I'm in favor of speeding up combat turns because personally I prefer to focus on the story rather then reading a dozen posts that say 'you caused such-and-such damage to the enemy and they havce done such-and-such damage to you what next?'. Unless we are curbstomping a faction of assholes. Then seeing them melt before our forces is satysfying.
With both the torpedo launchers and our shields online I believe we can risk engaging the cruiser with the Exemplar while our fighters and gunships deal with the last corvette.
Sorry about how long it took to update this quest, I forgot about it whilst I was writing my stories. Anyway, we are back and one of the corvettes is down and you didn't lose any more small craft. Given how slow the combat is going, I'm wondering how much of the thread would like me to speed things up. It would make the quest progress faster, but deny you more tactical choice in how things turn out.
I agree, a battle in slow motion is kind of well its something. Maybe in the future something like a plan instead of step by step? That or "just" post these faster, cuz burnouts not an issue noooo (sarcasm).
We're a badly damaged ship missing most of our air wing and probably a good chunk of our crew, and what repairs we have done are temporary in nature now is not a good time to try and board an enemy ship when we're limping ourselves. Better to destroy them now and then leave to regroup with any ally's in the area.
Also. One thing to maybe speed things up. (If needed) is. Assuming we take out the corvettes and the enemy fleet has nothing that can shoot back at us. Just assume we win and fast forwards to end. Maybe with a damaged ship or two hyperdriving out.
[X] Plan Put That SCN To Work
-[X] Maintain Distance.
-[X] Take Aim.
-[X] Corvette Hunting.
--[X] 1 Fighter
--[X] 1 Gunship
-[X] Reserve.
-- [X] 2 Interceptor
"Helm, bring us forward to engage that light cruiser," you order, "Have the weapons crew get ready to engage as soon as we enter an effective firing range."
"Yes, captain," replies the junior officer in question as you turn her attention back to the ongoing battle.
It will take time for the Exemplar to close to a firing distance and in the meantime, the gunships and fighters will be engaging the second corvette as per their existing orders. With the interceptors holding reserve, there are no more orders for you to give. Well, except for one thing.
"Commander Khan, have the crew focus on getting that sensor data sorted and refined," you order, "Our own weapon crews could use the data for their aiming and I'm sure the CAG would be happy to give our squadrons more accurate targeting data for their attack runs."
"Aye-aye, Captain," replies Tahmina and you focus on the small craft once more as the Exemplar lumbers towards the battle.
The surviving Seeker-class Corvette continues to blast away with its missile launchers, but your pilots show their worth as they easily dodge the incoming missiles. And in turn, they launch some very effective attack runs, the refined targeting data synergising with the Squadron Coordination Network to let the gunships and fighters do some very nasty damage.
The shields quickly give out under the firepower of the fighters, causing a chain reaction that your sensors report as the shield generator the corvette overloading. With the shields down for the count, the gunships follow up by knocking out the corvette's sole engine and leaving the enemy warship drifting in space.
But not dead in space as the corvette still has its weapons and it doesn't hesitate to make use of those as the Exemplar comes within firing range. Both the corvette and the light cruiser open fire upon your flagship, missiles coming from the corvette while the remaining turrets on the light cruiser spit out lasers.
Barely any of them hit you, those that do inflicting negligible damage upon your shields while the rest goes wide, careening off into the empty void of space. In return, the gunships pick off the remaining weapon systems of the corvette while the Exemplar pounds the light cruiser.
The torpedoes hit first as both projectiles slam into the shields of the light cruiser and already weakened from existing damage, they break under the explosive pressure. With the shields down, the mercenary light cruiser is left vulnerable to the laser cannons of the Exemplar and your gunners systematically pick off any functional weapon systems they can identify on the light cruiser.
Charisma Check, DC10 = 9+6
"To all mercenary warships, this is Commodore Ripley of the UNS Exemplar," you broadcast on an open channel to the enemy warships, "Your shields are down and your weapons have been disabled. This is your chance to surrender. If you do, you will be taken prisoner and treated according to the laws of war. If you refuse to surrender, my forces will destroy you with lethal force. Commodore Ripley, out."
It is a gamble on whether or not the enemy takes you up on your offer to surrender, but not one that costs you anything and it could let you avoid further loss of life on either side of the conflict.
And it does pay off a moment later as the commander of the corvette sends their surrender, swiftly followed by the captain of the light cruiser. The captain of the frigate takes a little longer, but as the Exemplar locks onto the warship and your small craft begin to set themselves up for attack runs, they quickly make the sensible choice as well.
***
"I had some people review what happened and it seems that some unknown energy wave came out of the gate and wash over everything, ma'am," reports Tahmina in the privacy of your stateroom, "I have tried to run analysis on the unknown energy, but the moment that the computer began to get something, the analysis got cancelled on the grounds that I lacked clearance. I tried a couple more times, but I only got the same results or rather the same lack of results."
"Good work, Tahmina," you tell her, "I'll give it a go, see if my higher ranks gives me anything."
"Got it, Elora," says Tahmina before giving you a sardonic grin, "It hasn't quite the last mission together that we were expecting, has it?"
"No, it has not," you agree before sighing, "Unfortunately, I don't think it is quite over yet. What about the rest of the fleet? Or Osiris?"
"Hard to tell," admits Tahmina, "Whatever those energies were, they somehow scattered the fleet in addition to damaging us and their residue is playing havoc with sensors outside the local area. We'll have to go looking if we want to find answers. Provided that nobody finds us first."
"Well, it could be worse," you reply, "Alright Tahmina, you've done a good job. Go and get some rest. You're still human like the rest of us and I'll be needing you at your best once I've decided what our next course of action is."
"Aye-aye, Elora," says Tahmina before she exits your stateroom, leaving you to figure out what to do next.
The surviving mercenary warships are dealt with. You had your crews override their computers and install security protocols to keep them from doing anything untoward even if they aren't under your direct supervision.
You could go looking for the rest of the fleet or you could check out the local colony, Osiris. Osiris and the attempt by the ruling megacorps to reject UN authority is the sole reason that you are here. By the same token, you could investigate the statuses of local mining outposts in the asteroid belt or the other various minor stations that can be found through the system.
Heck, you could even check out the gate, see if it is still working or attempt to determine anything about what happened and its role in the events. Perhaps you could even try using it to send a message to UNSC High Command. The folks back at Sol will want to know about this unexpected turn of events pronto and they might be able to provide some assistance to you.
Or you could direct the crew to get some long-term repairs on the Exemplar. The ship stocks some spare parts for situations like this and the temporary solutions that your engineers whipped up in the middle of the last engagement are already breaking down.
Use Plan Voting (Pick 3) (Options can be chosen multiple times for additional effects)
[] Go looking for the rest of the fleet.
[] Investigate the local colony, Osiris.
[] Investigate the local gate.
[] Attempt to contact UNSC High Command back in Sol.
[] Investigate the mining outposts and other minor stations scattered about the solar system.
[] Engage in repairs for the Exemplar.
Commodore Elora Ripley
-Determination: 4/It takes a certain type of individual to be a high-ranking idealist in the UNSC, but you have the guts and stubbornness to be one.
-Intelligence: 4/You are smart and knowledgeable enough to get command of a fleet carrier, a cut above the rest yet nothing truly special.
-Charisma: 6/You are especially charming, able to make friends out of strangers and get people aboard your position.
Commander Tahmina Khan
-Determination: 4/It takes a certain type of individual to be a high-ranking idealist in the UNSC, but just like you, Tahmina has what it takes.
-Intelligence: 4/Tahama is a smart and intelligent officer, more than ready to take a command of her own.
-Charisma: 5/Tahmina is a capable leader in her own right, able to inspire those beneath her to greater heights.
-Motivational Spirit: Pass one failed Exemplar Check per encounter.
Enterprise-class Fleet Carrier UNS Exemplar Weapons: 1/2, Several batteries of light laser cannons and a pair of heavy torpedo launchers. Both torpedo launchers and multiple laser turrets are currently offline. Shields: 1/2, Standard warship shield generator. Shield generator is operating at partial capacity. Hull: 3/5, Basic carrier hull with a standard amount of armour plating. Hull has taken a substantial beating. Engines: 0.5/1, Standard set of dual engines for a capital ship. One engine is offline and the hyperdrive is on the fritz. Hangar: 12/1.5 Gunship Squadrons, 0.5 Bomber Squadron, 2 Interceptor Squadrons, 1 Fighter Squadron. Crew: Regular Special = Squadron Coordination Network: Enhanced ability to command all small craft squadrons.
Captured Forces Zhukov-class Light Cruiser (Badly damaged hull, no remaining weapon systems, shield generator is partially disabled, both engines are offline) Kilo-class Frigate (Shield generator and missile launchers offline) Seeker-class Corvettes (Shield generator, missiles launchers and engine all offline)
***
Okay, the battle is over and now we are onto the aftermath where you try to figure out what happened and get your act together. You'll have a chance to do some of the other options that you don't choose now as I expect you to get your act together at Orsis for the next two or three updates before moving onto the next location.
Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to.
[X] Plan: Sound Off, Everyone
-[X] Go looking for the rest of the fleet.
-[X] Investigate the local colony, Osiris.
-[X] Investigate the mining outposts and other minor stations scattered about the solar system.
Considering how badly hit we were, there could be a lot of people in danger, trapped on lifeless ships or wrecked stations. We should try to make sure no one's in imminent danger before anything else.
And the fact that the energy is classified makes me not want to contact Sol in case it was a weapons test they were doing on us and the planet.
I think repairs should be picked at least once right away, the carriers shield is only half working, it only has a couple working lasers and one working engine, patching the ship up a little, preferably that other engine, could help a lot with any trouble that could be around.
[X] Standard Procedure
-[X] Engage in repairs for the Exemplar.
-[X] Go looking for the rest of the fleet.
-[X] Attempt to contact UNSC High Command back in Sol.
Basically get the ship back to full, link up with the rest of the fleet, and contact High Com about the incident (hopefully getting aid).
[X] Plan What are we working with
-[X] Engage in repairs for the Exemplar.
-[X] Go looking for the rest of the fleet.
-[X] Investigate the local gate.
Figure out the status of our ship, the gate, and the rest of the fleet we were sent with to accomplish the mission. If the gate is down I'm guessing we can't leave, send ships for repair, or get reinforcements and that'll change how we approach the planet or any stations we come across (blind guessing). Debated calling home but until we know the gate status I'm not sure if they'll be able to help.
The surviving Seeker-class Corvette continues to blast away with its missile launchers, but your pilots worth their worth as they easily dodge the incoming missiles.
[X] Standard Procedure
-[X] Engage in repairs for the Exemplar.
-[X] Go looking for the rest of the fleet.
-[X] Attempt to contact UNSC High Command back in Sol.
I like this plan, I thinking pushing forward is risky, regrouping could give us more information and in addition to repairs improve our safety, our superior's will want to know about this mess so we should report what we know and maybe receive some reinforcements.
[X] Standard Procedure
-[X] Engage in repairs for the Exemplar.
-[X] Go looking for the rest of the fleet.
-[X] Attempt to contact UNSC High Command back in Sol.
[X] Search and Rescue
-[X] Engage in repairs for the Exemplar.
-[X] Go looking for the rest of the fleet.
-[X] Investigate the mining outposts and other minor stations scattered about the solar system.
Get the damage under control and look for people who are stranded in space.
Helping people should fit for our idealist MC.
