It's a Pity, Boz (SSC)

[Tempest]

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

“I have my suspicions about her,” Tempest muttered. “She just doesn’t go for the ladies.”

“Yes, I’ll show you around!” she said eagerly, hoping to move right along from the previous discussion.
“Want me to get a hover chair? I don’t want to tire you out too much.” Doctor Osway would surely hear about it if she did….

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


Elpsis made a face when Tempest mentioned a repulsorlift chair. She didn't like the idea of being bound to what amounted to a high-tech wheelchair. "Do I really need one?" she exclaimed, sounding a bit like a petulant teenager. She tried to walk, taking another one step, then another, but soon she was at risk of losing her balance and needed to lean on Tempest. Her breath came in puffs as she held on to the older woman. "Ok. Fine. Make it a fast one though!"

 

[Audren Sykes]

Kurayami's questions were good ones, things that Audren simply wouldn't have thought of. He filed the information - the questions as well as the answers - away for future reference. And he managed to not be startled when Siobhan let drop that she knew about Ceredir Industries, that he was the one that owned and ran it, and that the company offered the Thuraen net. Sources of information indeed...not only were they C-level executives they were nobility. He couldn't underestimate what they knew, but neither could he expect them to know things.

"Yes, ma'am, the Thuraen. Adaptable netting. Let me dig up an image of the original hill and we can have the hillside looking like nothing's changed by the time construction is finished."

Some might find that slow for just a single net, but since he was the sole owner and operator, it was simply realistic. For whatever reason however, he still made use of the corporate 'we' rather than simply saying 'I' in this case. He did file away Tegaea's answer with Kurayami's questions. He had no further suggestions for this level either, so he nodded in agreement as it was suggested they go to the top and continue the tour.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"]

OOC: Apologies for making all of you wait, long week at work.

 

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

Two squadrons. Not a large number of ships, but for a forward defensive base it should work fine. Of course 12 fighters and 12 bombers against an attacking force that likely would have brought at least as many was a risky proposition. He understood that this was not a launching point for skirmishes with Sith or Mandalorian forces. He could respect the decision made to keep only a small complement within the hangar. He nodded while listening to the others discuss the netting that Audren's company produced.

"Again I thank you for taking such questions into consideration ma'am. If you have access to wet racks and spaced stowage containers, that would be my suggestion. Obviously of a durable enough material to take a blaster shot on its own, but perhaps a small dedicated shielding unit for the storage areas as well. Nothing overly fancy, just basic protection. If done underground then it would add yet another layer of protection should anything happen and another layer of defense from them being hit to begin with. The biggest issue there is the possible impact that could have on structural integrity in the case of a detonation. I simply try to look at as many angles as I can. As someone who has operated from similar hangars and has also had to make runs against them, I know that even without underground ammo storage this is going to be a nasty surprise for an incoming hostile. No other points come to mind right now, no ma'am."

Some might see Kurayami as being perhaps overly formal in such a case, but he carried no official rank within the Silver Sanctum and as such he viewed those gathered as his superiors even when they were directly asking his opinion on matters.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Audren Sykes"]

 

[Tempest]

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]
Tempest returned soon afterwards with a hover chair. It was of the usual grey/white of all hospital gear. However, it did have a red numbering label on the side.
“We all know red ones go faster, right? How about this?” she asked with a smirk.

Helping Elpsis in she took her through the passages, finally passing the hanger where some ships had come into land….

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Audren Sykes"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"]


Siobhan nodded towards Audren. "Thank you, Jedi Sykes," she glanced over to Kurayami and Tegaea when they discussed the means of storing explosive ordinance. After all, it would suck if everything went to hell because a couple shells exploded inside the facility due to poor safety measures! Her wife was on top of things, so she didn't interrupt their conversation until after the pilot had spoken.


"No thanks necessary, Mr Bloodborn. I'm glad for your advice. I got hurt once because carelessly stored explosives blew up close to me back with the 'Pyre. That wasn't fun at all!" At that she gave Tegaea's hand a squeeze. Wifey hadn't been happy about that incident!


"We've got access to both of the things you mentioned. Shielding is sound, too. In addition, we also have Echani Graphite containers. They're of variable size and can withstand anything short of an orbital bombardment. Moreover, the costs aren't prohibitive, so we can provide them in sufficient numbers."


Since Siobhan liked it when people - especially men! - appeared deferential and respectful to her, Kurayami being rather formal was certainly not a disadvantage in her eyes. After passing through the base a while longer and seeing all sorts of security measures on show, their path would take them to the mesa, where a battery of three Tempest Cannons had been installed.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


Yay! A red wheelchair! Well, it was mostly grey and white, but it had a red label. Presumably that counted for something. So after being helped into the hover chair, Elpsis was taken for a trip of the station.


For the most part, this was terribly uneventful because the space station was more utilitarian than shiny. This was no surprise since it had been built for military defence purposes and not to provide creature comforts. The hover chair was reasonably fast, but Tempest would probably not let her float at high speed. However, before Elpsis could get really bored, they reached the hangar!


The hangar deck was a hub of activity, with ships taking off or coming in to land to deliver supplies. Flight crews and mechanics scurried around like bees in a hive. What caught Elpsis' eyes were not the cogs in the well-oiled machinery or the heavy ordinance that was being unloaded from a dropship. Rather her eyes fell upon a shiny starfighter when the craft emerged from the void like a hawk returning to the nest and gracefully landed upon the deck. "Oh, that's sexy. Can I fly one?" she suddenly exclaimed, looking and sounding a bit like a teenager who'd found a new toy and decided she really needed to have it.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"]

Tegaea nodded in agreement with what Siobhan suggested. Indeed, the Jedi had been very useful. Who’d have thought?!

The final stage involved them taking a speeder to the top of the mesa. There, the giant cannons were being set in place. A short way off an ion cannon was also being placed. These would present a rather formidable threat to orbiting ships, potentially crippling or destroying them from behind the safety of the great shields.

“The Tempest Cannons are linked to keep up a constant fire so one fires every twenty seconds. They can keep that up for an hour uninterrupted, so after the initial barrages it’s protocol to rest them to prevent overheating.”

From the top of the mesa artillery dominated the surrounds, ready to pour fire down on the attackers who tried to attack. Additionally, anti-air turrets and weapons waited for any aircraft or gunship suicidal enough to enter the energy dome.

“And so this is about it. Our mighty fortress. I hope it will never need to be used, but if it does, it should be well and truly ready.”

 

[Tempest]

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

Giving Elpsis a carrot was good at this time as it would give her a reason to get better, something to strive for.
“Sure, I don’t see why not,” Tempest said indulgently. Of course, she wouldn’t necessarily be in the ship at the same time…but she would be with her in spirit!

Moving on they passed the barracks where the dozens of security personnel lived and trained. Finally they came to the guest quarters. Tempest had managed to get a room with a view, which was good.

“Settle yourself in. Can I get you anything?”

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


A room with a good view was nice! It should probably keep Elpsis from doing any mischief. Or trying to sneak into one of the starfighters and fly away. "A sandwich and something to drink."


It was probably too early for booze. She knitted her brow together, as if in contemplation, even though introspection was not her thing. "Tempest, why are being so nice to me?" Presumably she didn't mean it in that way. The redhead was not used to people treating her as more than a means to an end.

 

[Audren Sykes]

The next step was a short speeder ride - more a hop, really - to the top of the plateau. That was where multiple cannons were being set up. Most of them were the basic anti-air turrets and multi-use artillery that they'd seen already, guns the size of multiple humanoids at the smallest. They were grains of sand compared to the four main guns, behemoths that could easily have swallowed a starfighter within their barrels. Three were the same model, but the fourth was slightly different. If he had to guess, he'd have guessed that the fourth was an ion cannon, something different just to mess with enemy defenses.

One shot every twenty seconds didn't seem like much, not compared to the repeating cannons on the Rekali starfighter. When he compared the amount of energy difference between the two though...twenty seconds was actually an impressive rate of fire. The fact that all four were here though could be both good and bad. While it allowed the guns to concentrate their fire if need be, it also allowed the attacking ships the opportunity to concentrate their shields against that fire. The fleet would be helpful in that case, but if the fleet wasn't there...

"One last question. Are there plans to have any Tempest cannons placed elsewhere? Further towards any of the horizons, maybe? That would allow angle, forcing attackers to split their shields rather than concentrate them."

He didn't have experience with fleeting, no. He'd flown though, and he'd seen how shields could be shifted to cover certain areas more strongly at the cost to the protection of other areas. He had to assume the same could be done with capital ship shields.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"]

 

[Tempest]

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

Tempest smiled. It was probably going to get pretty sappy in here!
“Because you’re my friend, Elpsis, and I care about you.” She gave the redhead a kiss.
Sadly, Elpsis was not fit enough for fade to black scenes, but it was still a cute moment!

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


Sappiness alert! You have been warned. Elpsis leaned into the kiss, smiling shyly. "That's cool. Cause you're my friend, too, and I think you're real amazing," she flushed slightly. At least she hadn't gone lobster red. "And I'm probably sounding like some fething schoolgirl right now," she added.

 

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Kurayami had no room to complain about a speeder ride to the top of the mesa, except for perhaps that it was too short. Again he looked around the area, scanning the entirety and watching as the cannons were being positioned. He listened to the specifications given for the weapons that he was looking at. Nothing too detailed, just enough to cover basics, and honestly that was all that needed to be covered in this case. He always felt tiny standing next to these types of guns. You get too close to one of those bolts in a fighter and you wouldn't get to pray to any gods or the Force, it would simply be over and your ashes would be spread by the wind.

Three shots per minute from these behemoths? The expression of admiration was clear on his face when he heard that. The power drain on these had to be absolutely massive. There was nothing he could comment on as far as ground emplacements went. He had experience in destroying such things yes, but not planning where to set them up or how to utilize them.

In response to Siobhan he chuckled slightly, a smirk playing over his features.

"Ah, so I am not the only one here who had a bad experience with explosives. Mine was less careless and more miscalculation under pressure. Was a bit too close to a breaching charge once. Thankfully I was far enough back that the worst part was having to replace the visor on my helm and make some minor repairs from shrapnel damage. Still embarrassing when it happens during training with your brothers in arms. We were commandos, so I never got to live that down. Definitely glad to hear that the containers are available. Our ground crews will thank us I am sure.

Audren brings up another good concern about the field of fire. If this is to be a singular installation then it is easier for the enemy to withstand the fire, impressive as it may be. A strong enough shielded destroyer or carrier might even be able to stand up long enough to withdraw.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Kurayami Bloodborn"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Audren Sykes"]


So they reached the top of the mesa. The three Tempest cannons, anti-air missile turrets and the big ion cannon were on display. It was quite windy up here and so the wind brushed against Siobhan's skin.


She removed a stray lock of red hair from her face. "Your point about stationing cannons elswhere is well-taken, but the Tempest cannons would require another base be set up to support and protect them. Presently, we don't have the resources to set up a second base close enough to this one. Last thing we'd want is an inadequately protected one that could be easily turned against us. Things may change in the future," she responded.

 

[Tempest]

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]
“Just a little, my sweet little redhead,” Tempest said with a smile. “I promise you can fly a fighter…but only after you’re better. And it has to be with a proper pilot,” she added. She didn’t want an angry call from someone that Elpsis had crashed an expensive fighter!

“But for now, rest. I’ll be here when you wake up…and I’ll even see what I can get you for lunch. Not hospital fare.”

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Tegaea nodded at her wife’s words.
“This fortress is already very intensive as far as resources and manpower goes. We cannot afford, and currently the situation does not demand, another equally secure place to host other cannons. See, because the Citadel is orbiting overhead, I don’t want to leave there to be an option for someone to hijack one of these cannons and blow our own station out of the sky. That’d be…bad.”
Understatement of the week.

“Thank you both for your assistance, and apologies for detaining you for so long from more important duties. May the Force be with you,” she said politely, holding her hand out for each man to shake in turn. They’d have speeders waiting for them to take them wherever they needed.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


"Yay! Thanks. Ok. I'll see you later. Say hi to Tegs and Siobhan from me when you see them," Elpsis spoke as Tempest departed. Things with Siobhan were still...a bit tense, though they'd made up somewhat after Elpsis took a bullet whilst protecting Laina's kiddo. Tegaea had been nice her though during the teenager's brief, somewhat awkward stay at the villa.


So Elpsis sunk into her bed, feeling rather tired all of a sudden. Things seemed to be finally looking up for her though. After so many years spent in rather troubled waters, she seemed to have at last reached a safe harbour in her life. At least until she managed to get in trouble again!