Things rarely go according to plan, but when they do it means trouble.

When you reported to HQ at Dpres, you were given your latest assignment; represent the Imperium throughout the sector and give aid to those in need. Few planets in the Dpres Sector were aligned with the Imperium. You were ordered to undertake a good will mission to foster respect and build bridges.

One of the biggest problems in the sector were pirates. Your superiors decided that you were the perfect candidates to do something about it. Your mission is to hunt down pirates and give aid to those who were attacked. To aid in your effort, you were given command of a D-Class Light Patrol ship. Too small to be much threat to a warship, it did possess enough firepower to dissuade any pirates or freebooters you may encounter.

After some deliberation, you decided that best place to patrol would be the gas giants in the Janus system. It was close to the trade routes. The gas giants provided a good refueling stop and the defenses of Janus were inadequate enough to make pirates feel emboldened.

It was only three days in orbit when you picked up the following message.

"Mayday... Mayday... This is Free Trader 'Maiden of the Mists'... We are under attack... Shields down... our drive is off-line... we are being boarded... If anyone can hear us, this is the Free Trader 'Maiden of the Mists'. Mayday! Mayday!"

With the lack of faster than light communication, it was doubtful that their cry for help would reach anyone in time for them to respond. Fortunately you were waiting for just such an event. You were close enough to intervene. You were also the only ones close enough to respond in time.

Daphne looked up from the report she was writing. On the sleeve of her smartly pressed dark blue uniform, the Imperial Sunburst shone in the proud yellow of the Navy. Without thinking, a hand went to smooth out any imaginary wrinkles in the fabric; over her new, shiny lapel insignia designating her as a lieutenant, over the "ARSLAN" nametag over the right breast pocket.

She stood up sharply. Shit, her first naval engagement. This wasn't a sim at the Naval Academy any more, this was the real thing. Wow. Breathe. Remember the protocol. She cleared her throat.

"Alright gentlemen, I believe this is our cue. Battle stations," she called out to the other crew members in the bridge. She clasped her hands together behind her back, to keep them steady and out of view.

"I want all sensors trained on that signal. Get us a clear picture of what sort of situation we're facing, what's the position of the Maiden of the Mists and what kind of firepower we're coming up against. Check the Maiden's transponder signal too, just to be sure we're not running into an ambush. Mister Decker, full power, get us to combat speed but don't get too close before we have that intel. Sergeant Okara, power up the laser batteries and get us a firing solution as soon as we're in range. Keep your wits about you everyone. Comms, ping me the Maiden."

She cleared her throat again, unnecessarily, and tood a big breath, preparing to speak on the radio.

"Mayday Maiden of the Mists, Maiden of the Mists, Maiden of the Mists. This is Imperial Navy patrol Damascene, Damascene, Damascene. Received. Hang in there, Maiden, we are moving in to help," then in an even more severe tone, "Unidentified pirate vessel. You are in violation of Imperial naval law and galactic shipping protocols. Be advised we are authorised to use lethal force in defence of civilian ships, and I shall not hesitate to deploy it. Desist and surrender at once and you will have a fair trial. Or else. Damascene out."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:46, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

Upon hearing the distress signal, the lean pilot quickly buckled his flight harness in the helmsman chair.

He had just been settling in after his shift and his clothes looked rumpled and slept in. Not in uniform, he was wearing a worn T covered in an equally worn flight jacket from the academy. He ran his hand through his shaggy hair to wake himself up as he set to work.

Checking his instruments he took some readings. "Looks like we are about 2.8 light-seconds out. We were lucky we intercepted that signal. The horizon of the gas giant is blocking direct transmission. As soon as we clear we should get a better look at what we are dealing with."

He winced slightly as he heard Daphne's response. He understood that they were supposed to be making a presence, but the office had just given away their advantage of surprise against an unknown adversary.

Instead of voicing his concern, he nodded and set his jaw in determined concentration.

In reply to Brandon Decker (msg # 3):

Sven strapped in his chair as he took care of the engines. Everything was functioning optimally and everything was shiny and clean, he just finished polishing the manifold on the fusion plant. Power level was at max, full power for weapons.

As the Damascene cleared the horizon, sensors locked onto the source of the message.

Hanging in high orbit above the atmosphere of the reddish-orange gas giant the 'Maiden' was detected. Magnified it was revealed to be a medium sized cargo hauler.

Coupled to the ship, locked in place with a docking ring, was another smaller, yet far more aggressive looking ship. From it's lines it looked f Aslan manufacture but it lacked the distinctive clan markings most Aslan ships possessed.

There was no sign of activity from either ship. Engines were powered down and shields were lowered as was typical during a boarding situation.

Due to the vast distances of space, you are still several minutes away from intercept.

Daphne bit her lower lip, forcing her mind into the thought patterns imprinted at the Naval Academy. Objectives, outcomes, tactics.

Objective Alpha: ensure safety of ship.
Objective Bravo: ensure safety of civilian crew.
Objective Charlie: avoid escape of enemy ship.

"I don't think they are willing to comply with our reasonable demands, gentlemen."

She turned towards the gunnery station.

"Sergeant Okara, as soon as you have that firing solution, I want precision fire. Take out their weapons systems first, the engines next. Do so only if, and I stress, only if you have a firing solution that ensures the Maiden is not damaged. Otherwise we wait until we are in range for that level of precision. We will avoid civilian casualties at any cost."

She eyed the range numerals, quickly dwindling - but not quickly enough. Still minutes to go, and goodness knew what was going on aboard the Maiden in the meanwhile. If it came to a boarding action... she fingered the holster of the automatic pistol strapped to her right thigh. God, she hoped it didn't.

"Mister Decker? Get us in range as fast as you can, precautions be damned," she said in the direction of the pilot. She knew he liked it fast, she might still regret her words...

Her eyes scanned the pirate ship, looking for the telltale signs of a structural weakness...

---

OOC: 16:48, Today: Lieutenant Daphne Arslan rolled 97 using 1d100.  (Command to determine weaknesses in the Aslan pirate ship).

Not exactly a very good roll to start Daphne's military career...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:57, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

 The Marine strapped himself into the Gunner's station, as his fingers danced across the controls for a firing solution. " Affirm, Skipper."

Sven got an extra 2% out of the power plant, just enough energy to make sure everything was optimal at 100%.

10:46, Today: Sven Magnussen rolled 9 using 1d100.  Engineering.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:46, Sun 07 Feb 2021.

A few things come to mind as the scene of the two ships come into view. First was that you were outgunned. The attacking ship looked menacing, had more armaments and was larger that your ship. Second, your were not in Imperium territory. Technically you had jurisdiction here. If the attacking ship really was Aslan and not some independent pirate or raider, you could be looking at an diplomatic disaster.

Fortunately, there were some things in your favor. A ship was at its most vulnerable when docked. Locked in position, it was incapable of defensive maneuvers. Due to the extra mass attached to the hull, and shields were inoperable. It's only defenses were its weapon systems, which at this point, did not seem active.

If thing did come down to a boarding action,then life just got more difficult. You could try docking you ship to the opposing side cargo bay. Or attempt a space walk to reach the emergency air locks. The 'Maiden' had two available airlocks. One near the cargo bay and one near the crew quarters. The attacking ship was dock to the airlock closest to the bridge.

Or if you wished to take the fight directly to the attackers. There was one visible airlock on the Aslan ship opposite the docking ring where it attached to the merchant.

(OOC: Since the ship is not moving, it is an easy target granting you bonus to hit. If you wish to make a called shot for a specific target, the penalty would negate that bonus, however any critical hit would also do direct damage to the system targeted. Possible target include life support, jump drive, sub-light drive, weapons systems, shields, etc.)

(Any time you wish to take an action, such as firing on the ship or docking, a d100 roll is required)
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:42, Wed 10 Feb 2021.

"Plotting in approach vector now." Brandon reported. "Do you want an attack run or do you want me to angle away from their main weapons. He looked at her doubtfully, "If you want I could try to dock with the cargo ship, keeping her between us and the raiders. We would avoid their ship weapons, but it would mean a boarding action."

He shrugged and gave her a rakish grin. "I'm just giving you options. I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make these decisions. I'm just here to fly the ship." A moment of doubt crossed his face. "If we do board, and those are Aslan raiders, do we really want to engage them up close and personal?"

He grimaced, already fearing the answer. Aslan raiders were not known for leaving survivors. They were savage and brutal and lived by 'kill or be killed'. To them, the merchants were prey and they were predators.

Sven readied for action, he gathered his side arms and sealed his vacc suit just in case.

Daphne's right hand tightened its grip on her left wrist, at her back. No further signs of activity from either of the ships; it was good that they weren't powering up their shields or training their weapons on the Damascene, but it might also mean they were too busy butchering the crew of the Maiden. And yet, if that was Aslan military, the risk of starting a shooting war was too great. She had to keep her cool, even with her finger on the trigger.

"We will avoid a boarding action unless there is no other way, mister Decker. We'd lose all our current advantage, only to fight in close quarters with a probably bigger crew, in a space they know well and we do not. Out here, it looks like we have the jump on them. I do intend to press this advantage."

She turned to the gunner again.

"I am going to try one last time, Sergeant Okara. If they do not reply within a minute or they power up their guns, open fire. Take out the weapons systems first, so we negate their firepower advantage. Then target their jump drive so they can't flee, then shields so they can't protect themselves. Perhaps at that point they will be more amenable to talk."

She nodded at him and gestured for comms again. Her voice was hard and cold.

"Unindentified boarding vessel, this is Third Imperium Damascene again. Identify yourself and state your business. I will not ask again. You have a minute to comply, starting now, or we will open fire. Damascene out."

---

OOC: 14:40, Today: Lieutenant Daphne Arslan rolled 61 using 1d100.  Rolling Diplomat, in case they actually listen to reason?

The ship did not power up weapons or respond to your communications. It was all too quiet. Even when dealing with Aslan, you would expect their typical ranting and threats as a response. The silence was slightly unnerving as if you were radioing a dead ship.

(I need a handling roll from Decker and a targeting roll from Blent. If Blent fires multiple times, their will be a draw on the ships energy reserve which can be compensated by engineering drawing power from other systems.)

 "Skipper, they may be laying low. I suggest we send them a message, if the do not respond,we open fire. On e chance for them to communicate."

Daphne bit her lower lip. She was expecting anything but that - the Aslan ship arguing the legality of their crime, or powering their weapons to engage them, or trying to cut and run, or barricading and using the Maiden crew as human shields... Anything but total radio silence and zero activity. That was perhaps the one case the Naval Academy hadn't prepared her for.

"Ready to blast them if they power up, Sergeant. It can still be a trap. They might have realized we have them at a disadvantage and so try to lure us inside. Mister Decker, infrared scans, I want to know if there is something alive inside those hulls. Comms again, please."

She cleared her throat.

"Maiden of the Mists, this is Damascene. Do you copy? Are you still there? We are coming to your rescue, but we need to know your status. Maiden, do you copy?" And then, switching channels, "Unidentified Aslan vessel. I am thirty seconds away from blowing you to ashes. This is your last chance, over."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Wed 10 Feb 2021.

In reply to Lieutenant Daphne Arslan (msg # 15):

"At the end of thirty seconds, blast them Captain, your word is bond. Take out their weapons and drives! I'll keep power up!"

There was a slight delay as the signal was relayed to the ship and you waited for a response. Unfortunately your senses weren't like the ones seen in the holo-vids. It wasn't a simple matter to scan for life signs, especially in a ship that was more for tactical and emergency response. However, based on the energy readings, everything seemed intact. Everything was powered up and the power core was operating at peak efficiency.

Bradon began closing the distance to the coupled ships, trying to keep out of line with the main guns. Then, after about twenty seconds, things happened.

A distorted, barely recognizable signal was picked up on the comm. It was not on standard ship to ship frequencies, but it was as if being sent from a personal comm with a boosted output. "Damascene? ... Can you hear me? ... This is ... Johnson... in cargo... they haven't found... Took rest ... captive. Something strange... Not acting like pirates..."

Even as you started picking up the transmission, the turret on top of the raider quickly swiveled and locked onto your approaching ship, powering up and preparing to fire.

(OOC: Please roll Initiative. Each person has an Initiative rating on their character sheet. Most will have a rating of one. Some might be higher. That is the number of d10's you get to roll to determine initiative. Keep each dice roll separate. The higher the roll the better. Example, if you have and initiative of '3', You roll 3d10 getting '3,6 and 8' Keeping the highest, your initiative for the combat is an 8.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:07, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

In reply to Gamemaster (msg # 17):

"Captain, the electronic signature is Imperial! They're Imperials, not Aslan! They're preparing to fire on us!"

09:09, Today: Sven Magnussen rolled 9 using 1d10.  initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:09, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

Seeing the turret spring to life, the pilot swore under his breath. "Initiating evasive maneuvers. everyone hold onto something." His brow furrowed as he pulled the yoke hard back and to the right, exposing the Damascene's belly to their attacker.

"Imperial? No way! That is an Aslan ship. Besides, last I checked I thought we were Imperial. Why thy firing on us?" He swore again, this time not under his breath.


09:30, Today: Brandon Decker rolled 86 using 1d100, unique dice with rolls of 86.  Pilot - Evasion.

09:30, Today: Brandon Decker rolled 19 using 2d10, unique dice with rolls of 9,10.  Initiative.

Daphne’s mind was racing.

Nothing made sense.

Someone (Maiden crew?) contacting them from some hiding place, the Aslan ship boarders being Imperial, the ship’s laser batteries powering up, Magnussen’s and Decker’s voices ringing in her ears… it all became a blur of frantic motion, voices, crackling static, sound and fury...

Daphne dropped into her commander’s chair, strapping in for the high-gee of the evasive manoeuvres, mind still groping around for an optimal solution to the situation. This was definitely not the Naval Academy any more…

Her consciouness was abruptly jerked into combat mode. That was an Arslan ship, whatever the signals said. She had been lectured, trained and drilled into how to maximize damage to that particular design of vessel. That was the only thing that mattered – optimizing damage output. Her eyes darted around, looking for the known weakspots, flagging the approved engagement tactics. Her eyes and mind and fingers took a life of their own, flagging target points on the Aslan ship schematics.

"Okara! Fire away, reference grid seven-thirty-five, two-oh-forty, nine-nine-three, give’em hell," she commanded, in rapid-fire patter, almost subconsciously as the instincts kicked in. She could do that in her sleep, she had spent four years practising that in all sorts of sims.

Then she switched back into the comms channel, feeling the whiplash as she crashed back into reality.

"Johnson, Damascene here - talk to me, dammit! Who are your boarders?

All the while, a sort of background noise played in her head - Lieutenant Arslan... started off her military career shooting an Imperial ship... friendly fire... court martial...

---

OOC: 15:42, Today: Lieutenant Daphne Arslan rolled 9 using 2d10 with rolls of 4,5.  Initiative (2). So I guess Initiative 5, then?

15:56, Today: Lieutenant Daphne Arslan rolled 4 using 1d100.  Command, to help Gunner determine how to maximize damage. That looks to me like a pretty darn good roll, init?

 Marine Sergeant  Okara studied the display screen, on which the firing solution was revealed. He fired the ship's weapon. ( rolled a 28)