252 replies to this topic

[kropotkin41]

I am afraid that we can only accept electronic payment in Federation of Arden credits from a verifiable FA bank; if you cannot supply appropriate bank details you will either have to rendezvous with us, in which case we can exchange currency at normal Federation of Arden currency transaction fees, or you will have to exchange currency at your first port of call in this system. We recommend that you open an account at an accredited Federation of Arden bank account if your stay is going to last longer than ten days.........

meanwhile............. it seems to Gryff that there is something very odd about that trader......... it appears on sensors to be actually altering shape......... the fins of a trader are folding into its body and hull plates are folding away to reveal......... turrets.......

Another call is coming in on the comms..............

[fury]

[color=#6666CC;]"Full alert people, this trader is altering. Looks to be developing gun turrets even as we speak"[/color] said Gryff.

[arrowfodder]

[arrowfodder rolled 2d6 ± 0 and obtained 7 ( 1,6, ). Reason : Shranael Ed Roll.]

Shranael swore over the comms systems and charged her turrets weapons. "Arrago get ready! We might have some unwelcome company very quickly!" She changed her comm channel to the bridge, trying to keep her voice calm. "Sir, I recommend we get behind the customs vessel until we can jump out of here. Orthan has the coordinates for an emergency jump that will take us deeper into the system."

[Dehoffren]

The muscles in Orthan’s jaw worked furiously as he plotted an alternative course, “By the sound of it, these are set on one course of action. I’m ready whenever you say the word sir”

[ November 22, 2010, 2:47 pm ] - Dehoffren rolled 2d6 ± 1 and obtained 7 ( 1,5, ). Reason : Orthan edu roll.

[Ghost]

"Federation ship Spirit of Vigilance, we will have to get back to about all this, since we are about to encounter what I suspect you initially meant to warn us about. In all honesty, I would have preferred it if you could have volunteered the information. We'll get back to you."

Stettler cut the connection, swore rather uncharacteristically, and then opened the channel with the incomming message. "What?" he barked. Expecting a threat of some sort, he felt the sordid urge to comply for a boarding, and then let Shranael and Arrago let loose and tear the ship apart once they got close....

[fury]

[color=#6666CC;]"Sir would you like me to stay here or go back to the engine room? If we are to experience combat, I feel the engine room would be where I would be most useful,"[/color] Gryff asked the Marquis. She knew Renno could handle most situations but she was unsure of his abilities to cope under emergency situations.

[kropotkin41]

Neither Orthan or Shraneal make their education checks.

And on the comms:

Now we are up nice and close we have some advice for you........ if you want the least trouble possible, stand down those pretty turrets of yours, prepare to be boarded and have your valuables ready and out in the open......... it'd be a real shame to mess up such a fine yacht as yours!

The "trader"........ clearly a corsair using a false transponder....... is closing rapidly. Gryff's estimate from sensors is that they are making Thrust 3, that is 1 more than you are capable of......... on the other hand for a yacht you are well armed....... perhaps even a match for the three turrets of the corsair - depending on what they contain........

Initiative roll from the ship's commander please: 2d6

Corsair's initiative:

kropotkin41 rolled 2d6 ± 2 (+1 for superior thrust, +1 for tactics - space) and obtained 6 ( 2,2, ). Reason : Corsair's initiative.

Whether you have been involved in a space battle before or not, it takes a peculiarly hardened soul not to feel a cold nagging fear at the thought that soon beam laser batteries will open fire and cut mercilessly through hull plating and into the warm oxygen-filled environments within....... after that there may follow the claustrophobic and bloody realities of a boarding action; cold steel replacing energy weapons in a final struggle to avoid the long walk out of a short airlock!

.... and the jagged edged spearhead of the corsair vessel comes onward, ever closer, eating up the space between you...... now is the moment of decision.

[Ghost]

Since this was exactly what he had expected, Stettler managed to keep fear out of his voice when he replied: "Unidentified, especially modified and to be honest, pretty awesomelooking corsair vessel, welcome to our little trap. Your ship's abilities were described to us, but I'll give you this; it still looks pretty cool, changing around like it does. Kudos to you for that. But, be that as it may: As per His rules of engangement, the Commander of the corsairhunter vessel 'Esperanza' has a standing order to allow all hostile vessels one chance - one - to stand down and withdraw. Don't ask me why, it's an honor-thing with him, and people very rarely do. And I don't mind, since I'm always looking for a new feather in my cap. Two Ine Givar vessels with in the last ten days; it's becoming quite the pleasurable hunt this, since you people seem completely unable to stay away from a ship like this. Anyway; stand down, or let's get it on. Oh, and guess which choice the Ine Givar boys chose. Fanatical morons. At least you folks might have a will of your own. Or so I suspect...?"

Closing the comm, Stettler felt a strange sort of elation after venting in teh face of danger, with such an extreme bluff. He had little belief that it would actually deter the other ship, but hopefully they would feel a little worried at least. "Might I suggest you try and take out their weaponry first of all? They are, as per now, superior to us in firepower. I say we should try and remedy that as soon as possible," he transmitted over the ship's internal comms.

[grenitos]

"Ok both turrets to target their weapon systems and fire as soon as possible!Orthan,do what you can to get us in a good position!Gryff get ready in engineering!Maragaret,Morgan get ready with first aid and fire fighting equipment and break out the small arms!Lets try and finish this before it begins!"


November 23, 2010, 5:21 am ] - grenitos rolled 2d6 ± 0 and obtained 10 ( 5,5, ). Reason : initiative


Lets get it ON!!

[fury]

[color=#6666CC;]"Yes sir, leave comms open to us down there, I'll pick up some weapons on the way..."[/color] Gryff left the sensor array and jogged down the corridor to the arms locker, before joining Renno back in the engine room.

[grenitos]

'Mr.Jones!" The Marquis adds'"Anything to bring to the table?Can you tell what they are planning or interfere?Failing that can you handle a gun or a fire extinguisher?"

[fury]

[color=#6666CC;]"Full alert Renno, we are being attacked by Corsairs"[/color] said gryff as she burst into the engine room carrying her shotgun and a sword. [color=#6666CC;]"Get the fire fighting equipment at the ready and put on your tool belt, we may need to do repairs on the run."[/color] She glanced at the read out to check power levels, and that engines were at optimum performance...

[Dehoffren]

Anger flashed across the reflected face of Orthan in his control panel “How dare they” he breathed as he deftly tinkered with the piloting system hoping to give the vessel as much of an advantage as he could


[ November 23, 2010, 3:18 pm ] - Dehoffren rolled 2d6 ± 3 and obtained 11 ( 4,4, ). Reason : Orthan pilot spacecraft.

[kropotkin41]

Lady Margaret heads immediately to the arms locker to break out the small arms and blades; Morgan prepares himself for first aid duties, setting up a care station in a store room just across the companionway from the bridge.

Gryff takes her shortsword and shotgun and shells from the armoury - Lady Margaret arrives and unlocks it at the same time the engineer comes to the door. Renno once mentioned to Gryff that he can fire a pistol and so she can take a 9mm auto-pistol for him.
On arriving in engineering she finds the young mechanic busily checking systems; he looks nervous and doesn't immediately say anything; forces a thin smile and carries on with his work, only then reporting 'M-drive at optimum; power plant within norms!'

Meanwhile on the Bridge:

Jones looks doubtful, shaking his head slightly as he regards the main screen. 'If I try to do anything at this range Marquis I will probably exhaust myself in order to tell you something you already know.......... if I wait and they come in close, then it will be worth me saving my strength. I can and will surprise them! Oh........I tend to avoid guns.'

OOC

Okay people - space combat:
- Manoeuvre Phase (Allocate Thrust - The Esperanza has Thrust 2 - either to movement or manoeuvring). This is the phase to either put distance between you and the enemy, close with the enemy or decide to save Thrust points for the next phase.
-Combat Phase (Ships take actions in intiative order): fire energy weapons; manoeuvre to dodge or gain combat advantage; boarding action.
-Ship Action Phase: Repairs; establish sensor lock (for attack mod); electronic warfare; increase initiative (leadership roll); move crew around ship.

The Esperanza has the initiative despite apparently being the slower of the two ships; Orthan has turned the ship to provide optimal firing positions for the turrets (his effect number = 3 so that provides +1 to gunnery rolls from the turret gunners if they fire this turn).

Presently you are at medium range with the corsair and it is closing. First things first: is The Esperanza continuing on her course and thus closing faster with the corsair (approx 5 mins to short range)? After that, firing or not? Any other actions or indeed questions on the phase information outlined above?

There is not a person on board The Esperanza who does not feel the adrenalin flow as the fight becomes imminent. In the heat of battle this crew will be forged into a unit, or it will be shattered along with the ship on which it serves.........

Edited by kropotkin41, 23 November 2010 - 08:38 PM.

[arrowfodder]

Shranael started traversing the turret towards the corsair ship as Orthan turned the vessel towards their enemy. "Good job Orthan! Now let's kill us some pirates." She targeted the vessel and fired, wanting to see what the turrets could do.
[arrowfodder rolled 2d6 ± 2 and obtained 11 ( 5,4, ). Reason : Shranael Gunnery.]