The Third Battle of D3S-K

[CommodoreShawn]

In the first Battle of D3S-K (not documented on the forums) an Outcast raiding party had entered D3S-K and encountered a Liberty patrol. Defeating it, they consolidated their hold on the system.

The second Battle of D3S-K (also not documented on the forums) opened when an Outcast patrol encountered a Corsair fleet moving through the system. The Corsairs won, wresting control of D3S-K.

That brings us to...


The Third Battle of D3S-K

The corsairs have been busy repairing the Praefect and bringing in reinforcements since their victory.

Liberty, on the other hand, has gathered together a small task force to counter what they think was a small raiding operation by the outcasts. They are caught entirely by surprise when they stumble into a corsair cruiser and it's escorts.



Turn 1:

The fighters of both sides boost forwards, with a vicious dogfight ensuing. Some squadrons on both sides losing their shields and taking light damage. Long ranged fire from the liberty destroyers pummel the Praefect, her shields drop and she takes light damage.

The silver destroyer is hit in return, but her shields manage to hold.

Turn 2:

Continued pounding by the liberty destroyers brings the Praefect down to 60% health, but concentrated return fire demolishes the silver destroyer in return.

Most of the titan squadrons are heavily damaged, with only one of the three untouched, but it's doubtful that fighter superiority will be enough to deal with the massive corsair cruiser.

Turn 3:

The corsair fighters tired to escape the dogfight and reposition, but the liberty defenders kept on their tails. The defenders themselves are mostly unharmed, with only one squadron sustaining hull damage.

The Praefect is down to 47% hull, but the sole remaining liberty destroyer is going to have trouble bringing her siege gun to bear. The destroyer's own shields have collapsed under the corsair bombardment.

Turn 4:

The defenders manage to take out a titan squadron in exchange for some light damage. The lone destroyer, however, is quickly buckling under fire. The Praefect is slowly taking damage, but it likely won't be enough for liberty to succeed.

Turn 5:

Mostly ineffective firing from the fighter squadrons, resulting in little damage. The Praefect takes a little damage in exchange for a devastating blow that nearly destroys the liberty destroyer. The next turn will determine victory, and my money is on the pirates.

Turn 6:

The dogfight continues, with each side losing a squadron. The captain of the liberty destroyer, however, managed to not only hit the Praefect from maximum range, but also managed to avoid any return fire.

With the Praefect heavily damaged (10% hull) and only a single squadron of corsair fighters remaining the liberty forces are able to retreat in good order.

D3S-K remains in corsair hands...

For now.