GM Zoomba's Cornered Rat (Inactive)

Game Master Zoomba

Gameplay thread

The Lorespire Complex on Absalom Station remains as buzzing with activity as ever, but this section of the building is oddly abandoned. Each of you woke up this morning with a summons for a new mission. And one personally sent by the First Seeker herself no less: Luwazi Elsebo!

The Society leader gave no indication of what your mission would be about, but her message emphasized its urgency. And given the year-long struggles the Starfinders have had with a vicious smear campaign orchestrated by the AbadarCorp director Datch - and the fact that the infosphere is abuzz with rumors of an impending possible corporate shakeup in the galaxy's largest corporation - you certainly have your suspicions it might be related to the mischievous ysoki.

Regardless, you've made your way to the specified meeting room. And now you patiently wait for Luwazi to explain what it is she's gathered you for...

Feel free to introduce yourself in character to each other!

Sefel is clearly a very nerdy Lashunta. He doesn't want to tell you about how he is an out-of-work software engineer, pulling side-gigs with the Society only until something opens up (it's been a long time). However it's obvious anyway the way he nervously fidgets, while at the same time his antennae rub together in a way that mirrors his fidgeting hands.

He plays with a fidget while waiting for fellow agents or a VC to shwo up.

A disheveled man with shoulder-length, untidy black hair enters the room. His jumpsuit is wrinkled and looks to have been slept in, but his eyes are bloodshot. He barely glances at Luwazi or Sefel, and mumbles by way of greeting only "'sup?"

A vaguely humanoid creature with a plantlike body and four long vines in place of arms enters the room. Its head is a mottled orange color and has no obvious features, so you have no idea if it may be looking at you at any given time. It walks slowly around the table, one appendage grazing the back of each chair until it finds an unoccupied one and has a seat.

You hear a voice in your heads. <Greetings. I am Kosigan. I believe I have been selected for my adaptable nature and ability to withstand harm. It will please me to work with you all.>

Varuthalla looks like an unusually tall and gangly vesk, with vivid blue and purple whorl colourations. Over the course of the coming briefing, you notice that her whorls slowly change and move across her scales, reminiscent of storms on gas giants seen from afar. Her steps are oddly airy - almost like she's moon-walking in low grav rather than in the Standard Gs of the Lorespire Complex. She's wearing light armour that looks custom-fitted, and is carrying a small armoury of exotic weapons with her - one looks like a blob of living chitin with two wandering antennae with a grenade launcher attached to its undersling, and one bears a containment field holding what looks like a tiny black hole.

"Morning, fam. Oh, hey, Kosigan!" she'll give the khizar an exaggerated wave, knowing that their motion-sense isn't the strongest. "Must be serious if they've called you in. Anyone have any clue why Elsebo's gathered us?"

<It is pleasant that we meet once more,> the khizar responds, <and fortune smiles on us that it is in a location with few breakables. Alas, I know not why we are called here, but your presence is also likely to aid in our success.>

As you all meet (and re-meet) each other, the door opens once more to reveal Luwazi Elsebo. The First Seeker gives an appreciative but tired smile as she looks about the room to confirm your presence. "Good, you were able to come. I appreciate it Starfinders. You all have proven to be invaluable as field agents many times over these past few years. And I need your expertise one final time."

Luwazi heads into the conference room and moves towards the head of the table. Moving the chair there aside she remains standing while typing some access credentials into the table's embedded datapad. A photo appears on a large screen on the room's wall of a white-furred ysoki in a sharp business suit. "This is Datch: a dangerous individual who has been causing us no end of trouble since our return from the Scoured Stars." Luwazi explains. "As you probably know, the nefarious ysoki has engaged in a multimedia smear campaign against the Starfinder Society. Simultaneously, she's also been behind several very real acts of sabotage and subterfuge against us and our holdings. And most recently, Datch has taken on the position of director within AbadarCorp, handling the massive organization’s security within the Pact Worlds."

“She’s not going to stop there. While we have begun to unravel her schemes, Datch has initiated some initiative to oust AbadarCorp’ current executive archdirector, Iseki-Okaibo, in a vote of no-confidence. AbadarCorp’s board is preparing the vote as we speak. If she is successful, Datch could create a massive power vacuum in AbadarCorp and the religion of Abadar, enabling her to continue to corrupt the corporation from within."

“Thankfully, we now know where we can find information that we can use against Datch in the coming vote.” Luwazi presses a button on her datapad, and a three-dimensional image of a cluster of asteroids replaces Datch’s picture on the screen. The First Seeker continues, “During a recent mission, a group of Starfinder agents found information about the location of a hidden installation in the Diaspora established by Datch and currently inhabited by various Laoite servants." She pauses to smile knowingly at Gil-Oloth and then looks confused as she can't find the elf

“I’ve sent a task force in advance to examine the area who have returned intel on the exact location of the Laoite installation. Due to your positions as some of the Society’s most senior agents, I want you to take the spearhead on the attack against the Laoite facility. We’re expecting heavy resistance, so I’m sending a fleet of combat-ready ships to go with you. You’ll be leading the Prime squadron of the First wing, which is the vanguard of our attack force."

Luwazi stops talking for a bit and takes a seat in the chair, giving each of you some time to absorb the mission she is assigning you.

An elven woman in white toga, lies, lavishly not on a seat, but on a confortable couch.
White vapors floats around her, coming from a hooka installed on the couch and the little sip she takes from it.
The couch itself is well maintained, even if numerous cables, wires and circuits seem to come and go through it, as well as some vines that grows all around. Regularly, two mechanical arms sprout from the couch, making tea, opening cans and serving the elf.

In a half asleep voice, the elf in the couch says May the Dreams be kind to us, May the Stars guide us to our next journey.
I listen to the Stars, I look at the Voices and Here I am. Never late, always in time.
I'm Gil-Oloth, Dreamer of the Stars. I hope this mission will not be too tiring. I don't like when they are... especially when I fall in a garbage collector...

After a silence, and remembering the mission she adds I Dream of Datch falling into that Garbage Collector. Lets make sure she stays in there as the filth she is.

"You say that a task force scouted this Laoite installation - did they do a threat assessment? Any idea of what to expect once we arrive? I know Datch has an...infuriating habit of being one step ahead of us."

Luwazi types on the pad as she responds to Varuthalla. The projection on the wall shifts to display a series of asteroids, with one modest-sized one highlighted.

"This base is located in a part of the Diaspora we hadn’t really explored much before. According to our intelligence reports, the asteroid the base is built inside is about 1,000 feet across. There's some sort of atypical basalt mineral covering it that is interfering with the task force's sensor scans."

"As for defenses? Our scout missions revealed the presence of various drones patrolling the space around the base. They greatly resemble drone ships our agents encountered near Stabrisis-14, but our sensors revealed they are different; more advanced. Plus the region of space is swarming with small asteroids ranging from small rocks to the size of the asteroid base, so fly carefully out there."

"As far as inside the facility itself?" Luwazi shakes her head in frustration. "We have no idea. From what Gil-Oloth and the other learned it was founded around a sect of Lao Shu Po worshipers so I'd expect Laoite cultists or assassins. And whatever else Datch may have set up inside."

As this base is strongly associated with Laoites, a Culture or Mysticism check might jog your memory about some info on that faith.

Varuthalla nods as she tries to remember what she knows about Laoites.
Culture: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Gil-Oloth searches in her databank everything she knows on the Laoite.

Library Chip Mysticism/Culture (take 20): 20 + 16 = 36

Looking a bit jumpy, Troivayan scraches the back of one hand with the chewed-down nails of the other. "Facility, traps, villain. Been there done that. Let's get on with it then."

Mysticism: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

You would know Spoilering b/c a lot of text:

"Good." Luwazi nods to Troivayan. "Other teams and ships are being readied in the hangers. We have several Drakes, Pegasi and Azatas ready for you, whichever your group feels most comfortable flying as the tip of the spear."

She pauses, then adds "One more thing. As you may already know, my term as First Seeker is coming to an end. The Forum is preparing to elect a new First Seeker, and Starfinders have been integral in our selection process. This may be the last mission that I will assign, so I want to use the opportunity to thank you for your hard work during the last two years. You are the best of the best that we have, and it has been an honor to work with you.” Luwazi smiles. “Make me proud once last time.”

<Datch is too cunning a foe to rush in unprepared, though it seems our intel for this mission is limited.>

<As this is likely to be a combat mission, I recommend a Drake-class starship.>

<I do have a contact from my last run-in with Datch who can acquire inexpensive medicinals. Allow me the time to rendezvous with them before we depart, if possible.> Checking a box on the Purchasing Power boon to buy a mk 3 serum of healing for 975 credits.

Varuthalla gives Elsebo a crisp, Damoritoshan, salute. "It's been an honour, ma'am. And - don't be a stranger. Don't tell Radaszam, but, your missions are always the most fun," she'll say with a smile.

Varuthalla agrees with Kosigan on the choice of a Drake (Unless anyone has a spare Gorgon lying around?), and will likewise stock up (on hearing we're fighting Laoites, she'll burn her spending money on a Mk 2 serum of healing, and a Mk 2 antitoxin.)

"Damn, shouldn't've spent all my money on new weapons...wish I had that auto-injector now," she'll think to herself.

At first, Sefel is taking in Gil-Oloth's appearance, and wondering what the whole "dream" theme is about. Then it's mentioned she was there at the base in person and he becomes more interested in what she saw there.

So you know your way into this place?

Mysticism: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34

Sefel isn't particular about the starship choice, Drake sounds fine.

After a puff from her hooka, she responds to Sefel in her dreamy voice No, not where were going, but where we were. A place of shadows and darkness. A place where we face challenges, assassins and deception. A place where we learn secrets from Datch, from her origins and backup plans.

Turning to the First Seeker she says It will be my honor to serve you one last time, especially on this mission.

Sounds like the Drake it is then :)

Luwazi gives a surprised salute back. The expression playing across her face shows how touched she is at your responses. "Get the job done. But be sure to get back so you can tell me about it in person."

Gathering yourselves and your gear, you can head to the hanger and load up your flagship. True to the First Seeker's word many other Drakes and even a couple of Gorgans are also being equipped and manned by other Starfinders. You are designated as leading the 'Prime' squadron of the mini fleet however, with three other ships - callsigns Prime 2, Prime 3, and Prime 4 under your direct command. For operational surprise, rather than fly in realspace from the Station into the Diaspora the fleet once ready jumps into the Drift, with plans to retransition back onto the Material right at the installation's proverbial doorstep.

If you have any boons the time to slot them in is now (can post in the Discussion thread). Note that the 'Data Stalker' Social Boon from 2-20 does have an effect in this adventure

After a day of awkward Drift travel getting ready for a cosmologically short hop, one by one, the ships of the Starfinder fleet exit the Drift, appearing in a neat formation near a large cluster of asteroids within the Diaspora. Moments later, First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo sends a message to all ships in the fleet: “Stay alert! According to our intel, the Laoite base is directly ahead within that cluster of asteroids. Our sensors cannot detect any enemy ships, but don’t be fooled—they’re out there, hiding and waiting in ambush. Stay in formation. Prime squadron, lead us closer to the cluster at a steady speed.”

The assembled squadron continues its appraoch. In the distance you can begin to make out your destination - one asteroid amongst thousands drifting through the Diaspora, unidentifiable if you didn't know what you were looking for. Suddenly, the sensors begin to ping with extra heat sources registering.

One of the scouting ship near the tip of the formation barks out <Prime 1 this is Gold 3. Turret encampments around the target. Preparing to evade and engage to clear a path.>. The asembled Starfinder cradft each begin to break into smaller squadrons as dozens of defensive turrets begin roaring to life and start firing on your approach!

STARSHIP COMBAT COMMENCING!

Round 1
Engineering Phase
Helm Phase
Gunnery Phase

So a map has been posted, showing four turret defenses covering you approach and preventing a safe landing on the asteroid. Because they are stationary, the 'initiative' portion of combat isn't relevent here (since they're not moving) but the rest will play out as normal.

Note as mentionned you have three other allied ships in your specific squadron (other squads are dealing with other turrets). To simplify their presence, during your Helm phase you can assign each of them a target (the same target or different ones) and during the gunnery phase they will each fire on and damage their target(s).

Much of the surroudning space is filled with asteroids, as noted on the map (this is the Diaspora after all!) If you enter a hex with an asteroid, you will take damage to your front quadrent unless your pilot succeeds at a DC 24 Piloting check (note this can't be done as part of a separate stunt). A ship ending its movement in an asteroid hex has +2 to AC and +4 to TL

No, not where were going, but where we were. A place of shadows and darkness. A place where we face challenges, assassins and deception. A place where we learn secrets from Datch, from her origins and backup plans.

I see! Still, good to have you along with your knowledge!

His antennae continue to dance nervously through his interactions.

--------------------

Will wait to see what our approach path looks like. Seems Sefel's best actions are to help with Locking On to one of the turrets.

Varuthalla's ready to go in the gunnery turret. "Get us within range, Gunnz, and I'll give 'em the...well, the guns!"

Then

A maraquoi rushes into the briefing room clearly out of breath. "Sorry, boss, got held up at with, well, you know what it's like with seven of us." Met with what is probably a blank stare, the maraquoi continues, "Plants. Less complicated relationships, but probably less fun as well. Hi, everyone, I'm Kuaieyo, and I do the talking whenever this fellow realizes that fists, or what passes for fists in its case, won't do the job."

Now

As Kosigan heads down to the weapons station, Kuaieyo surveys the field. "This asteroid field seems almost unrealistically cluttered, but I know that won't bother you, helmswoman. Plot a course through."

Diplomacy, Encourage Pilot: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

Gil-Oloth takes the engineer's couch and starts working on the different systems of the Drake and quickly tries to push the engine to get closer faster to the turrets.

Divert (Engines) Engineering DC25: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28

If successful, the starship’s speed increases by 2 this round.

Botting our pilot per Discussion
Gunnz will bring us in nice and easy towards the top-most turret, so we can stay out of range of the southernly ones. Evading to try and present as small a profile as possible.
We end up 13 hexes away from Blue Turret, which is unfortunate since the forwards-facing missiles has speed 12, but is good news for the persistent particle beam?
Gunnz Piloting with Encourage, Evade DC 25: 1d20 + 24 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 24 + 2 = 27
LOL it's a good thing Gunnz is good at this :D

Science officer Sefel, seeing the need for someone to fire guns in this moment, jumps to the forward gun and fires the particle beam.

No sense in "locking on" if there's no other gunners left this round :)

10 ranks in piloting, DEX+4, took one of the +3 ship bonuses this round
gunnery vs BLUE, particle beam damage: 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 4 + 3 = 1810d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 5, 2, 5) = 43 -_-

Oh, I was just botting Gunnz, not actually moving Varuthalla from Gunner to Pilot. No worries, though - the Drake has armaments to spare!
Varuthalla lines up a targetting lock on the Blue Turret, and fires off a heavy plasma torpedo from the Fore. The plasma torpedo has Speed 12, so it'll be just in front of the turret this round, lol.
Gunnery with one ICM +3: 1d20 + 9 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 6 + 3 = 20

Your Drake starts to make its way up towards the turrent, taking evasive manuevers as it goes. Nearing, Sefel fires out the ship's particle beam while Varuthalla launches a torpedo. As you do, the three nearest turrets let loose shots themselves as beams of antimatter launch out towards you!

Red Beam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 for damage: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 4, 2, 5, 6, 6) = 31
Blue Beam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 for damage: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 2, 5, 3, 4, 6) = 33
Yellow Beam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 for damage: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 1, 5, 6, 2, 3, 3) = 26

And miss, as does Sefel

Troivayan: if you'd like to have fired one of the remaining guns in Round 1, please do so now.

Please al indicate which turret(s) your three ships are attacking this turn!

Round 2
Engineering Phase
Helm Phase
Gunnery Phase

If we're starting at the top and working down, do we want to direct Primes-2, -3, and -4 to flank at the bottom, with Green, in Round 1?

@GM Zoomba: I'm assuming my 20 missed the turret's TL in Round 1, and that torpedo is lost?

I'll continue botting Gunnz in the Pilot's Seat, until directed otherwise.

Gunnz strikes me as a devil-may-care kind of pilot, so they'll pull us up alongside an asteroid, feeling confident enough to use the asteroids for cover without crashing into them.
Gunnz Piloting with ICM+3 to use Asteroid Cover: 1d20 + 24 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 24 + 3 = 30

Gil-Oloth yawns as she diverts the power core energy towards the drake's weaponry.

Engineering Phase Divert DC25: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35

All "1" dice damages become "2"

She takes a sip at her hooka and puffs some smoke.

I like that plan for directing the other primes. Make it so!

Sefel returns to the science officer station and programs the Drake's targeting to Lock On to BLUE.

Lock On, DC20 Computers: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28 +2 to all gunnery vs blue this round.

If you have at least 6 ranks in Computers, you can lock your starship’s targeting system on to one enemy vessel. You must spend 1 Resolve Point and attempt a Computers check. The DC equals 5 + 1-1/2 × the tier of the target starship + its bonus from defensive countermeasures (see page 298). If you succeed, your starship’s gunners gain a +2 bonus to gunnery checks against the target for the rest of the round. This action can be taken only once per round.

Kuaieyo turns to the officer operating the particle beam (Varuthalla?). "Time for you to show us what you're made of. Take that one out."

Diplomacy, Encourage Gunner: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

@GM Zoomba: I'm assuming my 20 missed the turret's TL in Round 1, and that torpedo is lost?

It did sadly, yes

While your beams and missiles missed, the Prime-trio despite none of them actually being 'prime' what with call-signs starting with 2 :p streaks towards the 'south'-most turret. Under the coordinated barrage, the encampment shudders before finally exploding!

As your pilot moves the ship ahead (and into some cover), Gil-Oloth primes the guns and Sefel locks on the targeting while Kuaieyo roots Varuthalla on. The vesk feels primed for a good barrage!

Round 2

Engineering Phase
Helm Phase
Gunnery Phase - FIRE!

Varuthalla's shipmates can hear the smile in her voice, and she says, "showtime, Laoites!" before (spending the free RP) letting loose with a Broadside!
If I understand correctly, the +2 from Kuaieyo's Encourage only applies to one check, but the +2 from Sefel's Lock On applies to all? If so, applying the Encourage +2 to the Heavy Antimatter Missile Launcher (HAML).
P. Particle Beam vs AC: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 16
HAML vs TL: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 25
L. Particle Beam vs AC: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 25
H. Plasma Torpedo vs TL: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 30

P. Particle Beam dmg: 10d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 1, 3, 2, 5, 4, 1, 1) = 28
HAML dmg: 10d10 ⇒ (10, 5, 8, 8, 7, 9, 5, 9, 4, 10) = 75
L. Particle Beam dmg: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 6) = 11
H. Plasma Torpedo dmg: 5d10 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 8, 4) = 26

Because of Gil-Oloth's Overpower, the damages become:
P. Particle Beam dmg: 32
HAML dmg: no change, 75
L. Particle Beam dmg: 12
H. Plasma Torpedo dmg: no change, 26
So far that's 2 Heavy Plasma Torpedoes fired, and 1 HAM fired

Blue turret v you: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 for damage: 8d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 4, 5, 4, 3, 6) = 31
Red turret v you: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 for damage: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5, 5) = 38

Your squadron continuing to follow stated strategy fro last round, since nothing different stated continue to focus on the turrets down the line from you. Under another concentrated barrage the 'yellow' turret's armor is overwhelmed. Meanwhile while the particle beam jams, the lingering missile is joined by another and further firepower as Varuthalla lets loose a furious broadside at the nearest encampment. The defense buckles and is utterly evaporated under the weight of the firepower brought to bear on it!

With just one turret left things seem to be going your way. But across the comms chatter starts erupting:

Bogeys emerging. Dozens of them.
We've got incoming!
Drones being launched, keep them off the infiltration team!

From asteroids all around the area dozens of small craft suddenly start darting out. The assembled Starfinder ships break off their approach to engage them, as do the three ships in your squadron.
<We'll take these down and regroup with you if we can. Get onto that base as soon as you're clear>!

While the other ship keep most of the drones occupied, two of them slip past the net of covering fighters and are racing towards your position!

Two active ships are now engaging you (on top of the one remaining turret). For now, your 3 squad ships are occupied and not aiding in the gunnery phase

R initiative: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (19) + 27 = 46
B initative : 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (18) + 27 = 45

If you roll below a 45 for your 'initiative', you move first

Round 3

Engineering Phase
Helm Phase, Initative, full Helm phase if lower than a 45
Helm Phase, post initiative (if beat a 45)
Gunnery Phase

This time, Sefel directs their targeting system at the remaining turret.

Lock On RED turret, DC20 Computers: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 22 + 2 = 41

I missed the ship computers bonus last time, BUT Sefel can't actually fail this check.

Gunnz ha been in a bit of a trance. Well... it looks like a trance.
A moving one. A quick hack and you realise she seems to have acquired some new currently unreleased SMC.

Finally she seems to wake up... and offers a groan of pain. For a moment you worry that she maybe got hit by something... but not. She has only just realised she's flying the Drake.

"Who put me on bus duty?"

init, node: 1d20 + 24 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 24 + 3 = 34

"See... now this wouldn't be happening to a Pegasus.."

Gunnz has both skyjocked, and best engines, bumping up the Drake to a slightly more respectable move 11

While working through the asteroid field, Gunnz puts the music onto the shipwide speakers to help encourage everyone.

"Time to shut down these drones" she says as she puts the Drake through a stomach churnging set of turns.

evade DC25: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (20) + 24 = 44 Now I get a 20, when I only needed a 1...Sigh

Varuthalla's lanky shoulders and tail start bopping to Gunnz's beats. "Sure, maybe the Drake's got a bit more junk in the trunk, but did you see that broadside?! We gave 'em the business! I'd like to see a Pegasus do that, Gunnz!" the sylph's voice comes playfully over the comms.

We're Locked On to Red Turret, which is on our Port side. I don't want to waste all of our HAMs on the turret, since I imagine those drones are the real threat; so the turret light particle beam and the port coilgun are up for grabs. Anyone else want to gunner with me - Kosigan, Troivayan? Or, I can just Fire At Will.

We're Locked On to Red Turret, which is on our Port side. I don't want to waste all of our HAMs on the turret, since I imagine those drones are the real threat; so the turret light particle beam and the port coilgun are up for grabs. Anyone else want to gunner with me - Kosigan, Troivayan? Or, I can just Fire At Will.

presuming this could be discussed on the ship bridge Sefel can switch his lock on to a drone.

I'm fine to try and clear out the turrets - probably a good idea to get rid of them before the drones start hammering. Mostly I just don't want to use up all of the HAMs on them :D

Red Evade: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 1 = 22
Blue Evade: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 18 + 1 = 25 I accidentally used the wrong stats for their initiative rolls above, but with them rolling ridiculously well the 2 pnt difference would not have changed things this round.

As Gunnz takes evasive maneuvers, the two drones take evasive manuevers of their own. The one ahead of you fires from a plasma cannon at their front and a particle beam from a turret while the one to the rear assaults you with just plasma.

Red Plasma cannon: 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 15 - 1 = 25 for damage to starboard: 5d12 ⇒ (12, 5, 10, 5, 4) = 36
Red Peristent Particle Beam: 1d20 + 15 - 4 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 15 - 4 + 7 = 31 for damage to starboard: 10d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 5, 1, 1, 6, 3, 1, 3) = 24

Blue Persistent Particle Beam: 1d20 + 15 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 7 = 23 for damage to aft: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 4, 5, 4, 2, 6, 5, 5) = 45

Turret attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 for damage to Port: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 5, 3, 5, 4, 5, 3) = 31

Gunnz's piloting causes some of the shots to miss, but your ship's sides are still raked by one of the drones and a good shot from the remaining turret.

Red rnd 4 init: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (13) + 25 = 38
blue rnd 4 int: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (12) + 25 = 37

Round 3

Gunnery Phase

Round 4
Engineering Phase
Helm Initative, full Helm phase if lower than a 37
Helm Phase, post initiative (if beat a 37)
Gunnery Phase

Drake: Port shields 19/50, Starboard shields 26/50

Not seeing any other takers, Varuthalla tries to follow Sefel's firing solutions to make quick work of the turret, so we can concentrate on these drones. Fire at Will vs the remaining turret; I don't think we've used any ICMs this round, so taking two.
L Particle Beam vs AC: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 4 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 2 - 4 + 3 = 36
Coilgun vs AC: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 - 4 + 3 = 24
L Particle Beam dmg: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) = 4
Coilgun dmg: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 1) = 8
Crit roll, if we manage to break shields: 1d100 ⇒ 86 86 = Glitching power core

We are in a target-rich environment, with three people having not acted still, so if Kosigan, Troivayan, or Gil-Oloth wanted to shoot at Blue Drone (in our Aft, targetable by turret HAML & Aft heavy laser net) or Red Drone (in our Starboard, targetable by turret HAML & Starboard coilgun) then - by all means!

Yup, and they all get the lock-on bonus towards the turret. Original hope was for gunners to clear it out this round.

"Drives like a sick dog." mutters Gunnz as she tries to get the drop on the drones.

init, node: 1d20 + 24 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 24 + 3 = 39

Having now got up to speed on the battle plan, she twists and turns, outfoxing the drones..

Yay, they move first. Have we got a scan to tell which arcs they don't have weapons on?

Round 3

Kosigan takes a turn on the guns.

Gunnery: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Coilgun: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 1) = 9

Round 4

"Gil-Oloth, we need power to the shields. And can you see if you can give the guns a little more juice as well?"

Diplomacy, Orders: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30 spending the free RP

Success means Gil-Oloth can take two actions, if they are the two described.

Gil-Oloth decides to manage 2 different systems at once and quickly redirect power toward the shields, and weapons of the Drake. Knowing that it will be a difficult tasks she uses the help of the Drake's computer.

Engineering DC30: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 3 = 32 spending the free RP

f you have at least 6 ranks in Engineering, you can spend 1 Resolve Point and attempt an Engineering check (DC = 15 + 1-1/2 × your starship’s tier) to squeeze more out of your ship’s systems. If you’re successful, this functions as the divert action, but you can send extra power to any three systems listed in that action. This action and the divert action can’t be taken in the same round.

If you send it to the starship’s weapons, treat each damage die that rolls a 1 this round as having rolled a 2 instead. If you send it to the shields, restore an amount of Shield Points equal to 5% of the PCU rating of the starship’s power core (see page 296), up to the shields’ maximum value. You can distribute the restored Shield Points across the shields’ four quadrants as you see fit.

She then scans the drones

Computer: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 21 + 2 = 30

Let me know when they have moved so I can. Unless things are very strange, she will likely do an evade. I'll use whatever this roll is if she needs a different stunt.

likely evade DC10+10*1.5=25: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (17) + 24 = 41

Unless things are very strange, she will likely do an evade.

A voice that sounds suspiciously like a sylph with a trace Veskarium accent pretending to be a human comes over the comms, saying "This is totally definitely Luwazi Elsebo, ordering Prime-1 to flyby the Red Drone!"

Flyby is almost never a good idea, but, it is maximum style points! Please feel free to ignore Varuthalla's shitposting backseat piloting - she's only half serious, half joking in a life-or-death situation :D