[color=#33FF33]*engine powercore at 91.994% efficiency*
*weapon powercore at 23.997% efficiency*
The liner was under attack by the pirate group. The main damage was done by missles.
The drone's weapon powercore lacked about 75% of it's efficiency after scrambling the enemy's scanners. Powering the whole weaponary of the Xaror would be impossible.
*possible solutions: 451*
Loosing either the cassis of the drone or the liner would be a cruicial loss.
*possible solutions: 285*
Any damage done to the crew of the Equinox would permanently slow the operations of the Cambridge Stellar Research.
*possible solutions: 74*
The allied gunboat should not be abandoned if possible.
*possible solutions: 5* *executing solution with the lowest failure level*
After 1/4 of a second the drone powered the Stem Gun class 3 and aimed.
The shot pierced one of the missiles right before it hit the slave liner.
The targetting system locked on every single missle and calculated the time it would take to reach either the allied gunboat or the slave liner.
One projectile after the other was destroyed and only some reached the GB, as the drone prioritised the safety of the liner.
<span style="font-family:Lucida Console"><span style="color:#33CC00">*personality core activated*</span>
Science consists of stating the obvious and linking the facts. </span>
"...I repeat, Bravo wing is out of action, too many ships disabled, three of them completely destroyed."
"Sir, they're intercepting our long-range ordinance with alarming accuracy, shielding both the target and the warship almost entirely. And they're too close to the surface now, we won't be able to disable them from space. I suggest..."
The man gestured calmly at his interlocutor, cutting the speech.
"Enough words already. Let's weaken the warship as much as we can before they land and turn its weapons against us. I want a complete focus of our short-range armament on the warship's weapons and power plant. Tell the snubs to pull back behind us ; we'll need them to provide some air support down there.
The other man was already about to repeat these orders down the chain of command, when he was halted again.
"Tell the ground forces to be ready to sweep the surface in five minutes. We must hit hard and fast - this chase has already taken too long."
(06-14-2019, 12:25 PM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.
The battering on the hull almost ceased as the attackers concentrated on the Storm. The Pilgrim liner reached the atmosphere of the planet and started a very steep diving. Even with all the power directed to the front shield the hull started to overheat very fast. Several pieces were torn apart from the damaged areas and fires started.
-Captain, the coalition battleship is getting raped very hard.
Just as the radioman said his words the AI drone turned 180 degrees almost colliding with the chasers. As they saw the drone racing towards them they quickly changed their target and started evasive manoeuvres. This bought enough time for the other two vessels to reach a rather safe distance. Although a few plasma clusters burned through the hull of the drone it started descending and in a few seconds it reached the cloud layer.
The Equinox was closing to the ground at a speed much higher than a normal landing would require. The navigator found a big enough island, the whole covered with a very dense jungle, which can defend them from airborne attacks. Half of the planetary engines were not even working. Still the pilot managed to pull up at the height of 1000 meters and when the vessel reached the surface it was already in a very low angle, destroying the vegetation through hundreds of meters, until it finally stopped. The front of the liner was so damaged that it couldn't be recognized as a former space vessel.
-I want an immediate report of the casualties. Also someone scan the surroundings and look for a defensible position!
The gunboat was being ripped apart by the enemy fire and Dmitriy almost gave up his last hope, when suddenly the hull received no further damage.
-The drone was able to distract them!
-Quickly race towards the surface! Also, open the emergency frequency to home.
The captain of the gunboat summed up the situation in a few sentences then gave the possible location of the crash landing and sent the message. He was hoping that their enemy were not blocking the ultra low frequency. Even this way if the High Command sends someone to rescue them, if they can survive the crash at all, it would take at least a day to reach them.
The surface of the planet was closing at a high speed and they could see the liner hitting the ground to their left. The vessel hit the jungle breaking a few trees in half, but finally a thicker one stopped it. The hull of the ship was opened like tin with an opener and started diving the remaining thirty meters horizontally.
Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.
*warning*
*hull damage detected*
*secondary cooling system damaged*
[color=#009900]The temperature within the drone was rising at an alarming rate as it entered the athmosphere. The primary and tertiary cooling system would not be enough to cool down the chassis for the entire descent.
*initiating secondary system shutdown*
*initiating tertiary system shutdown*
*set timerX=6681*
*if timerX=0 initiate boot sequence*
The drone deactivated all systems that were not necessary to keep the Xaror at minimum functuality. It would not be able to move or operate.
But shutting down the secondary and tertiary systems would decrease the heat buildup massively. Keeping the chassis intact had just become the main objective.
*safe landing area detected*
*course set*
*shutting down*
With everything except for the cooling system shut down and the energy core running at the minimum limit the Xaror quickly turned into a frozen chunk of metal.
Hours after the drone dove into the deep oceans of the planet below, a slightly bigger wave reached the beaches of the next island.
<span style="font-family:Lucida Console"><span style="color:#33CC00">*personality core activated*</span>
Science consists of stating the obvious and linking the facts. </span>
So you're assuming I actually give two fracks about that idiot? Why not? He might be a gallic pilot, but he's still a human. Joseph, he started crying, understand, crying and begging for mercy, that guy is NOT a freaking ONI operative. Spooks should have more balls than that. Like you know two ****s about their intelligence groups. I just kill or capture them, like I do all Royal pilots, not like I really care if they're as dumb as the CIS. Still Cole, doesn't change the fact tha-
While the two men were talking in the quarters, beers in hands, the four optical enhanced holo-generators came to life. The optical systems were quite advanced as the oak-wood covered walls didn't even show a hint of light change, yet a red ball of light covered with binary code appeared out of nowhere between the men, floating in air.
Commander Harper, your presence is required on the bridge. What's going on Crimson? Possible breach of Yuma defense grid, sir. Damn it, Joseph to your post. Crimson alert Sovereign actual, I'm on my way up. Aye sir.
The head engineer on-board saluted and left the room, right behind him the Commander headed out but to the opposite direction in the hallway. His passing through the deck had some of the crew liven up right after they saluted, sensing something was wrong by just seeing the commander like this. The blast door to the CIC opened the moment he a few steps from it, the two marines on either side saluted and let him pass, he took his position at the center of the room, holograms of ship data as well as Crimson appearing in mid air.
Report. Sir, scanners picked up a large signature of ships on the far side of the planet, about to hit the atmosphere, we couldn't pick it up before, we still can't completely. Probably due to jamming. Sat. data? Null, probably due to jamming as well. Why didn't any patrols pick it up? They could have at least confirmed a visual. No sightings either. Do we have an estimation on vessel types? Estimating a single cruiser class along with a five to seven gunboats, and perhaps a dozen or two snubs. Sovereign status? They are awaiting close range scans. Right, have Sequoia squad on our wing, full speed to signature location, open transmission to Sovereign actual.
A split second later the ship shook slightly and a hum could be heard as it ascended into the upper atmosphere with a trio of gunboats and 3 pairs of fighters in tow.
ETA 3 minutes, transmission open.
A holographic projection opened in front of Cole, on screen was Admiral Westridge, commander of the Sovereign and late commander of the flagship Rubicon, in his early 50s but showing perhaps a bit older, or even younger, Cole could never be sure, he always got "evil" vibes off the man. He saluted.
Commander, report. Sir. We are proceeding to the signature location right now, ETA two to three minutes, estimates are a bit off but we have an adequate numbers of fighters along with some gunboats and a cruiser it seems. I'll be launching a heavy wing of bombers then, they are under your command, I'm sure your own group can handle any snub forces they may have. I'm also utilizing the Archer, they'll be playing lone wolf and acting as ballistic support should you need it. Yes sir, I can see Zeta squad on our scanners now. Handle it quickly commander, request for additional support from us if you need it, Sovereign out.
Just as the Admiral's comm screen blinked away, another one opened, this one from the Archer, a Thanatos class cruiser just like Cole's, yet fitted for support with missile systems.
This is the Archer. Olympia we're syncing our ballistic control system with your targeting computer, just point at what you want to explode. Archer actual out.
Cole could see the 5 blips tagged as Zeta on the tactical holo field getting closer and forming up, five Pythos, enough to lay waste to several capital class vessels. A few minutes later, they were close enough to bypass the jamming signals, several blips blinked on Cole's tac-field.
Signatures confirmed, six gunboat class vessels, one being a Coalition storm and the others are unidentified, as well as the twenty two fighters, I do not see any cruisers. The other vessels seem to be engaged with the Storm, seems to be damaged badly. All units break formation and prepare to engage on my order, Crimson, open up a burst transmission to all vessels in the area. Open.
This is Commander Cole Harper of the Colonial Fleet to all unidentified vessels in the area, you are in direct vicinity of the Colonial defense grid, you are to turn around and leave. I am authorized to destroy your vessels if you do not comply, you have 10 seconds.
The Storm has just dropped off the radar, ETA of crash is 30 seconds of atmospheric flight. Notify command, have them send a SAR squad to the crash location. Now prepare the ship for combat, have us target the fighters, Zeta and Archer can deal with the gunboats.
"Captain, cut our engines. Let the target go, it won't go far now with the beating it took. And open a channel to these newcomers."
The man cleared his throat and andressed his interlocutors in a calm, friendly speech.
" Greetings, gentlemen, I am the leader of this fleet. My men refer to me as The Tide."
He was thinking fast as he spoke. He didn't want a confrontation with the CR. They were not part of the contract and thus not to be treated as enemies. This, and their fleet had them badly outmatched. He decided to make use of a trick that proved very efficient during the war between Kusari and Bretonia. It had been a good idea to work for the Kusari special forces back in those days.
"I understand we've been breaching your security grid, and for that, I apologise sincerely. But we had a job to do, for you see, the captain of the liner just ahead is a known criminal, and my employer has certain interests in his capture. We wanted to avoid a bloodshed and resolve things in peace but the other party decided against it. As for that Coalition warship, well, I believe it has stepped way past its boundaries, and we were forced to retaliate. Now, as a token of good will, I will surrender myself, alone and unarmed, to your main cruiser. There we will discuss a way to solve this quietly.
(06-14-2019, 12:25 PM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.
The mercenary was obviously delirious, there was never a liner around, at least not that the Olympia could pick up. But no matter what the situation was and even if this ''Tide'' was some kind of vigilante or mercenary paid to kill someone, he was breaching the Colonial defense grid, Cole could not allow that.
The holographic displays widened around Cole, showing target information as Crimson automatically chose priority targets and sync'd them with the task group, the ''Tide's'' gunboat -an Asco- was selected as the Archer's priority, more than enough firepower to bring it down in quite a short time.
Your men, might call you 'The Tide', yet I call you and your men hostiles and targets while you are in our defense perimeter. I do not care for your motives or reasons, nor your employer's. And no, the only person that has been overstepping any -boundaries- are you and your men, coalition forces are considered as friendlies and may enter the defense perimeter.
No, there won't be any 'discussion', I have standing orders to destroy any unauthorized vessels in the Yuma Defense Perimeter and I've already given you more than enough time.
Cole could see the rest of his task group forming a circle around the hostiles, fighters flying in and out of their ranks, waiting on a moment's notice to wreak havoc.
Our ships are in position, Commander. Last chance, ''Tide''.
The man listened to the broadcast with a slight grin.
"It occurs to me that these Colonials certainly deserve their angry boyscout reputation. Well then gentlemen, let's do as they say and get this over with. I'm not interested in participating in this ludicrous show-off any longer. Record our answer.
He nodded to his second, who activated the feed.
The man bowed while saying ; "Your Colonial Lordship, please forgive us for having desecrated thy territory. With your consent, we shall depart at once under your watchful guard and you will never hear of the Tide again. If you have anything to add, I implore you to say so. Otherwise, we'll be most content to follow your lead out of here in the shortest timeframe allowed by your massive and intimidating vessels."
(06-14-2019, 12:25 PM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.
Hrm..well, I was actually looking forward to see how long they'd have lasted. Either way, have Sequoia fly across their bow, they'll be escorting them to the Cortez Jump hole, make sure they're out also have Archer follow them at long range as well as Zeta right behind them, alert Coronado patrols as well. Open comms. Yes sir. Very good, ''Tide'', at least you see reason, my strike group will be escorting you out of the system via Cortez hole, I'd rather not bother our Pope friends with you. No objections. If you try -anything-, you will be shot down without any further warning.
Cole didn't want to spend another second on this guy, whoever he might be. The SAR team was already on their way down to the planet to retrieve the SCRA gunboat's crew, if they were still alive. He didn't like letting this ''Tide'' go, but he also didn't want to waste any Colonial ships, they were already tight on resources.
Yet he did gain -some- information he could put into his report. Lordship? Thy? Territory? Bowing for no reason at all? The guy was either Bretonian or Gallic, his accent wasn't something he really heard before. But either way Cole watched the tactical data feed, just waiting for them to make a single mistake.
The Man ordered his fleet around his own vessel and they headed to the Cortez jump hole, following the Colonials instructions closely. Upon reaching the hole, he reached several contacts through a secure frequency.
"We must change our plans. Vanguard squads will have to enter through the backdoor. We'll open it as soon as the jump hole sequence is initiated. Perfect timing, or we're all dead."
As the fleet started to jump, four small crafts engaged their cloaking devices and left the fleet, while their radar signatures showed them as jumping along with the rest of the ships.
"Sir, the ghosting process has been activated and our ships have left the main fleet. We're running calculations to see if it's..."
"Don't waste your time with those calculations, commander" said the Tide with a dismissal gesture. "We would all be long gone by now if it hadn't worked perfectly, you can trust my word on that."
The officer didn't seem reassured one bit, but at least his boss was right ; they were still in one piece, and the final objective, although somewhat delayed, seemed still attainable.
Aboard the four, three-seated crafts that were approaching the planet, silence was maintained ; they could take no risks, and mere chatter could have betrayed their position. The people onboard knew this. They had been trained in all sorts of sneaky operations : sabotage, infiltration, data collection... And harassment, which was about to prove very useful in the upcoming events.
The four ships broke formation when they entered the atmosphere, each of them moving to surround the crash site through a cardinal points pattern.
The trap was laid down.
(06-14-2019, 12:25 PM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.
![[Image: bwy1311451330v.png]](http://tynipic.com/images/bwy1311451330v.png)
![[Image: 160007TheMerc.jpg]](http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=160007TheMerc.jpg)
![[Image: 450207237Roy_pilgrim_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png]](http://kepfeltoltes.hu/120107/450207237Roy_pilgrim_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png)
![[Image: Dmitriy_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png]](http://kepfeltoltes.hu/120107/Dmitriy_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png)
![[Image: CptRoyKhan2_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png]](http://kepfeltoltes.hu/120716/CptRoyKhan2_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png)
![[Image: absturz.jpg]](http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/577/absturz.jpg/)
![[Image: strandparentsswellbreak.jpg]](http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/607/strandparentsswellbreak.jpg/)
![[Image: 775710Unveiledmerc.jpg]](http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=775710Unveiledmerc.jpg)
![[Image: 741707Unveiledmerc.jpg]](http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=741707Unveiledmerc.jpg)
![[Image: 741281Unveiledmerc.jpg]](http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=741281Unveiledmerc.jpg)