Faction Fleet Tactics

[Mig Gred]

Location: Mandalore System
Fleet: Keros' Kad, 1x Sorgan-class Ordnance Cruiser, 2x Shield-class Escort Cruiser, 7x GF-4 Stinger Multirole Fighter squadrons, 2x HF-3 Aran Long Range Heavy Escort Fighter squadrons, 5x Directorate "Ghost" Viper Interceptor squadrons

It had been a long time since the Gred Fleet had been in the Mandalore system in any sort of force, of course it wasn't for a real fight this time though, but fleet training. None of the lighter ships had been brought in today, but it was still some much needed training. The Keros' Kad was followed by the Hellfire, with a pair of Shields keeping watch. Mig smiled as he looked from the bridge, the holographic images of Kaddie and Hex, the two AI of this fleet group.

"So, what's the plan Alor?" Kaddie asked, while Hex seemed to just look nervous, given it was her first time on this kind of operation. Mig just chuckled a bit, looking out.

"Running a wargame. Just gonna see what everyone else brings, and see what the exact plan is after that. Gotta be flexible. Plus it'll be good to see what the other fleets are like under the Protectorate." With that, Mig would look back out, waiting for the others to show up.

 

[Arla Rodarch]

Aelit - Exile-class (Flagship)

Sambur, Sansu, Sarkoy, Savage - Resolute-class frigate

Cadiz, Caldy, Chance, Chira, Cleo - Retriever-class carrier

The centrepiece of the flotilla was the heavy cruiser Aelit, escorted by four smaller frigates, Sambur, Sansu, Sarkoy and Savage. Completing the force and keeping to the rear, well shielded by their larger and more formidable main fleet, were five small carriers. They were named Cadiz, Caldy, Chance, Chira and Cleo. The force would be commanded by the Commodore aboard Aelit.

All the ships had their communications interlinked and networked in real-time, allowing for near instant exchange of information during battle. This comm net would extend to their fighters and drones, allowing for their commanders to coordinate effectively, and in the Alulan Echani tradition, efficiently. Arla had been in charge, and though now she was Mandalorian to the core, she had not forgotten her roots. The flotilla she had assembled was New Star League Remnants in all but name. She hoped it would present a unique and interesting challenge as opposition to her Mandalorian vode in the exercise.

Great care was taken to ensure that all weapons systems were set for minimum exercise power, there was to be no dangerous live fire. Once the checks were complete, the Commodore, who was an Alulan exile general named Kara, gave the order to jump to Mandalore. Arla had given the job to her cousin, to add Echani tactics to her Echani exile fleet. Something unexpected, she had hoped.

The fleet came out of hyperspace in good order. The four escort frigates and the flagship in the forefront, with the carriers behind, screened by the attack force. Commodore Susni was already looking over the sensor readouts, identifying the ships of the Gred fleet. "Come on people." She encouraged her crew. "We're looking at them, they're looking at us. Let's get at this." No one spoke, things were so far going to plan.

Kara, once she was satisifed that things were in order returned to her command chair on the bridge of the Aelit. She pressed a control, contacting the Gred fleet.

"This is Commodore Susni for Clan Gred. We're here for the Wargame. The Marshal sends her regards. I understand she told you there might be a surprise. We're it."

Wouldn't do for the Mando'ade to mistakenly assume the unknown ships were hostile. They might have them catalogued already, they might not. Best not to take chances, especially when all your own weapons had been configured for wargame use.

Mig Gred

 

[Sula Skirata]

In the hanger of the Keros Kad, Sula was tinkering again. Not becaise the Viper needed to be tinkered with, but because it was how she came to know the ship she was flying. Most pilots spent hours in the seat, clcoking up flight time and could swarr down they knew every inch of their ship.

But most fighter pilots didn't know how to fix a bad capacitor, and were talking out their shebs. She set the panel back into place and stood up, walking round the interceptor slowly. Shev Skirata had made her come here, mostly, she suspected because her tinkering with everything sonce the work around the balckwing virus had stipped, was irritating him.

Apparently, reprogramming someones ship was a big no no, even if it was more efficient and the AI perfectly logical. He hadn't liked the personality...something about one of you is bad enough? She didn't understand.

Her lap complete, she nodded in satisfaction, before turning to the engineers she'd chased off her ship. "Ok, she's good to go."

Mig Gred Arla Rodarch

 

[Mig Gred]

Mig watched from the bridge, seeing the unfamiliar ships appear. The transmission quickly came in though, and the Alor smiled. Definitely a surprise, but a good one. He looked over at the AI.

"Kaddie. Go tell everyone in the hangers to be ready. Hex, be ready too in your hull." As the siblings went to handle their own tasks,, Mig tapped the comm.

"This is Mig Gred, Alor of Clan Gred. Gotta say these are the kind of surprises I actually like. Mind thanking the Marshal for me next time you see her? Hope you're ready for a bit of fun today."

At the same time, Kaddie would appear in the hanger through one of the holoprojectors. Looking like a Mandaorian clad in Clan Gred's lighter style of armor.

"Alright everyone. Things should be about to start. Final prep's now."

Arla Rodarch Sula Skirata

 

[Arla Rodarch]

Spoiler: Echani Exile Flotilla

Aelit - Exile-class (Flagship)
Sambur, Sansu, Sarkoy, Savage - Resolute-class frigate
Cadiz, Caldy, Chance, Chira, Cleo - Retriever-class carrier

Aelit and Frigates ahead
Carriers behind

Mig tapped the comm.

"This is Mig Gred, Alor of Clan Gred. Gotta say these are the kind of surprises I actually like. Mind thanking the Marshal for me next time you see her? Hope you're ready for a bit of fun today."

Kara smiled at Mig Gred's words. She was already having fun. "Will do, Alor Gred.

We're standing by until word is given to begin. Best of luck.

Aelit out."

The Commodore of the flotilla flicked the comm inactive, and gripped the armrests of her command chair, hard. Kara was resisting the urge to stand up and pace. She watched the repeater displays and observed the opposition fleet. She waited, considering her options. She had decided to hold off on launching fighters for now. Clan Gred might have their specs, they might not. It wouldn't do to show her entire hand too early.

All her ship captains knew their business, and she knew command well enough not to micromanage them. They'd all been briefed on the wargame, and their strategy. Kara's battle plan was fairly simple. Once they went live, she would advance her flagship into firing range, while using the escort frigates to shield Aelit from enemy strike craft.

If she could successfully draw the enemy fighters into the fire and wreck some of them, she would then launch her own strike craft, against the remaining enemy fighters and their capital ships. But there was every likelihood that Alor Gred wouldn't play to her tune. Arla had told Kara she was facing a real challenge here. Kara wasn't taking any chances. She was cautious, and being very careful.

The crews were all at battle stations, the pilots were in their craft ready to launch, and the five carriers which held most of the strike force's fighters hung behind the Aelit and her four escort frigates, ready to fill the void with starfighters. Aelit's bridge was well lit, and full of hushed but energetic activity, a well trained capital ship's crew going to war.

This might be a wargame, but nobody on Kara Susni's team was playing to lose.

Mig Gred Sula Skirata

 

[Sula Skirata]

Sula watched as the deck hands moved to run final checks uncertain if the sideways looks they were giving her were supposed to be interpreted as anger or something else. It was probably anger. Most people were angry in her presence, except Shev Skirata . She shifted her gaze as Kaddie's holo appeared and the hangar became a sudden buzz of activity.

Scooping her helmet from a nearby bench, she slipped it onto her head, climbing into the cockpit as an astromech slid neatly into place. She liked droids, droids didn't have facial expressions she had to decipher.

"Designation?" she asked, not needing to look down at her screen to decipher the binary response that came back.

"R2-J2. Call sign?"

"Beaker. Ready to win?"

"Affirmative."

Securing herself into position, as her ship was moved in line with the rest of her squad she began to warm up the engines, awaiting the launch command.

Mig Gred Arla Rodarch

 

[Mig Gred]

Location: Mandalore System
Fleet: Keros' Kad, 1x Sorgan-class Ordnance Cruiser, 2x Shield-class Escort Cruiser, 7x GF-4 Stinger Multirole Fighter squadrons, 2x HF-3 Aran Long Range Heavy Escort Fighter squadrons, 5x Directorate "Ghost" Viper Interceptor squadrons

Mig nodded, quickly sending a signal to the fleet.

"Ok vod. You know the drill. It's not real damage, but respect when you hear about damage and impacts. Sending out the signal now. Get ready." It was the that the signal was sent, and Gred fighters started launch, while "flak" (in reality repurposed smoke shells) was fired. Along with all this, the pair of capitols would start preparing to fire training bolts. He hoped the crews on every ship here was prepared. With any luck everyone wouldl learn something from all this. It was always the goal of a wargame afterall.

Arla Rodarch Sula Skirata

 

[Arla Rodarch]

As Kara Susni

Spoiler: Echani Exile Flotilla

Aelit - Exile-class (Flagship)
Sambur, Sansu, Sarkoy, Savage - Resolute-class frigate
Cadiz, Caldy, Chance, Chira, Cleo - Retriever-class carrier

The first officer turned to the Commodore as she recieved the signal. Kara saw the movement and looked over. The officer nodded. They were on. Kara smiled. She'd been looking forward to saying these words for a long time. A juvenile excitement came over her as she got to live out a little girl's dream.

"Red Alert! All hands to battle stations!" Kara ordered. She couldn't keep the smile off her face, but hoped she looked predatory instead of exuberant. The first officer gave her a disapproving but knowing look, understanding the moment, but still knowing full well when she was hearing a quote.

​

The order was given, and the flotilla moved out. Aelit, the heaviest hitter was in the center of the formation. Her four escort frigates took up positions two port two starboard, one off the bow, one astern. Their overlapping fields of fire covered one another, and all approaches to the flagship, while giving the Grand Cruiser a free field of fire against the Gred fleet. Behind this formation lurked Kara's five small carriers, awaiting orders to launch.

"Engage."

As soon as they reached firing range, Aelit's weapons opened up, simulated, on Keros'Kad.

Kara's orders had been clear to her ship captains and they would have passed the message to their officers and crews. They would use the flagship to bombard and try to draw the enemy onto their defenses before counterattacking.

Spoiler: Actions

Aelit fires on Keros'Kad
Fleet remains in formation

Sula Skirata Mig Gred

 

[Sula Skirata]

Lights flickered overhead as her ship was launched into the fray and the familiar sensation of weightlessness took her. Calm took her, it didn't matter that flak was firing around her and her squad as they fell into formation, nor did it matter the the space around them became streaked with turboloader fire as the Aelit began to open fire.

The squad pitched instantly down, out of the path of their squad leader and awaited for their target.

Arla Rodarch Mig Gred