Kenth wasn't technically late, maybe. Sure he was several paces behind Beef but he could still her everything. Moving quickly to join the others, "Well there is the old saying. Better late than never. Not sure everyone would agree with that though."

Beef claps a back here and there, checks his watch, then 'tsk, tsks' as Victor, then Hammar & Xabet (together of course) come down in the lift, and is just starting in with the expected "All right, let's get this going" when Rourke, vape in hand, steps out of the lift in his baggy coveralls.  "Sorry, Beef." he hollars in his somehow lazy-sounding voice from the far end of the hangar, definitely not hurrying. "Doan lemme inneroupt,   Sir."

"Right" says Beef with a resigned tight smile, waiting until he's a at least little closer.  "So - yes, at ease, all.  Couple of bullet points I want to hit here, as we've got about three hours before we come into the Coyn System.  First is : nice tour in Merisee and Korad.  Stayed together, worked well, took on some new, and transferred out some as well, and learned that LTJG Elone (Zam) was picked up, a good deployment.  Sometimes it was a little choppy on the operating side, but you all held up well.  Good communications, good team work, wingmen coved your marks, marks did some hitting.  No drama, just good flying.  Arry, I've mentioned you in dispatches.  It was 'just' a missile, but if it had cost you your life, you'd be up the Imperial Merit Nova.  A few of the bridge crew though it was - and I quote "the Texaz" - which means nothing to me, but apparently it means outsize heroism on Zeltros.  There's an officer or two that believe you should have rammed it, just to make sure, and that you didn't is somehow caviler. Other factors as well.   But I know good flying when I see it.  Also, Hammar, Shadea, Kenth; first kill.  You're on the board!

Next, let's talk about flight assignments.  I think I'm going to move to a 12 on/12 off system.  Arry, Kenth, Zinda; you're Flight A, Shadea, Victor, Yahn; Flight B.  Should Bombers or Assault need escort, the On-Duty Flight will handle; if it turns into a scrap, we'll get an order to have everyone go.

Third: Coyn System.  Read up all the data on the downloads; Coyn is an interesting place.  We may get to visit, but we'll likely be here six weeks; that's the word, that we're going to all move on a schedule, like a clock.  Nice to have a schedule that we know about in advance, eh?  Anyway, interesting system, interesting people.  It's also the system that's linked to the rest of the galaxy, through the Coyn Route, which ends in Tantra, if you recall, on the Rimma Trade Route.  Means there's a lot of traffic.  Also, one of Coyn's biggest 'exports' is mercenaries, and their whole culture is pretty trigger-happy.  Painting someone with your target aquisition can be viewed as an invitation to shoot, and we're not to get into fights without express authorization.  On the other hand, they become distrustful of anyone who runs away, so that's bad too.  We're to show peaceful strength, and make sure there's no contraband, trafficking, or rebel shenanigans, but also not start fights."  He looks kinda blankly at you all - "I'm not exactly sure how that's supposed to work, but I trust you all."

"Lastly, look, I know the ship is crowded, that's life in the Navy.  There's been some complaints from the marines - who are living eight to a room, by the way - as well as some of the rates that we're not leaving the common spaces, especially the showers, clean after - I know, I know.  Just passing it on.  The Myrmidon is your home, but not really."  Beef cracks a smile, and both he and Rourke say in tandem "We share it with bugs" heh heh.

"Ok, questions?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:30, Wed 20 Dec 2023.

Zinda beams as the commander says they did a good job in Merisee and Korad. She cheers for Arry, Shadea and Kenth at the mention that they got kills.
On the other hand, she is visibly puzzled by the instructions about Coyn, and further annoyed by the complaints about cleanliness. She can't help but feel it's a poke at her about being a farmgirl, or maybe Arry for being an alien. She pouts a little.
"Umm, sir, we are allowed to defend ourselves if fired upon, right? This isn't one of those 'check with high command first' peacekeeping missions?" she asks.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Wed 20 Dec 2023.

"Great question." Brent smiled as diplomatically as he could.  "The short answer that that it's not a peacekeeping mission, and we're the Empire, we don't back down from anyone."  He paused a beat "But the longer answer is more compli"

Suddenly the ship slammed out of hyper in an emergency stop; the lights went red and klaxons sounded.  Brent, who had leaned well forward in his chair at an untimely moment is thrown to the floor; Xabet, who had been leaning on Hammar, banged her head pretty hard into the deck as she went down.  "Launch, Launch!" cries Brent from the floor "Get someone out there!"

Zinda yelped as she fell on her rear. "Oww! What in-" she begins but cuts out as Brent calls for them to launch. She goes to her locker and hurriedly changes to her flight suit, leaving herself a bit of a mess.

Kenth had never experience dropping out of hyper so abruptly. Sure he had heard tales and such, but it wasn't something that was part of training. So after he managed to extricate himself from a couple of chairs he had managed to knock over he raced toward his locker. Now this was something they had drilled them on. He was suited and headed back to his fighter in a matter of moments.

Quickly climbing in he brought the drives and systems online. Hitting the comms, "Usk 22 ready for launch."

Kenth and Zinda were first to their fighters, with others scrambling, at least to get a pressurized helmet on; the drop-launch bay force field being both in the 'floor' of the hangar bay, and a little wonky, you all have been warned to keep clear, and keep your helmets close.

Rourke has elbowed the on-duty Vanger off the controls, and he's the one that answers and Kenth. "You're away" he says, more clipped than usual, as he punches the field and the mounting magnets release.  There's an odd 'flip' as you leave the grav field, Kenth, and your Tie drops seamlessly into space...


Zinda, your Tie is on-line

Arry, you're scrambling for your gear, as is Shadea, Victor, & Yahn.  Hamar's trying to get a reserve helmet for Xabet, and Brent is headed to the  with Rourke.

Zinda manages to scamper into her fighter, hoping she didn't give anyone a show while she was frantically changing into her flight suit. "Zinda, here I go! Um, I mean, Esk 21 ready for launch" she says, belated remembering to show proper military discipline. Inside, her mind is racing. What could have possible hit the ship? Who would directly challenge the mighty empire?

Who indeed?

First Usk 22, then Esk 21 pop through the force shield and are out; ion engines thrumming in the vast darkness between stars...

"Bridge to Flight: Stand By, Stand By.  Running sweep and diagnostics, Over."

OCC: Let's see some rolls for Init, and whatever else you're doing.  If you're not sure, roll naked d20's and we'll use them as needed.

As the Tie dropped through the field Kenth rolled her over once and oriented her toward the bow of the marauder. Switching the sensors to their highers setting he beg a quick scan for anything.

 OOC:
09:25, Today: Kenth Felaeon rolled 18 using 1d20+2 ((16)).
09:26, Today: Kenth Felaeon rolled 22 using 1d20+8 ((14)).
09:27, Today: Kenth Felaeon rolled 8 using 1d20 ((8)).

As Kenth engages his thrusters and moves in that way (How does one navigate in space anyway? Like what 'directions' are used?  I'll post my ideas in the OCC thread.) Arry too drops through the hangar force field, and into the dark...

Data starts to come in on Kenth's system...

In reply to Sienar (msg # 13):

Zinda looks around for possible attackers or damage to the marauder itself. "I wonder what the insurance costs are on one of these things" she muses.

08:30, Today: Zinda Seshani rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Spot. – 9
08:28, Today: Zinda Seshani rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Intiative. – 18

Shortly after Arry slips through the hangar field, bridge is back on comms with a patrol order for you three and a standby for the rest of the squad...

there's nothing out here, but some sense that something must be, or must have been - emergency drops don't (rarely?) happen by accident...

But what was it?

Zinda starts her patrol, although only after she stares back at the ship. "What in the galaxy was that? If we were being ambushed I think they missed the opportunity. Well, patrolling. Think it's time for my knock-knock jokes yet?"

One of the faults Kenth had with the Tie was its lack of sensors. Oh it had them but they were the bare minimum needed to fly it.

"Not yet. Sensors are showing traces of a recent hyperspace jump. And there is something causing a lot of cloudiness we best keep our focus."

He swung into their standard formation for patrol as he thought about different things that could cause a ship to drop out of hyperspace aside from a large gravitational disturbance.

"Copy that Usk 2-2, maintain patrol."

The bridge is as curt as ever, though that's to be expected from a military vessel.

After a while, the assault shuttle launches, and kind of boxes around some of the area where the 'cloudyiness' was, while the Myrmidon moves over to where the possible jump was.

Other than an order to widen the patrol, there's nothing in particular, and eventually you're called back.

As you park your TIE on the rack, you can see that the hangar is practically filled with techs, and as you get out, they're all over your fighters.  Interestingly, the ISB officer was on the shuttle as well. As she gets out, she speaks with Brent, then motions to you three before heading back up the pneumatic lift.  The Red Alert status is over, so apparently the Bridge got what they needed; might be a while to recalculate hyperspace from here, wherever here is.

When you're (if you're?) out of your flight suits (and pending other things you want to do) Brent motions you over.

"Hey so, great work getting out the gate so fast.  In general, the TIEs are a liability in the hangar, and an asset in space, so with any emergency, we'll want ships launched asap.  So undoubtedly, you saw the Lt.  She wants to talk to you; 'informally'" he says as he waggles his fingers in the air.  Mess Hall on Q deck, 1400 hrs [It's currently 1327] so you have a little time.  Again, nice work, you're free to stand down; I'll get another pair out there while we're on hold."

Then he turns toward where Shadea & Victor are waiting at the forward end of the hangar, and calls out, his nasally voice piercing the din of the techs all over your machines - "Hey, Osk! Taske!  Launch when able; don't lose any of the Techs.  Standard CUP ('Combat Unit Patrol'), stay close, dunno when we'll want to get back on track."

[Post up whatever here; interact with the techs etc. and when ready, I'll have a ISB-Mess Hall thread open.]

Alas, the joy of flying is over all too soon. Zinda works diligently on the patrol but is clearly puzzled and frustrated by their failure to find anything. When the three of them return, Zinda frowns at the techs swarming over the ties. Normally, she's quite friendly with the groundcrew, but here she calls out "Hey, be careful with that! I need it to do my job". However, soon, she's more nervous than upset. "You don't think there's anything wrong with my fighter, do you? I'll still be able to fly?" she inquires.
Wehn Zinda has changed out of her flight suit she sighs and collapses into a chair. "Thank you, sir" she begins in her usual cheery way, but follows up with "Um, did she say what about?"
She looks at Kenth and Arry. "So, anyone catch anything I didn't?"

Kenth nodded to Brent, "Yes Sir." He quickly headed to the locker room and got out of the flight suit. Yeah thirty three minutes was very little time and he doubted the LT. would appreciate them being late.

Returning to where Zinda had taken a seat he stopped and leaned against the wall, watching as the techs swarmed over the fighters. "The fighters will be fine, my guess is they are taking samples and scanning for any residuals of whatever that cloud was we flew through."

He had been thinking about it since they he first spotted it. Wondering what could have caused it, some sort of weapon test maybe. Pushing the thoughts aside for the moment he smiled, "What time do you all want to head to the Mess?"

"They can take all the residue they want as long as none of it got on me" Zinda replies. "And they don't break my TIE. I only wish they would let us give them names."

"Not too early, just going to make me nervous. What do they want to talk to us about? If you're all secretly spies you've been keeping it quiet real well." she jokes

"Oh yes, I'm pretty inconspicuous," Arry replied dryly. "But yes, it's probably about what we experienced and saw, and she's probably going to want to compare it to our write-ups, so we have that to look forward to. I do wonder about the techs. This is not normal." She made a face "But then again, neither is getting yanked out of hyper...I mean, I think it's not. I don't have that much experience. But who's heard of this? Not me."

She thought for a moment. "A large enough gravity well could potentially pull a ship out of hyper but unless it was mobile, it would still be here. Do the rebels have anything that can interdict an Imperial vessel?"

That would be a potential game-changer for the Rebellion and something to look into but that was not the job for a TIE pilot. The ISB and Intelligence would handle that.

"Time? I was thinking that 1400 would be the right time. Early or late to an ISB meeting seems like both would be bad?" Luckily, she had built up some credit with their resident ISB officer; saving a life tended to have that effect and she did so at great risk to her own. As the Commander said, she wouldn't end up on recruiting posters, but the crew knew what she had done, even the ones who thought she should have stayed in her fighter and rammed the missile.

And maybe her uncle had already heard about her actions. Having him as a patron could only lead to bigger and better things.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:58, Sat 13 Jan.

"Not much to tell them. I fell on my butt, I spun my tie in a few circles and I spared Kenth my knock-knock jokes... this time" Zinda says. "I've never heard of something the rebellion has to pull ships out of hyper like that, but ties don't have hyper so it's not something I've really looked in to."
"Wanna be a little early. Even on a ship this size there's things that can slow us down, and I doubt the ISB is understanding about them."

It gets significantly louder in the hangar as the techs now are using a vacuum cleaner on the wings of Kenth's TIE.  They seem pretty excited about it.

"You are quite probably correct. Early it is," Arry replied and began walking towards the Mess. If nothing else, they could get something to eat whilst they waited.

"What is a 'knock-knock' joke?"

Zinda start walking along with Arry. "Plus, it gets us away from this racket." She smiles when Arry asks her about knock-knock jokes. "Oh, you knock, they ask who, you deliver the punch line. Like knock knock, who's there? Tank. Tank who? You're welcome." She grows thoughtful for a moment. "You don't think ISB is going to give us a hard time because of who we are?"

Kenth paused for a moment watching the techs as they swarmed over the fighter. Whatever that cloud was it was causing quite a buzz. Maybe he could talk with one of the techs later, see what the scuttlebutt was. This was one of those times he regretted leaving the tech core. And being a bit of a science geek didn't help his curiosity either.

He caught up with Arry and Zinda in time to here here last comment. "Well I suspect ISB doesn't really need a specific reason to give anyone a hard time. But it is probably just like Arry said statements about what we saw and experienced. Then they will compare it to what we put in our reports."