tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77556070238433652332024-03-13T21:34:17.477-07:00Blood Amongst The StarsFleet campaigns in Babylon 5: A Call to ArmsAtreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-20668711125288042982011-10-25T20:15:00.000-07:002011-10-25T20:35:50.129-07:00Darker Grows The StarlanesSo, for those of you who followed our old campaigns, you've probably noticed that the last one never got under way. One player was lost to wedding planning and job woes. I myself lost my time to newborn children and job woes. And it's hard for Democratus to have a campaign all by himself. So it never happened. Que sera, sera. That is the way of things.<br /><br />Now, a year later, Democratus and I have some time and gumption on our hands. We are resolved to play a short mini-campaign that I have dubbed "Darker Grows the Starlanes." The progression will be simple: we will play 5 point battles for 5 weeks at increasing scenario levels. Any ships that survive each battle will gain experience and can be used in future battles. Whoever wins the most battles (3 of 5) wins the campaign. Simple enough.<br /><br />We'll post battle reports and pictures as things progress. We may even write a little fluff pertaining to our engagements. Most importantly, we're going to have some fun and we hope, after so long, you all might want to come along for the ride.<br /><br />Tomorrow is our first battle (5 points Patrol). Hopefully, we'll have the write up done and posted by Friday. hope you guys enjoy it! I know we will!Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-19679866328113093592010-11-08T06:44:00.000-08:002010-11-08T09:32:35.875-08:00Laurels, Part 2<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">General Andrew Sullivan had never been angrier in his life.<span style=""> </span>“Permission to speak freely, <i style="">sir</i>.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shirish paused for a moment as he considered the request.<span style=""> </span>He knew Sullivan’s reputation for heated clashes and harsh talk.<span style=""> </span>Were it not for that, Sullivan might possibly have had a third star by now.<span style=""> </span>Of course, letting Sullivan vent now might save a lot of trouble further down the line.<span style=""> </span>Nobody else could see or hear so it wouldn’t be detrimental to the crew if anything…impolitic was said.<span style=""> </span>“Permission granted.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Where do <b style="">you</b> get off taking <b style="font-style: italic;">my</b><span style="font-style: italic;"> ship</span>?” Sullivan snarled through clenched teeth.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shirish mulled over the question.<span style=""> </span>He knew from reading Sullivan’s file that he was incredibly aggressive, the primary trait that had propelled him to this position.<span style=""> </span>He also had a certain charmed fortune about him.<span style=""> </span>Sullivan was often in the right place at the right time to benefit from the mistakes or misfortunes of others.<span style=""> </span>The real question was whether he merely capitalized on opportunities or created them.<span style=""> </span>Shirish’s guess was ruthless capitalization.<span style=""> </span>Sullivan seemed too hot-headed to “create” opportunities without being seen and anticipated.<span style=""> </span>But what Shirish did not have to guess about, seeing Sullivan’s young (for a general) hulking frame towering over him, was that Sullivan was a strong believer in the art of intimidation.<span style=""> </span>Shirish thought that things like that were left behind in college fraternities or the barracks rooms of military academies.<span style=""> </span>Of the possible stances he could take in replying to the question, counter-intimidation seemed the best way to proceed.<span style=""> </span>He would have to break Sullivan and do it fast.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shirish extended a finger and poked it to Sullivan’s chest.<span style=""> </span>“Number one: the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winfield Scott</span> is not ‘<span style="font-style: italic;">your</span>’ ship.<span style=""> </span>It is <span style="font-style: italic;">Earthforce’s</span> ship. And it is under the command of whomever it is assigned to!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shirish extended a second finger and poked them into Sullivan’s chest.<span style=""> </span>“Number two: that’s a bold question to ask considering I have <span style="font-style: italic;">four</span> stars on my shoulders and you have only <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">two</span>!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shirish extended a third finger and poked them all into Sullivan’s chest.<span style=""> </span>“Number three: my orders come directly <span style="font-style: italic;">yes I said</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECTLY</span> from the <span style="font-weight: bold;">PRESIDENT</span>!<span style=""> </span>Therefore, the fleet is <i style="">my</i> fleet and the <span style="font-style: italic;">Scott</span> is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">MY</span> ship!<span style=""> </span>Are we clear, <i style="">Major General</i>?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sullivan narrowed his eyes as his jaw twitched.<span style=""> </span>His shoulders relaxed slightly.<span style=""> </span>“Who did I piss off this time, then?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shirish might have breathed a sigh of relief if he didn’t think it would undermine his posture.<span style=""> </span>“It’s not about <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span>.<span style=""> </span>It’s about our orders and the mission.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“That’s bull and you know it.<span style=""> </span>It’s always about politics.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shirish maintained his dominance. <span style=""> </span>“<span style="font-style: italic;">Sir</span>.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sullivan gazed back.<span style=""> </span>“That’s bull and you know it, <i style="">Sir</i>.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shirish wielded the stick and it seemed to be working.<span style=""> </span>Time to offer the carrot.<span style=""> </span>“It is politics, Major General, but not the kind you think.”<span style=""> </span>He softened his tone. <span style=""> </span>“Look, I know you’re thinking about your career here.<span style=""> </span>This assignment is a big feather in your cap and now it looks like someone else is going to get the credit.<span style=""> </span>I’m sorry for that, but, once again, it has nothing to do with you or me.<span style=""> </span>I didn’t make the orders.<span style=""> </span>I’m just following them.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The anger abated in Sullivan’s eyes just a little bit.<span style=""> </span>Shirish’s acting job was successful.<span style=""> </span>Time to reinforce everything.<span style=""> </span>Shirish backed away out of Sullivan’s face and sat down behind the ready room desk. <span style="font-style: italic;">Remove the immediate threat and subtly maintain dominance.</span><span style="font-style: italic;">.. </span>“Besides, I’ll probably be spending most of my time chained to a desk.<span style=""> </span>You’re the one who’s going to be riding fire.<span style=""> </span>I know I don’t have to tell you the importance of engaging the enemy but I give you my word: you do well in this and I’ll make it the goal of the rest of my career to get you that third star.<span style=""> </span>Are we clear?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sullivan knew it was too late to win this one.<span style=""> </span>He held his contempt and let go of a “Yes, sir.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Excellent.<span style=""> </span>Make preparations for the fleet to jump.<span style=""> </span>As soon as the scout telemetry comes in, I want us underway.<span style=""> </span>Dismissed.”<span style=""> </span>Shirish took a datapad and began reviewing consumption logs, taking his eyes from Sullivan.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sullivan closed the door behind him, gave orders to bridge personnel and then went down the hall to cool himself down.<span style=""> </span>It didn’t work.<span style=""> </span>His thoughts were racing and gave him no solace.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Damn fossils! I follow orders and I suffer. I work hard and they get the credit. This is <span style="font-weight: bold;">my</span> command. I <span style="font-weight: bold;">earned</span> it! And what? Does Gonzales think I’m stupid? ‘Rest of my career to get you a third star’ my ass! He’s a relic! How long until he retires? A year? Two? I’m sick of all these old men in my way! I’ll have a third star and it won’t be from you! You’ll screw up and when I come to the rescue, I’ll have it…SIR!</span></p>Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-16432643998424153302010-11-05T10:47:00.000-07:002010-11-05T19:22:51.283-07:00Laurels, Part 1“Amazing, isn’t she?”<br /><br />Shirish looked at the bridge view screen like a child seeing his heart’s desire for the first time, eyes wide and mouth agape. “I’ve read all the reports and schematics, but in my dreams, I never imagined…”<br /><br />Captain Nagumo ordered the <span style="font-style: italic;">Minotaur</span> to pull alongside the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winfield Scott</span>. “Quite a far cry from the old days, wouldn’t you say, sir?”<br /><br />“Are you kidding?” Shirish replied. “For a couple of years, there was concern I could never go back to Earth because of all the time I spent commanding zero-g warships. Now I’m walking inside instead of floating around. And I’m still not quite used to it.”<br /><br />“I understand that some of the early graviton generation tech went into the <span style="font-style: italic;">Scott</span>’s construction so at full centrifugal turn, gravity is almost Earth normal inside. Of course, this is from before we got gravity tech from the ISA.”<br /><br />“Still, Captain, there’s little to rival human ingenuity. Two centuries ago we were still stuck on Earth and now we’re…”<br /><br />The comms officer interrupted. “Captain, we have an incoming transmission from Earthdome.” The young officer listened to an earpiece for a moment before continuing. “It’s for General Gonzales, Priority...Ultraviolet.”<br /><br />“General, my ready room is at your disposal.”<br /><br />“Thank you, Captain.” The General stepped into the sparse office and stood before the screen, taking a moment to straighten and brush the wrinkles from his jacket before he spoke. “This is General Gonzales. Accept incoming message.” He did not expect to see the Seal of the President. As many times as he had met or spoken with various Presidents, he was always a little nervous. Especially with President Luchenko. Of course, that had less to do with her position and more to do with the slight crush he had on her. Yes, he was getting old, but he could still appreciate a pretty woman. And Minifred, his wife, thought it was both funny and cute that her “rival” was the President, of all people. Strangely, Shirish had always thought Luchenko’s features were a little more Polish than Russian, but he had never had the opportunity to inquire about that. Whenever he spoke to the President, there were always more important things to discuss.<br /><br />Luchenko’s face came into view. “Good day, General. How are you doing?” she said with that lovely accent of hers.<br /><br />“I am doing well, Madame President. And yourself? Enjoying being able to govern instead of campaigning?”<br /><br />“I am doing well, and it is refreshing to do actual work. Thank you for asking.”<br /><br />“How may I serve you today, Madame President?”<br /><br />“I am aware that you are planning to announce your intention to retire on your return to Earth.”<br /><br />Shirish was a bit surprised that she was aware but he had not kept it secret. “That is true, Ma’am. I think forty years is long enough. Besides, I promised my wife a honeymoon thirty-eight years ago and I think she’s starting to get surly about it.”<br /><br />“General, I need you to perform one last mission on Earth’s behalf. You will take command of the Expulsion Fleet and drive the Vorlons and the Shadows away.”<br /><br />Shirish furrowed his brow. “Madame President, with all due respect, is this a good idea? I haven’t been in direct command of assets in over a decade. Wouldn’t Ryan or Touelle or Lefcourt be better choices for this assignment?”<br /><br />“The issue here is time. We have begun to receive intelligence from our forward scouts reporting both Drazi and Narn communications. If they are already there, we need to engage as soon as possible. It would take weeks to get any of the others to where you are right now. We are officially working with the ISA on this project, but it is essential that Earthforce be the ones to drive away the Shadows and Vorlons. So you are perfect for this, General.”<br /><br />Shirish thought for a moment and put two and two together. <span style="font-style: italic;">She wants them gone and to be able to say that we drove them all off and if it all goes badly, I’m a good scapegoat because I’m retiring anyway. Political brinksmanship disguised as military action…</span> “Madame President, I will carry out your orders to the best of my ability. I will require my staff and official orders to come through channels, but, that aside, we will be under way in 24 hours.”<br /><br />“Very good, General. I knew I could rely on you. And remember, let nothing stand in your way. Earth must end this threat in a way that speaks to both the Ancient races and the other galactic powers.”<br /><br />“Consider it done, Ma’am.”<br /><br />“God’s speed and good luck to you, General. Luchenko out.”<br /><br />The screen went dead. Shirish sat down in a slump and closed his eyes. <span style="font-style: italic;">Six thousand souls in my hands against God only knows what force more technologically advanced than anything I can imagine. What good can I possibly do against that?</span> And thoughts flooded from his memory…<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Carstairs said “I think you're a good officer. If you weren't, I wouldn't have requested you.”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Doctor Marengo said “If you can survive this, you can survive anything.”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bobby said “You should be leading this mission.”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">President Luchenko said “I knew I could rely on you.”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And Minnie held his cheek. “You’ll always come back to me.”</span><br /><br />The General burst from the office onto the bridge. “Captain Nagumo, have a shuttle prepped ASAP and inform General Sullivan that I am coming over.”<br /><br />Nagumo began giving supplemental orders as The General looked back to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winfield Scott</span>. “He’ll want to know why, sir.”<br /><br />Shirish shot a glance of annoyance to Nagumo and then put his gaze back on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Scott</span>. “Tell him I have one more victory to win.”Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-46132801839221347202010-11-03T12:29:00.000-07:002010-11-03T12:44:38.886-07:00The Past Looms, The Future BeckonsGeneral Shirish Gonzalez read from a datapad as he was being shuttled over. Often, he would rest easy and enjoy these little shuttle trips. He so rarely got out into space any more, which was ironic because that is how he made his name in Earthforce. For him, the ships were no longer engines of destruction. They weren’t even pieces on a board anymore. The General saw them in a different light these days. They were instruments of political will. They were the loudspeakers of Earth and the good fence that made for good neighbors. And when Earth’s fence was tested, those ships danced a dark tango in the Court of Mars. Shirish cracked a smile. He was glad that wasn’t a bartender. <span style="font-style: italic;">If I mixed drinks,</span> he thought, <span style="font-style: italic;">like I mix metaphors, I would surely have trouble making a living</span>. He felt the light shudder of the dock clamps and knew the <span style="font-style: italic;">Minotaur</span> had been reached. He stowed the datapad in a pocket and began to stand in anticipation of final procedures and debarking.<br /><br />The shuttle doors opened to the sound of a boatswain’s whistle’s high, rising and descending pitch. “General on deck!” The honor guard snapped to attention, five on each side. The dress uniformed Command staff stood to attention as the Captain stepped forward and offered a salute. “Welcome aboard, General!” Shirish returned the salute, suppressing a sigh and the urge to roll his eyes. Ceremony was essential to discipline and morale, therefore stay galley had to be endured, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. His mind stepped back and let scripted responses take over. He noted the names -Captain Nagumo, Commander Gonzales, Doctor Eames, Chief Carroll – and made the appropriate responses. Ceremony was served and niceties were exchanged as they had been a thousand times before. When the Captain offered a tour, Shirish’s mind returned to the fore now that thought was required.<br /><br />“I would be happy to inspect the <span style="font-style: italic;">Minotaur</span>, but I have to contact Earthdome. Would it be an inconvenience to delay the tour?”<br /><br />“Of course, sir. At your earliest convenience, General.”<br /><br />“Thank you, Captain.” The Earthdome contact line worked every time. “Can you spare your XO to show me to my quarters?”<br /><br />“Yes, sir. You have the liberty of the ship. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate let me know.”<br /><br />“Thank you, Captain.” Shirish gave an order to the shuttle pilot and turned to the Commander. “After you, Commander <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Gon</span>-za-les.”<br /><br />The XO led Shirish through dimly lit hallways. “Why do you let them butcher our name like that, Bobby?” Shirish asked.<br /><br />“Because, sir, it’s easier. I say it properly and everyone thinks I’m your son.”<br /><br />Shirish chuckled. “There’s a reason for that, son.”<br /><br />Robert Gonzales turned to his father. “You should be leading this mission.”<br /><br />“I am old. Exploration like this is a young man’s game. Besides, I haven’t commanded an expeditionary force in over a decade.”<br /><br />“There’s nobody more experienced in extended campaigns like this than you are.”<br /><br />“Nonsense. Thirty-five years ago, I was good in battle. Fifteen years ago, I was a master of logistics. Today, I’m the undisputed expert on the art of testifying before subcommittees. I’m not the man for this.“<br /><br />The two officers and porter reached a stateroom and entered. The porter left bags where instructed and scurried out before Robert continued. “And you think Sullivan is?”<br /><br />From another junior officer, Shirish might have mentioned the insubordinate tone of that comment. But he and Robert had wrangled over so many subjects over the years, yet Robert still did his duty. He could give his son latitude. “Is this a question of his ability or his role in the civil war?”<br /><br />Son looked father in the eye. “You <span style="font-style: italic;">know</span> what he did.”<br /><br />The father returned the look. “<span style="font-style: italic;">He</span> followed the orders of his chain of command. If I were as judgmental as you, I might take you to task for siding with Sheridan.”<br /><br />“Sheridan did what nobody else on Earth was willing to do!”<br /><br />“Even if that’s true, it is not the role of the military to rebel. Clark was the constitutionally legal President…”<br /><br />“Assassinating Santiago and subverting the Constitution is legal now?”<br /><br />Shirish began to speak then held back his words for a moment before speaking again. “Bobby, I endure the Athenian wrestling match of politics all the time. Can I get away from it for a little while with my son?”<br /><br />Robert relented. “Sorry, dad.”<br /><br />“Thank you. And, just between us, Sullivan was chosen because of the black project work he was over back then. I know you’ve all been briefed on the mission parameters. Vorlons and Shadows? Sullivan has more experience with Shadow technology than anyone outside of the eggheads following along. And nobody knows anything about Vorlons. So right now he’s the best man for the job.”<br /><br />“That’s a nice, rational piece of cold logic.”<br /><br />“More like a rationalization, but it’s not wrong. And that’s neither here nor there. I’m just here to see my boy and get a ride to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Scott</span>’s shakedown and maybe, if I’m lucky, see the <span style="font-style: italic;">Charybdis</span> again..”<br /><br />Robert sat in a chair. “That must be really exciting for you. I know how hard you pushed to get the Scott named.”<br /><br />Shirish looked out a porthole into the vastness of the stars beyond. “Sometimes I think back to the first time I floated down the <span style="font-style: italic;">Charybdis</span>’ halls and wonder if that wasn’t the happiest time of my life. Of course, we were young then and didn’t know as much as we do now about what’s out there. And she wasn’t the equal of the Omega by any means, but back then…” His voice trailed off into memory.<br /><br />Robert smiled. “I know, Dad. I read the book.”<br /><br />Shirish shot a quick grin back. “So you’re one of the ten people who bought it!”<br /><br />“You know, I once had a professor at the Academy ask if he could meet you. He said he wanted to talk to you about that first meeting on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Scott</span> with Carstairs and Cargano and Kallis.”<br /><br />Shirish began to drown in memory. “I’m sure he did. There’s not an officer or academic who wouldn’t have wanted to be a fly on that bulkhead.” <span style="font-style: italic;">So many old friends gone. If it wasn’t the Dilgar, it was the Minbari. And those who survived, so many were lost in the Civil War.</span> “It’s a terrible thing to grow old in our profession.” Shirish pulled out the datapad and turned back to Robert. “That’s why this is a young man’s game. You have duties to attend to. Give this to the Captain. He’s going to show it to you anyway so you can look at it, too.”<br /><br />Robert stood and took the pad. “I’ll come see you again when I get off duty. Dinner tonight?”<br /><br />“That sounds fine. See you then, Bobby.”<br /><br />“See you then, Dad.” Robert walked out, closing the door behind him and stared at the datapad. Curiosity got the better of him. He touched a button and the screen sprang to life…<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resource Allocation, Expulsion Fleet:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Winfield Scott - Omega Command Destroyer</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Ajax - Omega Destroyer</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Minotaur - Omega Destroyer</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Red Cliffs - Omega Pulse Destroyer</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Fairfax - Hyperion Cruiser</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Portsmouth - Hyperion Cruiser</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Wurzburg - Hyperion Cruiser</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Charybdis - Nova Dreadnought</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Viraat - Avenger Heavy Carrier</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Marco Polo- Explorer Survey Ship</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Murmansk - Hyperion Assault Cruiser</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Falcon - Oracle Scout Cruiser</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Miller - Oracle Scout Cruiser</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Panther - Oracle Scout Cruiser</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Tolliver - Oracle Scout Cruiser</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS John Layton – Hermes Transport</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EAS Barnardo O'Higgins – Hermes Transport</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alpha Wing –ThunderBolt Fury Wing</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beta Wing – ThunderBolt Fury Wing</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Delta Wing –Badger Fury Wing</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zeta Wing – Badger Fury Wing</span><br /></p>Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-41458878157796568212010-11-02T06:58:00.000-07:002010-11-05T07:01:16.426-07:00The Drazi ArriveIn an obscure system hundreds of light years from the rim of known space an ancient jump gate comes to life.<br /><br />Though it has been dormant for over a thousand years it obediently responds to an incoming signal. Deep within the gate, engines harness vast reserves of energy and release them - punching a hole in the fabric of reality. Through this conduit a tiny ship slowly emerges.<br /><br />The craft looks much like an insect; sharp nose, wide wings, bulbous abdomen. But its abdomen glows like a minature sun propelling the ship on a trail of bright plasma. The slender vessel makes an ever widening circle, spiraling away from the angry wound held open by the gate. It finally comes to a stop and extends electormagnetic tendrils through nearby space. Sensing no immediate danger the ship sends a signal into the gate.<br /><br />Moments later a score of very similar craft pour through the gate in ragged formation. Most of them look nearly identical to the original craft except in minor aspects of detail or size. Even the largest of the craft still looks like a larger member of the same species. Their makers found a form that worked and felt no need to change.<br /><br />Many of the ships vent small white jets of gas in several places, bleeding atmosphere through ruptured hulls and broken pipes. A few are even missing a wing. The entire formation appears as if it barely survived a high speed race through a class-10 asteoid field.<br /><br />The gate shuts down once again, patiently waiting for the next signal to activate whether it be days or millenia.<br /><br />On board the largest of the new visitors to this obscure system, one beleagured creature tries to bring order back to the chaos that surrounds him. This takes a great deal of effort and will, for the Drazi are very much creatures of chaos.<br /><br />"Tell the esteemed Captain that he can either assist <em>Fencer</em> in patching its coolant tank or he can turn around and try and find his way home!" The command staff tried to hide their grins as they worked busily around the Admiral. Captain Shaar had been dragging his feet ever since he was passed over for command of this expidition. He was overdue for one of the Admiral's famous 'private talks' which frequently resulted in a visit to sick bay. Such was tradition in the Drazi navy.<br /><br />Admiral Jok barked orders rapid fire with the tone of one at ease with command, "Set up a perimiter and deploy damage control crews. First priority to the advanced cruisers." Reading over the damage reports, Jok sighed, "We're in no shape to fight."<br /><br />The journey through hyperspace to reach this gate had been harrowing. Many ships and many good soldiers did not make it this far. Such a waste to die on the journey rather than in a standup fight.<br /><br /><em>Time to see what we have to work with</em>. "Sensors, report!"<br /><br />A stream of data poured in from the scouts that had raced ahead and begun to survey the system.<br /><br />Admiral Jok considered the strategic map dominating the center of the Command & Control room in the heart of his flagship, Fist of Beaurocracy. Drazi forces would quickly spread throughout the system, claiming anything that would be of materiel use in this campaign. Sadly, it was precious little.<br /><br />They were in a small system on the very edge of this "pocket galaxy" the First Ones had built for themselves. Eyehawk scouts were reporting two viable jump routes from this system to unknown gates deeper within the sector. The entire isolated region consisted of several systems connected by a local jump network. What the other systems contained would remain unknown until scouts could be dispatched.<br /><br />As yet no resistance had been encountered.<br /><br />The supply situation was far from ideal. Even though they now had posession of a jump gate, its beacon was sporadic and difficult to follow from the outside. Freighters could only arrive when the 'weather' in hyperspace allowed safe passage of freighters. Reinforcements and replacements would no doubt be as difficult to acquire.<br /><br />Somewhere out there, if the ISA probes were to be believed, were the First Ones and their servants. Why they chose to establish a base here at the rim, he didn't know. It had been blind luck that had allowed his fleet to survive the gauntlet of hyperspace anomalies and grvity wells that guarded this pocket of space. Whatever the Vorlons and Shadows were up to in this region, they were determined to do so in privacy.<br /><br />"Too bad for them.", he mused aloud, "This isn't their house any more."<br /><br />His adjutant handed him a cup of hot jala and regarded him with a curious expression. "Sir?"<br /><br />"These old ones. They stay far past their welcome. It is our job to remind them of that." Jok regarded the young leutenant, Shellia. She had managed to defeat three other officers in personal combat to win her position as his aide. She was still sporting an angry scar on her forehead plate which served as a warning to any prospective challengers. Very promising. He looked forward to fighting her when the next rank assessment was due.<br /><br />"Admiral, your orders have arrived via purple channel."<br /><br />Jok nodded to the leutenant and went to his quarters to read the orders. As usual for the Drazi navy, they were short and to the point:<br /><strong>CAPTURE ANCIENTS INSTALLATION INTACT. </strong><br /><strong>TECHNOLOGY ACQUIRED IS TO BE PROPERTY OF DRAZI FREEHOLD. </strong><br /><strong>ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS SECONDARY.<br /><br /></strong>The orders were clear enough. He was to capture the First One outpost at the center of the cluster and, as important, prevent all other galactic forces from doing the same. Jok wondered at the politics behind such an agressive stance. But for now such questions weren't his concern. He was a soldier. It would be many years before his fists would be bloodied in the political arena. Perhaps sooner, he mused, if this mission was a success.<br /><br />He read the rest of the briefing and what little useful information it contained. Acording to Drazi intelligence there were two other forces who survived the harrowing journey through hyperspace and established beachheads in the sector.<br /><br />The first fleet was the...Narn? Jok found it suprising that they had managed to navigate the hyperspace gauntlet successfully. The Narn were still new to space travel and were not known for their grasp of the higher sciences. Still, they were tough opponents in battle. Particularly, their fondness for energy mines was a problem for the fragile hulls of Drazi warships. The Drazi depended on speed and agility to avoid enemy fire. But one cannot outrun or dodge a fusion explosion. On the plus side, the legendary toughness of Narn hulls was of little concern to a well-aimed solar cannon. And their ships were so sluggish that you knew where they would be a week in advance. Easy enough to set up killing zones.<br /><br />The other fleet that arrived was the Earth Alliance. These humans were a conundrum. One one hand the alliance was a founding member of the ISA. John Sheridan, the president, was a human. On the other hand Earthforce had seemingly sided with the Shadows in the great war. It was said that they still used shadow technology in their warships. Humans, too, were new to space. But they took to intergalactic warfare with a natural skill and relish that made them seem almost Drazi. Their ships were almost as tough and sluggish as the Narn, but they compensated with great variety and flexibility. And their fighters were unmatched among the younger races. One never knew exactly what would be faced when an EA fleet was in the field: sometimes a hail of laser fire from a line of the ubiquitous Omegas, sometimes an angry swarm of Starfuries organized by the massive fleet carriers humans were so fond of. Jok made it a high priority to get a roster of what ships the humans bad brought to the sector.<br /><br />Jok reviewed the Drazi order of battle. His fleet had been scraped together in haste from all over the Freehold. It was an eclectic mix but still a powerful strike force.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fireraptor Battleship:</span> <em>Fist of Beaurocracy</em> (Jok's personal command)<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Stormfalcon Heavy Cruiser:</span> <em>Shuggie</em><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Nightfalcon Heavy Carrier:</span> <em>Pack Hunter<br /></em><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Firehawk Advanced Cruiser:</span> <em>Smasher, Striker, Slammer, Stabber, Slasher, Fencer<br /></em><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jumphawk Command Cruiser:</span> <em>Alpha, Pack Leader<br /></em><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Solarhawk Battlecruiser</span>: <em>Spotlight</em><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Darkhawk Missile Cruiser:</span> <em>Far Fist, Spear<br /></em><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Warbird Cruiser:</span> <em>Brawler, Scrapper<br /></em>Strikehawk Battle Carrier: <em>Marcus Cole, Atlatl<br /></em><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Eyehawk Scout Cruiser</span>: <em>Sneak, Snitch</em><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sleekbird Assault Cruiser</span>: <em>Party Crasher, Invitation<br /></em><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Guardhawk Battle Escort:</span> <em>Flyswatter</em><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sunhawk Battlecruiser:</span> <em>Tal's Fury<br /></em><br />More would be needed to accomplish his final mission, to be sure. But it was a good start. Jok began to smile as he plotted out the first moves for his fleet. He hoped that someone would try to stop him soon. The focus brought by battle would help shake off the unease his crews still felt from their hellish journey through hyperspace. And the Drazi were always spoiling for a good fight.Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-13508219201348495952010-11-02T06:36:00.000-07:002010-11-03T19:38:49.390-07:00Eviction Notice: Against the First Ones in 2269<div>Several years have passed since Coriana VI and the departure of the Shadows and Vorlons from the galaxy. Finally, the younger races are free to find their own paths without the presence of the First Ones. Or are they?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Scout ships recently found a strange zone of hyperspace just beyond the rim of known space. Hyperspace seemed to fold in on itslef here in a strange fashion forming an isolated pocket tens of light years across. Further investigation revealed that the ancient races had not quite kept their word. Within this bastion the Shadows, Vorlons, and a cadre of lesser servants continued to secretly keep tabs on the progress of the galaxy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Seeing this as an affront - and a violation of a promise - several of the galactic powers dispatched fleets to show the first ones that they were no longer needed and (more importantly) no longer capable of enforcing their will upon the galaxy. Twelve fleets were sent, one from each major participating power. Nine were lost in the tides of the hyperspace traps guarding the entrances to this zone.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The three surviving fleets each established a foothold in an outlying system. As the Shadow homeworld was destroyed and the Vorlon homeworld impenetrable, this represented a unique opportunity to capture and study First One technology. What began as a join effort to evict the straggling First Ones out of galactic space quickly became a race for each fleet to capture technology and information...and to prevent their rivals from doing the same.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The unique, isolated pocket of space contained thirteen systems linked by a local jump gate network. Each of the three invading fleets laid claim to one of the three "entry systems" along the periphery. The rest of the systems were in various states of occupation by the Shadows, Vorlons, and their servants.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU61OaGVmGCRtjPOtqQQtRlNLxqiE1WYkz1_rrqGm8536xGMJPdJqBxN_oF4Qn6sP41QrSLG3lU0g2vsxbEtxFNzRASU74svEsBkJSWY_1QgsLPwbs75vqd9AMjxVSu8VRKJRfhbIQf4/s1600/Eviction_Map01.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534949427035456674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU61OaGVmGCRtjPOtqQQtRlNLxqiE1WYkz1_rrqGm8536xGMJPdJqBxN_oF4Qn6sP41QrSLG3lU0g2vsxbEtxFNzRASU74svEsBkJSWY_1QgsLPwbs75vqd9AMjxVSu8VRKJRfhbIQf4/s200/Eviction_Map01.jpg" /></a>Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-74246227434051213752010-11-02T05:52:00.001-07:002010-11-02T05:52:44.375-07:00EndgameThis space reserved for the conclusion of the Krish Dilgar campaign.Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-46790632086766663582010-07-08T12:16:00.000-07:002010-07-09T09:44:30.898-07:00ReassignmentWilliam Cargano hated being summoned. It didn't matter who did the calling, whether it was a higher ranking officer or an old friend. In this case it was both. So he gently walked down the hall toward the conference room. He didn't know why James summoned him there, but he still didn't like it.<br /><br />As he opened the door, he was Admiral James Carstairs seated at the end, flanked by General Piotr Hrudek and Captain Shirish Gonzalez. Cargano also hated being the last person at a meeting. "I'm here, James. What's this all about?"<br /><br />Carstairs face was blank. "This is an official function. Please report properly."<br /><br />Cargano looked at all three men suspiciously. In three years of serving under Carstairs, he had never had to report formally. Eying the three officers, he thought to himself that these are, not counting himself, the three most senior officers in the Krish Fleet, exactly the men needed for a board or a court martial... Cargano snapped to attention and saluted. "Captain William Cargano reporting as ordered, sir."<br /><br />Carstairs returned the salute. "As you were. Have you heard the news from Omelos?"<br /><br />Cargano had been on patrol so communication had been sporadic for the last two weeks. "No, I haven't. Has something happened?"<br /><br />"The good news," Carstairs began, "is that Omelos has fallen. The bad news is that the Dilgar managed to kill Hamato and several senior staff in the process."<br /><br />"Then I am both happy and sad. Why have I been summoned here?"<br /><br />Carstairs leaned forward. "Because I am not happy with your performance, Captain."<br /><br />Cargano felt his blood being to boil. "What aspects of my performance have upset you, sir?"<br /><br />Carstairs leaned forward into the daggers shooting out of Cargano's eyes. "Quite frankly, Captain, I think there are...better places for you than commanding a Nova."<br /><br />"Are you demoting me, James? Are you serious?"<br /><br />"Sir."<br /><br />"I beg your pardon?"<br /><br />"Are you demoting me, <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sir</span></span>."<br /><br />Cargano began to grit his teeth. "Are you demoting me, <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sir</span></span>?"<br /><br />"I think it's time to move you somewhere else."<br /><br />Cargano glared at Cartairs for a moment. "And I suppose the orders have already come through."<br /><br />"They have."<br /><br />"You should have come to me like a man first. Fuck you, James." Cargano snapped back to attention. "Where have I been reassigned, <span style="font-style:italic;">sir</span>?"<br /><br />Carstairs point out the window. "There."<br /><br />Cargano looked out the window to see an Orestes Battleship surrounded by repair scaffolding. "Executive Officer I assume, <span style="font-style:italic;">sir</span>?"<br /><br />"What do you think, General Cargano?"<br /><br />"I think that you can go to..." Cargano's face softened as he thought for a moment. "Did you say 'General'?"<br /><br />Hrudek burst into laughter. Gonzalez's smile was both embarrassed and amused. Carstairs tossed a small box at Cargano. "Gotcha, Bill!"<br /><br />Cargano caught the box and opened it. Inside were two stars, each one rank insignia for a Rear General. "What the hell?"<br /><br />"The promotion has been in the works for a while. With all the staff losses at Omelos, it got fast-tracked. And since a General needs a good ride, you are now the commanding officer of the <span style="font-style:italic;">Louis Davout</span>, fresh from the front."<br /><br />The tension in Cargano's face disappeared. "I... I don't know what to say."<br /><br />Shirish, in a quiet but deferential voice replied. "Well, you could still tell Admiral Carstairs where to go..."<br /><br />Three general officers burst into laughter.Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-48771874064624113632010-06-07T12:57:00.000-07:002010-06-08T06:59:48.830-07:00JudgementOrbit over Demeter, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dilgar</span> Flagship <em>Throne of Judgement</em><br /><br />"Last of the assault fleet jumping out now.", the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ELINT</span> officer reported crisply. "Relief force reports that they are inbound, ETA one hour." It had taken a week of hard work and coordination to get the colony established below. His ships had been fighting constantly for over a month <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">without</span> relief and only now could he send them back to Station Prime for repair and refit. Morale was at an all time low after news of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">homeworld</span> spread to the fleet.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tor'han</span> sighed as he observed the crew working in <em>Throne'</em>s cavernous bridge. <em>So young now. They are all so young</em>.<br /><br />"Acknowledged", responded Battle Leader <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Fen'sta</span>. Again she looked up at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Warmaster</span> standing at her shoulder. "Sir, are you sure you don't want to take command? This seems...irregular." She looked uncomfortable holding command of a ship with the Supreme <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Warmaster</span> present, as if she were usurping his authority.<br /><br />"Negative, Battle Leader. While I do plan on transferring my flag at some point, you are far more familiar with this ship's systems and operations than I." <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tor'han</span> again gazed around the bridge at the amazing display of advanced technology. The capabilities of <em>Throne of Judgement</em> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">outstripped</span> anything he had experienced. And until he was able to master its nuances he did not intend to take over for those that did.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Fen'sta's</span> record showed that she served as a lead engineer during design and construction and served with the ship since it left <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">dry dock</span> six months ago. She was a brilliant engineer and a promising tactician. Her crew followed her with an almost fanatic devotion. The original commander of <em>Throne</em> was killed only days into her first deployment. The young Battle Leader took command in the field and brought the ship through a harrowing gauntlet in order to reach <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Krish</span>. No one was more qualified than she to sit at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">conn</span>.<br /><br />Outside in the skies over Demeter the latest batch of new and experimental vessels took station around the massive battleship. These had arrived shortly after <em>Throne of Judgement</em>, representing the peak of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Dilgar</span> technology. Some were weathered veterans with hastily installed advanced systems. Others were new from the keel up, like <em>Throne</em>. All were rushed out of the shipyard to ferry their precious technology to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Krish</span>. Even now there were as many scientists as soldiers on the vessels. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Warmaster</span> would be glad when the relief force arrived. This motley collection of ships was more a technology showcase than a proper fleet.<br /><br />Other concerns weighed on his mind. His fleet had survived two massive clashes with the humans, leaving it in rough shape. Fully 80% of his ships were being refitted and repaired at Station Prime. While he didn't believe the humans would come at him again for a while, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Centauri</span> were another matter. Fighter patrols were sweeping the system searching for the elusive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Centauri</span> fleet, but they had yet to make contact. <em>Where were they? Surely they aren't cowering behind the station at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Krish</span> Prime.</em> No matter. He had set things in motion to draw them out.<br /><br />"Contacts inbound!" the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">ELINT</span> officer excitedly barked.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Fen'sta</span> looked over at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Warmaster</span> expectantly. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Tor'han</span> nodded once in response. And then he watched something amazing happen. The youthful, unsure officer he was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">begining</span> to know transformed before his eyes. Her posture changed, her face became a mask of professionalism though her eyes showed the feral anticipation of a hunter. She began to calmly issue orders rapid fire.<br /><br />"All hands to stations. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">ELINT</span>, give me numbers and types!", <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Fen'sta</span> span around in her chair to face the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">comms</span> officer. "Contact the fleet, tell them to form up in two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">pentacons</span>, centered on command destroyers <em>Order</em> and <em>Duty</em>. Even while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">ELINT</span> was sounding off the list of enemy vessels in the background she continued to issue instructions to to the fleet.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Tor'han</span> watched the tactical displays. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Centauri</span> were taking no chances, jumping in on the far side of a heavy debris field made up of wrecked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Diglar</span> and human warships. It looked to be a heavy raiding force, perhaps even enough to retake the space around Demeter. Their ad-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">hoc</span> collection of new ships and untried crews were all that stood in the way.<br /><br />=====================================<br /><strong>Scenario:<br /></strong>A Call to Arms, 7 Points Raid<br /><br /><strong>Forces:</strong><br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Centauri</span><br /></strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Primus</span>, Emperor <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Morell</span></em><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Balvarin</span>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Turhan's</span> Glory</em><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Sulust</span>, <em>Stalwart</em><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Maximus</span> x2, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Principio</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Retiario</span></em><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Kutai</span> x4, <em>Parry, Thrust, Slash, Lunge</em><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Sentri</span>(4)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Razik</span>(4) x3<br /><br />special: Due to an 'other duties' result, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Centauri</span> was forced to leave one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Maximus</span>, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Principio</span>, behind.<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Dilgar</span></strong><br />Command <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Pentacon</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Mankhat</span> Dreadnought, <strong>Throne of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Judgment</span></strong> (extended range missile rack, mass drivers)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Omelos</span> Light Cruiser, <em>Flawless</em> (+2 AD forward <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">hvy</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">bolters</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Ochlavita</span> Ki Command Destroyer, <em>Order</em> (extended range missile rack, advanced sensors)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Jashikar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">Tae</span>, <em>Hazard</em><br /><br />Support <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">Pentacon</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Ochlavita</span> Ki Command Destroyer, <em>Duty</em> (Jump Engine)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Jashakar</span> Vi Scout, <em>Assassin</em><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">Jashakar</span> Vi Scout, <em>Whisker</em><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">Jashakar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">Tae</span>, <em>Peril</em><br /><br />In my last few encounters with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Centauri</span>, they had begun bringing large numbers of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">razik</span> fighters to the field. This largely neutralized my own fighter threat, forcing me to rethink my composition. Intelligence reported that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Centauri</span> had just purchased a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">Balvarin</span> carrier. I suspected it would be in this battle. Rather than try to win an uphill fighter duel, I decided to bring no fighter force and leave his fighters with little to do.<br /><br /><strong>Battlefield</strong><br />The board had asteroid fields (density 6) and a dust cloud in one corner. The rest of the board was clear.<br /><br /><strong>Setup</strong><br />Initiative <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">Centauri</span><br /><br />Placing my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">ships</span> first, I decided to give the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">Centauri</span> the corner of terrain. This would encourage him to try and hide in the terrain, allowing me to dictate the range of the engagement. Knowing my opponent's conservative nature, it was a good bet. I placed both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">pentacons</span> in the corner opposite the terrain.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/DilgarSetup.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 800px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 533px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/DilgarSetup.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73">Centauri</span> didn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74">disappoint</span>. This turn he had won his other battle, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75">successfully</span> defending the planet Garden from attack. Thus the stakes in this battle weren't as high in his estimation. He set up <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76">nearly</span> all of his ships behind the asteroid field. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_77">Primus</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_78">Balvarin</span> were even pointed to the far edge of the board, in case they needed to beat a hasty retreat. His <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_79">Sulust</span> <em>Stalwart</em> (the one long-range weapon in his inventory), was set up in the asteroid field along with one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_80">Kutai</span>, <em>Parry</em>. They had high enough crew quality that there was no chance of damage. It seemed he wished to castle up behind some stealth and see what I would do. All his fighters were placed in the asteroid belt, looking like a cloud of angry wasps.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 800px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 533px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/CentauriSetup.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />There was a great deal of distance between our two fleets. This suited me fine as I wanted to try some long range missile tactics.<br /><br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=NoMansLand.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/NoMansLand.jpg" border="0" alt="NoMansLand"></a><br /><br /><strong>Turn 1<br /></strong>Initiative <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_81">Centauri</span><br /><br />Our extreme range left me little to do but advance forward with both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_82">pentacons</span>, keeping my ships together for mutual support.<br /><br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=DilgarTurn1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/DilgarTurn1.jpg" border="0" alt="DilgarTurn1"></a><br /><br />The C<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_83">entauri</span> moved his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_84">Primus</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_85">Balvarin</span> behind the dust cloud in the corner. He had to give an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_86">APTE</span> order to the slow carrier so it could make the distance. This meant it was not launching more fighters this turn. All other ships gave an All Stop order. He seemed to like his current position.<br /><br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=CentauriTurn1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/CentauriTurn1.jpg" border="0" alt="CentauriTurn1"></a><br /><br />The swarm of fighters moved forward to be just outside 15" (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_87">bolter</span> range) of my fleet. This gave me the option of ignoring them or using my slow-firing missiles against them. I chose to ignore them, so there was no shooting this turn.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 2<br /></strong>Initiative <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_88">Centauri</span><br /><br />I call an All Stop with both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_89">pentacons</span>. My reasoning is that I am far outside range of his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_90">Sulust</span> and if he does nothing on this turn I will start using missiles on his fighters. Most of them are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_91">raziks</span> with a single weak weapon, but they are a lot of them. If the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_92">Centauri</span> stays in his "fort", then I should be able to take some shots without risk.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_93">Centauri</span> responds by moving his three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_94">kutai</span> near the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_95">Sulust</span> out and toward my fleet. The two that were behind the asteroid field swing around and angle in toward me, the one in the asteroid field is able to just move straight out. All <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_96">kutai</span> issue <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_97">CBD</span> orders. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_98">Primus</span> lumbers behind the dust cloud, slowly turning toward my fleet. The Carrier issues a Scramble order and unloads the remainder of its fighters.<br /><br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=CentauriTurn2a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/CentauriTurn2a.jpg" border="0" alt="CentauriTurn2"></a><br />Here we see the treacherous Centauri hiding behind a dust cloud.<br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=CentauriTurn2b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/CentauriTurn2b.jpg" border="0" alt="CentauriTurn2"></a><br />And here we see the brave <em>Parry</em> moving out to face the Dilgar fleet.<br /><br />The pile of fighters elects not to move. They won't give me free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_99">bolter</span> shots.<br /><br />As I'm considering my fire options, I notice that the closest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_100">kutai</span>, <em>Parry</em>, is just within missile range of <em>Throne</em>. I'm itching to try out my new ship so I decide to fire, unloading 20 AD of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_101">tripple</span> damage missiles into the little boat. It explodes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_102">spectacularly</span>. First blood to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_103">Dilgar</span>! The missiles on my other ships are only in range of the fighters and I don't want to waste all my slow loading fire.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 3</strong><br />Initiative <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_104">Centauri</span><br /><br />My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_105">pentacons</span> again both call All Stop, hoping to stay out of range while Throne reloads its missile racks. I make a mistake by keeping the dreadnought out front.<br /><br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=DilgarTurn3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/DilgarTurn3.jpg" border="0" alt="DilgarTurn3"></a><br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_106">Sulust</span> <em>Stalwart</em> races out of the asteroids and places itself 24" away from my flagship, inside range of its beam but outside the 24" range of the missiles from my other ships. He also moves his other two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_107">Kutai</span>, <em>Thrust</em> and <em>Slash</em>, forward toward my fleet.<br /><br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=CentauriTurn3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/CentauriTurn3.jpg" border="0" alt="CentauriTurn3"></a><br /><br />His <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_108">Primus</span> swings about to take position inside the dust cloud. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_109">balvarin</span> holds position, facing the edge of the board and ready to run at any moment.<br /><br />His fighters continue to hover outside <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_110">botler</span> range.<br /><br /><em>Stalwart</em> gets an unanswered battle laser shot at my flagship, scoring 6 hits with its 4 AD beam. The damage roll scores three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_111">criticals</span>. I'm stunned as the three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_112">criticals</span> rolled are a 5/6 (Hull Breach), 6/3 (Engineering), and a 6/6 (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_113">Catastrophic</span> Explosion)! The <em>Throne of Judgement</em> reels as it takes 25 damage, 20 crew, looses all traits, can issue no special actions, and has no damage control for the rest of the game. Ouch!<br /><br />I again decide to not fire missiles at the cloud of fighters hovering in the distance.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 4</strong><br />Initiative <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_114">Dilgar</span><br /><br />This was my first turn to finally win initiative, but it couldn't have come at a better time. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_115">pentacons</span> moved slowly forward since the dreadnought couldn't issue an all stop. I had the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_116">Jashakar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_117">Tae</span> <em>Hazard</em> move in front of Throne and issue the order "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_118">Maneuver</span> to Shield Them!" - kicking myself for not doing the same last turn as is my normal tactic.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_119">Sulust</span> gave a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_120">CBD</span> order, expecting a great deal of return fire this turn. <em>Thrust</em> and <em>Slash</em> moved further forward, one within gun range of the <em>Throne</em>, the other just short of the dreadnought but able to fire on <em>Hazard</em>.<br /><br />The Centauri fleet core is slowly coming about to engage from the dust cloud.<br /><br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=CentauriTurn4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/CentauriTurn4.jpg" border="0" alt="CentauriTurn4"></a><br /><br />His fighters then moved forward. Four <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_121">sentri</span> fighters took escort around the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_122">Sulust</span>, raising its <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_123">interceptor</span> rating to 6. The rest of the fighters moved forward to fire on the one ship that was close enough to attack, my sacrificial <em>Hazard</em> (life is very hard on frigates under my command).<br /><br />Scouts light up the <em>Stalwart</em>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_124">broadcasting</span> my intentions quite clearly.<br /><br />Three flights of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_125">razik</span> attack <em>Hazard</em>, scoring minor damage.<br /><br />Then it's my turn to fire, and the command <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_126">pentacon</span> unleashes hell. Thirty eight dice of missiles converge on <em>Stalwart</em>. To it's credit the ship stops a great deal of the damage with its fighter escort and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_127">CBD</span> order. But in the end there are simply too many dice. <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_128">Starwart</span></em> explodes and takes out the escorting fighters, doing minor damage to <em>Slash</em>. Throne fires its guns on <em>Slash</em> and damages it heavily, though dodge and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_129">CBD</span> keep it from suffering fatal wounds. All other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_130">bolters</span> fire at fighters and manage to kill 3 flights.<br /><br />Thrust fires on my flagship and scores a few points of damage.<br /><br />My support <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_131">pentacon</span> fires missiles on <em>Slash</em>, reducing it to a skeleton crew. Their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_132">bolters</span> fire on fighters to no effect.<br /><br /><em>Slash</em> fires on <em>Hazard</em> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_133">decrews</span> the frigate, leaving it adrift.<br /><br />This turn worked much better for me. Throne is hurt badly, but its <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_134">maneuvering</span> and weapons still function. In return I have destroyed the only long range weapon in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_135">Centauri</span> fleet.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 5</strong><br />Initiative <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_136">Dilgar</span><br /><br />My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_137">pentacons</span> begin to angle toward the far corner, hoping to position themselves to attack the remaining <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_138">Centauri</span> fleet. There is some risk, though, as <em>Throne</em> is gravely wounded. A good volley from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_139">Primus</span> could send it over the edge.<br /><br /><em>Slash</em> and <em>Thrust</em> move forward, getting very close to <em>Throne</em> in hopes of using all guns or, at least, harming the ship in their explosion.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_140">Primus</span> initiates a Jump Point. It wants to be ready to leave on a moment's notice if things continue south. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_141">maximus</span> is right there with it. The last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_142">Kutai</span> takes station at the edge of the dust cloud.<br /><br /><a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/?action=view¤t=CentauriTurn5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/Demeter_T8/CentauriTurn5.jpg" border="0" alt="CentauriTurn5"></a><br /><br />A cloud of fighters piles around <em>Throne</em>, hoping to inflict damage through sheer weight of numbers.<br /><br />My scouts light up <em>Thrust</em> and <em>Slash</em>.<br /><br />The fighters fire, doing a bit of damage to <em>Throne</em>. The massive ship is now at about 38 damage, 10 from being crippled. I can see my opponent trying to do the numbers in his head as he eyes his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_143">Primus</span>.<br /><br />Throne fires all guns in a spectacular light show, attempting to kill some of the fighters that plague it. Three are flights killed. It also fires a surgically calculated number of weapons at <em>Slash</em> and <em>Thrust</em>, managing to destroy them both without an immediate explosion.<br /><br />The rest of my fleet fires all bearing guns at fighters, killing 2 more all told.<br /><br />The moment of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_144">decision</span> is upon the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_145">Centauri</span>. Stay or leave?<br /><br /><strong>Turn 6<br /></strong>Initiative <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_146">Centauri</span><br /><br />My opponent didn't see any lucky <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_147">criticals</span> in the previous turn as he had hoped. So he decided to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_148">excercise</span> caution and leave the planet. If this had been a one-off game I'm sure he would have charged in. But the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_149">Centauri</span> are in dire economic straights right now and could not easily replace a lost <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_150">Primus</span>.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_151">Maximus</span> first races through the jump point. The last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_152">Kutai</span> (is that a movie title?), <em>Lunge</em>, can't make the jump point so it turns toward the edge of the board. It ends the turn a mere 2" from the table edge. The Bavarian lumbers off the edge of the board easily.<br /><br />I continue to bear down on the far corner. I manage to get my scouts within scouting range of <em>Lunge</em> and I get <em>Throne</em> just barely within the 42" range of its single extended range missile rack. All my ships with anti-fighter traits huddle in close around Throne.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_153">Centauri</span> fighters also heed the call to retreat and run for the edge of the board. I breathe a sigh of relief.<br /><br />Scouts paint <em>Lunge</em>.<br /><br /><em>Throne</em> makes a 'Hail Mary' shot with 5 AD of missile at range 40". After dodge and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_154">CBD</span> I do exactly 10 points of damage, destroying <em>Lunge</em> just before it can escape.<br /><br /><strong>Losses:</strong><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_155">Centauri</span></strong><br /><strong>Destroyed</strong>:<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_156">Sulust</span>, Stalwart (10 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_157">pts</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_158">Kutai</span>, Parry (3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_159">pts</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_160">Kutai</span>, Thrust (3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_161">pts</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_162">Kutai</span>, Slash (3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_163">pts</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_164">Kutai</span>, Lunge (3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_165">pts</span>)<br />1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_166">razik</span> flight (3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_167">pts</span>)<br /><br /><strong>Withdrawn:</strong><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_168">Primus</span>, Emperor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_169">Morell</span> (5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_170">pts</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_171">Balvarin</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_172">Turhan's</span> Glory (2.5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_173">pts</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_174">Maximus</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_175">Retiario</span> (1.25 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_176">pts</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_177">Sentri</span> (.75 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_178">pts</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_179">Razik</span> x2 (1.5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_180">pts</span>)<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_181">Dilgar</span> </strong><br /><strong>Destroyed:<br /></strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_182">Jashakar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_183">Tae</span>, Hazard (3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_184">pts</span>)<br /><br /><strong>Result:</strong><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_185">Dilgar</span> victory (37 points to 3)<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_186">Observations</span>:</strong><br />Playing within the scope of a campaign can greatly change how a battle plays out. This is one of the things I love about campaign play. My opponent had won a previous battle in this campaign turn, and so was not in a position where victory was necessary to stay in the game. Furthermore, he was loathe to risk any expensive assets because his income is currently low. This made him play very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_187">conservatively</span> and I was able to benefit from this.<br /><br />This battle wasn't "make or break" for me, either. But I had declared Demeter the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_188">Dilgar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_189">homeworld</span> and decided to defend it zealously, no matter the cost. So I was willing to risk big in order to keep it. It also helped that I am flush with resources in this campaign.<br /><br />Had the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_190">Cenaturi</span> kept all his fleet together they could have easily destroyed the <em>Throne of Judgement</em> after it took so much critical damage on turn 3. It would then have been a simple matter to finish off the remainder of my fleet, as 75% of my firepower on the table was in that one ship. But he couldn't have known he would get so lucky. Instead he decided to hold back his most expensive units and see if he could inflict enough damage with his other ships to make easy prey for them to finish off.<br /><br />The net effect of this was that I got to fight half his fleet with my whole fleet. Even then it was a close, exciting fight. Damn those high-quality <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_191">Centauri</span> ships.<br /><br />The strength of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_192">pentacon</span> played a big part in this battle. It is likely a second shot from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_193">Sulust</span> would have crippled <em>Throne</em>. I absolutely had to kill it before it got the chance. Having the firepower of 4 ships all at once was the only way I made this happen. The loss of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_194">init</span> sinks was a small price since the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_195">Centauri</span> were holding defensive positions.<br /><br />Aftermath:<br />The planet Demeter (New <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_196">Omelos</span>) remained in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_197">Dilgar</span> hands long enough for a relief fleet to arrive. The <em>Throne of Judgement</em> and its companions, bathed in glory, returned to base for repairs and a much deserved rest.<br /><br />=========================================================<br /><br />Supreme <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_198">Warmaster</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_199">Tor'han</span> looked up from his console. He had taken over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_200">ELINT</span> when the officer manning the station had been killed by shrapnel from a secondary explosion. It had been a long time since he served anywhere other than the captain's chair. There was a kind of purity in it. No tactics or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_201">mind games</span>. Just efficiency and duty.<br /><br />He spun around to see the <em>Throne</em>'s true commander. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_202">Fen'sta</span> had been flawless and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_203">Centauri</span> were in full retreat. In particular, she had a clear grasp on missile systems and linked targeting. Never had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_204">Tor'han</span> seen such accurate and effective 'time on target' <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_205">coordination</span>.<br /><br />As the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_206">ventalators</span> were finally clearing the smoke from the bridge the two locked eyes, the old campaigner and the brilliant young warrior. His decision was made in that moment.<br /><br />He stood up and walked toward the bridge exit. At the door he stopped and turned around. "I'm a creature of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_207">habbit</span>, captain. I've grown comfortable in my quarters on <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_208">Incorruptable</span></em> and, frankly, can't be bothered to uproot my whole command structure every time a new ship is built."<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_209">Fen'sta</span> turned to regard him, a confused look on her face. "Sir?"<br /><br />"I'm going to leave <em>Throne</em> in your hands. I can think of none more capable, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_210">Battlemaster</span></em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_211">Fen'sta</span>."<br /><br />He left the bridge before she could respond. The cheers of the crew could be heard even through the close bulkhead behind him. For the first time since news of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_212">homeworld</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_213">Tor'han</span> smiled.Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-84986428474625851492010-06-02T06:47:00.000-07:002010-06-02T09:32:45.997-07:00What Price?<div><em>Deep space near the planet Garden...</em><br /><br />"No, no, no! This is unacceptable!" Dar'Shal held his chronometer up, brandishing it like a weapon. "Your times are ninety seconds below standard!" The flight crew looked exhausted as they gathered in the ready room for his assessment of their ninth drill today. This was unusual work for a Battlemaster, especially one who was captain of his own vessel. But Dar'Shal had been asked to assist in training up crews in the fleet. Casualties had created massive shortages in manpower. Shortages that were being filled in by civilian recruits. Spite was the worst of the bunch with 80% of her crew being new replacements. If he could bring this crew up to military standard then thre was hope the fleet could sustain itself. He started his career as a flight deck officer so this was where he felt he could make a real difference.<br /><br />The battle at Demeter had given the crew some experience under pressure. But a review of their performance in that battle proved alarming. Every order to scramble fighters at battle speed had failed to execute. It was a miracle that there hadn't been a crippling accident. Reading the ships personnel records he noted that Fleet Command's assesment of this crew had been upgraded from "disaster" to "potential disaster."<br /><br />Now <em>Spite</em> was on a mission of its own and there was no large fleet to hide behind. Their only companion was the scout frigate <em>Rogue</em> providing ELINT and, more importantly, battle experience. The crew of <em>Rogue</em> were hardened veterans. While <em>Spite</em> was officially lead ship of the squadron, they would be following <em>Rogue</em>'s lead. A large detachment of fighters was also along to provide additional space superiority. With the fleet in its current battered state attrition units were the order of the day.<br /><br />There was no more time for drills today. The mission was about to begin. "Okay crew, today we are doing a reconnasance in force. We will try to establish a zone of control in the primary shipping lane to Garden. This means our fighters will be performing sorties with a Yellow Talon rotation schedule. One flight on CAP and one flight on Ready. We will be providing fuel and maintainence for two independent wings so keep bays 8 through 12 free and ready for stragglers. Straightforward enough. Any questions?"<br /><br />Dar'Shal was dismayed to see over half the flight crew raise their hands. This was going to a long day.<br /><br />As if to punctuate his thoughts the ship's klaxon announced the transition to battle status, bathing the crew in crimson light, and a voice over the intercom intoned, "Enemy contact. All hands to combat stations."<br /><br />The crew stood in the room, looking confused and lost. "Move it, people! Team Blue get to ordinance. Team Red...fuel. Go!" This seemed to shake everyone into action and the crew filed out looking almost like professionals. <em>I only hope we don't face anything too daunting. It would embarras War Leader Jo'Tok greatly to have her second crushed by an errant fuel canister.</em><br /><br />And with that last positive thought the Battlemaster ran to take his station.<br /><br />==========================================================<br /><br /><strong>Battle Report</strong><br /><br />The campaign pushes on in the remote system of Krish. Remnants of the Dilgar Imperium are trying to establish a new homeworld in the wake of the capture of Omelos. Today they are attempting to capture the lush world of Garden. This is one of the two remaining locations held by the Centauri and they are determined to defend it.<br /><br /><strong>Scenario:</strong><br />Space Superiority, 4 pts. Skirmish<br /><br />This will be a tiny battle, especially given the mission - to capture as much territory as possible.<br /><br /><strong>Forces:</strong><br /><br />Centauri:<br /><br />Vorchan (<em>Slicer</em>)<br />Maximus (<em>Triario</em>)<br />Kutai x2 (<em>Parry</em>, <em>Riposte</em>)<br />Razik x4<br />Sentri x4<br /><br /><br />Dilgar:<br /><br />Garasoch, <em>Spite</em> (5 Dartfighters, 5 Torpedofighters)<br />Jashakar Vi, <em>Rogue</em><br />Dartfighters x4<br />Torpedofighters x8<br /><br />My plan here was to fight a battle of attrition. I would send in my fighters, aided by the scout and attempt to inflict enough early damage that I could then simply retreat off the board and win on points. The scout had a crew quality of 5. This enabled it to help the poor carrier (CQ 3) perform its Scramble order. It also meant that a successful Redirect scout action only needed a roll of 3. By my calculations, I only needed to kill a skirmish ship and the two kutai and victory would be mine. If things got too dicy, I would just spin round the planet and leave the board.<br /><br /><strong>Setup:</strong><br />Initiative Dilgar<br /><br />The map had a single moon on it in one corner which would be the center of the fighting. There were several asteroid clusters, but they would play no part in this battle.<br /><br />The Centauri fleet set up as a cohesive group facing the moon. The Vorchan and Maximus were the center of the line, with the Kutais on the flanks and the fighters serving as escorts (unpainted fighters are Razik, painted fighters are Setnri).<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><p><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/Garden8/CentauriSetup.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 533px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 800px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/Garden8/CentauriSetup.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Dilgar fleet is simply a carrier and a scout in a small squadron. They set up in orbit of the moon, hoping the gravity well will give them extra options as well as some cover from the large array of Centauri guns. The scout hides behind the moon while the carrier has its guns facing the enemy. </p><br /><br /><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/Garden8/IMAG0214.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 533px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 800px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/Garden8/IMAG0214.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>I knew this would be a tough battle as soon as I saw the enemy fleet. It had both fighters (including the excellent Razik) and a Maximus providing anti-fighter and interceptors in support.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 1</strong><br />Initiative Centauri<br /><br />The Dilgar fleet calls an All Stop order with <em>Spite</em> also giving a Scramble order.<br />The Centauri fleet cautiously moves forward, measuring carefully to avoid any possible attack from the torpedofighters. All centauri fighters move to escort their ships.<br /><br />Dilgar fighters move up in a wave in front of the Centauri outside of the range of their guns - or so I thought. It turns out that two of these vessels had refits with extended range weapons. I loose 2 dartfighters to bad dodge rolls.<br /><br />In the end phase, all remaining fighters scramble from <em>Spite</em>.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 2</strong><br />Initiative Centauri<br /><br /><br />The Dilgar fleet again holds position as <em>Spite</em> wants to keep its guns facing the enemy. It orders Close Blast Doors, just in case. <em>Rogue</em> remains behind the moon, holding position and getting ready to leand redirect for the fighters.<br /><br />The Centauri roll up in a line, with all ships except the <em>Triario</em> giving a Close Blast Doors order. The slow Maximus must give an APTE order to keep up.<br /><br />Having lost initiative, I am forced to move my fighters first. I realize that I can't out dogfight his raziks with my dartfighters. I also realize that his escorting fighters can fly out to attack my torpedofighters if they open fire on his ships. I decide to try and do some serious damage to both his big ships. I move a single torpedofighter in to dogfight each of the 4 raziks on escort duty (2 on each enemy ship). Then I send my dartfighters on suicide runs against the vorchan and maximus. Finally, I move the remaining torpedofighters to fire on the Vorchan from maximum range.<br /><br />The suicide fighters are met by anti-fighter fire from <em>Triario</em>. Most get through and do moderate damage to the Maximus (no criticals) and moderate damage to the Vorchan (-1 AD crit).<br /><br />My scout fails to redirect fire on <em>Slicer</em>.<br /><br />Torpedofighters then unload onto the vorchan, doing light damage but scoring a single critical. The crit rolls up as a Reactor Implosion (6,5) doing heavy damage and killing all crew aboard.<br />One of my torpedofighters manages to win its dogfight, the others are lost. Two are recovered by the carrier.<br /><br /><em>Triario</em> and the two Kutai fire on <em>Spite</em>. They all manage to only score only 2 hits, but one of these hits scores an Engines Disabled (2,6) critical and sets <em>Spite</em> adrift.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 3</strong><br />Initiative Centauri<br /><br />The scout <em>Rogue</em> leaves the squadron, attempting to init sink at least one enemy ship. This will prove to be a mistake, though it does manage to line up its guns on a kutai, <em>Riposte</em>. <em>Spite</em> gives an All Hands on Deck order and drifts in orbit around the moon.<br /><br />The Centauri manuver to attack the scout, giving Concentrate Firepower orders with all ships except <em>Riposte</em>, which gives a CBD order.<br /><br />Centauri fighters continue to stick to their ships in escort. I am again forced to sacrifice several torpedo fighters in dogfights to enable the others to attack the kutai unmolested.<br /><br />My scout again failed to lend redirect for the fighters. Their fire is only moderately effective between the dodge rolls, and the CBD rolls of <em>Riposte</em>.<br /><br />Centauri fire destroys <em>Rogue. </em><em>Spite</em> is only able to fire a port volley at a kutai, which is lent interceptors by <em>Triario</em>. This and the dodge rating keep any real damage from hitting home.<br />In the end phae, <em>Spite</em> rolls a "1" trying to fix the Adrift critical. This failure leaves her unable to attempt an escape.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 4</strong><br />Initiative Centauri<br /><br />Time is running out for the Dilgar to inflict sufficient damage. Continually losing initiative is also taking a toll on fighters.<br /><br /><em>Spite</em>, drifting listlessly toward the edge of the board, issues a Scramble! order. She has a lot of hit points and needs more fighters in space to inflict harm upon the enemy.<br /><br />The centauri ships all move up behind Spite, where she has no guns bearing. All ships give Concentrate Firepower! orders except the damaged <em>Riposte</em> which gives CBD.<br /><br /><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/Garden8/IMAG0217.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/Garden8/IMAG0217.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Centauri fighters move first and engage many torpedofighters in dogfights. The remaining torpedofighters line up shots against <em>Riposte</em>.<br /><br />Anti-fighter fire and dogfighting chews away the bulk of remaining Dilgar fighter forces. Dodge, CBD, and interceptors lent from <em>Triario</em> make the torpedofighters ineffective.<br /><br />The Centauri open fire and do severe damage to <em>Spite</em>. She isn't crippled, but yet another Adrift! critical is scored. There is now no hope for the wounded carrier.<br /><br />End of turn, <em>Spite</em> fails to repair a critical and launches her last 2 fighters.<br /><br /><strong>Turn 5</strong><br />Initiative Centauri<br /><br /><em>Spite</em> drifts further, now simply hoping for blind luck to allow her time to drift off the board.<br />The Centauri all stay in her aft arc. <em>Triario</em> gives Intensify Defensive Firepower order.<br /><br />Centauri fighters race out to engage the new fighters and most of the remaining fighters. The hail of anti-fighter fire lent by <em>Triario</em> destroys them all.<br /><br />Fire from the Centauri fleet finishes off poor <em>Spite</em>, reducing her to exactly zero damage. She goes dead in space and becomes a prize for the Centauri fleet.<br /><br /><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/Garden8/IMAG0218.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/Garden8/IMAG0218.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Result:</strong><br />Centauri losses:<br />Vorchan (<em>Slicer</em>), Decrewed<br />some fighters<br /><br />Dilgar losses:<br />Garasoch (<em>Spite</em>), Destroyed<br />Jashakar Vi (<em>Rogue</em>), Destroyed<br />some fighters<br /><br />Centauri victory, 25 pts to 10 pts<br /><br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong><br />Things really turned south for me when my carrier was set adrift with a lucky critical. Combined with the failed attempt to repair it and the second adrift critical - the carrier was doomed. I also failed all scouting rolls with a CQ:5 scout. This drastically reduced the effectiveness of my torpedofighters.<br /><br />My opponent also brought just the right force to counter me, Raziks and a Maximus. This forced me to loose too many fighters in my "tie up" dogfights when trying to enable my attack craft a clear shot. The most effective weapon I had in this battle was my dartfighters making suicide runs on the enemy. But I only had so many fighters to expend.<br /><br />I think I had the right idea, using attrition units and running away with the carrier. But since the carrier couldn't escape and the fighters were largely neutralized by good enemy fleet selection and bad scouting - I was doomed.<br /><br /><strong>Ovservations:</strong><br />The Centauri excel at skirmish level, with the Maximus in the role of MVP. This tough ship is a force multiplier that can reduce waves of enemy fighters to so much scrap when supported by fighters of its own.<br /><br />Splitting the scout off from my squadron was also a bad move. With the CQ 5 of the scout, my carrier would have been much more likely to repair its Adrift critical and escape.<br /><br />A ship with a Dodge score and on Close Blast Doors order is extremely difficult to damage. Kutai are amazing patrol level ships.<br /><br /><strong>Aftermath:</strong><br />The Centauri keep possession of the planet and gain valuable XP dice to spend on missions and upgrades. In addition, since the carrier was set adrift and didn't explode they captured BattleMaster Dar'Shal - one of my named characters in the fiction for the campaign. What fate awaits Dar'Shal? I can only hope for an eventual prisoner exchage. But I fear he is already in the hands of Centauri telepaths.<br /><br />==========================================================<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Station Prime, Observation Deck</strong><br /><br />Jo'Tok read the report a second time, but the words hadn't changed. <em>Spite</em> was lost. And with her, a close friend and one of the more promising officers in the fleet. And perhaps there had been the potential for something more once the war was over.<br /><br />With effort she brushed these thoughts aside. There would be time to mourn later. For now there was still a war to prosecute.<br /><br />This was the third carrier task force lost in Krish. It seemd that they glory days of the Thorun fighter were finally over. The tiny craft had swept the Dilgar to victory over the last three years, but that was against the League. Now that they were facing two major and highly professional navies it seemed the shock value of fighter groups had been greatly diminished.<br /><br />The battleforce was just ariving from Demeter after their clash with the humans. Heavy damage was apparent on many of the ships and again there were several missing frigates. The War Leader sighed. <em>Even victory has a heavy price.</em></p>Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-35088192780847424572010-05-19T21:59:00.000-07:002010-05-19T22:08:15.122-07:00Here Is The NewsCarstairs reviewed the repair logs for the fleet. The lack of the third Nova left a hard stone in his stomach. <span style="font-style: italic;">Jeff could be an arrogant pain in the ass, but most truly good captains were.</span> He could still see him sitting in the ready room on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Scott</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"If it makes it easier for Hamato to finish the war, it's completely worth it."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I hope you really felt that way, Jeff.</span> The intercom chime interrupted Carstairs' thoughts. "Sir," the comm officer began, "General Rosales wishes to speak to you."<br /><br />A small shudder ran down Carstairs' back. His commanding officer's CO and Executive officer of the Liberation Navy, answering directly to Hamato? Carstairs had long ago ceased to be worried about communications from top brass but he knew that this call would be either really good news or really bad news. There was only one way to find out. "Count to ten and then put him through to my screen." He turned his chair to face the screen, pulled the bottom of his jacket to straighten out the wrinkles, ran his hand through his hair and waited for the image to come through.<br /><br />Herve Rosales' image formed from the static. "Good morning, Admiral Carstairs." he said, slightly rolling his Rs, revealing the accent of his native Spain. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."<br /><br />"Not at all, sir. How can I be of assistance to you today?"<br /><br />"Actually, I will be helping you, I think."<br /><br />Wheels turned in Carstairs' head. "I don't follow you, sir."<br /><br />"First, let me say that you have done an excellent job of tying the Dilgar up in the Krish System and the intelligence you have provided us has been of great value in the war effort."<br /><br />Carstairs inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, sir."<br /><br />"For that, you are welcome. Even more importantly, little stands between us and Omelos. Preliminary strikes have already begun and we should begin the final assault within the next few days."<br /><br />"That's wonderful, sir! Please confer my congratulations to Admiral Hamato."<br /><br />With a slight smile beneath his this mustache, Rosales said "I shall do that. Unfortunately, I do not think that this news will be good for you."<br /><br />"Sir?"<br /><br />"Our scouts tracking their flagship, the Mancat class vessel 'Seat of Punishment', detected it jumping out of the system two hours ago. We have reason to believe that it is heading in your direction."<br /><br />Carstairs wheels began to spin again. "It's arrival in system would confirm my belief that the Dilgar are trying to relocate to this system. I had hoped to dislodge them from the planet I believe they have chosen with our last attack but we failed. I wanted to overwhelm them with our force but it was much more heavily defended than we had expected. While we did sizable damage to their forces, it was not as valuable as what we lost."<br /><br />"Esto es la guerra. But this is both bad and good. If the forces around Omelos feel they have a way out, they may not fight like caged wolves to the death. Good for us but not so good for you."<br /><br />Carstairs showed a confident smile, but inside he was quite concerned. "I don't suppose you could help us with that, sir?"<br /><br />"As luck would have it, yes. With the help we've been getting from the worlds we have liberated, we have been able to free up other resources to send your way. We begin with some more Sagittari to replace the ones you have lost. Along with the engineers and tech upgrades, we will have you in better shape. If 'Seat of Punishment' arrives, you'll need it. That thing is a monster. And once we have pacified Omelos itself, we will be able to dispatch more forces from the fleet to aid you."<br /><br />"Sir, permission to speak freely?"<br /><br />Rosales leaned back. "Granted."<br /><br />"Sir, if I remember the specs on the Mancat correctly, I'm not sure we have the firepower to destroy it. And with the Centauri here, I'm loath to commit too much of our forces lest we leave them masters of the system and two jumps from Earth."<br /><br />"Patience, Admiral. Once Omelos is disposed of, we can turn our attentions to your little problem."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But would we survive our little problem? That remained to be seen.</span> But Carstairs knew Omelos was the most important mission of all. "Understood, sir. We will maintain resistance until more forces can be sent to aid."<br /><br />"Very good Admiral. Oh, and one last thing, would you pass a message to Captain Cargano the next time you see him? It is not important enough to tie up a channel."<br /><br />"I'd be happy to, sir." It was a little unorthodox, but everyone passed messages back and forth this.<br /><br />"Tell Bill I said Queen's Knight to King's four. And that I will mate him in nine moves. Anything else you would like to say, Admiral?"<br /><br />"No, sir. I have much to prepare for."<br /><br />"Then I will leave you to it. Good luck, Admiral Carstairs. May God be with you. Rosales out."<br /><br />As the screen went dead, Carstairs sat back and closed his eyes. <i>Losing a Nova is now, officially, the least of my worries...</i>Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-19173325726429768982010-05-19T13:11:00.000-07:002010-05-20T06:02:57.085-07:00Comes the MessengerWar Captan Tor'han sat at the bridge of <em>Incorruptable</em>, breathing a sigh of relief. The humans were ending their attack and retreating to hyperspace. His plan of splitting the enemy forces on either side of the planet had paid off. Tactical was reporting the descrutction two hyperion cruisers and half the enemy scout ships. More important was the destruction of the nova dreadnought <em>Posiedon</em>. This was one of only three such ships in the human fleet and it had worried him almost as much as those damnable Orestes battleships.<br /><br />As if to echo his thoughts, <em>Incorruptable</em> began to shudder as power was restored to the engines. The masive dreadnought had been struk twice and set adrift by the powerful laser of the Orestes, <em>Winfield Scott</em>. A shame he hadn't been able to reach optimal fighting range with him. Tor'han wondered who would prevail in such a battle. <em>Incorruptable</em> was a tough ship, but the Scott could match it blow-for-blow. Intelligence informed him that the commander of all human forces in the system was on that ship. Commendable; and telling. Nearly every other race the Dilgar had fought were commanded from remote locations. The humans seemed to understand that a commander leads from within the battle.<br /><br />Reports continued to arrive. Their primary assault ship, <em>Terror</em>, along with the other assault craft had been savaged. It seems the humans had singled out his virus bombardment ships intentionally. Why, he wondered? Their contribution to the battle was a token one. Their virus bombs and mass drivers were of little use outside a planetary assault. Perhaps they meant to blunt the Dilgar ability to capture more planets? Since the humans held no other habitable planets this implied close cooperation with the Centauri - a troubling thought.<br /><br />A full pentacon of torpedo frigates was lost. Again. Duty on these ships had become a kind of punishment, or proving ground depending on the outlook of the crew. The replacement ships were even begining to show this in their names: <em>Hazard</em>, <em>Peril</em>, <em>Penance</em>. The War Captain chuckled at this. At least gallows humor was still humor. And they would need all the elan that they could muster.<br /><br />Things were much more desperate back at Omelos. The homeworld was now under constant attack. Raids for now, but the final assault was expected at any moment. Everything rested on his success here. The torrent of refugee ships had now ceased entirely. What they had was all there would ever be.<br /><br />Sieze the system then destroy the jump gate. It was a slim hope, but all that remained for his people.<br /><br />Still, they were well established here. Their scientific and industrial base was growing as the facilities around the base expanded. A testament to this was the series of new and experimental vessels leaving the local shipyards now. There was a command destroyer with a Jump Engine installed - the smallest jump capable ship in the history of his people. Several craft were upgraded with improved sensors, able to pinpoint and target enemy scout ships despite their stealth technology. If they could simply buy breathing space, a few decades at most, then their people could once again be a vital empire.<br /><br />The ELINT officer suddenly broke his reverie, "Sir! We have a ship arriving in high orbit. Jump point opening now. IFF codes identify her as... Sir?"<br /><br />High above the glittering orb of Demeter a tear in space opened and a ship made the transition from the hellish landscape of hyperspace to the relative calm of realspace. The ship was massive, larger even than <em>Incorruptable</em>. Its configuration was one Tor'han had never seen before. But the huge imperial seal emblazoned on the hull left little question as to what it represented. This was the <em>Throne of Judgement</em>, flagship of the Dilgar empire and arguably the most powerful ship in space outside the Minbari Federation.<br /><br />"<em>Throne of Judgement</em> requesting to speak with you, War Captain!" the comms officer relayed in barely suppressed excitement.<br /><br />"Acknowledge their transmission," Tor'han pushed off from the console and floated to his command chair. Once he was strapped in he nodded to the young officer, "Patch them through."<br />The screen came to life, showing a suprisingly young woman in the commander's chair. Even more suprising was her low rank, not the sort of officer you would expect at the conn of the Imperium's flagship. The young officer addressed Tor'han with a salute, "Battle leader Fen'sta reporting for duty."<br /><br />The War Captain regarded her with a mix of curiosity and dread, "Battle leader, perhaps you should explain yourself."<br /><br />"Greetings, War Captain. I bring you a gift from Omelos," her eyes dropped to the floor as she finished the message, "The last that you will ever receive."<br /><br />"Explain yourself, Battle leader," Tor'han calmly requested, though he feared he already knew the answer.<br /><br />"Omelos has fallen. The fleet destroyed. It is now at the mercy of our enemies."<br /><br />Silence filled the bridge of <em>Incorruptable</em> as each crewman processed this last statement.<br /><br />Tor'han considered this news for a long moment. "We have a strong base of operations. From here we could wage a long and bloody vengence. It may take years but we can still liberate our people!" He was already begining to work out the logistics of an extended guerilla campaign against the League and Earthforce.<br /><br />Fen'sta slowly and sadly shook her head. "Sir, I hold your final orders from the Emperor himself." She held up a sheet of paper and began to formally recite, "Tor'han, you have served the Imperium with honor and glory. I hereby appoint you Supreme Warmaster of the Dilgar Imperium. This ship...the flagship of the Imperium...is now your flagship." It was an effort for her to keep her voice steady, but to her credit she barely managed it. "You are to never return to Omelos. Consider it lost forever. You will understand in due time." A moment's pause, and the young officer looked up at Tor'han. "That is the end of the message."<br /><br />Gal'fen, the XO and Tor'han's aid de camp through decades of campaigning, stood to attention and shouted, "Hail the Supreme Warmaster!" Such was the confidence and power of his voice that the rest of the bridge crew immediately responded.<br /><br />"Hail the Supreme Warmaster!"<br /><br />Tor'han looked out the viewport amidst the cheers of his crew. The planet hanging there in the sky was no longer Demeter. For better or worse it was Homeworld.Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-49745442995962946822009-09-24T20:47:00.000-07:002009-09-27T09:56:27.742-07:00…And A Time to ReapCarstairs was lost inside his own head as he pondered the system map. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Centauri hold was growing stronger</span>, he thought, <span style="font-style: italic;">but we must never lose sight of our real mission here. Much of the system fleet was tied up in constant chase and patrol thanks to Hrudek and between the repairs to the fleet, the fuel consumption of so many ships, the monotony of constant drilling and the pall of the defeat Earthforce had been handed, many things were in short supply, most importantly materiel and morale. The boys needed a win and needed it badly. Earth didn't need it as badly. The victories on the way to Omelos were racking up. But these men? You could see it in some of their eyes. Many accepted that you win some and you lose some, but the sting of being the superior force and losing was still fresh. </span><br /><br />The one real coup, however, had been the capture of a Dilgar ship. Intel was still going over the information from the computers, but now Carstairs understood why the Dilgar were here.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">They want planets in this system for colonization. That means one of two things. Either they are so certain of their victory against Earth and the other races that they're already planning more expansion or they're trying to get people off their homeworld in case they lose. </span><br /><br />Wheels continued to turn in Carstairs' head.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The former seems unlikely based on the reports from the front. Maybe a little propaganda was mixed in but even the most conservative reading says we're winning and our allies' reports were backing that up. The latter seemed much more likely. If they're afraid of losing their homeworld to us, then no wonder they're trying to evacuate. They virus bomb worlds they take. In their minds, why wouldn't we do the same to them?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We know what they want. So now we must deny it to them. Carstairs spun his chair around and began typing. We must deny them…</span><br /><br />The decision was clear. The die was cast.<br /><br /><br />"General, Admiral Carstairs wishes to speak to you." Hrudek groggily ran his hand through his hair and over the empty socket. He could still see in his mind the branch that cost him his eye at the age of 14. But if people wanted to believe it was a battle scar, let them. It made most men afraid to…inconvenience him, but not Carstairs. And only he would probably have the guts to call him in the middle of his sleep like this. Unless there was an actual emergency, of course. One could only hope not. There had been enough misfortune. And by "misfortune", Hrudek meant "incompetence". He slipped on an eyepatch and gruffly announced “Put him through.”<br /><br />Carstairs face appeared on the monitor. "Good morning, General. I'm sorry to wake you, but your new orders were too important to allow them to wait."<br /><br />Hrudek shook his head to wake himself more quickly. "What new orders?"<br /><br />"I know you and Kallis have been planning to retake the garden world from the Centauri. The plan has changed. You will have a new target: Demeter."<br /><br />Hrudek cocked his head. "The virus bombed planet? What good is it to us?"<br /><br />"I'm broadcasting intel on a sub-channel. Look at it and hopefully you will understand. We're attacking it and taking it. There can be no other outcome. I'll even lead personally."<br /><br />Hrudek gave a dismissive grunt. "Fine. What forces do you want back from me?"<br /><br />"You misunderstand, General. Every ship in the system capable of fighting, yours included, will be involved in this action. Failure is not an option on this one."<br /><br />"I didn't think you had the stones to make that sort of gamble and I question the wisdom of it anyway. What if we lose?"<br /><br />"If we lose, we will hit it again and we will keep hitting it until we take it or a truly better option comes along. And as long as the Centauri keep the Garden, there is no other 'better' option."<br /><br />Hrudek shifted uneasily. "What you describe is madness!"<br /><br />"Read the intel. What I describe is strategy. You have your orders, General. Carstairs out."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That damnable bastard!</span> Hrudek thought. <span style="font-style: italic;">He better damn well know what he's doing! </span> Hrudek scanned the orders he was sent, forwarded them to section heads and then barked out for a com to Navigation. "Plot a course for Rendezvous Point Gamma at half speed. What's our ETA?"<br /><br />"We...we won't have exact figures for a few minutes yet but about seven hours, sir."<br /><br />"Fine. Have my adjutant wake me up in three and I want the section heads there waiting 10 minutes later. We are going to be hunting Dilgar."<br /><br />"Sir! Yes, sir!" and the link went dead.<br /><br />Hrudek took off the eyepatch and pulled the covers back over him. <span style="font-style: italic;">He damn well better know…</span>Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-17589012592341791792009-09-15T13:10:00.000-07:002009-09-15T13:56:58.416-07:00The Price of VictoryLord Maximo Drusella, graying but stately in his dress uniform, stepped up to the viewing gallery on Star Fortress <span style="font-style: italic;">Victory</span> overlooking the spacedock, courtiers and adjutants yet in attendance from the recent victory celebration.<br /><br />"WHAT. HAVE YOU DONE. TO MY SHIP!?" roared the aged Centauro, his contorted visage approximately 15 centimeters from that of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Emperor Morell</span>'s apprehensive captain. The rest of the company became immediately silent.<br /><br />The once-proud <span style="font-style: italic;">Emperor Morell</span>, a Primus-class battlecruiser of the Drusella House Expeditionary Force, hung pathetically at the end of the primary service arm of Star Fortress <span style="font-style: italic;">Victory</span>'s spacedock. The starboard and port sections were relatively intact, but the aft engineering section had been knocked almost completely off, and the central portion of the mighty ship virtually did not exist, only a thin skeleton of internal supports uniting the two sides together, underneath the lolling command section.<br /><br />"Do you know how much that ship is worth?" Maximo continued, his roar having reduced now to a seething hiss. The ship's captain began to speak, but Maximo cut him off, returning to a roar. "More than you!"<br /><br />"Yes, m'lord."<br /><br />The battle over Garden had begun so well. <span style="font-style: italic;">Emperor Morell</span> and her Maximus-class escort<span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Triario</span></span> had arrived to "show the flag" and perhaps bully Earthforce out of the system with veiled threats and implications of Centauri sanctions... pure bluffing, of course. However, two things surprised the Centauri: first, that the garrison around Garden had been reduced to a minimal level; and second, that the Earthers took an immediately aggressive posture. When the Earthers moved to attack, the Centauri had no choice but to make good their initial bluster.<br /><br />Even though the Centauri group consisted of only two ships, they were more than a match for the small Earthforce contingent: EAS <span style="font-style: italic;">Spruance</span>, an Avenger-class carrier, EAS <span style="font-style: italic;">Duncan</span>, an Olympus gunship, and four Tethys-class gunboats of various types.<br /><br />The captain's arrogance was only confirmed when the first shot from <span style="font-style: italic;">Emperor Morell</span>, in a perfect example of precision gunnery, struck the EAS <span style="font-style: italic;">Duncan</span> directly down her spinal beam mount, vaporizing her only weapon (and, indeed, Earthforce's most powerful weapon in this carrier group) and crippling her. The Centauri crew gave a cheer as clearly the battle had already been won.<br /><br />Surprisingly, the Earthforce group came straight at the Primus. In another stunning display of gunnery from the Primus, two Tethys laser boats were vaporized, and two on the flank were damaged.<br /><br />Then, the unthinkable happened. First, one of the wounded Tethys missile boats rammed the <span style="font-style: italic;">Emperor Morell</span>, almost knocking away the aft engineering section and setting her adrift. And then, to the horror of the Centauri, the EAS <span style="font-style: italic;">Spruance</span>, with a flight deck still containing at least a dozen Starfuries and crews, launched herself straight into the bow of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Emperor Morell</span>! The aim of the crazed Earther helmsman was off just a tiny bit, and so instead of breaking apart into space junk, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Emperor Morell</span> managed to hold together by a tiny sliver of skeletal structure between her two halves. The enormous brick-like <span style="font-style: italic;">Spruance</span>, however, was crushed and compacted into a smouldering ball of wreckage and human jelly... all hands were squashed and melted in an instant of mind-bending violence. Over half the crew of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Emperor Morell</span> were variously crushed and/or exposed to vacuum.<br /><br />"Great Maker..." Maximo had begun mumbling, staring out the gallery window. "Great Maker." He heaved a sigh. First, the Dilgar <span style="font-style: italic;">virus bombed</span> the entire planet of Demeter. Why? Why kill everyone? They could have taken the Centauri governor, his family and all the Centauri citizens as prisoners for ransom. They could have made a fortune! And why kill all the millions of native sentients? They were an entire army of slaves waiting to be gainfully employed. To waste all of that potential... for what? It didn't make any sense.<br /><br />And now this. The Earthers <span style="font-style: italic;">ramming</span>. With a half-full <span style="font-style: italic;">carrier</span>? In order to protect an uninhabited planet? It was pure insanity. Though Garden was not a poor world by any means, it would take a long time for the resource yields on that planet to equal the price of a carrier. After the EAS <span style="font-style: italic;">Duncan</span> was scratched, they should have withdrawn and ceded the issue. Like gentlemen.<br /><br />"And you have no idea why the Earthers rammed you?"<br /><br />"No, m'lord."<br /><br />"Did you say something about their mothers?"<br /><br />"No, m'lord."<br /><br />"Did you try to get out of the way?"<br /><br />"Yes, m'lord."<br /><br />Silence followed.<br /><br />"Shall I resign my commission, Lord Drusella?"<br /><br />Maximo sighed again. "No, no. I'm sure you did everything you could. Besides, you are a Hero of the Centauri Republic. You destroyed two capital ships and three escorts."<br /><br />The captain gulped. "M'lord, I destroyed one and two, and the others rammed me."<br /><br />"Don't contradict me again, captain. You are a Hero of the Republic and that is that. You will conduct <span style="font-style: italic;">what remains of my ship</span> back to the Imperial Shipyards at Centauri Prime. The Station Master owes me several favors... and so he will be seeing to these repairs personally. And perhaps make some improvements while he is at it."<br /><br />"Yes, m'lord."<br /><br />"Captain, have you ever even heard of anyone using a loaded fleet carrier as a missile?"<br /><br />"No, m'lord."<br /><br />"Doesn't it sound as if they are simply flushing ducats out of an airlock?"<br /><br />"Precisely so, m'lord."<br /><br />"Well. Now I understand why the Earthers and the Dilgar hate each other so much. They're exactly alike."Korgothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683370654357044679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-56347640056424384232009-09-15T09:05:00.000-07:002009-09-15T11:22:36.421-07:00Ambush at Transfer Point Baker<strong>Bridge: Dilgar flag cruiser <em>Reaper</em></strong><br /><br />"Scout pentacon reporting in," the communications officer whispered. "They are reading two battleships, two dreadnoughts, nine cruisers, four missile ships, a fleet carrier, and various support ships."<br /><br />"All ships to action stations. Prepare to execute attack when the bulk of the human fleet has passed the ambush point." Warleader Jo'tok spoke softly into the command interface, her orders relayed to every ship in the fleet. While it wasn't truly necessary to be silent on a spacecraft to avoid detection the hunter's intstinct was strong in the Dilgar. Every crewman in the fleet could feel their blood rise as the moment of the attack grew near. Each felt the electric thrill of an impending kill.<br /><br />Despite this, Jo'tok was worried. This ambush had been initially planned as an easy excercise. They were to raid Earther shippping and await the task force sent in response. What responded was nothing short of a full battle fleet. Hiding in the dust cloud had played havoc with sensors and the true scale of the human fleet wasn't apparent until moments before they reached the ambush point. Even with surprise on their side Jo'tok doubted that her force could completely destroy the enemy.<br /><br />Still...not attacking was out of the question. Dilgar did not cower before the enemy. Never. The plan now was to inflict maximum damage and disengage before the enemy could mount an effective response. With some luck they might be able to eliminate key vessels and put the humans on the back foot.<br /><br />She had an impressive battle force under her command.<br /><br />Pentacon Reaper: Lead by her own ship, consisted of the heavy cruisers <em>Reaper</em> and <em>Raveger</em>, the light cruisers <em>Flawless</em> and <em>Vigilant</em>, with the command destroyer <em>Dogma</em> providing coordination. There was more firepower in this single pentacon than Jo'tok had ever led in an entire fleet. This was to be the hammer.<br /><br />Pentacon Omen was led by Dar'shal commanding strike cruiser <em>Omen</em>. In support were strike cruiser <em>Slayer</em>, torpdeo ships <em>Pistol</em> and <em>Rifle</em>, and the command destroyer <em>Certainty</em>. This was a swift pentacon, capable of out manuvering anything in the earthforce fleet. If possible it would swing to the far side of the enemy formation and perform a pincer manuver.<br /><br />Scout pentacon consisted of the scout ships <em>Hunter</em>, <em>Searcher</em>, <em>Finder</em>, and <em>Quester</em> lead by the command destroyer <em>Doctrine</em>. They would initially provide sensors support. Their job then was to close with the enemy at point blank range and cover the retreat of the more important ships.<br /><br />Finally, was the heavy carrier <em>Venom</em>. It was to remain in the dust cloud and provide tactical support for all fighter wings. Instructions were to evade and disengage if needed.<br /><br />Jo'tok gave one last glance at the tactical readout. It appeared that the humans had anchored each end of their fleet with a battleship and a dreadnought. The center held cruisers, missile ships, and the carrier. An excellent formation for a closing engagement. But a poor one when attacked from a flank.<br /><br />"All ships, attack!" The command was now loud and clear. The time for stealth was done.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><strong>Space</strong><br /><br />Two heavy pentacons emerged from the dust clouds at high speed, bearing down on the surprised earthforce ships. Most of the vessels were slow to respond to this new threat, lumbering forward into the fields of pre-vectored fire. A few ships were more alert. The Hyperion <em>Savannah</em> made an emergency turn toward the approaching dilgar, bringing its forward plasma batteries to bear. A swarm of Dilgar attack fighters moved to intercept the cruiser. Its interceptor network swatted down their attacks, but the effort depleted them and left <em>Savannah</em> vulnerable.<br /><br />The opening volley from the Dilgar was devastating. Pentacon Reaper was the first to reach optimal range. The heavy cruisers <em>Reaper</em> and <em>Ravager</em> fired full into the Earthforce carrier <em>Mitchell</em>, a massive spread of missiles followed closely by a hail of bolter fire. Starfury flights responded to this by hurling themselves between the incoming storm and their charge, but weight of fire brushed them aside like leaves in a storm as the proud carrier was reduced to a drifting grave. The light cruisers <em>Flawless</em> and <em>Vigalent</em>, with support from the command destroyer <em>Dogma</em>, unloaded into the missile cruiser <em>Barker</em> causing it to explode when a bolter volley ruptures the ammo magazines. The ensuing conflagaration damaged nearby ships and blasted dozens of Starfurys from the sky.<br /><br />Pentacon Omen followed suit destroying another missile cruiser, the <em>Morgan</em>, and damaging the only earthforce cruiser with the temerity to turn into their attack, the <em>Savannah</em>. Though suffering a hail of fire which would wreck lesser ships, the proud cruiser refused to be bowed and brought all forward plasma batteries to bear on <em>Reaper</em>. Superheated plasma lept across the void and struck <em>Reaper</em> amidships, ploweing through the armor plating of the massive ship like it wasn't there. The engines of <em>Reaper</em> sputtered as they struggled to compensate for the loss of all starboard fuel feeds.<br /><br />One ship, the <em>Marakesh</em>, which had appeared to be a standard Hyperion cruiser suddenly became the source of a cloud of misiles which all angled toward the Dilgar heavy carrier <em>Venom</em>. These missiles were joined by scores more from the remaining missile cruisers <em>Franklin</em> and <em>Mercury</em>. Too late, Dilgar sensors showed that the human missiles were a new variety of high-yeild warheads never seen before. <em>Venom</em> is pushed violently to the starboard as a dozen new suns are born in close proximity. Though she survived the assault her flight decks are wrecked and all sensors have been vaporized from her hull.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><strong>Bridge: Dilgar flag cruiser <em>Reaper</em></strong><br /><br />"I'm geting tired of these human suprises." Jo'tok growled as she helplessly watched the <em>Venom</em> wither under fire. It seemed that Earthforce had a weapon system custom tailored for every fight. "Order <em>Venom</em> to retire before we loose her entirely."<br /><br />Assessing the tactical situaion, Jo'tok quickly decided what to do next. They'd picked off the outer fringes of the fleet. But to inflict real damage they would now need to close range and get in a knife fight with the humans. This meant getting dangerously close to the Nova Dreadnought and Orestes Battleship at the rear. She may never again be offered this many human ships in so vulnerable a position. There was little choice. One high-speed battle pass and out the other side.<br /><br />Her orders were relayed quickly and the Dilgar pressed their advantage. She smiled a predator's grin as she watched the entire front half of the human column struggling vainly to come about in time help their fleet mates.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><strong>Space</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Pentacon Reaper dived into the heart of the human fleet bringing all guns to bear on the massive form of the Nova Dreadnought <em>Medusa</em>. Two full wings of Thorun attack fighters launched their torpedoes at the dreadnought, overtaxing its inadequate interceptor grid. In a perfect display of Dilgar precision, the bolter fire from all five ships in the pentacon raked the <em>Medusa</em>. Under the concentrated firepower of four cruisers the mighty dreadnought is transformed into a flaming wreck.<br /><br />To accomplish this the <em>Ravager</em> had to move within weapons range of the battleship <em>Alexander</em> <em>Suvorov</em> - which now opened a full broadsides. The Dilgar had learned to rightly fear a broadside fusillade from a Nova dreadnought, but few had any experience fighting the Orestes Battleship. They were generally too slow and lumbering to ever reach the cruicial points in a battle before it was over. But if one can be in the right place at the right time...<br /><br />A veritable wall of plasma belched from the starboard side of the <em>Suvorov</em> as every gun was brought to bear on the Dilgar heavy cruiser. Armor plating boiled off of the hull of Ravager as if it were water, exposing the innards of the ship to vaccuum. Secondary explosions and fires rolled out of control along her length, reducing power to all weapons and defense systems. In an instant, <em>Ravager</em> was reduced from a ship in prime fighting trim to a barely spaceworthy hull, limping away at reduced power.<br /><br />Pentacon Omen targeted the auxiliary ships, concentrating fire on the missile cruiser <em>Franklin</em> and her escort frigate <em>Norden</em>. Again, the vulnerability of the Sagittarius missile cruisers is exposed as ammo magazines alight and explode, gravely crippling the ship. The <em>Norden</em> didn't fare so well, the tiny ship overwhelmed and destroyed by bolter and pulsar fire. In return the hyperion assault cruisers <em>Guan Yu</em> and <em>Vostok</em> moved within range and raked <em>Flawless</em> with their plasma batteries, disabling her damage control systems.<br /><br />One squadron of trhee Hyperion cruisers realized that they will not be able to turn around in time to join the fight. Instead, they all turned directly away from the skirmish and aligned their rear heavy lasers on the Dilgar flaghsip. The <em>Reaper</em> is momentarily pinned in place by three massive lances of light, like a butterfly in a display case. She is struck just forward of engineering, completely cutting power to all aft weapons and reducing her speed as the engine struggles to compensate.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><strong>Bridge: Dilgar flag cruiser <em>Reaper</em></strong><br /><br />Jo'tok picked herself up from the floor and took her station. She was amazed that <em>Reaper</em> was still in one piece. Any other Dilgar ship short of a dreadnought would have been destroyed by such a blow. Still, she knew the ship would not survive another like that. She also saw the wounded status of her sister ship Ravager. It was time to leave before they suffered more extreme losses.<br /><br />"Pentacon Reaper, plot escape vector and make best speed!" She needed to occupy the human forces while the more valuable ships disengaged. "Scout pentacon, close range and engage the core of the enemy fleet. Concentrate on long range missile ships."<br /><br />---<br /><br /><strong>Space</strong><br /><br />The ships of the scout pentacon raced out of the dust cloud, quickly coming to point blank range with Savannah. Though designed for scouting and electronic warfare they are still heavily armed. Every Dilgar ship is a fighting vessel first and formost. The weapons batteries of the five ships at such close range devastate the wounded <em>Savannah</em>, finally striking the fusion reactor. A chain reaction quickly follows and the Savannah dissappears in an expanding cloud of debris.<br /><br />The forward half of the human fleet had performed about half of the needed turn to fully come about. There was only one target available to them and that was the carrier <em>Venom</em>, vainly attempting to disengage on wounded engines. Three Oracle scout cruisers, three Hyperions cruisers, and the battleship Winfield Scott all line up <em>Venom</em> with their heavy laser batteries. The ship simply ceased to exist as seven massive lasers carve her into pieces.<br /><br />As the command pentacon with wounded <em>Reaper</em> and <em>Ravager</em> attempted to escape, the other Dilgar ships furiously pressed home the attack.<br /><br />Buying time with their lives; scout frigates <em>Finder</em> and <em>Searcher</em> race toward the missile cruiser <em>Franklin</em> attempting to ram it. The Searcher just misses as <em>Franklin</em> performs a desperate evasion manuver. But Finder slams into the side of the ship, burying itself several meters into the hull before exploding. <em>Franklin</em> is gravely wounded and has lost all starboard missile tubes. <em>Searcher</em> is carried by its inertia straight into the waiting guns of the Nova dreadnought <em>Chronos</em>, where it is reduced to component parts in seconds.<br /><br /><em>Franklin</em> is then beset by the remaining Thorun attack fighters. The nimble dart and weave along the hull of the ship, getting close enough to fire into the gaping wound left by <em>Finder</em>. The attacks finally hit their mark and <em>Franklin</em>'s missiles detonate in an increasingly common pyrotechnics display - taking the cruiser along with all the attacking fighters.<br /><br />Pentacon Omen closes with the squadron of Hyperion cruisers which damaged <em>Reaper</em> and performs a strafing run on the cruiser <em>Jakarta</em>. The timing in the attack is flawless, a testament to Dilgar discipline and training. Each ship in turn races by the <em>Jakarta</em>, unloading missiles and bolters as it then vectors away toward escape. By the time the last ship has finished its attack run the <em>Jakarta</em> is a flaming hulk. Its mission accomplished, pentacon Omen then breaks and disengages.<br /><br />The battleship <em>Alexander</em> <em>Suvorov</em> pushes its engines to the limit and makes an impossibly tight turn, bringing its long range heavy laser to bear on the fleeing Dilgar flagship. Out of spite, if nothing else, it takes one last shot at the diminishing shilouette of <em>Reaper</em>. The shot strikes true, passing entirely through the ship and out the far side.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><strong>Bridge: Dilgar flag cruiser <em>Reaper</em></strong><br /><br />"Damage report!" Jo'tok had to yell to be heard above the howling wind. She knew the ship had been gravely hurt. Gravity had failed, but she was still in her chair because the engines were locked at maximum acceleration. The wind told her of multiple severe hull breaches and the damage control display showed loss of atmosphere over 80% of the ship.<br /><br />"Total casualties in all sections aft of section nine! Emergency engineering teams are working on the engines!" yelled the DamCon officer. Suddenly the wind stopped as airtight doors closed off the breaches. "Ships systems", she continued at a more level tone, "are largely intact. But crew casualties are nearly total."<br /><br />One last time she was suprised by the humans as that cursed battleship fired a laser with a range they had never seen. It was believed that the Hyperions represented the extent of Earther beam capabilities. Apparently what they couldn't make up for with technology they would compensate with size. Her scans now clearly showed how the Orestes battleships were literally built around a massive spinal laser which could fire even further than Dilgar missiles.<br />Twice now she had nearly lost her ship to the unexpected. "That was the last time," she vowed, not entirely convincing herself.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><strong>Space</strong><br /><br />As pentacons Reaper and Omen receeded into the distance, the few scout ships remaining rammed and destroyed the last Sagittarius missile ship, <em>Mercury</em>. The command destroyer <em>Doctrine</em> attempted to escape, but were overtaken and hulled by multiple human ships. It was then boarded and taken a prize.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><strong>Commander's Office: Star Fortress <em>Station Prime</em></strong><br /><br />"I've read your report, Warleader," War Captain Tor'han placed the reader on his desk. "You did considerable damage to the humans. A fleet carrier, two heavy cruisers, and four of those damnable missile ships. They will not soon recover, I think."<br /><br />Jo'tok stood before the War Captain's desk. Behind him she could see the massive shipyards patching the damage to her ship <em>Reaper</em>. "They still have signifigant forces remaining, sir. Now that we've seen the Orestes battleships in action, I wish we had eliminated them as well."<br /><br />"Yes. Those are troubling ships. But they are few and expensive, like your own ship. Thanks to your work, we have the humans on the back foot. If it wasn't for those damned Centauri we could have control of the system with a final push." Tor'han pressed a control on his desk and a graphic of the system appeared on its surface. On it were all the strategic points and known fleet dispositions in the system.<br /><br />The War Captain waved at the display, "as you can see. The humans have been pushed back to their base in the asteroid belt. They still have siginificant resources there, but they are effetively bottled up." As he spoke, two locations on the map flashed. One at the mining station known as Slag, the other at the ship graveyard on the edge of the system.<br /><br />"Our real worry now is the Centauri." At this the map flashed to emphasize three of the four planets in the system. "They have an iron grip on Krish Prime. That damn space station of theirs is a fortress. They also have gas mining facilities in orbit over Krish V. Most importantly, they hold Garden. That is going to be our new homeworld."<br /><br />Jo'tok stared at the display for a long moment, taking in that fact. A new homeworld for the Dilgar. It was so close she could almost touch it. But it was nothing unless they took the system. "What of our colonists?" she asked.<br /><br />"We've settled the first quarter million on this station. A few hundred thousand are even now establishing a colony on Demeter." Tor'han sighed, showing his fatigue for a moment before the mask of command returned. "But there are now over eight million queued up in stasis on refugee ships and more arriving every day."<br /><br />"Eight million?" her shock clearly showing, "Is it going so bad at home?"<br /><br />"This is our home now, Warleader," the old soldier looked Jo'tok directly in the eyes as he spoke. "Don't forget it." He wanted this to sink in. "But, yes...the war is all but lost. Omelos will hold out as long as possibe but we are the future of the Dilgar people. Either we win here or our peple will be nothing more than a glorious footnote in history."<br /><br />For a long time the two soldiers stood in silence, gazing out the window at the stars.Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-2985453525217972972009-09-14T18:35:00.000-07:002009-09-14T18:51:21.597-07:00"We Regret To Inform You..."Carstairs brow sagged as he read the fleet loss reports.<br /><br />Captain Follitt of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Barber</span> had four children back home in Melbourne.<br />Captain Katkov of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Savannah</span> was leading his first command.<br />Captain Kelley of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Medusa</span> had been a classically trained pianist.<br />Captain Rawls of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Norden</span> spoke four languages.<br />Captain Allen of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Morgan</span> collected Chinese pottery.<br /><br />And they were all dead. They and most of their crews and so many others. So many young men and women... Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters all. Carstairs despised the form letters that Earthforce sent to the widows and children left behind and whenever possible, he would dictate something more personal to the families of those left behind. But how do you tell a man's wife or a woman's husband that their spouse is dead because of you sent them to die? What solace could they gain from knowing that you wish you could trade places with their dead? And, lastly, what of all the others? The ones he didn't know? All the nameless, faceless crewmen whose families would get nothing more than a form letter, a funeral and a flag?<br /><br />Carstairs looked at the picture on his desk of his wife, daughter and granddaughter all posed together. Focusing on the little two-year old smile he thought to her. <span style="font-style: italic;">I will go to hell for all the death I have caused, but I will leave the galaxy safer to play in. I made that promise to your mother and I make that promise again to you.</span><br /><br />Two raps at the door. Carstairs knew who it was: another meeting he didn't want to have. He straightened his jacket, leafed through some papers to burn a few moments of time and exhaled. "Enter."<br /><br />The door slid open to reveal a short, heavyset man with graying strands of hair hanging down over an eyepatch. Each step he made forward seemed to shake the room until he stopped at the edge of Carstairs desk and saluted. "<span style="font-style: italic;">General </span>Piotr Hrudek reporting."<br /><br />Carstairs noted the lack of a "sir" at the end of that last sentence and shot a salute back. "Welcome abord, Pete. I see they finally gave you a star." Carstairs remembered that ever since the Academy, Hrudek never liked being called "Pete".<br /><br />Hrudek's eyes almost imperceptibly reacted and he replied in his gravelly not-quite-Polish/not-quite Ukranian accent. "Well, some people can't rely on being liked. Unlike you, <span style="font-style: italic;">we</span> have to <span style="font-style: italic;">earn</span> it." Their two eyes met and their stony, unmoving faces betrayed all the love and respect these two men had for each other.<br /><br />Carstairs broke the silence. "Why are you here?"<br /><br />"You asked for another Orestes so here I am."<br /><br />"Most Orestes still have Captains, not Generals. Did they send you to replace me?"<br /><br />Hrudek betrayed a hint of smile at the thought. "Not originally. But after that run-in with the Dilgar three days ago, who knows?"<br /><br />The tension returned but Hrudek broke the silence this time. "You had a bad time. Today I take it easy on you."<br /><br />Carstairs wasn't sure if that was sincere or meant to be a barb of some kind. He was sure that he didn't miss these verbal fencing matches. "Then say what you have to say."<br /><br />Hrudek let go a little and began to speak more openly. "I'm here because the scope of things has changed a bit. Now that we're fighting two forces in this system, it has been decided to have two commands: one for the Dilgar and one for the Centauri."<br /><br />'One for the Centauri' arched Carstairs brow. "Really? So Earth has decided to take the gloves off?"<br /><br />"Yes." Hrudek replied. "Nobody in Earth Dome thought the Centauri would go to war over the actions of one House, especially for a system on the other side of Narn space. Through diplomatic channels, we have learned with more certainty that Centauri Prime will not significantly or militarily protest any actions against Centauri forces here. So we came to help you kick them out. You will remain in overall command but I will be in command of aggressive elements meant to drive out the Centauri specifically. After the incident with the Primus, there is much support back home for fighting them. And if we run into Dilgar, too, all the better."<br /><br />"That's very forward thinking of Earth Dome." Carstairs didn't entirely buy it.<br /><br />"It's not. I was sent to support before. This decision was transmitted to me this morning. You should have it through channels later today."<br /><br />"Why didn't they send it to me first?"<br /><br />Hrudek leaned forward with his stony grin. "Because I wanted to tell you myself."<br /><br />Carstairs shifted uneasily in his chair. "This is insane, you know. Everything we waste against the Centauri is something we could use against the Dilgar."<br /><br />Hrudek grew pensive for a minute. "True. But back home, people like the idea of driving the aliens away. Many people are happy to fight the Dilgar because it'll keep the other aliens from coming to Earth space as refugees. And the Centauri may look like us but they're nothing like us."<br /><br />Carstairs betrayed a grin. "I have at least one commander who would beg to differ with you on that point."<br /><br />"No matter. Many people back home want this, therefore Earth Dome wants it. Vox populi..."<br /><br />Carstairs leaned forward. "Nobody ever finishes that quote. 'The voice of the people is the voice of God. But what if the people are mad?'"<br /><br />Hrudek chuckled. "We are at war! Everyone is mad!"<br /><br />Carstairs shifted uneasily again. He knew that the war had become a kind of fever for some. But it was a little distasteful to see it in someone so high up the Chain of Command. "Is there anything else?"<br /><br />"Yes. I'm sorry you have to write all those letters." For one moment, Hrudek let an almost sympathetic feeling slip out. But only for a moment. "Next time, don't get beaten by Horatio Nelson!"<br /><br />Carstairs needed no reminding how Napoleon's naval ambitions were destroyed by the same tactics the Dilgar used on him. "I am still in command here, General. When I want your advice, I shall ask for it. You may now leave my office."<br /><br />"Yes, sir, Admiral, sir!" Hrudek stood, offered a half-hearted salute and turned his back on Carstairs as quickly as he could to leave.Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-55609647210043023182009-09-13T22:16:00.000-07:002009-09-15T06:05:52.028-07:00None Returned....The sound of the call button at the door of the reading room startled Maximo from his reading. "Yes?" he called. A smartly-dressed officer entered the study, his countenance grim. "M'lord, I have news about the Demeter blockade."<br />"Yes, yes, let's have it."<br />"M'lord, the planet has fallen."<br />Lord Drusella stood bolt upright from his chair. "Fallen!? So quickly? How?"<br />"Our forces were unable to break the blockade and shore up planetary defenses."<br />Maximo was caught between anger and panic. "And how do you say that they have assaulted the planet so quickly?"<br />The adjutant swallowed audibly, and appeared shaken. "They did not assault the planet, m'lord."<br />At this, Maximo stormed from the study and stalked down the sumptuously-appointed halls of Star Fortress <span style="font-style: italic;">Victory</span> to the War Room. Officers and staff came to attention as he entered.<br />"Will someone who doesn't have the brain of a Narn tell me what is going on!?"<br /><br />The issue had indeed gone poorly. The blockade runners, two Sulust-class Escort Destroyers and two Maximus-class Escorts had been vaporized trying to run the Dilgar blockade, along with numerous fighters. The Dilgar then sliced through the planetary defenses and, instead of assaulting the native population and the Centauri base... virus bombed the entire planet.<br /><br />"All dead, then?"<br />"Yes, m'lord."<br />"And what of our crews, what of the governor, what of his wife and daughter, what of our other personnel? How many escaped?"<br />"None returned, m'lord."<br />"None? None returned...."Korgothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683370654357044679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-44064149678427743692009-09-07T08:30:00.000-07:002009-09-08T10:38:21.629-07:00Demeter: Pride cometh...<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bridge:</span> Strike Cruiser <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen</span><br /><br />"Action Stations!" Jo'tok checked the sensor readings. Sensors showed two hyperspace vortexes opening up just at the edge of their jammers. The Centauri had cut it close. To attempt a crossover into real space inside the range of a gravitic jammer was certain destruction.<br /><br />Once they had transited to real space the ships turned toward Demeter and made full burn. Sure enough, the Centauri were making a run for it. They shrewdly avoided the bulk of her fleet by racing toward her left flank.<br /><br />The sudden appearance of the ships meant that the Centauri had a few precious seconds before the Dilgar could properly react. They used this time to full advantage, pushing their engines to the limit. But this wasn't some League fleet they were facing. It was Dilgar, the most professional military in the galaxy. As one, the blockading forces fell into formation and began to move.<br /><br />Checking the tactical display, Jo'tok saw that pentacon lead by the light cruiser <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Flawless</span>, would be right in the path of the Centauri. Scout pentacon #2, lead by the command destroyer <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Dogma</span> was already coming about and bringing ELINT systems online.<br /><br />The most fortunate turn was that hers was the closest Strike Cruiser to the closing enemy. Slayer was too far away to participate, as was pentacon <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Dogma</span>.<br /><br />"All ships, move to engage." Jo'tok ordered in a level voice. She turned to her XO, "Order the fighters to begin making missile runs. Let the scouts designate the targets."<br /><br />ELENT showed four ships approaching: two Sulust class destroyers and two Maximus class escorts. Four full wings of the excellent Sentri fighter were flying close support.<br /><br />As was typical for a Dilgar engagement, the first weapons to fire were missiles. A cloud of them flew from pentacon <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Flawless</span>. Centauri defensive systems and escort fighters put up a massive wall of counter-fire stopping nearly every missile inbound, but at the cost of a score of fighters.<br /><br />Jo'tok toggled the inter-ship channel, "<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Flawless</span>, this is <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>Actual. Avoid the forward arc of the Sulust destroyers. They are armed with battle lasers and..." her words trailed off as she watched one of the ships in battle pentacon <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Flawless</span> explode under the battle laser of a Sulust.<br /><br />"Damn. They are going to get in trouble over there." She checked her ship's position. Still too far away to help. "XO, get down to the engine room and use your override codes to bypass the safeties. I want more speed!"<br /><br />"Sir!", Dar'shal jumped up from his station and left the bridge. Running for the engine room.<br /><br />Soon thereafter <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>shuddered as her engines were pushed beyond the red line.<br /><br />"Well done, XO." Jo'tok spoke aloud. She made sure that her crew knew when she was pleased with their performance. In her opinion, positive reinforcement was so much more effective than the more harsh training methods prevalent throughout the Dilgar fleet. Many captains even executed officers who failed to perform to their standards. Let the home fleet and stormtroopers keep those fanatics. A professional force needed to learn from mistakes and grow. Dead officers learned nothing.<br /><br />The space around the speeding Centauri vessels was alight with fire. Dozens of Thorun Torpedofighters were pouring fire into the nearest two ships, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Samno </span>and <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Courageous</span>. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Flawless</span> had realized the error in positioning of her pentacon and maneuvered behind the Centauri, but not before another frigate was lost to Ion Cannon fire from the same Sulust.<br /><br />But now pentacon <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Flawless </span>was in bolter range and a hail of accurate fire fell upon the Cenauri task force, backed up by torpedo fire from fighters. The Sulust began to break apart and even the sturdy Maximus was showing signs of damage.<br /><br />On the bridge of <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen</span>, Jo'tok was counting the seconds. "How long till we are in range to engage?" she asked the ELINT officer.<br /><br />"Coming into range now," came the smart reply.<br /><br />"Excellent. Spool up missile batteries and prepare for time on target attack with bolters." She would show these 'advanced' Centauri what Dilgar weapons technology could achieve.<br /><br />"Conn, ELINT! Lock from enemy Maximus! Incoming fire!" the ELINT officer reported.<br /><br />The Maximus firing at <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>was damaged and leaking atmosphere. Its weapon array was severely damaged. Jo'tok wasn't too worried about the incoming fire. "Prepare to return fire."<br /><br />Then the Maximus fired. Jo'tok was right about the reduced effectiveness of the weapons on the Centauri escort. However, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen</span>'s engines had been overtaxed trying to reach the battle on time. One of the plasma conduits had been severely weakened by the stress. This is precisely where the blow from the Maximus landed.<br /><br />Hot plasma was diverted by the damage and burned like a blowtorch into the fuel lines, causing a catastrophic secondary explosion that rippled down the entire length of the ship. Bulkheads buckled and airtight seals failed throughout <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>as automated damage control systems struggled to contain the cascading disaster.<br /><br />Just below the bridge there was another explosion as the jump engine capacitor suffered from a massive feedback through the disrupted power systems. The breakers and field dampeners kicked in quickly, stopping a full rupture. But the bridge was wrecked. Lighting and gravity failed throughout the ship.<br /><br />Dar'shal was moving back to the bridge from engineering when the blow struck. He was thrown against a bulkhead and very nearly broke his neck. He had just righted himself when the light on his wrist monitor went green. That light could mean only one thing. The Battlemaster was dead or incapacitated and he was now the senior officer on board.<br /><br />Quickly regaining his bearings, Dar'shal made his way to auxiliary command. Gravity was out so he had to glide along the hallways. This wasn't a difficulty as Jo'tok regularly trained her crews in zero gee maneuvers.<br /><br />As he arrived, he floated to the command chair and began to give orders rapid fire, "Damage control to the bridge! All stations report in. Weapons free to fire on any targets of opportunity."<br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>may have been crippled, but Dar'shal wasn't about to advertise it. Weapons fire showed that the ship was still able to fight and just might convince an enemy ship to keep its distance rather than finish them off.<br /><br />As the reports came in it was clear that <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen</span>, while not dead in space, was gravely damaged. They still had partial maneuverability from the port side engines and the power grid could support some weapons fire.<br /><br />"Come about! All weapons lock onto the bastard that did this to us!"<br /><br />Not far away, the battle was still raging. Though central command was momentarily disrupted when <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>was struck, Slayer soon took over the role and began to relay commands to the various pentacons.<br /><br />The scout pentacon was now called upon to charge the enemy, discarding their support role for a more direct approach. This they did with relish, as all Dilgar ships are warships first and foremost.<br /><br />Weight of fire from waves of fighters, pentacon Flawless, and the scout pentacon were finally taking their toll. Nearly all the defending fighters were killed trying to protect their charges. The Sulust, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Courageous</span>, was a burning hulk and the Maximus <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Samno </span>was set upon by the scout pentacon. Fittingly, the final blow that finished <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Samno </span>was from the heavy bolters of the <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen</span>.<br /><br />With all their fighters destroyed and one of the escort ships eliminated, the staunch defenses of the Centauri fleet began to fail. Repeated fire from the fighter wings set the other Sulust, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Valiant</span>, adrift. The fleet then concentrated all its firepower on the last remaining Maximus, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Scutario</span>, quickly overwhelming and destroying the lone vessel within a few kilometers of the safety of the Demeter defense satellites.<br /><br />The Centauri were stopped. There would be no relief for Demeter and now it would fall to Dilgar guns.<br /><br />----<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sick bay</span>: Star Fortress <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Station Prime</span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"></span><br /><br />Jo'tok awoke in pain. She could see that she was in a med lab. The last thing she remembered was the explosion on the bridge. As her vision cleared she saw her XO, Dar'shal, standing next to the bed.<br /><br />"Report", she said reflexively though in a weak voice.<br /><br />Dar'shal smiled, "I'm glad to see you are still with us. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>is in drydock at Station Prime. We won the fight against the treacherous Centarui."<br /><br />"You did well, Battle Captain." That was when Jo'tok noticed the new uniform Dar'shal was wearing. "Or should I say Battlemaster. It seems you were promoted in my absence."<br /><br />"Indeed. The War Captain felt that I showed initiative and has seen fit to give me a new command."<br /><br />Jo'tok chuckled, causing her to wince with the pain in her ribs. "So <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>is loosing you as XO? Some reward for saving her. But you have certainly earned it. You're a damn fine officer"<br /><br />Taking a moment to absorb all this, Jo'tok nodded and considered the next step. "Has the ground assault commenced? <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>should be in orbit over Demeter to provide support for our troops."<br /><br />"Ah. Well, there's been more developments while you were lazily sleeping away the hours. First, there will be no assault on Demeter."<br /><br />This took Jo'tok by surprise. Hadn't that been the whole point of besieging the world?<br /><br />"I can see this has you worried. It shouldn't. We took Demeter three days ago. I ordered a full planetary cleansing with virus bombs. All sentient life on Demeter was dead within the week. Our troops landed unopposed and the world is ours."<br /><br />"What? Why would you do that? We needed the inhabitants of Demeter as labor to build our new home!" Jo'tok tried to get up, but she was in no shape to move. She lay back down and waited for an answer.<br /><br />Dar'shal replied casually, "They obviously were collaborating with the impudent Centauri and had to be made an example of. The other inhabitants of this system will not be so quick to defy us."<br /><br />Nodding slowly, Jo'tok simply let herself relax. There was little she could do to change what had happened. While she didn't flinch at genocide when it was necessary, she hated wasting resources. "You said there were developments? As in plural?"<br /><br />"Yes, " he said enthusiastically. "<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>isn't loosing me, she is losing you. I'm her new captain. You have been promoted to War Leader and will have command of the Heavy Cruiser <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Reaper</span>. Congratulations, War Leader!" He gave her a crisp salute.<br /><br />Jo'tok returned the salute, but her mind was already working over this new situation. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Omen </span>had been a fine ship. She would miss it and her battle-hardened crew. But command of a Heavy Cruiser was quite an honor. The Tikrit class was the newest class of ship in the navy, more powerful than any cruiser before her. It would be interesting to learn exactly what <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Reaper</span> could do.<br /><br />And she had the perfect idea for a shakedown cruise.Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-65636377142064232832009-09-06T22:23:00.000-07:002009-09-06T23:51:21.897-07:00The MomentJames Carstairs had seen many things in his life. He had seen the innards of cows burst from disease and stinking in the heat of the sun on his grandfather's farm. He had seen the light leave a man's eyes after being stabbed for the money in his pockets. He had ships burning in the void of space, set alight because a word from his mouth. But never in his life had he seen the pictures before him now. He had read of mad men doing such things but never in his life had he seen it with his own eyes. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Genocide.</span> The systematic destruction of all life on a planet. <br /><br />And the Dilgar did it.<br /><br />This wasn't just propaganda. This wasn't just murder. This was...something else, something that he had no words for. And as he watched the last of the virus bombs fall on Demeter, he didn't know how to feel. What had he ever seen, ever experienced that could compare to this?<br /><br />As the viewscreen went dark, he knew it had to be time. Something had to be done about the Dilgar and it had to be now. <br /><br />The next report would present the opportunity he was looking for. The Delphi, which had sent back the pictures and readings from Demeter, followed the Dilgar to a point in deep space not far from the routes Earthforce had been using for shipping and resupply. The biggest massing of ships thus far seen was waiting for something to happen. Carstairs studied the reconnaissance information. The Dilgar had picked on a number of ships, but not badly enough to cause real damage to the effort. They were trying to get our attention. It was a trap. The Dilgar were setting a trap for Earthforce. This was the time to give them what they deserved.<br /><br />Carstairs ran his finger down a list, choosing ships with the touch of a name from his datapad. When all was done, he had chosen much of the system fleet. With one slow, deep breath of finality he pressed the send button. He could see in his minds eye was happening outside his office. His adjutant would relay his orders to the War Room. Orders would start spitting out for all the ships. Logistics and transportation would be revised and rerouted. Officers and crew all over the system would begin rendezvousing with his at his location in 18 hours. And where would that location be? On the bridge of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winfield Scott</span>, waiting for the Dilgar to attack. <br /><br /><br />William Cargano, lying in (or rather tethered to) bed, drank his tea from a pouch. He hated pouches but, with no gravity, a teacup wouldn't work. <span style="font-style: italic;">A tragedy</span>, he thought. <span style="font-style: italic;">A beautiful teacup wasn't just a receptacle of liquids but rather a work of art that made the experience more than jus...</span><br /><br />His XO broke in on the intercom. "Sir, I'm sorry to disturb you, but we just received a message for you from Admiral Carstairs. 'The balloon has gone up', sir."<br /><br />Cargano perked up his ears. "Timeframe?"<br /><br />"Eighteen hours."<br /><br />Cargano's eyes darted back and forth in thought for a second. "Relay full orders to my screen. Let the subordinate captains know I want both watches get 9 hours of sack time each. It'll probably be a while before they're going to get any real sleep. I also want readiness drills for every ship on each watch. Auxiliary instructions to come in four hours."<br /><br />"Anything else, sir?"<br /><br />"That is all. Cargano out." A button made the screen black out. Cargano knew that the details would be attended to. His crew was the model of efficiency and their attention to detail was exemplary. He even felt confident about getting a little sack time himself. He would need it, too. Contrary to popular belief, he was just a man. <br /><br />The screen came back to life with orders and dispositions. His eyebrows arched with the fleet size. This offensive was a make or break proposition. If this battle failed, there wouldn't be much left to fight with. But they came to Krish to fight, not fly around and look pretty so war it would be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fleet Roster as follows:</span><br /><br />Orestes <span style="font-style: italic;">Winfield Scott</span><br />Orestes <span style="font-style: italic;">Alexander Suvorov</span><br />Nova <span style="font-style: italic;">Chronos</span><br />Nova <span style="font-style: italic;">Medusa</span><br />Hyperion <span style="font-style: italic;">Delhi</span><br />Hyperion <span style="font-style: italic;">Richmond</span><br />Hyperion <span style="font-style: italic;">Veracruz</span><br />Hyperion <span style="font-style: italic;">Savannah</span><br />Hyperion <span style="font-style: italic;">Jakarta</span><br />Hyperion <span style="font-style: italic;">Stockholm</span><br />Hyperion Missile <span style="font-style: italic;">Marakesh</span><br />Hyperion Assault <span style="font-style: italic;">Guan Yu</span><br />Hyperion Assault <span style="font-style: italic;">Vostok</span><br />Avenger <span style="font-style: italic;">Mitchell</span><br />Artemis Escort <span style="font-style: italic;">Hawk</span><br />Artemis Escort <span style="font-style: italic;">Norden</span><br />Oracle <span style="font-style: italic;">Hind</span><br />Oracle <span style="font-style: italic;">Curran</span><br />Oracle <span style="font-style: italic;">Malachi</span><br />Sagittarius <span style="font-style: italic;">Morgan</span><br />Sagittarius <span style="font-style: italic;">Franklin</span><br />Sagittarius <span style="font-style: italic;">Barber</span><br />Sagittarius <span style="font-style: italic;">Mercury</span><br />Alpha Wing (Novas)<br />Beta Wing (Novas)Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-67507866587181838522009-09-04T21:53:00.000-07:002009-09-04T23:09:51.180-07:00At the PrecipiceWar Room, Star Fortress <span style="font-style: italic;">Victory</span>:<br /><br />Lord Maximo Drusella paced back and forth, ignoring the bustling adjutants and planning staff. He was lost in thought... or was it worry? "I have become old" he thought to himself "and I no longer enjoy the confidence of youth. I've seen too many good enterprises go awry."<br /><br />At length he stopped his pace and exclaimed loudly "Has there been any word from Krish V?!" A junior adjutant sighed with relief, for word had just arrived. "My lord..." he began "we have received word from the warship <span style="font-style: italic;">Slicer</span>." She was a Vorchan, trim and swift... all engine and guns, it was commonly said. He continued: "<span style="font-style: italic;">Slicer</span> has reconned the enemy's main body and run the blockade!" There was a patriotic hurrah from the staff.<br /><br />Maximo was pleased, but still concerned. "And?" The young adjutant, a man of a minor house, had gone from apprehension to visible elation, happy to be the bearer of good news. "My lord, the Earthers did not fire on her."<br /><br />"Very good...." thought Maximo. "They are not ready to fire on us... they value good relations with the Centauri Republic and, though we are here only unofficially, are loathe to cause an incident." He addressed the War Room: "Proud warriors of the Republic, we have not yet come to blows with the Earthers. This is a good thing, because we may now focus our attention on the movements of the Dilgar. Nevertheless, we must strike all the non-Centauri vessels in the trading lanes. Krish is a Centauri system now, and all piracy must be interdicted!" Many clipped affirmatives answered him back.<br /><br />The situation was looking stable, now. The Earthers would hold their peace and continue to exploit their mining interests, and of course make war on the Dilgar. The Dilgar held the gate, but little else of importance. Soon it would be evident that this system belonged to the Centauri Republic, and matters would be quickly negotiated. All in all, this was shaping up to be a very profitable enterprise.<br /><br />Sadly, these strategic reveries were interrupted almost as soon as they began. "Lord Drusella! The Dilgar have blockaded Demeter!" Maximo's face betrayed grave concern. So, it was Blockade the Centauri Day, was it? As the situation began to be revealed via Demeter's long range sensor emplacements, the Dilgar appeared to have brought almost half of their fleet. Clearly they were seeking a permanent planetary base, and were hoping to strangle the life out of the fledgling governorship of Demeter.<br /><br />The Dilgar did not yet seem prepared for a planetary assault. Maximo gave the order to send a strike force through the blockade, reasoning that if they could reach Demeter's defensive line, they could shore it up enough to forestall a Dilgar invasion... at least for now. <span style="font-style: italic;">If</span> they could get through....Korgothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683370654357044679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-44457574867796038492009-09-03T10:03:00.000-07:002009-09-03T11:11:39.967-07:00Tiger by the Tail: Prelude to Demeter<strong>Bridge</strong>: Dilgar strike cruiser <em>Omen</em><br /><br />Battlemaster Jo'tok had to smile at the irony of the situation. Just a few weeks ago she had run the gauntlet of a human blockade. Now she was the one trying to stop enemy ships from slipping past. She hated blockades. They were an exercise in luck rather than skill. But if enough ships broke through her cordon they would lose this operation and have to withdraw.<br /><br />For a week now they had kept the planet Demeter under siege, making high-speed missile attacks against the orbital satellite network and forcing the enemy to expend ordinance in its defense. Now their supplies were critically low and the planet would be defenseless in a few more days. The Centauri knew this and were not yet ready to give up the rich world and its resources. <br /><br />Elsewhere in the system the Centauri were rampaging unchecked. The Earthforce commander had attempted a surprise assault on the gas giant, Krish V. But his scouting elements stumbled across a picket ship which escaped and raised the alarm. The human commander then opted to withdraw the assault rather than face an organized and well prepared defense. At least that was the best guess from intel. Who knew what the humans were really up to? The Centauri, on the other hand, were being entirely predictable. They had taken to raiding trade routes throughout the system, looting what they could and destroying the rest. With both opposing fleets busy organizing planetary assaults there was little to stop the Centauri depredations on shipping lanes.<br /><br />Sensor sweeps showed that two Sullust destroyers and two Maximus escorts were making an attempt to break through, their holds no doubt full of supplies. They were flying under a heavy fighter screen, nearly half of the Centauri fighter reserves if her intelligence was right. This was no feint. The Centauri were desperate and now was their last chance to relieve the besieged world.<br /><br />The Battlemaster calculated what ships were going to be able to intercept the enemy squadron. A handful, but not as many as she liked. Her scout pentacon, lead by the destroyer <em>Discipline</em>. Two standard pentacons of missile frigates led by the light cruisers <em>Flawless </em>and <em>Vigilant</em>. It was doubtful that both would achieve contact with the enemy. Perhaps one would be enough to slow them down. Rounding out the force were her flagship <em>Omen</em> and its sister ship <em>Slayer</em>. In support were half a dozen wings of Thorun fighters. This would normally be heartening news but the Centauri fighters had proven more than a match for the Dilgar Dartfighters and the Maximus escort ships burned down Throun flights like kindling.<br /><br />Jo'tok handed her data pad to the XO, "Forward these orders to the fleet." <br /><br />The young officer looked over the orders and raised a quizzical eyebrow, "Sir?"<br /><br />"Those orders are correct," verified the commander, "Attach my personal ident code for validation and send them."<br /><br />She did not like the odds. But she had one ace she could play. One that the Centauri would not expect.Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-39122043964427079962009-09-03T07:42:00.000-07:002009-09-04T23:09:18.523-07:00Provocation"<span style="font-weight: bold;">WHY AM I SITTING AROUND THIS GAS BAG?</span>"<br /><br />Admiral Carstairs knew as soon as he answered the call what he would hear. "You're performing invaluable picket duties for us and containing the Centauri at the same time." It was a hollow answer but it was, to some extent, true.<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Fine.</span> Now why am I <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> here?" Captain Kallis' contempt for the mission oozed from the speaker.<br /><br />Carstairs debated for a moment in his head and then gave a little more truth. "The Delphi just reported a massive movement of Dilgar force."<br /><br />Kallis' tone changed. "The Delphi's still here? I haven't seen her in any of the fleet rosters."<br /><br />"She's under orders to operate independently shadowing the Dilgar and keeping us appraised of their movements. Until she send us burst transmissions, I don't even know where she is. And since her captain keep on the move, I never know for long."<br /><br />"Then where are the Dilgar going? And why aren't I getting ready to intercept them instead of running 'picket duty'?"<br /><br />Carstairs punched a few keys and brought up a display as he answered. "They're not moving against us. They're moving against the planet designated 'Demeter'. They're hitting the Centauri."<br /><br />"What a shame. Now I don't know who to root for."<br /><br />Carstairs didn't like to delve into people's motivations. Doing so usually created problems whether it was enabling someone's worse demons or trying to use clever orders to manipulate fellow officers. But he had to know. "Jeff, it's never come up before, but what exactly is your problem with the Centauri?"<br /><br />"Did you know that I am a noble?"<br /><br />Carstairs was a bit stunned by the seeming irrelevance of the question. "No, I didn't."<br /><br />"My full name is Jeffrey George Kallis Howard, Viscount of Morpeth. When my father dies, I will become Earl of Carlisle. And if you look further back in the family tree, you'll find barons and marquis, earls of Gallway and Orkney, dukes of Devonshire and Grafton and Norfolk. Hell, there are even a few German Elector Counts."<br /><br />Carstairs didn't know how to reply. "I'm not seeing your point here."<br /><br />Static flared for a moment. "...bauched ancestors, ruling the land because of the accomplishments of their grandfathers' gra...hers, went on to exploit people and resources all over the world; India, Africa, America, Australia and anywhere else th...ake a profit at the expense of others. Their noble blood gave them leave to do whatever they wanted to whomever they wished. And that is what you are dealing with when you face the Centauri. They would destroy us all to ensure their prosperity, exploit us to create their wealth. I know them all too well. My genealogy is littered with people like them. And the only way we will keep that from happening is to oppose them at every turn in every way. We always have to keep a knife at their throats because the Centauri will not hesitate to slit ours."<br /><br />There was a long, uncomfortable moment of silence. "I see your point, Jeff."<br /><br />"So, once again, why am I here with this token force?"<br /><br />Carstairs decided to give as much truth as he could. "We decided to apply some pressure to the Centauri without being too provocative. A few ships to serve as a blockade and then we see who wins at Demeter."<br /><br />"If you had given me more ships, we could have taken this world, James. Hell, with what you've given me, I can't even properly blockade. They're coming and going at will and they're not firing on us because we're not even a challenge."<br /><br />"Hmmm. It was a calculated risk. If we keep them bottled up for a few days, we could move on Demeter before the winner can fortify. We even let them slow down and poach shipping in the hope of spreading them thinner. Besides, everyone else is out on other operations. By the time I get you something else, the chance will be lost. "<br /><br />"We're losing a chance now."<br /><br />Carstairs put his commanding officer voice on. "Captain Kallis, you have your orders. I expect you to abide by them. Carstairs out."<br /><br /><br />On the bridge of the Poseidon, Kallis fumed. Knowing what he did now, he wanted to just say "To hell with orders" and charge out to fight. Of course, that would make him like all the men he despised so very much. He would follow orders. He pressed a few buttons on his console to contact all the captains of the few ships he had. "Gentlemen, pull back the perimeter five klicks and maintain readiness. If any ship comes within range, intercept and fire upon it." A press of the mute button gave him a few seconds of privacy from his fleet. <span style="font-style: italic;">At that range</span>, he thought, <span style="font-style: italic;">there's no way we could engage or catch the fast moving Centauri fleet.</span> "No reason to actually upset the enemy." Kallis mumbled under his breath.<br /><br />The XO piped up. "Did you say something, sir?"<br /><br />"Nothing." Kallis replied, removing his finger from the button. "You have your orders. Kallis out." Another button press severed the connection. He gave a snort at the ridiculousness of it all. Some days he didn't even know why he came into work. He did his best imitation of Carstairs broad and flat American accent. "Good luck and good hunting."Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-86792403965116900242009-08-26T11:06:00.000-07:002009-08-27T14:04:27.067-07:00First Battle for Krish Gate<div>Bridge: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dilgar</span> strike cruiser <em>Omen</em><br /><br />"Increase to flank speed!" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jo'tok</span> commanded, "Order fighter flights to defensive positions." Her tactical display showed that she would be through the blockade before most of the human ships could react. They had made a mistake in placing their powerful missile cruisers so far from the outside edges of their deployment. Now the squadron moving to intercept her would be unsupported and isolated. Assuming they avoided plasma cannon range from the assault ship, both cruisers might get through this unscathed.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/KrishGate5.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 450px" alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/KrishGate5.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br />Between her and the safety of <em>Station Prime</em>'s defense grid was a single squadron of ships and a handful of fighters. The anchor of the squadron was an assault ship. Built on the hull of the ubiquitous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hyperon</span> class, at long range it could fool a sensors officer into thinking they were facing a true heavy cruiser. While these ships were as tough as their cousins they did not have the lethal weapons suite of the Hyperion that had proven so deadly to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dilgar</span> ships over the last several months. Supporting the assault ship were two Tethys class frigates. Sensors now showed that one was armed with missiles and the other with a small but effective laser array. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jo'tok</span> cursed under her breath. There would be no avoiding these weapons. These were likely not enough to stop a strike cruiser alone but there was always the chance that a laser weapon of any size could gut a ship with a lucky <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sustained</span> burst.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/KrishGate2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 450px" alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/KrishGate2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br />"Should we brace for impact?" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Jo'tok's</span> executive officer asked. She, too, noticed the patrol closing in on them and had seen the risk.<br /><br />"No. Without missile support these ships present only a minimal risk." <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Jo'tok</span> ran the scenario in her head, covering all possibilities she could in the seconds allotted. "Speed is our best defense now. Continue at maximum burn."<br /><br />Light flared as the engines of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dilgar</span> cruisers strained to contain the energies being channeled through them. Blue ion trails followed the fast moving vessels like fading comet tails.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/KrishGate2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 450px" alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/KrishGate7.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />"Multiple locks on <em>Slayer</em>!", the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ELINT</span> officer reported with an excited <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">staccato</span>. "Detecting weapons locks from ahead and from the missile cruisers!"<br /><br />"That can't be right." <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Jo'tok</span> switched her own console to mirror the output of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ELINT</span> station. "We are clearly outside range of the their missiles."<br /><br />As if in answer the screen suddenly blossomed with contacts as a massive cloud of missiles launched from the Sagittarius cruisers and the scout ship escorting them.<br /><br />"Incomming!" The warning from ELINT was an understatement.<br /><br />The missiles separated from their launching ships and rapidly began to close on <em>Slayer</em>. A few moments later the nearby frigate <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">launched</span> its own missiles timed to arrive at the same instant as the others.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/KrishGate2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 450px" alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/Democratus/ACTA/KrishGate8.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />The nimble <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Thorun</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Dartfighters</span> in formation around <em>Slayer</em> reacted quickly, interposing a wall of fire and even themselves before the incoming threat. Scores of the vulnerable missiles were shot down by defensive fire. As the missiles got closer a few fighters rammed them in desperation. But the weight of fire was too much to stop completely.<br /><br />For a brief instant there was a second sun in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Krish</span> system as half a dozen nuclear warheads detonated around the strike cruiser. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Jo'tok</span> waited in frustration during the long seconds it took for her sensors to recover from the massive spike in radiation. She found herself simultaneously concerned for the fate of <em>Slayer</em> and relieved that it wasn't her ship that had suffered the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">humans'</span> wrath.<br /><br />As the static cleared, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Jo'kor</span> could see that <em>Slayer</em> was still there. Damage reports were streaming in from the wounded ship. She had lost her primary power relays and was suffering from several uncontrolled fires but the ship was largely intact and stubbornly forging ahead at reduced speed.<br /><br />"Readings indicate that the missiles had smaller yield warheads than standard human ordinance," the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">ELINT</span> officer offered in explanation, "These missiles were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">optimized</span> for increased <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">endurance</span>."<br /><br />That explained the extraordinary range displayed by the human missile cruisers. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Jo'kor</span> had allowed her preconceptions about the humans to lull her into complacency. She should know better. The humans had shown a capacity for flexibility in warfare that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Dilgar</span> had once believed was theirs alone. It was this ability to evolve in response to tactical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">challenges</span> which had allowed Earthforce to push the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Dilgar</span> back the very doorstep of their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">homeworld</span>.<br /><br />"Tell <em>Slayer</em> to continue at best possible speed!" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Jo'tok</span> turned to her executive officer, "Be sure to record everything in the sensor logs. If we survive this War Captain <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Tor'han</span> will surely want the data on the new human weapons." She hit the intercom at her station and spoke calmly, "Engineering. If there's any more power you could give us, now would be the time."<br /><br />All deployed fighters were lost in the defense of <em>Slayer</em>, either consumed in the flurry of detonations or in ramming attacks against the missiles. Twelve more fighters were on standby in the launch bays of <em>Omen</em> and <em>Slayer</em> but the ships couldn't afford time for flight operations. Speed was the total focus of both crews. That and surviving the next few seconds.<br /><br />As the two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Dilgar</span> cruisers made best speed toward the relative safety of <em>Station Prime</em>, the human vessels were busy reloading and preparing another volley of missiles. The process was a slow and laborious one as the massive devices were moved into the launch tubes, warheads armed and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">safeties</span> calibrated.<br /><br />"Human vessels opening launch doors."<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Jo'kor</span> silently nodded to her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">ELINT</span> officer as she watched the distance between her ships and those missile cruisers slowly open. <em>How far will be enough?, </em>she wondered to herself. Another volley like that could easily finish off <em>Slayer</em> now that they had no fighters covering them. She leaned forward in her chair, watching the tactical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">display</span> as if she could push the two ships faster by will alone.<br /><br />"Multiple locks on <em>Slayer</em>! Incoming fire!"<br /><br />Again the screens filled with scores of tiny lines, all converging on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Dilgar</span> squadron's position like a grasping claw. The seconds crawled by as she watched the lines get longer and longer - messengers of death sprinting across the gulf between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Dilgar</span> and human forces. And then it happened. The lines were winking out, one by one, each terminating only a short distance from the lagging <em>Slayer</em>.<br /><br />"They've run out of range! The missiles are falling short!" The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">ELINT</span> officer was excitedly yelling, reflecting the relief of the entire crew.<br /><br />Throughout the ship, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Jo'kor</span> could hear the shouts of celebration and joy as her ship entered the defensive <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">perimeter</span> of <em>Station Prime</em>. She let them have this moment. They had earned it. Close behind <em>Omen</em> her sister ship limped to safety - trailing a cloud of atmosphere and fuel from multiple ruptures - as a patrol of Torpedo frigates formed a wall of steel behind them. If the humans wished to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">continue</span> the chase they would pay heavily.<br /><br />"Human ships have broken off pursuit. Sensors show that they are leaving the region."<br /><br />Now <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Jo'kor</span> allowed herself to relax as well, breathing a long sigh of relief and clapping her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">XO</span> on the shoulder.<br /><br />She activated the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">comms</span> channel at her station and broadcast squadron-wide, "This is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Battlemaster</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Jo'kor</span>. You have all done excellent service for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Imperium</span> today. I know you don't like running. It is not the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Dilgar</span> way."<br /><br />With a conviction in her voice none could mistake she continued, "I promise you this...next time it is we who shall be the hunters!"</div>Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-17700252024106687042009-08-25T22:21:00.000-07:002009-08-27T08:30:35.023-07:00Yamamoto's AdmonitionShirish sat stiffly in the chair as Carstairs reviewed data across the desk. Shirish was quite anxious and tried his best to hide it behind military bearing.<br /><br />Carstairs put down the datapad and spoke. "Alright son, what's the problem?"<br /><br />Shirish laid out the facts. "Sir, I failed in my mission. Not only did my group fail to hold the blocade firmly but they managed to get through with enough Quantium-40 to build a small fleet of jump engines."<br /><br />"True. If you had to let something through, this wasn't the one to miss. But that's not what I'm talking about."<br /><br />Shirish was confused. "I don't follow you, sir."<br /><br />Carstairs was a good judge of people's emotions. He could read most people like a book and Gonzalez was in big print. "You think you're in trouble... That you're going to lose your command, don't you?"<br /><br />Shirish looked down for a moment and took a deep breath before answering. "The blocade was my mission. It was my responsibility and I take full responsibility for failure."<br /><br />Carstairs pursed his lips. "Are you familiar with World War Two, Gonzalez?"<br /><br />Shirish was not a historian but he read a lot and knew enough to follow a conversation on the war. "Germany invaded Europe while Japan invaded China. Conquered France and bombed Britain until the United Stated entered the war. The United States used the first nukes on two Japanese cities."<br /><br />"And do you know who Admiral Yamamoto was?"<br /><br />"Japanese High Admiral, managed a number of strong victories and was assassinated by American forces?"<br /><br />"Yes, him." Carstairs replied. "Yamamoto said something about war that has been my guiding philosophy when it comes to military strategy. He said 'War is a series of mistakes and the winner is the side which makes the fewest mistakes.' Do you know what that means?"<br /><br />Shirish thought before he made his reply. "I made a mistake that has threatened this entire campaign."<br /><br />Carstairs let out a disappointed huff of air. "No. It means mistakes happen. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and you just have to keep going and try to win more than you lose. Every strategist has said it. Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Eauclaire, Tsien Chin... They've all said it and it's as true today as it was for the Warring States or Renaissance Europe or the French Expansion or the War of the Rising Star. So why are you beating yourself up like this?"<br /><br />Shirish furrowed his brow. "They're going to have more jump capable ships because I didn't stop them."<br /><br />"No. They're going to have jump capable ships because they found a good supply of Quantium-40, put it on fast ships and managed to slip through a blockade hindered by radiant output from an ancient jump gate." Carstairs leaned forward. "And you didn't answer the question. Your ability in the captain's chair is almost without peer. You're competent and capable and a shark to be feared. Why are you beating yourself up like this? Why have you turned into a nervous Nancy all of a sudden?"<br /><br />Shirish looked down at the floor. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">What can I say?</span> he thought. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">How can I explain?</span><br /><br />Carstairs knew it was time to back off a bit and act like the father and not the commanding officer. He leaned back in his chair. "Son, this is off the record, just between you and me. This isn't the Shirish Gonzalez in your record. What's going in there?"<br /><br />There was silence for a minute as Shirish composed his thoughts. "Sir, when I take out a ship, I'm there and if I make a mistake, I pay for it along with my crew. I've never had the kind of command where I send people out to do things in my stead. I can risk myself but..." His words trailed off and he sat back as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.<br /><br />Carstairs thought for a moment. "Do you know who Robert E. Lee was?"<br /><br />"Confederate commander, American Civil War."<br /><br />"Correct. He said something else I remember at times like this. 'A good general loves his army. A great general must be willing to send to death the very army that he loves.' I think you're a good officer. If you weren't, I wouldn't have requested you. But you're not a great officer yet. The war's not over so there's time and there's hope." Carstairs could see the gears of understanding turning behind Gonzalez's eyes. "Can you do the job, son? If you can't, let me know now."<br /><br />Shirish understood. "Yes, sir. I can."<br /><br />"Then go out and be great."<br /><br />Shirish felt a little better. "Yes, sir."<br /><br />Carstairs shifted in his chair. "Good. Now I've been thinking about the blockade. The energy field wreaks havoc with engines and weapons systems. We don't have enough ships to conduct the blockade from a longer distance so we're going to start having scouts closely watch what they're bringing in and follow their shipments. Something's going on here and we just don't know quite what. I want you to coordinate with the scout vessels and hunt down any of their incoming materiel. Try to keep out of the energy field whenever possible. Besides, they have a base close to it. Let them burn energy keeping it going that close to the gate."<br /><br />"Understood, sir. And thank you for your confidence."<br /><br />Carstairs cracked a smile. "You're welcome. You've earned it. Dismissed."<br /><br />Shirish saluted and when it was returned, he turned and walked out of the office. He didn't make a mistake before and he wouldn't make a mistake again.<br /><br />Carstairs sat back. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I sure hope that fixes the kid.</span> He pressed a button and brought up VicCom. "Give me the new consumption reports along with the projections and resource logs. And I want them by the time I get back from the head."<br /><br />The voice acknowledged. "Yes, sir. Right away, sir."<br /><br />He stood up but stopped at the window for a second. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I've traded flying for paperwork</span>, he thought. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Glory for gravity. Maybe I made the mistake here...</span>Atreideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11802857475179521624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7755607023843365233.post-12135202882196343182009-08-24T11:54:00.000-07:002009-08-26T11:59:13.905-07:00Caged Tigers: Prelude to Kish GateBattlemaster Jo'tok reviewed the tactical display once more to check if she missed anything, any hole in the Earthforce net that was closing in on her position. Unfortunately there was no such easy route through. <em>Omen</em> and her sister ship <em>Slayer</em> were completely cut off. They had come through Krish Gate expecting an escort to take them to <em>Station Prime</em>. Instead they were faced with a contracting ring of Earthforce ships.<br /><br />Each of the two strike cruisers had their cargo bays filled with the volitile Quantium-40. Together they had enough of the precious fuel to support local operations for weeks. The substance was rendered safe for transport by specialized stabilization equipment. Unfortunately, the local energy dampening field permeating the area was weakening the stabilizers to a dangerous degree. Escaping by way of the gate or a jump point was out of the question. The transition into hyperspace would overload the strained stabilizers and cause a chain reaction. Jettisoning the cargo was likewise not an option. Giving free Q-40 to the enemy was frowned upon by high command. The last captain who had ejected his cargo was last seen being taken to one of Jha'Dur's infamous hospital ships.<br /><br />There was no choice. They would simply have to break through the blockade and make a dash for the station. The fuel on just one of the cruisers would be enough to keep the campaign supplied until more could be requisitioned from Omelos. Jo'tok considered having <em>Omen</em> race ahead and detonate her Q-40 stores in order to clear the way for <em>Slayer</em>. It would be a spectacular death, taking many human ships with her.<br /><br /><em>No</em>, she thought, <em>It would be a waste of resources.</em> The fanatics in the Home Fleet might consider it as a first option. But she was a soldier not a martyr. Tor'han had picked the forces for this operation based on experience and professionalism. She would get her ships through this blockade. Both of them.<br /><br />Analyzing the closing net of ships again, Jo'tok calculated her best chance at a breakthrough. One of the tasks forces seemed to be more of a threat in number than quality. Where the vessels first apeared to be multiple cruisers, it seemed many of them were assault vessels built on cruiser hulls. These ships, while as large as their cousins, had the massive heavy laser arrays removed to make space for assault shuttles and barracks. Tiny Tethys-class frigates were taking station where the heavier Olympus or Artemis escorts would normally be. The humans were making a show of greater force than they actually posessed. She percieved that this force was a paper tiger, and it was through here that she would make good her escape.<br /><br />"Signal <em>Slayer</em>. We will make best speed to these coordinates. Our main objective is to break through to Station Prime," a feral grin spread across her face, "but destroy any targets of opportunity. Let's show these humans what happens when you corner a predator."Democratushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09363769534296286481noreply@blogger.com0