This report comes on the heels of a successful incursion into Liberty and Bretonian space.
First, I am happy to report that both my Viper and Natalia are fit for duty. The techs FINALLY figured out what the problem was (bad Kusari Optronics). I'll be looking for a refund next time I'm at Cape Verdi.
I launched with my Taiidan for a shake-down cruise when Captain Ares was just coming back from a raid. It was decided that New York was too much of a hot-bed, so we headed to Texas, and from there to California, where subversive messages were broadcast throughout the system.
As usual, the capitalist ignorami were out in force, with our messages of freedom being met with the usual scoffing and disregard. However, a young pilot was, I believe, moved by our message and should be in contact with Captain Richtofen. We were taunted by a [KoF] trader, who tried to coax us to Los Angeles, but as we arrived, no sign of the coward was spotted, only small-time traders. A Navy Destroyer Patrol (NPC) came from around the planet to engage, and after destroying both Gunboats, Cpt. Ares decided to pull back, leaving the Destroyer to limp back to LA.
From there we spotted some Mandelorians in Manchester, and proceeded through Cortez to Sheffield station. Captain Ares, with some well-placed jabs at the bounty-hunting scum, convinced the Mandelores to come and play.
The Revolution's finest, in two Taiidan Bombers, were met by John Cabot and Ranov'la Aran, both in Blood Dragons. It was not the best situation for us, and quickly got worse as another Mandelore (sorry, I missed the name) came in with an Eagle and a BPA)Johnathan.Higgens in a Hussar engaged as well. Four on 2 odds, with VHFs and an LFMk2 against our Taiidans was difficult, but Captain Ares is a great pilot, and Natalia and I did our best as well.
Captain Ares made the first kill as John Cabot succumbed to our combine fire. We then turned our attention to the Eagle, who didn't last long. His shields went down after a MiniRazor shot from Natalia, and after getting pummelled on his hull, withdrew from the fight. It was now 2v2, with Captain Ares taking fire from Ranov'la Aran. I swung my Taiidan around to engage the Mandalore, but Cpt. Ares ordered me to take out the Hussar.
That LF was a very tough target, especially for my Taiidan. I had to use some creative maneuvers that had Natalia groaning in protest a couple times, but I finally got the Hussar in a head-to-head pass. The SuperNova connected, taking down the fighter's shields, and a well-placed Nuke on the same pass blew up the Bret's ship.
Captain Ares tried to pull out of the fight, having taken extensive damage from Ranov'la. I passed the Captain some bots, and tried to down the pesky Mandalore, but he proved too good a shot. First Captain Ares was destroyed after going through the JumpHole to Magellan, and then the sneaky Mandelore disabled Natalia with a well-placed NukeMine of his own. (I was destroyed)
The damage to my Taiidan was not as extensive as first thought, but she will be out for a couple days as the techs patch up the plasma holes in her hull. I met Captain Ares after the raid, and he gave me a quick rundown.
Two to One odds, both of us in Taiidans, the enemy in nimbler craft. 2 enemies destroyed, 1 severely damaged and forced to flee, and one with a good repair bill before against 2 losses. Add to that a possible new recruit, and a good day for the Revolution.
Lt. Alexi Karchov
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