There is no Azlanti communication, or at least, not using the same encryption that they were using the last time they attacked. There is, however, background communication using a known Pact Worlds encryption which Gardathir broke weeks ago. Essentially, there's a Pact Worlds blockade checking all ships in the system, looking for suspected "terrorists."
Morgrym's comm frequency has been deleted, though you're not sure if it was deleted in order that it not be used, or if Morgrym deleted it that it not give him away.
Esh notes there is one comparatively large Stewards interdictor near the second defensive platform, and that there is currently light fire being exchanged from said platform and the interdictor.
Sharlavaka tilted his head, confused. "Not entirely unanticipated. Does the Revenge have sufficient firepower to make a difference again the Interdictor?"
He humms to himself, wordlessly passing through screens and trying to get a good scan of the ship.
The Interdictor is Size Huge, about 1500'. It has a crew of at least 50. There's nothing super-awesome about it's weaponry; it's a very old design, armed primarily with Heavy Lasers (4d8). It's AC is less than that of the Revenge; you can easily hit it. It's big advantage is a gravity beam, which will do significant damage and can, if you're unlucky, lock you in stasis. However, the ship is slow (speed 7 or less) and cumbersome.
If you could get some pilots on some of your fighters, it would be like a pack of hyenas against an injured zebra (in earth terms).
"Can we approach from the opposite side of the planet, can we bypass the battle?" Sharlavaka asked. They needed pilots, and the planet should have them.
Note that the first defensive platform, the one further out, is devastated, it does still show dwarven life forms. The second, closer-in platform is the one where the battle is taking place.
"Isis, direct us towards the platform, but please try to avoid their notice. I'll try to establish contact with the platform and inform them of our backup. And to get some of them waiting for us in the hangars." The elf comments, before trying to find a way to link with any working consoles on the platform.
Whether it be due to damage or the platform station's technical defenses, Esh finds himself stymied with creating any sort of data-link. However, he is able to get a get a message broadcast in short burst Gardathir code; the Pact Worlds navy should assume it's solar activity, given Zothune's proximity to its sun.
Within a few tense seconds, a response is returned. Ready for battle in the lower hangar.
The interdictor does not seem to have noticed your presence or the communication.
Sharlavaka moved towards the airlock. It wasn't likely that this was a fake out or anything, but he didn't want to let a load of enemy pilots pile into there shiny new ships.
Isis doesn't know how she's going to "fly casual" enough for a slew of starships not to be noticed, but she does a "Greater Evade" for 12 hexes at a time, DC 20: piloting , ,,,.
Isis doesn't know how she's going to "fly casual" enough for a slew of starships not to be noticed...
Isis manages to pilot the Revenge to the platform, only being noticed during the landing process. There are about 30 Dwarves there, enough for 15 vessels with pilots and gunners. Does Isis want to let Vera take the Revenge and grab one of the fighters? Unused fighters can sit idle on the platform (not all the Dwarves are pilots, so you can't man all the fighters by putting one per).
Isis takes a fighter.
The Elf looks at the alien fighters they're leaving to be piloted, a brief though in his mind of taking one for himself. It was dismissed quietly and without fuss. His place was on the bridge.
Sharlavaka got ready to provide fire support from the Revenge's guns.
The Elf looks at the alien fighters they're leaving to be piloted, a brief though in his mind of taking one for himself. It was dismissed quietly and without fuss. His place was on the bridge.
The Fighters (F1-F5) represent flights of 3 each, to simplify. "Is" is Isis' fighter.
Esh, since you're on the bridge, if you want to shout instructions to Vera, feel free.
Round 1, Engineering Phase
"Full power to engines, Cap...er...Vera, Esh, whoever's in charge up there."
Speed increased to 14 this round (T12 thrusters +2).
Round 1, Helm Phase, Part 1. Initiative.
Vera:
Fighters:
Interdictor:
Isis?
Isis init What's the range on the dark matter beams?
Range Medium (10 hex increments).
Vera reacts earliest, launching the Revenge headlong toward the Interdictor, though dipping low. Esh also acts during the helm phase.
The Elf stands at his station, face clean of seat and utterly calm. He's done this a hundred times before, after all. "Targeting enemy vessel's weapons. Try and score me a lucky shot or two, Sharlava."
Next ship in initiative is Isis. Do you want to move or force the others to move first? (reminder; this is our house rule. High initiative can choose to either move or follow RAW, which is that the low initiative moves first to allow you to react).
Have the enemy ship move first please.
Have the enemy ship move first please.
I'll treat you as flight commander for the Dwarves. I assume you want them to hold as well?
Sure.
The interdictor lumbers slowly forward. Isis and the Dwarves now move.
Isis and F5 move 1 hex NW with “Glide” straight at the Interdictor, Isis adding 5 ranks to AC and TL for the round on top of the 5 she already adds, pilot DC automatic, and she fires her dark matter beam 10 hexes, AC for damage.
F4 move 1 SW and 3 NW. I’m assuming a turn radius of 1.
F1 move 4 NW.
F2 move 2 hexes N and 7 hexes NW.
F3 move 3 hexes N and 3 hexes NW.
All end up 10 hexes from the Interdictor and can fire their weapons. If you give me the Dwarves’ gunnery score, I can roll for them. (Either I roll for them in batches representing three at once or I roll 15 times, your call.)
Gunnery Phase, Round 1
..and she fires her dark matter beam 10 hexes, AC
If you give me the Dwarves’ gunnery score, I can roll for them.
Isis' shot is a solid hit against the interdictor, though it's shields soak the damage.
Sharlavaka on the coilgun
"Confirmed," Sharlavaka messaged back to Esh, focusing the coilgun on the enemy ship's weapons and any potential power conduits leading to them. Maybe they could kill the ships system and capture it. Old and outdated was better than nothing.
Sharlavaka grumbles a bit as his shot goes wide.
The Dwarves launch nuclear missiles. None of the missiles will reach their target this turn, but several are on target.
Additional fighters
F1:
F2:
F3:
F4:
F5:
The Pact Worlds warship fires its gravity gun at the Revenge, seeking to snare the vessel, while the front facing lasers open fire:
The gravity gun crushes around the Revenge, downing the front shield and damaging the Starboard side by 11. Current Shields (clockwise) 0/4/15/15.
The laser also hits center, dealing a full 21 HP in Hull damage (current 44).
Top of Round 2; Engineering Phase
Esh can also post Captain actions here; remembering he wanted to just continue the target lock from last phase. Otherwise, a change in science officer actions will happen in the helm phase.
"Dammit, Vera, take it easy up there! Those are real guns they're shooting!"
Restore power to front shields:
Front shields at 9 (9/4/15/15)
"Sharlavaka, try to follow this arc pattern." Esh says, quickly compiling a rudimentary targeting vector and sending it the Vesk's way.
Round 2, Helm Phase. Isis, helm check for initiative, please.
Vera:
Fighters:
Interdictor:
Isis init
Have Interdictor move first.
Vera moves first, actually, taking the opportunity to get the hell out of dodge before the nukes hit the Interdictor.
The Dwarven fighters follow Isis' lead and hang back waiting for their opponent to make a move. the missiles strike the Interdictor now! Massive damage occurs as the heavy explosives cascade through the vessel's front shields and expose portions of the crew to radiation.
The interdictor cannot now follow both the Revenge and the fighters. Seeing the fighters as the bigger threat, they continue lumbering forward (six more hexes).
Isis' move, followed by the other fighters.
Interdictor's forward and port shields are down.
After deciding to stand still rather than zip past the Interdictor, Isis comes to a halt and fires her dark matter beam. Gunnery for . Not only do we all get to fire at the vessel's vulnerable front, it will almost certainly pass thru an occupied square, which generally gives a free shot.
Round 2, Gunnery Phase
Isis fires her weapons.
Revenge's Dwarven gunners fire the gryrolasers.
Unfortunately, they're in the 2nd rank for the short range weapons.
Sharlavaka can fire the chaingun at any time. (you're still in 1st rank for the chaingun).
Annoyed at the lack of accuracy he seemed to be able to get from space weapons, Sharlavaka took a breath to focus and fire the twin-linked weapon once more.
Sharlavaka's chaingun strike hits, downing the rear shields of the interdictor and causing some carryover damage to the hull.
The Dwarven fighter flights now take their shots at close range.
"Switching to...um...these weird beam weapon thingies. Don't want to toast our own stones with a nuke at this range."
F1:
F2:
F3:
F4:
F5:
Escape pods start launching from the interdictor as all systems go off line. A voice from the comm unit is begging for you to accept their surrender as their engineers frantically try to keep the engines from going.
Sharlavaka messaged Esh. He seemed to be the default captain now, at least for now. "Recommend accepting the surrender. The Interdictor could be useful. Also, good PR to accept."