In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 304):

You are able to Contact your ship.

Roll an attack roll for the ship, vs a defense roll for the fighters.

Roll also a strategy roll if you wish to advance the men slowly forward to identify positions to target.

OOC:

Alllll riiiighht, lets rock and roll!

13:37, Today: Jack 'Patch' Flint rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,4,2.  guns.
13:37, Today: Jack 'Patch' Flint rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,4,3.  Strategy.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 306):

The heavy bombardment does effect the enemy's ability to fight, though you find them them still surprisingly resilient. Your casualties are light (5%)  despite the heavy fire support, due to the enemy's willingness to close to close quarters and fight with knives!

And let us deal death upon them from above" he said rather poetically watching the enemy rain down. It was glorious to behold and strengthened his resolve to take the place and claim it as his own.

The effectiveness of the bombardment wasn't quite what he had expected however and Jack heard reports from his men of the enemy closing distance and fighting up close. This suited him all the more. He liked to see his enemy, it felt a little more personal and intimate - but he would.

"Keep the bombardment's going, lets push more aggressively, meet them head on and be victorious"

OOC:

Jack will go high risk (right on the front line to engage with them) +3/+3

Full attack please.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 308):

Ok, so attack, or all out attack (which significantly increases casualties)?

Need a tactics roll either way.

OOC: I intended attack .

22:09, Today: Jack 'Patch' Flint rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,3,6.  Strategy.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 310):

Glad I checked then!

The enemy seems to adopt a very mobile form of defence, negating much of the benefits of orbital bombardment.

Vilani Force: 50 x Elite Jungle Riflemen (TS: 50x1280 = 62,720, F, Rec), x10 men
 casualties 10% (-2), defensive bonus +6
F sup, 1.5:1, (0), total bonus:+4

Your force: TS: 63,960, Superiority in Art (+3), Arm (+3), Cav (+3), casualties 5% (-1), total bonus: +8+3(risk) =+11, skill 14, rolled 11, so 14 under.

You win, but not by as much as you anticipate. You gain a better position (+2), and inflict more casualties than you suffer, but only just. You suffer 10% casualties, inflicting 15%.

17 of May, 2179

There's not much to do, Jack things other than to press the attack.


OOC:
12:00, Today: Jack 'Patch' Flint rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,3,1.  Strategy.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 312):

Vilani Force: 50 x Elite Jungle Riflemen (TS: 50x1280 = 62,720, F, Rec), x10 men
 casualties 25% (-5), defensive bonus +6
F sup, 1.5:1, (0), total bonus:+1

Your force: TS: 63,960, Superiority in Art (+3), Arm (+3), Cav (+3), casualties 15% (-3), position bonus +2, total bonus: +8 +3(risk) =+11, skill 14, rolled 7, so 18 under.

Once again you win, but not by as much as you anticipate. You gain a better position (+3), and inflict more casualties than you suffer, but only just. You suffer 10% casualties, inflicting 20%.

17 of May, 2179

OOC: Is there a way to just bomb the whole area?

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 314):

It can be done, but from the tunnels and bunkers you have found, it would be very limited in effect if you did not have boots on the ground to draw them out and direct the heat precisely.

Jack stomped around for a bit considering what the best option was, but his patience was growing thin with the guerillas, and so he acted with a hint of rashness, deciding for his entire force to move in.

Ahead of the groups, he sent scouts to give them as much of an advanced warning as possible, but otherwise he'd move in.

He himself would be on foot, and with a small platoon clearing the area for armour.




18:18, Today: Jack 'Patch' Flint rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,5,2.  Strategy.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 316):

OOC: Understand. What type of strategy here? Just usual attack?

OOC: Deliberate attack (it should half their bonus)

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 318):

Deliberate Attack: This is a slow but carefully planned attack, aimed at reducing any advantage the defender has. It’s an option only in a pitched battle or a siege, and never available to a side that starts the battle confused. Any benefits that the defender would receive from Defense Bonus (but not Position Bonus) are halved, rounding up. This makes a Deliberate Attack extremely useful against well-prepared defenders. The attacker also receives a +1 battle strategy modifier – and if he has Artillery Superiority, he gets an extra +1. However, a Deliberate Attack is slow to develop, and thus allows the other side to change its strategy.

They once again employ a mobile defence.

Vilani Force: 50 x Elite Jungle Riflemen (TS: 50x1280 = 62,720, F, Rec), x10 men
 casualties 45% (-9), defensive bonus +3
F sup, 1.5:1, (0), total bonus: -3

Your force: TS: 63,960, Superiority in Art (+4), Arm (+3), Cav (+3), casualties 25% (-5), position bonus +2, Strategy +1, total bonus: +8 +3(risk) =+11, skill 14, rolled 9, so 16 under.

Your steady advance, using the heavy artillery to support your positions, works very well. Attempts to resist your troops are heavily punished, keeping your casualties to a bare minimum. None, in fact, while inflicting heavy casualties on the enemies. You inflict 35% casualties, for no loss of your own. Their casualties are now around 80%, while yours remain at 25%.

18 of May, 2179

At last, Jack felt they'd had an impact on them, he himself had pressed into a small group of the enemy and popped off a few shots - they were running but Jack was sure he'd hit at least one or two of them. With the armour, he doubted they stood much more of a chance, and so he committed his attack fully.



OOC: Finish them off with All out attack please
23:02, Today: Jack 'Patch' Flint rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,2.  Strategy.
(maximum risk)

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 320):

Vilani Force: 50 x Elite Jungle Riflemen (TS: 50x1280 = 62,720, F, Rec), x10 men
 casualties 80% (-16), defensive bonus +3
F sup, 1.5:1, (0), total bonus: -3

Your force: TS: 63,960, Superiority in Art (+4), Arm (+3), Cav (+3), casualties 25% (-5), position bonus +2, Strategy +2, total bonus: +9 +3(risk) =+12, skill 14, rolled 6, so 20 under.

The enemy attempts to deploy a force to hold you up while the rest attempt to retreat into the swamp, but they expose themselves to the long range guns of the armou you positioned on higher ground. Casualtie are heavy, and the attempt at an orderly retreat turns into carnage. There are no forces left that you can find by the time this maneuver is over.

19 of May, 2179

while the remainder of the resistance force were being slaughtered by his men, Jack placed a booted foot on one stump above a fallen foe and looked down at it. "Resist me not... he said simply, knowing that there were three battles in the recent days that he'd won.

"Well done... see what plunder you can take" he informed the force.

The battle was won for now.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 322):

These fighters seem to be particularly poorly armed, many even with knives and weapons of all sorts. Your troops gather much of what they can, most of which goes to the men. Surprisingly, there are no vehicles, and you learn from the survivors that these were essentially prisoner battalions, made up from numerous prisoners, some of whom were even pirates in former lives. Hence, all vehicles were taken, o stop them trying to flee.

You hear nothing from command for now, other than congratulations for dealing with them.

20 of May, 2179

Jack decided his campaign was over and that he should return to STarshine - but would keep orbit while he reassessed the local systems.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 324):

With the worst of the resistance defeated, most commanders agree that you are best to return to your ship, allowing more diplomatic commanders to deal with the remaining forces. You have about three months left of the siege... although it is becoming clear that the result has already been decided. By the time they finally surrender, you have just arrived back at the pirate planet of Lone Pine, though it is now seemingly an independent colony rather than a pirate colony.

Blackbeard invites you in to celebrate the result of your efforts, and to discuss the future.

02 Sep 2179, Lone Pine

It took three months to return to Lone Pine and in that time the siege had completed. His own victories could have really been the punctuation of the conflict that turned the tides in favour of his allies. It was certainly a joint effort though and realistically, he wondered if he'd have won at all if he didn't simply have better forces on his side.

During the trip, the sentiment on Starshine was good, everyone was celebratory, eager to share out the plunder of the engagement and expecting more once the battle had been finally won. But there were some of his crew that perhaps seemed more cautious around him. The name he'd been given The Burner wasn't an insult, but did seem to reflect the darker nature of his psyche - but he held onto it. If his reputation grew, then so would his opportunities.

After a short period of reflection Patch spent much of his time celebrating, carousing. He drank and lived a hedonistic life - something he felt was the ultimate homage to one well lived in face of recent death.

Upon arrival, and as they approached their current home base Flint spoke.
"Alright boys and girls, here we are... back to the lovely place we can call home that is Lone Pine. You each have a week of free time. If you're late back, or cause me any trouble, I'll cut your share.

Otherwise, don't do anything I wouldn't do. he said jovially over the intercomm.

Now was his time to visit Blackheard.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 326):

Blackbeards offices look more bureaucratic than a pirate office, but there are subtle differences only a trained eye would pick up. Like the towers with dark windows and gun ports that certainly housed snipers, and the relaxed dress code. But he was not one to be double crossed, that is for sure.

You are ushered in for modest but tasteful snacks while you wait, but the wait is not long. A lone suited gentleman comes in and invites you to the main hall. Several others are there as well, some captains you recognize, others you do not know. There is an empty seat not far from where Blackbeard himself sits.

02 Sep 2179, Lone Pine

Jack chuckled at the aesthetic of Blackbeard's offices, more so when he noticed the sniper nests. This man perhaps was a touch paranoid, or at least desperate to ensure that every grain f power he took was well kept. It did feel like a pale shade compared to the Vilani look though and Jack couldn't quite tell whether it was a poor imitation of simply a parody. Perhaps it was neither.

Jack took some of the snacks while waiting and tipped them with is tongue to get a sense of their taste, then opted not to have them and put them. He made a face, as if unsure whether or not he would like them but had opted for abstinence. He didn't have much time, however, before he was ushered into the room.

"I hope I'm not late he said with a cocked grin, noting the single empty chair, that he made his way to.

While moving around the table, he nodded greetings to the other captains and then sat, leaning back in his chair and awaiting Blackbeard's address.

In reply to Jack 'Patch' Flint (msg # 328):

"Now that we are all FINALLY here, I can get to the matter that will bite us all.

We are pirates, though we have a planet of our own. Unless we want to become conquerors though, we need to make sure we have some friends. We have a good fleet, but a concerted effort by any regional governor has the potential to end that. Keeping jump tapes very discreetly has helped a lot with that, but we still benefit from trade. Particularly with Girii.

Now in recent years I have gone to great lengths to be friends with that government. Not just because they are close and have had hostile relations with many other regions, giving some credibility to our actions. To that end, our support of their military has seen some of you fighting in a war that is not ours, solidifying our relationship with them.

But they present another opportunity, as well as another threat. Terrans, a barbarian race that has in recent history challenged the might of Vland themselves. These humans possess technology that does not lock them to jump tapes. They have also been teaching Girii new ship designs, much to the chagrin of local governments and Vland themselves. They have the potential to be a real threat to us. Diplomacy and our actions have avoided that so far.

But there are pirates, claiming to be from here, that seem to be trying to disrupt that by hitting Girrian targets. I hope you can appreciate why I am very angry about this. This has to stop. Letting the Military stop this could mean they hit some of you, so I hope you appreciate why you should be the folk to put an end to them. Hunt them down, end them and see if you can give the evidence of the pirates to Girian law enforcement, so they know it is not us and they have the opportunity to identify who is really behind it. With evidence, since we have a good idea already for at least some of them.

Questions?"

02 Sep 2179, Lone Pine
This message was last updated by the GM at 04:17, Sun 12 Nov 2023.