Mission Day:  67

ECEI:          7?
Morale:        7?
Supplies:     68%



It is several weeks later that the Sharshana arrives at the Iruku system, having routed through (and patrolled) both Nouakchat and Taman along the way. Neither proved to be particularly exciting - a scout base and a tiny claim-holding outpost don't offer too many opportunities - and what commercial traffic has to stop in either system is almost entirely bound for elsewhere.

That doesn't mean that the Sharshana was idle: systems that are sparsely populated and see very little traffic are out of both the public and official eye. Between the two weeks spent on station, the Sharshana has some crates of contraband and a few arrests to show for its trouble, along with several warnings and fines issued. The take might not seem significant in the grand scheme of things, but the message will nevertheless be clear: the navy is here, and it's watching.

The prisoners from Beaxon, along with reports relevant to the case, were handed off at Nouakchat, effectively ending the Sharshana's role in the matter... for now. It's very likely that there will be debriefings and perhaps even some of you called to formally testify once the patrol mission ends.

Taman also saw one ugly incident in which a group of off-duty crewmembers - after one or two (or three or four) too many got into a furious brawl in the colony's bar; a couple of the locals were seriously injured and a fire somehow broke out in the fracas; this did not make a good impression on either the populace or the local noble, and the recently-vacated brig ended up with several new occupants who remain there still.

The promise of Iruku (discipline problems notwithstanding) doesn't seem to be much greater: a small world, only slightly more hospitable than a rockball, that is mostly notable for the fact that it provides the jump link to points spinward from Gulf-Central-Formative. The startown is larger, at least, even if it doesn't have much to offer; the highport promises to be the highlight, such as it is; that commercial link has made it the subject of a good deal of investment which, unlike what you witnessed at Beaxon, is known to be money well spent.

Of course, no plan survives contact with the enemy, and no routine patrol survives contact with the unexpected. As the Sharshana emerges from jump, the standard protocol of sensor sweeps and security checklists are enlivened by the distress call coming through on the comms...



Given the time that has passed, I need a Leadership roll from Thenroy to see how well the ship's crew is performing.

Department heads should do the same, since some might be performing better than others.

We don't have a sensors officer, but whomever is overseeing that aspect of bridge operations at the time of arrival can make an Electronics (Sensors) check to give you a better picture of what's happening as you arrive.

If anyone wants to have further pursued the legal and/or other issues during the voyage, you can do so (with appropriate narrative and a relevant roll) and it will be factored in even if it's not likely to matter at this exact moment!


Side-scenes (or elaborating on the outline above) that occurred during the transit are perfectly okay to have too!

This message was last edited by the GM at 10:56, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

As customary the Baron gives a ship-wide address right before the cruiser exits jumpspace to get the crew back on track. He tried his best to run a tight ship even when they were the only ship in existence in their own little reality bubble but the Baron knew that ships exiting jumps were particularly vulnerable, their crews lulled into weeks of complacency from the vast emptiness of a jump bubble.

"Crew of the Sharshana, prepare to exit jump space. So far we have had an exemplary patrol. We have passed high command's tests with flying colors. We were able to cripple the backbone of a planetary revolt that threatened an Imperial starport. We have projected the might of the Imperium into the vast oblivion that is space but know that it is not enough. Now is not the time to grow complacent because we have faced nothing more than sensor buoys and ill-equipped yokels. We are not on this patrol because high command decided to pay us for a leisurely cruise. We are here to fight pirates and rebels, to counteract the machinations of the enemies of the Imperium who would love nothing more than to catch a heavy cruiser with its crew asleep at the controls. Every system, every jump must be treated as if we are entering the front lines because make no mistake our enemies are out there, even if we cannot see them.

When you are off duty, rest and recover because we need your focus and attention from start to end of your shift. It isn't just the Imperium that requires this. Or I for that matter. Think of your fellow crew members, your friends and family back home. Everyone needs you to come back safe and sound and for that you must be ready to act or react in a split seconds time because, in the grand scheme of things, we are always a split second away from total oblivion. You must take care to continue to shine the light of the Imperium deep into the heart of the void, to ensure that the monsters that lurk among us and prey on the weak and vulnerable find no quarter in this sector of the Universe.

Ready main shift for emergence into realspace. Carry on."

OOC:
11:25, Today: Baron Thenroy Reziilka rolled 12 using 2d6+4.  leadership/soc.

This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

In reply to Baron Thenroy Reziilka (msg # 2):

Maybe she's beginning to be used to the style of the Baron, or may be it's the routine of the patrol, but the Lt Tsetsegma really appreciate the evocative imagery of the captain's speech. She does not applaud, but tries to establish eye contact and convey her enthusiasm.

also... Iita tries to lead : Iita Tsetsegma rolled 7 using 2d6+1 ((3,3)).

Hrolf nods approvingly at the captain's speech.  He's not one himself for long speeches having been brought up in the stoic tradition of the Sword Worlds but the sentiment and words were well said.  He turned back to focus on his controls and the sensor crew stationed nearby.  "Ready for transition back to main space Sir."


18:29, Today: Hrolf Standarsson rolled 7 using 2d6+3.  Piloting.
18:29, Today: Hrolf Standarsson rolled 7 using 2d6.  Sensors.

From : Engineering department, ISS Sharshana
Subject : !! LvL 2 Incident Alert

Dear users,

The Engineering dep. is informing all involved personnel that, due to the refurbished condition if the ship, we are currently experiencing a high level of incidents. We are aware that those incidents are impacting the use of :
- IT stations
- data storage - which could go as far as data loss of ship's records
- sensors ; involving intel and telemetry,
- medical equipment and/or data
(list non exclusive)
... with repeated faults.

The Engineering department is working with manifest haste as I'm writing this - to reestablish the usual level of quality of service in the shortest delay. In the meantime, please accept our apologies.

We thank you for your understanding and patience.

Relevant follow-up information shall be communicated in a couple of hours.

Lt Chief Engeener Iita Tsetsegma - Engineering Department, ISS Sharshana
"Project the might of the Imperium into the vast oblivion that is space, but know that it is not enough" (Baron T. Reziilka)

Although Jacqueline admires Captain Thenroy, his speech makes her a bit nervous; she'd enjoy a nice quiet cruise. She has been taking every opportunity to go down to the planetary surfaces when she can, as is her habit, but she seems rather subdued (even more so than usual) since Beaxon. She transmits her data to Hrolf and supervises the return to realspace, tapping out calculations on her tablets.

Since "This instance of 'unreliable' is hitting the Sharshana worse than usual", Iita starts a sub-routine checks of the crew roll-call, looking for people born or having spent more than 180 days on Beaxon...
This message was last edited by the player at 11:42, Tue 16 Feb 2021.

Mission Day:  67

ECEI:          7
Morale:        8  (Gunnery 9, Crew 9)
Supplies:     68%

Crew functions experiencing -2 DM.


If the ship is experiencing more than its usual share of system trouble, the crew appears to be taking it in good humor.  She's feeling cranky today.



It seems that you've arrived in the middle of another situation, this even more urgent (if smaller-scale) than the last: a far trader, the Zeglaashshish according to its transponder codes, is under fire from a larger vessel, a mercenary cruiser without any discernible transponder signal.

Or at least the heavily-damaged trader was under fire. Your arrival has apparently prompted a change of plans on the part of the latter; they're already coming about and making a break for it... on a vector that keeps the trader between you and them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:22, Tue 16 Feb 2021.

Anticipating the Captain will demand to engage the fastest speed to catch up the Merc cruiser, Iita quickly checks the M-Drive maximum thrust, and then more than that maximum without sacrificing security, hoping not to blunder in her first real combat-encounter as a CE.

But then she felt her training kick in...

Iita Tsetsegma rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  M-drive engineering.

She gives a quick call to the pilot Standarsson : "remember the Greyhound effect when you step on the accelerator! (BC2M -Bridge Commands To Motors- interface GRYH-14 Y00 means the thrust power surge from 10 to 105% lasts 14.3 seconds instead of avg 38 sec)"

This message was last edited by the player at 12:46, Thu 25 Feb 2021.

Jacqueline gasped. She hadn't actually expected to run in to any hostile ships out here, nothing worse than a few smugglers. She hurried contacted the trading vessel. "Unknown trading vessel, this is INS Sharshana. State your situation."

The Baron slams his fist onto the arm of his chair. His voice was even toned but the thrill of catching a pirate was clearly visible in his eyes.

"Send a broadcast on all channels. Tell the attacking ship they are to power down their weapons and engines immediately to explain their situation and submit to an inspection. Failure to comply will be viewed as evidence of guilt of piracy and we will open fire with lethal intent.

Sensors, if they start powering up their jump drive give a green signal to gunnery. Target their engines if you can but if the ship is destroyed so be it. I would rather this filth be spread across the stars than escape to prey upon Imperium citizens in some other sector of space."

Hrolf takes in the situation as well as the shortest likely path to get to the Jump point for the attacker.  "Request permission to intercept Captain," he calls out.  "The Chief Engineer has verified that the drives are ready for 105% boost.  We can surprise them."

OOC: Good call Iita!

The Sharshana lunges forward with a ferocity that briefly threatens to overtake the internal systems' ability to cope with it, malfunctioning as they are; light, unsecured objects go tumbling here and there across the ship, but fortunately nothing more untoward than that occurs.

Two problems immediately become apparent: first, the mercenary cruiser is accelerating away with all of the power that its M-drive can muster, and whoever is at its helm is doing their best to keep the crippled merchant in the way of the Sharshana's big guns, and they're not far short of the 100-diameter jump limit. On top of that their response isn't particularly compliant, either - the only thing that you get back is a threat to launch their ordnance at the merchant (what's left of it) if the Sharshana opens fire.

Hrolf may be able to outmaneuver them enough to give a clear shot regardless, but it's a risky option: any direct-fire weapon capable of damaging (let alone destroying) the mercenary cruiser would certainly obliterate the damaged merchant ship.

And damaged it is, which represents the second problem: both sensors and a distressed response from its bridge make it clear that the Zeglaashshish is in severe trouble even without any further pounding: main power, drives, and most systems are out; there are fires aboard, and internal damage has trapped the two crew members inside the bridge; they have no idea whether the other three are still alive, or trapped elsewhere. And the vector that it's on has it hurtling toward the planet...

If the thought of losing a merchant ship weighed on Thenroy's mind, he didn't show it or hesitate in the slightest. He nodded for the comms officer to reply to the pirate cruise.

"The Imperial Navy does not negotiate with pirates or terrorists. Power down your weapons and engines and surrender and you will only be charged with piracy. If you continue to attack the Zeglaashshish then I will deploy our full weapons compliment to avenge their deaths. Even if you do flee we have your ship's information and you will be hunted down as pirates and murderers for the rest of your lives. You have 10 seconds to comply."

"Course coming through now." Jacqueline transmits a possible intercept course to Hrolf. She then picks up one of her tablets (although they and her notes have been rather scattered by the sudden lurch forward) and begins to work on possible courses for rescue shuttles for the damaged merchant. She flinches a little at the captain's threats to the mercenaries; in other context they might be inspiring, but she's really worried about the merchant crew. "They're not talking much."

Astrogation : for plotting the courses of starships
This definition irrupts from the depths of Iita's memory, as she tries to find a solution to the dilemma... She immediately calls the astrogation team :
"Guys, since it's not the time to calculate our next jump, we need your help with the merchant ship... the vector that it is on has it hurtling toward the planet : it would be helpful for the Marine small crafts if you calculated interception course and all, without loosing the rescuers, please. Can you do that? You're angels, thank you"

+2 for specialists, -2 DM for the crew : Iita Tsetsegma rolled 6 using 2d6.  astrogation on ship and small craft

However, they couldn't help.

It is unclear what effect the threats are having, as the mercenary cruiser's crew is disciplined enough to maintain comms silence except when someone is making a statement, and then it is a clipped, matter-of-fact one as might be expected of a paramilitary operation.

Apparently they have nothing to say - but they are still heading for the jump limit with all of the thrust their ship can muster.

They haven't fired on the trader yet, though. That's a good thing; judging by the sensor data, one more solid hit might be enough to break it up. The comm connection to its bridge is holding up, though how long that will last on shaky emergency power is anyone's guess.

On the subject of breaking things up, the Sharshana's maneuvers have outpaced those of the mercenary cruiser, giving it a clear line of fire if overkill is the order of the day. Even if it isn't, a missile barrage won't have to arc nearly as much from here.

Thenroy turns to the gunnery station and signals them to open fiire.

"They are noncompliant. Open fire. Target their J-Drive and power systems if they present themselves but if they are obliterated then so be it. We gave them ample opportunity to surrender and they are actively threatening the lives of Imperial merchants."

"Thinking the same thing, ma'am" Jacqueline says quietly on the comm to Iita. She finishes her last few calculations and transmits the courses, making a mental note to speak to the assistant astrogator about his less than stellar effort. "Done. I hope it serves, Lieutenant"

Why would a bunch of mercenaries be here anyways? Privateers?

Jacqueline says a quiet prayer as the ship moves to open fire. She has not been in real ship to ship combat before, and is very nervous.

03:41, Today: Jacqueline Yune rolled 3 using 1d6.  Second astrogation dice.
03:40, Today: Jacqueline Yune rolled 9 using 1d6+4.  Astrogation.
I accidentally rolled only one die the first time.

As the Sharshana closes the distance, the gunnery team achieves a solid sensor lock-on and unleashes a four-bay volley at the fleeing mercenary ship: nearly a hundred standard warheads streak through space toward it. Point-defense and jamming might thin out their numbers somewhat, but it would be utterly implausible to think that they could all be taken down. And another volley - potentially a much larger one - could easily follow it up.

It isn't clear whether their representative on the comms is incredibly brave or incredibly good at acting, but they sound quite firm as they issue (or rather re-issue) their demand: call off the attack or they will fire on the merchant ship.

Telemetry indicates that the mercenary ship has four triple-beam turrets, two sandcaster/missile turrets, and two dedicated missile turrets. Easily enough to finish off the merchant ship if they unload on it...

Alpha Volley: two turns to impact. (96 missiles remaining.)

The Sharshana will also achieve firing distance for its (non-spinal) beam weapons in about that time, assuming that it can keep a clear line of fire.

OOC: The Mercenary Cruiser has 8 turrets?  Okay, scans say only 4 turrets, max, can launch missiles--that means salvos of as little as 4 to as much as 12 missiles.  Heck, if we assign only half of the Sharshana's direct energy weapons to Point Defense, shooting down any missiles fired at that Trader, it's gonna be pretty safe.



[Aboard INS Sharshana, Secondary Bridge, Traffic Control Station]

     Ishakhi had been scrambling to get a rescue operation rolling, ever since the Mercenary Cruiser had been detected attacking the Trader.  And, just as the Sharshana opens fire with it's first missile salvo at the fleeing cruiser...

     "Rescue Flight, you are Go for Launch!" Ishakhi comms to the 4 launches he's gotten ready, "Launch--launch--launch!"

     As dozens of missiles fly away from Sharshana, four launches--the Marine launch, leading three general utility Launches--fly off the Navy Cruiser, headed for the disabled trader.

     "Flight Control to Rescue Flight." Ishakhi sends to all the launches, "Orders are to proceed to trader Zeglaashshish at best speed.  Once there you will attempt to board and assist the crew in damage control operations.  However, if your damage assessment is that Zeglaashshish is too damaged for safety, you will evacuate the crew.  Repeat.  I am authorizing you to remove the crew from that trader, if you feel she's unstable.  Forcibly, if required!  To You."

     Ishakhi switches to the Marine comm channel,

     "Flight Control to Marine Commander. Zeglaashshish reports two crew trapped on the trader's bridge, cut-off by fire.  Requesting you direct a couple of your armored Marines to try--if possible--and get through to them and effect rescue.  Three other crew are reported aboard, but location unknown.  Request you task your Marines for Search and Rescue.  Let the Navy personnel do the heavy lifting on damage control.  To You."

"We do not negotiate with traitors to the Empire. Power down or be destroyed."

He raises his hand, signaling gunnery to prepare another salvo and begin routing power to their energy turrets. Hopefully the mercenaries would crack when they see just how much power is about to be routed their way but if not perhaps they could shoot down any missiles the mercenaries fire.

The beam turrets were going to be the problem. Beam turrets were notoriously easy to fire by their nature, even at range. If they decided to take the merchant cruiser down with them there would be little the Sharshanna could do but pick up the pieces. However Thenroy was more determined than ever to take these pirates down. Anyone willing to blow up civilians out of spite were far too dangerous to let go. It would be a small sacrifice in the greater scope of the Empire for the merchants to die in order to remove scum like these pirates from preying on more Imperial citizens. One merchant trader was a small price to pay to protect dozens, perhaps hundreds, that this ship might prey upon in the future.

In reply to Baron Thenroy Reziilka (msg # 22):

"By all the Galaxies", Iita reflected glumly. The captain was so willing to attack the mercenaries and take prisoners, that he was ready to sacrifice, not only a handful of civilians, but also now his own Marines and Kimpasherki's boats... Whether the mercs would understand that it meant "I don't care for collaterals" was a soulless poker gamble by the captain.

Well, she could always give a rational explanation for what she was about to do... The job of an engineer is to reduce damage, is it not?

Lt Tsetsegmaa orders the dispersion of sandcasters screens to protect the departing launches. If the Shasharna is roughly between the cruiser and the merchant ship, she orders that ship to be shielded from beams too.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:58, Fri 19 Mar 2021.