Inviting him inside you put out a few drinks and listen to what he's here for.

"It seems your younger daughter has been working to make my life a bit easier. She contacted my office a short time ago. Thanks to her tip were were able to intercept a group of terrorists that may have been planning a number of deadly attacks."

You're going to need something stronger than coffee at this rate.
"...she was supposed to be sleeping over at a friend's place tonight. Where was she?"
"A military base that's infamous for it's smuggling ring. It was to be shut down but the war has delayed things so its being used for storage. We've been keeping vehicles there that were on the verge of retirement."
"Dammit Bekka." You curse under your breath. "Did she steal one?"
"Not as far as we know. I'd like to have an agent waiting to talk to her if you could provide the address of her friend's House. She has quite the following at school it would seem and my people are too busy to stake out every possible friend."

Once that's taken care of the two of you wait to see where Bekka turns up. Rather than at the other building Bekka walks through the door with her friend Gloria, both freezing when they see you. Was it Gloria or Glory? It's kind of an odd name.

You look over at the clock then back at to the girls. "Good morning Bekka. Have you had an interesting night?"

"Can you please take me into protective custody?" Bekka asks the officer who chuckles.

"I'm afraid not, unless of course you stole something, in which case it wouldn't be protective custody."
"Shit."

It takes time but you manage to coax the thruth out of the two girls and their encounter with a missing nuclear warhead.

For House and Dominion: Emphasis on House edition.

For House and Dominion: Bekka is getting grounded edition.

>>39994137
Forever

"First I'd like to thank both of you for your help recovering the stolen warheads. I take it I can trust all of you not to talk about this?"
There are agreements from both the girls and you also swear to secrecy.

"I think it's safe to say now that the base was never intended to house those munitions. They were being kept there off the record for use by intel which leads to some interesting questions such as how anyone knew they were there. Oh I don't expect an answer from you two. Just letting you know that it's difficult for people to notice things are missing when they were never supposed to be there to begin with. It could have been weeks.
Imagine if one of those had gone off a few blocks from here? Or near the capital?"

"The Capital's sensor net and explosives detectors would pick up a nuke." points out Glory.
"Smart girl. But what if someone used a stasis field?"
"I- uh."
"Now that's a problem harder for you to solve. Don't worry, we have much smarter people working on solutions for things like that.
What we do need are people that can do some leg work yet still connect the dots. Both of you have excellent records at your school.
Ms Reynard you combat sim rankings are almost monstrous."

So he's offering them a job is he? Dammit, Bekka isn't even finished school and it's taken a lot of effort to keep her from leaving early so far.

[ ] Let him continue
[ ] "Bekka still hasn't finished school... and if she doesn't she'll be disowned.
[ ] Interrupt ( What say? )
[ ] Other

>>39994403
>[X] "Bekka still hasn't finished school... and if she doesn't she'll be disowned.

>So he's offering them a job
Nope. Nope! NOPE! n-o-p-e. ~nope
NoPe. nOpE.

>>39994403
>[ ] "Bekka still hasn't finished school... and if she doesn't she'll be disowned.
>Give all of them the look, especially the intelligence officer.

How dare he come into our house and try to recruit our little girl into becoming some kind of spy like in the movies. We'll have none of that.

>>39994569
>How dare he come into our house and try to recruit our little girl into becoming some kind of spy like in the movies. We'll have none of that.
Are you guys okay if I include part of this as well?

>>39994812
Maybe a tad more polite but I think it would be a reasonable reaction for Mrs Reynard. Especially at 2 am.

>>39994812
Well yeah sure. Just seemed like how mom Reynard would go react to it.

>>39994812
I feel like that would just be encouraging Bekka...

>>39994998
You have a point there. Maybe we should simply ask him to delay the recruiment speech until everybody had the chance to catch some decent sleep?

"No." You're quick to state, drawing everyone's attention.
"Bekka still hasn't finished school... and if she doesn't she'll be disowned."

You give both her and the officer a withering glare. You've come into our home at whatever time in the morning ti try to recruit our little girl into becoming some kind of spy like in the movies? Because if that's what you're here for you can at least come back in the morning."

"I'll try to be brief then."
"You should be out that door before I do something I'll regret." the words slip out but there's certainly enough truth in them.

"Perhaps you don't want to hear this just now but your daughter is of legal age to join the military and I'm allowed to inform her. Rebekka Reynard on behalf of House intelligence I would like to offer you a position in special forces."

"Wait, but I wanted to join the fleet." Bekka replies.

Huh, maybe it will be easier than you thought to dissuade your heard headed daughter away from this new offer.

He turns and says the same thing to Glory.
"I'll need to talk to my parents first." she answers.
"That's absolutely understandable. You both have the rest of the week to decide. Simply show up at the following military base by 8AM one week from now." He stands and passes out a pair of cards.

"If you have any questions feel free to contact me at any time. The House needs more special forces personnel and the fleet may be undergoing restructuring. You may not find the position you want there."

You show the officer to the door then arrange for Glory to get a ride back to her parent's place.

>What do you plan to say to Bekka in the morning?

>>39995542
>You may not find the position you want there.
Nigga please, we can arrange for Bekka to become his superior by the end of the week if we wanted! Okay, may not but still!

>What do you plan to say to Bekka in the morning?
I think the points would be that it's dangerous and irresponsible to sneak into military bases. Bekka could have been shoot and killed after all. Or she could have been taken into custody and gone on trial for espionage or the like.

Second point, spy work is dangerous! If Bekka is so dead set on joining the militart she should at lest join the navy where she will be safer and most certainly wont be doing any of that undercover work that House Intelligence does! Naval captains don't go undercover, right?

Also, she is grounded for two weeks.

>>39995542
>>What do you plan to say to Bekka in the morning?

Ask her to wait for Sonia to return and until then to continue with her schooling. We won't be ablle to dissuade her from whatever decision she will make, but her sister will probably be able to provide an honest insight into either career instead of some recruitment propaganda, and maybe even secure some kind of apprenticeship during Bekka's next holidays.

Also, what the hell was she thinking when she decided to tresspass in a military area? Did she think being Rebekka Reynard would magically stop the guards from shooting her if things went poorly for some reason?

>>39995542
I think the only real option is to stay up all night crying.

We've nearly lost our eldest daughter and husband to the war, multiple times in the former's case. Now they House wants to take Bekka?

There is a very real possibility Sarah Reynard will end up a widow with only one child. That should be terrifying.

Is anyone else that's using firefox having trouble?
Seems like every web page I try to check other than 4chan is glitching.

Just spent half of the day scanning computer and this shit happens.

Okay, and captcha is displaying a solid black box 4/5 times. Think I have a problem.

>>39996944
Chrome is the way to go.

>>39996944
>Okay, and captcha is displaying a solid black box 4/5 times. Think I have a problem.

Have you tried to disable your extensions? Some of them suddenly stopped working for me 2 or 3 days ago. No idea why.

>>39995542
>You both have the rest of the week to decide. Simply show up at the following military base by 8AM one week from now

Whoa, that seems like a pretty cheap tactic. Make it seem like they have to decide in that 1 week or their chance is gone....

Sonia can probably get Bekka into any military branch at any time she wants to, and I'd guess most training courses start when the school year ends, anyway.

I guess intel special forces isn't a popular branch at the moment?

>>39998239
Well you've seen the way we treat Intel? They are either ways for us to get info so WE, not them, can get a bigger profit from raids or they are a potential threat to due to them knowing stuff and reporting it to people.

Besides that we have shown everyone where the profit is and where you can make a name for yourself. The navy just seems like such a better options compared to sneaking around and gathering info.

>>39998408
Intel is generally a thankless job with no fame or recognition due to the nature of it.

Navy is the big bucks and fame.

This restructuring the intel guy mentioned is quite interesting, though.

File: cry a lot.png (68 KB, 480x270)

68 KB PNG

Reinstalled, wiped a bunch of shit. Hope it works. How much of a resource hog is Chrome? I've not heard good things on that front from family members and my computer is 2 years past its replacement date.


>>39996745
You're glad these newer buildings have optional sound proofing fields. Normally they're not needed and it lets you keep tabs on the kids. Tonight they're needed as soon after reaching the bed you break down and start crying.

It doesn't keep you up the entire night, but most of it.

Just enough rest to compose yourself before the kids get to the kitchen.

"To start with Bekka you're grounded for two weeks. Sneaking onto a military base? You could have been shot! Or arrested for espionage, any any number of other terrible things."
A back woods base like that? You shudder to think what could have happened.

"I was worried what would happen to Glory if I didn't go in with her!"

"Then you should have dragged her back to the bus station."

Bekka mutters in response but has no useful response to that.

"And at least wait until your sister gets back and you can finish your schooling before making your decision. I doubt you'd be very good at spy stuff Bekka, you're not one for being inconspicuous."

"Yeah, and I do want to join the fleet. But what if he was telling the truth? Sonia was telling me she wrote some big report up that the training and assignment system for the fleet's corvette wings needed to change in the future. And there are a ton of Knights in our House right now. One of the instructors mentioned that hardly anyone was Knighted this year."

"You can talk to your sister about it when she gets back. Maybe she'll help you get a posting when you graduate."
"What?! Sonia's helped me a lot already, I want to work for that!"

>>39998651
Then she can give you advice. Honestly, they are trying to pressure you into making a career choice without consulting your sister. I may not be one for politics, but even I am aware that she has enemies that wouldn't want you to be successful, and you might want to wait for her to get home to ensure this offer isn't one of their attempts to sabotage your career.

File: Lina Inverse NOPE.gif (2.92 MB, 315x200)

2.92 MB GIF

>>39998651
"And in addition to being grounded no adult rated programs at the holobooths when you're allowed back."
"What programs?"
You hold up a datastick. "Do you want me to plug this into the display viewer?"
"It depends where you got it. Is that from my combat sims?
"Don't play coy with me. I believe the program is called ==THIS INFORMATION REDACTED BY ORDER OF THE INQUISITION==."
Unlike times where she's been outright embarrassed over things this time Bekka goes pale like she's going into shock.
"Well?" You prompt. That seems to snap her out of it.
"THAT'S NOT MINE! YOUCANTPROVEANYTHINGI'MGOINGTOSCHOOL!ARGHAAAAAAAAA!!"
Tearing around the kitchen she grabs her things and hightails it out the door faster than you've ever seen her move before.

>>39998850
>I may not be one for politics, but even I am aware that she has enemies that wouldn't want you to be successful

Or they might just want to recruit Bekka for intel so they can get an easy way to secure the support of Sonia.

>>39999025
I never said I believed it myself.

>>39998973
Did... Did Mom just take away Bekkas holographic porn?

>>39998973

Things to do today:

"kill anyone and everyone involved in possible Neeran porn"

>>39999049
Probably.

Bekka returns from school later in the day, making sure to ignore the last of the morning's conversation.

"So I talked to a followup recruiter from House intel today. I wasn't the only one they were asking for. Apparently they're recruiting for a program but only under a set age limit. Glory and I are at the maximum age limit, they won't take anyone older than us. Apparently they want me because my hand to hand skills and reaction speed are really high."

"Didn't you say you were third in your class in your hand to hand?"

"Third in my year... for Dreminth."

You didnt realise Bekka was such a potential menace to society.

"But my corvette and starfighter skills are also really high. More than my command skills."

>Final words before we switch back to Sonia?

>>39999407
huh, the fact that there is a maximum age limit is concerning.

>>39999407
"Promise to think think this over long and hard. When school is over you can pick what you want but until then I want that brain of yours to be in overdrive."

>>39999454
All I can think of is Hitlerjugend or some kind of project like in the movie Soldier where they brainwash kids into growing up to be perfect soldiers.

>>39999407
>>Final words before we switch back to Sonia?
"I must admit the age limit is pretty disconcerting...

Anyway, it is probably best to consider what you want your career in the military to be. Think about the goals you want to achieve, and what is the best way to get there.

And then think about what your job will involve on a realistic day to day basis, not what the movies try to sell you. Think about what things you can live with for the rest of your life, and what you'd rather not experience if it can be helped.

Once you're done with that, at least briefly consider if a civilian career might not be the safer way to achieve what you want out of life."

>>39999407
"I can't stop you forever, Bekka. Just don't sign up for something blindly."

Either way, Bekka is being taken to get a brain scan/backup NOW.

>Either way, Bekka is being taken to get a brain scan/backup NOW.
"Who are you calling?"
"I'm just making sure everyone is signed up for their medical checkups. Which includes you."


After winishing you look back to her. "I must admit the age limit is pretty disconcerting... Promise to think think this over long and hard. When school is over you can pick what you want but until then I want that brain of yours to be in overdrive.

Consider what you want your career in the military to be. Think about the goals you want to achieve, and what is the best way to get there. Once you're done with that, at least briefly consider if a civilian career might not be the safer way to achieve what you want out of life. I can't stop you forever, Bekka. Just don't sign up for something blindly."

You've given her pause. and a few more things to think over. Maybe for once it will get through to her. You can only hope.

>>39999923
I think the most important thing is to tell the middle child that her mother loves her. Even if it triggers crying again.

Even a Reynard can't be invulnerable forever with three kids.

>>40000079
Yeah, something like "I love you, and I'm proud of you." definitely won't hurt.

You are once again Sonia Reynard, a General in the Factions Alliance Fleet and a Knight Commander of the House of Jerik-Dremine!

The fleet has finished repairs after its latest battle thanks to assistance from the nearby nav station. Some of your corvette units have been rotating out assisting the local defenders with the constant raids and attacks on the station itself.

Neeran fleet elements are reported to be heading your way from the Dominion Relay. The leading elements for their main force may begin to arrive in as little as 2 days. Logistics could become an issue operating in this relay despite it being more of a small cluster of galaxy remnants than a typical relay.

The NAV TAC 2 colony zone is perhaps half the size of the South Reach cluster in terms of area but lacks any large galaxies. It was jointly settled by the old Terran Alliance and House Kharbos around the outbreak of the Terran Civil War. As such it was able to resist the Kavarians in the Faction wars.

While there is Dominion territory in the cluster it now belongs mostly to minor Houses or to what the Ruling House and Kharbos can each afford to garrison. Earlier Neeran attacks have done just enough damage to render them next to useless for defense of the region. They relied too heavily on their distance and isolation from Shallan space, hoping that if it ever came to war with the Terrans they would have advance warning.

Local Houses won't offer much in the way of easy support while the Terrans simply can't. Not without pulling back most of a day's flight from potential fighting.

You do have a mining barge and can get hold of transports easily enough. There are 3 ways to support to repair your fleet in the field. Processing wrecks for parts, escorting convoys or setting up a mining operation.

[ ] Process Neeran wreckage (Reduces salvage)
[ ] Convoys
[ ] Get mining rights from Terrans

>Questions about the available options?

>>40001252
>[ ] Convoys

>>40001252
Will we pay the Terrans for mining rights in order to supply us or can we claim that as free supplies in order to be able to defend the area properly? Cause I am not above taking ore without paying for it if they are going to play hard with us.

None the less convoys are out of the question. Defensive actions always puts us out of our element as we would be receiving the ambush instead of launching one.

>[X] Process Neeran wreckage (Reduces salvage)
>[X] Get mining rights from Terrans
We can supplement mining ore with some of the massive amount of Neeran Corvettes we always manage to gather. Big money is in the Heavy Cruisers after all and not in Corvettes.

>>40001439
this

>>40001252
I have a question.

How exactly is Admiral Chen(?) expecting is to operate, here?

Hold the Nav Relay and strike at Neeran fleets as they arrive?
Harass the Neeran forces as they try to evade through this region for their jump out?

His comments last thread caused me concern when he mentioned that Majestic couldn't support the number of wings we operated. Are we being expected to operate Majestic as part of a combat line?

How we're being forced (or given the option) to deploy does dictate our optimal source of support supplies.

File: map_Battle_4030_4-00b Fleet.gif (10 KB, 1290x500)

10 KB GIF

>>40001439
>Will we pay the Terrans for mining rights in order to supply us or can we claim that as free supplies in order to be able to defend the area properly?
The Terrans are prepared to offer free mining rights for fleet groups actively fighting the Neeran. So you or any other Alliance group in other words.

>>40001346
>>[ ] Convoys
You would have assign select ships to guard convoys to stay in resupply. Say some of the Battlecruisers, mixed attack wings or some of the Knight class ships the Terrans brought along.
>None the less convoys are out of the question.
It would be risky but so is staying in one place for too long. But then again you're not running from pursuers behind enemy lines this time.

>>40001663
You're not expected to hold the nav station or protect it when the enemy main fleets arrive. He'll assign people to look after it. Probably.
The Neeran could arrive anywhere within 5 light years of the station. Intel is plotting likely vectors their fleets will retreat along and intercept points. There are a few areas points near destroyed sensor stations where the Neeran first arrived. These are their most likely departure points if the large scale attack on the Pandora cluster a few years ago is any indication.

You can try to intercept then when they arrive in the cluster, when they should be more vulnerable and unable to immediately jump.
At the midway points intel is plotting.
Or at their final departure area.

If picking one of the earlier ones you'll be expected to move your fleet in pursuit once the Neeran have passed from your combat zone. Another option would be to hand off your least damaged ships to another fleet headed in pursuit.

>Cont.

>>40002430
Your Fleet

2x EX series Mega SHC (Heavy plasma cannon turrets)
1x ACC (Alliance Capital Carrier) (Support options)
1x Heavy Carrier [Majestic] (Support options)
4x Heron class Mediums
4x Lance class Mediums (Counts as 1 Medgium group)
1x Odyssey Medium*
1x Endeavour class Medium [Comet]
2x Kilo Medium
1x Medium Carrier [EBON]
4x Battlecruiser/Fast battleship squadrons (*Includes comand squad)
1x Knight class light cruiser Wing
3x Madeye Squadrons*
1x Afterburner Squadron*
3x Mixed attack Wings*
5x DHI Assault Corvette Wings*
3x Gamma Assault Corvette Wings*

Many x Misc. support ships

* = ELITE damage bonus

>>40002430
>>40002539
If I've counted this fleet right we currently have 959 ships under our command. Plus Starfighters

File: MAP-NW-TAC-2.gif (14 KB, 1116x622)

14 KB GIF

>>40002556
Its a powerful fleet to be sure, especially given the number of elite wings you've got.

Here is a map of the cluster. Little on the small side. Will work on that.

There are 3 main route the enemy are expected to take. What is your plan of attack for intercepting them? I'll be adding it to an overnight survey along with your logistics options and 1 other thing.

>>40003267
I am feeling confident we can take on several Supers with this fleet.Maybe not at the same time but insane profit will be had if we take a few out.

I think we should station our fleet close by to where the Neerans are expected to land, where the sensors where down. There we wait for the first sizable Neeran unit to arrive, around 1 Super/Sorcher, and jump them. We keep that up until they move towards a key system, or they stop coming, where by we move to assist the key systems and hopefully get the jump on a Neeran fleet trying to decimate what they can before they move on.

Survey!
>Link is flagged as spam! Check the wiki main page for the survey link
I need to look back and find the trick I used last time to post it. See you in the morning.

"Knight Commander we may have a problem." Tes'us points you to a report from one of your Captains.
Verilis Rah'ne has been showing signs of instability and is becoming erratic both with orders and emotionally. Her wing took some more ship losses to long range fire in that last battle. The crews escaped thanks to their emergency teleporters in the new corvettes but the stress could become a problem in the days ahead.
Verilis has been personally shot out of more ships than nearly any other wing commander in your fleets, though most of those we early career. The number of times crippled and requiring rescue is also up there.

Using your authority to check the Psych profiles they warn that Verilis may need to be put on medical leave if her units were to take serious losses again.

[ ] Transfer but allow to keep current rank
[ ] Keep in current position
[ ] Warning to shape up
[ ] (Temporary?) Demotion to sub-wing commander

>>40004115
>[ ] Transfer but allow to keep current rank

>>40004115
>[ ] Keep in current position
But have a talk with Veriliis to check how she's doing.

>>40004115

Verilis has been with us a long time. Maybe a personal talk? See if they would prefer a certain course of action, etc.

And just generally be there for someone we've served with since the Smuggler's Run?

>>39993664
well fuck I am not even finished with wing commander yet, awesome to see that psycho sonia found that sword to her sheath.

>>40004661
Her mother found her sheath quite a while ago that is why we have Sonia today.

The OP is about Sarah, Sonia's mother.

>>40004115

I think we should talk to Verilis before making a decision. I'd favour the first option, though.

Gah, really busy these days and I don't have much time to read the quest. You guys seem to have things in hand though.

Can't imagine why they would specifically need young people as specops unless they were trying to do make a 6 billion credit Bekka.

>>40002539
Which unit type was the one we were supposed to keep away from fleet engagements?

>>40002539
>4x Lance class Mediums (Counts as 1 Medgium group)

Did the Terrans manage to improve that ship class's structural integrity? If I remember corretly, they fared rather poorly against Neeran ships because the hull could be easily shot in half.

>>40011221
That would be our Mixed Wings, they where better at ambushes where they would take less damage. Not that we can't use them for just that during fleet engagements.

Bump

>>40012151
On the upgraded models. These are older ones that have been pressed back into service before they could be refit.

>>40012266
>That would be our Mixed Wings
>>40011221
>Which unit type was the one we were supposed to keep away from fleet engagements?
Those plus your Carriers and support ships.

First things first, you get mining rights from the Terrans and begin to move your fleet around. The Carriers will remain near the mining operation for now to make the most use of the raw materials coming aboard.

As for the enemy you'll try for an early ambush when the Neeran jump in. You hope it will let your people do the most damage. Then it'll be a running fight along the edge of the cluster. Should make for plenty of salvage.


>Maybe a personal talk? See if they would prefer a certain course of action, etc.
>Talk. Possible reassignment as a Liaison/Tactical Coordination Officer to the new Terrans under our command?
>Verilis has been with us a long time. Maybe a personal talk?
>Voted for "Transfer but...", I really think medical leave would be the best way to handle this. She's a competent captain, and we should try to get her the best help she can get.


Once the fleet has moved you look after your next problem. Taking an LST over you go and talk to Verilis.

"Knight Commander on deck!" Shouts a junior officer when you step onto the bridge. Those who are busy with their jobs don't respond while everyone else snaps to attention. Knight Captain Rah'ne quickly finishes a discussion with an ops officer about repairs then heads over to see you.

"How can I help you sir?"
"Surprise inspection." You answer, grinning. "I'm joking but you can still show me around. I haven't been aboard one of the newer Vengeance types with the high maneuver drives before."

Despite obvious signs of battle damage this ship is in much better shape than the Bittenfeld the last time you saw it. Once you're away from the command areas the real conversation begins.

>>40014082
>On the upgraded models. These are older ones that have been pressed back into service before they could be refit

Any chance to get the RTS Lance that refit?

>>40012151
I always wondered what would happen with the Lance class. It was always a threat to smaller ships, but then Neeran plasma came along on everything.

I can't help but think that it will be relegated to dominion old battleship status soon, and that will be a shame, IMO. I like things designed to swat swarms of smaller ships

>>40014222
Well they are not alone in being able to do that. Remember the battle where we defended some planet against like 5000 Neeran ships. We got reinforced by a pair of Shallan Mediums who then proceeded to wipe out like 2 wings of Neeran Corvettes in their opening salvos.

Then there is the Shukant Class Medium which is like... Made out of guns. Siege Cannon can also do it's shotgun thingy as well.

>>40014082
It's been a while since we've actually flown a ship hasn't it? We should try some simulated combat on one of these new ships against some of our elite pilots, to keep our skills up to speed.

>>40014222
I think the Lance was intended as some kind of budget medium cruiser. Not ideal for actual wars but more than enough for everything short of that.

It seems like a ship designed to bring the intimidation factor and weapon platform of a medium at a lower price than other ships of its class.

>>40014382
Oh, I love the Shallan mediums and such.

The reason I still love the lance more is due to the lack of plasma weapons. Shallan ships depend heavily on Republic plasma weapons, which I fear soon enough will be difficult for the dominion and even Sonia to procure. (Next faction war soon!)

>>40014482
Good thing we started a Dominion Plasma weapons program then!

You know her history and that things have been getting to her. Probably for a long time now. You ask about the first early deployments before you really met.

Serving under Sylvan, well you know what that was like along with the rest of the Smugglers Run.

"I managed to lose my attack corvette early on in the Run. Outwardly I blamed Sylvan but really I just screwed up and wasn't good enough commanding a squadron yet to have people cover me adequately. It seems I always had to learn things the hard way. It was almost as bad as getting stuck with the blasted Bulk Cruiser."
"You did salvage it."
"Which was another mistake."

"So what's going on now? We took a lot of fire in that last battle and some losses." you point out.
"I couldn't switch them out in time to save those corvettes."
"They were heavy shots. Anyone would have lost them."
"Maybe. I was taking too long getting things organised."
"Then you need to delegate more. Make sure your subordinates have enough experience to handle themselves. What if your ship is knocked out or you lose coms? Or worse. Can they handle themselves?"

"...yes."
"You had to think about it."
"I wanted to be sure before answering."
"Fair enough."

You're talking circles around the problem.

"I want you to make it through the next set of battles with your sanity intact. We could lose a lot of ships, maybe a lot of people, through no fault of your own. Some of your medical reports indicate you should be put on leave."

The other Knight stops. "Are you relieving me of duty sir?"

"No. That would be bad for everyone. I'd like to transfer you to act as the Liaison and Tactical Coordination Officer with the new Terrans under our command. its a big fleet to coordinate."

"What makes you think I won't screw it up sir?"
>What say?

>>40014563
"Because you have the experience, intelligence and skill to do the job"

>>40014563
"I trust you. We've seen a lot of battles, I'd be putting you on medical leave if I didn't think you could handle it."

File: f16f.jpg (65 KB, 960x540)

65 KB JPG

>>40014563
Despite my posting again this What say? is still open btw.


>>40014207
The RSS Lance was given a series of refits and upgrades suited to front line salvage work. They were based off a similar equipment package your people saw the Terrans use. Its not as good as the full combat upgrade but allows the salvage of just about any Medium cruiser.
It still has all of the weapons and capabilities of the base design.

>>40014222
Most of them are used by the Terrans in an escort role. Protecting convoys, Carrier groups and acting as fire support ships for the larger Supers. They're fast enough that they can move to aid friendly ships that are in trouble.
More heavy upgraded models are used for patrol duties. They're still cheap to build and the Terrans still have a few thousand of them in service so they keep strapping upgrades to them like they're F-16s.

>>40014471
>I think the Lance was intended as some kind of budget medium cruiser.
That is spot on as they say.

>>40014452
>It's been a while since we've actually flown a ship hasn't it? We should try some simulated combat on one of these new ships against some of our elite pilots, to keep our skills up to speed.
You've been flying the Devourer, but did test pilot one of the newer Assault Corvettes with the afterburner upgrades at Mike's insistence.

You want to practice against some of your best people and the Terrans?

Roll 3d20 for several rounds of simulator runs.

>>40014563
"Because you have the ability and the experience to do it. Because you've been through worse, we all have, and survived."

Rolled 11, 12, 7 = 30 (3d20)

>>40014747
>You want to practice against some of your best people and the Terrans?

Let's do et

Rolled 3, 18, 9 = 30 (3d20)

>>40014747
>You want to practice against some of your best people and the Terrans?
Hell yeah.

Rolled 7, 18, 8 = 33 (3d20)

>>40014747

>>40014563
>>What say?
"You're an excellent tactician, and you care a lot about the people you lead. It's obvious you're currently questioning the way how you manage your subordinates on a smaller level, and that's fine. Reevaluating one's strategies is an important ability of every good officer.

Working with the Terrans will allow you to put your skills to good use, while also giving you time to evaluate the things you're currently unsure about without having to second-guess your decisions in combat or afterwards. It will give you some breathing space to work things out properly."

>>40014722

This, but also ask does he feel that he will.

"Because you have the experience, intelligence and skill to do the job. I trust you. We've seen a lot of battles, I'd be putting you on medical leave if I didn't think you could handle it. Do you not feel you're up to doing the job?"

"I'm up to it sir." Replies Verilis.

"Good to hear. Remember that reevaluating one's strategies is an important ability of every good officer.

Working with the Terrans will allow you to put your skills to good use, while also giving you time to evaluate the things you're currently unsure about without having to second-guess your decisions in combat or afterwards. I hope it will give you some breathing space to work things out properly."

"Thank you sir.


"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to see if my piloting skills are still holding up. Mark 5 simulator match in 40 minutes if you're interested!"

Wow I can't find any of the music I was planning to link. It's all blocked.

40 minutes later the match is loading up, pitting you against your best people. To keep yourself sharp you've added the bottle type afterburners. They should automatically jettison if there's a problem but you also want to see if you can manage to do so quickly on your own.
The Mark 5's in your fleet only have a very small stockpile of afterburner equipment to work with so all of it has been reserved for Serth's Dragoons. It's still good practice though.

These sims aren't just for pilots either but to see if command crews can also do their job while under the same G load.
"This is why I transferred out of shuttles." Complains Maybourne when you crank open the throttle. "So that I wouldn't be pulling crazy headache maneuvers like this."

In a straight up fight against the likes of Felix and Jehtot things very quickly require the use of nukes to try and cover your movements and preventing others from predicting where you'll be. The afterburners certainly help a great deal with straight line acceleration but they also give away your position and prevent you from maneuvering.

The match lasts ten minutes over which you slowly accumulate damage, taking out two other pilots before one of the other aces manage to bracket you with light pulse cannon fire. It's a little disappointing but you haven't been flying these high performance craft that often. Certainly not against opponents with SP weapons.

You've had your warmup. The next sim is with 2 of your best Wings against 2 of the Terrans. All of it taking place surrounding evenly matched sets of Kavarian Mega's trading fire. This one is an all out brawl and you're not sure if the equipment favours either side.

Gamma class ships are all using heavy pulse cannon arrays, so they can land more damage at once in a 60 degree arc. Most of your ships have light pulse cannon turrets which gives near 360 degree coverage but can't land the same level of damage except for in a head to head.

It's been a long time since you've seen a nuclear barrage this dense, Probably Gesaur. Every last ship launching most of their nukes and firing off torpedoes for good measure. Your people know this drill well. Some go wide to help coordinate sensors while the rest charge through, dodging blasts and targeting opponents that are nearly blind. Or should be, some are pulling similar tricks.

File: VS.jpg (5 KB, 480x360)

5 KB JPG

After surviving the initial head to head you trade fire for awhile before leading a pair of Terrans on a chase through their own lines. First using your own SP Torps to blast holes in one of their Mega's to dodge behind the debris, you soon switch to avoiding your pursuer's SP's letting them hit their own capital ship. Whipping around the hull of the larger ship you spin in place and blast the first corvette to appear around the lip of the hull. The second narrowly avoids the same fate and soon it's 1 on 1.

Stray Heavy phase cannon fire down's part of your shield long enough for your opponent's gunner to land some hits, shearing through a number of supports and power systems. Warning lights go off for your afterburners.
"Shit."
Throwing the throttle forward you light off the afterburners for 2 seconds for the extra speed boost then jettison the containers. The exploding containment bottles blind the Terran but also knock out your shields.

"You sure that was a good idea sir?"
"No!"

Damage to your engines and high maneuver drives on one side are serious enough that you really should pull back for repairs. It takes most of a minute to fight your way back to the friendly side of the battlefield. There's a designated repair zone you can hang near until you're clear to re-engage, or you can keep fighting around your allied ships providing them cover.

[ ] Repair
[ ] Provide cover

>>40016346
>[ ] Repair
It seems our presence wouldn't be especially helpful in our current state.

>>40016346
[X] Provide cover
It's only a simulation, let's go wild.

>>40016346
[X] Repair
Can't do much if our ship is all broken and stuff.

>>40016346
>Provide cover

>>40016346
[x] Provide Cover

"Lets get some repairs to see if we can at least keep the engines from exploding on us."

Swinging in for repairs a loading bar lit up on the displays counting down until the base minimum repairs were done.

Pulling back to the rear most sections of the main battle you try your best to provide cover to your allies. With your engine damage it's now more like flying an old style corvette, though you can still use the port engines to pull off some hard maneuvers if they're needed. \

"Maybourne, look up some flight programming that can better adapt to broken systems and drives on these ships when you get a chance."
"Right now?"
"If you can, but mostly later for our people to use out in the field."
"Gotcha."

Numbers on both sides continue to dwindle while you do what you can and a mega class on either side goes up in flames. Even in your damaged state you're able to take down two more corvettes, both expecting you to be an easy target with your obvious engine damage.

Nearly at the end of the match another Ace appears, standing out thanks to the pilot's custom paint scheme. Matte black with red bow markings.
Despite a quick dodge you're still hit by a burst of heavy pulse cannon fire. Hitting reverse thrusters you avoid a second burst only for a torpedo to punch through your failing shield.
The screen goes blank then displays a message stating your ship has been destroyed.

By the end of the match there are only 3 corvettes left, belonging to the Terran Ace and 2 nearly crippled allies who are attempting to get repairs.
Jehtot is angry that the other pilot manged to kill him will he was busy dealing with 3 other Terrans.

The pilot, one Iosif Lenox, is rumored to be capable of pulling off one of those crazy stunts that involves flying inside of a Neeran Super Carrier to kill it and may have actually done so.

>Did you want to offer them congratulations? Send him a top gun hot or do anything else as a result of the simulator battle?

File: Spoiler Image (5 KB, 200x140)

5 KB JPG

>>40017306
>Send him a top gun *hat*
Was what I meant to type.

>>40017306
>>Did you want to offer them congratulations?
Definitely.

>Send him a top gun hot or do anything else as a result of the simulator battle?
Pay for the evening's drinks of everybody involved in the simulations?

>>40017306
A congratulations and a pass for an evening of free drinks at a bar of their choice.

>>40017306
Send Top Gun hat and invitation to join the House if he wants to gain some proper wealth and rank. Ofcourse he is going to decline but it's the thought that matters.

>>40017306
>Jehtot is angry that the other pilot manged to kill him will he was busy dealing with 3 other Terrans.

It's a good thing it happened during a simulated battle, and not in reality. He can learn from it and be ready if he ever ends up in a similar again.

>>40017862
>Send Top Gun hat and invitation to join the House if he wants to gain some proper wealth and rank

We should probably wait until the end of our deployment here for that.

TSTG quick question here.

How do phase cannons work? I assume they make a ball of 'energy' and that's then fired. When it impacts does it do its primary damage via heat? kinetic impact? something electromagnetic?

Also, how small can FTL cores be made? Small enough to fit on a fighter?

>>40017306
meet with him and get some tips and tricks? It's been too long since we've had a good fight like that.

Before anyone can start a fight or spout off stupid shit you congratulate the Terrans on their victory and announce you'll be paying for drinks. Everyone is given leave while you still have time for the Neeran to arrive.

>>40017862
>>40018085
>Send Top Gun hat and invitation to join the House if he wants to gain some proper wealth and rank.
You have an automated message (and gift) set up for delivery after this deployment. As long as he's still alive it should get to him.

You hop a flight over to the ACC to make sure things are going well there and to confirm that yes you were serious about the drinks being on your credit.

You ask after the Terran ace pilot wanting to meet this Iosif Lenox but are headed off by his commanding officer. Despite being a top pilot he's still rather low ranked, a flight lieutenant when he should be much higher up.
"General you probably don't want to be talking to him. He's survived losing a couple units so he's taken on the habit of distancing himself from people."

"Why isn't he at least a Captain?" you ask.
"Refused promotions. I'm sure he'll take one after this campaign as long as he doesn't need to command any other ships. The Alliance has him pegged as a Major if he ever accepts."

You tell the wing commander to pass on your congratulations and to tell him to be ready.

"And as if he'd consider another sim. I could use some tips and tricks. He caught me while my engine was half torn up."
"He does that. Kick an opponent while they're down or vulnerable."

>>40018446
>I assume they make a ball of 'energy' and that's then fired.
That's how pulse cannons work. Phase cannons fire a continuous stream of phased energy particles on a carrier beam while a pulse cannon launches all of it at once.
Pulse cannons do more damage but they'll scatter more so their range isn't as good.

>When it impacts does it do its primary damage via heat? kinetic impact? something electromagnetic?
Explosive / EM? It's a real mix and can be kind of a bastard to deal with for civilizations that have a low tech level. Explodes and/or breaks mollecular bonds on impact.

Now that I think about it they're kind of like anti-particles in that they tend to explode when hitting anything solid as opposed to shields. Hmm. Maybe that's not the best way of representing that. They do tend to do plenty of thermal damage as well, what with the exploding.

Phased particle weapons can also create electromagnetic interference in unshielded electronics. Maybe not minovsky particle levels but it can be a problem.


>how small can FTL cores be made? Small enough to fit on a fighter?

LST's, Light transports and FTL yachts are the smallest ships than can mount FTL. A good rule of thumb is that a vehicle needs to be large enough to handle a shield generator. Current record holder is a 38m FTL race yacht.

Starfighter scale FTL cores are something that is being worked on. Sonia saw a mockup for a small scale core being shown off at her first ball if I recall properly. As usual this was for a group trying to raise money to fund such a project.

>>40019121
>Current record holder is a 38m FTL race yacht.
Just to check, how big are the SP Torpedoes we fire off?

>>40019160
About 2 meters long.

Are you now going to suggest light attack ships mounting FTL armed with starfighter Torpedo racks? These already exist but SP Torps are in short supply atm and those ships have a short life expectancy.
They also cant reliably mount teleporters yet.

>>40019396
Would one-shot mirv 38m long torpedo carrier ftl missiles be feasible?

>>40019396
More like a disposable drone super-sized torpedo that FTL's as close as it can to an enemy ship, and then uses repulsors to fire special SP Torpedoes at a super high velocity.

For taking down large ships.

>>40019723
>>40019525
Yes actually. There was talk of converting old Constellation light transports into FTL interceptor missiles. I'm not sure if that particular point was brought up.
It may have been, it was awhile ago.

>>40019525
Seems a bit wasteful, considering the price of FTL components.

>>40014747
the idea of the Lance class being F-16'ed by the Terrans is entertaining and only improves my enjoyment of the class. I imagine with Neeran design studies it will eventually turn into something like I originally thought it looked like, too.

And while we're talking crazy ideas...

Did we ever by chance secure a functioning Neeran Emergency Teleporter or talk to that Shallan from non-faction space that wanted protection and immunity?

I'd like to know what exactly he wanted protection and immunity from. I can't think of any real war crimes he committed, which makes me wonder.

>>40019811
>Did we ever by chance secure a functioning Neeran Emergency Teleporter
You have yet to recover a fully intact capsule on this deployment. You have a few teleporters just not the part that things or people go in.

Roll 1d100 to see if your allied have picked up any while helping with rescue operations. They would have been in orbit of habitable worlds they might have ended up on if the Neeran were not in range of a receiver ship.


>or talk to that Shallan from non-faction space that wanted protection and immunity?
>I'd like to know what exactly he wanted protection and immunity from. I can't think of any real war crimes he committed, which makes me wonder.
War crimes, things of that nature, he doesn't know what laws you guys have or don't against enemy combatants. He was shooting at your people at one point. Family members might pursue legal action to have him hanged or demand reparations later.

And protection from people that might want to kill him. Like enemy infiltrators if he talks. Or people who might not want him talking to you, like rival states.

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>40020333
>Roll 1d100

Rolling.

>That Shallan

FA intelligence might be interested in him.

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>40020333

What is he willing to provide us in exchange for this protection, and to what extent does he want it? We can't exactly keep him invulnerable short of throwing him in stasis and dumping him in deep space, and he is sort of a potential security threat, you know? Would he be willing to suffer one of those limited slave chips? Be killed and cloned? Does he want protection just guarenteed by us? the Faction Alliance? the Dominion?

ha-ha! come on allies, I want my emergency teleport capsule filled with torpedos that shoot out and then lone nuke self destruct!

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>40020333

File: SP Railgun Drone.png (1 KB, 520x127)

1 KB PNG

>>40019755
>>40019723

Engines at the back, FTL and drone control units in the middle, SP warhead railgun at the front.

File: rainbow53.jpg (64 KB, 425x318)

64 KB JPG

>>40020702
I'm going to say good enough. You have a capsule and teleporter. What are your plans for it?

>>40020496
>What is he willing to provide us
Communications codes and protocols. He's also willing to record false messages if needed.
Weapon protocols for small arms and any starship systems he knows how to operate.

Unverifiable rumors about future deployments, though he admits they may be worthless.

>Does he want protection just guarenteed by us? the Faction Alliance? the Dominion?
Any of those 3 would be fine, though he's not entirely certain what each of those might entail that are different from the others.

>We can't exactly keep him invulnerable short of throwing him in stasis
>and he is sort of a potential security threat, you know?
He's open to the idea of house arrest at a remote location.

>>40021002
Can he provide any information on Neeran Emergency Teleporters? How to aim them at a receiver pad over a planet?

as for plans for teleporter...
How many doors does it have?

>>40021002
>You have a capsule and teleporter. What are your plans for it?

I know people have been suggesting to send some kind of bomb or SP torps through it but I'd prefer to send it off to R&D. If the Neeran were smart enough to design their receivers in a similar way to the Terran ones, we're most likely just wasting explosives anyway.

>Shallan

I think a deal with FA protection is probably the best for him, and very likely the option where his intel bring the greatest benefit to the war effort.

>>40021002
...How much stasised antimatter can we shove into it, and how big an explosion will it make?

>>40021236
1/3 of its wall surface is taken up by a large retractable hatch, similar to some faction capsules, though they're not the same size.

>Can he provide any information on Neeran Emergency Teleporters?
How to activate them, not how to target with them.
"Just be closer to them than a viable planet is? They weren't exactly forthcoming some some information."

>>40021363
All of your containment bottles for antimatter are starship grade. They would not fit.

>>40021447
Couldn't a machine shop make one? I mean antimatter containment is something we can do IRL.

>>40021002
>>40021447
From last thread:

>anti-nuke precautions on the receiver ships

Decent for dealing with the air blast, but still doesn't help much with the fact that most of the high energy particles are trapped by your ship.

It does make me wonder if there isn't something more devastating we could have ride an emergency teleporter, now. Napalm projection devices that breach the door out before spraying sticky fire with its own oxidizer sound fun, but ultimately would be a localized terror weapon.

... what if we used the teleport capsules to bring a cluster of high yield torpedoes past the armor belt? rig a simple system to read the pod's sensors. If on a planet, disarm. If not on a planet, breach door, torps cold launch themselves from the pod. Possibly with some extra kick to help them gain speed.

>expanded addition

place torps in simple, capped/railed tubes with foam sabot and a kicker charge?

Ideally, this causes regular torpedoes to effectively turn the teleporter into a shotgun shell using torps instead of bird shot, and will bypass any simple 'blast takes easy path out' by using the penetration and shaped charges of torps. And deliver them past the enemy's primary methods of protecting the important innards of a ship.

Bonus points if it takes out a number of Neeran that escaped to the ship when their own vessel was lost.

>>40021002
Does he know the *actual* reason for the invasion?

>>40021501
Too obvious.

These things are designed to clearly filter out certain materials. If it sees anti-matter, well shit, what's else is that going to be used for? Uranium? There's literally no reason for a person to have uranium atoms on them.

We should teleport organic stuff, like that Neeran beast we hunted. The Wendigo? Can't remember the name.

Imagine a pack of those let loose on a room full of disoriented troops.

Can we take scans of it up close? If we can figure out the frequency they transmit on, we could fill it with white noise and fuck them up too.

>>40021792
"Just the ones in the propaganda broadcasts. Well... I did hear a theory."
"And that is?"
"You know they kill each other sometimes right?"
"Who?"
"The big guys, the Neeran. The ones running things at the top. I hear they get stronger when they do."

>>40021501
Depends how much you want held safely and for how long.

You tell the Terrans not to charge any Veckron weapons without telling you first as you have a special project in mind.

>>40021606
I'm gonna say you have room for 4 torpedoes in the capsule you've got.

>>40021862
>Wendigo
Too spooky.
Warrel.

>Can we take scans of it up close?
The teleporter and system in operation?
>If we can figure out the frequency they transmit on, we could fill it with white noise and fuck them up too.
You want to develop a teleport jammer? Odds are good it would block your own systems as well.

>>40022014
>Depends how much you want held safely and for how long.
Enough to do substantial damage to a ship, and long enough that we can charge it before the battle.

>>40022014
>Warrel.
That's the bastard.

How many can the emergency teleporter hold?

>>Can we take scans of it up close?
>The teleporter and system in operation?
Yes, and yes.

Maybe a jammer is a bad idea at the moment.

>>40022014
Wait... Wait, wait, wait, wait. This is a war to get those reactors the Neerans have in their bodies? The ones that superpower the Commandos among other things?

>>40022098
I doubt it, then they'd just spend a quarter of the money on clone R&D and have unlimited supplies of them.

>>40022014
>"Just the ones in the propaganda broadcasts.
Does he have a rough idea on how many people believe those broadcasts? If these dudes are being thrown at us like cannon fodder, we could tempt them into joining the Dominion. Fame, prestige, money, all the good stuff.

>>40022094
>How many can the emergency teleporter hold?
Warrels? Nobody keeps those, they kill them. If they were in stasis I'd say 7-10? They're not easy to handle in any form.

>Yes, and yes.
You'll pass on the suggestion to Alliance R&D

>>40022098
>>40022266
"Oh, that reminds me, I overheard we were supposed to be stealing cloning equipment from a couple of colonies? I don't know why, we have some basic cloning tech."

>>40022407
>Does he have a rough idea on how many people believe those broadcasts?
"Some worlds are strong supporters, others not so much. Most of them have been good at pointing out you guys just throw bodies at problems.
There are economic incentives to support the war. Some worlds don't even have to pay tariffs on trade."

>>40022564
FUCKING CALLED IT!

>>40022564
Can we put out an order for eight Warrels? Alive, and in stasis. Maybe five million per piece, for the captors.

>>40022685
lets not

>>40022709
It would be better than just bombing.

They asexually reproduce. That's one ship entirely out of commission for a few years.

>>40022588
Now what do you want to do about it?

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>40022685
It would have to be a request put through the Alliance or you would be arrested/ face charges for transportation or trafficking of live Warrels.


[ ] Teleporter bomb
[ ] Teleporter Torpedo(s)
[ ] Give the equipment to Alliance R&D
[ ] Requisition Warrels (This could take awhile, rolling for how many weeks)
[ ] Other

>>40022848
I'll vote for it since it was my idea.

>[x] Requisition Warrels (This could take awhile, rolling for how many weeks)

>>40022848
>[ ] Teleporter bomb

>>40022787
Obviously the correct way to handle this is to replicate it. Capture some more Neeran reactors and see if we can duplicate it with cloning technology. Step two is trying to put it into a Human or Dro'all body. For science ofcourse.

>>40022685
Personally, I'd rather stay away from warrels completely. Isn't post-stasis sickness a thing? And the Neeran made/introduced the things. They could be easily dealt with.

>>40022073
Quick thought. Wouldn't a basic 'ease of explosion OUT' system work vs anti-matter? And wasn't there some mention about anti-matter containment failing in emergency teleports?

>>40022848
>[] Teleporter bomb

>>40022848
[x] Teleporter Torpedo(s)

See if the Terrans have 4 non-SP high yield ones.

TSTG How accurate are teleporters without pads?

What's more expensive to acquire? A teleport system or an SP torpedo? Can they be set to only move something in one direction?

>>40022564
Does he have any info on the Neeran telekinetic abilities?

>>40022921
>Personally, I'd rather stay away from warrels completely. Isn't post-stasis sickness a thing? And the Neeran made/introduced the things. They could be easily dealt with.
Oh I meant to add a thing in the previous post.

"What do you know about Warrels?"
"They don't exist. The Neeran exterminated them centuries ago. Everyone knows that."

>>40023068
Accurate enough to target a planetary atmosphere, but not say this accurate.
https://youtu.be/3nF84V7ysE4?t=2m

But only thanks to technology that's not fully understood. Some of the details having been lost in the Exodus.

>>40023068
>What's more expensive to acquire? A teleport system or an SP torpedo?
Teleporter, definitely. Sp's are not reusable, they have to be cheaper. Teleporters can be if they survive destruction of the ship.

>Can they be set to only move something in one direction?
That is their default state. They're one direction only which is >>/out/
With Receiver systems finally out of beta testing people are hoping they'll be able to go both ways in the future. The Alliance wants this as a means of cargo transfer for torpedo magazines for the corvettes. Resupply mid battle would become easier and expensive SP's wouldn't necessarily go down with the ship.

>>40023385
>That is their default state. They're one direction only which is >>/out/
So potentially we could strap a really stripped down, cheap version to a torpedo, and set it to move teleport past enemy shields as it approaches?

Can we set the RSS lab to look into it?

File: Granny-Burning-Stacks-Of-Money.gif (465 KB, 500x375)

465 KB GIF

>>40023385
This was me.


3 votes for teleport bomb
1 vote for Warrels (Which will take 4 weeks to get hold of))

>>40023436
Your labs have zero experience with subspace or wormhole field theory. It's a difficult and expensive field to do any work in.

>>40022848
[X] Give the equipment to Alliance R&D

You assign one of the ships from Mike's unit to look after the teleporter bomb. They should be able to provide antimatter for a bomb. If the team cant get it done quickly enough when the time comes they'll throw a few missiles or maybe torpedoes inside.

Everyone gets a few more simulator matches in, mostly against the enemy this time, to prepare for the coming assault.

Other Alliance and Terran fleets have arrived over the past few hours and are taking up positions. Most left well before the Neeran fleets, like you some launched days early, yet most are dealing with having little time to prepare because of their lower overall FTL speeds.


Maybourne has been looking up some system data for you.
"If we have to perform high speed pursuits most of our ships should be able to match velocity for the shorter distances we'll be traveling within the cluster. If our people lose FTL rescue will be much simpler than it would be beyond a Relay, though it could still take weeks to find them if they lose coms."

Well that's good news, most if it anyways.

Squadron sized attack units have been going after most of the arrivals. Chen has ordered groups like yours equipped with newer Supers to hold back until the biggest groups begin to arrive though you can still send out a couple of wings if you feel like it. So far few have approached the size of the small fleet you took on when you jumped into the cluster. Maybe the occasional Heavy Cruiser.

The Terran Admiral is sitting back with the largest fleet group, preparing to go after a command ship if one appears. So far there have been no sightings but it could be cloaked.

>>40024697
Oh boy I can't wait until fleet wreaking ball get's to take down it's first Super.

"We've deployed additional sensor nets. If it passes through we'll know about it. Should you encounter it contact the main force immediately and my fleet will handle it. We have enough Veckron warheads in reserve.
Those of you near the nav station try to avoid using Veckron weapons unless you absolutely have to. I would prefer to use them at the midway points or later but I'll understand if that's not possible."

A private message is directed to the Devourer.
"Reynard, both EX Mega's I gave you have a bow mounted Veckron launcher and five warheads. The crews know what sections to evacuate before battle. Just use care, we don't have many of those warheads left in this relay. Most were shipped to the Terran or Faction Alliance bases in the relays near Shallan space.
The Neeran offensive in that region just crippled our largest stockpile there and destroyed the base. It was only confirmed yesterday."

Shit that's where Versa's ship was stationed.
"Any word on the Alliance fleet based out of there?"

"A good portion of the fleet survived, those that didn't are in a good position to be salvaged. The Alliance Admiralty are saying there's something wrong with the station wreckage, they don't know what. I don't suppose you're willing to investigate once this is all over?"

>>40025036
"I'll have to see what the house wants to do with me after this deployment, but I am interested."

>>40025036
Going back to the main battlefront would not be all that bad after we've hunted down some of the Neeran stragglers here. I mean the salvage will be even better over there with a chance to take home more Neeran shipyards. Especially their battleship yards.

File: map_Battle_4030_4-01 Fleet.gif (15 KB, 1290x743)

15 KB GIF

"I'll have to see what the house wants to do with me after this deployment, but I am interested."


"You're on an exceedingly short list of people that might be willing to take on high risk salvage operations. That station had two thousand veckron warheads and thirty six heavy plasma cannon turrets. I think even a small share of the salvage would be worth it to your people."

"Incoming contacts!" Warns sensor officers aboard both your ship and the Admiral's.

"Good luck! Chen out."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeS0Eo8fAnw

Seven enemy fleets have been tagged for possible intercept by your group. The nav station doesnt have full data on all the exact types of ships, more their general FTL characteristics. Bigger fleets with more Supers are the most difficult to get exact readings of strength on when it comes to the smaller escorts.

>1)
2x Super
1x Heavy Cruiser
1x Heavy Carrier

>2)
1x Super
4x Heavy Cruiser
1x Heavy Carrier

>3)
1x Super
1x Heavy Carrier

>4)
4x Super
4x Heavy Cruiser
1x Heavy Carrier

>5)
2x Mediums
1x Battlecruiser squadron
1x Frigate Wing

>6)
5-6x Mediums

>7)
1x Heavy Carrier
6x Light cruiser Wings (type unknown, may be War Drum type)

Enemies have not dropped out of FTL yet so you'll get a surprise round. Which fleets did you want to send your people after? It can be several at the same time.

>>40025979
Everything on fleet 1 maybe? I think our reserve superheavy could be used against group 5 with a decent escort.

>>40025979
>That station had two thousand veckron warheads and thirty six heavy plasma cannon turrets.
Hoooleey sheeeet. Do want.

Oh boy, okay, this is what we've been waiting for. 4 looks to strong with 4 Supers in their group. 5, 6 and 7 are a little on the weak side so little salvage will be gained from them. Also I do not fancy meeting about 400 War Drums.

Number 2 has a good amount of Heavies for a nice salvage boost and only 1 Super. 3 has a few less Heavies so should be easier but less salvage there.

I'd say full head on group 2, try to drop the Super ASAP and then clean up the Heavies.

>>40025979
>two thousand veckron warheads and thirty six heavy plasma cannon turrets
holy shit punch a dick

File: map_Battle_4030_4-02 Fleet.gif (16 KB, 1290x743)

16 KB GIF

>>40026153
>>40026182
We've got 2 votes, both for deploying the full fleet.

They're mutually exclusive unless your plan is to smash one as quickly as possible then try to jump to the other. In which case I would want to know which to hit first.

Did you guys want to include the mixed wings in those deployment, keep them back as a reserve, or have them try to harass one of the other fleets using SP's?

I wonder if we get one of those Heavy Plasma Cannons if we could install it in the Forbearance as some sort of main gun. Heating will still be a problem but if we added the cooling laser we got from space wizard then maybe that will help? Still a hundred Veckron Torpedoes would not be entirely wrong either.

Anyways, bring the mix wings and the Light Cruiser wing along for this fight. Figured we could put them together with perhaps Sylvanns BS squadron for the Alpha strike ability he has and use them to micro in and hit the enemy in a weak spot once battle is joined. Also bring the EBON if it's in reserve. We deploy with Starfighters for maximum fuck you.

>>40026700
I am okay with hitting both of the one after the other. However that might chance depending on how much of a beating we will take during the first attack. I am also still for the fleet number 2.

Also how much is the Super worth in salvage? I think I remember the Heavies to be worth around 500 millions each in good shape yes? Trying to decide what to hit based on salvage value and all that.

>>40026700
I'll switch to 2 to keep things moving.
And keep them in reserve. I want them able to jump in and cut off ships that are about to escape.
Also, can we orient ourselves such that our initial barrage is targeted on their engines?

>>40019121
>pulse cannon launches all of it at once.
>thermal damage
>exploding
>breaks molecular bonds

So could we, in theory, make a really 'ghetto' plasma weapon by combining the shaped fuel cell of material, like what's used in the pistol, and then use a pulse pistol to 'drive' the plasma shot?

Kind of a hybrid weapon, combining the two.

File: map_Battle_4030_4-02b Fleet.gif (13 KB, 1290x743)

13 KB GIF

>>40026875
I'm not sure how effective that would be tbh. I'll have to think about it.
A repulsor or magnetic accelerator would be a better method of moving plasma.

Newer Neeran starship weapons are going at it from the other direction, adding a phased particle stream to their plasma weapons.

>Also how much is the Super worth in salvage?
That's not really an issue that's specifically come up before. Depends how much and what sort of equipment is left.


>Sylvanns BS squadron for the Alpha strike ability he has
Your Command squad is your BC/BS squadron. You do have 3 Terran BC/BS squadrons though.

>Also bring the EBON if it's in reserve.
Would you be deploying starfighters straight away? Or save them for the 2nd fleet you go after?

>>40026845
>And keep them in reserve. I want them able to jump in and cut off ships that are about to escape.
Noted.

>can we orient ourselves such that our initial barrage is targeted on their engines?
Yep. A little difficult to pull off as you'll need to micro the fleet in.

Looks like you're going after Fleet 2.

As long as the EX-Mega's are not attacking head on they can bring all 6 turrets to bear along with more of their flank guns. There is some debate as to how quickly they'll bring down the shields of a Super. You can speed it up by having one or more Wings attack their target's shields. Once they punch through the fleet will have the option to keep shooting it's drive section or to let the corvettes fight their way to the launch bays to destroy it from the inside.

Keep this in mind for future battles. You may not always have a clear shot at the engines.

Your Wing commanders each want to go after a heavy themselves then descend on any small ships that launch. According the the Captains of both EX ships, normal deployment is to have the mediums screening them.

>Did you want to change their attack plans?
>What orders do you have for the remaining ships?

>>40027749
I will be running tomorrow. Apologies to anyone that won't be around for the game.

Roll 2d100 for your fleet coordination and jump accuracy. See you in the morning. (Hopefully earlier than I was able to start today.)

Rolled 50, 11 = 61 (2d100)

>>40027749
All BS/BC squadrons on the left to counter Corvette spam from the Carrier. Also to make it obvious that the danger is there and not on the other flank. Two wings goes in the center with the big ship to take care of any smaller ship that may end up harassing them and eventually join the attack on the left flank. The one reaming Wing and the 4 squadrons go on the right to help support there.

The 3 mixed units and the Light Cruisers will attack the right flank once the enemy is dedicated to hold back the attack of the left. That way we can probably catch them unaware and wipe out their entire right flank and leave them exposed before they can react properly. By then we can close in on the Medium if the big ships have not yet managed to take it out.

Rolled 12, 39 = 51 (2d100)

>>40027817
See you in the morning.

Take care!

Also, rolling bones.

>>40027905
>The 3 mixed units and the Light Cruisers will attack the right flank
The mixed wings were to be held back to cut off any ships on the verge of escape. >>40026845

The Mad Eye squadrons and Mike's afterburner unit will assist on the Right flank.

>By then we can close in on the Medium if the big ships have not yet managed to take it out.
I'm assuming you mean the Neeran Super?

The big guns will get to be tested out looks like.

>>40027817

Rolled 16, 10 = 26 (2d100)

>>40027817
Oh my that was painful.

>>40027905
>>40028069

50, 39. Doesn't look like to great of an ambush. Lets hope it turns out ok.

Wow, those are some pretty bad rolls. I thought people were rolling d20...

>>40027749
>>What orders do you have for the remaining ships?

Have two BC/BB units go with each of the wings attacking the two heavies north of the super as they'll have the longest way to fall back to our main group if things go wrong.

Keep the rest in reserve to jump in when an allied unit requires support.

Do we know what kind of super are we're facing?

File: 1431923630047.gif (13 KB, 1290x743)

13 KB GIF

>>40027905
Kind of like this.

>>40032859
I think we should allow Odyssey to engage as they see fit. They're an elite unit, and I feel like their capabilities are wasted if we limit them to escort duty.

Severe technical difficulties. please stand by

Things not improving. May have to stop here this week. Sorry.

>>40034348
Noes, don't make me sad OP.

>>40034348
darn. Thanks for running.

Aww man, what am I suppose to do at work now TSTG? I was looking forward to House and salvage taking me through the dredgery that can be this job.

>>40034348
Thanks for running, TSTG.

See you when you next run!

>>40034348
Thanks for running as always!

small bump in hope of continuing.

>>40037481

Still a good chance to discuss stuff, too!

So guys, I missed most of the combat discussion yesterday. What is our main goal besides 'stop neeran retreat and get salvage'?

Are we aiming to cripple a Neeran Super and then dropping all of our marine forces in an attempt to secure it?

Are we instead looking to wipe out Neeran Heavies to deplete the larger escorts, leaving the Supers more vulnerable to attack further down the line?

Do we even have enough boarding forces to hope to secure a Neeran Super if we cripple one? I recall serious issues when we tried to secure that Warlord Mega. Perhaps we shouldn't aim to cripple a Super that will likely end up scuttled before we can secure it, but instead aim to blow a few in half?

>>40037942
>Do we even have enough boarding forces to hope to secure a Neeran Super if we cripple one?
I was kind of banking on having Versa try take control over one, to be honest.

I think the plan is to use the teleporters to fuck them up as well.

>>40038485
The teleporter plan only cripples a receiver ship (assuming the anti-matter gets to it).

>>40025036
>A good portion of the fleet survived,

Did our favourite not-OS make it?

>>40038686
True.

I think we should really look into that thought. It's been said already that teleporters struggle with antimatter containment, not to mention they use way more advanced ones, which can probably filter out certain things. Maybe if we bathe the container in Neeran blood it'll bypass some of the safeguards?

>>40038825
Just throw a Neeran corpse or two in it?

I hope the antimatter works, even if I liked my torp shotgun idea.


Now, I just want to ensure we have a plan for how we go about this Op. Don't want to tie up forces on things that may very well get blasted by later Neeran groups to prevent capture.

>>40039127
>Just throw a Neeran corpse or two in it?
That might do the trick but definitely bathing it in blood would. Remember that advanced cruiser we stole with our based Krath friend? The one that was genetically locked to only Neeran pilots. Wouldn't surprise me if they've implemented a similar system.

>>40037942
>Do we even have enough boarding forces to hope to secure a Neeran Super if we cripple one?
We do have a force of 200 000 men in the form of the mechanized divisions we brought with us along with the Marines of almost 1000 ships. Then again capturing it might take a while, time which we could spend crippling other ships.

>What is our main goal besides 'stop neeran retreat and get salvage'?
Ensuring we cripple as many Neeran ships of high value as possible in order to get cash/items for turning them into the Alliance and/or taking some for the House thus gaining us a profit from this venture which would ensure our rise to Baron. So yeah, shoot and salvage until people promote us.

>>40039975

I get that we're in it to secure pay and rewards. It just seems like we should be coordinating our efforts with second line interception forces or something.

I do not look forward to the splitting of the salvage claims with the Terrans.

>>40040785
True, sharing loot is never fun BUT! The important thing here is that with the Terrans around we can take on much bigger prey. That being Super Heavy Cruisers. It will also means we can have THEM spam SP's for us so we won't have to waste our own stock on it.

Eventually it will even out and we will probably get a big fat check from this if it will be anything like when we did convoy raiding against the pirates during Operation Typhoon.

>>40040997
Computer working again. Next game will be Saturday at 11AM EST.

Please sage if you make any additional posts in this thread.

>>40031619
>Do we know what kind of super are we're facing?
You won't know until the moment you jump in. Signs point to it being a Super Carrier but that's not absolutely certain.

>>40038701
The Admiral didnt know. Probably.

>>40038825
>>40039127
>>40039486
>Blood for the blood god!
Okay then.

>>40040785
>I do not look forward to the splitting of the salvage claims with the Terrans.
The 2 EX supers and the ACC actually belong to the Alliance.
But yes there will be some splitting.

File: powergun.png (439 KB, 733x412)

439 KB PNG

>>40042166
TSTG!

Here I go again with the hybrid plasma/pulse weapon.

Could we tune a phase weapon purely so it emits a pulse that applies the molecular breakdown effect?

Imagine small copper capsules being fired like the republic plasma weapons, except there'd be no need to pre-heat the cells, or have them contained in stasis, you could just carry copper slugs ready to be atomised. (It would make a really cool light green/yellow beam too.)

How much would this cost in R&D money?

Sort of like Powerguns from Hammer's Slammers.

we should steal Versa and have her join the dominion as a noble.

>>40042405
A little worried it would blow up inside the weapon.

Sorry, brain isnt (wasn't?) comprehending parts of it properly.
Thought maybe each slug would effectively work like an ablative rocket motor like you see with laser propelled vehicles. Got my head in the game now.

-Phase weapon superheats the fuel capsules.
-hope that the phased carrier beam will be able to launch the plasma at the target.

To make it work effectively it would need a proper accelerator stage. Magnetic, Repulsor, or ideally both.

>How much would this cost in R&D money?
No idea. It would be a project to co-develop with the House, the Republic or maybe Iratar. It's similar in some ways to their siege weapons.

>Sort of like Powerguns from Hammer's Slammers.
I keep hearing people recommend that one. Gotta get around to reading it.

You might be farther ahead to go with explosively formed penetrators like those use by those Terran guns you wound in the abandoned bunker on Dreminth.

>>40044557
Your various Versa suggestions over the course of the game reminded me of a few Tech options I had forgotten about. You may get access to them soon.

>>40044605
>-Phase weapon superheats the fuel capsules.
>-hope that the phased carrier beam will be able to launch the plasma at the target.

Sort of. Since you mentioned that phase weapons can break atomic bonds I figured maybe they can be optimised to produce purely a 'disintegrator' effect, which would -drastically- lower the energy for fusion, magnets could then compress the copper and expel it.

>Your various Versa suggestions over the course of the game reminded me of a few Tech options I had forgotten about.

brain to drone piloting soon hell yes