The time had finally come for the first in a series of moves on the Bremen front.
In the past few weeks, LSF command has been planning for a limited strike towards Munster research station in order to determine the strength of the station's defenses for the coming main assault. This action would be a reconnaissance in force of the Rheinlanders' defensive network around planet Osnabruck as well as a up close evaluation of the minefield around Munster proper.
The two options for a recon of this highly guarded and remote station were found to be either having a single fighter try to slip through unnoticed and take measurements of the defenses while remaining hidden, or small battle-group which could quickly punch a hole in the front-lines with a precise use of force and work quickly before reinforcements arrived. The latter of the two options were chosen due to both the risk of failure and capture that goes along with a single fighter as well as the proximity of Battleship Westphalia to the only viable entrance into the system thus nearly tripling the chance of premature detection.
With the method of the operation determined, the LSF started looking from volunteers for this dangerous mission from both the Liberty Navy as well as their own ranks.
The first phase of the operation will be the quick insertion of Liberty forces into Bremen space. This will be undertaken by a task group consisting of one Liberty Navy Carrier with a full complement of snub-craft on board, One Liberty Dreadnought with special scanning equipment installed by LSF operatives, and an escort force of 4 Liberty Gunboats. The choice to employ insertion of snub-craft via carrier was made as a means of protecting the smaller and more fragile craft due to the proximity of Battleship Westphalia to the entry point. Employment of the Dreadnought was due to concerns about the fighting ability of a lone carrier against the Battelship Westphalia should the Rheinlanders decide to try and pursue the Carrier group. Secondarily, the Dreadnought made a wonderful platform for numerous sophisticated scanners that would be able to penetrate the minefield around Munster Station. Gunboats and the fighters were included to provide security against hostiles threats once the scanning was under way.
Once the Liberty forces moved into Bremen, they immediately set a course to planet Delmenhorst and left the battleship Westphalia as far behind as possible.
After reaching their first destination the carrier deployed fighters and the combined force of fighters and gunboats set out to recon the area around Munster while the two larger ships stayed behind.
Meanwhile at Munster, the base fighter wing of six wraiths were on patrol as usual. Another boring day only to be highlighted by the soon arriving supply convoy. This convoy of 1 Rheinland Train along with its escort of two fighters were expected to arrive any minute. The fact that incoming ships were expected caused the lack of alarm experienced by Rheinland sentries as the Liberty fighters came into scanner range.
As Liberty fighters spread around the station, forming a perimeter, an incoming Rheinland convoy was spotted by Liberty ships. Deciding to take advantage of this, liberty forces moved in on the small convoy with the intent to down the train laden with supplies for Munster.
// Phase one:
Game type: Escort/Assault
Rheinland goal: Supply convoy must reach safety.
Liberty goal: Supply convoy must be stopped before Docking with the station.
As the events unfolded above Osnabruck, Rheinland forces realized what was actually going on. Munster sent out an initial distress call to the nearby Westphalia stating they were about to come under a possable attack from unknown forces. Westphilia, having encountered the Libertonian forces earlier, correctly surmised that this was the work of the carrier group that had passed them by earlier. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Group Westphalia dispatched their cruiser escort along with two gunboats.
As Rheinland Command was just now being alerted to the unfolding situation, the plan was going wonderfully for Libertonian forces. Spurred on by the initial reported of success from the fighter wing, the Libertonain heavy ships sprung into action and moved into phase two of the operation. The commanders of both capital ships quickly dispatched orders to their crews and set course for Munster Station.
Upon arrival, the Libertonian capital ships began taking scans of the minefield around Munster and the station itself.
The Rheinland cruiser group, arriving galactic south of Munster, was held at bay by Libertonian forces and prevented from reaching the Libertonian capital ships.
As the battle around Munster progressed, Rheinland High Command had at last been alerted to the situation and began forming a battlegroup around the Braunschweig jumphole to counter the Libertonian threat.
//Phase two:
Game type: Pew pew hoedown.
Rheinland Goals: Kill the Libertonians
Libertonian Goals: Kill the Rheinlanders and allow the Caps to get their recon data Libertonian Caps will not be fighting in this phase due to fair fight policy.
With the fight dragging on, both sides were getting closer to their goal; The Libertonians had acquired enough scans to be sufficiently interpreted back at LSF headquarters while the Rheinlanders had built up a sufficient force to counter the Libertonians.
Rheinland forces near the Braunschweig Jumphole consisting of two battleships started moving into lower orbit around planet Delmenhorst, determining this was the best possible location to form a blockade, preventing the data gathered by the Libertonians from leaving the system.
The Libertonians began their withdraw at the same time, not wishing to stay longer then absolutely necessary, least more Rheinlanders show up. In their hast to get back to Liberty, they took the most direct course (//yes, i know it isnt actually the most direct course, but this acts as a place for both forces to meet) which ran directly under planet Delmenhorst.
With Libertonian forces in sight, including the dreadnought carrying the crucial data, Rheinland forces from both sides closed in to prevent the Libertonains' escape.
Seeing this as their only chance to act before even more Rheinlanders show up and seal their fate, the Libertonians must punch through the Rheinland Blockade and get their Dreadnought back home safely.
//Phase three:
Game type: Blockade/Escort
Rheinland Goals: Prevent the Libertonians from escaping at all costs.
Liberty Goals: Make sure the data reaches Liberty space at all costs. The Dreadnought must survive.
//How to sign up:
Just post here, positions will be given on a first come first serve basis.
Task Force Seven will be coordinating to send ships as needed to provide Liberty with a balanced fleet. Ill get back to you with specifics later but expect me to be using TF7|LNS-Bastion if the slot isnt taken.