and the squadron sounded slightly on edge.

++"The only place we can launch a messenger drone from is Ultima Black IV station and that's our primary objective. If they've gotten in this far, those men and women could be in danger. It's our mission to protect them first and we will follow our godsdamned orders. Angantyr, over and out."++


Zazan's troopers gathered their gear, policed bodies and unknown weapons before making their way back through the dark empty ship towards the assault pod. Boarding up, they closed it, stowed their gear and prisoner before initiating retrieval, being pulled back gently towards their ship of origin and finally able to return to a friendly atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Oscar and two other shipmates geared up in their three Gargoyle salvage suits and made the slow silent cross from their ship through the void to derelict alien vessel. Given only a couple of hours, you had to act quickly, picking through what you found and seizing it, or cutting it loose if required. You had to pick a part of the ship to land on and begin your salvage shopping spree before you were called back... but where to land?
This message was lightly edited by the player at 09:51, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

++ "Okay, so let's see if i understand this correctly: Because of potential hostiles in this system, we're just going to leave this Spike-4 capable craft drifting around for them to find? Does this strike you as strategically sound? ++

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She was losing her temper, and was nearing the point where she'd stop caring about keeping it in check.

++ Listen. I will bolt Sable-One to the Valdar's hull myself if need be. Sure, she'll handle like a limp freighter, but my crew's more than capable of compensating for roll and pitch along the way. I'm not stupid: I know we don't have the time for a full salvage op. But we CAN drag her to the station, like i said, and both protect the station as well as await Hegemony pickup of Sable-One at the same time. ++

She paused for a moment to bite her lip.

++ Look, i don't like it any more than you do, but the mission's toast. Based on this craft's capabilities, I will not entertain the laughable notion that we would somehow be able to repel the squadron that would be sent to figure out what happened to their frigate today. Repeat, getting Sable-One to the Hegemony for reverse engineering ASAP is of the highest priority, both from a tactical as well as strategic point of view. Once that handoff's done, then and only then do we proceed with our patrol. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 10:56, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

Onboard the Randver, Zazan keeps things moving.

"Warriors, secure ze prisoner in ze brig, ze weapons in ze armory, then hit ze showers, stellar work out there. Proven Warrior, I would like your report by next watch.

XO, ze captive, he uses a tongue I have never heard before. I doubt zat aboard ze Randver we would find a translator torc keyed to hiz language. Please arrange to record a few snips of his speech and see if anyone aboard has heard of it before......if not then contact ze rest of ze squadron to do ze same."

Zazan makes his way to the bridge, jotting notes along the way so he does not forget to include them in the after-action report. When he makes it to his post he opens a channel to the Squadron.

++King Squadron zis iz Randver-actual. Prisoner secured to the brig. Where iz my other boarding tube? Commander Herrson, are you still aboard sable-one?++

After his abrupt termination of comms, it takes a few minutes to get him back on the system, going through some of the bridge crew to get him on the channel.

++"Captain Hersson... I appreciate your fervor in this endeavor. However, I must stress the following: neither your or I or anyone in this system has the right to make that call. We will continue on as ordered and secure the listening post, rescuing or avenging anyone there on the station and prevent any capture of sensitive material as well as send a warning drone if possible from there and... or refuel if possible."++

++"Gods, woman, think about what you're asking. You want to bolt a ship twice your mass to your vessel and do what? Sit and spin in the void? You're commanding a corvette, not a godsdamn tugboat! Time is of the essence. We have to act, decisively, now! We are not going to leave our people behind for a science excursion."++

He lowers his voice to a whisper, seemingly intended so only you can hear.

++"All of us are shaken up by this, but we must retain control and discipline. Reinforcements might take weeks if not months. We must end this madness or we will face court martials. Captain Hersson, I implore you. We must follow the mission and our orders."++

===========================================================================================

Randver's finest troopers follow your orders, although for a moment they seem slightly sloppy. They're perhaps drunk on victory, laughing, carousing and the like without the professionalism and discipline you would expect of your crew. Yet, who can blame them. They took a hostile ship's bridge with no casualties, captured a prisoner and weapons as well.

"Aye aye, Skip."


===========================================================================================

Another message comes through on another channel to Diana's assault pod.

++King Squadron zis iz Randver-actual. Prisoner secured to the brig. Where iz my other boarding tube? Commander Herrson, are you still aboard sable-one?++


===========================================================================================

Oscar's Gargoyle touches down on the fractured hull of Sable-One. Up close, under the floodlights and thermal scanners, the damage looks far worse than it did from the Wartooth. Tiny pockmarks littered the skin of the ship even where the plasma beams hadn't sliced through the plating. Small fluid leaks are evident all over the ship from this close as your salvage team begins to approach your previously identified ingress point: a section where the hull was blown out by some sort of cataclysmic reaction inside the ship, scans indicating that from there you can quickly access the reactor room.

Small pieces and globes of liquid gently impact your powered suit as you enter the ship, your lights the only source of illumination in the darkened hulk now. The only sound at all can be 'heard' through your boots, the deck of the ship groaning and creaking under the strain of the unarrested inertia. Reaching the reactor room, you find the hatch already open and only a few emergency lighting units. As you get closer to the chamber, interference begins to plague your communications systems until you reach complete blackout, only able to communicate via hand signals outside the hatch. Experience suggests there's a damaged conduit ahead that's putting out a mass of EM noise.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:43, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

++ I said 'if need be', but yes. Sable-One's mass is of no consequence as long as we would keep an eye on accelerating and decelerating gradually enough to retain structural integrity despite the added inertia as long as we do not enter any gravitational fields with it. Once it's got speed, regardless of how, it could drift to the station. And we would be there guarding both it and the station all the time: Nothing would be undefended. ++

Looking at her Marines, Diana mimicked pinching the bridge of her nose over the helmet of her voidsuit.

++ And yes, i know what i am asking. I am asking to, very decisively and in a very timely manner, adapt to the altered circumstances and improvise as required to ensure the Hegemony gets the most benefit out of the current situation. And as Sable-One has the potential to jump the Hegemony's level of military technology forward by over a hundred years, that long term gain would definitely outweigh any loss incurred by starting our patrol route a month or two late. And if it's orders you're worried about, when i asked the Star Commander specifically on First Contact situations, she replied with 'Ideally, you would want to ascertain the origins of this hypothetical mysterious vessel', which we would be doing by securing the wreckage for pickup. We are not breaking orders, we are prioritizing between existing ones. ++

She lowered her voice as well.

++ Look, i understand we've got orders, but think about this: Sable-One is currently adrift on its intended flight plan. Getting it out of said flight plan might throw off whatever force is sent out to investigate its disappearance, and that might buy us the time we need to have reinforcements pick her up. If we do not, they would see the battle damage, and start looking for hostiles -- a.k.a. us -- in-system. Now what would that do to our listening post? ++

Speaking at her normal volume again, Diana addressed the Squadron again.

++ Affirmative Randver Actual, my team is currently at the pod with everyone accounted for, we'll be setting off in a minute or two. Did everyone else extract successfully? ++

++"Captain Hersson, you took astrophysics. I know you're trying to make a difference, but there's absolutely no way in Hel we're going to be able to haul that ship anywhere. Even if we had a team of engineers, which we don't, it would take weeks to get her from here to the station. Our vessels were never designed for that sort of thing. It just isn't feasible."++

Your troops can't hear what's happening since you're communicating over the comms and there's currently no atmosphere where you are to transmit the sound. Small mercies, perhaps.

++"You're leaving out the rest of what she said. 'but your squadron is there to protect the system and confirm the presence of hostiles in system and engage them if possible. Your priority as captains as always is to the mission and the safety of your ship and crew. Do not put either at risk simply for glory.'++ A familiar voice cuts through the darkness, Shipmaster Volsung Takagara, commander of King Squadron.

++"I understand what you're trying to do. If the circumstances were different, I would support you fully, but we have a mission to stick to with lives on the line. It simply isn't possible to get that ship anywhere distant with our flotilla. Maybe one of the heavy transports at the listening post... either way, we need to get there to send for reinforcements if they haven't already and failing that, the Wartooth will have to be sent back immediately. We don't have time to refine fuel and we can't assume that the listening station will be intact and supplied when we arrive. There are a lot of variables and changing the plan now could spell disaster for our squadron and for our nation."++

++"There's no hiding now anyways. We jammed their transmissions, so they won't know who we are but they'll eventually see our battle once the light-lag catches up to them. So far, we can't see anyone, which could mean this was just a scout and there was no one else or it could mean they're hiding or not in the system yet. The Listening post will have a much more complete picture of our tactical situation... if it's still standing."++

++"Diana, this isn't up for debate. We will follow our orders or I will have you relieved of command. Do I make myself clear?"++


OOC: 16:08, Sat 20 Feb: Ensign Bertim Carte rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Persuasion Contested. Ensign Bertim Carte is not convinced.

++ Yes, which is why getting it OUT of the battle zone would... ++

Diana inhaled deeply, and let out a long sigh. She felt she wasn't getting through to them, and getting into an argument with half the squadron certainly wouldn't be helping.

++ Understood. It's just that, the crew's first response to being disabled was to slag their consoles and commit suicide well before our boarding parties arrived. That's not the behavior of a military crew, that's what a spy ship would do. And the only reason for an unknown to send a lone spy ship into Hegemony space is if they're scouting out defenses and strategic locations: I'm just worried that this is a precursor for an organized assault on Hegemony space, and i'd rather not head back home at the end of our patrol duty to find several colonies in flames because the Hegemony failed to develop the required countermeasures for this kind of technology gap in time. ++

Diana turned to her Marines, giving them a shrug and a half-hearted shooing motion towards the pod.

- "Okay, break time's over, get your asses into that pod."

She took another deep breath, trying to sound less annoyed, and once everyone was inside began heading for the pod herself. Once inside, she pressed the button to begin the recovery of the pod and begin the process of returning to her own ship... via the Randver, of course.

++ Assault pod recovery initiated. Requesting permission for the Valdar to remain with Sable-One and continue to suppress whatever automated emergency beacon she may be putting out, awaiting the arrival of the heavy transport then, sir? ++
This message was last edited by the player at 10:26, Tue 23 Feb 2021.

++"This is King Squadron XO. Actual has left the net. If they're a scout ship, that works in our favor. We didn't let them transmit back so they're blind about what happened. They'll figure out their ship is missing sooner or later, we just have to make sure we're ahead of them."++

He paused for a moment, perhaps thinking out what he was going to say.

++"As far as we know, they're limited by light-lag as we are and they can't transmit interstellar via wireless. Those are fundamental limits of even our exalted ancestors. If they're the only ship here... no one is going to know what happened to them in about 8 hours if no one else arrives. We can't just go on the defensive. We've got the initiative here, Hersson. We can make this work."++

++"Remember, the whole 9th Fleet is tasked on Operation Hopscotch. We're just in one system."++

A brief period of silence and some clicking sounds.

++"Affirmative. Return to Valdar, we need to get your ship repaired en route to the listening post."++

The assault pod seals up with warning klaxons and pressurizes, dragging you back to the Randver. The Valdar was close by, held by the Wartooth and ready for repairs.

++ Yeah, just... promise me we'll double time it. The sooner Sable One is tugged back to the listening post, the sooner i can rest easy at having it secured for pickup. ++

Diana turned to her Marines for a second, breaking into a smirk.

- "Brass being brass, nothing i can't work with though. Good work out there, team."

Oscar signaled to his team for one to go outside the hatch and report their current findings and positions. Training to over instinct as he slowly panned his head cam and lights around the reactor area. Oscar wasn't sure if the radiation leaks would make the feed unusable, but there would be time for a second pass when the crewman came back from the report. Using his thermals, Oscar then began his search for the disruption. An EM spike would likely mean a live cable or conduit that didn't have a breaker system tied to it or was malfunctioning. He maneuvered his suit and got helmet to helmet with his remaining crewmate. "Stay within sight, but trail me. We don't need something knocking our suits out at the same time," he said and moved off towards the best guess of where the interference was coming from.

Zazan works on his after action report in the Randver bridge as the Squadron makes repairs and makes ready for continuing of the mission.

"... Scuttling of key ship control boards within the bridge indicates a strict naval doctrine. It appeared that the bridge crew had taken their lives instead of being captured, evidenced by no signs of life following breaching and decompression of the bridge.

My initial conclusion is that the ship was a military vessel operating under an organization with rigid intelligence and asset control protocols."

Speaking to his bridge crew, "Please ensure zat we gather all visual and telemetric data on sable one while we are still within range.

Over the course of the next hour, every member of the assault time returns to their own ship. Diana's troopers being taken care of in medical for monitoring and some light treatment, surprisingly, they are in good condition. The blast must not have been as bad as expected or they simply got lucky. Happens all the time out here in deep space.

Oscar, the area is bathed in moderate radiation, nothing your suits can't protect you from but there's definitely been damage to this area. Your guess is that there isn't necessarily exposed radioactive material, but radioactive gasses venting in small quantities into the chamber (and probably throughout the ship.) If the atmospheric pressure was maintained, that could be a greater issue, although, it's hard to say just based on the readings you have. A few sweeps across the deck as you advance and you locate it. A large shielded conduit on the wall opposite the main entry hatch. You can see the sparks as the cables try in vain to complete the circuit, only sending out massive EM spikes and disrupting you communications, even distorting some of your scopes up close. Looking at it, you could damage the point of contact, severing the spark-gap or you could simply go to the source and knock out the batter or the connection from the battery. There's a possibility you could try to repair it, but that would be jerry-rigging at best to put it back into shape where it would properly power whatever it was supposed to power and end the transmission static. This would probably take all the time you had allotted on the ship however.

Zazan's crew reports that so far, they are unable to determine the language of the captive. It is being run through the ships computer with limited success. Meanwhile, ever scope and scanner is pointed at Sable-One and trying to make sense of what they're seeing. Combat footage from the Troopers are also being analyzed as best as they can. This material is being marked and archived for transmission to an Indari Intelligence group as soon as possible. They're already setting up back up contingencies for dumping a data-pod somewhere in the system for retrieval in the event of a fatal hostile encounter.

Once Oscar is finished with his time, the squadron will form up and push on to the Listening Post while repairing the Valdar as much as can be done.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:50, Thu 25 Feb 2021.

Oscar looked over the cable and decided that the best course of action was going to be to interrupt the break. If he had more time, he would follow the battery but as it sat now, he needed all of his time to cut away any valuable hardware he could from the ship. Null-G would make the task easier, but it would take his entire team to get on it and make it back in the window. Lighting the plasma cutter, he sliced the broken conduit about a third of a meter back from the gap with a clean cut. No sense getting near the live wire.

Once the EM interference had subsided, Oscar reached out over the comms to his team. "Gargoyle-2, take this reactor room and look for relays or any battery components. Cut the entire thing out if you have to, but I want as much usable salvage as we can get from this bird. Gargoyle-3, Head out on the skin and look for an intact sensor blister or undamaged antenna. If you can't find anything, record as much as you can of the engine and the weapons modules. We are going to figure this mystery out. I am going to the bridge to rip out anything that might be a storage device. In initial reports had a computer stack, so that will be my first target. Report in quarter-hour intervals. If you're late, we will assume the worst, so don't forget. Let's beat feet, people," he finished and sent his team on their way.

++King elements, this is Gargoyle-1. Proceeding commence intelligence recovery. Two plus three zero-hours playtime remaining. If you could keep an eye on Gargoyle-3 on the hull, I'd be thankful. Gargoyle-2 is in engineering spaces. I'm taking the bridge. Will report with any usful data. Gargoyle-1, out.++

OOC:We can cut scene the salvage op if that's okay.

A priority message cuts through the routine chatter across the squadron net:

++Warning. Hostile mech. I am down.++ from Wartooth Actual.

Silence.

The audibly annoyed voice of Diana could be heard over the radio after a couple of seconds of silence.

++ Someone... please tell me i misheard that? ++

++Streaming data feed. Engaging the bastard.++

A picture-in-picture feed popped up in the transmission, showing Hargrave's personal feed from his Gargoyle suit, showing you exactly what he was seeing. In the barely lit badly damaged bridge of the alien ship, the metal column that had once occupied the center of the bridge was moving, clawing it's way across the deck in the float with the various 'branches' acting like the huge twisted limbs of a mechanical insectoid.

Oscar stood to his feet, the whine of the servos audible as they vibrated inside the suit, picked up by his helmet receivers. The hunching metal crab like thing moved silently, erratically, with no air to transmit the sparking blows of each metal appendage dragging the thing through zero gee slowly to meet Oscar.

The other Gargoyle suits are already indicated they're on their way to rescue their captain. They boost out of the hull and with nearly reckless abandon they use their thrusters to close the distance with the bridge.

Oscar activated the hydraulic claws, watching the metal pincers expose themselves from the suit. When used in salvage operations, especially if there were still people aboard in need of rescue, the claws were known as jaws of life. Able to rip pressure bulkheads apart if they could get the right angle and the ability to crush nearly anything that was on modern spaceships could come as a boon for those needing to get somewhere quickly. Oscar figured that they could be used to take apart this metal monstrosity just as quickly. The thing looked slow and propelled by its “Branches“. Oscar focused on those appendages and trying to snap them off or crush them to ineffectiveness with the jaws of life.

++Jaws of life deployed. I’m going to see if I can disable it. It hit me with some sort of neural attack.++

The flailing metal thing nearly reached Oscar and he lunges out, pincers ready to catch and crush anything they can, the limbs of various thicknesses whirled about, spinning at him like a tornado, trying to catch him. He could feel the impact of the branches striking against his Gargoyle, sending sparks flying and setting off alarms in his helmet. The assault was so random and furious that every time he reached out, his arms were knocked aside, up or down, unable to pin the whipping metal branches down.

Oscar's transmissions continue, only the heavy breathing of his voice and the sounds of his salvage suit working furiously to carry him across the ship. The video feed shows him ducking through a hatch and hurling himself down the corridor with his thrusters.

Aboard the Randver a bead of cold sweat runs down Zazan's spine. He was in that room, mere feet away from the column that appears to have become a murderous killing machine.

Knowing it might be quite too little too late, on the ship-wide Zazan barks out orders. "Boarding team back to ze tube, prepare for SAR and anti-armor combat. Helm bring us about!

A flash of light appears on the hull near the bridge and an explosion rocks the upper decks, hurling debris and rapidly expanding gas out into space. IFF overlays on your cameras indicate that Captain Hargrave has been hurled free from the ship riding the wave of the explosion. His two gargoyles quickly launch pursuit. No sign of the hostile entity can be perceived from the exterior and as the blast fades, the ship appears quiet once again.

Oscar‘s head hurt like he had been drinking for an entire week without sleep. He was concussed, there was no doubt about that. He could feel his body ache but the suit had sealed off any breaches that his ill attempted demolition project had caused. He was tumbling. That wasn’t good. He attempted to right himself in order to orient better.

++Gargoyle-1, requesting pick up.++

Oscar gave a wet cough that he knew was going to come back to haunt him later. He needed a medical bay and some time to recuperate.

Diana held her breath when her monitor showed an explosion in Oscar's approximate location, and breathed a sigh of relief when she heard him request a pickup over the radio. The Valdar was docked with the Wartooth right now, so she couldn't maneuver her ship closer, but the Randver and the Angantyr, having been used to board the ship with, were far closer to Sable-One anyway.

++ Good to see you've cleared Sable-One, Wartooth Actual. Update on the hostile? ++

She paused for a second, then switched to a private channel between Captains.

++ That said, that was a fucking stupid idea. Not only did you initiate a salvage operation after myself having been specifically told a moment ago there was no time for a salvage operation -- something i feel a particularly strong sense of disappointment about, to put it lightly -- you opted to do so without any kind of Marine support. Whatever happened to 'Do not put either at risk simply for glory'? This is not a training exercise, what were you thinking?!? ++
This message was last edited by the player at 03:23, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

Gargoyle team was moving in to retrieve their commander. It wasn't long before powerful metal arms latched onto Oscars suit and righted him. His crew checking the exterior of the suit, looking for leaks or damage.

++Looks like nothing serious. Randver, please come by to pick us up. I don't trust the jets on his suit.++

Your comms officer has her scopes trained on the damaged ship. She looks at you and shakes her head. "Captain, I don't see any movement. Nothing showing on the thermals either. It looks like Captain Hargrave set off a shipbreaking charge as an improvised weapon. Might have killed... whatever that was." She looks back to her station, panning slowly around and sending out lidar pings to update the 3D model of the ship to account for a new hole.

Ooc: retconning that event out as the player has returned.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:22, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

++"Zis iz Randver-actual, we are en route for pickup and watching for signs of ze hostile."++

"Comms, monitor ze scopes and stay on ze horn with Gargoyle."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

- "Understood. A pity it has lead to damage to the ship's bridge, but we should have plenty of data feed from when the Randver's Marines went through it. Still no casualties, fortunately."

She had just finished speaking when the Angantyr sent its message. Well, if anything it explained why she hadn't heard anything from its Marine squad, they were probably too busy with Volsung's treatment, and understandably so. She sighed, mumbling something about keeping her mouth shut, when Zazan chimed in.

++ Seconded, the choice for someone with combat experience makes sense given the current situation. Also, i would like to use this opportunity to propose a Squadron XO, to handle duties at times when the Squadron Leader is unavailable. With Captain Hargrave due to check in to Medical for potential combat injuries, i would like to put my own name forward to fill that role. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 00:04, Sun 28 Feb 2021.

Oscar checked in with the other members of his team and chuckled.

++Next time we make a first contact, remind the Marines to check the walls to see if they come to life. Looking forward to being in ship atmo instead of this suit.++

Oscar then switched to the private channel for Captains.

++Diana, two things before you jump down my throat. One, my op was cleared by King Actual. Two, your Marines are the ones that gave the all-clear for the ship. Considering that, we can discuss the rest when I am not encased in a damaged exo in the void.++

Diana responded on the same Captain-only channel.

++ And it was King Actual that informed me we didn't have time for a full salvage op, so there's definitely some crossed wires to fix. But finger pointing aside, this discussion is indeed best kept until later. ++

++ Let's cover this in the debrief ++, suggested Takagawa on the Captain's channel, sounding tired and worn, ++ We're out here on the edge, and we're handling the unexpected. We need to make it to the station, regroup, and find me a squadron XO ++

Flicking to the main squadron comms, he forced enthusiasm into his voice, ++ Excellent work, Kingsmen. Keep sharp, we need to find out what state the station's in. Kings Actual, out ++

The bulk of the activity in the squadron as they moved towards Ultima Black VI INS Listening Post. The crew of the Valdar, the Wartooth and some of the other technicians in the squadron have been transferred over to work multiple shifts over the next 24 hours while you make your voyage to the listening post. With the fabrication equipment and machinery aboard the Wartooth, most of the damage is repaired by the tireless work crews and by the end of the full naval day, the reports come in that the Valdar is ready for action again.

OOC: 10 points of damage were repaired for the INS-Valdar.

This is not the only talk on the commnet though. Morale is high across the squadron. It's the first victory of the newly formed King Squadron and the first victory of many of the spacers aboard. Indeed, aside from the easily repairable damage to one of the ships, not a single member of the squadron or crew was lost against a seemingly superior and alien foe. In general, the crews feel optimistic and boastful about what had happened. More than once do you catch them whispering your praise and watching you in admiration for the parts each of you played, either in command or in direction action against an alien enemy. Five different video feeds, from each ship and those from the Astral Trooper teams and Oscar's suit are edited together and exchanged as amateur morale boosting efforts. Along with this is a small, but perceivable dip in discipline. The crews are elated with their victory but they've become a little bit lax as a result. Nothing to worry about yet, but something to keep an eye on.

The prisoner aboard the Randvar is at times loud, belligerent and at other times, quiet and sullen, unwilling to eat and speaking cryptic unknown phrases in repetition for hours at a time. Some research on the ship computers and asking around has suggested he is speaking some sort of Hindu dialect, but not one you have a translator keyed for. The language is almost unknown in the Hegemony beyond some Old Earth historians and linguists in academia.

Several crates full of artifacts were recovered from the ship as well and were being sorted and analyzed briefly before being tagged and sealed up for return to the Hegemony intelligence groups. It's hard to make any sense of them, but there are signs some of this may be pre-Scream technology. The weapon recovered by Zazan's team was tested outside the hull of the ship. It's a powerful beam weapon of exotic energy, although the beam itself is very thin and brief, it seems to punch clean through anything you've tried to use as a target object. It takes nearly 10cm of standard material before it expends its energy. There are no obvious power packs, panels or removable parts. It's simply a lengthy multi-fluted object a little less than a meter in length with a control stub acting as a trigger on the main handle, a secondary handle to act for aiming and a prism that seems to be the targeting optic, although how it functions is a mystery. Regardless how many times you fire it, it never seems to reach anything higher than room temperature. Even in the vacuum of space it did not generate more heat than a standard powercell would in idle operation and the whole thing is light, weighing only a single kilogram.

OOC: You found a pretty neat energy rifle.

As you approach Ultima Black VI you realize something is wrong. The station is silent and dark. The normal lights are out and there have been no transmissions despite your hailing for hours now. As you get closer you see signs of combat, there is debris around the small moon the station was built into. Indications of space combat. As you come closer, within about 1 million kilometers, the sensors go haywire, detecting multiple incoming projectiles, nuclear detonations, radiation and targeting radar and lidar signals. Within moments, two unknown vessels crest the horizon of the Ultima Black VI moon and began to accelerate towards you, along with about a dozen torpedoes or missiles of some kind.

When the scanners indicated the station had gone dark, Diana had raised the alert status on her own ship to Yellow alert, indicating the ship would be at full combat readiness. It had been a good thing that the voyage to the station had lasted a full day, it allowed the crew to get a full sleep cycle in, which meant they would be more alert than if they had gone without sleep for an extended period of time.

Once the station came into view, the combat damage to the station was clear, and she wasted little time kicking the alert status up to Red. When the ships appeared a few minutes after she was glad she had.

- "Sensors, get me a reading of those ships: Alien or Brotherhood? If alien, compare it to the combat data from yesterday to indicate approximate combat strength."

While waiting on the feedback, she contacted the rest of the fleet.

++ Advise falling back to a more strategically advantageous position. Given the main enemy focus is on missiles and torpedos, i would propose either the sun to have solar radiation disrupt the missiles' guidance and targeting systems, or the edge of the system to have the Wartooth physically jump back for reinforcements, and securing the artefacts with Naval Intelligence for study. This is an area of space they have chosen for their trap, and they are unlikely to stray too far away from it either way. King Actual, your orders? ++

"Comms! Set condition 1 throughout ze ship and get me data on ze hostiles and incoming ordinance. Helm! You are free to engage in evasive maneuvers, mind we don't direct missiles towards ze Wartooth.

I want a firing solution!

++Captains, we have incoming. Zer is not exactly time to chart a lesiure trip!++

The Squadron goes into a combat stance, beating to quarters throughout the ships as weapons and stations come fully online. As you watch the two ships approaching, there's a flash, and another flash. You're light-seconds out, far too distant for an effective engagement with any modern warship. It's almost as if they're coming at you in slow motion and... after double-checking and triple-checking your readings, you realize... they are.

Your comms officer speaks up, a note of incredulity in their voice. "Captain... I've run this through multiple times. Everything indicates these are... nuclear-powered vessels. They're launching missiles at ranges which would probably miss us even if we didn't have Q-ECM. The designs are... unlike anything I've ever seen in service but the overall plan reminds me of 1st Century system ships... pre-FTL, captain."

Sure enough, as you scan and probe their ships, long, slow arcs of missiles and torpedos linger towards you, far too distant to ever successfully chase you down much less hit you. You're being hit with scattered radar and diffracted lidar pings, and you wonder that at that resolution if they can even detect what type of ships they're facing.

Your comms officer scoffs in disbelief. "Captain... Radiological signatures confirmed.... they're launching nuclear warheads at us..." Any 1st year cadet knows nukes are worthless in a starfight. Every single modern warship has a nuke-snuffer built right into the spikedrive and most major planetary bases or cities have them as well. Nuclear weapons have been obsolete for at least 150 years in the Hegemony.

There is a great sense of confusion throughout the bridge. These vessels, based on all readings pose as much of a threat to you as a 19th century Old Earth sea battleship would against a 22nd Century neo-dreadnought.

Diana frowned when she heard the report come through from her Sensors officer.

- "Understood. Do not fire on the ships, target the *ahem* nuclear torps fired at the Squadron instead."

It was hard to keep a straight face, but she felt she somehow managed.

++ Captains, going by initial scans these ships pose no threat to us. Shall we engage in some Spike-2 formation flying to show how outmatched they are, while sending hails encouraging them to stand down? ++

++Good call captain, shifting to a higher spike phase lets us negate ze threat.

I do not recall ultima black being populated. I must check my notes. If it is not how did pre-FTL ships get here and why would our outpost be targeted?++

Turning to his comms, Zazan gives a few quick orders "Comms, Send visual data of ze outpost to my terminal.

Helm, being us closer to ze outpost at phase 2. I want our ship between ze hostiles and ze outp....belay that, keep us a quarter orbit closer to ze hostiles.

Marines! Prep boarding tubes for SAR."

++Randver will break-off and initiate SAR at the outpost.++
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

++ It would be better to hold on boarding the station for now. The torpedos may not pose a threat to our ships, but the station is a much more vulnerable target, especially in its current state. It would be better to focus on cessation of hostilities, after which we would have ample time to salvage whatever resources would remain on the station. ++

++Ze station has already been attacked and ze lights are out. Any survivors are be running out of time.

If we need to negate a missile Randver will deal with it when we get there.++

Both the Snekkja and the Landskip classes have weapons capable of attacking missiles and torpedoes. Both the Valdar and the Sigfred break off from the squadron to move to protect the station from bombardment while the other three ships maintain a distance, not moving to close but ready to assist the vanguard in even of an engagement. Unless the two nuclear vessels close in, they won't be able to harm anyone.

One of the comms officers scoffs and reports. "They're using Orion drives..." she pauses. "It's an old method of ship engineering using nuclear charges to 'push' a ship forward. A powerful, if crude method of propulsion." She enhances a frame to show a close up of the strange vessel. "There, you can see the pusher plate on the aft in this still."

The computers track the inbound torpedoes, displaying out they slowly fan out. Too regular and too far out to simply be Q-ECM jamming taking hold already. They're heading towards the squadron but... there's a flash of light as atoms are split in the void, a huge burst of light and hard radiation in the darkness. Much too far away to do anything to damage your ships but... for a moment, the sensors are blinded by the radiation. The light begins to fade and the picture starts to clear up and another flash. And precisely timed, another flash. Each warhead going off one after another, blinding your entire squadron in that direction. You can no longer make out the station or the hostile vessels due to an evenly spaced series of atomic explosions in space between you and them.

Diana raised an eyebrow when she saw the nuclear devices used to block their sensors.

- "Gotta hand it to them, they make the most use of their limited technology. Efficient, but ultimately futile."

She turned to her Sensors officer, who was trying to get the location of the ships behind the interference screen.

- "Sensors, bounce our radar off of one of Ultima Black VI's moons, we should be able to get a crude reading of what they're doing by going around their interference screen. Once you do, have Comms share it with the rest of the squadron. Tactical, as soon as we're in effective range, have Q-ECM jamming clear out as much of the field as possible to disrupt the consistency of the blasts. Oh, and keep up the hails to end this conflict and open dialogue, all known languages and frequencies."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Sat 20 Mar 2021.

++A nuclear smokescreen.....do we push through ze flashes and have ze scrubbers disable it's effectiveness?++

"Yes, captain. I'm turning our arrays towards the moon, trying to pick up an sensor echo..." Tense minutes went by, the barrage screen never missing a beat. With dozens of warheads, launched and timed right they could keep this up for an uncomfortably long period of time.

"Not much we can do to cut through it, they detonate another one just as it starts becoming clear enough to see but before we can get an idea of what's going on over there. That much radiation is blinding. Gravitmetric sensors aren't much good, we're too close to the mass shadow of the moon, can't make out enough detail as long as they're still in low orbit." Zazan's comm officer reports gravely.

"Captain, I've got something. The Orion engines have a different signature to the warheads, I've filtered them out and I can detect the light-echo off the moon's surface. I'm tracking an additional ship, correction, two additional ships. There are four enemy warships behind that screen, all running hot nuke-drives."

Two more red blips popped up on the tactical display, showing the estimated position of another pair of warships joining the fight.

"No reply on comms. We only have a very limited Hindi database, though, ma'am and it's likely archaic. No way to really say much more than 'Surrender.' if they feel like talking."

A weapons officer murmurs "how the Hel did they get there?" as the distance closes. In a matter of minutes you'll be within combat range, close enough for their missiles to push through the Q-ECM and actually hit, although the warheads would never be able go off close enough to do any damage. Close enough that Valdar's flak batteries could start picking them off if it came to that, though.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:09, Sun 21 Mar 2021.

- "Keep up the good work. And yes, include the Hindi words for conversation. If they've run into Sable-One in the past it may help drive home the technological disparity."

Diana took a deep breath, rubbing her chin as she heard her weapons officer.

- "My guess would be the two ships launched their method of disrupting our sensors, before two more ships that were hiding behind the station joined them, so that should the enemy assume a numerical superiority and push through the radiation screen, they would be surprised and focused down while communications would be disrupted from the blasts going off around them. Against ships not equipped with snuffers, it might actually work: They are definitely adept at combat within their own technological range."

She turned to her pilot.

- "Helm, keep your distance from that screen. Sooner or later they'll run out of munitions, and getting too close would make it that much harder to detect them through bouncing our signal. Begin drifting to the edge of the screen, maybe we can trick them into widening the carpet, and running out of torpedos that much faster."

Oscar winced at the remaining pain from his run-in on Sable-One. Though tender, he could work and he made himself present on the bridge. Looking over the sensor readout he turned to his sensor operator. "Give me a full sweep over the contacts and the station. I want our sensors to bust through this smokescreen if we can. Helm, maintain position. The squadron is more than capable of handling these but no sense to risk it. XO, get on the comm and find out if anyone has Hindi in their knowledge. Even a little bit would help."

++King-5 to all units, we are going to attempt a detailed area scan with our sensors.++

++ Very well. My Sensors officer is currently bouncing the signal on a nearby moon and has identified the enemy engine flares, i believe your officers have already been made aware of their findings. I would recommend coordinating and bouncing signals off of other planetary bodies so we may triangulate enemy positions more efficiently. ++

"We don't have much. It's not a language natively spoken in the Hegemony, just by linguistic and historical scholars..."

The officer forwards some files to your screens. Most of the early colonial precursors to what is now known as the Hegemony space spoke English, Japanese, Spanish and Danish or Norwegian. Some subsets of the population spoke other languages like Astral Pidgin or Neo-Latin, but not Hindi it seemed. There's a very limited file that covers basic conversational Hindi, but it looks a lot like it was originally intended for children. From several centuries ago...

"That strategy seems likely, they want to attack at closer range with numbers and hope they can overpower us. Of course, their own screen is blinding them as well. They've got no idea where we are."

"They'll stop firing once they're ready to act or if it becomes clear we're not going for it. We could move in and just disable their nukes or shoot them down and put an end to this though."

"Captain Hargrave, we can't get anything useful from them directly with all that radiation blinding us, but I've turned our sensor arrays to monitor the echos off the nearby moon. Three of the vessels are of comparable size to our own but the fourth vessel is larger, possibly cruiser class."


OOC: Everyone go ahead and give me a Luck saving through with a 2+ bonus.


OOC 2: All you can do is look for signals coming off other bodies with passive sensors, projecting a radar or lidar beam at a moon can't give you any useful information about things that are not that moon. Imagine being in a dark house and you shine the light at the ceiling. It won't reveal anyone in that house, but it's going to show them roughly where you are. It's not a perfect analogy, but hopefully it makes some sense.

10:07, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 13 using 1d20+2.  Luck save.  Luck save for expert lvl 3 = 14. Fail

Zazan takes in the information and as he thinks his gaze drifts about the bridge and settles on his comms officer who is analyzing the data from Sable-one.

++How are these connected? Was Sable-one fleeing these Primative ships?

It cannot be a coincidence we find all manner of unknown ships within ze same system.

I fear we need more information. Ze only course of action that gives us something is to surround the enemy ships. I believe we will spread ze nuclear curtain thin and either deplete ze hostile's supply or be able to get a reading through ze soup.++
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Mon 22 Mar 2021.

Oscar pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "Thank you."

++I suggest we use our tech and hit them fast. Make sure they know how outclassed they are.++

23:55, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 13 using 1d20+2.  Luck Save. – 13

++ Watch for that cruiser-possible, Captains ++ warned King Actual as he sought to 'drift' the Angantyr off to one edge of the barrage

23:03, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Luck vs 14.

++ I don't think Sable-One was fleeing these ships. If anything, its behavior earlier showed that it did not consider them a threat, which would explain why it chose to blatantly ignore us under the assumption that we were part of whichever faction these ships are from. Likewise, this faction would be aware of Sable-One, given their choice of tactics was to immediately erect a nuclear smokescreen that would inhibit them more than us, as opposed to more aggressive fleet action. It seems neither side was expecting us. ++

OOC: 13:29, Today: Diana Hersson rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Luck vs. 14.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:15, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

Proximity alarms go off aboard every ship in the squadron, tense or even white-knuckle helm officers break away in an emergency high-gee maneuver, stressing the artificial gravity and inertial dampeners as each vessel peels away from their original trajectory. Everyone in the squadron can hear it, resounding through the hulls, the sounds of hundreds of dense 'micro-meteorites' pinging off and through the weak points in the ship.

Pressure alarms blare and damage reports start coming in. Tactical analysis shows the larger unknown ship must have dumped a fragmented asteroid out like a giant scattergun blast, while the rest of the enemy squadron uses their otherwise useless nuclear weapons to blind your sensors. The gambit has paid off, although, in any other circumstance this never would have worked and now that you know their trick, you'll never let it happen again. These are the actions of a desperately outmatched enemy.

The nuclear blast screen begins to fade, it's purpose spent as the enemy squadron approaches. Do you cut and run or do you meet them in battle around the moon?


OOC:

Valdar takes 3 damage
Angantyr takes 2 damage
Randver takes 1 damage
Harald Wartooth takes 3 damage
Sigfred takes 3 damage

Note: Your effective engagement ranges are roughly the same. They can shoot at you with weapons that won't hit you at longer range (Q-ECM) and your weapons are effective only up close where Q-ECM wouldn't help either way. In other words, if you can shoot them, they can shoot you.

++I propose we fan out and pick off ze escorts at maximum range. Once silenced we can focus our fire on ze cruiser-class vessel.++

Oscar felt the impacts and gritted his teeth. They didn't have the repair reserves to service a single ship again, much less the entire squadron, not unless the station's repair yards and supply depots were left intact. Oscar looked at his gunnery station. "Get ready to fry them if they come too close. Authorization to fire at will inside our effective range, I want at least an 80% solution before you tear them apart."

++I second the proposed engagement. We are the Hegemony Fleet. Let's show them what that means.++

++ Indeed. Shall we focus fire on whatever vessel fires first, to set an example? It might cow the remainder into... rethinking their strategy. ++

++ Hunt them in pairs! ++, came the command from King Actual, ++ Focus fire on whichever vessels surface from the pack. Be wary they do not try the same, so keep mobile, Kingsmen ++

++Wartooth will engage Draken Three and make sure they don’t try anything funny behind the formation.++

“Helm, phase 2. Deadeye, fire as she bears.”

21:01, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 22 using 1d20+9.  Attack vs Draken-3. – 22
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

Diana gave herself a mental nod. If they were going to hunt in pairs, it would make sense for her and the Sigfred to partner up, given that both vessels had detached themselves from the squadron to investigate the station a moment ago.

++ Valdar pairing up with Sigfred, targeting Grendel. Firing to disable their command ship. We'll also be continuing to broadcast the offer for them to surrender, let us test the limits of their resolve. ++

She gave a nod to her XO, signaling that she could relay those same orders to the other bridge crew.

OOC: 19 to hit

I think i rolled 5 damage (halved to 2.5), right? Flak emitters are 2d6 and no bonuses?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:10, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

++ Angantyr engaging Draken-Three with Wartooth ++, came the crisp command from Captain Takagawa, as the plasma beam from their squadron flagship lanced out into the black

13:36, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 12 using 1d20+8.  Fire on Draken-3.
13:39, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 12 using 3d6.  Damage from Plasma Beam.

++Randver Engaging Draken-One.++ Zazan turns to his gunner and flashes a hand signal to fire when ready. "Remember, they are flying in realspace only. Helm, keep us at Phase 2. He is curious as to the squadron's interpretations of the orders that came in. He had definitely said to pick off the escorts first but Sigfred and Valdar went after the cruiser anyway.

23:39, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 30 using 1d20+10.  Fire on Draken-1, +3 gunnery, +7 AC of target Frigate.

Nat 20!?

23:40, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 14 using 3d6+1.  Damage from Plasma Beam, +1 from gunnery.

The ships of King Squadron, paired up, targeting different ships in the enemy array. The unknown destroyers were large bulky things, bigger than any of your corvettes by maybe 15-20% in total volume. Tactical analysis was undecided on if they were to be considered attack frigates or actual destroyers. The bigger ship was huge, easily twice the size of a Snekkja-class and clearly heavily armed. Definitely a battlecruiser of some primitive variety, likely their flagship in this system and perhaps in total. It looks like something from the orbital museums back in Renevatio... not that you'd necessarily been to the Crownworld system in person.

A message broadcast from the largest ship, designated 'Grendel' meets your comms receivers. No video, but an audio message, unencrypted was sent wide-band moments after the dust was clearing. आप राक्षसों ने देवताओं के आभूषणों को अपवित्र किया है और आपको न्याय के साथ तेजी से दंडित किया जाएगा। The voice is possibly female and unmistakably angry. They make no further transmissions regardless of any attempts to respond to them.

Without a good translation bank, your communication techs are scrambling to understand it. It appears to be Hindi, again. The only two matches you have initially are the word "Demons" and the word "Gods"

The Wartooth and the Angantyr swoop in, taking shots at Draken-3, a plasma beam just barely misses the vessel and the charged particles of Wartooth's weapon strike her, causing the entire ship to spark and fizzle, arcs of lightning jumping from point to point with nowhere to go.

All three of the smaller ships, accelerated on a vector to engage Sigfred. The most damaged ship in the squadron. No blooms of nuclear missiles now, just the barely visible sparkle of laser emitters and scatter in the clouds of gas and dust left behind by detonation after detonation. Every ship gunning for a single ship: Sigfred. The first beam pulsed but missed, skittering off Sigfred's hull after only a moment and doing little more than singing the plating. The second ship came into range and did the same, only this time the beam held on target, cooking away part of Sigfred's prow. As she prepared to brave a third attack, a cheer went up across the comms. Instead of firing, Draken-3 emitted a bright flash, expelling gas from the laser mount and sputtered quickly banking away from the fight, expelling another nuclear charge to change vector and flee the battle, deploying radiators and dumping the remaining few nuclear torpedoes inert into space, in the ancient spacer sign of 'surrender'

King Squadron opens up, Sigfred taking point with Valdar, rushing the huge ship with flak batteries, peppering Grendel's surface while Sigfred fires a spray of flak as well, bouncing clean off the armor in a glancing hit. However, he deploys a charge from his Sonic launcher, the device attaching to the hull and trying to shake the plating apart. Visible damage can be seen across the bow of the enemy battlecruiser now.

Two incredible things then happen, almost simultaneously. As the Randver dives in to attack Draken-1, Grendel opens up on Sigfred. At first, you're not quite sure what you're seeing. The whole prow of the ship seems to light up, plasma venting, arcs of lightning dancing on the ship and in the superhot gasses and it happens... a great glowing stream of what registers as some sort of magnetically charge liquid metal spews out of from a weapon mount and spreads out like cloud of heated metal droplets. The Sigfred doesn't have a chance, even trying to time the phase, there's simply no room. The rushing wave of molten metal slams into the ship, tearing and melting chunks off of it. Sensors, weapons mounts, comm antennas, simply washed away in the liquid metal wave. She goes dark on the commnet and you feel the fear of every spacer since the first steps into the black, the fear of your ship crippled, you isolated in a dying metal can with no way to call for help. There's a moment of panic where nothing seems to be happening, but after seconds that feel like hours, the ship loses power. The reactor has been safely disabled to prevent a catastrophic explosion. In the midst of battle, many of you are watching this closely and whatever relief you feel is crushed as there's a surge of radiation, disrupting sensors and comms for a split second. The already badly damaged and torn hull of Sigfred begins to glow, first red, then yellow and then white hot. A powerful radiation beam is cooking the disabled corvette to slag.

The tense moment and dismay is broken by something equally unexpected, although much less horrifying for King Squadron. The gunner on the Randver curses excitedly over the comm, in breach of protocol but you instantly understand why. Somehow, the Randver's plasma cannon, either guided by luck, fate for the gods themselves has managed to hit Draken-1 at just the right angle. "It must have ruptured their atomic fuel bunker..." where the attacking ship was... it just wasn't, but instead a massive burst of multiple Orion propellant nukes and probably the remaining warheads going up all at once, utterly vaporizing Draken-1.

The first few minutes of this fight has already been costly, but one of the enemy ships has been utterly destroyed with a single volley and one has already retreated from the battle, leaving only Draken-2 and Grendel to remain the fight, but what a fight this has turned out to be already.

Already, you can see the small pinpoints of light as the Lifeboats begin to abandon Sigfred, her surviving crew sailing rapidly towards the Listening Post on Ultima Black VI...




OOC: Diana, I fudged things a bit. I treated your attack as a full normal attack, so you did more than 1 damage. It's my fault for not better explaining the system ahead of time.

The INS-Sigfred is effectively destroyed and suitable only for salvage at this point.

Diana took a deep breath as she monitored the battle on her own screen.

- "Helm, evasive. The Sigfred's lifeboats are heading for the station, given that gas-like weapon, let's keep the lifeboats well clear from any lines of fire and areas of effect. Comms, keep working on translating, and focus efforts on getting a vocabulary together on this... Hindi. Sensors, continue to record any and all data as you have been. Weapons, keep firing on Grendel."

She tapped her console for a moment, before contacting the others.

++ Captains, we've received the following reply, which has been attached to this message. My Comms officer has identified the Hindi words for Demons and Gods, we may be dealing with religious zealots. Given the difference in technology between Draken and Sable-One ship types, it may very well be that they had deified Sable-One and its like at some point after encountering them. To them, i suspect we've just killed one of their Gods yesterday, which makes us the Demons in that message, whatever else it may hold.

Attached message: आप राक्षसों ने देवताओं के आभूषणों को अपवित्र किया है और आपको न्याय के साथ तेजी से दंडित किया जाएगा। ++

OOC: Nat 20 to hit, 4 damage (halved to 2), AP 10

Not sure what critting does, but there you go.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:26, Wed 31 Mar 2021.

Oscar watched in horror as the Sigfried was laid waste to. The poor bastards were going to get cooked alive in the void if they couldn't get the lifeboats clear. Making a silent prayer to Saint Jim and steeled his own nerves. "Deadeye, keep the pressure up. I don't want a single stray shot against Draken-3."

++I'm pressing the attack. Standing by if recovery efforts are prioritized. Are they some sort of Brotherhood faction?"

His mind worked over the mystery, trying desperately to delve into the secret hidden in plain sight.

OOC:
Reaper Battery vs D-3
Phase 2 -> Phase 0
19:17, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 7 using 3d4.  Reaper Battery damage. – 7
19:16, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 22 using 1d20+9.  Attack Roll. – 22
This message was last edited by the player at 23:19, Wed 31 Mar 2021.

++ Unlikely. If they were Brotherhood, our ship computers would have had a more extensive Hindi vocabulary. It is more likely Sable-One and Draken and Grendel belong to two factions previously unknown to the Hegemony. As for lifeboats, i'm seeing them heading for the station, and the Valdar is maneuvering to keep the shuttles out of the crossfire. We would need to mount a rescue operation after the battle. ++

On the bridge of the Randver, Zazan was analyzing the incoming telemetry and data when his Comms officer cried out in shock at the hit on the Sigfried. Zazan spun his chair around and pulled up visuals on the center display. He along with his Nav, Comms, and a couple of other bridge crew watched with bated breath. When the doomed ship finally cracked and blew, Commander Mysh gave a silent salute that was mirrored by his bridge.

While a few of the bridge watched the destruction of the Sigfried, Helms and gunnery were still hard at work. The exclamation from the young gunnery officer jarred the previously solemn desk into a state of excitement and jubilation as the video feed of the unknown hostile ship was blown up on the center display.

"Gunnery, you are a breath of fresh air!" Zazan exclaimed in the odd idiom of his toxic homeland. "XO, mark timestamp for commendation." Turning to the rest of his bridge crew, Zazan barks,
"Sailors of the Randver This fight iz not over yet. We have people waiting for us, are you going to let ze rest of the squadron finish ze job that we started?! Gunnery, take your exceptional aim and blow me a hole in Draken-two."


22:29, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 27 using 1d20+11.  Fire on Draken-2, +3 gunnery, +8 AC of target.
22:30, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 12 using 3d6+1.  Damage from Plasma Beam, +1 from gunnery.

This message was last edited by the player at 03:31, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

+++Focus Fire on Grendel! We have to bring her down now!+++

The Squadron leader shouts through the commnet. After seeing the damage inflicted by her weapons, utterly ruining the Sigfred in a horrifying display of firepower, the rush to destroy or cripple the enemy ship is top priority now.

00:02, Today: The Void, on behalf of Volsung Takagara, rolled 26 using 1d20+10 ((16)).

00:03, Today: The Void, on behalf of Volsung Takagara, rolled 14 using 3d6+1.  Damage to Grendel.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:26, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

The battle raged on, both squadrons trading volleys of fire. INS-Valdar continues to batter Grendel with everything she has, chipping away at her armor with an endless barrage of laser batteries, punching open airlocks and thin places in the hull, visible damage starting to mount. INS-Angantyr joins in, her plasma cannon belching superheated death across the enemy leader, burning away armor plates, torching her defenses and leaving venting compartments and electrical arcs across the prow of the battlecruiser. Grendel was suffering, but still pushing on like a juggernaut, ignoring as much of the punishment as they could, still charging to fire again.

INS-Randver presses her attack, firing another salvo of plasma at the only remaining destroyer, ripping apart her midships, stripping armor and equipment, leaving the ruined scar of depressurized hull, venting radioactive gasses and the ghost spark of failing electrical systems... another hit like that would just about be the end of Draken-2. INS-Harald Wartooth swoops in, battering the enemy ship with bursts of charged particles, the now familiar lightning storm lighting up the hull. In response, Draken-2 stabs out in the darkness with another laser burst, stitching Wartooth's hull, burning off her extensive sensor comm cluster, blinding, deafening and muting the Wartooth.

Now Grendel came to do her work, that bizarre belching metal stream comes forth again, but this time, Grendel goes to protect her brood, firing upon the Randver, the spray of superheated accelerated liquid metal tearing at Zazan's ship, boiling off armor and opening gaps in the hull. Sensors stations shudder again as the massive burst of radiation goes out from Grendel... but no one seems to suffer her deadly gaze. The burst must have missed.


OOC: I have updated the ship status thread to indicate current ship conditions/damage.

Main note: Harald Wartooth suffered a critical hit, disabling their comms/sensor arrays.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:07, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

++ Keep Grendel in your sights, steady fire all Kingsmen! ++, cried out Volsung over the commnet; it seemed only a blessing that hadn't lost the Randver, too

10:22, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 12 using 1d20+10.  Targetting Grendel.
10:22, Today: Volsung Takagara rolled 12 using 3d6+1.  Damage to Grendel.

++ Don't get too carried away, it would be beneficial to have prisoners from both factions. ++

Diana then proceeded to watch, acting very much like a beacon of calm for her bridge officers to take confidence from, as the Valdar continued its barrage on Grendel.

OOC: 18 to hit, 6 damage

Oscar braced as the impacts hit them. Despite the crude tech, warfare was still the same and proving to be deadly. His eyes darted to the status indicator as he watched his ship go from green to yellow to red. Lost communications and sensors. “XO, damage control is yours. Find out if we have bridge to bridge available on tight beams. Deadeye, hammer her again!”

08:25, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 12 using 3d4.  Reaper Damage. – 12

08:25, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 23 using 1d20+9.  Attack Roll. – 23

With klaxons and lights blaring Zazan relies on his his headset to speak to the officer on the other side of the bridge. "Gunnery shift fire to ze battlecruiser. It appears ze Sigfred was not a fluke.

07:51, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 12 using 1d20+10.  Fire on Grendel +3 gunnery, +7 AC of target.

The engagement rages on,  INS-Harald Wartooth dives in after the fleeing Drakken-3 blasting her again with charged particles. The now glowing radiation fins break apart like dry leaves in the wind, scattering like dust. Although in a surrender posture, they begin to launch smaller vessels, consistent with primitive escape pods. They are desperate to escape. With nuclear torpedos that have no effect against you and their laser turret destroyed, they have no hope of fighting any further.

The rest of the squadron engages Grendel, bursts of laser fire and exchanged as the big ship swings about on it's axis, trying, maneuvering thrusters straining to move the bulk of the ship to get it into position to fire again. The burst of superheated metallic spray is more easily anticipated now and your pilots deftly avoid the blast as it simply sails out into the void towards the moon, most likely to cause scars on the surface.

The other weapon, that invisible killer goes off again, as before, radiation sensors spike and sensors ripple as they struggle to deal with the ambient pulse. The Angantyr takes the hit this time, her aft dorsal structure heated red hot by a focused burst of X-rays, many orders of magnitude worse than any background radiation could be.

The smaller escort fires, the glittering laser beam missing the Randver by thousands of kilometers as Drakken-2 struggles to add weight to this fight.

The Wartooth is still off the comms net. The Grendel doesn't appear to be in terrible shape, still capable of fighting. Drakken-3 is fleeing and launching life pods while the Wartooth pursues her, battering her with energy blasts, though the damage seems limited primarily to the thermal radiator fins, rather than to the actual hull.

(OOC: Oscar, Make a roll to see if you have a telepathic connection available, Luck roll.)

You still outpace these ships over distance, you can easily choose to retreat, with only a single exchange of fire and then pull out beyond engagement range and beyond their ability to pursue you. Your ships are far faster than theirs are and you can choose the engagement place and time if you wish... however, they are still technically holding the Listening Post and if you want it, you will have to come to them if they refuse to give chase.

Trusting his gunner and pilot to continue the engagement, Zaman keeps an eye on the scopes and damage reports throughout the ship, directing engine snipes and fire teams.

18:09, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 26 using 1d20+10.  Fire on Grendel +3 gunnery, +7 AC of target.


18:10, Today: Zazan Mysh rolled 11 using 3d6+1.  Damage from Plasma Beam, +1 from gunnery.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Mon 26 Apr 2021.

"Chief, scopes show you have a breach in the aft reactor plating. No breaches to containment or vented coolant though. Check reactor control for physical damage.

Fire team Blue, smoke detected in ze armory, kindly investigate before we void ze mess hall.

Comms, try visual signaling of ze wartooth. Perhaps they can spare a moment to tap us out a status report."

Zazan fingers the locket around his neck as he commands the response. As another shot lands on Grendel he triumphantly swears under his breath.

Diana remained calm, taking care to remain aware of everything that happened during the battle, but mostly keeping an eye on her bridge crew to see how they were handling the pressure now that King Squadron had likely suffered its first losses. Grendel remained the target, though it had managed to dodge the next barrage of shots as well.

- "You're doing fine, Tactical. Just remain calm and wait for your firing solutions."

OOC: Rolled 18 to hit, missed the target :/

Oscar watched the lifeboats peeling away from the stricken relic of a warship and addressed his helmsman. "Bring us about. Close to just outside engagement range," he ordered before bringing up a series of damage readouts at his console. "Sheared the main sensor array clean off. Well, this is why we have NORDO protocols. Comms, send status via laser semaphore to any ship you can triangulate. Otherwise, we will have to rig up a comm buoy to act as a relay until we get it fixed. Not even sure if we have enough onboard to cobble that together. XO, start working on alternate comms."

He was in a pickle but not too far from allies. The Wartooth was still capable of defending herself, but without comms, they risked too much to engage with the other hostiles.

OOC: Luck Roll=9
18:17, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Luck Save TN14. – 9

Casualty and damage reports are coming in throughout the squadron. Wartooth reports breaking off and taking a minor hit on the way out from Draken-2's laser emitter. Of the squadron, only Diana's corvette is in decent shape, the rest of the ships are badly damaged. This is the bad news, but there is good news as well.

Of the enemy squadron, Draken-1 has been completed destroyed. Draken-2 seems only armed with a relatively weak laser weapon, their nukes exhausted or held back in knowledge of their uselessness here. Draken-3 has fled and 'struck colors' popping their radiator sails before Captain Hargrave destroyed them and forced them to abandon ship.

The biggest shift in the battle is Grendel, no longer is she maneuvering forcefully, providing only the most minor course corrections to bring her weapon arcs to bear. Of her two weapons, one seems to no longer be firing, only the occasional X-ray burst can be detected and the molten metal gauss cannon is no longer operational, either burned out or out of 'ammunition' to spare. Analysts are reporting that they believe Grendel has run out of spare fuel for maneuvering and as a result, she has become easier to hit.

The remaining three ships of the King Squadron all make a final past, two plasma cannons from Mysh and Volsung and a burst of concentrated laser fire from Hersson's ship rake the huge ship, shredding the armor plating and tearing deep rents into structure. Explosions go off around the vessel, pieces of it coming off in chunks as power conduits overload and fuel cells are ruptured.

In the final attack, the damage is so severe that the ship, designated: Grendel, begins to power down, radiators deployed. In short order, Draken-2, seeing it's own flagship crippled and surrendering, deploys their own radiator sails and powers down their weapons and engines...

The battle is won, but at great cost. One entire ship destroyed, the crew fleeing in lifeboats, and the rest of the fleet taking significant damage and casualties. The Wartooth is cut off from the commnet, their sensors and receivers damaged or destroyed. They communicate to you with binary code through rapidly flashing running lights to update their status. This is neither secure nor convenient, but it is enough to get their reports. The Listening Station is now open to you, no longer defended from space although no transmissions are detected. Comms departments report no further enemy or unknown vessels detected in system.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:33, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

At seeing the remaining enemy ships power down, Diana took a deep breath.

- "Well done, officers. Store the combat and sensory data along with the combat data we recorded from Sable-One, we've got plenty of intel to send back home."

She then got on the comms. It was a ity the Wartooth's comms had been crippled in the attack, but she supposed they could make their decisions known in binary to them once a consensus had been reached.

++ Captains, i think the most efficient course of action right now is to have the Randver and Angantyr use their boarding tubes to secure the Listening station and either bring it back online, or retrieve the crew that has fled to it along with some supplies if the station is no longer salvageable. The Wartooth would see to repairs while the Valdar provides overwatch duties along with the Wartooth. Once done, the next step is boarding the Grendel and Draken-class ships, add them to King Squadron and spread out the rescued crew among them to minimize the impact on our food and water supplies. Thoughts? ++

++Ze lifeboats of ze Sigfred are as much of a priority as ze listening outpost. While I been burned before going down ze well in a busted ship I agree the boarding tubes may be necessary.

I suggest ze Valdar start rescuing Sigfred's sailors.++

"Helm, burn towards ze listening outpost." On the ship-wide he continues."Harken to me, crew of ze Randver. We have won a hard-fought victory, we have taken down unknown hostiles in this frontier of ze Hegemony but not without cost. Ze Sigfred is no more, her remaining crew on the float in lifeboats.

I am proud of you sailors. But as always, we still have work to do. We are pressing on to Ultima-black 6 outpost to look for survivors...and evidence of what has happened here. Boarding party, meet me at the boarding tubes."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

++ Copy that, Randver. Should the station be unrecoverable, prioritize survivors and fuel: The added numbers will mean we no longer have the supplies to continue our mission, so we'd need to head back and drop them off for debriefing along with the gathered intel. Valdar proceeding to lifeboat recovery. ++

Diana turned to her officers again.

- "Alright people, we're not done yet. Start recovering those lifeboats, and get an extra shift's worth of crew active on Medbay. Odds are it'll get busy."

She then turned to her XO and gave her a nod, letting her know she could proceed to handle the execution of her orders.

"Comms, flash our update to ze wartooth and forward any lifeboat telemetry to ze Valdar.

XO, you will have the ship while I am station-side with the boarding party. If we have any more visitors or our guests get rowdy, cut and burn out of ze well."

Oscar gave a slow sigh of relief as the last moments of the firefight came to a close. It had been a near disaster but King Squadron had pulled through. Seeing the rest of the squadron begin to fan out and achieve secondary goals, Oscar gave orders for the Wartooth to pull into close orbit with the station and prepare to salvage what supplies and parts they could. Grendel and her brood would be scuttled, for the most part, Oscar suspected and he needed to repair his own ship badly. NORDO was no way to fly. They would make contact with the Randver using short-wave radio if they had to.

Detailed damage reports were now coming in, places where the hull had to be patched up, the bulkheads reinforced and power conduits rerouted around blown out regulators. Weapons systems had been pushed hard, a few minor components were being replaced in the plasma cannon accelerator circuits, stressed from the constant heat.

Casualty reports too... 6 crew lost over the whole squadron wounds too grave for even a lazarus patch to restore them, 10 more wounded and an unknown number on the Sigfred. The debris and radiation was making it hard to get a fix on the lifeboats and they had not yet activated their locator beacons, waiting until the end of the battle was certain from their limited vantage points.

All the deaths were tragic, but perhaps the worst was Ensign Artin Gerson aboard the Harald Wartooth. He had been in the communications equipment bay, trying to boost sensor fidelity when a laser cut through the already damaged hull and cut him in half, destroying the communications processors as well. He died instantly. It only became clear what happened after the battle.

The Valdar wasted little time in searching for the lifeboats, scanning for lifesigns while sending out 'all clear' messages both in binary and short range communications for the lifeboats to pick up and activate their beacons in the process. Diana herself would be assisting in the Medbay, healing those that were recovered in critical condition, while leaving those with non-life threatening injuries for her medics to handle. The resources she could tap into were not limitless, and she knew that once she was out, she could do nothing for those that would still be going in.

She also went around with a crew manifest, striking off names on the list of those they had recovered to get an indication of who was still missing, and could therefore still be in one of the lifeboats still out there. The names of those accounted for would then be broadcast to King Squadron: Even if it was unlikely that members of the different crews knew each other on a personal level, it would provide psychological relief amidst the casualty reports that were coming in alongside it.

She did not discriminate however, Draken lifeboats were also being recovered: She knew it would go a long way as a display of trust, though those who had seen their injuries tended to would be escorted to the brig for obvious reasons. There would also be a security detail guarding Medbay itself.

Dealing with his own vessel's wounded and battered hull, Volsung affirmed the suggested course of action from his Captains. He was, after all, only first among equals in the Hegemony style

Amidst the damage on his own bridge, his praise from the crew was solid, "Take a moment to savour this victory, men and women on the Angantyr. You have fought well - and hard - against two unknown foes, in the black where often information is as much a weapon as plasma and fletchettes!"

"Take a moment", he repeated, "Then we see what fate has claimed our fellow sailors on the Listening Post"

Oscar had not even realized what had happened to his XO until the casualty report for the ship had come in. He should have known. Oscar should have realized something was wrong the moment Artin had not checked in after the shooting had stopped. Oscar had assumed that the cyborg was fixing something, being a diligent and faithful sailor and Fleet officer. How wrong he was.

Oscar sat in the small cabin that was his, the space feeling uncomfortably large to his Bothislian upbringing. He looked at the small area that he had made. Something made of the space containers and detritus from around the ship. Something that children might call a fort if they were generous. To Oscar, it was a solemn place. Something he had arranged for quickly and would disassemble after he had done what he needed to do. Oscar entered the cramped space and felt more at ease. He stared at a small shard of metal, his electronically enhanced eyes pouring over the only piece of his Cova that he had managed to save over the years. Oscar closed his eyes and whispered a silent prayer to Secret to keep the secrets of Artin safe for as long as he is remembered. He made a few more prayers to the various saints of the Black before dismantling his small area and returning to his duties.

When Oscar returned to the bridge, he inhaled deeply and spoke aloud for all to hear. "Ensign Artin Gerson was a fine sailor and a true Fleet officer. If anyone needs time to themselves or with others for services, it is granted. Take the time you need before we get to the station. A memorial with full honors will be conducted upon our return to homeport or a burial among the stars if required. We have done well and his loss is not a reflection on this crew. It is a battle and we will honor the XO by getting him home," he finished and sat heavily. He made no attempt to hide his emotion. In all the years he had worked in salvage, he had never lost a person under his command. The feeling of such a good person as Artin Gerson being the first was a heavy burden for Oscar to carry.

Picking up lifeboats wasn't difficult work, but it was time consuming. Astral Troopers had to be standing by ready to wrest the prisoners from their boats and prepare for hostile intent. There was a mix of everything, suicides, injured that perished in the escape, unconscious, badly wounded and willing surrenders. Those who could speak, speaking if they did, in the same language as before: some dialect of Hindi. The total number of injuries overwhelmed the medical equipment and soon Captain Herrson had exhausted her psionic abilities, saving lives but wearing herself out in the process.

The Sigfred's lifeboats were a easier process, the panicked but relieved crew, each with questions and injuries to be addressed. When all was said and done, another 8 dead from the Sigfred's crew, either unable to escape the explosion or badly irradiated to the point of rapid death. Captain Karsen was also found in critical condition, he was stabilized but placed into a medical coma.

Takagara's speech was broadcast squadron wide, even the Wartooth received a summarized version of it through pulsing light transmission. It was a great victory and it seemed that ever man and woman felt a great sense of pride, with measured sorrow at the victory and the sacrifice given today. The Listening Post awaited in darkness, almost certainly requiring Astral Troopers to storm in forcibly to confirm survivors and system status of the monitoring arrays and various components of the station. It was logically clear that either the comms systems were down or there was no one left alive down there willing to broadcast.

You have 11 crew members who after some recovery (so not just yet, give them a few days) who can be distributed throughout the squadron to make up for losses if needed. Additionally you now have 24 Prisoners from Draken who are now stressing your guards. Additionally, there is another ship of the same size which has surrendered and an even larger ship which has also surrendered. The amount of potential prisoners may be more than your ships can carry in terms of actual cubic volume if not life support resources.

Diana's voice sounded over the radio, sounding audibly fatigued.

++ Captains, we have recovered all lifeboats. We have managed to recover 11 crew members from their lifeboats, as well as Captain Karsen, though he remains in a medical coma for at least the next day or two. Additionally, we are currently holding 24 prisoners from Draken ships. Needless to say, we are at capacity of what we are able to hold and maintain in terms of both security and life support. Next is the last remaining Draken as well as Grendel -- if the latter has a cargo hold, it may serve our purposes best to have it converted to a temporary POW holding area. ++

++Centralizing the captives would also make policing easier, a single ship with weapons hot and target lock on the reactor would be able to control the population.

Randver continuing to outpost.++

++ Form up on me, Valdar ++, commannded Takagawa, beginning to formulate a plan in his head, ++ We will have my marines take the surrender of the Grendel, whilst you provide cover. Let's see if we can transit pictograms to have their captain and non-essential crew assemble in their cargo spaces, with weapons and manuoevring drives remaining powered down. Are you able to take the surrender of Draken-2, and Wartooth? Bring her in under tow? ++

++ As you are, Randver, continue to the Listening Post; we need high fidelity scans of the situation there ++

++ That's a negative, Angantyr Actual. We can provide cover, but the majority of our entire security detail is guarding prisoners at the moment. The margin for error would be zero. On a more practical note, we lack boarding tubes. Either way, i believe it best to let the Wartooth handle this, by having Draken dock and lock with her fully powered down, which would just leave Grendel. ++

Diana took a deep breath.

++ Copy that on the listening post, we could sure use a heavy transport or two... ++
This message was last edited by the player at 09:50, Thu 06 May 2021.

++ Apologies, I meant cover us with your emitters and scanners only, not docking with Grendel ++

++ I see, though i was more referring to the taking of Draken that followed it. That should not be a problem then. My Sensors officers will be coordinating their efforts with yours. ++

Diana relayed the orders to her bridge crew, letting them handle contacting their counterparts on the Angantyr and relaying emitter and sensor data between themselves.

++ Will you be requiring my comm server for encrypting local communications? I could have it made available to you if you'd be willing to drop by to pick it up. ++

+++Randver Helm to squadron, we're coming up on the listening Post at Ultima Black Six. Comms says it's silent, but I can see docking lights are still in operation. There's one of our system ships, a transport, Elephant-Class, that's docked and the other rings appear to be vacant, but intact. Surface seems alright too, but I'm not picking up any movement down there.+++

Visuals of the listening post station are spread across the commnet. It looks just like it did in the briefing, the squat little structure that you knew was only the tip of the facility, the other 80% of it buried under the rock of one of the ten moons (UB-VIc) surrounding the Neptunian world. Above it, a long narrow superstructure of elevators, pipes and conduits up to the radial docking rings, allowing for up to six ships to docked with the station at one time, easily accommodating the two system ships and up to four visiting vessels for patrols and resupply missions.

+++The station main power seems to be on... thermal scans show nothing unusual. Sensor array seem to be passive, although they might be off all together. I dunno, boss. It looks like the whole place is just.. abandoned.+++

Valdar and Angantyr move into flanking positions around the huge enemy cruiser. She's still silent, but as you get closer sensors pick up multiple hotspots on the hull of the ship. Closing inspection reveals pressure suits, lifesigns. The crew of the crippled Grendel is moving outside the ship in some sort of EVA action, there appear to be over a dozen of them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:11, Fri 07 May 2021.

++ Keep them under scan, Randver; I want to know if they respond to hails or if they twitch ++, instructed the commander, ++ We have movement on the outer hull of Grendel. See if we can enhance those scans to confirm what they're playing at? Are they armed, equipped... where are they heading toward? Analysis, Tactical? ++

His brow furrowed a moment, ++ Keep the Angantyr and Valder jinking. Don't like this at all ++

Diana looked over the readings as she heard Volsung speak up over the comms.

++ Already on it, Angantyr Actual. My hunch is they're using their time to repair battle damage, there's bound to be some hull breaches. I do not believe they've got offense in mind, or they wouldn't have exposed their crew to ship weaponry without Grendel's protective plating between them and it. Likewise, no amount of small arms fire would do anything to our ships, but we'll be tracking crew movements with our turrets as well, that should be pretty universal in telling them they shouldn't try anything. ++

She paused for a second or two before addressing the Randver.

++ Understood, Randver Actual. Mission remains as-is, but try and get to that transport, we'll be needing it to tow Sable-One and could use the extra cargo space if the listening post remains unrecoverable. ++

++Eh...I believe Captaon Takagara and I will be setting ze priorities of my crew and my ship Captain Hersson, unless you received a promotion when I was not looking. I suggest you focus on your own duties.++ Zazan bristled at the young captain, exchanging a brief glance with his XO while doing so.

++I will be leading a boarding party. We will switch channels and have Randver relay to the squadron. You will know what we know.++

"XO, you have ze ship. I was serious when I said push off at ze first sign of trouble. If ze outpost is...uh...compromised, we will make way to ze transport."

With that, Zazan unclips from his chair, grabs his go-bag and makes his way to the boarding tubes once again.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Fri 07 May 2021.

Oscar grabbed his standard kit as he made his way to the docking hatch. He still had the slight limp from his injuries but nothing too extreme. He touched to comms to address his ship. "Crew, this is the Shipmaster. Conduct repairs as required and keep her warm. If this station is not as abandoned as it seems, I want us to be able to depart quickly, if not safely."

Oscar then ensured his sword and pistol were available in case of trouble and made a quick note on where the Randver was docking so that he could establish real-time communications with the squadron again.

Diana made to reply, but held off. There was no need to have an argument over the comms right now, it would be one of the things better kept until later.

++Angantyr Helm... we've gotten closer. They uh... they're working in the breaches on their hull, but it doesn't look like repair work. I think they're planting something... Several unidentified packages have been placed into locations around the ship where we've seen breaches. And uh... there's something else. I'm seeing groups of suits gathering up behind breaches and other obstructions. I can't be sure, but it looks like they're waiting for us to get in close and try to board. At this time we've tracked over 100 individual heat signatures on and around the hull.++


++Randver Helm reporting in. We've docked along with Wartooth. Docking hatches are open and pressurized now. We've moved into the superstructure docking area. It's... empty. Some cargo crates, no sign of anyone here. No damage or anything suspicious except the lack of personnel. Station doesn't appear to be locked down, everything is operating normally... We're about to take the lift down to the main outpost structure.++
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:02, Mon 10 May 2021.

Diana listened to the Angantyr's findings, then turned to her sensors officer.

- "Focus sensors on those packages, see if we can't figure out the chemical compositions of them. Cross reference with known explosives, and send its characteristics over to the Angantyr so they may assess the risk and make counterpreparations."

Receiving some new information, she then accessed the comms again.

++ Angantyr Actual, we have some new information that may help you. When inspecting our POWs, we have found them to have subdermal implants of unknown function. They are giving off weak EM emissions, but when we attempted to jam these emissions our guests became... placid, unwilling to even move and eat. If your boarding action is likely to be met with hostile intent, this may very well be a way to minimize hostilities during the takeover of Grendel. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 09:54, Mon 10 May 2021.

Studying the scurrying dots on the outer hull of the Grendel, Volsung frowned: whatever they were placing, it was worrisome. Whether they sought to scuttle the cruiser, or try one last gasp at taking out the starships of the King's Squadron, they needed to be thwarted and swiftly. He issues swift orders to his XO to model blasts of varying size, both on the superstructure of the Grendel's hull and in terms of the shrapnel and the Listening Post with its docked starships

++ What's your precision on the flak emitter, Valdar-Actual? ++, he asked over the Captain's channel, ++ It's either that to disuade them or some focused EM jamming on those frequencies you noted to try and make them more placid ++

Waiting for her response, he passed further instructions to his crew to begin setting up the jamming, and swiftly

++ Randver, Wartooth. Be advised the surrender up here may be less honoured than we had hoped ++

This Laser Flak Battery is highly accurate, capable of targeting individuals at close range if additional computational resources are put into the effort. High resolution optical scans suggest the packages are explosive charges of some kind, no radiological indication.

Tactical analysis suggest they are mining the ship to prevent boarding.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Wed 12 May 2021.

++ Take out one of the hull-side mining parties, if you please, Valdsr-Actual. Let’s dissuade them from this duty ++

++ The packages appear to be standard non-radioactive explosives. We will jam the EM emissions, then target the explosive devices on the hull near your entry point. Once you are inside, the ship's armor would protect against hull-mounted explosives, though if similar packages would be set up inside the ship as well, that we could do little about. Should they require manual detonation, the EM jamming would make it fairly safe. Proceeding now, with enemy crew on the hull we should be getting a measure of its efficacy fairly soon. ++

Diana turned to her bridge crew.

- "See it done, but shield our brig from the effects of the jamming. Also, narrow down explosive strength of the packages and estimated kill ranged from the detonation of the packages chosen for targeting. Relay information to the Angantyr, of course."

"Ma'am, there's no way to determine what explosive compounds we're dealing with. They don't match any known weapons patterns. Could be anything."

The directional jamming seemed to take effect immediately, but their behavior changed unexpectedly. Instead of calming down, they seemed to panic, diverting from their course and meeting up in small clusters of two or three and touching helmets together as if they were following standard comms jamming communication through solid medium. Touch helmets and talk through the air and glass.

"I think we just jammed their comms..." Ensign Reedersen suggested. "You know, we only left port with about 20 troopers... we have less than that now in ready condition to fight and some of them have to guard the prisoners we already have. How many troops can we spare on a boarding action if they won't come quietly?"

The dozen plus figures on the surface were seemingly coordinating the old fashioned way before handing off charges and executing some sort of plan B, changing velocities and making their way to different gaps in the ships hull and armor.

Aboard the lead ship, Takagara's XO, Ensign Carte made a similar observation quietly. "Captain, there's over a dozen men on the surface of the ship we can see and there may be more. A ship that size, there could be well over a hundred crew surviving, a good portion of them combat trained, likely in boarding actions, attacking and defending. They're not going anywhere, but do we really have the strength to take her by force?"

Valdar's weapon officer looks to Captain Hersson... "Ma'am? Am I clear to fire on the explosives?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:06, Fri 14 May 2021.

Diana gave her weapons officer a nod.

- "Yes, but ensure the Grendel's crew is outside of expected anti-personnel blast radius. Keep sensors on the package for effect and known IEDs of comparable blast radii."

She turned to her comms officer.

- "How far along is the computer in deciphering simple phrases of their language?"

Lastly, she turned to her XO.

- "No need for concern. We won't be participating in the boarding action, and besides, the Valdar has no boarding tubes. Our main concern is overwatch duties, and with it, analysis of potential threats from those packages."

++King Squadron zis iz Randver Actual. Understanding you may have important matters to deal with, I suggest we be on the lookout for ze second elephant class transport. It might be running dark.++
This message was lightly edited by the player at 13:33, Sat 15 May 2021.

++ Received, Randver-Actuak ++, noted Volsung, directing his crews to these secondary scans. He turned his attention to the concern his crew had raised, torn between his orders being questioned and misunderstood, “We will not be boarding the Grendel, not with the Astral Marines we have. We will establishing comma sufficient to necessitate altheir surrender under our ships cannons. If they resist, as those on the hull are, we will use deadly force as I have instructed - were just waiting for our shipmates to take the shot”

Aboard INS-Valdar the atmosphere is tense. A few heartbeats of silence after the command is given and finally the report from the gunnery crew "Firing." The array of powerful lasers aboard the ship were nowhere near as deadly as the plasma cannons of the other vessels, their activation silent and would have gone unnoticed if not for computer reports. Through the cameras, only the faintest glint of refracted light appeared in space, picked up in the out-venting gasses.

Then, a blaze of light as the suspicious package erupts in a blast on the surface of the enemy ship. Another gout of fire, oxygen and other gasses belches out from the new gaping hole in her flank.

"Hard to estimate casualties, but looks like at least two were caught in the blast... one of them... oh gods, they're still alive..." The camera switches to the image of a primitive vacuum suit being tossed into space, flailing and rapidly venting oxygen through multiple ruptures. The crew-woman shakes her head... "Nothing we can do for them now but put them out of their misery..." The acceleration force probably shattered every bone in their body and led to massive internal hemorrhaging. The only silver lining that they would likely pass out from lack of oxygen before they bled to death, alone in hard vacuum.

The huge ship was now listing slightly, the large blast having pushed it off a stable orbit into something of a lazy drifting spin to starboard. The various swarming crew seemed to have vanished, returning into the belly of the beast as their plan backfired explosively.

Noticing the effect the video feed was having on some of her crew, Diana intervened.

- "You have done well. This was a situation of their own making, one they attempted to inflict upon our own, and the casualties inflicted by the blast are still far fewer than in any other scenario."

She looked at the feed herself, taking a deep breath.

- "No need to do anything. Based on the damage, i suspect they will go into neurogenic shock and lose consciousness before the gunners could even lock on to a profile that small. Grendel is seeing this as well, let it be a reminder to them that they did choose to surrender and they should act accordingly. As a precaution however, try to remain clear of the arc of fire of that cloud weapon we've seen during the fighting."

++ They reap what they sow, Kingsmen ++, transmitted Volsung on the squadron channel, ++ Re-transmit the signals for their surrender. Pictograms, blueprints, whatever it takes to direct them to assemble in the cargo holds ++

The big ship is silent and you cannot be sure that your messages have been received when after what seems like forever, the navigation lights on Grendel flash. Once, twice, three times... a pause and three longer pulses, followed by another pause and then another three quick flashes. The pattern repeats...

Diana took a deep breath before contacting the other captains, recognizing the signal code almost immediately.

++ Captains, Grendel has just begun signaling SOS. Maritime law demands we render assistance though, lacking boarding tubes, the ultimate decision would be up to the Angantyr. That said, have the ground teams secured a transport? Depending on the internal damage we may be needing that POW facility sooner rather than later... ++

Reports are coming in from the away team, video and images of the empty station, evidence of small arms fire, casualties and camera system knocked out as well as non-functioning commnet. Although an Elephant-class heavy transport was discovered docked, it was not yet explored.

Diana was on the comms again.

++ King Actual, this is Valdar Actual. If we reposition, the bomb will be within the effective range of the Valdar's snuffers, rendering it inert without requiring present squads to disarm it, but it will require us to reposition away from Grendel. What are your orders, over? ++

++Valdar Actual, King Actual. Do it. Repeat, stop that bomb. King Actual over and out.++ You can hear the tension in his voice as all of you try to ride out the next challenge in this dire situation.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Mon 21 June 2021.

++ Understood sir. Listening Post squads, Valdar Actual stating intent to approach station, what's your status, over? ++

Diana signaled her helm to prepare to move, but for now held off on actually moving towards the listening post. Instead, she waited for confirmation from the squads. Since they had previously communicated that she should keep her distance, she took it as a sign that they were going to attempt to disarm the device on site, and didn't want to get her ship caught in oversized shrapnel from the ensuing blast if it could be avoided. Nukes, especially alien ones, sounded pretty tricky to disarm manually.

The message comes in over the wireless...

++King Squadron, this is Wartooth Actual. Device has been disabled. I say again; device is disabled. Requesting extraction.++

Cheers sound out throughout the bridge and across the commnet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:48, Wed 23 June 2021.

++ Great job Wartooth, i'd buy you a beer if the local bars were open. ++

Diana waited for the cheering to die down, before opening the comms again.

++ So that leaves Grendel. Angantyr Actual... What do you plan to do? ++

++ For now, we sit tight and get a message back to command. We can't do anything about Grendel except watch her. We don't have the manpower to board her even if she surrenders, sooner or later they'd be able to overpower our scant guards and then we'd be in even more trouble. ++ He breathed deeply and you could practice see him pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes as he weighed the decisions. ++ We need to transition back to standard shift rotations, give our crews a chance to eat, sleep, recover. At the same time, we're going to have repairs all over the squadron, the survivors from the Sigfred can help with that once they're back in shape. We'll keep the Wartooth docked on the station, we're going to need her workshops and whatever we can get working on Listening Post 81 to provide us with replacement parts and materials to patch things up. Once we've got that going, we'll need to start repairs on one of our ships, whoever needs it the most. Diana, I'll leave that up to you.++

++ There's also the matter of supplies, we now have aboard our ships, a limited amount of food for the total population of crew and prisoners. There are some options here, the most obvious one is we need to implement rationing. This will be unpopular to everyone, but we currently have three weeks of supplies for just the standard crew compliment, with prisoners and rescued crew putting a strain on that. There should be supplies aboard both the station and the transport and of course, there would also be supplies aboard the surrendered enemies vessels. Considerably more in fact, considering their slower drives.  Diana, I'm going to delegate this dilemma to you. I'll back whatever decision you come to, but make it soon, we've got at least a week or so before we can expect a response even if we launch a messenger probe today. ++

Diana took a deep breath. Repairs weren't her specialty, but she supposed Volsung was just going to get some rest and he was giving her a chance to see how she'd perform as Squadron SiC as she'd previously suggested. That said, there was work to be done. She turned to her XO.

- "XO, be sure to sign this over to the Wartooth as well."

She then addressed the Captains on the other ships.

++ Understood. For now, overall focus will be on the Wartooth getting its communication equipment fixed, that's hurting the squadron more than damaged ships. Cannibalize it off the Sigfred if need be. Once it's done the Angantyr will be next, being our Squadron's command ship, followed by either the Randver or, depending on circumstances, Grendel. If anyone needs replacement crew to bring the numbers back to full, we have crew from the Sigfred cleared for operations ready for pickup. ++

She then turned back to her XO.

- "Seeing as Grendel is awaiting assistance, signal to them that we are currently attempting to secure a vessel capable of holding all their crew for rescue operations. I am aware our knowledge of their vocabulary is still limited, but it seems we must make due with what we know."

After pausing for a moment, she made an addition on the comms network.

++ As for rationing... i'd suggest that be implemented after the next rotation. The crew's more than earned a full meal after the recent chain of events, and by then we'll know the state and number of supplies present at the Listening Post. We're short a transport and i did not hear of any survivors, it may very well be that the crew made off in one of the transports with a number of supplies and escaped. We were still picking up comms traffic between the station and its transports during our system scans after our arrival, suggest we scan the area for IFFs. ++

She gave her own Sensors officer a nod to indicate they should get started on that right away.

The various elements of the squadron responds, captains or XOs acknowledging the orders from Volsung and Diana's additions. The repair party, along with what supplies could be ferried over to the docked Wartooth were underway. Some initial plans were put into organizing a salvage mission to the wreck of the Sigfred, but with work on the station and work on the damaged ships, there was little time or resources available to pursue this task.

Additionally, this close to the station and without it's sensors in operation, the bulk of the moon blocked sight to the rest of the system. Useful for hiding, but terrible if you wanted to see someone coming. This meant at least one ship would have to maintain orbit around the rock to keep touch with not only the rest of the system but return to reconnect with the squadron or have a third ship on station to act as a relay. With Wartooth out of commission, and the other three corvettes damaged, available ships were stretched thin.

Some attempts were made to signal Grendel, with what the signal department believed was an improved understanding, but the big wreck kept broadcasting the ancient SOS over and over. Probably simply an automated circuit. At least they were quiet, at this point no further sign of the enemy crew showed themselves and the various readings on the ship stayed steady and dormant. Assuming their emergency systems were still active, which there was no indication beyond a slight thermal reading near the crew compartments, they would probably be fine for some time. Ships of that technological capacity had lengthy operational terms and required supplies for months and months at a time.

Sensor officer brings you back a report regarding local system comms traffic. Several hours after you arrived, there was a burst of jamming from the vicinity of Ultima Black VI. You were unable to pick it up at the time during the battle with Sable-One, attempting to jam her transmissions as well. By the time the battle was over, the signals from the other ships were silent and the station went silent as well. Of course, there was a light delay of several hours, so its unlikely your arrival corresponded with that occurrence.

System tracking shows the second Elephant transport disappeared behind the Neptunean horizon of Ultima Black VI sometime during your battle with Sable-One, possibly heading to another local moon. Scans up to now have revealed no trace of that ship. Current scans reveal no other vessels in system, however, you are currently occluded by the planet Ultima Black VI and the orbiting moon you are stationed near. A ship will need to be sent clear of the obstructions to get a clear view of the system, or you can choose to stay hidden behind the mass of the moon and away from any prying telescopes.

At discovering the transmission was automated, Diana sighed, giving similar orders to repeat the signal to stand by and await the assist.

++ For now, it seems the old adage of 'If we can't see them, they can't see us' remains true. If there's an Elephant-class hiding behind a moon they're not spiking out of the system, so we'll prioritize repairs before going out to look for them. Wartooth, do we have an ETA on getting the second transport operational? And do we have an estimate of the supplies that are available on the station? ++

Oscar returned to the bridge of the Wartooth after grabbing himself a cup of something hot and taking a few deep breaths. He relieved the duty officer, restoring his command of the Wartooth in full. Hearing the comms were still spotty, he decided to look at the data himself, working on prioritizing combat capability over non-critical tasks. First on his list would be repairing his communications array. He keyed the comm net once he was ready.

++This is Wartooth. We are looking for priority repairs at this time. The Marines are clearing the station now and will clear the second transport when they exfil. Supplies are minimal at the moment. Our bunkers are going to need to restock with raw materials before we can do any long-term repairs. Wartooth will do a sweep of the video recordings and take a rough inventory from the station.++

OOC: Using Astronautic skill for the best estimate of repairs and supplies available vs needed.
18:49, Today: Oscar Hargrave rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Astronautic Roll (Repair Estimates). – 7

++ Copy that, Wartooth. Safety first as always. ++

The bulk of the repair work in the first few hours was bringing the comms back online on the Wartooth. She'd lost her primary antenna array and the actual comm room processors had been destroyed along with the ships XO in a nearly fatal strike to the ship's internal systems. Squadron resources were stretched thin, pulling in everything they could get. A short scan of what was left of the Sigfred indicated shipbreakers and dedicated salvage teams would be required to get anything of use out of her, she was scrapmetal at this point.

For the sake of expediency, Wartooth ended up requesting Diana's person commnet server to be used as the replacement processing center for the ship.

++Captain Hersson, we know you offered use of a commserver earlier. We'd like to borrow it and see if we can jury rig Wartooths communications back online.++


Several hours into retaking the listening post and all was silent now, no sign of any unknown ships or hostile action, your sensors officers report in at regular intervals along with tense reports from troopers onboard the listening post, the transport and in the impromptu prison hold.

++ Understood Wartooth, consider it made available to you. ++

Diana then turned to her XO.

- "Right, it's been quiet for a couple of hours. Begin rotating crew back into their sleep cycles, and start rationing in 12 hours unless we hear of any supplies found in the Listening Post."

OOC: By the way, how would transporting gear (and people) from one ship to the other go? Would i need to dock with the listening post, or is there some kind of shuttle system we could make use of without actual boarding tubes?

Moonside, Zazan reports in, his tone curt from the repair work.

++King, Zis iz Mysh. We can uplink to ze station's drones or repair it's database. We cannot do both without cannibalizing a ship.

Unless there iz a...compelling argument, I will begin work on getting ze drones online. Our encounter with Sable-one alone must be communicated to ze Hegemony, let alone our excitement near the station.

We should prepare all combat, comms, and sensor data for unlink to the drone++

++ Very well, we shall begin sending data packets when you signal the drones are ready to receive them. Be sure to include a request for immediate tender services for Grendel, Sable-One and the incapacitated Draken and Sigfred, including mention of holding a number of POWs above King Squadron's capacity to hold without jeopardizing it's current mission, and request replacement parts and Spike fuel as required. High encryption and clearance levels, this would cause an uproar even within the military and would need to be handled with care. Once the Elephant picks up Sable-One, we'll tow it to a defensible position and await reply. ++
This message was last edited by the player at 15:23, Wed 14 July 2021.

++Agreed. We are stretched far too thin for anything other than defensive operations. At this rate, we are going to need a proper fleet tender to get everything in working order and then immediately send the squadron to dry dock for overhaul.++

++King Squadron. We have yet another...wrinkle. the drone has data from the original outpost. I'm welding a message onto the drone and sending to Hallus Station...I'm tapped captains.++

++ Is it possible to save the current buffer in an empty folder? I'd rather not send out a drone with orders to glass the listening post and everything around it just in case the drone with our data ends up not making it back. ++

OOC: It isn't, it's designed to go one way and only stay there in case there was a transfer failure, which there was. You can attempt to deconstruct the data in the buffer through data analysis, but you can't just dump it back into the datacore as a single discrete unit. That would take a lot of time and prevent the buffer from being used for anything else until it was finished.

--== Post-Timeskip ==--

As the ships set out and were about to enter the first jump, Diana addressed the Squadron as a whole.

++ All ships, we are about to Spike. The Squadron will assume the same formation as during the previous mission, with a hammerhead layout. The Valdar will take point, flanked by the Angantyr and Randver. The second line will consist of the Rospolis, flanked by the Wartooth and Ivar Vidfamne, with the Talos taking up the rear. This will allow the two Knarr-class ships to reverse thrust in case of trouble, with the Talos providing fire support for them if pursued. ++



She then switched to personal channels.

++ Captain Quarnstrom, i would like an estimate of how fast the Talos would be able to complete a tour of all four systems, provided refueling is not an issue. Also, just to be certain, but the Talos IS equipped with nuke snuffers, correct? ++

That out of the way, she turned to her XO, lowering her voice a little so as not to be overheard.

- "XO Havail, you are to pick three dates and times for emergency combat readiness drills. Do not inform anyone of them, including myself, nor will you take crew duty schedules into consideration when choosing these times. I will leave disciplinary measures for tardiness to your discretion, they are to be issued where needed without regard for rank and station."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:54, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

It caught him a little off guard to be addressed by a title of authority... True he had been a team captain but most of them called him Shiv or just Sir before they died. The survivors just called him Mr Havail now, or Chan if they were out drinking. It was nice to have something like friends. Even some Shivari didn't trust other Shivari. It was sad.

Chander nodded, "Yes Ma'am. Day one would be a little rude. I'll see to it though that we get all three on this transit. I will have summary forms to you each morning but otherwise plan to keep you as bored as I can when it comes to matters of this ship."

Zazan doesn't look up from the assault suit inspection he is performing in the armory. He keys though several frequencies on his ghost talk transceiver ++Understood, Randver will move into position++

《Helm, we are taking 3 position of the hammerhead and preparing to Spike. I will be up in 6 minutes.》

《All hands, Spike travel imminent. Prepare yourselves》
Commands distributed, Zazan Looks at the attending mechanic and points to three of the suits,
"It looks like ze servos were not locked prior to stowage. You'll have to vent ze chamber and recalibrate or else ze gyroscopes will be off.

We will continue once we are in the maw."


This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Wed 24 Nov 2021.

Zazan makes it to the bridge and surveys the status of the squadron. He pulls up the system map and notes the growing distance between the formation and Hallus station.

Switching to the squadron officers comm channel, ++Officers of King Squadron, let me welcome you all to ze second cruise. Ze first was historic, but I hope it will be ze exception, but not the rule.

Commander Hersson, would you like to go over contact protocols and contingencies before we Spike?++

Having arrived at the system departure point long before the other ships the Talos has had plenty of time to calculate navigation paths for every ship even taking into account their varied speeds and capability.  As each ship arrives Sara transmits that data to their navigators as a starting point to use for their own preparations to drill to another system.

++ Indeed i would, Randver Actual. In the event of an encounter, i would like the Talos to reverse thrust along with the two Knarr-class ships, while the rest of us engages the hostiles. The specific tactics would depend on enemy composition, but generally speaking the Rospolis would try and draw the enemy fire, being by far the most durable of the Squadron, while the corvettes focus on teaming up against the smaller ships. The aforementioned Talos would see to the safety of the Knarr-class ships, having permission to formation spike out of the system with them should their position be sufficiently threatened. ++

++ Your thoughts, Captains? ++

++I suggest ze corvettes focus on ze largest threat, if our encounter with Grendel thought us anything.

Speak your thoughts officers, we are in ze black now, not surrounded by comrades and superiors as on Hallus Station. No one needs to be impressed, we have a job to do.++ Zazan says, trying to encourage the newer additions to the squadron.

Oscar felt that he did not need to micromanage his crew as the orders for positioning came from the squadron commander. He had been in his own head for most of the departure. He was still getting used to the interface for the warbots. The neural cradle had caused some feedback during recovery and Oscar had kept it quiet for the most part while the squadron prepared to depart. In fact, he had discovered that the cradle adapted to his thought patterns slowly, which is why one of the warbots was sitting in his cabin, docked for maintenance mode. He had made efforts to practice connecting to the operating system to familiarize himself with the commands. It was the words of Zazan that pulled him from the exercise and disconnecting from the interface.

Approaching the bridge, Oscar nodded to the officer of the deck and assumed his captain's chair. "I would agree, Randver. We should look to cripple the biggest threat first. That will give Angantyr the opportunity to latch on and deploy the warbots. Once that is complete, the squadron can focus on any remaining threats."

Chander wasn't the most proficient person with computers and machines, preferring to work with people more directly but understanding that people generally didn't prefer to work with him directly. He tried to respect the desires of others and so it would be a bit of his work to learn to use the computers better but it wasn't a complicated thing with some of the tech specialists available to patch his data pad in to the fleet systems.

While it was likely to be something of a miracle for him to pull up any specific thing that he was looking for at a moment's notice, it wouldn't take much for someone more proficient to send him the feeds relevant to a given problem so that he could leverage his abilities. He liked the thought of being able to help people quickly in lots of different places.

For most drills he planned to not use his abilities unless it was to complicate things, under instruction. He wanted to better himself and allow others to better themselves during these times when they were not so much at risk.