Medium Augmented Magical Beast
Speed 6 - Turn 2 (Average Maneuverability)
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High AC, Lower TL
High HP
Low Shields - Uneven shielding (more shields on sides)
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Immune to Fire
Swimming Momentum: Can't take the turn-in-place action
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<More information still available with another scan>
Medium Starship
Speed 4 (normally 8) - Turn 2 (Average Maneuverability)
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Balanced AC and TL
Medium HP
Shields largely depleted
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Immune to Fire
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Forward and Aft weaponry.
<More information still available with another scan>
Looking at the readouts, Captain Flint swears again--the inferno whale is almost on top of the fleeing ship. We need to hit it NOW!
"We've got to hit the inferno whale RIGHT NOW or it will swallow that ship! Give me full missiles and guns!" The readout says the whale has a lower TL than AC, so Flint adds, "We really need you on this one, Ambassador!"
"Most of our targeting spectrums are being overwhelmed by the sun's energy outputs, switching to manual controls." Ordyt flicks the viewscreen over his eyes, picking out the silhouette of the Inferno Whale against the overwhelming brightness of the star.
The tungsten rod goes hurling into the void of space, cleanly missing over the Inferno Whale's open maw.
"Having trouble getting a lock, Captain. Updating telemetry data."
Sammad hears Flint's orders from his station. "Well, I'm doing what I can, Captain, but I'm admittedly new to this."
Sammad stares through the viewscreen, picking out the whale's aft and trying to align his targeting reticle on it. As soon as he does so, he presses the firing trigger, sending a missile rocketing towards the foe!
Round 1 - Open Spoilers for Details
Belmarniss takes the ship in a tight arc and includes a spin to dodge any fire from the whale.
The Inferno Whale attempts to maneuver tightly around the fleeing ship, but its massive bulk and momentum mean it takes a wider arc than intended.
The Inferno Whale's jaws bite down on the the port side of the fleeing ship, tearing through the remnants of its shields and piercing the hull. Thankfully, it doesn't seem like the attack has managed to depressurize the craft, and the fleeing ship manages to pull free of the jaws.
Ordyt fires the coilgun and sends a round off into the void.
Sammad has better aim, and at first it seems as though the missile is heading right for the whale. Unfortunately, mid way through it loses its target lock and explodes early.
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Current Radiant Fire Status:
HP: 55/55
Shields (F/P/S/A): 15/15/15/15
Current Inferno Whale Status:
Shield Damage (F/P/S/A): 0/0/0/0
HP Damage: 0
Current Fleeing Ship Status:
Shield Damage (F/P/S/A): 0/x/0/0
HP Damage: -29
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Intent on its prey, the Inferno Whale doesn't even seem to notice the Radiant Fire approaching from its flank. It'll likely take a solid hit to get its attention.
Round 2 Init:
You guys move first!
Disappointed by the misses but heartened that the fleeing ship is still functional, Captain Flint calls out more orders in the hopes of scoring a hit on the dangerous creature.
”Helm, let’s assume the inferno whale is going to continue to chase the fleeing ship and bring us up behind it, closing at full speed!”
”Mari, your call on engineering or sensors, but I sure would like to know if that whale has a weak spot.”
”Give me another full spread of guns and missiles!”. Flint continues, ”Just breathe and focus, Ambassador. You can do this.”
Sammad does indeed take a deep breath. He closes his eyes and contemplates, feeling fire well up in his chest as he turns Flint's words over in his mind.
My bloodline are the greatest warriors of the Eternal Flame. I rejected their calling, but their blood is my blood. And their fire...
He opens his eyes, aligning the targeting reticle again.
...is my fire too.
He cracks a smile, showing sharpened teeth. "As ordered, Captain."
Once again, a missile lances through the void toward their target...but misses by some distance, exploding automatically.
"Aye, running a deeper scan on the whale," Mari replies. "పని, మీరు యంత్రం!"
She leans back with a satisfied grin, watching the data roll in.
The oread slows his breathing, guiding the reticle to lead the void monster. Just as he feels he has a lock, the beast's jaws clamp down on the ship. Worried about hitting the vessel Ordyt hesitates just a bit too long before firing the coilgun.
Medium Augmented Magical Beast
Speed 6 - Turn 2 (Average Maneuverability)
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High AC, Lower TL
High HP
Low Shields - Uneven shielding (more shields on sides)
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Immune to Fire
Swimming Momentum: Can't take the turn-in-place action
Limited Multitasking: Can only take a piloting action and one other action each round.
Starship Digestion: As a melee attack on a disabled starship, can ingest remains and convert into mineral matter.
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Attacks:
Forward arc bite (melee, rips through shields, 8d6 dmg)
Forward arc fire breath (short range, 6d10 dmg)
No other attacks.
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Round 2 - Open Spoilers for Details
Belmarniss continues zigging and zagging to avoid any potential fire, and continues closing the distance on the inferno whale.
The Inferno Whale maneuvers much more tightly this time, coming up right on the fleeing ship's tail.
Chomp! The jaws bite down once more, shields flickering feebly as they blunt the blunt the impact. This time the aft of the fleeing ship is damaged - the engines that were already struggling seem to sputter out, before a jet of plasma starts gushing out of the point the whale bit down.
For a moment it looks like they've been disabled entirely - but then the jet ceases as some internal systems seal things off. The engines return to a feeble glow. It won't be fleeing much longer.
Ordyt fires away with the coilgun but does little more than send a round glancing off the extremity of the inferno whale's shields.
Sammad has Flint behind him this time, but his aim is well off the mark with the missile.
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Current Radiant Fire Status:
HP: 55/55
Shields (F/P/S/A): 15/15/15/15
Current Inferno Whale Status:
Shield Damage (F/P/S/A): 0/0/0/0
HP Damage: 0
Current Fleeing Ship Status:
Shield Damage (F/P/S/A): 0/x/0/x
HP Damage: -52
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It almost looks like the inferno whale is toying with its prey. Over comms, Doctor Suloro looks frantic once more. "It's not stopping! Is there anything you can do!?"
Round 3 Init:
You guys move first!
Marisol's feeling of self-satisfaction evaporates upon seeing the sunship take another devastating hit from the creature. Time to try something different. Moving the sensor display aside, Mari brings the power distributor back. Reaching for the reserves again, she sends more energy pouring into the ship's weapons. "Ordyt! Sammy! You're both getting some extra juice, so aim straight and make the space cow pay for ignoring us!"
All right, you big bastard, let's see if this gets your attention.
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"One more hit and that ship is done for," thinks Flint. Time to go for broke! The orders stream out of his mouth almost faster than he can think...
"Helm, keep us on its tail and close as much as you can! We need to hit its weak aft shields!"
"Mari, if you can boost our speed or our weapons? We need to distract that beast!"
"Guns, it is now or never. Make it happen."
"Sammad, I want you to grab that missile in your bare hands and shove it down that whale's blowhole if that's what it takes. We CANNOT have another miss!"
Sammad's mouth drops open, and he almost snarls a retort, "Perhaps you'd like me to get out with my pistol?" He pats a spot over his right hip, then gives a broad wave towards the viewscreen of his station. He inhales deeply, composing himself, then looks to Flint. "...Forgive me. I'm just a better shot in person than through instruments. But I'll try better this time, Captain."
And indeed he does, pulling up a visual of the whale. It moves sinuously through the void, just like the creatures he's seen in holovids as a youth. Its movements are regular, he realizes. If only he can predict it and time his shot properly...
He lines up the reticle and fires, sending yet another missile streaking through space towards the whale...
"This thing has shields?! Is that true of all of them, or is that something generated by its cybernetics?"
Glaring at the monster through his targeting screen, Ordyt takes another shot.
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Round 3 - Open Spoilers for Details
Belmarniss takes the Radiant Fire on a direct path at the whale, swinging just enough from side to side to dodge any retaliation - if it comes.
The Inferno Whale attempts to fly a tight arc to attack a different section of the fleeing ship, but its bulk once again defeats it.
In a stroke of good fortune, the Inferno Whale's jaws don't manage to get good purchase on the badly damaged ship. The fleeing ship pulls free unscathed this time.
Ordyt's coilgun shot deflects once more off the outer shields of the whale. It flicks its tail in what *might* be annoyance, but its hard to tell with a creature so alien.
Sammad sends a missile on a hopeful arc towards the whale, but its prodigious heat seems to cause the missile to fly crazily off target at the last minute.
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Current Radiant Fire Status:
HP: 55/55
Shields (F/P/S/A): 15/15/15/15
Current Inferno Whale Status:
Shield Damage (F/P/S/A): 0/0/0/0
HP Damage: 0
Current Fleeing Ship Status:
Shield Damage (F/P/S/A): 0/x/0/0
HP Damage: -52
----
The Inferno Whale has definitely noticed you. But with its prey so clearly crippled in front of it, it doesn't let up the assault.
Round 4 Init:
You guys move first!
”I know how to get it’s attention, but it’s going to be dangerous and require a damn fine bit of flying. You up to it, Helm?” Captain Flint looks over at Belmarniss with a quirky smile...
Captain Flint gets a telltale gleam in his eye and starts barking a set of astonishing orders...
"Helm, we're going to fly up to point blank range and unload a full array of guns and missiles right up its aft, then peel off to starboard in as tight a turn as you can manage."
"Engineering, give us as much speed as you can."
"Guns and Missiles, fire as we fly by on its aft quadrant."
"Even if we miss, we will certainly get its attention!"
"May the Dawnflower herself guide your hand, Knight-Lieutenant."
Captain Flint chooses discretion as the better part of valor and gives the expected commands...
"Helm, bring us in directly behind it, steady as she goes."
"Engineering, give us the best possible damage with the weapons."
"Guns and Missiles, fire a full spread at the whale."
"My apologies Ambassador. We have two missiles left. Wait for your best shot at our closest approach."
"You got it, Cap!" Mari yells, as she throws all the spare power she can find into the engines.
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Belmarniss looks a little put-out at Flint's response.
"Oh...that wasn't what I was thinking...let's do your idea, that's better. Ramming this thing with our bough would probably be a poor tactical decision."
She zooms forward towards the whale, ready for the flyby!
"The righteous stand before the darkness, and the Spirit shall guide their hand!"
Sammad turns towards Flint as he processes the order. "Pardon me saying so, Captain, but that plan is completely crazy...." A small grin forms on Sammad's face, and an almost...mischievous twinkle shows in his eyes. "I pray it works."
And he does pray, a small missive directed to Feronia, the Fertile Flame. Oh Mother of Flames, let your fire be mine. Together we will burn away all adversity.
He feels heat flow into his hands as he grasps the triggers again, aligning the reticle again and letting loose a missile at the whale!
Belmarniss looks a little put-out at Flint's response.
"Oh...that wasn't what I was thinking...let's do your idea, that's better. Ramming this thing with our bough would probably be a poor tactical decision."
She zooms forward towards the whale, ready for the flyby!
"The righteous stand before the darkness, and the Spirit shall guide their hand!"
[dice=Piloting]1d20+5+1