[SFS_Aerondor] 01-03 Yeasteryear's Truth (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

As you continue on, the recording plays again, although the quality is badly distorted.

At the same time an orbital platform slides out from behind a nearby moon.

And I'm likely to be not posting for a week. Still the sooner you get your posts up (include a pilot check) the better. Please see hte map for a star-field layout

"That looks bad," Silveras mutters, wide-eyed. "Uh... I'm gonna need a scan of that station. Klitch, Scarlet, get ready to start blasting, I've got a feeling this is gonna get real bad, real quick." He leans in closer to the Pegasus's viewport as if to get a closer look at the station.

Medium range sensors so -2 for range (we are 12 hexes away I think), and I'd go for using one of the Computer's +1's. Making a DC 10 Computer roll to Aid Another for +2 to the main roll

Zeta keeps on typing away, checking the range to the station that just appeared, and calling upon the computer to bring some power to help in scanning, while trying to align the array to also help in the main Science Officer's scan.

Computers: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Ha, not in pieces! It is because we would rather talk than be blow to bit yes? I get the joke!"

Scarlet moves to her gunnery position and is locked and loaded..

"Ready to fire!"

Zeta smiles, happy his circuits got a humorous comment out and understood... by another Android.

"I suspect that's an automated warning," Hesperrio says as he switches the ship over to manual control. "Probably the thing that drove away the first ship."

Pilot's Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

I posted my hexagonal facing ship icon on the slide. If you don't mind, as the pilot, I would like to at least use it for our ship (blue is Pegasus, green is enemy... I was running Claim to Salvation, so green for goblin).

"I'd venture to say that you're right, Hes," Silveras says taking a step back from the viewport. "On both accounts, I'd guess."

pilot: 1d20 ⇒ 12

The platform continues toward the Pegasus, sending out static warning messages.

You are all able to act, fire, move the Pegasus etc. Hesperrio, if you can include a pilot check for next round, but obviously we are not there yet.

Klitch depresses the button for his microphone. "What are we gonna do Captian?" he whispers, as though the approaching platform were trying to listen in.

"Seems like we should blast it. That thing reminds me of a boss from Splatterbots!"

"If this really is the thing that drove the previous Starfinders back, we can't take any chances," Silveras says with a determined expression. "Klitch, Scarlet, let's blast that thing to smithereens."

Piloting (Evade): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 DC 14 = +2 AC & TL

Hesperrio pilots the ship in what he hopes is an evasive pattern as he brings the starboard laser cannons to bear.

"I don't think there's anyone to negotiate with," the lashunta cautions. "If we can scan that thing to see how much hurt it can launch at us, please do it."

Piloting (Initiative Round 2): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Computers: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Aid Another - scanning

Zeta tries to prepare the scanner array at the main Science Officer computer bank... but is distracted by the talk of shooting about be going on, and does not really help for the upcoming scan.

Silvaris sends forth a stream of comments to the station, trying to confuse it. Kitch meanwhile sends a stream of particles at it, blasting away at its staboard shields.

Crew, bold to post
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Gunner Scarlett +4
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6)
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Pilot Hesperrio +5 (evading)
Science Officer Zeta (+5)

Status
Platform : Starboard shields 9 damage;
Pegasus: Evading

Kimp diverts some power to the engines so that the Pegasus can be extra-evade-y this round.
Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

"Oh yea! Fire!"

She fires the starboard gun at the shields!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Dam: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

Kimp fives the engines a little extra boost, which is just enough to upsets Scarlet's gunnery. Her laser goes soooo close, but quite quite close enough to damage the stations.

The station itself launches a drone that locks onto the Pegasus...
pilot: 1d20 ⇒ 11

The station is quick to react...

Hesperrio, you have to move first this turn

Crew, bold to post
Pilot Hesperrio +5 (evading)
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Gunner Scarlett +4
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6)
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Science Officer Zeta (+5)

Status
Platform : Starboard shields 9 damage;
Pegasus: Evading; movement bonus (+2)

Zeta tries to assess the size of the station... is it like a small or large spaceship? An asteroid? A moon?

Yeah... of course. Otherwise it would've been too easy. Silveras thinks to himself as the station spits out a drone. That explains why the other Starfinders had to retreat.
He turns away from the view and assesses the situation. "Alright, plan of attack: I think we should focus on taking out the station first and hope that we can keep the Pegasus flying right. Otherwise, we'll be playing a perpetual game of catch up," he announces over the ships comms. "Klitch, when able, keep up the good work and keep hitting the station. Scarlet, try to take out as many drones as you can, though like I said, it's gonna be a game of catch up depending on how fast those things come out. Zeta, Kimp, it's up to you guys to keep us from falling apart; though Zeta, see what you can learn about that drone. And Hes, fly like your life depends on it."
He glances back out to the station and the incoming drone and mutters to himself: "Iomedae knows, all of our lives might."

By the way, did we learn anything from any of the earlier Computers checks?

You were not close enough to do any computer checks for detailed scans until in combat, and I only saw one such check that was a failed aid-another. The platform is a medium sized spaceship. The drone is tiny.

Fair enough. I was just curious.

Hesperrio brings the Pegasus' forward laser to bear on the drone while trying to maintain evasive movements.

"We definitely need to take out that station," Hesperrio agrees, "But don't let the drones have too much freedom, either."

Piloting (Evade): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 DC 14 to gain +2 AC & TL

Pilot (Next Initiative): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

The Drone platform maneuvers around, putting its port shields towards the Pegasus, while it launches a second drone.

The first drone zips up behind the Pegasus and tries to attack from the rear quarter!

Crew, bold to post (round 2)
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Gunner Scarlett +4
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6)
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Science Officer Zeta (+5)
Pilot Hesperrio +5 (evading) (init 24 for next turn)

Status
Platform : Starboard shields 4 damage;
Blue drone : attacking (range 1)
Green drone : just launched this turn (range 10)
Pegasus: Evading; movement bonus (+2) (range 11)
After shields - 4 damage;

"IT HAD A BABY?!" Klitch observes rather loudly. When Silveras calls out his plan, he sticks his ear right up to the speaker. "Aye, aye Captain!"

He quickly grabs the joystick again and continues to fire at the platform. "BAH BAH BAH BAH BAH BAH!" he calls out, hoping his own machine gun noises improve his performance. When his rounds hit his target, he narrates futher. "KA BOOOOOM!"
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Did my taunt work earlier? The DC would've been 15 + 2 x target ship's tier, should've posted that with my roll. If so, the platform's rolls should be at -2. If you're already factoring that in, then never mind me. Also, reminder to everyone, the ship gives us +2 to Computers checks, +1 to Piloting checks, and we have two +1 that we can add to any two checks per round.

"Oh boy, another one..." Silveras grumbles. "This is just gonna keep happening. Scarlet, let's try to take one of those out."

Encourage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 DC 17 to add +2 to Scarlet's Gunnery check.

Checking the distance to the mobile platform, Zeta sees that it is in range, and so he focuses the scanner array on it, to try to gather and analyze data about this enemy.

Scanning: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Comp' +5 w. +2 from onboard Computers ; no range problem ; DC = 10+tier+countermeasures

Klitch sends a stream of projectiles from the coil gun into the platform, but they are absorbed by the port shields.

The Taunt worked so far as Silveras is aware.

Pangea scans the platform and realises it has no living crew, it is all run by computers. It is classified as a medium starship drone platform with speed of 6 and average maneuverability.

Crew, bold to post (round 2)
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Gunner Scarlett +4 (+2 this round)
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6) - encouraged Scarlett.
Pilot Hesperrio +5 (evading) (init 24 for next turn)
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Science Officer Zeta (+5)

Status
Platform : Starboard shields 4 damage; port shields 9 damage;
Blue drone : attacking (range 1)
Green drone : just launched this turn (range 10)
Pegasus: Evading; movement bonus (+2) (range 11)
Aft shields - 4 damage;

"Aye!"

She manuvers the gun in the direction of one of the drones and fires!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24
Dam: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

"Direct Hit!"

Kimp attempts to redirect some extra power to the guns that Scarlet is firing.
Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 but gets distracted by the drone popping out of the bigger ship, and mis-types.

Scarlet fires at the lead drone, causing a bit of a chain reaction. It is not destroyed, but is badly damaged.

The defences relocate

Crew, bold to post (round 3)
Pilot Hesperrio +5 (evading) - Move the pegasus,
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Gunner Scarlett +4 (+2 this round)
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6) - encouraged Scarlett.
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Science Officer Zeta (+5)
Baddies - moved, yet to fire

While not bolded, after Hesperrio has moved the Pegasus all crew may act, just make sure if you are firing that your firing arcs are correct. When moving, remember that gunners can each fire two guns, so if you are surrounded you actually end up with more firepower.

Status
Platform : Starboard shields 4 damage; port shields 9 damage; (range 14)
Blue drone : attacking (range 1)
Green drone : attacking (range 1); 11 damage;
Pegasus:
Aft shields - 4 damage;

platform pilot: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Pilot (Flyby), Ship: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25 DC 24, shoot, thought it was 19 or take AoO from green. If works, no AoO and get to shoot with any arc at the green drone.

Hesperrio quickly taps several icons on the screen and then pushes the throttle hard. "Hold on tight! Shoot them if you've got them!," you all hear in your heads as the Pegasus accelerates and corkscrews around the drone right in front of it. He then turns and gives chase toward the automated satellite, trying to bring its port side into range.

Edit: Hot dog!

"Wooo hoooo!" Klitch squeals as the Pegasus gets put through some tight spirals and loops. Seeing the port side of the Orbital Platform is in range, he fires the turret at it again. "Pew Pew Pew! Make sound effects Scarlet! The guns fire faster if you do!"
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I don't know about doing so without incurring minuses, but as a Gunner you can use the Fire At Will action to fire two guns regardless of arc, but you take -4 to both rolls.

If yall think it's prudent I will fire a will.

Scarlet fires one gun, then rushes to the other to continuing her assault on the drones..

Attack 1: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Attack 2: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Dam 1: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
Dam 2: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

"I'm not sure this is better than focusing on one gun.."

You know what, I was misreading stuff. Still new to starship combat, I thought gunners could fire at two targets even without fire at will. Oh well, live and learn.

Hesperrio tries an audacious stunt, narrowly avoiding the drone to the front of the ship, but opening it up to Scarlett.

Klitch opens up on the platform, getting a solid shot that took out its port shields.
Although to be honest I think you should have hit the aft shields from your current location, but you are only one hex out.

Scarlett finds the tiny drone a tough target to get a fix on, but still manages to land one weapon on it, which must have hit something important as the drone explodes.

Crew, bold to post (round 3)
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Science Officer Zeta (+5)
Baddies - moved, yet to fire
Pilot Hesperrio +5 -pilot 24 for 'init' on turn 4)
Gunner Scarlett +4
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6) - encouraged Scarlett.

It has been over 24 hours, so others can post actions for Engineer Kimp and Science Officer Zeta this round

Status
Platform : Starboard shields 4 damage; port shields 10 damage; hull 11 damage;
Dead drones: 1
Blue drone : attacking (range 10)

Pegasus:
Aft shields - 4 damage;

Computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Comp' +5 w. +2 from onboard Computers ; no range problem ; DC = 10+tier+countermeasures

Again trying to figure out what they are up against, Science Officer Zeta tries to scan the platform.

Zeta uses the proximity to its advantage, doing a deep scan of the platforms defences.

AC 14; TL 13;
70 hull points on max; and 40 shields when on max (10 per quadrant)
Core PCU is 100.

"What was that, Zeta?" Hesperrio asks. "It's that bulky? We're going to need to hammer that thing."

Kimp-bot tries to restore their aft shields.

Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Zeta shares the information provided by the ship computer with all via, their comm' links.
AC 14; TL 13;
70 hull points on max; and 40 shields when on max (10 per quadrant)
Core PCU is 100.

The blue drone, obviously put off by the bold maneuver fires, but is a long way off hitting the Pegasus. The platform launches another drone...

Kimp redirects power to the Aft shields which firm up.

The computers on board react quickly to the starfinders moves.

Even with a 24 you lost initiative this round, move the Pegasus

Crew, bold to post (round 4)
Pilot Hesperrio +5 - just move the Pegasus, and any stunts you want to make.
Baddies - waiting on starfinders to move the pegasus
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Science Officer Zeta (+5)
Gunner Scarlett +4
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6) - encouraged Scarlett.

It has been over 24 hours, so others can post actions for Engineer Kimp and Science Officer Zeta this round

Status
Platform (red): Starboard shields 2 damage; port shields 7 damage; hull 11 damage;
Dead drones: 1
Blue drone : attacking (range 10)
Green drone
Pegasus:

Sorry about that, weekends are tougher for me than weekdays as far as getting a post in (kids are less forgiving than my job, when it comes to posting time, LOL) Thanks for the bot, GM!

No worries, my life is the same. Normally I'd not hurry you must this is the first encounter as such as the second session for the gameday is only another three weeks.

Piloting (Evade), Ship: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10 vs. DC 14 for +2 AC/TL

Hesperrio, recognizing the computer-manned station has the advantage over him, flies in an evasive pattern to the direct path of the slower, bulkier station.

"Be ready to fire if it opens itself to attack!" (I.e. be ready for the AoO)

Piloting (Initiative), Ship: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17

The orbital platform backs off from the Pegasus, while the two drones swoop in on the starboard side of the Starfinders.

The Pegasus is rocked by their on-target blasts, the shields hold, but barely. Yet another drone is ejected from the platform.

Crew, bold to post (round 4)
make.
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Science Officer Zeta (+5)
Gunner Scarlett +4
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6) -
Pilot Hesperrio +5 - init 18 for next round
Baddies -

Status
Platform (red): Starboard shields 2 damage; port shields 7 damage; hull 11 damage;
Dead drones: 1
Blue drone :
Green drone :
Pink drone:
Pegasus: starboard shields (7 damage)

Scanning: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Comp'+5 w.+2 from onboard Computers ; no range problem ; DC = 10+tier+countermeasures

Trying to get more info' about what they are up against, Science Officer Zeta tries to scan the platform to gather intel' on the weapon array and the payload, meaning how many more drones there might be.
Having moved closer, and perfectly aligning the sensors, the android feels it will get the best reading it can.

"We need more gunners," Hesperrio urgently requests.

Pangea scans the drone facility. It appears there are still another eight located in the launch bay of the station.

Crew, bold to post (round 4)
make.
Engineer Kimp Engineer (+11)
Gunner Scarlett +4
Gunner (turret) Klitch +5
Captain Silvaris (Intimidate +7, Diplomacy +8, Bluff +7+1d6) -
Baddies -
Pilot Hesperrio +5 - init 18 for next round
Science Officer Zeta (+5)

Status
Platform (red): Starboard shields 2 damage; port shields 7 damage; hull 11 damage;
Dead drones: 1
Blue drone :
Green drone :
Pink drone:
Pegasus: starboard shields (7 damage)

Unless directed to do otherwise Scarlet keeps firing at drones.. Firing twice, hoping to bring one down..

FIRE!!: 2d20 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 and two misses.. Dam moto being an ass here..

"Why does it keep running awaaaayyy?!" Klitch whines. Without a clear shot at the station's weakened shields, he follows Scarlet's lead. "MORE GUNS, MORE GUNS, MORE GUNS!" he chants as he fires the weapons.

"Awwwwww..." he mutters pathetically as the shots become consumed by the infinite blackness of space.
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