STGOD 4 Game Thread

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-15 12:16am

"Alright. All ships break off." Von Bek gave the order.

* * *

The Asgard fighters broke off their dog fights at the last minute. Only the superhuman reactions of their Copperhead pilots let them make it to their motherships. The whole fleet slid into hyper and immediately poured on the speed, leaving the Nashtar system behind quickly. A few of the more damaged escorts didn't make it.

The ships manuvered to catch the nearest grav wave to make the fastest possible run.

OOC: Total Losses

1 CA written of but hypering out
2 CA damaged but repairable
3 DDEs gone, scuttled
10 DDE damaged

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-15 12:17am

NRS Freedom

"Approaching Oro system, sir."

"Take us out of hyperspace, scramble all fighters. Shields up." Vice Admiral Fieldhouse stood up from his command chair and looked out the viewscreen as the swirl of hyperspace faded into the familiar bright starfield.

Second and Third Battle Groups, First Fleet, arrived approximately one AU from Orodan, with the Asgard fleet between them and the planet. "Sir, Asgard fleet detected within missile range."

"Weapons free!"

The fleet's missiles flet at the order. A swarm of 1924 missiles flew in towards the Asgard rear as the relief force bore down with all speed towards the intruders.

NRS Gladius, Orodan

Captain Benz's ship's repairs had been completed immediately before hostilities broke out, but after the deployment of Fifth Fleet, so he had remained in the Oro system. Now, with Commodore Brand's ship immobile and engaged in damage control procedures, he took command of the remaining line combatants in the system. "Move out to engage, weapons free," he ordered, and the cruisers and remaining battleships turned towards their attackers. Heavy torpedoes were rammed home in their tubes as the ships closed.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-15 12:26am

Then the Asgard fleet accelerated in an eyeblink and was out of sight. The missiles went dead as they lost their targets. Admiral Fieldhouse stared at the viewscreen for a moment, a horrible creeping feeling settling into his gut. "Comms, my compliments to Admiral Barclay. We'll be returning to Nashtar directly. Helm, set course for Nashtar, execute as soon as the fleet is ready and accounted for."

"Aye, sir."

"Helm, Sensors. They didn't..."

"They went somewhere, Lieutenant. We don't know where, and we don't know that they didn't just evacuate the system to regroup and retarget. We're returning to base."

"Aye, sir."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-15 12:42am

[Asgard Expeditionary Force, Hyperspace on heading for Monacora]

"Admiral, the reports are all in. Barhman is lucky to have made it out, it's a veritable miracle she's holding together. We lost three of the Destroyer Escorts, they didn't make it to hyper. Ten more have some degree of damage. All are keeping up."

"Excellent news over all Mr Powell, pass my compliments to all the men. They performed very well. We took out three capital ships, out of the war at the very least for the loss of a handful of our own. Losses are sad but they have every right to be proud."

Marcao · Post by **Marcao** » 2004-09-15 12:59am

Tortuga System
Tortuga

The Master of Arms sighed softly as more information was made available about the current turn of events in the Galaxy at large. The White Sun were in a struggle for their survival against the Ousters, the Unification had been drawn into the conflict by the UPA, and the Accord was apparently staying on the sidelines after the entire Vampire debacle. Tortugan neutrality was once again a goal that seemed to be against the wishes of the Universe itself. A decision had been made about the Asgard offer, basing rights would be granted to them as soon as present hostilities and tensions eased. That very information was currently being relayed to the Asgard at this very moment. The Tortugans had no desire to make their space a target for angry and rampaging UPA forces, even if the Draconis seemed to have their hands full dealing with the Krell.

The first handful of Draconis payments had arrived before the war, bribes no doubt to assure he carried out his end of the bargain. He had used those funds to get in contact with the Baeloran Commonwealth, not the government but one of their major corporations. A deal was struck, one beneficiary to both sides. Ultimately, if the Draconis fell the money would dry up, but when a door closed another opened. The final problem that weighed heavily upon his mind was the Vampire’s request to purchase Tortugan soil in order to setup an embassy. He did not trust Vampires, and had told the government this flatly. At the moment, the government was stalling reaching a decision in light of the current interstellar situation. If Vampires were going to be residing in Tortuga, they would not own any land ideally. He had already approached the Consortium with a request that should simplify matters should worse come to worse…

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-15 04:13pm

Manticore

Space distorted and reformed all in a second, yielding multiple warships to realspace one AU from the Manticoran outer defenses. Railguns spun up, grasers topped off their charges, and missiles rotated into firing positions as the combined Alliance battlegroup advanced towards the enemy.

"Focus on the dreadnoughts. Missiles free."

An opening volley of thousands of missiles launched across space towards the Manticoran defenders.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Shi battle group:

1 mauler
2 Superdreadnoughts
4 Supercarriers
6 missile cruisers
8 heavy cruisers
8 light cruisers
16 heavy destroyers
24 light destroyers
24 frigates
80 escorts
6 interdictors

Psilon task force:

1 Colossal Fleet Carrier
2 Thor Dreadnought
5 Grizzly Battleship
20 Spear Heavy Cruiser
60 Bow Missile Destroyer
30 Scutum Missile Destroyer

Defecting Union Fourth Fleet:

1 Battleship
2 Battlecruisers
2 Cruisers
2 Frigates
4 Destroyers
7 Corvettes
9 Escorts
13 Gunboats
13 Cutters

Note: Union destroyers and frigates are cruiser-weight vessels, despite the names.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-15 05:18pm

[Monacoran Space - Asgard Expeditionary Fleet]

"Excellent, another battlefleet! And four more Cruiser squadrons. Plus a proper fleet train. Excellent indeed." Von Bek was ecstatic. "With the Monacorans we can really hit them hard and crush them."

* * *

The combined fleet began moving back. This time it would be a real fight.

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2004-09-15 05:59pm

Thirty Minutes after the end of the Battle of Bredith

Santiago stood in the small room, in front of him two full-sized holographs were looking at him, just as he would be looking at them on their ships.

"...is inactive. Long story short I can't fight with this. My cruisers are all but gone, most of my fighter pilots are being picked up now, and we don't have enough interceptors or bombers to slap them in. All we've got left is the DNs and the escort screen."

The flickering ansible relayed image of the Priest nodded.

"Commodore Bishop, do you concur?"

"Yes, sir. Without serious reinforcements we are not combat able."

"Mmm... All I have is first fleet... In a couple days I can reinforce you with tenth, maybe."

"Ops are off?"

"No... head to Manticore. Repair everything you can there, then head back out. I'll see if the Krell can cover for you. Drop out of hyper in two hours, I'll talk to you then."

"Aye-aye sir."

The image of the Priest flickered out, then Bishop turned to go before Santiago called out.

"Wait. Bishop, good job with the Alexander. I may be splitting the Fleet... if I do you'll be taking command of part of it with the Alexander. Be prepared. We're leaving in twenty minutes. Good job."

"Thank you, sir."

With that Santiago shut down the comm room, walked out, and ran the stairs up to the Bridge.

"Status?"

"Vac suits are holding out there, we've picked up almost all of our casulties, quite a few Krell, and alot of Dracs."

"Hand the Krell over to Nemo. Offer the Dracs the choice of having their suits replenished, and then being sent back out there. Those that choose to stay with us, put them in the brig. Capeesh?"

"Aye sir."

Damaged/Destroyed:

1 Dreadnought: Minor internal damage, two days repair
1 Fleet Carrier: Fighter Crews/Fighters depleted
2 Heavy Cruisers: Destroyed
2 Heavy CRuisers: Massive internal damage, refit: 6 months
1 Heavy Cuiser Minor internal damage: 2 weeks repair
2 Light Cruisers: Massive Internal Damage: 5 Months Repair
10 Frigates: Destroyed
10 Frigates; Varying times of repair 1-8 Months
5 Destroyers: Destroyed
8 Destroyers: Varying times of Repair

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2004-09-15 07:39pm

Shi Space
Colony of New Okinawa

The Shi continued to stoically withstand the bombardment, and while shield levels were draining, they were not yet critical. The escorts assigned to the colonieshad departed to lurk somewhere within the system, and the fighter complement of the planet(all 34 of them) had exited from the opposite side of the bombardment and were standing by to do what they could.

Casualties had been minimal, comprising one unlucky freighter crew, but their deaths had given critical warning time to reposition what assets could be moved, and evacuate those who couldn't. Still, damage to the orbital infrastructure continued to mount as unlucky platforms were caught by diverging rounds, often nudged by collisons with the wreckage of the dead freighter. A few transports remained in-system, with daydreams of government compensation checks for their assistance in their heads, but most had departed on orders from the planetary governor.

For the people on the ground, it had become almost a game to see who could out-bravado the others the most. Those involved in critical industries and defense positions stayed at their posts, but with pure sarcastic fatalism, the majority of the population was using the fireworks to provide the background for a celebration. Even if the main shield fell, there were still secondary theater shields over major areas, and the general feeling was that if a giant relativistic rock was going to land right on you, there wasn't much their bunkers could do to help anyway. Even so, the more cautious kept an earpiece tuned to the emergency channels, and a clear eye on their route to the nearest shelter. Ambitious fimlmakers took their camera crews outside to save a few Nuyen on special effects, while betting pools were started on the exact areas that would next be hit, and who would be first to die once the shields failed. Since these last bets were always about themselves, covered by portions of an individual's life insurance, it was uncertain how exactly they expected to collect if they one

Slowly however, conventional reactors became unable to bear the load, and the reserve pool of chi channeled by the very life of the people and focused by the careful alterations painstakingly made to the landscape over the years began to drain as additional barrages arrived. It was only a matter of time before the shield's fell.

Meanwhile, far away the remaining Shi fleet continued to consolidate, joined by a dozen drone carriers fresh from the shipyards. They did not yet move to reinforce the colony, as this could be an elaborate feint, and the Etern's treatment of it would decide the exact nature of the war to be fought.

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2004-09-15 07:45pm

Marcao wrote:At the moment, the government was stalling reaching a decision in light of the current interstellar situation. If Vampires were going to be residing in Tortuga, they would not own any land ideally. He had already approached the Consortium with a request that should simplify matters should worse come to worse…

Tortugan Government

Because an ambassadorial residence on your planet is essential to the maintenance of our diplomatic mission on Unity Station and our nation has guaranteed in writing the neutrality and integrity of your state, we do not understand the continued delays in the simple matter of the lawful appropriation of a small estate on your planet. Once we have installed our ambassador in his residence he will immediately look to matters of mutual interest, viz. the understanding that it would be better for him to reside in a well-defended and economically healthy nation, and that it would be wise for us to devote all reasonable resources to the improvement of said nation.

Duke Claude Peipus
for Casimir the Demon

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-09-15 07:56pm

Shi Space, New Okinawa. 26 Hours After Bombardment Commenced.

With the Etern Fleet running silent in orbit of one of the system's gas giants, the system seemed deathly quiet when the last shells impacted with the shield, leaving it to shut down as the reactors no longer had any give. There was a silence, as civilians and military alike waited to see if death suddenly burst down upon them.

A courier craft, it's trajectory indicating it came from the Etern territory itself, hypered into the system instead. It flew the colours of parlay.

"Shi people. This has been a demonstration; if the Etern are forced to fight, we can render terrible damage with almost no consequence to ourselves. However, slaughtering the Shi is not going to solve anything.. Nor will the inevitable strike that would come in retribution. We are therefore here to offer a treaty to the Shi government; in exchange for your withdrawl from Alliance war actions, the Etern will partake in no strikes against your nation, and will make recompense for those damages we did today."

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2004-09-15 08:07pm

SirNitram wrote:Shi Space, New Okinawa. 26 Hours After Bombardment Commenced.

With the Etern Fleet running silent in orbit of one of the system's gas giants, the system seemed deathly quiet when the last shells impacted with the shield, leaving it to shut down as the reactors no longer had any give. There was a silence, as civilians and military alike waited to see if death suddenly burst down upon them.

A courier craft, it's trajectory indicating it came from the Etern territory itself, hypered into the system instead. It flew the colours of parlay.

"Shi people. This has been a demonstration; if the Etern are forced to fight, we can render terrible damage with almost no consequence to ourselves. However, slaughtering the Shi is not going to solve anything.. Nor will the inevitable strike that would come in retribution. We are therefore here to offer a treaty to the Shi government; in exchange for your withdrawl from Alliance war actions, the Etern will partake in no strikes against your nation, and will make recompense for those damages we did today."

"There is no dishonor in death, and no glory in betrayal", the reply came, "Soil your hands with our blood if you dare."

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-09-15 08:21pm

consequences wrote:"There is no dishonor in death, and no glory in betrayal", the reply came, "Soil your hands with our blood if you dare."

"Brave." Muttered the fleet warmaster. "Perhaps not smart, but very brave. We will see how well they maneuver. Signal the support ships."

The tenders and supply ships handling the bombardment group came online in a different section of the system, opening a hyperspace rift long enough to slide in and start away. With luck, they'd be mistaken for the assault fleet.. But no sense trusting luck. The Shi hadn't swarmed the system. They either devoted far too much of their fleets to the attack, or they were waiting for definate proof of an attack...

"Freecast to home. Signal the other bombardment groups they are cleared to enter the Shi sphere of influence with orders to disable shields and attack military targets only once the shields are done." Dropping shields, as he had shown, was deceptively easy. It would be performing precision strikes on the surface military facilities that would be nearly impossible without getting so close as to be extremely vunerable to the Shi's fightercraft. Still, one must try.

Empty Space, Near Shi Border

Two bombardment groups, having been waiting patiently, moved out under signals to bombard the Shi worlds and cripple their military response capabilities.

Bombardment groups(Each):

2 Bombardment Platforms.
2 Battleships.
3 Heavy Cruisers.
7 Cruisers.
10 Pocket Destroyers.
30 Gunboats.

Assorted heavy support craft, mostly remaining in hyperspace.

Captain tycho · Post by **Captain tycho** » 2004-09-15 08:36pm

Manticore
The fleets were ready for the incoming missile barrage. Counter-missiles and point-defense batteries swatted it aside, aided by a nearby orbtial fortress. A message went from the flagship of the 3rd Squadron back to Manticore.

"Your majesty, they outnumber us greatly. We risk much holding our position here. I think this suites Case 3 guidelines, don't you agree?"

"Yes, sad to say it does. You have authorization for Case 3, Lord Stenner. Begin the withdrawal.

The Manticoran fleet had been prepared to retreat, knowing full well they could not reasonably expect to fight off an attack without unacceptable losses. Coordinates were already laid towards Nasthari space. No point in wasting 2 fleets by keeping them in hiding. Within moments, the Case 3 command had went out across the fleet, and like a well-tuned machine, the fleet withdrew into hyperspace.

On the 3 worlds of Manticore, Sphinx, and Gryphon, troops were already taking shelter in the cities, defensive lines drawn, and surface guns readied for the inevitable landings. Even Manticoran citizens were arming themselves; many fought against the UBT Occupation years earlier, and were very experienced in partisan warfare. If the enemy landed, they had better well be prepared to take horrendous casualties.

Edit: Casualty list:
2 CLs, moderate damage
4 destroyer, 1 with heavy damage, 3 destroyed.
1 BC, moderate damage.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-15 08:51pm

Captain tycho wrote:Manticore
The fleets were ready for the incoming missile barrage. Counter-missiles and point-defense batteries swatted it aside, aided by a nearby orbtial fortress. A message went from the flagship of the 3rd Squadron back to Manticore.

"Your majesty, they outnumber us greatly. We risk much holding our position here. I think this suites Case 3 guidelines, don't you agree?"

"Yes, sad to say it does. You have authorization for Case 3, Lord Stenner. Begin the withdrawal.

The Manticoran fleet had been prepared to retreat, knowing full well they could not reasonably expect to fight off an attack without unacceptable losses. Coordinates were already laid towards Nasthari space. No point in wasting 2 fleets by keeping them in hiding. Within moments, the Case 3 command had went out across the fleet, and like a well-tuned machine, the fleet withdrew into hyperspace.

On the 3 worlds of Manticore, Sphinx, and Gryphon, troops were already taking shelter in the cities, defensive lines drawn, and surface guns readied for the inevitable landings. Even Manticoran citizens were arming themselves; many fought against the UBT Occupation years earlier, and were very experienced in partisan warfare. If the enemy landed, they had better well be prepared to take horrendous casualties.

"Cowards," snarled Admiral Miaworo Tomokato in frustration as the enemy fleet ran for jump points as the missiles lanced in among them. "Trash the shipyards and defense stations, then we move on."

"Sir, they were heading in the direction of Nashtari space."

"Warn Nashtar. It shouldn't take too long to trash the few military targets left, then we follow." Missiles flew with abandon towards shipyards and defensive stations as the fleets cruised through the system.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-15 08:57pm

[Asgard Wolf Pack 1, Mintar Trade Spine]

The combined forces of Battlecruiser Squadron Six and Crusier Squadron 21 had set up a near perfect ambush of the argicultural convoy. The escorts shouldn't be heavy enough to resist the full onslaught. The escorts were targetted immediately with a shower of Kincaid torpedoes from the battlecruisers and heavy cruisers. The rest simply locked in the ships.

"Civilians, surrender now or be destroyed. We do not wish to cause unnecessary loss of life." came the voice of Asgard commander.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-15 09:36pm

NRS Starlit Night

"Captain!"

The point defense systems automatically activating told more than the sensor officer's cry could.

The Starlit Night was one of a four ship escort group, and was the one furthest from the attackers. Several Kincaid torpedoes exploded to the swarm of Needle missiles and rapid-fire chain guns as they bore in, but several bore in for the destroyer. Emergency jamming spoofed three, another two went for chaff. Three more bore in.

One. The ship shuddered as the shields drained.

Two. The shields died, and shrapnel pelted against the armor.

Three. The armor held out for just a second. Then...

"Sir, hull breaches on Decks Six through Ten, Sections 7 and 8! Airtight doors are sealed."

"Sir, multiple enemy cruisers and battlecruisers."

The captain needed just one look. "Missiles away. Omega Signal!"

Comms needed no encouragement. "Omega, Omega, Omega!"

"Sir, the Stellar Fury, Red Bandit, and Yarmouth are burning!"

"GO!"

The stars blurred as the destroyer accelerated and shot forward, leaving twelve token missiles in it's wake that drilled in towards the closes Asgard ship. Hlf of the freighters did the same, as did the fighters, too small to attract the attention of Kincaid torpedoes. OOC: Unless I'm much mistaken.] The remaining three freighters cut engines.

"Asgard ships, my crew and I surrender," transmitted Captain Rrozzna of the Suprosa. "Please hold fire."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-15 11:20pm

The Asgard point defense was ready. ECM was limited in the effort to make it a real suprise and so it wasn't at 100%. It would be mostly active defenses that. Still, twelve missles wasn't much and they were swatted down with none doing more than crisping a bit of armor off a cruiser.

* * * *

"We accept your surrender. Do not attempt to disable your ship, do not attempt to resist in any manner. Marines will be boarding you shortly. This is your only warning."

* * * *

"Put a volley into that destroyer. I don't want him getting away. No more dicking around." The Vice Admiral ordered. "And board those freighters and get them headed for home. Destroy the rest if they run."

* * * *

Another volley of Kincaids roared out, the whole thing concentrated on the damaged destroyer.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-15 11:38pm

Stormbringer wrote:"We accept your surrender. Do not attempt to disable your ship, do not attempt to resist in any manner. Marines will be boarding you shortly. This is your only warning."

Radio off, Rrozzna gave a wolfish grin. "Oops, too late," he said, and emptied the clip of his service pistol into the helm control station and annunciator. "Wonder what the hell they're shooting at. There's nothing there," he remarked as he watched the Asgard missiles fly out into deep space, past where the Starlit Night had been a while before. He then dropped the empty pistol on the deck and followed his crew aft, all four hands behind his head.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-15 11:48pm

The Asgard picked up the lifepods from the destroyed ship. The other two freighters were boarded by power armored Marines and were secured by prize crews to be sent to Monacora. The ships then secured themselves for transit.

* * *

"Bring the Captain forward."

Marines frog marched the Zambaran forward.

"You violated the terms of your surrender and destroyed your ship. Do you deny this?"

"No."

"Were you crew involved in this?"

* * *

The Asgard ships, leaving behind only a so much debris and one Zambaran Captain, a pulser dart having opened his head up like a melon.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-15 11:50pm

[OOC: I think I do deny this, thanks.]

"I surrendered myself and my crew. You specified a wish to avoid unnecessary loss of life. My ship was never part of the surrender terms."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-15 11:53pm

Rogue 9 wrote:"I surrendered myself and my crew. You specified a wish to avoid unnecessary loss of life. My ship was never part of the surrender terms."

"You do not deny you destroyed your ship after announcing your surrender. That is still a violation. One cannot surrender merely the crew and exempt the ship. This changes nothing."

"Take him away."

[OOC: Not going to change anything. The Asgard really don't recognize the distinction. Either one surrenders totally or not at all.

You are allowed to destroyed classified documents but physically destroyed the ship and important compenents isn't. Just a note for the future.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-15 11:59pm

Stormbringer wrote:"You do not deny you destroyed your ship after announcing your surrender. That is still a violation. One cannot surrender merely the crew and exempt the ship. This changes nothing."

"Take him away."

"The hell it doesn't," he snarled, bursting the bonds designed to hold mere humans and lunging at the nearest marine, intent on doing as much damage as he could now that it was obvious that the barbarians were going to kill him. 'And they call themselves civilized,' was his final thought before he entered the famed killing rage of the Zambarim...

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-09-16 12:02am

Rogue 9 wrote:"The hell it doesn't," he snarled, bursting the bonds designed to hold mere humans and lunging at the nearest marine, intent on doing as much damage as he could now that it was obvious that the barbarians were going to kill him. 'And they call themselves civilized,' was his final thought before he entered the famed killing rage of the Zambarim...

And a power armored Marine buttstroked him right in the chest. They had little to fear from an unarmored and unarmed opponent. The force of the blow shattered his chest and left him a crumpled mess on the deck.

"As I said, take him away."

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-09-16 12:12am

First Mate Robert Grady, a human, watched as the merciless barbarians beat and murdered his captain before his eyes. His eyes drilled into the presented profile of the Asgard marine captain. If he ever got the chance... But he wouldn't get it at this moment. He cast his eyes down and followed the marines to the airlock. Someday...