Trial by fire (Imperium Wargame) (Development for Victory X)

[Lash]

location: Hyperspace near Javin System
Objective: Arrive and prepare for Wargame
Allies: none
Enemies: Everyone


Fleet

Spoiler

"Carnifex" Procursator Mk X-class Fast Destroyer
"Tyrant Hammer" Annhililator - class Fire Support Cruiser
"Ravager" Repulse - class Light Cruiser
"Thunder child" Repulse - class Light Cruiser

Lash watched as the tunnel of hyperspace dimmed and the vast dark starlit depths of real space emerged. The four ships dropped out of hyperspace near the Javin system. This was to be the agreed upon location for the final testing of the Procursator class and the Victory X class which had been the competing project to the Procursator X. It had been started at a secret shipyard by Moff Greth long before the Procursator Project. The ship was impressive but Lash was confident in his ship and more so his crew.

"Admiral, we are the first to arrive, How shall we proceed sir?" asked captain Konit from his command chair flanking Lash to his left. Lash looked out at the empty void and knew it would not be so much longer. He needed to prepare.

"Captain have the CAG prep our fighters. I want them out the hanger as soon as the game begins. Also get our damage control teams ready. Have the Chief hand out assignments now and get the team in place in all key areas. Also inform Colonel Tagge he is in charge of internal defense, I expect to be boarded." Lash gave out his orders then looked once again at the dark emptiness before him. The in the distance a flash of light lit up and more ships emerged from hyperspace and joined the battlefield.

Summery:

Spoiler

Arrived in deep space near Javin
Prepared fighters for launch
Assigned DC crews to key areas

 

[Desente Blissex]

Location: Near the Javin System
Objective: Prepare for War Game
Allies: none
Enemies: everyone

]Victory X-class Star destroyer Relentless, near the outskirts of the Javin System

Admiral Blissex stood near the edge of the bridge viewport, idly gazing at the vast vista of stars blooming among the dusty purple and crimson nebula. So many stars out there...so many of them stuck in chaos...entrapped in it...but we will change that...with time...The cadenced pace of booted feet came to an abrupt halt behind him.

"Sir," stiffly stated a male human voice.

Admiral Blissex pivoted on his heel to face Wren, the ship's actual captain.

"What is it captain?"

"The Decadence has just arrived and is maneuvering into position as we speak."

Desente glance back to see the bar-shaped vessel skirt underneath the prow of the Relentless forward, briefly forming a line abreast with the Asp and Manticore before comfortably easing to a halt almost a kilometer in front of those vessels. And the Geonosis Square is complete...He snorted. Or as Lieutenant Ballis likes to call it, the "diamond" formation...it almost might be worth referring to it as that in order to dispense with the traditional name in order to eliminate any confusion about its true nature... Desente briefly closed his eyes before glancing at his wrist chrono. At least we are within the operational parameters still, despite the Decadence's old hyperdrive...The admiral turned his eyes to Wren.

"Prepare all ships to make the micro-jump."

"Yes sir, at once."


Azure Fleet

Spoiler

1 Victory X-class Star Destroyer Relentless
-36 Tie Bombers

1 Neutron Star-class Bulk Carrier-Cruiser Decadence
-36 Tie Mavericks

1 Strike-class Cruiser Asp with space superiority module
-36 Tie Mavericks

1 Strike-class Cruiser Manticore with space superiority module
-36 Alpha-class XG-1 Star Wings

 

[Figure In White]

Location: Near Javin System
Objective: Prepare for War Game
Allies: None
Enemies: Everyone

"Reporting contacts in designated game zone."

Mason nodded his head and tapped his fingers together. Him against his underlings, who were also pitted against one another. This was going to be a battle that was sure to be messy. Still, it would be a good exercise for them in advance of the conquest they would wage on the galaxy. Soon they would be conquering as the Empire of old had, and they would need to be battle hardened and ready. Their ships would have to be ready to.

"Prepare for micro-jump. All fighters to their craft. As soon as we exit hyperspace I want the Harbinger to move beneath us and the Kantos' to flank us."

"Yes, sir. Relaying commands."

"Helm reporting ready for jump."

A nod of his head was given and the fleet lurched into hyperspace for a brief moment before coming out at the target location. Immediately the call for shields raised and weapons hot went out. He didn't have to say a word. The Captains of each vessel would command their ships as necessary until battle was engaged, at which point he would step into the tactical role. Already their fighters were launched. He'd deliberately not brought many, relying mostly on the strength of the ships in this fight rather than in the fighters. He would let the others train the Imperium's pilot force.

"All ahead one quarter. Prepare for additional arrivals. Standard forward course, no deviations. Fighters remain shielded by the larger craft."


Fifth Fleet - Command Force

Spoiler

1 Epicurus-class Star Destroyer The Revenant

1 Vindicator X-class Heavy Cruiser Harbinger
- 36 Tie Mavericks

1 Kantos-class War Frigate Warbird
- Magazine loaded with laser-guided heavy cruise missiles

1 Kantos-class War Frigate Osteros
- Magazine loaded with Advanced Homing Cluster Missiles

 

[Syyl Vester]

Location: Near Javin System
Objective: Prepare for War Game
Allies: None
Enemies: Everyone

The small squadron of General Vester dropped out of hyperspace. Onboard the crews sat in anticipation of the frantic activity that was about to come. Shields were raised and gunners triple checked the lowered power of their guns, they had no need to accidentally fry a starfighter that might get in their way.
Vester eyed the initial sensor ping returns, noting contacts but not being familiar with their makeups. It seemed that these old ships that his squadron was composed of were due for retirement sooner rather than later.

"Sir," said the captain of the vessel. "The fleet has arrived, and fighters are being launched, remaining in as much sheltered positions as possible at this time. All assets report green."

Vester turned to the Captain on his left. "Very well. The games are about to begin. Captain. Fight your ship."

"Aye sir."

With the formal exchange completed Syyl Vester turned and headed for the combat information center, allowing the captain to control his ship, even as he dedicated his concentrations on the overall battle. Those who had come up through the navy usually chafed at being commanded by a stormtrooper, even a commanding officer, but his reputation as a commander amongst his own command typically removed any ill feelings, reinforced by allowing his naval officers to run their own ships. This had led to a fairly smooth working relationship.
Upon arriving at his destination he began looking over the information that the sensors had been gathering. It looked like it would be an interesting battle indeed.

2 Majestic class Cruisers
6 E-wing Squadrons
2 K-wing Squadrons, 4 T-33s and 4 Heavy Proton Rockets each


2 Ardent class Fast Frigates
2 Predator Squadrons

 

[Lash]

[member="Syyl Vester"] [member="Mason Deschart"] [member="Desente Blissex"]

Lash sit concentrating on his plan for the battle to come. While planning was often a premature undertaking in battles Lash had found that simple goals for the battle was very much obtainable when pressure was applied to the proper force at the proper time. Starship battles often fell into a stalemate when two equal forces were pitted against each other. The power needed to destroyer a warship was unimaginable by most. While it was possible generally disabling the vessel was in most cases an acceptable goal for Lash. Often commanders went for the kill depriving any future for the ship or its crew. Lash was not one of these as he enjoyed the fight. He enjoyed the game of it, the exhilaration of two commanders working their force to out maneuver and out think each other. Lash generally chose to let a defeated foe live so that the fool would come back and try again and again. Often times embarrassing a foe was much more gratifying than destroyer them.

"CON, tactical, New contacts bearing 047 and 124. mutple lager contacts and smaller launched contacts on vector into engagement zone. IFF and transponder information coming in sir." said an officer as the tactical information console. The man was piloting the course of the ships in the distance and relaying them to the tactical plotting officer sitting across the pit from him. This officer would work up targeting solutions for the contacts then relay them to the gunnery information officer who then assisted gun crews in targeting enemies.

"IFF has contacts tagged as Grand Admiral Deschart and General Vesters forces sir. They are launching attack craft and moving into position." The tactical team had been working out the targeting solutions since the ships had entered the system. On the HUD in the center of the bridge a map began to be laid out displaying the forces location and course.

"Very well Lieutenant continue to track the General and Grand Admiral, We are waiting on one more person then we will begin." Said Lash relaxing in his command chair. The battle was soon to begin, The four fleet forces would use the lowest power settings and engage each other as if this were a real engagement. IN the end the test of the weapons systems of the Procursator would be done as well as the new Victory X Admiral Blissex would be testing. The two ships would make up the backbone of the destroyer corps and be the future of the Imperium Fleet.

Summery

Spoiler

Actions:
Began targeting solutions of new contacts

Fleer status:
"Carnifex" Procursator Mk X-class Fast Destroyer
Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%


"Tyrant Hammer" Annhililator - class Fire Support Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%
12 MIssile Boats - prepped


"Ravager" Repulse - class Light Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%


"Thunder child" Repulse - class Light Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%

 

[Not Ordo]

[member="Lash"] [member="Desente Blissex"] [member="Mason Deschart"] [member="Syyl Vester"]

Decimus sat quietly in a Nerf leather chair with one foot resting on his opposite knee while he read reports on his data pad. A cup of steaming black caff sat on the stand beside his chair while he considered the projected operational effectiveness of the ships to be tested. To his right a younger woman sat holding a similar data pad with stacks of data cards in front of her.

"Supreme Commander, it's not a matter of if we can use these ships but if we can man and afford their cost. "

"Please my dear." he said lifting his cup for a sip of the hot liquid, "I pay you to budget and balance. Do let me worry about getting more man power and funding."

"but sir the numbers. "

"The numbers, my dear, say what I tell them too. "

"Then why did you call me here, if not numbers? "

"Tea? " he said calmly, "I need you to tell me how much more I need to make this efficient."

"Of course, sir. "

 

[Desente Blissex]

Victory-class Star Destroyer Relentless, near the Javin System

"All ships are prepared to jump sir," informed Lieutenant Ballis.

Blissex spared a brief glance at the viewport before turning back to the dark-haired man, "Very good, let's make the jump in-system."

A slow crescendo of noise rose up from the crew pit as the verbal order turned into visible action. Like a well-oiled machine...but that is Imperial efficiency, is it not? He shook the thought from his head as paced towards his command chair. At least efficiency in how it was, and how it should be. The pin pricks of distant starlight warped into the elongated lines of hyperluminal travel. Desente sat down into the command chair and began to steadily type in various commands to bring up the latest data astrographical data obtained from the task force's ships. Mere minuets passed before a single voice rose up from the dim of the crewpit.

"Reverting from hyperspace in five, four, three..."

Desente automatically blocked out the countdown in his mind as he turned his eyes to the viewport. The flashing lines disappeared to show a herd of gray-streaked rocks tumbling about. The system's sun only faintly illuminated the asteroid belt and itself seemed barely larger than an imperial credit chip from this distance. Captain Wren cleared his voice from the admiral's side.

"Sir, I feel obligated to remind you about the dangers of this...strategy."

"I have no intention of repeating the mistakes of Vader's Death Fleet," muttered Blissex, sparing an agitated glance at the other man, "if everyone does their duty, and follows the parameters already established, we should have little trouble with inanimate objects floating around us."

As if to underscore his point, the Relentless's turbolasers began to fire, shredding a path into the asteroid belt. The Asp and Manticore joined in the barrage. Dust billowed up from the destroyed rocks to engulf the Imperial starships. As the little squadron began to edge its way deeper into the belt, Blissex began to issue orders to the Flight Controller of the Manticore. Minutes later, flights of Star Wings began to depart its hangar before almost immediately jumping into hyperspace to scout out of the rest of the system for enemy contacts.

 

[Figure In White]

"Status report."

"Detected two fleets, sir. The General and Admiral Lash's forces. No detection of the fourth fleet."

Something was out of sorts and he didn't like it. The last fleet should have been in position at this point and they should all be making maneuvers. Snapping his fingers, he lifted his hand straight up in the air. Immediately the ship began to slow to a halt as the other vessels followed suit. Mason was the cautious sort, and he didn't like it that only two other fleets were visible. Lowering his hand, he rubbed at his chin.

"Long range scans?"

"Clear at the mome.... No, wait. We're detecting a few hyperspace anomalies. Small reversions."

"Fighters."

Clever. Very clever. Mason lowered his arms and clasped his hands behind his back. So, the other Admiral was playing games. Interesting. Well, two could play at that game. He turned his head and looked at the comms team.

"Tight beam transmission to the Harbinger. Initiate triton protocol."

The comms officer nodded. Moments later, the Vinidicator X began to alter its course and accelerate, heading away from all opponents. Yes, two could play the game of tricks.

[member="Desente Blissex"] | [member="Decimus Meridius"] | [member="Lash"] | [member="Syyl Vester"]

 

[Syyl Vester]

Onboard the M87 General Vester stared at the holographic display showing what the task forces sensors were telling him. Two squadrons of capital ships were visible. A number of starfighters appeared, that hadnt been launched from either fleet..Alpha Xg-1 Star Wings by their sensor profiles. Capable craft that would have to be watched carefully should they enter weapons range. He made a note to keep an eye on their movements. As he watched the squadron of capital ships with the flagship shifted, a cruiser was leaving the group...interesting...why? This could prove to be an interesting fight.

"Recall the K-wings and have them be on hot launch status. We may be moving quickly. All ships maintain constant hyperspace calculations for their direct front. Adjust distance as necessary for tactical orders." He thought for a moment longer, and waited for the K-wings to be brought back onboard before making his next move. "Signal the flagship."

"Open sir."

"Grand Admiral. Have the games begun sir?"

[member="Mason Deschart"] - [member="Desente Blissex"] - [member="Decimus Meridius"] -[member="Lash"]

 

[Lash]

[member="Syyl Vester"] [member="Mason Deschart"] [member="Desente Blissex"]

Lash drink from his cup of tea watching the tactical display begin tracking the combatants in the system. The Grand Admiral and General Vester were going about preparing for the battle to come as Lash expected. It was the force now being picked up coming out of the Asteroids that surprised Lash. Admiral Blissex was getting creative out of the gate it seemed. Very well It seemed a complex and entertaining game this would be.

"Captain Transmit we are ready on the Grand Admirals Order." The Chiss captain nodded and commanded the COMM officer open the channel/ He then relayed Lash's message and waited for a reply.

Summery

Spoiler

Actions:
* Detected force coming in from asteroid belt
* Let Grand Admiral know we were ready to begin


Fleer status:
"Carnifex" Procursator Mk X-class Fast Destroyer
Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%


"Tyrant Hammer" Annhililator - class Fire Support Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%
12 MIssile Boats - prepped


"Ravager" Repulse - class Light Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%


"Thunder child" Repulse - class Light Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%

 

[Desente Blissex]

Victory X-class Star Destroyer Relentless

"Our recon fighters have detected several of the other warships involved in the war games," reported his flight controller.

"Very good, have them make the jumps back to the fleet."

Blissex nodded and began to type in various commands. Doubtlessly, the Star Wings themselves would be detected, and he still ran the risk of having his own initial position revealed by the Cronau radiation spikes from hyperspace exit. Yet having cruised some ways away from that position, he thought it unlikely that his erstwhile enemies would be immediately able to locate him. Almost a light year away, the Star Wings began a series of jumps that would ultimately regroup them into a full wing at a rendezvous point before they would jump en masse back to his fleet. He glanced at his console. But no new order yet...but soon, the games will begin. He briefly eyed the flight controller console and the Relentless's complement of Tie Bombers. Tempting, but we're not in the right position yet..

Summary of Actions

Spoiler

-Main fleet continues to tunnel through Oort Belt
-Star Wings begin jump back towards the rest of Azure Fleet

Azure Fleet

Spoiler

1 Victory X-class Star Destroyer Relentless
-36 Tie Bombers

1 Neutron Star-class Bulk Carrier-Cruiser Decadence
-36 Tie Mavericks

1 Strike-class Cruiser Asp with space superiority module
-36 Tie Mavericks

1 Strike-class Cruiser Manticore with space superiority module
-36 Alpha-class XG-1 Star Wings

 

[Figure In White]

"The game began before we arrived, Admiral and General. Time to act like it."

Actually the game had begun the moment the fighters were detected popping up around the battlefield, but that was trivial. It was engaged now and there was no turning back as far as he was concerned. Given those that had spoken, and those that had chosen to keep silent, he was fairly certain he knew who was playing the games in their situation. Admiral Blissex was playing a game of atrition, biding his time and waiting for the opportune time to strike.

Outside the viewport, he watched as Harbinger winked out of existence. It had its orders and he was confident that the captain would follow them to the letter. In the meantime, he held his ground, keeping his fleet in position for the moment. He would wait for one of the others to make their move, or until he was ready to make his.

"Orders, sir?"

"Hold position, have fighters sweep on patrols, but generally remain behind the capital ships. I want scanners continuously running. At least one foe is hiding and waiting to come into scanner range, so be alert for it. All guns ready, shields at maximum. We'll be ready when it's time."

[member="Desente Blissex"] | [member="Lash"] | [member="Syyl Vester"]

Fifth Fleet - Command Force

Spoiler

1 Epicurus-class Star Destroyer The Revenant

1 Vindicator X-class Heavy Cruiser Harbinger
- 36 Tie Mavericks

1 Kantos-class War Frigate Warbird
- Magazine loaded with laser-guided heavy cruise missiles

1 Kantos-class War Frigate Osteros
- Magazine loaded with Advanced Homing Cluster Missiles

 

[Syyl Vester]

General Vester frowned slightly at the comm board. If the Grand Admiral operated like this it would be challenge accepted from now on. General Vester checked the status on the K-wings, seeing that they were recovered he stood and stared at the holographic display for a moment longer before reaching down and hitting the squadron comm frequency.

::All ships got to squadron scrambled frequency twenty-seven::

A moment later, "All craft responding on the designated frequency General."

"Very well."

::M87 and M88 will load CM-5 concussion missiles in all tubes. Targets are the most direct target in the line of the tubes. Jump to these coordinates and make an immediate ninety degree starboard maneuver and engage targets as assigned. Starfighters are to provide screening. M1 and 2 are to launch K-wings after the maneuver at a nose down angle to target to cover the bombers exit. Bombers are to engage targets as assigned. Use the ships as cover. A1 and A2 are to follow the big ships in and after maneuver engage the starboard formation screening ship, and screen the big ships as required. Stacked formation. Engage at will. Good luck and good hunting...this time try not to kill anything.::

The squadron switched on their jammers, their maneuvers at range would hopefully be much more difficult to detect. The ships started shifting, turning to port and maneuvering so that one Majestic class seemed directly above the other, or nearly so, with the Ardent class fast frigates mirroring them to their stern and to the larger ships portside. The crews of M87 and M88 The Predator class starfighters and E-wings formed up further to port, directly off their respective ships beam. The ships were now pointed towards the distant point in space where the command fleet cruised slowly.

"Coordinates entered General, countdown has begun. Ninety seconds to jump."

[member="Mason Deschart"] | [member="Desente Blissex"] | [member="Lash"] | [member="Decimus Meridius"]

 

[Lash]

[member="Syyl Vester"] [member="Mason Deschart"] [member="Desente Blissex"] [member="Decimus Meridius"]

Lash had his communications officer close the channel and locked down the Rf transmissions of his fleet. They would communicate by laser communications from this point on. He looked over at his tactical officer and nodded.

"Jam all frequencies Commander. Lets see how they do when they can not talk to each other."

Lash looked out the viewport at the ships in the distance. He knew the specifications on them all and understood their tactical importance. The force the General had brought was a fast moderate attack group that would be a problem once they had closed into normal weapons range. The cruisers were very formidable and Lash would not ignore them when the time came. The Grand Admirals force was a brawling force that once they closed would lay down heavy fire. His destroyer had a massive weapons load and knew if they closed it would be an issue. HE also had one ship in particular Lash knew needed attention right away. The Vindicator was the only ship currently in the engagement zone that could use its long ranged weapons to reach Lash's force. then suddenly the cruiser disappeared with a flash into hyperspace. Lash smiled as he contemplated what the Grand Admiral had planned.

"Captain Have Tyrant Hammer plot a solution on the Grand Admirals flagship, He is free to fire once he has it plotted."

Captain Konit relayed the orders and the fire support cruiser moved into a position under the Carnifex and brought its twenty four long ranged turbolasers into their forward arc. The twin turrets locked onto the ship and vibrated as the power capacitors released the energy into the weapons coils. The ship unleashed a torrent of fire on the Grand Admiral ship. Lash watched as the crimson bolts lanced out at the humans ship.


Summery

Spoiler

Actions:

Carnifex Jammed radio frequencies.
Tyrant Hammer Targeted The Revenant and engaged with Long Ranged Weapons




Fleer status:
"Carnifex" Procursator Mk X-class Fast Destroyer
Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%


"Tyrant Hammer" Annhililator - class Fire Support Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%
12 MIssile Boats - prepped


"Ravager" Repulse - class Light Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%


"Thunder child" Repulse - class Light Cruiser

Hull - 100%
Shields - 100%
Weapons - 100%

 

[Desente Blissex]

Victory X-class Star Destroyer Relentless, Javin System Oort Belt

The last of the five-winged craft slipped past a tumbling asteroid to slide into the Manticore's hangar bay. Both Admiral Blissex and Captain Wren exchanged knowing glances before pacing towards their command stations. As their footsteps echoed across the command walkway, the kuati man glanced down into the crewpit. But only the dull murmur of the sensor crews talking about their passive sensor sweeps rose up to their ears. It's strange to hear so little noise...perhaps the quiet before the storm, as he would say...The man next to him cleared his throat.

"We're blind now," noted Captain Wren dryly.

"As are they. But now that we have an idea of their forces and allocations, they have but a glimpse of our own."

"They will hate you for this...if it works."

"Better from me in a war game than against a real opponent on the battlefield."

He clicked his boot heels together before doing a stiff about face to eye the tumbling asteroids around his little squadron. Blissex spared a glance at his chrono. The game is about to begin...and this site looks well enough for our base of operations. He took a few steps back and eased down into his command chair, almost instantly feeling a wave of cool recycled air flow up against his pale face. Desente turned his eyes to Wren.

"Captain, we make our base here. Let it begin."

"Yes sir."

The noise of the bridge crew began to crescendo to a dull roar as operational orders began to flow throughout the ship to division chiefs before branching down the chain of command to the lowest of the Imperium's warriors. Desente turned his eyes downward into the crewpit to watch a pair of navigators mapping out potential jump points away from this point for Azure Fleet's upcoming plans. Blissex doubted that he would need all of the routes that the duo were calculating, but that was the point of contingency planning. The helmsmen of the fleet were already shifting the vectors of the massive warships around to make their spoke-like defensive formation. Gunnery crews collaborated with the ships's sensor crews in snagging and manipulating asteroids to form abnormally dense concentrations of rocks as they moved them out of the immediate operating area of the squadron. Admiral Blissex watched as the Relentless's flight controller released his wing of short-range Tie Bombers. Seconds later, he could see dozens of sensor signatures on his screen as the bombers diffused across the defensive perimeter of his squadron. Each one began to dispense its payload of SJ-62 practice orbital mines in the widest pathways that lead to Azure Fleet command's area of operations.

Admiral Blissex flipped through several console screens, briefly glancing at the gunnery screens. Several of his turbolaser gunners had trained their weapons on several of the smaller asteroids. Tractor beam operators had dragged a number of the asteroids closer to their ships. The admiral watched as several of them manipulated to place several of the rocks near the lesser equipped Decadent. With only two tractor beam projectors, the older bulk cruiser was not as well-equipped for some of the admiral's more unorthodox tactics. He tapped several more buttons on his console, causing a micro-holoprojector to hum incessantly. Light coalesced to form the visage of a stormtrooper, who promptly removed his helmet to reveal his bronzed face. Desente offered him a stiff nod of acknowledgement.

"Colonel."

"Admiral."

"You troops are prepared for these oncoming missions?"

"We will smash them."

"Excellent..."

Now if only our navigators and flight crews can keep up...

Summary of Actions

Spoiler

-36 XG-1 Star Wings of Crimson Fire Wing return to the Manticore to refuel
-Azure Fleet assumes defensive formation
-Azure manipulates local asteroids as per map below
-Azure gunners train weapons on nearby asteroids
-36 Tie Bombers of Scimitar Wing lay down minefields in easily traveled routes to fleet
-Colonel Niel's stormtroopers and support craft prepped for oncoming missions
-Navigators plot contingency hyperspace jumps out of area
-Sensor operators switch to passive sensors to avoid detection from a distance

Local Tactical Map

Spoiler

Azure Fleet

Spoiler

1 Victory X-class Star Destroyer Relentless
-36 Tie Bombers

1 Neutron Star-class Bulk Carrier-Cruiser Decadence
-36 Tie Mavericks

1 Strike-class Cruiser Asp with space superiority module
-36 Tie Mavericks

1 Strike-class Cruiser Manticore with space superiority module
-36 Alpha-class XG-1 Star Wings

[member="Decimus Meridius"] | [member="Syyl Vester"] | [member="Lash"] | [member="Mason Deschart"]

 

[Figure In White]

"Sir, long range optics show that one of Admiral Lash's ships is training its guns on us at range and our communications are being jammed.s"

So, that's how they were going to play it then. No matter. If they wished to target him and leave the lurker free to roam, they would all lose in the end. If he defeated the other two, he knew how to beat their lurking friend, but that was an if. In this battle, anything at all could happen, though he did have an ace in the hole if he needed it. He might soon, given the targeting of Lash's ship towards his. This would be interesting.

"Go to visual communications using exterior light systems. Signal the other two to go into single file formation behind us."

"Yes, sir."

Mason continued to stare straight ahead towards the enemy. His shields were fully primed, his guns were ready. Now came the time for action.

"Incoming fire."

A lifted hand and a whistle called attention as the enemy lanced out at them. The Crew looked at him and he pushed his hand forward swiftly. Almost immediately The Revenant began to move forward, surging at its quickest pace towards the enemy formation. Ranged turbolasers were a nuisance, but his ship had magnificent shield technology and a crew that was more than capable of obeying his commands.

"Forward shield at ninety eight percent. Port and starboard forward shields at ninety nine. No hits to the main bridge shield or the dorsal yet."

"Maintain shields at maximum. Divert power from the guns to the shields and engines until we are within one kilometer of effective firing range. I want continuous status reports on the shields. Every minute, Lieutenant."

"Aye, sir."

Time for the fight.

[member="Desente Blissex"] | [member="Lash"] | [member="Syyl Vester"] | [member="Decimus Meridius"]

Fifth Fleet - Command Force

Spoiler

1 Epicurus-class Star Destroyer The Revenant

1 Vindicator X-class Heavy Cruiser Harbinger [Currently Off The Battlefield]
- 36 Tie Mavericks

1 Kantos-class War Frigate Warbird
- Magazine loaded with laser-guided heavy cruise missiles

1 Kantos-class War Frigate Osteros
- Magazine loaded with Advanced Homing Cluster Missiles

 

[Syyl Vester]

“Sir,” called the comms officer. “Enemy Fleet Two is broadcast jamming. Switching to direct laser communications.”

“Very well.” Jamming. At range it seemed like a tactical mistake, continuously broadcasting would merely locate yourself better for an enemies guns once they were in range. When most of your own ships were out of weapons range, it wouldnt make much difference when maneuvering for a better position. He watched the tactical display as the counter dropped to zero, noting the formation of the Grand Admiral shift and begin to move.

The two Kantos class ships seemed to slow and drop behind the flagship, moving to a line ahead formation with the Epicurus in the lead. Then the counter hit zero, and the ships leapt to hyperspace.

His ships were at full shields and weapons, missiles loaded, and as much as possible, weapons trained in a general direction of expected contact. The target location was 100 kilometers astern of the Grand Admiral's formation, in space terms, little more than spitting distance. The battle was about to begin in earnest.

[member="Mason Deschart"] | [member="Desente Blissex"] | [member="Lash"] | [member="Decimus Meridius"]