Uplifted Koala sp 55 | hp 43 | rp 9 | EAC 24 KAC 24| fort +6 ref +8, will +6 | init +10 | Perc 11 (DV)/ UPBear Op5/Sold1
"Thanks for the scrying, not many secrets left on that ship!" "Avoiding the Starboard side, if we DO get stuck on Starboard, hold off on the nukes unless you feel super lucky"
Blinky keeps the piloting straightforward, getting out of their starboard arc, and positioning for head to head.
CG Ysoki Outlaw Hacker Operative 6 | SP 42/42 HP 39/39 | RP 6/8 | EAC 22, KAC 22 | Fort +5; Ref +9; Will +6(+2 vs spells and SLAs) | Init: +6 | Perc: +12 Low-light, Darkvision, SM: +12 | Speed 40ft | Reroll: 0/1, Coin 1/1 | Active conditions: None.
Our captain should inspire the nukes’ shot. Please. I think that’d be about +15 with either gunner and the computers. Also gives us a +14 on the particle cannon. Remember, 1s count as 2s on the dice
Male NG Human Icon Envoy 7 | SP 56/56, HP 46/46, DR: 5/-| RP 8/8 | EAC 21; KAC 22 | Fort +6; Ref +9; Will +5 | Init: +8 | Perc: +10 (DV 60'), SM: +10+d6+1
Power, Abilities, and Ammo:
Clever Improvisation: 1/1
Comm Unit 80/80
Translator 10/10
Jetpack 40/40 (2/Round or 1/Min)
Ammo (Skipshot) 18/20)
Apologies as yesterday was A Day (tm). I'm here and back.
"Alright, let's see if a little nuclear love tap makes them come around to our way of thinking.. Let's get'em!"Cannot fail the roll to Encourage. +2 to on the Gunnery!
The torpedo moves supernaturally quickly, slamming into you just as the coilgun strafes you. Looks like two hits, so 23 total damage to your forward arc.
----
Ishkitik slices particle beam across the enemy hull, cutting through its shields and doing serious damage. Pheobe, inspired by Conrad, locks on with the heavy missiles and fires. As the missile impacts the ship, however, the runes covering its hull flare and the explosion is teleported to the ships starboard side! It's using an ability that allows it to redirect damage from a hit to another arc. Both attacks hit, but one is applied to the front and one to the starboard.
Despite its magical defenses, the ship looks badly damaged, with sparks flying and gas venting from multiple places on its hull. Despite the nonsense, that's still three critical thresholds!
I won initiative this round (despite Blinky's strong roll), so we'll have to do this one in two parts. First up is engineering phase, helm phase, and your piloting.
| SP 4/30 | HP 34/34 | RP 6/7 | EAC 18 KAC 20 CMD 28 | Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +9; +1 vs. Radiation, +2 vs. Hot environmental effects | Init +0 | Perception +13 (Darkvision 60ft) | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Active (5.22 days remaining) | Stare: AC | Radiation Badge | Spells: 2nd: 3/5, 1st: 4/6 | Male Kasatha (Corporate Agent) Battle Leader Mystic (Akashic) 5
GM, regarding round 2 initiative?:
As a reminder, one of the things a Magic Officer can do is give a +2 to a pilot's initiative. I know this is PbP and things can't be done in real-time, so I was waiting for the call for Round 2 to begin before taking my actions. Given how much was gained by scrying last round, I was planning to boost Binky's initiative (roll-depending). If you would rather I not (or if +2 wouldn't make a difference), say the word and I will do something else instead.
Precognition:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
DC 19 (10 + 1.5 x our ship's tier)
Edit:
If you ask me not to do the above, Usyl will instead use Range Finding (+1) for Phoebe on the nukes, on the assumption that she'll be firing them again this round.
Either way, once you give me direction, I'll post publicly.
That's fine; I hadn't really thought about that, but it gets lost in the shuffle in this condensed PbP-efficient version of starship combat. Your bonus gets us to a dead tie, so I'll post the aftermath of that right now. For future rounds, if you're planning on doing that let's have you post it in a spoiler during gunnery for the next round so I can take it into account with Blinky's roll. Alternatively, I can roll it for you, if you'd rather.
Usyl peers briefly into the future, providing insight to Blinky as he flies! Usyl successfully used Precognition to give Blinky a +2 bonus to piloting initiative this round, which brings us into a tie! Because the enemy and Blinky have the same number of ranks in piloting, we have a roll-off, which I'll roll now for expediency's sake:
Male NG Human Icon Envoy 7 | SP 56/56, HP 46/46, DR: 5/-| RP 8/8 | EAC 21; KAC 22 | Fort +6; Ref +9; Will +5 | Init: +8 | Perc: +10 (DV 60'), SM: +10+d6+1
Power, Abilities, and Ammo:
Clever Improvisation: 1/1
Comm Unit 80/80
Translator 10/10
Jetpack 40/40 (2/Round or 1/Min)
Ammo (Skipshot) 18/20)
"Lucius is that all we got? Turn off the microwave and give it some more!"Using 1 Resolve point to try and give Lucius additional orders. Computers DC 24:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22, but fails to get the order in on time.
| SP 56/56 | HP 52/52 | RP 10/10 | EAC 24 KAC 26 CMD 34 | Fort +3, Ref +12, Will +8 | Init +9 | Perception +15 [/b] | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Inactive (8 days remaining) | Female Screedreep (Street Rat) Operative (Thief) 8
Sticking her tongue out the side of her mouth, Pheobe looks carefully at the keys in front of her, then hearing Conrad's encourgement focusees in the sights, gets the barrel into position, and shoots off another nuke towards the enemy.
With that kind of damage roll, I'm not even going to bother waiting for Ishikitik or rolling for the enemy attack.
Phoebe takes careful aim, locks on, and fires another missile which obliterates the enemy ship!
Done with Starship combat already!
------
After a moment to catch your breath, Lucius activates the special transponder attached by the Best of Intentions's engineers, causing your ship to mimic the signal of the scout you just destroyed. Following the course of its patrol, already programmed into your computer, you follow its flight path back toward the enemy fleet. As nerve-wracking as it may be all alone near the fleet, the automated ships don't seem to detect your subterfuge as you pass nearby, giving you a brief window in which to scan the fleet!
We're going to have three rounds of scanning here. Each round, either the science officer or magic officer should lead the scan (using Computers or Mysticism respectively), including any appropriate bonuses from the ship. Everyone else can make a check using a skill appropriate for their station to aid the scan (i.e. the pilot can use Piloting to keep the sensors steady, the engineer can use Engineering to boost power to the scanners, etc.; feel free to be creative here). Lucius and Usyl, please be clear in your post whether you are making the primary check or a support check.
| SP 4/30 | HP 34/34 | RP 6/7 | EAC 18 KAC 20 CMD 28 | Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +9; +1 vs. Radiation, +2 vs. Hot environmental effects | Init +0 | Perception +13 (Darkvision 60ft) | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Active (5.22 days remaining) | Stare: AC | Radiation Badge | Spells: 2nd: 3/5, 1st: 4/6 | Male Kasatha (Corporate Agent) Battle Leader Mystic (Akashic) 5
Great job, everyone!
For the first round, Usyl will try to harness the harmonic resonance lingering from the launch of nuclear weapons into magical energies to support Lucius's efforts in scanning.
Mysticism:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 (support)
If scanning is the centerpiece, I recommend we dedicate at least one of the tri-nodes to Science/Magic, by the by.
Male NG Human Icon Envoy 7 | SP 56/56, HP 46/46, DR: 5/-| RP 8/8 | EAC 21; KAC 22 | Fort +6; Ref +9; Will +5 | Init: +8 | Perc: +10 (DV 60'), SM: +10+d6+1
Power, Abilities, and Ammo:
Clever Improvisation: 1/1
Comm Unit 80/80
Translator 10/10
Jetpack 40/40 (2/Round or 1/Min)
Ammo (Skipshot) 18/20)
"Everyone, that was incredible. I'm truly proud to be part of this crew. Keep frosty, and remember your training. You got this...." Conrad encourages everyone with a calm and genuinely optimistic voice. He turns special attention to anyone who seems to be letting their nerves get to them." Diplomacy:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
CG Ysoki Outlaw Hacker Operative 6 | SP 42/42 HP 39/39 | RP 6/8 | EAC 22, KAC 22 | Fort +5; Ref +9; Will +6(+2 vs spells and SLAs) | Init: +6 | Perc: +12 Low-light, Darkvision, SM: +12 | Speed 40ft | Reroll: 0/1, Coin 1/1 | Active conditions: None.
"Yo, Usyl, I got dis. You wanna do your finger-twiddling to help out?" says Lucius, confirming what the magic officer is already doing.
Assuming that I can get the +2 for the computer, but no other bonuses have been added in. I do have a high-density datajack, and explicitly plugged in, so if that +1 counts
Let's go with gunnery, since you're using the weapons tracking system to do it (and that's more tied to your starship station).
Lucius, I think you get another +2 there from the ship's Basic Medium-Range scanners, in addition to the bonus from the computer.
Aided by Blinky's expert piloting and Conrad's encouragement, Lucius is easily able to take his initial scans. That's enough for a success in round 1, so we won't wait for Ishkitik this round.
CG Ysoki Outlaw Hacker Operative 6 | SP 42/42 HP 39/39 | RP 6/8 | EAC 22, KAC 22 | Fort +5; Ref +9; Will +6(+2 vs spells and SLAs) | Init: +6 | Perc: +12 Low-light, Darkvision, SM: +12 | Speed 40ft | Reroll: 0/1, Coin 1/1 | Active conditions: None.
Lucius keeps playing around with the sensors.
computers to scan, Computers and scanners:1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 26 Contingent on any help
| SP 56/56 | HP 52/52 | RP 10/10 | EAC 24 KAC 26 CMD 34 | Fort +3, Ref +12, Will +8 | Init +9 | Perception +15 [/b] | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Inactive (8 days remaining) | Female Screedreep (Street Rat) Operative (Thief) 8
Pheobe continues using the turret to scan for enemy threats, planning to shoot at anything odd she sees. As Ishkitik blasts away rubble, she pivots to make sure no debris hits the scope.
| SP 4/30 | HP 34/34 | RP 6/7 | EAC 18 KAC 20 CMD 28 | Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +9; +1 vs. Radiation, +2 vs. Hot environmental effects | Init +0 | Perception +13 (Darkvision 60ft) | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Active (5.22 days remaining) | Stare: AC | Radiation Badge | Spells: 2nd: 3/5, 1st: 4/6 | Male Kasatha (Corporate Agent) Battle Leader Mystic (Akashic) 5
"Just as we would sin the artisan who blames their tools for shoddy fusions or spell gems, so too we should praise those who do their duty regardless of whether or not they have specialized consoles at-hand to make their task easier. Remain focused, everyone. Try to remember that we are nearer to the wolves' den than we are to reinforcements."
Usyl tries to remain focused on funneling magical energies to aid Lucius in his endeavor.
| SP 56/56 | HP 52/52 | RP 10/10 | EAC 24 KAC 26 CMD 34 | Fort +3, Ref +12, Will +8 | Init +9 | Perception +15 [/b] | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Inactive (8 days remaining) | Female Screedreep (Street Rat) Operative (Thief) 8
"Its ok Blinky, some of this area is hard to navigate!"
Pheobe shouts encouragement to the pilot as she continues scanning the area, crossing her fingers that there isn't actually an outside force causing the ship to slow down.
Aided by Usyl, Conrad, Pheobe, and Ishkitik, Lucius is able to maximize scanning time before your ship passes once again out of range. As you loop back around behind Cantlah-4, you can beam your scans ahead to allow the analysts on the Best of Intentions to begin piecing them together.
Upon your return, Ixthia asks you once again to meet them in their command center. “Please, take a seat,” they say, gesturing to chairs around a circular table in the center of the chamber. Around the room, monitors display up-to-the minute information from a myriad of sources. At the center of the table, a holographic projection displays the automated fleet.
“Thanks to your surveillance, we finally have a clear picture of the enemy presence in this system. Their fleet is composed of supply frigates and troop dropships, protected by dozens of fighters forming a defensive perimeter. All of these vessels are controlled from this command ship.” They tap the hologram of the destroyer at the center of the fleet, which enlarges to fill the projection. “If we can take it out, we take out the whole fleet. Easier said than done, of course, with a whole armada between us and their flagship. Even if we had the firepower, the cost in agents’ lives would be too steep.
“There’s one more complicating factor: your scans revealed the presence of life forms on the command ship. A frontal assault might doom any prisoners they’re holding—another cost I’m unwilling to pay. That’s where you come in.”
The view zooms out again to show the whole fleet, this time with the addition of Starfinder ships approaching from several fronts. “The bulk of our fleet will engage the enemy here,” they say, pointing to a section of the projection, “while a smaller force breaches the enemy perimeter on the far side. That squadron has one job: to get you to that command ship.
“You’ll be aboard a special assault craft which should be able to breach the enemy hull on the lower deck, here.” Ixthia points to a place on the enemy ship, just forward of the thrusters. “Once inside, find their Drift engine and disable it. We don’t want them to flee the system once they realize what we’re up to. After that, make your way to the bridge. From there, you should be able to take command of the whole fleet. Oh, and see if you can free their prisoners as well.
“Our fleet will only be able to go toe-to-toe with them for so long. I can’t promise you more than 20 minutes before we’ll have to pull back, so you’ll need to work fast!” With that, they look to you, ready to answer whatever questions you have.
| SP 4/30 | HP 34/34 | RP 6/7 | EAC 18 KAC 20 CMD 28 | Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +9; +1 vs. Radiation, +2 vs. Hot environmental effects | Init +0 | Perception +13 (Darkvision 60ft) | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Active (5.22 days remaining) | Stare: AC | Radiation Badge | Spells: 2nd: 3/5, 1st: 4/6 | Male Kasatha (Corporate Agent) Battle Leader Mystic (Akashic) 5
Usyl stands to attention before speaking. "Given the size of this armada and the advanced nature of their robotics, how certain are we that this single point on this single will actually enable us to control the entire armada? The strategic consequences of such a singular vulnerability in any armed force...this smacks of something I've only heard about from starfighter holovids - thermal exhaust port chain reactions and such."
"Also, approximately how many life forms were detected? Do we have any information on their proximity to the bridge, or if there is any reason to suspect that they are in fact prisoners and not guiding this robotic force?"
Uplifted Koala sp 55 | hp 43 | rp 9 | EAC 24 KAC 24| fort +6 ref +8, will +6 | init +10 | Perc 11 (DV)/ UPBear Op5/Sold1
"If we can't secure the bridge, do we have a way of detonating the ship? If they run solid counter penetration and drive us back then it will only be a matter of time before they bring the thing back on line"
| SP 4/30 | HP 34/34 | RP 6/7 | EAC 18 KAC 20 CMD 28 | Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +9; +1 vs. Radiation, +2 vs. Hot environmental effects | Init +0 | Perception +13 (Darkvision 60ft) | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Active (5.22 days remaining) | Stare: AC | Radiation Badge | Spells: 2nd: 3/5, 1st: 4/6 | Male Kasatha (Corporate Agent) Battle Leader Mystic (Akashic) 5
Usyl Hayet Esmar wrote:
Usyl stands to attention before speaking. "Given the size of this armada and the advanced nature of their robotics, how certain are we that this single point on this single will actually enable us to control the entire armada?
That should be "this single point on this single ship will..."
| SP 4/30 | HP 34/34 | RP 6/7 | EAC 18 KAC 20 CMD 28 | Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +9; +1 vs. Radiation, +2 vs. Hot environmental effects | Init +0 | Perception +13 (Darkvision 60ft) | Active Effects: None | Armor Environmental Seals: Active (5.22 days remaining) | Stare: AC | Radiation Badge | Spells: 2nd: 3/5, 1st: 4/6 | Male Kasatha (Corporate Agent) Battle Leader Mystic (Akashic) 5
Blinky 'Bamboozle' Bluegum wrote:
"If we can't secure the bridge, do we have a way of detonating the ship? If they run solid counter penetration and drive us back then it will only be a matter of time before they bring the thing back on line"
Usyl nods at this question, and follows up with another.
"And this assault craft - is it durable enough to breach the hull of the enemy vessel and still be space-worthy afterwards in case we need to make a hasty exit, with enough cargo room in case these life forms are indeed prisoners in need of rescue?"
CG Ysoki Outlaw Hacker Operative 6 | SP 42/42 HP 39/39 | RP 6/8 | EAC 22, KAC 22 | Fort +5; Ref +9; Will +6(+2 vs spells and SLAs) | Init: +6 | Perc: +12 Low-light, Darkvision, SM: +12 | Speed 40ft | Reroll: 0/1, Coin 1/1 | Active conditions: None.
"Aw, Usyl, don't you worry none about that. Lucius can fix it up good." says the ysoki. "And if not, well, I am sure that if we need, I can hotwire one of their smaller cargo ships, or whatever we need. Or even fly that big bad boy home.
"No, don't you worry none, you got The Rat on your side!"
It is at that exact moment that his comm unit decides it would be appropriate to play Abysshead at maximum volume.
Usyl stands to attention before speaking. "Given the size of this armada and the advanced nature of their robotics, how certain are we that this single point on this single will actually enable us to control the entire armada? The strategic consequences of such a singular vulnerability in any armed force...this smacks of something I've only heard about from starfighter holovids - thermal exhaust port chain reactions and such."
"Fairly certain, based on your scans, and on an analysis of their patterns of movement. That central ship seems to be running the whole show. I agree that it seems like an odd tactical decision, but then again we don't really know enough about these robots or where they came from to have a full picture of why they made such decisions."
Usyl Hayet Esmar wrote:
"Also, approximately how many life forms were detected? Do we have any information on their proximity to the bridge, or if there is any reason to suspect that they are in fact prisoners and not guiding this robotic force?"
"I'm afraid we don't know how many, just that there was a strong presence in one room and a faint one in another. They seem to be concentrated on the lower deck, but we don't really know enough about the enemy ship to know for sure where the bridge is. Beyond that, we don't know much at all. You'll have to evaluate the situation as you go."
Blinky 'Bamboozle' Bluegum wrote:
"If we can't secure the bridge, do we have a way of detonating the ship? If they run solid counter penetration and drive us back then it will only be a matter of time before they bring the thing back on line"
"You're experienced Starfinders with a wealth of technical know-how between you. I'm confident you can figure something out if you choose to go that route. I'll add, though, that destroying the command ship may not disable the rest of the fleet. It's possible only an active stand-down signal sent from the command ship will do that, so try your best to gain command of the bridge before resorting to such measures."
Usyl Hayet Esmar wrote:
"And this assault craft - is it durable enough to breach the hull of the enemy vessel and still be space-worthy afterwards in case we need to make a hasty exit, with enough cargo room in case these life forms are indeed prisoners in need of rescue?"
"Your breaching craft is very durable--it had better be, given the nature of your entry. It may be fairly difficult to dislodge, however, and certainly isn't meant to accommodate more than just you six."
Male NG Human Icon Envoy 7 | SP 56/56, HP 46/46, DR: 5/-| RP 8/8 | EAC 21; KAC 22 | Fort +6; Ref +9; Will +5 | Init: +8 | Perc: +10 (DV 60'), SM: +10+d6+1
Power, Abilities, and Ammo:
Clever Improvisation: 1/1
Comm Unit 80/80
Translator 10/10
Jetpack 40/40 (2/Round or 1/Min)
Ammo (Skipshot) 18/20)
Conrad looks at the whole plan, "This feels a bit like a suicide mission.... " he grows quiet and serious.
"Love it! I'm happy to be a part of it! Let's do this!" He checks his gear, "Any specialty tech to help us out? We got a super accurate map of the ship layout?" Now he's all smiles.
CG Ysoki Outlaw Hacker Operative 6 | SP 42/42 HP 39/39 | RP 6/8 | EAC 22, KAC 22 | Fort +5; Ref +9; Will +6(+2 vs spells and SLAs) | Init: +6 | Perc: +12 Low-light, Darkvision, SM: +12 | Speed 40ft | Reroll: 0/1, Coin 1/1 | Active conditions: None.
"Conrad, baby, they just said that they 'don't really know enough about the enemy ship to know for sure where the bridge is'. says Lucius, shaking his head. "Starfinders these days."
He then pulls a bottle of something out of his left cheek, and takes a swig. "Anyone want some?"
