The Jean Bart, having recently arrived at Chrysolite, is fitted with turrets and weapons by 12 Apr 2172, as well as having her civilian ships boats replaced by military ones. The crates of hand weapons she had in her holds are unpacked and placed into the armoury, and crews are given their last leave in a while.

Vessel details are as follows:

Jean Bart, 800 dTon Hardrada Class raider

(3.5G/Move:3150, dDR:75, dHP:80/80, dTons of Cargo Space: 36 (53 with ships boats), SM: +10), Wedge shape
Weapons:16x Beams, 6x Missiles, 2x Sandcasters, 2 x Ships boats (Military, See Below)
Facilities: 3 Workshops, 3 Sickbays, 1 Biological and Pharmacist Laboratory added to assist with dealing with diseases.
Life Support: 146, Crew: 140 (included 79 Troops and 10 Gunners, 7 IT/Intelligence Specialists, 13 Medical Specialists and 3 Scientists to use the Labs)

Skills
Notes, Gunners have Skill 18. They get +2 (sAcc) +2 (Sensors)
For Point defence, -2 (Target profile) - 0 (Range modifier for point defence) + 0 (Size modifier) = 20
For Precision targeting at range 10,000 miles to 19,999 miles, -12 (Range), so Target 10, +2 for 5k to 10k, +4 for 1k to 5k, +6 < 1k (assume never more than 500 miles, speed would negate any nearer advantages), -2 out to 29,999 miles
Piloting: 17 (Dodge 9)
Navigation (Space): 17
Navigation (Hyperspace): 17
Mechanic (Jump Drive): 17
Tactics (Land Combat): 14
Intelligence Analysis: 15

Ships Boat (Military), 35.5 M Solars, 30 dTons
(4G/Move:675, dDR:27, dHP:25/30, dHP:30/30 dTons of Cargo Space: 8.5)
Weapons: 1 Turret, 1 x Beam, 1 x Missile, 1 x Sandcaster, Workshop, Sickbay, Life Support and bunks for 20

Note that Jump drives require a vessel of 100 dTon or more, so no smaller craft on either side has Jump capacity.

Stores approximately 7 weeks of supplies, 6 Grav Bikes and 2 Grav Jeeps, as well as weapons, ammo and protective suits. Full holds do slow the vessel a little. 144 Missiles, 72 Sandcasters. Fuel processors take 7 hours to process enough fuel for a jump. Tank holds enough for 2 x 2 Parsec jumps.

Items in the Jean Barts Armoury

100 x Nanoweave Body suit, internal skinsuit with Flexible Helmet, Cost: $2900, 10.5 lbs, DR 18/6*, pi/cut full protection

50 x Storm Rifle, 10mmCLR, 9d pi++, Acc:5, Range: 1300/5800, RoF: 3
    10 lbs, 12+1(3) shots, ST:10†, Bulk:-4, Rcl:3, $2700

100 x Laser Rifle, 6d(2) burn dam, Acc:12, 700/2100, ROF:10,
   8 lb, Dp/83 shots, ST: 7, Rcl 1

100 x Heavy Laser Pistol, 4d(2) burn dam, Acc:6, 300/900, ROF:10,
   3.3 lb, 2C/56 shots, ST: 6, Rcl 1

20 x Anti-Material Rifle, 15mm CL, 15d pi+, Acc 6+3, 2000/9000, ROF: 3
   32 lb, 20 shots, ST: 12, Rcl 4, Bulk -6 (Has 8x sights)

100 x LAW 84mm,
  Guns(LAW) [14], 6dx6, Acc: 3, 330/2300, 1 shot only, ST:10

10x Limpit Mine Dispensers,

100x Limpit Mines,

50 x Underbarrel 25mm Grenade Launcher
  Guns(Grenade Launcher) [14], 4d pi++, Acc 4+2, 360/2200, ROF 1, 3 rnds

5 x Electromag Mortar, 64mm
 6dx3 pi++, Acc: 4, Range: 1,000/6,000, 50 lbs (Ammo 2.5 lbs each), ROF: 1, 40 shots/ E cell
 ST: 12M, bulk -10
Rounds
 100 x Shaped Charge ($100) (6d+6)x7 (10) cr inc + linked 8d cr ex [3d]
 100 x EMP ($500) Elec, HT-8(2) or knocked out (failure seconds), (8 yard range) +2d cr inc
 500 x HE ($50) 8dx2 +2 cr ex [3d]

Hand Grenades
100 x Plasma, 6dx4 burn ex sur, 1 lb, fuse 2
400 x HE (frag), 8d+8 x2 cr ex, /10 x range, [3d, 15 yard frag], 1 lb, fuse 2
180 x HEC (Concussion), 8d+8 x2 cr ex, 1 lb, fuse 2
195 x EMP, HT-8(2), 8 yard + 2d cr ex

25mm Grenades
200 x Plasma, 6d burn ex sur
300 x HE (frag), 4d+4 cr ex [1d+1, 5 yard frag]
300 x HEC (Concussion), 4d+4 cr ex
100 x EMP, HT-8(2), 2 yard + 1d-2 cr ex
100 x Flare radius 250 yards
95 x Shaped Charges, 5d+5 x3(10) cr inc + 2d cr ex [1d+1]

10,000 x 10mm CLR rounds, 200 D cells with 100 packs, 300 C Cells and 5,000 15mm CL rounds.

There may be other items...but these would be standard issue.

Nominal Mission
Scout around the fringes on Vilani space, looking for dissident worlds to entice into supporting Terra by whatever means. Offering medical aid to cure diseases is seen as a good tool. Avoid starting a war at all costs, but defend yourself.

[Private to Raymond 'Duke' Vurhund:
Actual Mission

The idea is to cause dissent amoung more distant worlds, utilizing the poorly protected links that the Jaques Cartier revealed in order to open up another front, in what is looming to be the next war, without actually triggering the war. Overt Terran involvement will trigger a war, but information gleaned by intelligence suggest that in these more outlying provinces far from Terra the Vilani have not been looking after their subjects and, due to high taxes and poor domestic policies, they are not happy about it. Combined with the Vilani thinking that they are 'safe' due to their distance from Terra, that makes them open for a little covert encouragement, which is where you come in. Avoid a war, but work with dissidents to assist them, where possible, in getting their independence, or at least in escaping from Vilani space. A large population of ex-Vilani will have a similar effect to Nusku in that it will encourage dissidents still under Vilani rule to  be more rebellious.

https://travellermap.com/?opti...6&scale=68.59375]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:46, Sun 11 Aug 2019.

Gloria mumbles out loud... Only 6 Missiles! Crap we need at least 3 times that if we are to fight the Vilani. All the beams are nice though...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 2):

"Beams are for defence against Missiles. Missiles are for offense...this is not a front line warship, so you should not be going on the offensive. Not on your own, anyway."

Good Plan if they let you run ...  sometimes you have to fight. Like snakes, they seldom come in ones.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 4):

"True, they usually outnumber you. That is why more beam weapons can give you a chance to run by shooting down the missiles. If you cannot shoot down their missiles, you are nothing but space debris, and the number of missiles you fire becomes irrelevant."

Yes, and if you hit with a couple of missiles, there are fewer coming and the pursuers become more cautious.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 6):

"But to die in order to hit with a couple of missiles..." he looks at you with some surprise...

Die? I wasn't planning on dying at all...  just putting enough stuff out there to make them duck while we leave. Beams are wonderful, but rather short ranged.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 8):

"Noted, but unless you plan to outrun the missiles, you might not be leaving at all unless you can use beams to shoot them down. Missiles cannot defend against the swarm the Vilani love to send as their greeting..."

We are talking in circles... I like the beams for exactly the reason you say, I'd like the ability to shoot more missile at once. They don't need to be in turrets, you can launch from hull dispensers or whatever, as the missiles can be easily programmed to turn on launch and move in a specific direction.Turrets should only hold beams and perhaps a sand caster or two.

Doyle sauntered into the room with a smile on his face and radiating an entirely casual manner, as if no troubles of the world could attack the thoughts that were causing him and only him a level of personal joy that might make others envious.

Beams, missiles, explosions, bullets and lasers are all well and good and certainly worth elucidating with the condition that they ever be required for use. I intend that should such an encounter ever come upon us that we will outgun and outclass any Vilani ship in a way that would leave us no doubt as to who would walk away. Missiles or no he said cheerily.

For now, we simply need to find out which systems out here on the rim can lend us an ear enough to reveal the true and rather depraved nature of imperial forces

In reply to Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 11):

"I see maam. Of course simply more weapons would be nice, but I am not a ship designer. I believe the make warships with as many weapons as they can."

On Doyle's arrival, he turns to salute, before responding.

"Yes, Sir, that I believe is the plan. You all ready to depart? The John Locke departed yesterday for Alirazin, so they may be able to offer you more supplies on the way."

Doyle nodded and then went to sit in the captain's chair. Aye, lets make haste to Sionnach he said and then sighed with some level of relief at being able to take command of another group of forces, once again.

In reply to Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 13):

"And your plans after that sir? It would be good to advise folk ahead of time of your plans so that if something goes wrong, we can respond quicker."

We'll be making our way to the Ceti sector to see what trouble we can cause, it will take a while to get there he offered.

In reply to Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 15):

"You exact route, though, sir?"

Doyle leaned back in his chair and then cupped his chin for a moment, he glanced off to the distance for a moment, remembering something before then looking to the man.

"Sectors: 0832, 0632, 0532, 0331, 0230, 3230" he reeled off before continuing That should get us nicely to the edge of Ceti sector with a possibility of rendez-vous with some friendly ships for resupply

In reply to Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 17):

"That should take approximately 6 weeks to get to Alizarin (0230), where you should resupply. From there, to 3230, and then where? It is after that that your route becomes important."

In reply to Military Official (msg # 18):

The official leave you the name of the 'governor' of Alizarin, if it could be termed that LEUT Fogg. You depart without further ado, following the charted systems you have uploaded from the Dastavkas travels, setting out for new systems. Most of the time is spent in hyperspace, though enough time is spent skimming fuel and refining it between jumps, giving you time to run the crew through various scenarios, such as abandon ship of damage control simulations, not to mention checking sensors and practicing with them.

It is 25 May 2172 by the time you arrive at Alizarin. The planet is roughly like prehistoric Terra, with large reptiles roaming and numerous security detail beg for the chance to hunt some. There is just a single ships boat there, with a company of 5 and they are still waiting on the John Locke to arrive with the rest of the colony in a couple of weeks. Dastaka is believed to be en-route, scouting some systems on the way.

[OOC: You are about 3-4 weeks ahead of Dastavka at this point.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:48, Tue 04 Dec 2018.

Six weeks, it was a long time, but would at least givehim some chance to learn about his new crew. Also see how good they were at their particular jobs and for him to figure out just what the strengths and weaknesses were

Lets organise some drills then, fleet versus marines, lets see if we can defend and assault ships well enough he suggested.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 20):

By setting the lasers to training mode (basically a non-harmful very low setting) you are able to train  quite well, and it does keep the crew and soldiers occupied. Of course, you cannot leave the ship while in hyperspace, but while refuelling is a different matter.

What is your intended route for the next trip from Alizarin?

We'll be heading to sector 3230 after Alizarin, see what's there and then see if any information presents itself before moving on. Should nothing arrive by then, we'll head on to system 3030.


[Private to GM: Can I call on the intelligence agency to see what information they might have on Ceti sector? Or if indeed, they currently have any deployed agents?]

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 22):

"We know nothing of this particular region of space. It does not officially exist in Vilani records as anything except a region of Dissidents outside of Vilani Law. The best we have found is a single Administrator sent to stop illegal activities at Ceti Command."

In reply to Intelligence Official (msg # 23):

The intelligence official sighs.

"So you are heading to 3030, and after that unknown. I hope nothing nasty happens after you have moved on from there."

He then departs.

Resupplying takes until 30 May 2172, since you have to hunt your own food, but the process of doing so leaves the men in high spirits.

The trip to 3230 is equally uneventful, and you are able to refuel without hindrance. The directions to the small craft given by the Dastavka are good, and you can quickly see that the craft have not been disturbed.

It is the 15 June 2172 by the time you exit hyperspace in 3030. Scanners initially indicate nothing that would suggest life, and only one of the 5 moons of the three gas giants has any atmosphere, but no surface water.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:44, Mon 10 Dec 2018.

Well, it's not unusual that we find nothing here.. more likely that we'll find something in the Charmeer system though, so lets head there and be careful about it

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 25):

The Charmeer system is not unknown to you, as it is where the Jaques Cartier was destroyed, and the crew marooned there. With 4 gas giants and 1 planet in its own belt, along with its moon, the planet was home to a small number of dissidents that fled with the survivors. What has happened in the months since then is anybodies guess.

But you will soon know. After scanning as best you can (the Hardrada class lack long range survey sensors which are usually considered exploratory equipment), you refuel and prepare to jump. Arriving on the 22 June 2172, you find the system deserted...for now. Estimates of when the patrols went through indicate that an outbound patrol is due within the next few days.

OOC: is there any info on 'Union'?

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 27):

Bare minimum, 4 Gas Giants with a total of 10 objects in orbit, the largest of which is a large planet with a hostile hostile and atmosphere but no population is indicated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:50, Wed 12 Dec 2018.

OOC: Which is the least populated populated system in the ceti sector?

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 29):

Lol, officially only Orgill, Beta Port and Ceti Command have any population. You Know Clameer had a small breakaway group, but other than that, nothing is KNOWN...

Well, lol as you want :) I just don't really know the environment fvery well, there's a lot of implicit knowledge that the character would know but I don't.

Ultimlately the goal at the moment would to be find fringe colonies and ooutposts that are 'on the rim' and then start endeavours to cause dissent

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 31):

The dissidents can offer you the following advice. Goran, one of the Dissidents from Clameer, would be with you, and is probably the best informed dissident you know. He has personal motives for being with you...he does want to help out some family members on Beta Port. But he only knows a couple of dissident/pirate captains (The Vilani call them pirates, he calls them dissidents). He is also interested in getting any valuables left on Clameer, but most of that stuff left was large industrial equipment he could not transport on the Gashidda...

The furthest outposts that would be best to start with as they will not be known by the Vilani, whose charts you are currently using. Anonymity is their defence, so you will will have to find them the old fashioned way. Faith and Nova Pacifica are likely candidates, but 2939 or any other habitable planet should be checked since Terran computers first appeared and made jumps possible (if risky) without jump tapes.

Doyle heeded the advice he had and then assured the man that retrieving equipment would be much more possible, and less risky when the Vilani fleets were occupied with other things. A number of fires starting up across the sector would at least force them to spread their forces a little, and keep all attention on that front.

"Let's set course for Faith, we will head out to some of the further out sectors, but it certainly does not hurt to see what we are working with on the way he said emphatically before taking his seat.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 33):

"Sir, we will need to jump to an intermediate system from here, as Clameer is 3 systems from Faith. Which system should be the intermediate one?"

3031 will be fine he said.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 35):

Jumping through 3031 is wonderfully boring. You refuel at the only small planet that has water, though little life to speak of, if any, and jump through to Faith by the 1st of July.

Hidden amoung the 4 gas Giants are two small planets, one of which seems able to support life. With 60% of the surface covered by water and a thin atmosphere, it could be hiding some life, but finding it could be another matter.

In reply to Fate (msg # 36):

As you approach the planet, sensors indicate that it has considerable plant life, and some primitive animal life. Goran, the dissident with you from Clameer directs you to try a dissident signal, as usual. You are surprised when you get a response, as sensors had not indicated any advanced life or civilization.

Doyle frowned and made note to keep record of the dissident signal.

"So, sensors picked up nothing? Down on the surface? Is there something in the atmosphere blocking scans? he asked his sensor crew before turning to Goran.

"What are they doing here? Hiding? he asked while brushing his chin with a curious hand.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 38):

"If they are dissidents, I think you can be certain they will be hiding. From Vilani patrols, if nothing else. Often underground, from experience. Be glad sensors are far from perfect...as for what they are doing here, you probably need to ask them that." he says with a smile.

Alright, well if they're simply hiding out, there seems to be little reason to spend time digging them out and seeing what they're up to. Lets get a little closer see if we can identify any ships, but if nothing is detected, we can conitnue on Hawthone said before pausing a moment and then adding

Can we get a communique to them? Let them know who we are, and the classification of our ship, and let them know we're friendly but might be back in the near future


OOC: I just assume tha tif they're holding up and not really equipped out with any kind of ship that can cause trouble, or a vilani population to influence then there's no tmuch point in dealing with them at the moment. It might just be good as a supply/hideout temporarily

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 40):

Communications are readily established. They inform you a Vilani patrol passed through the sector just days ago, and that they have no ships in anticipation of the patrol, which regularly passes through very 2 months.

However, when you identify yourself, they request you send doctors to assist in making vaccines, a process started on Clameer about a year ago and stopped by Vilani attacks. Goran can confirm this...

Well, I'm not one to turn down a request for aid. he smiled and then opened a comm link to the ship's infirmary.

"We have had a request for medical aid, draw up a list of supplies and personnel that are not essential and we'll head down to offer help. If needs be they can stay in the colony until we come back, but if we can help and then be gone quickly all the better he said and then nodded to  the pilot for them to approach the planet and enter atmosphere.


OOC: I presume we have at least one?
We can send down a shuttle with some staff, or land if you have an area ready he offered.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 42):

"We have a small secure location, but it is not big enough to hide your ship. A shuttle would be welcome..."

They send you co-ordinates of a landing site. It does not take you long to get a team of medics, with a couple of security personal, ready for insertion. On arrival, they inform you that the population is very small, but that they are trying to grow a vaccine. It might take a week to get the process up and running reliably.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:35, Fri 18 Jan 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 43):

A couple of days later, the doctors planetside confirm that several of the diseases are indeed of Terran origin. Measles, Chickenpox and Influenze are all identified, and Black plague is suspected as well. They are informed that Black plague was released on rebel regions on Ceti Command, and measles and influenza are to be found on Beta Port and outlying areas of Orgill.

They do not have much else they can tell you though. Patrols are regular, and with recent ship losses, they have all available ships on regular patrols, with two escorted freighters traveling deeper into Vilani space to connect to the main freight lines.

In reply to Fate (msg # 44):

By the time the doctors are happy with things, it is the 20th of July. Over two weeks have passed, and you have been able to identify the base and map the planet as well as send teams hunting to renew your supplies. The local fauna is very nutritious, though with many large herbivorous insects, it is unlikely to become a great export. Berries and fruits may do better, with large melons in abundance.

Learning from the locals that a friendly vessel regarded by the Vilani as a pirate will be stopping by, you are not surprised when the hyperspace bubble opens near the planet, and a Hero class freighter drops out of it. They are cautious, but neither of you wants a conflict, so they soon stand down. Coming through regularly to pick up produced goods and deliver supplies, the small vessel moves quickly in to the planet and alights at a large cavern clearly expanded especially for this purpose. Naturally, their attitude towards you improves when the see the lovely crop of vaccinations you have prepared, and they quickly set about loading them to get them to where they are needed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:50, Tue 22 Jan 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 45):

Doyle sought to meet with the Freighter crew, to ask about any other dissidents, and the governmental and Military command structure in the region. He is very diplomatic.

[Private to GM: Rolled a 5 for Diplomacy, 11 under skill before modifications. Note I have created a Complete character sheet, using excess points to give him Vilani language to match his other skills.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:22, Wed 23 Jan 2019.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 46):

His diplomacy paid dividends: They informed him about a small hidden community on Nova Pacifica, and how to contact them, as well as how to contact dissidents on Beta Port, once they managed to stealthily get into the system. Unfortunately, the freighter used legitimate codes for a Hero to get there, so they could not help with stealth.

However, they were able to help regarding the local politics. Commodore Eleni Managudeli, the commander of the region based at Ceti Command, is still trying to get the region recognized as a Vilani governance. That means that at the moment, it is not. Rather, Vilani high command see's his work as more of a police work to keep local dissidents under control rather than worlds to be ruled. The Vilani border ends Nunashi or Lishu, as far as the Ziru Sirka is concerned, and as such, his 'military' is limited to what his family can purchase. Recent immunizations produced by the survivors of the Jaques Cartier have created a groundswell of folk who would like to defect to independence, but they lack the forces to deal with the patrols. Despite losses, there are rumors is purchasing a new and larger warship, perhaps a cruiser, to ensure loyalty and stop ship losses.

In reply to Fate (msg # 47):

Armed with this information, Hawthorne decides to return to Alizarin to ensure the information is not lost should something happen to his ship. Heading to 3031, then 3231, then Alizarin, he plans to resupply and refuel, before returning to Nova Pacifica to make contact with the dissidents there.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 48):

It is the 12th of August before the Jean Bart arrives at Alizarin. Here, you learn that the Dastavka is also in the area, and before departing to return on the 13th, you make sure all of the valuable intelligence you have gathered is passed on.

You arrive at 3231 on the 20th and 3031 on the 27th of August to refuel, before arriving at Nova Pacifica on the 04 September 2172. Nova Pacifica has 2 gas giants with nearly 4 moons and about 6 or 7 other large planetoids orbiting the single star. One moon does seem to have a lot of water, making it good for refueling, but life there is pretty barren. However, when you give the signal as instructed, there is a response from a shallow section of water, a reef. You approach, and as you get closer, you find hidden beneath the waves a remarkable habitat dome, complete with docking minidomes! It takes some skill, but you manage to land, and align the exit with a docking pod.

So can we go check this place out?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 50):

"Certainly. It would be very interesting to see what is hidden down here."

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 50):

As you exit the docking hatches and pass through the airlock domes into the proper domes, it is a sight to see. You are near the top of the structure, and from here you can see at least one other ship. The dome is a bit of a misnomer, and it is built into the side of an underwater mountain with an impressive array of seals along the ocean floor. Buildings are actually small vessels able to be sealed off in case the dome is breached, and a number of them seem to line the outer shell of the dome, much like the one you just exited.

There are not a lot of people here, but it is a veritable hive of activity. Your entrance, however, has caused considerable commotion, and some approaching you do have laser rifles drawn. Waiting for you at the entrance are five individuals, four with laser rifles and grenade launchers, and the fifth unarmed, who speaks to you in Low Vilani.

"Not our usual guests. What brings you here."

Speaking low Vilani back-
"The Captain has been sent out to find and support places such as yours with whatever we can supply. We do have some vaccines against the diseases the Vilani have spread in our name.  I am Patrol leader Flake, we come in peace."

Gloria has a side arm, but no rifle and no one else should have rifles or storm guns, just sidearms.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:03, Thu 24 Jan 2019.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 53):

"After what happened on Clameer, we suspected that may be the case. Glad to hear that it is. I am Boris, unofficial governor of this place. This is not a large facility, due to the regular patrols through here, but it has remained secure and secret. So far."

He indicates for you to walk with him to one of the larger buildings, what looks like a ships boat with some modifications.

"We will gladly accept your vaccines, but what we really need is to get rid of the patrols. We have learnt that since this is not an official part of the military, they will not be replaced if we can get rid of them. Patrols since the loss of the last Shamir have been increased to a single Shamir and 2 Gashiddas. If we can get rid of them, then, as we understand, Managudeli will not be able to get ships in to replace them. That will enable these distant colonies to thrive."

A Shamir was lost?  Hmmm , I wonder who zapped that, those are fairly tough to beat. I will certainly relay your concerns, but we don't want a war here with the Vilani ... not good to be in a war zone either.  but if they just disappear ... then it's hard to know whom to blame. Are the small 'pirate' vessels able to kill one of these ships?
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 20:02, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

He laughed.

"Good gracious, no. The 'pirate' vessel we have here would  be torn apart by missiles long before it got close enough for the Plasma Cannon to wreak the havoc needed for that to happen. I mean, if it caught it in an ambush at close range, it might stand a chance, but it would have little chance of dealing with the 15 missiles they launch. But all the 'pirates' in this sector are really dissidents. Us. And we did not kill it. It dissapeared chasing some of the dissidents that are aboard your vessel..." he says with a smile.

"I am sure they can tell you exactly what happened to it!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:03, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

Gloria tries to control a startled look Aboard our ship? I am quite sure it wasn't us ... I am not sure who it might have been.



[Private to GM: I am assuming that Gloria and most others do not know who did it ...  no reason to tell any more folks than necessary!]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 57):

He laughs.

"Really? Our discussions with dissidents aboard your ship indicated that you were well aware of the actions of the Dastavka, who has also been reported in this area since then! Don't worry, we appreciate you not talking about what you know. Discretion is highly prized amoung us.

For us, this is pretty much a warzone already. The bastards have killed off nearly 10,000 Geonee who they do not consider as 'model citizens'. Managudeli is a murderous prick posing as a Vilani officer, but he lacks their integrity and their authority. Obviously, he is working on that, but recent ship losses have greatly undermined his position with Governor Sharik Yangila in Dingir, especially without obvious Terran support. We understand that Yangila is gathering the Military for an assault on Terra, so sending ships to deal with dissidents, especially those that lack Terran support, is not interesting for him. Is there a way we can convince your captain to be willing to assist us with the current patrols? It would send a strong message to dissidents in this sector, to say the least, and would not technically be an act of war is this is not officially Vilani space. This far out, as long as no ships escape, we can pretty much ensure that the only folk who know of Terran involvement are friendly."

You arrive at the building, which is indeed a ships boat, modified to be an office, and proceed to enter.

Well our ship is not likely to do well against a Shamshir and perhaps not even a Gashidda, our last ship was lost to a Gashidda. But we can let the others know of your desires and their likely affect.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 59):

"But this is a warship, is it not? Shamirs are about the smallest actual Vilani warships, and you would eat the Gashiddas for desert."

Well, this is an exploration and merchant raider, not exceptionally well armed  or protected in fact., but enough to tackle a Gashidda with some careful planning. Mostly we aim to support you and others who seek to avoid the Vilani heel.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 61):

"Really? The guys described it as a raider when you were on faith..."

[OOC: This is the Jean Bart, a Hardrada class raider we are both talking about, right? Just trying to work out if it is a player mistake or the character underestimating her ship...]

In reply to Dissident (msg # 62):

Once the Jean Bart is docked, Doyle leaves the vessel and is directed to the 'guvnors' office, where Gloria and some of the other ships crew are talking with them. He only hears the tail end of the conversation, but he is quickly filled in by the locals as to the discussion.

"Of course we would like to help. But we need to be sure of a quick victory. Obviously, I should ask what vessels and weapons you have available as a start?"

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 63):

"We have managed to put together a bounty hunter, and we have 5 ships boats, modified to add a turret of 3 missile launchers missiles to make them makeshift fighters. But that is about it as far as weapons go. The only downside to an underwater base is no place for weapons.

The patrol of 1 Shamir and 2 Gashiddas is due on the 22nd of October, and comes every 2 months. They usually land on the planet to refuel, after flying around the planet doing a sensor sweep. When they are refuelling is clearly the best time to ambush them."

Note the information you have regarding Vilani and Dissident bounty hunters is as follow:

Bounty Hunter, 173 M  Solars, 100 dTon Needle/Wedge
A modified Iken hull, with 2 Iken engines and a Hero engine as backup to give enough speed to outpace most fighters, The Bounty Hunter has 1 fixed forward firing Plasma and a light turret with 3 Beam weapons. Crewed by a Pilot/Commander, there are only 4 troops, 4 engineering and one other gunner, with a medic often amoung the troops. These would be the most powerful dissident vessels. They are designed to get up close and ambush, to make the most of their plasma, and are feared by Gashiddas, with good reason if the gunner and pilot are capable!

(6.61G/Move:3351, dDR:50, dHP: 47, dTons of Cargo Space: 1.75, SM:+8)
Weapons: 3x Beam in 1 turret, 1x Plasma, Crew:10.

In reply to Dissident (msg # 64):

"Are there any other ships in the area that we can call upon? Every bit of firepower would help."

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 65):

"There is sometimes a Hero class trader that visits here and Faith, but I am not sure they would add much to that fight. Other than that, no. The Patrolling Vilani vessels destroy anything we get our hands on before we have a chance."

In reply to Dissident (msg # 66):

[Private to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle: Rolled Strategy, 6 under skill!]

"It is now the 4th of September, You say they are next due here on the 22nd of October, so that is 48 days away. Could we take one of your representatives over to Faith to ask them to send any vessels that arrive there prior to the 15th of October to come here to assist us?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:49, Thu 31 Jan 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 67):

He looks around for a bit, before one of those standing net to you with a weapon pipes up.

"I'll go sir. For a chance to stop these friggin' patrols, it is worth it."

The leader nods.

"You have your answer..."

In reply to Dissident (msg # 68):

"The we leave straight away...we should be back in two weeks. Unless you wish to send your bounty hunter and we see what we can do about improving your defenses..."

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 69):

There is some discussion about your proposal, and a growing amount of excitement. Despite the dangers, it is like a shadow has lifted off the base. But they do not seem sure about sending out the Bounty Hunter, named Spear of Destiny.

Overall, there are about 50 personnel present, spread far and wide. The 5 ships boats fitted out as fighters is in poor condition, to say the least, and you wonder if they will even fly. But then, as long as they fire off a few salvos and then get their crew back, that will be all that is needed. There are 4 G-Carriers that have been converted to fishing vessels that seem to be constantly busy, and the Jean Bart's 2 ships boats are similarly recruited to provide for your crew.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Thu 31 Jan 2019.

In reply to Dissident (msg # 70):

After some discussion, it is decided that the Jean Bart's technical expertise can be put to good use here, so the Spear of Destiny is sent out with representative for Faith.

It is 16 days before the Spear of Destiny returns. The Hero that is with it is unarmed, and therefore of little use, though they do bring parts for some of the ships boats that get them up and running, and a small number of missiles.

Hero Smuggler,
This Hero class has been fitted for luxury travel, with a G-Carrier instead of the normal raft and enough fuel for 4 parsecs worth of jumps. Its high speed makes it attractive, but not as attractive as the hidden 2 dTon compartments! It does not carry weapons so as to not arouse suspicion. Refitted with an Iken engine, it is quite fast!

200 dTon Close Structure, Armour: 10 dDr, HP: 30 dHP, Acceleration: 6.13G, Airspeed:740 mph, SM: 8, Crew:11, Nominal Cargo:13 dTons + 2 hidden
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:18, Thu 31 Jan 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 71):

Doyle thanks them for coming, and asks if it would be possible for them to find any other vessels such as the Spear of Destiny that might assist them.  Whilst they make no promises other than to try, they do set off with a hold full of medical supplies and vaccines, informing you that the last lot of vaccines have seen a dramatic reduction in new cases of measles and influenza, and the vaccines and cures for Black plague, alongside advice on controlling it, have seen that disease almost eliminated on Ceti Command, though Managudeli has claimed credit for this as he brought a few cures with him for more 'outstanding' citizens. But no-one was really fooled. Chickenpox continues to grow, but it's growth has slowed, and it is not often fatal.

In the meantime, Doyle continues preparations, such as finding out where the patrols fly into the system, and the best location for ambushing them. It is decided that it is best to put all craft together to offer cover from missiles, and to use precision attacks with the beam weapons.

Training with the Spear of Destiny for a week soon reveals that while the pilot (who attacks with the plasma) is capable, he lacks a good gunner. One of your own troops (a spare gunner, not one manning your turrets) is soon seen to be somewhat more skilled, and all agree that the swap is a good one. Another few days of practice and he is quite familiar with the peculiarities of the cobbled together ship. By which time it is the 2nd of October. The pilots flying the fighters will hang back, using missiles instead of beam weapons.

[Private to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle: Rolled an 8 for Tactics, 6 under skill! With a +2 intelligence bonus from the locals, that makes for a very nice roll to prepare successfully for an ambush!]

In reply to Fate (msg # 72):

The next day, Dastavka arrives in the system. Having come from Faith, they provide the correct entry protocols and are directed to land at the underwater city. Seafood is available in good quantities, and you begin practicing for the ambush with the fighters and the Spear of Destiny.

[OOC: Please note message #49 and onwards for the description of the underwater habitat domes here. You have 19 days until anticipated ambush time. Please note an preparations beyond those mentioned, and then we can skip straight to the ambush.]

Well we stock a good supply of sea food, which is a welcome change to our diet. We actually plan to take a limited amount back to Faith or elsewhere, where sea food is rare.
Otherwise, we prepare our fighters and exercise them, have our ships boat stand by with the APC and a landing/boarding party.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 74):

For nearly 3 weeks, until the 21 October 2171, you prepare and train, with fishing in the down time to restock supplies. You get to know the locals, most of whom are Geonee, but they keep their views on women in combat to themselves, for even they have to admit all assistance is welcome.

On the 21st, all the main vessels move into position. The local fighters have local G-Carriers come along to provide provisions as they wait in position below the surface, whilst the small vessels of the Dastavka and Jean Bart wait aboard until an incoming jump is detected. The tension mounts as the sun sets, and the night rolls on.

The Vilani are nothing if not predictable. At dawn on the 22nd, the hyperspace entrance is detected, and the small craft launch. In the hidden location about 30 ft (10 m) under the water, the small craft are stopping their engines as the first sensors are detected coming online. 1 Shamshir is first, with the two Gashiddas close behind, about 500,000 miles away on the opposite side of the sun. It seems to take forever for them to form up and approach the planet, with sensor sweep after sensor sweep. The locals are familiar with the drill, and assure you that the water will shield you, but you cant help but wonder as the sun rises, putting the planet between you and those hunting for you.

Then silence.

With no active sensors, you wait, hoping that they will, as before, come round the planet before landing in the light, on your side of the planet, to refuel.

Then they appear, but still in orbit. They do a slow orbit, sensors sweeping for anything to hunt that might be out of the normal. You all sit, powered down as instructed, as they pass overhead, with nothing but life support and minimal passive sensors on, as they do so.

They continue.

You wait.

It should not take this long, but you wait.

It takes them another 5 hours before they come back onto sensors.

This time they are much lower, and slightly off from above you. They move to a small island below the horizon, and seem to land, perhaps 500 miles away?

Now is your chance! As you power up, the fighters do likewise. Gun Da-bin is first to signal that he has them on sensors, and flashes using laser communicators to the other vessels the location once you have all risen out of the water. Guns are manned as you move within 400 miles and get ready to rise to the height at which you can detect them and be detected, staying in close line formation to not block anyone else's sight.

OK, The Shamshir is the primary target for us, the Gashiddas are secondary, but must not be allowed to escape. Tanya, be ready if we have to jump after them. We'll shoot as soon as we have a missile lock.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 76):

Doyle uses the laser communicators to instruct all.

"Target the Power supplies and the drives with those beams, as well as the communications arrays. Precision targeting folks. Lets disable the Shamshir and then kill the Gashiddas...Rise now and fire when ready."

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 77):

It was never a fair fight. The vessels rose above the horizon as the Vilani crews were outside their vessels starting the refuelling on a supposedly empty planet. At the close range, the space weapons meant for engaging targets up to 60,000 miles away were looking into the serial numbers of the parts at just 400 miles, and dismantling them with surgical precision. The Jean Bart's guns were first to fire as they rose up even as Doyle gave the command, and they smashed the Comms, powerplants and drives so hard that the crew were seen running FROM the vessel. The Dastavka's gunners, an experienced crew, targeted a different system each on both Gashiddas and cut them away with frightening precision that left little doubt as to their abilities to continue fighting, or lack thereof, and the dissident bounty hunter the Spear of Destiny, the last to rise and fire, fired on the only vessel that did not have crew running from it, a situation they quickly rectified.

Despite Jean Bart and Dastavka launching missiles, they did not have time to hit, and were directed to land and be disarmed as the smaller craft, full of dissident soldiers and the troops from the Jean Bart made their way to the small island that the Vilani were marooned on.

Wisely, the Vilani surrendered. It was over, almost before it was begun. It could have been very different. But is was not to be...

If they can repair those ships, they have a start on a good defense... we should load up and move on to accomplish our mission now. Weird that they should have to dismount to refuel.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 79):

Talking with captives, you realize that they were also restocking supplies.

In reply to Fate (msg # 80):

"Thank you for your help. We can now truly consider ourselves a free colony, and we will start work on repairing those vessels, you may be sure. Although anything you can provide us, such as new computers, reactor or weapons would naturally be greatly appreciated. With no source of missiles, we should look at replacing as many of those launchers with beam weapons or plasma weapons as we can.

After a thorough investigation and discussion with the prisoners, we have determined the following.
Managudeli has recently purchased a single Kargash class cruiser, but has patrols based at Beta Port and Orgill. This is possibly a good thing, as it will mean that he will not have enough funds for any more ships for a while, and one ship cannot be everywhere. We will now be able to start to transport a lot more folk to here and Faith, though, rescuing those most heavily persecuted for their opposition to Managudeli, as well as able to get folk into those places more readily.

We can still use your help in hit and run attacks to pick off small patrols. It seems that most of the engineering section are not in favour of Managudeli, but have family in vulnerable positions. Typical of Vilani. Now we need to brainstorm where to next...it will take them a month to realize they have lost the patrol."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:01, Mon 04 Feb 2019.

In reply to Dissident Commander (msg # 81):

"In that case, we should get a message to Terran colonies to start a freight line here. But with a 4 month round trip, that will be a stretch for any freight lines, and Terran freighters are already stretched badly. Is there anywhere we could capture some more freighters?"

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 82):

"Without starting a war? Only this side of Nunushi or Iishu, but both are heavily patrolled, and Managudeli would fight with everything he has to stop you getting those sectors. But if you could field a force big enough to threaten him, he would be justified in calling for the whole Vilani navy. That would not work well.

But perhaps you could go undercover and infiltrate one of the three worlds he controls? Beta-Port is where we regularly get folk into. There may even be some valuable items on Clameer you could claim now too, since this was the same patrol that covered that world. The empty worlds patrol, they used to call it..."  he chuckled a little.

In reply to Dissident Commander (msg # 83):

On hearing that the Dastava was planning to depart, the dissident commander pays you a visit as you finish loading up with supplies and Doyle decides what to do next.

"Sir, we are very grateful for your assistance. If you are planning on exploring, there is a system much further north, the Dzosuiken system, that has a lot of starship parts manufacturing there. System 3123 on your charts, I believe. No-one has yet mapped a path there outside of Vilani control, and with about 8 weeks travel, most would require a lot of supplies unless suitable places for hunting could be found. As such, security there is fairly lax, and there are fairly strong dissident worlds nearby that are poorly policed due to their distance from Terran colonies and their generally quiet disposition. We need more Fusion powerplants for these downed vessels in order to get them operational, and these systems would be excellent places to get them, but we would need to hire cargo ships to bring them, and a route to be explored that would bypass Managudeli. Can you assist us with that?"

He shows you a chart (linked below) if you allow him to plug this into your system.

https://travellermap.com/?opti...=1&po=1&im=1

Talk about going to the middle of the hornets nest... It is in a direction we wished to explore, although I was going to look at  2631, 2731 and 2633 first. Can you provide any knowledge of those systems?
We were then looking at 2729 and 2728. Maybe a visit to Union or not... what supplies might they have? Then 2726 and 2724 and 2923 or 2924 before trying to slide into the Dzosuiken system... that's a lot of ground to cover, but if you can provide information on where supplies could be had and what sorts of things they might wish to trade for, that would help.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 85):

"Union is a barren inhospitable world, and if there are any dissidents still hiding there, they would want just about everything, from weapons, breathing apparatus and greenhouse supplies. But an 'expedition' there in 2165 destroyed a small outpost there, and if any escaped, they have not contacted any other dissidents since then.

As for what is in the unknown world, I could not tell you. We have only recently gained computers capable of traveling there without jump tapes, so we really do not know, but we would very much like to. I do recall that in 2163 a Terran scout vessel, a tiny little thing, was making its way through Ceti Command, before Yangila shut the borders.

As for a Hornets nest, from Eneldun to Shaalgar to Dzosuiken is all under the command of an ambitious Sarriiu (Supreme Governor) who encourages working with different Kimashagur groups as a way to encourage dissidents to be part of society. That has allowed Geonee Shakkanakhu (Provincial governor) Ganimakkur to be very relaxed about dealings with all vessels, including Terran. It is rumored that some Terran traders may even be holed up there since the closure of the borders, because the quality of their medical equipment has increased, making them much more popular and the Governor, amoung others, richer. All heresay, of course. But hardly a hornets nest."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Wed 06 Feb 2019.

So bringing quality Medical gear would be very welcome then? Getting it out here would be tough though, without a long trip back to Aegir. I have none to spare and doubt JEAN BART does either, but definitely something to put on your want list. Perhaps your Hero could make that run to Chrysolite to get some. They could also let the government know what has happened so they can respond. Perhaps we can lure some of those Terran traders back this way and some more people as well.  Might be useful to establish relations with Shakkanakhu Ganimakkur too.


Status-
Food- 100%
Missiles - down 12 or so? still have ?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 87):

"Quality Medical gear and know-how would both be welcome there. Jean Bart does have some very helpful specialists, but whether they could spare them is something you would have to ask them. Our Hero is busy making the runs from here to Beta Port, and their cover would need some preparation for such a long run, but unfortunately they use Tape drives, as part of their cover, so they could not make that run. The Spear of Destiny maybe could, but it would need some of your people flying it to give it credibility. Are there spare traders at Chrysolite? You might be better buying one at Dzosuiken."


[Private to Cyril Zotmund: You know that resources there are stretched.]

Fair point, although funds may be limited for such a large purchase ...  and I'd need to bring some crew along.  Let me speak with the Captain of JEAN BART. It would be most useful if we had one or two of your people familiar with the dissidents out there who can vouch for us.




I'll approach LtCdr Doyle and see if he can spare some of his medical specialists and a prize crew to bring a Trader back here.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 89):

"Of Course. Perhaps it is worth leaving all the 79 troops here as well as the 15 extra specialists and intelligence workers, whilst we make a run back to Chrysolite to report..." he muses.

Well I am not sure if an Intelligence worker would be useful, but might be so ... certainly we need some medical specialists and a Prize crew if you have one available.  The Dissidents say our better quality medical gear is a big value in trading with these folks.  You can also try and get some military support sent this way... I know it will be very small, but it is a help. I am going to try and  get some fusion reactors to power up the Vilani hulks, but they will need weapons and I expect to need a missile resupply as well. If You would let The Kalishnakov company know of where I am heading and why ... I can provide that in writing to assist in that. Anything else you can suggest?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 91):

He thinks for a minute.

"Nothing I can think of. The intelligence agent is for us, so we can better work with them. The military wanted to stay well away from here for now. But we can source some plasma cannons and Beam weapons, as well as new navigation computers for them. That should help a lot. I will be sure to inform authorities where you intend to head."


[Private to Cyril Zotmund: You still have all missiles. They were able to be retrieved as the combat only lasted one round.]

If you are ready to depart, post back in the Dastavka's thread with a definite route.

Ok, Confession and apology. I have been messing up the calculation of supplies per dTon of space by a factor of 4. Corrections are shown below.

Supplies: 100%, 96 Tons. 2.1 tons per week needed for original crew.
Extra crew: 8 to fly a Hero class, 2 medical experts. With these, you would fit 88 tons, and use 2.5 t per week.
Missiles: 12 per launcher, 120 spares.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:47, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

OK, Cdr, wasn't sure if you wanted to gather information up where we are headed ... at least more than what we'll likely gather. If you can gather those things for these folks, that should be a big step up. Also get an IFF for each of their ships so they don't pay for looking Vilani. Soon enough we can expect another patrol looking for what happened. What are they doing with all the prisoners?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 93):

"The prisoners are the other reason we wanted to head back. Those that are willing to defect we can use in colonies far from the Saris bridge. Those that are not, well, I guess they will have to remain with the Dissenters for 'disposal', since letting them get back to Vilani space would be evidence that Terrans were involved here. There is nothing they can do if they find our tech here, since traders have been this way, but finding our warships here is another matter entirely.

They seem to think that the Vilani do not have another patrol to send. They lost a lone Gashidda and then the Shamshir that went to look for it back a few months. With Pirates and barbarians, the unknown worlds are well known to be dangerous places with unrecorded threats, so having lost a third patrol, they will have to decide between a major patrol, possibly finding another dangerous spacefaring barbarian race, or cutting their losses. The locals seem to think they will opt for the second, since the 'governor' here is not an official one anyway."

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 94):

With much to report, and a request for aid, the Jean Bart left all the personnel they could spare on Nova Pacifica and departed for Chrysolite by the fastest possible route. Moving via 3031, 3231, 0231, 0432, Sionnach, Wallach and then finally on to Chrysolite. There they made their report, indicating to anxious Kalishnikov officials as to the intended movements of the Dastavka. Their response to the request for aid, however, was not entirely helpful. It was agreed that the Hero class trader that was servicing Alizarin would have their run extended all the way to include Faith and Nova Pacifica, but this would mean only one visit every four months. However, with growing trade with the Labrysians, there were just no free freighters. The Jean Bart therefore loaded up with several dTons of Computers and equipment and specialist for making more, as well as Vilani arms and armour, including an Imperial 100 mm LAWs, mines and mine dispensers obtained through uncertain means.

Interestingly enough, a Labrysian trader offered to also make a singular run, under the condition that any planets suitable for colonization by them was identified for them, and that they be allowed to send colonists to dissidents planets as well. Officials reluctantly agreed to their terms.

Returned about the same way, detouring to Alizarin after 0231. The entire trip took 120 days, so he arrived back on 22 February 2173.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:26, Wed 27 Feb 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 95):

After finding that no further patrols had occurred, Doyle decided that it was time to investigate Clameer, the planet where some manufacturing was set up when the Jaques Cartier went down. Taking with him some of the extra security personnel,  he set off, arriving there on the 9th of March. Using the details given, it did not take long to identify the hidden base.

There were a small number of persons there, mainly growing legal drugs Kalikashu and Ushkiirga, with a little Sharaddun having just been harvested, as well as various fungal foods. With their concern for a repeat attack, the troops were disembarked there, and the specialists in manufacturing computers found the equipment left behind by the Jaques Cartier crew was still usable. Similarly, facilities set up to create vaccinations were also functioning, and many specialists were able to be put to good use there. Both Computer specialists and medical/biological specialists began the long task of training up locals to do their jobs.

With numbers down, it was a welcome sight when the small Hero class returned to the system, full of dissidents seeking a new life away from a heavy system of taxes imposed by the local overlord trying to fund his own Navy. But this also provided the perfect opportunity to train up many locals to resist, a task very much in line with Doyles orders, though it was neither glorious nor exciting.

Over the following 2 months, the Hero returned six more times, each time carrying between 20 and 50 colonists, mainly from Ceti Command, but some also from Beta Port and some even making further jumps from as far as Kidashi. It was on the last trip that Doyle learnt of the war, and that the disastrous attack at Procyon, as well as the successful defence of Yenesei. The population here by then had risen to 250. You also learn of the following ships stationed in this part of space:

At Ceti-Command  1 Kargash, 1 Shamshir, 2 Gashidda, 50 Missile fighters, all at the colony.
At Beta Port, 5 Gashidda. One at each Gas Giant, and two at the colony.
At Orgill, 1 Shamshir, 7 Gashidda. The Shamshir and a Gashidda is at the Colony, a planetoid with a single moon that is patrolled by another Gashidda, and one at each of the other Gas Giants. There are 2 Planetary belts and three gas giants. The other pair act as a roving patrol.

At Nunashi, a much more populated world, there is a pair of Shamshir and 10 Gashiddas, which are part of the Imperial Navy assigned to Kidashi.

Doyle discusses the possibility of targeting Beta Port, as a stepping stone to Orgill with local colonial leaders.

[Private to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle: Now war has been declared. You can attack more openly, especially since the Imperial force at Kidashi has been smashed. They will, of course, be reinforced soon...but for now, hit then vanish is workable. Suggestions?]

Date: 09 May 2173

In reply to Fate (msg # 96):

Doyle decides to attempt a raid of Beta Port, to check defences there. He picks the colony, as it is some distance from the other two gas giants, and there are anticipated to be three Gashiddas there. It is expected to take the other two craft 5 and 7 hours to get there from the Gas giants they are at, if they should come at all, and it may give him the chance to attack the Anakundu forces on the planet.

He has the navigator lay in a course for the Gas giant. Loading up 50 troops, he gets ready to go and enters Hyperspace.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 97):

The good thing about the Vilani is that they go by the book. That makes them predictable, and has made the Jean Bart's job much easier. Unfortunately, that also means they do not take risks. Seeing a ship twice it's size coming out of hyperspace far from the gas giant, the patrol vessel there immediately calls for backup, and runs for the two orbiting the planet.

So by the time the Jean Bart is approaching the nearest one, the other two will be in range. Going by the book, they launch the first salvo at maximum range, but you are closing at 8 k miles per round, and they take 3 rounds to reach you.

All Gashiddas, dDR 90, SM:+9, 4G [Private to GM: PD: 18]
Gashidda 1: Full strength 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcasters, 9 Missiles x12 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle [Private to GM: dDR 90, dHP: 70, 12 troops]
Gashidda 2: Full strength 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcasters, 9 Missiles x12 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle [Private to GM: dDR 90, dHP: 70, 12 troops]
Gashidda 3: Full strength 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcasters, 9 Missiles x12 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle [Private to GM: dDR 90, dHP: 70, 12 troops]

Combined 9 Pulse lasers, 9 sandcasters, 36 missiles

Jean Bart, dDR 75, SM: +10, 4G, Point Defence 18, Precision attack 8 @ 10 k to 19 k, 8
dHP: 80, 8x Twin beam, 6 missiles, 2 sandcasters, 2x Ships boats, 24 troops each

Turret 1: 9, so 5x2=10 missiles destroyed (Twin turret)
Turret 2: 18, this gunner did not make it to the gun. Caught on the toilet...
Turret 3: 9, 10 missiles destroyed
Turret 4: 10, 10 missiles destroyed
Turret 5: 12, 8 missiles destroyed
Turret 6: 9, 10 missiles destroyed
Turret 7: 15, 4 missiles destroyed
Turret 8: 15, 4 missiles destroyed

All missiles easily shot down as you approached. They launched the next salvo as the Jean Bart get to withing 10 k to 19 k miles.

Turret 1: 7 Damaging hit to Power plant
Turret 2: -, this gunner did not make it to the gun. Caught on the toilet...
Turret 3: 12,
Turret 4: 13,
Turret 5: 6, Damaging hit to Drives
Turret 6: 11,
Turret 7: 14,
Turret 8: 8, Damaging hit to Comms

Range: 15 k miles

In reply to Vilani Patrol (msg # 98):

The Jean Bart homes in on the remaining two warships, which now begin to use sandcasters to defend themselves. Doyle therefore orders Turrets 1 to 4 to target the third one, and turrets 5 to 8 to target the second one. The second salvo of missiles needs to be shot down first though...

All Gashiddas, dDR 90, SM:+9, 4G [Private to GM: PD: 18, Sandcasters 18]
Gashidda 1: 0G, effective dDR vs beam: 27, 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcastersx11, 9 Missiles x10 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle, Power, Comms and Man. Drive seem disabled. [Private to GM: dHP: 18, 12 troops]

Gashidda 2: Full strength 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcasters11, 9 Missiles x10 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle [Private to GM: dHP: 70, 12 troops]

Gashidda 3: Full strength 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcastersx11, 9 Missiles x10 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle [Private to GM: dHP: 70, 12 troops]

Combined 9 Pulse lasers, 9 sandcasters, 18 missiles

Jean Bart, dDR 75, SM: +10, 4G, Point Defence 18, Precision attack 10 @ 10 k to 9 k, 8
dHP: 80, 8x Twin beam, 6 missiles, 2 sandcasters, 2x Ships boats, 24 troops each

Turret 1: 15, 4 missiles destroyed
Turret 2: 10, 10 missiles destroyed
Turret 3: 11, 8 missiles destroyed
Turret 4: 9, 10 missiles destroyed
Turret 5: 10, 10 missiles destroyed
Turret 6: 13, 6 missiles destroyed
Turret 7: 13, 6 missiles destroyed
Turret 8: 8, 12 missiles destroyed

All missiles easily shot down as closed in on the formations. You will get 2 shots before the next salvo can be launched and will need to be dodged...

Turret 1: 10, 12, The hit was all damage dissipated by the sand
Turret 2: 10, 10, Some damage to power plant
Turret 3: 11, 12
Turret 4: 13, 10, Significant damage to Maneuver drive
Turret 5: 15, 11
Turret 6: 10, 16, significant damage to the fusion plant
Turret 7: 6, 9, significant damage to maneuver drive, one hit damage dissipated by the sand
Turret 8: 11, 12

Range: 8 k miles
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Thu 28 Feb 2019.

In reply to Vilani Patrol (msg # 98):

The Gashiddas are starting to look a little scared, firing at the Jean Bart with the pulse lasers, and even though one actually hits a turret, it fails to penetrate. All seem now disabled, as none are moving. However, two are still able to launch missiles, and defiantly do so, forcing the Jean Bart to once again defend itself.

All Gashiddas, dDR 90, SM:+9, 4G [Private to GM: PD: 18, Sandcasters 18]
Gashidda 1: Damaged, 2G, effective dDR vs beam: 27/70, 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcastersx9, 9 Missiles x10 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle [Private to GM: dHP: 44, 12 troops]

Gashidda 2: 0G, Significant Damage 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcastersx8, 9 Missiles x10 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle [Private to GM: dHP: 24/70, 12 troops, 26 to power, 20 to man]

Gashidda 3: 0G Significant damage, 0G, 3 Pulse, 3 Sandcastersx8, 9 Missiles x10 salvos, 1 Assault shuttle [Private to GM: dHP: 18/70, 12 troops, 28 dam to power, 24 to man]

Combined 9 Pulse lasers, 9 sandcasters, 18 missiles

Jean Bart, dDR 75, SM: +10, 4G, Point Defence 18, Precision attack 10 @ 10 k to 9 k, 8
dHP: 80, 8x Twin beam, 6 missiles, 2 sandcasters, 2x Ships boats, 24 troops each

Turret 1: 9, 10 missiles destroyed
Turret 2: 16, 4 missiles destroyed
Turret 3: 16, 4 missiles destroyed
Turret 4: 6, 14 missiles destroyed
Turret 5: 12, 8 missiles destroyed
Turret 6: 8, 12 missiles destroyed
Turret 7: 14, 6 missiles destroyed
Turret 8: 12, 8 missiles destroyed

All missiles easily shot down as you circled around. They launched the next salvo as the Jean Bart remains within 10 k miles.

Turret 1: 15, 10, Comms hit
Turret 2: 15, 7, Comms Hit
Turret 3: 16, 12,
Turret 4: 12, 8, Comms destroyed, Gashidda 3 disabled
Turret 5: 10, 11, Comms hit
Turret 6: 12, 12,
Turret 7: 8, 10, Comms hit
Turret 8: 11, 8, Comms hit, vessel disabled, heavily damaged.

Range: 5 k miles

In reply to Vilani Patrol (msg # 100):

In an effort to destroy all the communications systems, all three Gashiddas are disabled. Doyle now has to decide what to do with them, but before he does, he orders all crew off. Though there are 36 crew per vessel, there are significant casualties. The Assault craft they have only seat 24, plus 2  crew. There are about 30 people alive on each vessel.

The other two Gashiddas in the system do not attempt to engage, but one to jump points and leave the system, apparently heading in different directions, one to Orgill and one to Ceti-Command.

16th May 2173.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:28, Thu 28 Feb 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 101):

Leaving the two ships boats, one to gather the remaining survivors and the second to gather equipment, the Jean Bart departs to the colony to briefly fire upon the garrison there.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 102):

It does not take long before it becomes clear that loyal forces are clearly outnumbered, and once the 7 armoured vehicles are dealt with, and a few strong die-hard troops, the planet is happy to clean up the mess for you. There are a few missiles launched, 14 in all, but they are shot down all too easily.

The local population want to know if you are planning to stay, and what you plan to do with the prisoners.

In reply to Fate (msg # 103):

I indicate that we are not planning to stay, but rather to leave before a stronger force returns. The prisoners are to be taken to a dissident world where they are to be put to work as colonists. On that note, I return to the destroyed vessels and have all the Assault craft and my ships boats return to the planet, where the men will be disembarked. The assault craft are to be taken somewhere obscure and dismantled immediately for parts, and shipped out at the first opportunity. The prisoners are to be kept until it can be decided who is coming and who is going.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 104):

It will the 22nd of May 2173 before that is completed. However, before then, the small Hero arrives. Gathering as many spare parts as it can, and as many colonists as it can, it packs in two days, as do you, ready to leave. The Hero heads to Clameer.

In reply to Fate (msg # 105):

I will suggest that the colonists here hide well, and I gather up as many as I can and as many parts as I can, drop a few missiles into what is left of the Gashiddas after having my technicians go over them thoroughly, before departing for Clameer myself.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 106):

You jump back into hyperspace after refuelling, arriving back at Clameer on the 29th May and unloading, as well as refuelling. The Hero simply refuelled and kept going.

The Spear of Destiny is also in orbit or a nearby Gas Giant when you get back.

Within a day, everyone except the most loyal Vilani prisoners have been unloaded. The colonists do not want loyalist Vilani here. They also do not want you near their planet after raiding Beta Port...not that they object, but they fear repercussions!

And not without reason. As you are heading back, an Iken is detected coming out of hyperspace near one of the far Gas Giants. It does not take long to turn around, clearly scanning the system, before returning to hyperspace, back the way it came.

30 May 2173
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:08, Thu 28 Feb 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 107):

Noting the Ikens trajectory, Doyle orders the navigator to plot a course in hyperspace to meet it. It is noted that it will come out at one of the nine planets of Ceti Command, the main colony, no less.

The trip through hyperspace this time is a very nervous one. Doyle has gambled that the hostile commanders fleet has been sent out to hunt him. If he is wrong, this could go badly. Fast.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 108):

It is the 6th of June when you exit hyperspace, 700 k from the planet. The response from the planet is very quick.

50 fighters scramble quickly from the planet. With a potential missile swarm of 100 missiles, you beat a hasty retreat, but lack fuel to jump out.

The only vessels in sight are 2 Gashiddas at different planets. They do not move.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:39, Thu 28 Feb 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 109):

Over the comms.

"We came to release your prisoners. Some are injured. In exchange for fuel, we would like to leave peacefully."

[Private to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle: You rolled 4 under Diplomacy...shooting against those odds is not good...each gun has to shoot down at least 5-6 missiles, rolling 8-10. Not good odds...]

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 110):

There is some long pause as the fighters continue to gather. You note that the only planets with any fuel are the ones gaurded by the Gashiddas. Sensors also pick up another ship, it appears to be a tanker, on the planets surface. It begins powering up.

"How many prisoners do you have?"

In reply to Vilani Patrol (msg # 111):

"Approximately 30. The others accepted the option to be released on a safe planet."

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 112):

"Very well. Proceed to land any you will be refuelled."

There are clearly a LOT of troops around the starport, with many armoured vehicles.

In reply to Vilani Patrol (msg # 113):

"You mean me to surrender my ship? No, that is not going to happen without a fight, and that will see many of your men killed. Probably all. I call upon you to show honour and allow me to leave in peace, as I have come in peace to bring you your own people, who were prisoners."

[Private to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle: Diplomacy roll, 3 under this time.]

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 114):

There is clearly some discussion between the planet and the ships, before they finally respond.

The Fuel tanker on the planet finishes powering up and raises lazily into orbit, along with four ships boats.

"We suspected you might feel that way. Unfortunately, if the 'safe place' you left some of those other prisoners was Beta Port, then you should know that several vessels were sent there to punish them with Nukes for not fighting you harder. I will probably loose my commission for this, but I am going to authorize the exchange of fuel for prisoners, because my brother was on one of the command teams. This should occur simultaneously. The fighters will stand off, and begin closing once the exchange is completed. You better be gone by the time the missiles reach you..."

In reply to Fate (msg # 115):

"Very well. Moving into a position to leave."

I will move into a position from which I can jump to Beta Port, and have the navigators lay in a course for one of the Gas Giants. I do not like the sound of them nuking the place.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 116):

You detect the fighters launch as you reach the jump point, as they promised. Activating the Jump drive immediately you enter hyperspace as the missile alert alarms begin to sound, arriving at Beta Port one week later.

It becomes clear that the planet was heavily nuked, as was anticipated. approximately 1/4 of the population was killed, but the rest managed to disperse so effectively that the nukes were limited in usefulness. But the message was made very clear. Interestingly enough, the only vessels left in the system are a couple of small Ikens as Gas Giants distant from the colony. Not only do they keep their distance, but they wait at jump locations.

Refuelling first, you move to chase these vessels off, taking a day to do so, before returning to the planet. You are informed that Managudeli has decided to no longer leave a garrison here, but to come and collect foodstuffs for sale on a regular basis. About the only area spared the nukes were the farms, but he has promised that he will rectify that if he is not able to collect crops once every two months.

Most folk feel that was a win, though a very expensive one. Everyone has lost loved ones. Clearly, however, he still monitors the system, so they ask you to leave. The do not want the situation to deteriorate, or a garrison once again placed there. A number wish to leave with you as well.

It is the 20th of June 2173 by the time you return to Clameer. The planet was also nuked, but highly ineffectively. Not finding the colony, Managudeli simply used 'dirty' nukes to make a lot of radiation on the planets surface. Most colonists are now making their ways to Nova Pacifica and Faith.

20 Jun 2173.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:46, Wed 06 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 117):

With a full load of colonists and supplies now dwindling, Doyle decides the next course of action is to retreat back to Nova Pacifica as directly as possible, taking the colonists with him, and a number of Terran-designed computers, and parts from the Assault shuttles which may assist the work on the Vilani wrecks.

Departing on the 21st June, the arrives in Nova Pacifica on the 4th of August to unload, inspect the work and allow his crew some time to rest and recover. His planned stay is 1 month.

He finds that the new Fusion reactors have arrived. Parts from one of the Gashiddas have been cannibalized to get the other one functional. The first Gashidda will be ready soon, with the arrival of Sharurshid Line Freighter Reactors and a series of new drives purchased. Beam weapons and Plasmas have been smuggled in to avoid the need to ammunition.

A Lightning arrived very recently and has begun trading between here and Dzosuiken or Chrysolite, a four month round trip either way for which they naturally charge quite a bit. But it does offer some trading services, and there are plenty of unusual resources for which a premium price can be asked.

Trials on the 4th of September show the following specifications for the new vessel:

Dissident Gashidda: 400 dTon Needle/Wedge
(6.1G/Move:3250, dDR:110, dHP: 70, dTons of Cargo Space: 50, SM:+9)
Weapons: 6x Beam, 2x Plasma, Crew:24, Life Support: 40
1 Assault Shuttle

04 Sep 2173, Ready to leave.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Wed 20 Mar 2019.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 118):

Doyle suggests a raid on the Orgill system, to cut the supply lines for Ceti-Command.

Doyle leaned back into his chair and ran his fingers along the sharp edge of his jawline, he hmm'd for a moment in consideration. "I think cutting off the supply line would be much more fruitful. You know, blowing up a Vilani ship every now and then seems to raise morale of everyone here... he said, loudly enough that the entire bridge could hear his mirthful jest.

"But I suppose the rest of our forces wouldn't appreciate us taking away all of their fun.
Lets head all the way to Orgill, and see what we can do to disrupt some systems


OOC:

I followed your recommendation here, but i'll keep up posting now.
Just need to catch up as we go.
:)

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 120):

"With the new Gashidda, we can give them a nasty surprise! It will be good to be on the offensive for once..."

While the crew of the new vessel train enthusiastically, you hope they will have enough time to improve. The vessel runs Terran computers, so the crew are still getting used to them as well.

"What route to get there?"

[Private to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle: Glad to have you back! I trust you find that my actions NPCing you were not significantly different from what you would have done?]

Doyle considered the possibility of adding some of his own crew to the Gashidda vessel, at least temporarily - to be placed in command roles and provide some well-needed experience. With the possibility of giving out some of the soldiers to Zotmund, it seemed a reasonable idea but ultimately nothing tempered steel like fire. And so they would be tempered.

"You're not wrong. With the extra force we can bring to bear, we  should be able to cause some more significant disruption.

Lets just make sure that our new Gashidda ally initially provides a more supporting role and doesn't get too far in over its head.
he said, and then took his place in the captain's chair.


"Set course for Orgill. Lets take a more circumspect path so as to avoid any significant force before we get to our destination and not reveal our plan so early. he said keying in his choice of route.



OOC: Everything is in order, regarding the NPCing, I appreciate it and apologise for the delays.


If possible:

Nova Pacifica -> Faith(2831) -> 2731 --> 2729 -> 2728 -> 2927 -> 3227

I guess that's a doable route? If i'm being stupid, let me know.

[Private to GM: Could you remind me how precisely I can make jumps - does it have to be hex to hex? or are there jumps that can be made that crossmultiple hexes? I think you said to ignore the difference between blue dots and white dots in systems for now?

what do "TC" and "Na" and ""ZS(k)" mean?





]

You forgot 3128 ... you have to go through Beta-Port to get there ... no jump three. The rest we have mapped for you.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 123):

Yes, Cyril is correct. You jump from Hex to Hex, but you require a survey of the hex you are jumping to. Fortunately, Dastavka has survey the required Hexes, except for union. Maximum jump distance is 2 parsecs. Ignore the other symbols, they are details about the planet that are relevant to trading, not something you are involved in!

So Nova Pacifica -> Faith(2831) -> 2731 --> 2729 -> 2728 -> Union (2927) -> Beta-Port (3128) -> Orgill(3227)

Putting a few experience persons on there to train them in Gunnery (Beams) and use and maintenance of computers would naturally be appreciated. You have 5 weeks in Hyperspace before you reach Union, so there is plenty of time to get some training done! The Gashidda also has a Heavy Plasma Turret, which is very nasty at close quarters, but it only has 6 Beam weapons, so training to stay close to share Point defences would be a VERY useful skill fighting Vilani, to be sure.

You load up on Supplies, and prepare to depart for Faith, the last place before Beta-Port where you can get supplies.

Well I could go to Clarmeer and then jump back if you think that might confuse the Vilani...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 125):

"It may, though unlikely, as we already have our bounty hunter at Clameer chasing off the Iikens. So far it has only caught one though."

It was just a thought ...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 127):

"And a good one. Glad to say, one we have already thought of, and actioned!"

In reply to Dissident Commander (msg # 128):

You load up with supplies and get ready to depart.

Of the 44 dTon of Cargo space, you have plenty of space. In the hold, you have
20 dTon of Supplies
120 Millisles (4 dTon, taken from the downed ships.

You use approximately 1 dtons per week between both vessels.

Planet: Labrysian Sauna (2728)
Date: 04 Oct 2173

The New Hope and Dastavka also load up with supplies and get ready to accompany some of the way. The jump to Faith is straight forward, where you resupply, before jumping to 2731, then 2729 (Pandora), before coming to 2728 (Labrysian Sauna).

Through Comms  Good Luck, Union shouldn't be too hard to reach, as it has been plotted from other directions.  Give 'em hell, but make sure you get back. We'll be out of touch for six months or so. End Trans

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 130):

"All the best. Come back with more valuable routes...they may be very valuable soon!"

He then order a jump route to Union to be entered into the system, and the ship to then proceed there, before refueling and jumping to one of the locations where Ikens were last seen in Beta Port.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:01, Sun 17 Mar 2019.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 131):

The jump to hyperspace was straight forward, and you exit to Union without ado. The system appears empty, and you are able to refuel without incident. The New Hope jumps with you, and you are both ready to depart in a few hours. You and the New Hope each select a separate Gas Giant to jump to, hoping to catch any Iken unawares.

The next week in hyperspace is a nervous one. As you come out, the proximity alarm sounds! A mere 15k mile away, a small Iiken suddenly powers up its jump drive, entering hyperspace a mere 9k miles from you as you attempt to approach, even as your missiles closed! Frustrated, you recall the missiles.

The other Iiken was at a small planet, and it wastes no time departing. One to Ceti-Command, the other to Orgill. Your intelligence suggests that the Shamshir is based at Orgill colony, so you message the New Hope to meet you there as you both refuel, using laser communicators once you are close.

After a day, you are ready. You set course for Orgill colony, and both of you enter hyperspace.

Doyle cursed as the ship escaped and let his frustration vent with a sharp strike of his arm. Bloody hell, we'll have to make haste and get to our destination before any intelligence can gather any reinforcements that they may request.

The good news is that they're unlikely to know which our destination is directly, so will have to spread their forces. But, either way, let us make haste and move on as soon as we can.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 133):

You waste no time in taking the jump to hyperspace.

Exiting together at the planet, you find that the Iiken is there. The other ships have made some preparations, but are still gathered in three groups about 12 hours apart. Far less vulnerable than they were, but still...

At Orgill
Gas Giant 3 (2 Moons): 3x Gashidda (9 PD, 27 Missiles)
Planetoid 1 (1 Moon, Colony): Shamshir, 3x Gasgidda, Iiken (17 PD, 44 Missiles)
Planetoid 2 (2 moons): 3x Gashidda) (9 PD, 27 Missiles)

As you approach the planet, they begin to converge on you, but apart from the group at the planet, which takes formation to engage you, it will be 12 hours before the first group arrives and another hour before the second one does. Two other Iikens jump from the system as you arrive.

24x Beams, 6x Missiles, 2x Plasmas

The Jean Bart has 2 sandcasters, and the New Hope has 0. Clearly, not enough to cover the pulse lasers, so you will want to close the gap fast, but not to fast!

Current fleet being engaged, 700 k miles, closing at 85,000 miles per rnd.
Shamshir x1
Gashidda x3
Iiken x1
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:11, Tue 19 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 134):

Jean Bart and New Hope race towards the hostile ships, ensuring that they form up before they get to missile range, managing to do so by the time they reach 360 k range where the Vilani ships launch their missile swarm. By the time they reach 105 k, the swarm has been shot down on their final approach. The Vilani launch a second wave even as they turn, but by that time they are a mere 40 k from the fast approaching Terran vessels, and the second wave of missiles is shot down with ease. Unfortunately, even a lucky hit on the Shamshirs engines fail to penetrate. With the Vilani fleet able to outpace the Terrans, even though it was only marginal, it seemed that the kill could not be had.

Fortunately, after a third salvo was shot down without the New Hope firing a shot, while the Jean Bart was able to damage one of the Gashidda's reactor rooms, so the Vilani changed tactics. Their missiles ineffective on their own, they attempted to aid them with pulse lasers, but in order to do so, they slowed, allowing the Terrans to come to 15 k, at which range the beam weapons could be more effective. The Terrans shot the missiles away first, with the Pulse lasers proving ineffective even at this range on the ships hull, but them the beams were brought to full effect on the Shamshir, even as the New Hope finally got to engage her plasma cannons!

The turrets of the Jean Bart were able to cripple the power plant, maneuver drive and comms of the Shamshir, effectively crippling the vessel. Meanwhile, the New Hope blasted the Iiken with it's Plasma Cannons, destroying the small craft spectacularly. The resulting fourth swarm of missiles was therefore somewhat smaller, and easily swatted from the sky, and though the Gashidda's in a desperate attempt to protect their commander did manage to do some minor damage, the result of closing to within 5k of the Gashiddas was always going to be very telling. Despite the Jean Bart hitting only once, disabling the maneuver drive of one Gashidda, the New Hopes plasma cannon tore apart another one. The remaining Vilani vessels realized their error too late, and while they did minor damage to the Jean Bart as they tried to flee, both were soon disabled. The Jean Bart and the New Hope were then able to pick off the remaining ships, allowing survivors to escape back to the colony in assault shuttles first.

The first battle over, one might have been forgiven for thinking the system was theirs. But no. Two groups of three Gashidda each are approaching, at least 10 hours away. The two vessels do, however, have time to skim for fuel, refilling the tanks even though they will have to fight before the fuel is refined. Once the tanks are full, the folk on the base are ordered away from the refueling buildings, which are then destroyed from orbit. By this time, the nearest fleet is two hours away in one direction, while the other fleet is three hours away in another.

Date: 27th Oct 2173
Location: Orgill, Refueled...
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:12, Mon 18 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 135):

[Private to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle: Tactics roll, 5 under.]

Doyle appraises the situation and reasons he has a better chance against one group than both. His crew calculates an intercept with the closest group that will allow him to intercept them about 50 minutes before the other group arrives, and by getting between the two groups, he can ensure that they never meet without the chance of closing the range.

He sets a course for the intercept, and moves off at maximum speed. The Gashiddas respond by heading directly towards each other, and a little away from him. This will extend the chase time to three hours, and will bring the time gap between meeting the two forces down to twenty minutes (5 minute rounds, so 4 rounds), but it does seem to be the best they can do.

The time ticks by, as you progress at full speed together, wishing you had a faster vessel.

As always with Vilani, they start with the traditional volley of missiles. 27 in this case. As always, your gunners use them for target practice, as do the Gunners of the New Hope. Not that the they are needed, but clearly they need the practice! Closing at an angle as you are, the closing speed is low, allowing them to get of another 2 salvos before they are within long range. All of which get shot down. The gunners practice firing at long range, but more for practice, as experience has shown that beyond 29 k miles, the damage diminishes to the point that the Gashidda's armour is too thick. But after the fourth salvo has been shot down, you manage to close to 9k miles. The Gashiddas continue to try to get past you to join the second group, and you know it will not be long before they do. The Gashiddas attempt to fire back, but two of the three seem to have problems with their weapons, possibly because Pulse Lasers are not well maintained by patrol vessels! The third does fire at the Jean Bart's fusion plant, but the rounds fail to penetrate the armour. But then the long awaited short range attacks that so much depended upon. Whilst turret 7 of the jean Bart overheated and had to be shut down, three other turrets scored direct hits on the Fusion reactors of the Gashiddas, and all were hit, reducing their speed to give you not only an extra ten minutes, but also ensuring they could not jump from the system! Whilst the New Nope's beams were not effective, their plasma weapon poured withering plasma fire onto the nearest hobbled Gashidda, causing it to explode spectacularly!

Crippled and now at your mercy for longer than they expect to live, the remaining two Gashiddas immediately surrender. The remaining group suddenly veer off, and clearly run back towards a jump point in the opposite direction to you, at a speed you could match, but not exceed. It takes but a few minutes to realize you will not be able to stop them jumping from the system, something they clearly now intend to do!

OOC: bloody hell!

3 posts quicker than I could even sleep and get back from el gymmo.
17:25, Today: LCDR Hawthorne Doyle rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,5,1.  tactics.



Well, it wasn't a bad result considering they were outnumbered and so he told the crew that in his congratulations.

"Now I suppose we must see to their surrender. Patch them through, and tell them that we will board. Any resistance will be met with severity and then he arranged to have a skeleton crew man the ships, a mix of his own crew and those from The New Hope.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Mon 18 Mar 2019.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 137):

OOC: Saw you log on and then leave after the first post, so I thought you wanted me to keep going to the conclusion, sorry!

The two new Gashiddas have no Fusion plants, and therefore are immobile. They do, however, have assault shuttles in which the crew can be ferried back to the planet. This you are able to do, in about 8 hours. The New Hope have very few spare crew, but is happy to send any spare to one of the captured vessels.

Your engineer says that if he takes the Fusion plants from 4 shuttles, he can put them in one Gashidda and get it functional enough to jump. There were 3 Shuttles from the Shamshir and a ships boat (with a similar sized reactor), plus 4 other shuttles from the various Gashiddas that were crippled.

However, given Managudeli's response at Beta Port, many of the survivors want to be taken away from the planet, and many others seek to hide somewhere on the planet.

Gloria offers to Captain one of the Gashiddas back to Nova Pacifica.

OOC: I have Rpol always open on my computer, all the time, even when not at my desk. I think it caught the GM of Travesty and REsponse off guard too.

Doyle leaned back in the chair. Another Gashidda or two would really help the cause and so he felt it was a necessary evil to dally enough to make it jumpable and send it on its way.

"You can take one of the ships, but play it safe. You can come to my office for a briefing before you go." he offered.



[Private to GM: Ha, fml this game is quite hard to keep up with - Even just from a stand point of not knowing the Traveller universe too well.

Okay, so what I'd like for now is the following:
- get as many of the ships as repaired as possible. If they can't be rebuilt up to a good working order, then get them jumpworthy and have them head off back to a safe port.


- Survivors that want to come on the ship can do so and those that want to be on the planet can also do that (I presume you're meaning the survivors of the battle). Of course all things that aren't 100% essential to their survival will be removed and taken.

- He'll "brief" gloria

- So, with wanting to use this system to cut off supplies to any more advanced systems, I think we'd need to maintain a presence here. 3 Gashiddas (if they can get made to working order) and the JEan Bart, can be okay for now.

I'd certainly welcome some suggestions


]

Certainly Sir, and from what I have just heard among the engineers talking, we should have enough small power supplies to fix both Gashiddas.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 141):

'fix' is a strong word. Enough power to run the jump drives, but somewhat short of combat power!

Hey honey, if it works, it's way more fixed than it was before.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 143):

"True, but it would probably not work in combat, is my point. Perhaps we can take it back to Nova Pacifica, but we would need to change out these computers. Or we could just jump past Ceti-Command to Clameer, and then on down to Nova Pacifica that way to fix them up, since they have all the jump tapes still from when they used to patrol there. But it will take a few days to get these two even to that point."

A few days Huh?  Well we may well be interrupted then... is there any power on the Shamshir we might take advantage of? Or might it be worth more to salvage it? Also, what's on the ground? They want out, the best, fastest way out is to help us get the ships fixed.
This message was last updated by the player at 02:22, Tue 19 Mar 2019.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 145):

"The Shamshir had all reactors and drives destroyed in the fight, and was destroyed soon after , along with the first wave before the second wave could arrive, leaving just enough time for survivors to get off. We found only a few basic spares on the planet, which we have taken to ensure we can do what we can, but it really was just a refueling station. We could take some of the guys from the planet, but I would suggest we make sure we are in the majority on all ships.

But since we are refueled, any ships with working engines can jump if we are disturbed, just dropping a few missiles into those that cannot."

Good as we can get then... just hoped we hadn't totaled everything of use on the Shamshir before salvaging things of value. OK, let's make sure the beams on this things work and the computers are as good as we can get them working.  We want to be ready to jump when they are and we want to be able to fight this thing if we have to.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 147):

"Yeah, about that, I doubt we will have enough juice to work the beams and the engines at the same time. Also, the Computers, particularly the jump computers, are Vilani, meaning that they need Jump tapes. We do have them for Nova Pacifica, but not for the new systems past Union. That means we are going to have to jump to Clameer, either via Beta Port or Ceti Command."

Yes, I had presumed as much, the question is which system Commander Doyle will choose to jump through. As for power, here in space, we have no friction to speak of, so we can accelerate, then coast and shoot. we will have to swap back and forth, a rather undesirable fact, but we aren't hopelessly lost if we chance upon another Vilani ship.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 149):

It takes time to get the vessels ready. With extra fuel refiners put into the Jean Bart, and all the power plants you could find installed into the remaining two captured Gashiddas, you finally have them all working and refueled a week later. Well, working enough to jump...

You can now expect hostiles at any time...

[Private to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle: Tactics roll passed, so you know it is best to wait for the Kargash to appear here rather than risk jumping into it's system.]

Date: 03 Nov 2173
Location: Orgill, Refueled...

OK Commander, we are as up as we can get, where do we jump to?


OOC - I assume we will need to refuel or skim and process at whatever system we go to?

Edit by GM: Correct assumption. This being a refuelling base, fuel refiners were the one thing in abundance. The entire fleet can refuel in an hour, plus an hour travel, and refine fuel in 8 hours, so good to go in 10 hours. -2 to jump skills (all 4 of them) to use non-refined fuel, and I will need rolls in that case. Critical failures can be nasty if there are 50 fighters bearing down...as there will be in Ceti-Command!
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Wed 20 Mar 2019.

Doyle looked around and noted that it was best to wait for the KArgash ships to appear before jumping directly into their line. It would provide the Gashidda ample opportunity and a better probability of  getting through and back to somewhere safer.

"We'll wait around and let them head out once our retaliators arrive"

[Private to GM: Haha, fuck my life this game is just all kinds of confusing for me.

If there are any problems with my post let me know and i'll correct/update.]

Roger, so to Beta Port and then Clarmeer as soon as the Vilani show up? don't wait for an order?

Doyle nodded, "While they'll have trouble in battle, we might as well recover them and add them to the list of assets we have rather than risk the captured vessels and crew to fight undermanned and under equipped

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 154):

So you wait for hostile vessels to appear. But nothing does. At least, not for a few more days.

On the 8th of November, as you wait, near one of the Gas Giants, just beyond the 100 x diameter range so you can jump, you detect multiple incoming hyperspace signatures at the planet. You prepare to jump, waiting until the distinct shapes of the Kargash, Shamshir, 5 Gashiddas, 2 Heroes and 2 Iikens complete their jumps, before jumping through to Beta Port. Even as you activate the Jump drive, you receive an incoming signal from the Kargash.

"You Terrans will pay dearly for this piracy! Yangila will destroy Terra, just as the Vegans were destro..."

The transmission was cut short by entry into hyperspace.

Exiting into the almost deserted system of Beta-Port, the two Iikens there quickly jump out of the system, allowing you to refuel unmolested at a Gas Giant. Ten hours later, you prepare to jump, and make it to the jump point for Clameer.

The jump to Clameer goes uneventfully, thankfully. You arrive in Clameer, and begin to refuel at a Gas Giant, as the planet has minimal refuelling, when hyperspace signatures open at the planet!

A Kargash, Shamshir and 2 Gashiddas arrive! The small bounty hunter that was at the planet is able to run back to you faster than they can catch him.

"So I have you now. Surrender, or I will glass this planet and destroy the atmosphere! Or Come and fight me. But run, and this becomes a barren planet."

They are about 10 hours away. You do have time to leave, if you want. They can launch 81 missiles.

Date: 23 Nov 2173
Location: Clameer
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:39, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

Well commander, they sort of have us in a pickle ... The Kargash can deal it out, but has limited Point defense I am told, The Shamshir is a bit more balanced and the Gashiddas we know well.  If the Bounty Hunter will support us and stay back at first, we should be able to squeak this out. Our issue is killing missiles, I believe we only have 24 beam weapons for point defense against their 81 missiles at a time ... BUT if we can disable the Kargash , then they are in trouble. It only has 4 Plasma projectors for Point defense.  I think it should be our primary Missile target.

Doyle waved Gloria down and nodded "Yes yes, I appreciate your input. Keep our Gashiddas back and let them volley missiles without too much of a threat. The others will engage in a moment.


Open communications with their lead vessel he said  and then a smile spread across his face.

"Captain, I would like to know your name because I'm told that piracy in this are is rife aided in no mean way by a rather idiotic commander. I don't recall precisely what the name was, maybe I was told it was all of you but I would much appreciate you jogging my memory.

And with that in mind, the very notion of us surrendering to you is quite hilarious. In my experience you can't handle a fleet even half your size. he laughed out loud as if to punctuate his statement.



OOC:
Going to try and fast-talk the enemy commander into making a tactical blunder by rushing forward with his fast vessels.

The goal would be to then focus down the Shamshir with all available weaponry to leave their Kargash vulnerable.

Ideally it would go like this:

- Annoy them
- they rush in (the faster ships), leaving their Gashidda behind.
- We focus down the Shamshir and disable/destroy it.
- We then outnumber their Kargash significantly, and demand their surrender instead.
- Ideally take the Kargash without having to destroy it.
- Gain 3 more ships :)


Rolls:

13:11, Today: LCDR Hawthorne Doyle rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,6,4.  fast talk (16). // PAss by 5.



This message was last edited by the player at 13:14, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 156):

"I'll have you know I am Commodore Eleni Managudeli! I am the law in these sectors, where you have been attacking. Just you stay there and we will show you how I handle a fleet!

But I am not so rash as to leave all my ships here. All vessels, move to attack.

Remember, coward, you run, and we turn and waste this pitiful rock of rebels!"

The ships all turn and move towards you at full speed. The Gashiddas will be there in 10 hours, but the two faster vessels, the Shamshir and the Kargash will take only 7.

You have 7 hours to take actions before they arrive. Actions?

[Private to GM: Understood overall plan. However, battles do not always go as planned.]

Are we better in close support of each other? I considered moving off to one side, but it leaves my ship open to defeat in detail. Perhaps put a planetary body between us so they need to get closer before firing all their missiles?

All form up so that we can hit hard and fast when they come into range. The faster ships will reach us more quickly, and so may well give us a window to pile on an attack against them quickly before the slower ships arrive.

A less impetuous commander may well have waited for his slowest vessel to engage.

We will move a little further away, without risking the planet to ensure that the widest gap between their ships is maintained he said.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 160):

When the hostile fleet reaches 420 k miles, you all launch your missiles in concert. The swarm moves towards them as you move away at just 10 k per round, the speed of your slowest vessel, but by the time the swarm reaches them, they are still 270 k miles away. Unfortunately, the entire swarm is destroyed. The next round, at 220 k, you both launch a second swarm. The range is still 70 k when the swarms reach their targets, and once again both swarms of missiles are shot down with point defenses. Both sides once again launch swarms, but by this time, the range is just 20 k. The Kargash goes straight for one of the captured Gashiddas, smashing it with her plasma cannons, but not before it managed to shoot down 12 of the 63 missiles. The New Hope, the other Gashidda and half of the Jean Barts' turrets managed to shoot down the rest of the missiles, while the Spear of Destiny honed in on the Shamshir. Despite the half of the Jean Bart's turrets attempting, and failing, to engages the Shamshir to take it out, it was the small bounty hunter that did the damage, smashing through the engines and power plant, stopping the vessel dead in space and, more importantly, separating it from the Kargash.

The Kargash now separated, the missiles from the other captured Gashidda were brought to bear on the now exposed Kargash, even as the missiles from the Jean Bart honed in on the Shamshir, whose point defence systems seemed to be working just fine. Despite the missiles from the Jean Bart being disposed of by the first two turrets, the other four turrets were hampered by the gap, now opened to 4k by the time the Gashidda's missiles closed to the Kargash, and they were only able to dispose of 4 of them. The Kargash, however, was badly damaged as the 5 missiles came in to avenge the destroyed vessel...destroying the power plant and reducing the vessels speed by half, to just 30 k per round. It is now 15 k from the Shamshir...

"Very clever. But you have lost one ship, and are about to loose another. And I have reinforcements coming! It is not too late to surrender."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

FOAD Asshole!  Gloria continues to fight her ship and encourage her crew...  [assuming the Kargash is shooting at the real threats to his existence]   Aim to kill his missiles in the launcher and at the Bridge sensors with the beams. Thier armor protects the other stuff. give him another salvo of missiles... it will keep him busy.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 162):

"We don't have any missiles to deal with the Kargash and we cannot get past their armour, so we will focus on taking the Shamshir's missiles out of the fight. We have enough weapons to deal with their missiles, and you have enough to deal with the missiles of the Kargash. Good luck in dealing with him...we are depending on you now!"

The head off to deal with the Shamshir at close range.

Best of Luck... it would make a fine addition to the Fleet.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 164):

The Kargash stopped, attempting to withdraw back to the Shamshir whilst attacking both the captured Gashidda and the Jean Bart with her plasmas, whilst sending the missile swarm at the Jean Bart alone. This enabled the two ships to begin moving out of range of her plasma weapons, as long as they could survive this attack. Fortunately, this time the motions were so violent that the heavy turrets could not compensate, sending the deadly bolts of heat into space.

Despite the beam weapons being preoccupied (quite productively) in destroying the incoming missiles, (well, since the vessel is moving at it's full speed, the Gashidda does not have power for her weapons), both ships are able to launch salvos of missiles toward the larger vessel.

19:00, Today: Secret Roll: Fate, for the NPC Kargash 2, rolled 16 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,4,6.  Attack Jean Bart.
18:59, Today: Secret Roll: Fate, for the NPC Kargash 1, rolled 16 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,5.  Attack Gashidda. So Lucky!

Meanwhile, the Spear of Destiny and the New Hope close in on the Shamshir mercilessly. Despite Shamshirs own swarm being disposed of by the New Hopes beam weapons, the combined precision attacks by the Spear of Destiny and the New Hope soon cripple her, though her focus of damage on the Spear of Destiny returns the favour, seeing the small craft spiraling out of control, narrowly missing her targets stern. However, the Vilani vessel's power goes down completely, and the crew begin to abandon ship in the three ships boats even as the New Hope pulls alongside the Spear of Destiny to take off the wounded.

Seeing his backup go down, but the New Hope now on it's own, the Kargash launches the next salvo of missiles, seemingly in their direction as he now closes within 3 k miles of the New Hope as it attempts to rescue the two crew of the Spear of Destiny.

But it was never to be. the 15 missiles from the Jean Bart and the captured Gashidda proved too strong for the plasma turrets of the Kargash. The missiles, still near the Kargash when the bombardment of 11 missiles smash through her defences and detonate her munitions, are shredded by the resulting explosion.

The whole universe seems to pause for a moment. Commodore Eleni Managudeli will speak and oppress no more. The New Hope is the first to cheer!

Doyle sat back in his chair and smiled "Well, I did say that commanders in this sector were reputed to be sub-par. But his hubris simply wouldn't allow him to surrender.

Ah well, lets round up the other ships and offer them their lives in exchange for the vessel. he said.

A victory well achieved (even if lucky).

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 166):

The other two Gashiddas turn back for the nearest jump points, which not even the New Hope can stop them reaching...though it would be close. Or at least, it would be if they had full tanks of fuel. But refilling them will take time...

But they clearly do not care to stay in the fight.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:19, Sun 24 Mar 2019.

Being a very skimpily crewed vessel, Gloria has them start processing fuel while approaching the other Gassidda to look for survivors and assess damage.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 168):

All ships are fully refueled, and the fuel is processed.

Unfortunately, the other Gashidda has fared very badly. Plasma bolts ripped the hull apart, and the engineroom is completely destroyed, with the plasma bolts detonating one of the small makeshift power supplies, sending a nuclear burst throughout the whole ship and tearing it apart. Sensors do not indicate any survivors. It seems all 26 crew originally from Jean Bart perished.

Gloria's Gashidda is quiet and sobered by this revelation, they move toward the next jump point, the victory celebration being tainted by the loss.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 170):

Since the Jean Bart and New Hope follow the Gashiddas to the nearest gas giant, it does not take them long to realize that they will not be able to leave without a fight. A fight they would rather not have.

"We have no further wish to fight you. Managudeli is dead, and his flagship destroyed. Without his leadership, the colonies will likely elect new leadership. Therefore they need to know, so they can prepare to do just that."

In reply to Vilani Patrol (msg # 171):

"Then why don't we come with you? Leadership that we can work with rather than fighting will be beneficial to everyone."

Gloria, still crawling to a Jump point radios JEAN BART - Should I continue to NP and get this thing refurbished?

Doyle replied "Yes, it seems we made some time for ourselves here, despite losing some good people, we managed to be victorious. So take the ship, have it refurbished and repaired up to full capacity.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 174):

"Are you coming with us to Ceti-Command, Jean Bart?"

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 174):

Will do.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 176):

By the time the Jean Bart and New Hope have caught up with the Gashiddas, Gloria is has moved to the jump point and taken her ship to Hyperspace.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:15, Tue 26 Mar 2019.

Yes we will be following too

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 178):

The New Hope waits for the Jean Bart, insisting the other Gashiddas likewise wait, while you escort survivors of the Shamshir to the planet and pick up some officials that request to go with you from Clameer, and together you set course for Ceti-Command.

Some of the Shamshir command team request to go with you back to Ceti-Command as well. Do you take them?

Absolutely! Doyle was happy to take some of th ecommand staff of the other vessel.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 180):

The trip to Ceti-Command is possibly one of the shortest ones you have spent in hyperspace. All four vessels emerge near the planet, and there seems to be some confusion. Just leaving the planet is a large Branch liner, and the obligatory fighter squad is not present, indicating something is odd.

"Where is the Commodore?"

In reply to Fate (msg # 181):

"The Commodore is dead. His ship is destroyed, and the other Shamshir has been captured. Now where are the fighters to avenge him?"

Both Gashiddas opened fire on the New Hope, launching missiles as well as using pulse lasers. The New Hope suddenly barrel-rolled and somehow catapulted sideways as it lined up on the hostile vessels, avoiding the shots with miraculous precision.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:06, Mon 01 Apr 2019.

In reply to Vilani Patrol (msg # 182):

The New Hope, which had closed to within 900 miles as it was forming up on their stern, returned fire on both of them!

The first Gashidda was smashed with the plasma cannons, streaming debris and losing the power supply, but still managing to continue limping on, it's nine missiles curling back around menacingly. The second Gashidda, at such close range, had the bridge, power supply and communications array smashed, leaving it's missiles moving aimlessly forward, in the wrong direction, just as they were launched.

In reply to New Hope (msg # 183):

The Jean Bart's gunners do not wait for an order. Most of the gunners target the missiles, but at least two turrets smash into the vessel that launched them, destroying the communications array and the bridge.

Perhaps more surprisingly, there is still no response from the planet.

"Call for their surrender, we will give mercy. It's their alternative to destruction" he said, sternly, frowning as the ship suffered their impetuous shots of plasma.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 185):

Finally they planet responds.

"All ships, please land if you can. If not, please assist those that cannot land into a stable orbit, before landing yourself. The Anukundu have just departed, and Managudeli's brother-in-law, commander of the fighter squadron, was killed when he tried to stop their transport. It looked to be the work of separatists, but we are not sure. What we are sure about is that we will need a new government, and a government that ended this conflict would be vital to the planets ongoing success. As such, there will be no avenging today. Let the courts do that."

Doryle wrinkled a little bit at the man's tone, telling him what to do but ultimately accepted it, after glancing around the crew and realising that his supplication wasn't very noticable.

"Alright, we will land and help where we can. Expect us within two hours" he said, and then made appropriate orders to move ships into place and provide assistance to the planet.

In reply to Fate (msg # 186):

One Gashidda is in poor shape, and is assisted into an orbit. The other, badly damaged, landed immediately.

The New Hope requests, and receives permission, to land a little outside of the city, in an area known to house a lot of dissidents. Dissidents who have now armed themselves. They invite you to join them.

By the time you land, there are plenty on folk watching, but keeping their distances. It feels odd, to be landing on a Vilani planet that was, until recently, hostile.

You are informed that it will take time, perhaps a week, perhaps two, for a new government to form. In the meantime, those who were part of the old regime, now recognizing that the absolute power they once relied upon is gone, and discussing how they can rule together with those who the previous regime had alienated. There are a lot of grievances, and plenty of demands to charge some individuals, so it is clear that these 'discussions' will not be quick.

As Master of a Terran vessel, you are often called upon to judge between sides. In the first week, you are asked to make judgement calls in the following cases (all are separate individuals):

1) Guilty or Not Guilty: An administrator is charged with using excessive punishments for condemning a man to death for 5 violent counts of rape, including a 12 yo girl.

2) Guilty or Not Guilty: A dissenter was charged with war crimes for using a biological weapon against the Anukundu 17 months ago. The evidence that he did is pretty strong and he admits it, but he claims it was an act of war.

3) Guilty or Not Guilty: An administrator is charged with 278 counts of murder for withholding food rations from a rebellious region 3 years ago. He claims he was forced to follow orders, or he and his family would have been executed, but prosecution disputes those claims. They cannot be validated or denied.

4) A dissident family claims that an administrator used the previous regime to 'steal' their family food processing factory. The administrator claims they bought it, showing receipts and even commercial evaluations indicating the price was reasonable, but the dissident family claims the prices were fabrications and they never wanted to sell. Of course, no evidence of fabrications can be found.

5) A class action by 891 dissenters claiming that the government owed them approximately $126 Million in lost wages and damages for injustices suffered at the hands of the previous regime.

They also ask you to propose punishments in these cases.

07 Dec 2173.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:12, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

Doyle spent as much time as was required there, using the time to build relationships with movers and shakers and participants of the political game that may grant him his own form of influence. Indeed, his presence and affiliation with the Terrans already seemed to afford him some level of influence, and he had been asked to preside over judgement of some suspected criminals.

"I'll impart my judgement solely based on what I feel is fair and proper, under the general assumption that every party have a degree of personal freedom and individual rights. However, it should be noted that life here exists within the context of a society also. he had said, in an attempt to seem fair and gracious in response to the request.

He had added afterwards that, should a seat and position remain for him in governance he would lend his personal (and that of his ship/crew/supporters) aid, and that of the Terran military where he could, providing judicial, governance and economic tasks to help the planet flourish as best he could. He'd suggested a symbiosis rather than the idea of quid pro quo, further insinuating his wish to build a home on-planet after the more important tasks of recovery had been engaged. (OOC: This is political maneuvering at its best to try and install himself in a position of power and influence within the planet's governing strata. It is slightly Machiavellian and slightly insidious but his reasons for doing so are altruistic more than nefarious. Also, he is maneuvering to make 'he himself' the person liable and while implying that his support would also offer the resources at the Terran's disposal, he's not directly stated that. This is an effort of personal ambition primarily)


In response to his judgements he spoke freely, to all that were convened.

1)
"While there could have been a better response, or punishment that would allow the perpetrator to somehow repay a debt to society in a meaningful way that made impotent his urges and similarly instigated punitive measures against his actions, I feel that the executed punishment of death was not excessive given the circumstances.

A repeat offender of grievous crimes against weak of vulnerable members of society should not be tolerated. and so his judgment was to "not guilty" the administrator for use of excessive punishment.


2)
OOC: I don't precisely know what the doctrines of war are like for the Vilani/Terran, so I'll just go with my gut. In this case, I think he should really be taken as a prisoner of war and punished accordingly.

"War crimes are serious and it is true that despite the uncivility of war,  greivious acts are committed in the name of the cause. This is especially true in a conflict between empires and confederations. In these cases criminals of war, acting in the name of a warring party should be punished by military tribunal, in accordance with military law.

The New Hope will take this man and have him sit before a council of military judges, but acting in war makes him a prisoner of war now. guilty, will be made a prisoner on Doyle's ship.


3)
Punishment cannot be delivered on supposition alone. Proof is required in order to prosecute. not guilty.


4)
Again, in this case some level of proof would be required to show coercion. With the current data and receipts, and bank details of the 'victims', no guilty verdict can be made. If evidence suggests that they were bought out and not remunerated sufficiently, or in a fair way, then the disparity between payment and value must be paid to the family. Otherwise, no action will be taken

5)
Despite any misgivings and mistreatment incurred from the previous regime, the current new government cannot be held responsible for damages and injustices. The purpose of the new government is to install a new, fairer and more just system that allows all peoples living on the planet to live a flourishing life. No payments will be made by the new government to correct wrong-doings by the previous regime.

However, I will personally be recommending that new institutions be created that help to support more unfortunate members of the society in a manner that allows everyone to prosper (not paying).
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 189):

With all cases going in favour of members of the previous regime, there are riots that break out as law and order descend to a level of anarchy. The administrator of case 3) is particularly targeted, especially as case 2) resulted in a dissenter being in prison, and the administrator is assassinated when a mob riot and storm his house, setting it alight as dissenters chant "You burnt the evidence. Let us finish the job".

The dissenters family in case 4) also appeal, gathering a large number of 'experts' who claim that prices were artificially brought down so that the previous administration could take over a number of small businesses. The evidence for this is largely circumstantial, but substantial, and suggest a difference to the value of $600 million.

Finally, the lawyers presenting case 5) change the target, in the light of your ruling, to the house of Managudeli, holding them personally responsible for their losses, since it was done under their direction. From what you can tell, all the injustices were indeed done under the direction of Commodore Managudeli, who is now dead, and overseen by family members, most of whom are still alive.

Doyle sighed as people sufficiently affronted burned and razed and generally committed terrible acts.

"Appeal to peoples' emotion instead of their reason and they will be appeased. But policing should still be in action, at least" he said with an air of resignation.


The mantra Doyle purveyed throughout the whole chaotic episode was "The planet is free, choose its path to your own salvation or demise." rioting and burning things wouldn't help the planet thrive. Despite all the actions, Doyle stood by his assessments and reasoned that some of the cases were indeed a matter of investigation and that fair judgement had been offered. In any case of contention, one party is always left dissatisfied.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 191):

Do you consider the appeals for cases 4) and 5)?

OOC:

If there is sufficient evidence for it, surely will.
What i'm worried about is just arbitrarily making judgement based on feelings, or maybe some implied guilt.

Doyle will happily spend time, with a team of experts investigating the evidence (I guess a roll might work here?). I know you've alluded to it being circumstantial etc. but there are things that are really worth figuring out

1) Did it happen the way it's been told?

2) Are peopel just being butthurt because they sold a profiting business and didnt like it, and using the regime excuse as a way to get back it. I.e. did they actually get money for the sale - pressure from an organisation isn't the same as being forced to. And even if they were forced to, if they were paid off appropriately, then perhaps offer them the chance to buy it back.

Can this be confirmed by experts that Doyle speaks to? If so, then perhaps allowing them to buy back the businesses is an option.

3) Can the man/family really be held 'personally' responsible for enacting Vilani rule? Were the wages 'really lost'?  While I dont think it's possible to hold accountable the current government for actions of the previous one, if any of the families are struggling or in a situation where they're destitute, some form of compensation from the current government can be offered, to get them back on their feet.


What everyone has to understand is that a revolution has just happened and there is an element of rebuilding... and that some losses are just lost. There's a cost for overthrowing a government, and some of that might also be the 'debt' they owe you, or having to live with the bad shit that happened.



Doyle is certainly not trying to favour the regime. And is very much on the side of the people, but a lot of people can probably say something like.

"oh the vilani were mean to me my whole life, now give me 100s of millions in compensation". It just doesnt' work like that.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 193):

Probably a couple of skill rolls to work the investigation:

Criminology, Default (IQ-5 or Psychology 4)
Detect Lies, Default (Per-6)

1) There is significant evidence that the market was 'tampered with' in such a way as to devalue the company. Unexplained plummeting of certain stocks, maintained for months with no apparent cause. Union strikes, items such as significant spare parts being held up for months in customs. Any documentation that might reveal the cause of this does not appear to exist any longer, very conveniently. Generally witnesses agree, though certain folk known to have been loyal to the old regime have differing recollections of key events.

2) Those that sold the business were first threatened with bankruptcy, largely due to causes mentioned above, prior to the business being bought out as an alternative. However, the funds from the sale of the business were promptly taken in 'back taxes' and a number of other details that those who wrote up the contract put into it. Despite objections, the initial owners were basically told to sign the contract as is, of face the loss of all assets, and possible jail time to pay off the bankruptcy.

The experts opinions, like the witnesses, depend on how much they profited from the previous regime. Most agree that the sale of the business was far from a free choice, however.

3) At least half of these folk were part of a separate business to the previous case that was bought out by Managudeli's Uncle for 1/10th of what the business was valued at just 4 years previously, when it made record profits. It was in opposition to one of his other businesses, so he shut down the company, giving him a monopoly, and new laws prevented the workers from reopening the company. The 476 workers would have been paid $86 million in wages over the 9 years since then they have been out of work, an average annual wage of $20,000 per year. The others worked for companies that relied on that company and promptly went out of business as a result.

OOC: will post tomorrow
This message was last updated by the GM at 22:58, Mon 29 Apr 2019.

In reply to LCDR Hawthorne Doyle (msg # 195):

Which tomorrow is that honey?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 196):

Time has passed. By 24th Dec 2173, a small Crockett class arrives, with Gloria aboard. Not feeling overly comfortable with how the cases are going, you brief her.

"Gloria, do you want to manage these folk's court cases? I really should stay aboard the ship in case there is a problem..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:18, Thu 09 May 2019.

So be the Governor? Sure.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 198):

"Oh, not be the governor, but just help out with cases they want an outside opinion on, and maybe give advice for now. There may be an Intelligence operative here we sent some time ago who can assist."

I see , so I will be what then? Advisor to? It sounds like you are giving me responsibility without the authority to do the job.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 200):

"I am giving you the same authority I had. I was only ever advisor. They are creating their own new governance."

I see ... so at some point I can say not what I would suggest and put my hands up and say Not what I think is smart, but you are doing it, not me.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 202):

Not sure of the translation of the last post, but at the end of the day, they are open to your suggestions, but your judgements will help them form opinions of Terrans.

OK, I WANTED to be able to direct things... but I will live with just recommending...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 204):

This is a Vilani Planet. You do not get to take over without an army!

Oh Poo ... that's the old fashioned way... I was going to do it with force of personality...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 206):

Lol, you can try...you have the posts above about the cases Doyle was presiding over?

Yes, I do...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 208):

Ok. Feel free to step in then.

Gloria goes to the building where thesehearing have been going on and introduces herself.

Good Day, I am Commander Dougherty's second in command; my name is Gloria Flake and I am here to assist however I may.





12:22, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 5 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,2,1.  Interrogation.   by 6
12:21, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,6,5.  Observation.    Missed by 3
12:20, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,4,2.  Diplomay.   by 4
12:20, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,6,6.  Streetwise.  Missed by 2
12:20, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,3,2.  Detect lies.   by 2

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 210):

"Ah, so Doyle is preoccupied. I hope he sent his best diplomat and judge in his place."

1) There is significant evidence that the market was 'tampered with' in such a way as to devalue the company. Unexplained plummeting of certain stocks, maintained for months with no apparent cause. Union strikes, items such as significant spare parts being held up for months in customs. Any documentation that might reveal the cause of this does not appear to exist any longer, very conveniently. Generally witnesses agree, though certain folk known to have been loyal to the old regime have differing recollections of key events.[Private to Gloria Flake: You detect that many of those loyal to the regime are not being entirely truthful. On more serious interrogation of two, it comes out that they were ordered to hold up such shipments indefinitely.] However, the way you 'questioned' some of the witnesses resulted in outcries of bullying, which received mixed responses from the public, to say the least.

2) Those that sold the business were first threatened with bankruptcy, largely due to causes mentioned above, prior to the business being bought out as an alternative. However, the funds from the sale of the business were promptly taken in 'back taxes' and a number of other details that those who wrote up the contract put into it. Despite objections, the initial owners were basically told to sign the contract as is, of face the loss of all assets, and possible jail time to pay off the bankruptcy.

The experts opinions, like the witnesses, depend on how much they profited from the previous regime. Most agree that the sale of the business was far from a free choice, however. After a diplomatic meeting with all the accountants that you could find, you soon observe a lot of accusations flying. It becomes pretty clear that certain 'blessed' businesses that benefited the Managudeli family were basically 'given' protection from state measures that rendered all the rest of the competition noncompetitive. This being a public forum, added a lot of weight to public animosity to those 'blessed' businesses.

3) At least half of these folk were part of a separate business to the previous case that was bought out by Managudeli's Uncle for 1/10th of what the business was valued at just 4 years previously, when it made record profits. It was in opposition to one of his other businesses, so he shut down the company, giving him a monopoly, and new laws prevented the workers from reopening the company. The 476 workers would have been paid $86 million in wages over the 9 years since then they have been out of work, an average annual wage of $20,000 per year. The others worked for companies that relied on that company and promptly went out of business as a result.

So we are working on the Original Cases 4. and 5.?

It seems quite clear that the Business in question was taken from the owners under duress, indeed stolen from them, as any money paid out was taken back in various ways.  The Business should be restored to the rightful owners before this criminal usurpation of their assets. All current funds in any bank are theirs as well. Others who have profited from this crime should pay some restitution based on their current holdings, for all suffered in this change of power.  Those who wish to return to Vilaini held systems should be allowed to go with their holdings after these current issues are solved.  Any funds that belonged to Governor Managudeli are now the governments to distribute to those wronged.
This is going to create hardships for some who were given things not the governments to provide. It would also seem some businesses were exempted wrongly from taxes, based solely on familial relationships. This was wrong under our system and under Vilani law as we understand it.  The Government should establish how much in back taxes they owe and establish a reasonable long term repayment schedule to recover the monies not paid. Obviously if the back taxes are not paid, the ownership will revert to the government.

As to the 476 employees who lost their jobs, I doubt the funds exist to repay them.  I have no information on how much the government has in funds, but those employees should be given jobs, even if they must be retrained. They should be given retirement credits as if they had worked those years.  If there is any money available, the government distribute some to these people to help get them back on their feet as productive members of society.  They will not be penalized by anyone for having been so removed from the work force. Other employees who also suffered because of this crime deserve the same sort of restitution.

This places a heavy financial load on the government, which must find a way to greatly increase productivity to support it's needs. Just increasing taxes will most assuredly cause  the systems financial collapse. All must know that there is no way everyone can be fully remunerated for their losses, the government will have to do it's best to be fair and open to review by all in these matters.  That is my view, submitted for your consideration.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 212):

This does upset a small number of folk, predictably those that did well under the previous regime. Investigations reveal significant funds in accounts held in other systems. However, assets here held somewhat help, including one of the cargo fleets that returned and was held pending the investigations.

Restarting industry here is more of a challenge. They ask if Terrans can assist.

I think we could have a terran industrial company come and work with you, I think it best the Terran Military not be involved.

We can dispatch e message to Kalishnakov Industries.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 214):

They are happy with the idea, but being so far away, hold little in hope.

Since the Crockett is still there (The skipper liked being around you for some reason) you could send him.

The planet has a number of factories for processing food into supplies, which had been exported to Masiira by two supply convoys on an alternating basis, the trip taking two months. You know, however, that certain members of Managudeli's family are waiting to claim the second convoy should it return, just as they managed to claim the first convoy. Other than that, the people are unsure of what work there is. There are few industries, and the planet is still a little untamed, and the ecosystem is still developing. Think pre-dinosaurs. Plenty of volcanoes, seismic activity and thunderstorms.

Perhaps the Convoy should go to Alizarin, they might be quite happy to buy supplies. The Crocket could escort the convoy.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 216):

Note the post in Intelligence Thread to indicate what they have.

It may be worth noting that supplies are one of the few things Alazarin was capable of producing themselves...

link to a message in this game

In short, the following ships are captured from the previous regime.

49x Missile fighters.
1x Shamshir,
3x Gashidda,
1x Hero,
6x Iiken

Apparently, the previous regime was getting short of cargo vessels. 2 of the Iikens are finishing fitting out as

Iken Cargo Courier 53.9M, 100 dTon Needle/Wedge
(2.53G/Move:1107, dDR:10, dHP: 30, dTons of Cargo Space: 51.5, SM:+8)
Weapons: 4x Pulse, 2x Sandcaster,  Crew:4, Endurance: 23 Weeks/dTon (12 crew, max life support),

That is good to know... Perhaps I was mistaken in suggesting Alizarin, although it was becoming a center of business, but certainly their supplies would be well received in some terran/dissident controlled areas.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 218):

Selling supplies can usually be profitable to less attractive worlds or more heavily populated ones.

Of course, moving people is also another option...especially when there are a major shortage of workers throughout Terran 'outback colonies'.

We can point it out...  Perhaps FAITH would be a better POC ... but we'll have to shop around some.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 220):

Faith is another grossly undeveloped but agricultural world, so once again, supplies would be produced there. Perhaps they develop a taste for large insects...but it is also a good place for people to move to.

So is Nova Pacifica ... I can't think of any terran friendly heavily populated worlds to point them at....

Frustration starts to settle in....

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 222):

No, there are not too many. There is Dzosuiken, Sukun and the areas up near Girii (which she would not yet know about). It might rather be a case of working to change what they produce instead. If it was easy, the Ziru Sirka would have dealt with it, as would have the previous regime.

Well changing what we build here will need to wait on contact with Kalishnakov or some other industrial company that can detail what will be needed. But building, repairing and upgrading ships is certainly a worth while start.  We can send the Hero with the Crockett and try selling it's good at Crysolite perhaps ... they have a lot of ships traveling through if I recall correctly.  What about Beta Port and Orgill? They will need support and also need industry... what things did they use to do?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 224):

Orgill was largely destroyed by the Jean Barts raid, and it's atmosphere is tainted, so breathing there requires a mask. Beta Port was a major supplier of food products as well.

Clameer goes to great lengths to produce their own food, and they have an underground facility for producing Terran computers. Ceti-Command (and to a lesser extent Beta Port) also has facilities to produce wood products, Alcohol, Petrochemicals, Ammunition* (this factory was near the main citadel and heavily guarded), Livestock, Textiles, Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Meat, Livestock, Grains, Flour and Baked Goods, Tools, Pharmaceuticals*, Tools*, Electronic Parts*, Manufactured Goods* and spices.

* These items are currently produced at only one factory each, factories that had been previously taken over and controlled by the previous regime and the goods sold in Vilani markets.

Let's see... Pharmaceuticals would be good to work with Faith, as they are doing that too, and in likely less advanced conditions. Terran style computers will be in significant demand in many places. Most all of the other capabilities are of value.  I know ammunition will be, Power tools and precision tools as well and spices can be a huge money maker if they become popular. We will need to find a good trading system with in the Ziru Sirka that will trans-ship our products without letting the source be known. It is going to take a little while, but I am sure we can become reasonably profitable with all those capabilities.  We need to let the other dissident worlds know what we have to offer.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 226):

The locals government takes these ideas on board. Ships are sent to all of the other dissident colonies as well as Beta Port and Orgill, and there is some movement of people, while trade agreements and non-agression pacts are signed off.

Routes to Alizarin and Dzosuiken are requested, and the two Iikens are finished fitting out as cargo vessels, and soon put to work alongside the Hero doing rounds of the local colonies. Orgill is not strongly manned, as it is not a comfortable place due to it's tainted atmosphere, so it is abandoned. Only a single Gashidda remains posted there, fully fueled and ready to leave in case of trouble with the main Vilani fleet based at Nunashi or Iishu.

Things start to slowly get back to a sense of normality, when a hyperspace entry opens up, and  vessels appear. They identify themselves as the Yuri and the Red Dwarf, the former a heavily armed merchant cruiser/exploratory vessel, and the latter a mining vessel. Offering plans for robotic factories, new fighter designs and mining equipment. For a cut, of course.

Date: 24th Jan 2174
Location: Ceti Command
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:33, Wed 15 May 2019.

The route to Alizarin is provided ... where is Dzosuiken* and what is it?




* As you said, Gloria has no knowledge of it... let alone how to get there.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Wed 15 May 2019.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 228):

"It is a Vilani planet that the Dastavka mapped a route to when they were last here, and passed on to us. The route can be provided, but we do not have tapes for Vilani ships to use."

So they would need Terran style computers or to have the data transferred to Vilani style tapes ... personally I prefer the latter approach.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 230):

Correct. You would need a capable computer programmer to do that though.

Do you have one? or maybe the K.I. ships would?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 232):

They may. Most likely there would be one on the small base, which is meant to be stand alone.

But Vilani programmers aren't allowed to think like Terran programers. This would be unusual, so I'd be concerned about their ability, at least until we get them squared away. Let me see what he Kalishnakov guys say.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 234):

The small Base ship is Terran, Kalishnikov construction to be precise...

OK, so we are contacting them...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 236):

Sure. The Yuri does land after disembarking  small modular craft, the Red Dwarf does not. The modular craft are Mini-miners for sale. What is your question?

We seek a decent programmer who can translate Terran computer navigation records into Vilani tapes, so that a vilani ship may use those records to travel safely to the systems in the records.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 238):

"And what is to stop the Vilani military from capturing these tapes and sending a cruiser squardon back along the line? Better to use a Terran computer with a panic erase button..."

OK, I have no issue other than refitting their computers to function like ours... I seriously doubt that they would give them to the Vilani, but perhaps a back up chip should be stored so the computers can be re-programmed after such an erase by the crew. Given the Vilani preference for Tapes, there should be no issue making it unusable by them, and only the crew, with the correct password or reinstall code(s) could run the back up. It could be stored someplace else on the ship.
So how hard and how costly will it be to so configure their ship?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 240):

"To install the Terran computers on a standard bridge is $250 k per computer, or $750 k total, plus $50 k installation.Command bridges cost 5 times as much. The microframes on a standard bridge are the smallest computers capable of Jump 2, though these can be installed with a jump drive as well to be compatible with Vilani systems. It would cost $800 k to configure a vessel for full Jump 2 navigation with Terran computers. Double to disguise it as a Vilani system if that is what the vessel currently has, given all of the custom programming required and modification of interfaces. Five time the cost to custom build a computer from scratch to look and act like a Vilani system. In both cases, the disguised system would need a passphrase to access the Terran functions, otherwise appearing to be in all respects a Vilani computer.

The safest form of back-up is a small chip carried on a trusted person."

Geez, all I need is a Printing press to make up enough money...  let me see what the local government thinks... Maybe put the real Terran computers out of sight and leave the old Vilani computers in place for the inspectors to play with.

Gloria brings all this back to the local government. If we can get the Hero converted and on it's way, we can hopefully earn enough in trade to fix up another one... it will be slow, but it's a start.  Given the small capacity of the Ilkens, they may need to wait a bit. Perhaps we can get the local computer company to start making the disguised terran computers for sale in Vilani space.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 242):

The locals agree that the computers are expensive, though they would like to try to purchase a larger freighter.

There is a badly damaged 2,000 dTon Sharurshid Branch freighter that was captured at Clameer and patched up and sent to Nova Pacifica, where it is currently being repaired. It is decided that this vessel should be fitted with a new ID and Terran computers. It is expected to operational by March.

Investigations into this incident reveal there is currently a Terran operative responsible for this still on Ceti Command, with the dissidents, some of whom are now forming government, apparently.

The local computer company has blueprints for Microframe Terran computers, but they would need to be redesigned to be disguised. The Kalishniov company is happy to do that, even reducing their price for doing so to $160,000. With the standard IP contracts in place, of course. They are also offering blueprints to the small mini-miners and assistance and even technical support in manufacturing them. This is accepted by a small company on the planet, who is soon working very hard thanks to loans offered by Kalishnikov industries to get the company started. They also start using their mimi-miners to increase resources available.

OK, Unless i have been misinformed, I am at Ceti-command ... that's where this government is being formed. No clue who the agent is, but perhaps he isn't so useful here anymore.  We are happy to facilitate the development effort here. We concur the Sharurshid would be the ship to fix up, if only one can be afforded at this time. What is the current date?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 244):

You are on Ceti-Command, where the new government is forming, though the Sharurshid was on Clameer, before being sent to Nova Pacifica. The Hero is doing that run regularly, escorted by a Gashidda. There have been a considerable increase in trade between the worlds, however, and this has naturally facilitated an increase in communication.

Generally the systems are working hard to get reestablished, and while they have a long way to go, traders are starting to move in, particularly Kalishnikov industries, who is clearly seeking to grow his already mushrooming business. War and exploration are a good business' to be in, apparently.

Returning to the Jean Bart, the question is where to next?

David Gardner is currently working in training up counterintelligence here.

24 Jan 2174
Clameer

Well I have been deeply involved with he local government while the Ships Captain has been busying doing something aboard the ship in orbit.  Hopefully something productive and not just raising blisters on his tender parts....

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 246):

Unfortunately you receive work that Doyle has been taken seriously ill. The diagnosis is a growth in the lower spinal chord, and treatment requires him to remain at rest and heavily sedated.

It would appear that you will have to keep command of the mission for now...

24 Jan 2174
Clameer

OH HAPPY DAY!   Gloria recuses herself and rejoins the ship, where she looks through the orders/directives they have been operating under.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 248):

Doyle takes a small notebook (electronic kind) from his safe and brings up the orders, handing them to her.

"You understand these are confidential, of course? Do not tell even the crew."

[Private to Gloria Flake:

Actual Mission

The idea is to cause dissent amoung more distant worlds, utilizing the poorly protected links that the Jaques Cartier revealed in order to open up another front, in what is looming to be the next war, without actually triggering the war. Overt Terran involvement will trigger a war, but information gleaned by intelligence suggest that in these more outlying provinces far from Terra the Vilani have not been looking after their subjects and, due to high taxes and poor domestic policies, they are not happy about it. Combined with the Vilani thinking that they are 'safe' due to their distance from Terra, that makes them open for a little covert encouragement, which is where you come in. Avoid a war, but work with dissidents to assist them, where possible, in getting their independence, or at least in escaping from Vilani space. A large population of ex-Vilani will have a similar effect to Nusku in that it will encourage dissidents still under Vilani rule to  be more rebellious.]

I understand, Did you have any plans beyond what has been accomplished here? Wouldn't you be better served by taking the Crockett back to Alizarin for treatment in a real hospital ?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 250):

"Possibly, but the trip back is the concern."

Why? It's a fairly quick trip... about 16 days at most. nd then they can heal you up far better than we can in a ship on the fringes of known space.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 252):

"Yes but Crockett's dont have any medical or repair facilities should something go pear shaped, nor any Low Berths. Here we have both. But you are right, the hospital on the Fabrika would be ideal, though."

Yeah, and their Hero likely doesn't either...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 254):

"Exactly. Now if you don't mind, I will go and rest..."

No Problem... I'll handle things...



Gloria finds a chair and sits... so we are to find dissidents and support their resistance. Well Ceti-Command was a coup then ... but where to from here. They had talked about that Dzosuiken system, but that was probably a risky place to visit in a military ship. she wasn't aware of any other dissident systems that weren't already growing on their own.


OOC- Does the JEAN BART know about 2924 and the Kimashrgur there?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 256):

I think that since the Dastavka did return from there with charts, they would have included that information in their reports, albeit on a Top Secret Level.

Guess I'm cleared for that, at least temporarily... Verify sufficient supplies and see if there is any cash for trade goods. That's always a good in, and Gloria is also so inclined (ex-Pirate).

With things going along well here, we'll head to Beta Port, Union, 2726.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 258):

The vessels from Alizarin also bring bad news. A second attack on Yenesei occurred on Christmas day 2173. The force was larger, and only the fastest ships, converted Labrysian vessels, survived. Yenesei itself was nuked heavily. Possibly it would have been different if the warships sent to Alizarin, including the Kalishnikov fleet had been present, but possibly not. Fortunately, the attackers withdrew, seemingly having accomplished their mission. 3 Cruisers (2 Labrysian), 5 destroyers (3 Labrysian), 2 Corvettes and hundreds of fighters were lost to a Vilani force of 1 Deraanasa Battle Cruiser, 10 Vegan Class Carriers, 20 Kidashi and Merishmirr Class Cruisers, 50 Kargash Light Cruisers, 50 Shamshir Destroyer Escorts and 20 Urima Class Frigates believed to have been based at Kidashi.

You say your goodbyes and set out once again. Gathering some extra supplies from grateful folk at Beta Port, you head to Union, and beyond. Once in space, the success of the past year is behind you.

144 Missiles, 72 Sanddcasters, 2 Grav Jeeps, 6 Grav Bikes,
0.2 dTons of Protective suits and Hand Weapon ammunition

Supplies: 35.74 dTons (0.63 dTons/week)
Cash: $200,000
15 Feb 2175
2726 (Fueled)

We go to 2724 and then to 2924 where we orbit and seek contact peacefully ...  The news of Yensai burns Gloria's backside... no reason for it. She wishes she had a fleet to go kick KIDASHI around like that.

Oh, Meant to ask... Can JEAN BART also scan uncharted systems and go to them?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:57, Tue 21 May 2019.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 260):

2924, or Leikung, is new for the Jean Bart, but they welcome Terrans. The small but thriving colony seems to be growing, with new arrivals from Imperial space adding to the existing colonists in many ways.

Jean Bart lacks a survey module for uncharted systems.

144 Missiles, 72 Sanddcasters, 2 Grav Jeeps, 6 Grav Bikes,
0.2 dTons of Protective suits and Hand Weapon ammunition

Supplies: 33.49 dTons (0.63 dTons/week)
Cash: $500,000
30 Feb 2175
2924 (Fueled)
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:50, Wed 22 May 2019.

We will establish contact, then go down to see what we can do to assist them, pass along the news and see what things they have that we might like to purchase.


Unless I am mistaken, we do not have the computer logs for anyplace further toward Girrii.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 262):

That is right.

The news about what happened does not surprise anyone, but they do become more concerned at the prospect of another crackdown.

As are we ... You are close to Vilani systems, but those closest to you are inclined your way, to passively resist. Still, it would be best if we could find you a new world further from the hard corps Vilani forces.


What will they offer to trade?

From here, having identified the issues, Gloria intends to return JEAN BART to Alizarin, as her ship cannot find anything new without a survey module, which is critical to finding new worlds and those of displaced Dissidents. We also need to move some dissidents to safer places. With those in place we can start siphoning off people from the Vilani controlled systems.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 264):

One of the other officers on board pulls you aside.

"From here, we can access Nushmi, Khishirii, Unsharlur, Shuurashana and up through the empire that way, or even to Kamuukshar, Kishakhpap, Iishu, Siikani, Kunekaar, Dikanishi, Ishirshu and then into the back worlds that way. The second route has the advantage in that the subsectors are currently preoccupied with the war on Terra, and may find it hard to field large forces to attack you, whilst the first takes you to sectors you would not be expected. We are, after all, a warship, and we are at war. Raiding is what we do, and the more forces we can draw from the front, the better Terra's chance in the next major fight. Finding new ways to get colonists is something we can do when we are at peace."

You do not have a capable trader, but the items available here are

Trade Good available           Price, $ million/dTon     tons/dTon    Tons available Price Modifiers  Ideal Target Planet type
Gemstones                      $10                       0.5          1              -2               In
Wood/Wood Products             $0.002                    5            100            -4               Ex, In
Fruits/Nuts/Vegetables         $0.0024                   5            50             -2               In, Ex, Na
Special Minerals               $0.75                     8            50             0                In
Pharmaceuticals                $0.12                     6            30             -4               In
Meat/Fish                      $0.02                     8            50             -2               In, Ex, Na
Textiles/Treated Skins         $0.03                     4            10             -3               In

In = Industrial          Ag = Agricultural
Ex = Extreme             Ni = Non-Industrial
Na = Non Agricultural

Come, lets talk...  as I look across the systems, your second route trails off in the middle of the Vilani Empire ... Dying a brave and fruitless death is not my goal and gives them a good propaganda subject. I don't see a way out to Terra.
Your first route also leaves us with little choice but to go through a major star port where enemy warships are to be expected in numbers. I'd like nothing better than to embarrass the Vilani, but it works best if we escape.  How well protected do expect the major star ports within the Vilani Empire to be? If we attacked shipping between  say Nunashi, Shaalgar and Enelden, can we say how much this might cause concern?
I still see where our ability to leve their routes and go to someplece not in their computers would be helpful, as then they must protect everywhere.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 266):

"Pirates can survive in these systems for decades, hiding out on uninhabited worlds and moving around through planets with low populations and little loyalty. Sukun is a dissident world, and as long as we do not effect them, they are not likely to bother us. Gashiddas are expected to deal with pirates, and fleets hold the outer systems to stop major warship incursions, or so they think. It only takes the occasional attack, before running and hiding, and they will send fleets to hunt you before they stand any decent chance to catch you. That is what raiders are for in wartime."

Oh Really, I don't know anything about pirates ....  what other systems are dissident that you know of? I seem to remember something about Nushmi being blockaded. Perhaps we should provide pharmaceuticals for them?  Not sure what else they might need besides weapons.
Let me think about this for a few moments ... stirring the pot behind Kidashi might be very helpful.

We should ask these good folk if they mind our sending captured ships here?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 268):

"That may be a good idea. Or perhaps we can find other dissidents or pirates willing to use any ships we capture...more actively. Nushmi might be a good place to start."

Let's test the waters at Dzosuiken and Sukun first, with a bit of luck, we will be a lot smarter before going there. If it is besieged, we want to know with what.

On second thought, maybe we should do something like this... she traces a route out ... say like this...or this? Hopefully our progress would exceed their ability to spread the warning.

The routes she traces are :
Potential Route(s)
 2924 - Sikigi - Nunashi - Lishu - Siikani - Kunekaar - Durim - Formalhaut - Ginaa - Khakushma - Urshu - Shiranshar - Ishirshu - Irashdaa  -  Lakisha -  Shaalgar - Nushimi - Dzosuiken - 2924 - Home
or
2924 - Dzosuiken - Nushimi - Nunashi - Kishakhpap - Lishu - Siikani - Kunekaar - Durim - Formalhaut - Ginaa - Khakushma - Urshu - Shiranshar - Ishirshu - Irashdaa  -  Lakisha -  Shaalgar - Dirramu  - Sikigi -  2924 - Home

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 271):

"Hmmm, yes, that seems better. Small systems that may be helpful, or punished if they are pricks! Either way can be a win for us."

OK, Let's buy ½ dTon of Pharmaceuticals ... I gather they are popular and can be used as bribes. I suspect the $60k will be well spent.

Let's get everyone back on board and prepare to jump to Dzosuiken.  We'll follow the route  Dzosuiken - Nushimi -  Kishakhpap - Nunashi -Lishu - Siikani - Kunekaar - Durim - Formalhaut - Ginaa - Khakushma - Urshu - Shiranshar - Ishirshu - Irashdaa  -  Lakisha -  Shaalgar - Dirramu  - Sikigi -  2924 - Home unless something makes us want to alter it.

We'll jump when ready, we'll need to be prepared when we arrive, a warm welcome is not guaranteed.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:26, Fri 24 May 2019.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 273):

After some haggling, they are willing to sell 0.5 dTons of Pharmaceuticals for $8,000, which is a bit overpriced, but they complain about the small shipment size.

The jump to Dzosuiken is not difficult. Coming out of hyperspace, you are met by the Gashidda patrol craft, who hail you and ask you to stop for inspection.

0.5 dTon of Pharmaceuticals
144 Missiles, 72 Sandcasters, 2 Grav Jeeps, 6 Grav Bikes,
0.2 dTons of Protective suits and Hand Weapon ammunition

Supplies: 32.06 dTons (0.63 dTons/week)
Cash: $492,000
30 Feb 2175
Dzosuiken (1/2 Fueled)

I was thinking it would be $60k... for $16k we'll buy the whole dTon...


We slow up for the Gashidda, Certainly, feel free to come aboard.

Have some of the Meds available in a few small packages or 20 ampules each ... 3-5 packs should be plenty.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 275):

They are willing to do a whole dTon for $13 k. The Pharmaceuticals are legal, though nothing special.

The pharmaceuticals are a bit of a disappointment to them, with a few comments that they can buy them locally, and that they were not as interesting as the small computers one of the previous Terran traders got them, but they are accepting nonetheless. They ask your plans for the sector.

1 dTon of Pharmaceuticals (6 tons or 11,900 lbs)
144 Missiles, 72 Sandcasters, 2 Grav Jeeps, 6 Grav Bikes,
0.2 dTons of Protective suits and Hand Weapon ammunition

Supplies: 32.06 dTons (0.63 dTons/week)
Cash: $487,000
30 Feb 2175
Dzosuiken (1/2 Fueled)

Well I am disappointed that our Pharmaceuticals weren't of much trade value.... Our understanding is that few systems besides your will welcome us as traders and many will see us as enemies.
I wish to avoid causing any harm to anyone friendly, which is many of the Kimashargur, but care little for the Vilani who seek to dominate all. Some have even attacked peaceful Terran systems out of spite, I assume you know all this.
But back to business, so computers would be popular, what else would your people like to see?




OOC - OK, I just assumed that these were the same sorts of semi-illicit drugs Cyril found, so what I have I purchased?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 277):

"We are aware of the war on the Barbarians known as Terrans, but we are not interested in being involved in either side. If you want to trade, however, we are interested in taking advantage of the opportunities you might offer. Particularly with regards to Computers and medical equipment, as some of it is rumored to even exceed Imperial Standard by quite a way."

[OOC: The Illicit and semi-illicit drugs are referred to by name when appropriate. These are just regular drugs you might buy at a pharmacy. Mainly vitamins, perhaps a small amount of healing drugs or other mild medications that can be grown on lower tech planets. Illicit goods of any sort must be sought on the black market specifically. On the flip side, you are not doing anything illegal...]

So I just wasted a bunch of money on readily available stuff... Filthy word!


Computers and medical gear, we can try and bring those on our next trip, or have another merchant bring them. We agree the War helps very few at great cost to very many.  Your wisdom is appreciated.  Can you say which other systems share your view, or which may?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 279):

"I am pretty sure most of those around here do, but they keep it to themselves. Sukun, Kamuukshar, Shaalgar, Dirramu and Sikigi. Nushmi has been so strong in suggesting this that they have gotten themselves into trouble with Dingir, as an example to the rest of us, we suspect. There has been a force posted there from Duriim to enforce a trade and visitor embargo as a result. I heard they were caught harbouring Terran ships, which is why we do not want you hanging around. Kidashi patrols in this area have increased, though since thir losses at Yenesei in 2173, they have been using Gashiddas a whole lot more instead of Shamshirs. Usually in groups of 5 or 10, as they have just one full squad of 10 for this region."

Then let s depart after refueling... we do not want issues. We will go far off to the edge where we will hopefully not be noticed.
Duriim? I thought that and several others were also Kimashargur? They have no freedom to choose?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:55, Sun 26 May 2019.

And Nushimi ... we would have no chance of getting in or out? What sort of force blockades it?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 282):

"Duriim are Kimashargur, but they have a government that has done very well under saarpuhii Yangila, so they are more supportive of him. Still, they are not thrilled at the task of keeping 10 Kargash there, and it is not entirely their choice, we suspect. Nushimi has 3 Gas Gianta and two planets, all of which make suitable jump destinations, so all have a single Kargash there, except for the planet itself, which has the rest."

Wow!...so 10 Kargash at Nushimi and 10 more working out of Duriim?  The Saarpuhii has his foot down hard. We will make our selves scare.

As soon as the Inspectors leave we will indeed make ourselves as insignificant as we can while we process fuel.

I call the senior officers for a hasty conference and tell them what we have learned.
I think we need to move away from this area before stirring up some trouble, they have enough and we need to draw it away.
I suggestan altered route:  Kamuukshar* -  Kishakhpap* - Nunashi - Lishu - Siikani - Kunekaar - Khurimisi - Formalhaut - Khakushma - Urshu - Shiranshar - Ishirshu - Irashdaa  -  Lakisha -  Shaalgar* - Kishakpap*  - Sikigi *-  2924 - Home
or  Shaalgar* -  Lishu  - Orgill* -  Beta-Port* - Home … this less preferred as it points to where we came from and places those systems at risk.

Those that I have marked with asteriks we do not attack, but just try to slide through quietly.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 284):

The patrol corrects you before you leave.

"No, no, the 10 Kargash are from Durim. There are only 10 ships there."

There is no objection to moving away to gather and refine fuel.

In reply to Vilani Patrol (msg # 285):

"Ma'am, just looking over the routes suggested. They definitely look interesting. Just a few notes:

Kamuukshar* -  Kishakhpap* - Nunashi - Lishu - Siikani - Kunekaar - Ishirshu - Khurimisi - Formalhaut - Khakushma - Urshu - Shiranshar - Ishirshu - Irashdaa  -  Lakisha -  Shaalgar* - Kishakpap*  - Sikigi *-  2924 - Home.

This planet is needed as an intermediate, as the jump between the two either side is greater than 2 parsecs. Another option would be Dikanishi.

This planet is believed to have a detachment of Shamshirs, due to the link to the 'barbarian' or rebel colonies.

This planet could be interesting...

This planet has no gas giants. Refueling could be...problematic.

If it goes pear shaped at Khakushma, then perhaps we can run coreward to Shashamak - Sasuniir - Gashakur - Khariishish - Amgilash and hide out there for a while. Just a thought."

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 287):

Durim is a heavily populated planet, so a major trade hub rather than a base. But there will likely be warships there for that reason.

The 10 Kargashs are based at Nushmi, though there may be a separate patrol based at Kidashi in the area.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:40, Mon 27 May 2019.

OK, a useful meeting, lets head for  Kamuukshar at the earliest convenience...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 289):

Generally, while in Vilani space, you should get into the habit of specifying the destination. G1 would be the Gas Giant closest to the star, P1 the planet closest to the star. Default is the most habitable planet in the system, usually the colony. Or you can specify the star itself.

In this instance, Kamuukshar is a binary system with 3 Gas Giants and a planet on which there is a colony.

Moons or other small planetary bodies can be targeted at -2 to navigation, requiring a roll if rushed. Navigators skill is 16 aboard this vessel.

I'll try, but having limited knowledge, I think we'll take a distant Gas Giant, refuel and move on.
Where can I find a list of all these tags like "Locked" or "Satellite"? Some are clear enough but others not so much.

We are basically not messing with Kimashurgar worlds. Be glad to blow a Vilani ship or two away, but don't want it to come back on the people.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 291):

Ok, sounds reasonable. In the System section it gives Gas Giants and Planetoid belts. Generally assume most habitable planets are in the planetoid belt. The number of gas Giants is really all that is needed, so with three gas giants, G1 would be closest to the star(s) and G3 would be the furthest out. In this case, you head to G3, based on above.

You enter hyperspace and come out at the outer Gas Giant at Kamuukshar. A small refuelling base is there in a domed colony. Refueling at the gas giant, it does not take long before you are ready to move on

1 dTon of Pharmaceuticals (6 tons or 11,900 lbs)
144 Missiles, 72 Sandcasters, 2 Grav Jeeps, 6 Grav Bikes,
0.2 dTons of Protective suits and Hand Weapon ammunition

Supplies: 31.43 dTons (0.63 dTons/week)
Cash: $487,000
09 Mar 2175
Kamuukshar (Full Tank, half processed)

As soon as we are ready, we'll head to Kishakhpap G4 and refuel, we'll do a quick survey but expect to find nothing...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 293):

Targeting the outer Gas Giant in Kishakhpap, you enter Hyperspace. The target system is empty, nominally, and the most habitable planet on your records is a moon in the innermost Gas Giant (which is usually the case if there are no planetoid belts). Still, you are a little nervous as the hyperspace alarm signals your imminent arrival.

You exit hyperspace with the Gas Giant ahead of you. A passive sensor scan as you collect fuel indicates no other vessels in the system. You check the system against your information, making minor adjustments as needed while you wait for the fuel to refine. The best planet here has only a trace of atmosphere, bled from the Gas Giant it orbits, and no water.

1 dTon of Pharmaceuticals (6 tons or 11,900 lbs)
144 Missiles, 72 Sandcasters, 2 Grav Jeeps, 6 Grav Bikes,
0.2 dTons of Protective suits and Hand Weapon ammunition

Supplies: 30.8 dTons (0.63 dTons/week)
Cash: $487,000
16 Mar 2175
Kishakhpap (Full Tank, processed)

We process the fuel and prepare to jump into Nunashi, Here the possibility of serious naval forces exists, so we’ll skim up fuel from an outer Gas giant and scan the place first.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 295):

Nunashi has 2 Gas Giants and two planetoid belts. In order as you move away from the star, there is P1, P2 (Colony, has a moon), G1, G2. Travel times to G2 are, from G1: 6 hrs, P2: 11 hrs, P1: 15 hours.

On exiting from Hyperspace at G2, you are accosted by two Shamshir Destroyer escorts. Sensors indicate 2 more at G1, 4 at P2 and 2 more at P1. Suddenly Nunashi does not seem the best idea...perhaps.

You have 16 Beams (two in each turret), 6 Missiles and 2 Sandcasters, 3.5G and 75 dDR[Private to GM: (dDR 15 vs lasers)]. Your enemy has (combined) 12 Pulse lasers, 30 Missiles, 5G and 160 dDR[Private to GM: (dDR 32 vs lasers)]. Current range is 200,000 miles. You can shoot down all missiles automatically with your skills aboard. Which is just as well, as they launch a full salvo upon identifying you.

1 dTon of Pharmaceuticals (6 tons or 11,900 lbs)
144 Missiles, 72 Sandcasters, 2 Grav Jeeps, 6 Grav Bikes,
0.2 dTons of Protective suits and Hand Weapon ammunition

Supplies: 30.17 dTons (0.63 dTons/week)
Cash: $487,000
23 Mar 2175
Nunashi (75% Full Tank)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Tue 28 May 2019.

Guess we go back to where we came from... refuel as quickly as we can and look for a new direction.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 297):

"You don't want to take these two out first? It would scare them a whole lot more...and maybe the next two if the first two are easy enough. While we have them in pairs."

You are not sure if he is overconfident, following the defeat of the Kargash, or has a valid point.

The navigator, meanwhile begins to plot in a return route while the point defences deal with the missiles. The Shamshir meanwhile close to 50,000 miles before you can turn around and get back to the jump point. You stop dead for a round before jumping, which is risky.

Actually I am not so sure it's that easy ... although they are rushing in quickly and will soon be in range of their plasma cannon... Let's see what we can do to deter them anyway... turn us to put on Shamshir behind the other and accelerate us enough to avid their closing to Plasma range, concentrate on the lead ship. Nav, keep us as ready to jump as possible.

Once we have one ship blocked by the other, we can over stress the lead ship some. Assuming it goes boom, we'll fix the follow on Shamshir's wagon too.  My take is a.  You want us to fight as they damn sure closed quickly; b. they are coming in with little respect for our ship and no caution.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 299):

"Ma'am? Shamshirs have no plasma cannon, not even beam weapons. They rely on missiles."

They have the numbers and Vilani Arrogance...they see no need to be cautious of a Barbarian vessel smaller than them! Firing directions...Pinpoint fire or general. If pinpoint, target systems?

Not sure that strategy really works with the actual weapons layout...did you read all of message #296?

OOC -Yes but too quickly... and I have Shamshirs confused with something else...  OK, The Kargash CLs...


They do indeed have Pulse Lasers which as a beam weapon... and with six of them, we are going to have issues with them taking out our missiles. /OOC

OK, Just close with them, they'll out run us, so they'll have trouble slowing and not over running us... beams target their Targeting/Missiles.