Iron Stars - NMC Shipyard Boarding

@Rodger Landon (Corn) @Dasvan @Dr. Alaric Moorfield (We'll pick up here)

2

2:59 PM

@Nephthys is also going to come along now that their first mission is done)

2:59 PM

(they're a rectifier, so that would be a good skill set to have up there)

(waves)

1

In the boarding tube, Roger Langdon sees the lights turn from being off, on to red, and them amber. Something is happening on the command deck , and everyone within braces their weapons as they prepare for whatever is coming next. The NMC Troop carrier moves to the side of platform 1, and like dozens of lampreys, drill mouth tubes fire from its flanks and begin boring into the skin of the space station. There is a squeal as metal on metal begins pushing against one another, the softer skin of the station slowly giving way to the powered, diamond tips of the boarding tube drills. Chimeran construction patterns were never something of official polity study, and no one knows the construction inside. The mission is simple in theory, but may be difficult in execution. Get through the space station, board the enemy battleship, and overwhelm its bridge and critical systems before the enemy can mount an effective counter attack.

Rodger braces himself before making sure the others are accounted for and ready for a contested boarding action. "This won't be easy, but few things worth doing are. We'll have backup and be taking much needed assets for the NMC. We need to be swift but secure taking control of the station and getting to the battleship before they can organize against us. We're going onto their ships so no unnecessary risks and stay together. We'll get through this and be on the bridge of our new battleship before long."

Kaia tapped her foot rapid-fire on the ground as the man talked. Was he in charge? She forgot what the briefing had said. Probably not that important. "Yeah yeah yeah, keep cool under fire, don't press the red button, we get it chief. Let's break some heads already!" She smashed her fist into her open palm for emphasis, grinning ferally as her eyes drilled holes into the boarding tubes as intense as the diamond-tipped machines themselves. Every atom of her body vibrated with fear and excitement.

3:24 PM

(Kaia has cast Adaptive Modification on herself earlier today, and cannot die from being depressurized in space. Yay!)

1

“It seems like it’s ‘bout that time.”, Yalone says with the popping of his gun holders on either side of his hip. Pulling out a long barreled revolver and compact laser pistol, he held them at the ready between the folds of his dusty clothes quick with his trigger finger. In a moment of waiting, Yalone tipped his wide brimmed hat towards Kaia, “Howdy.“ His face adorned a grin that showed a mix of emotions, equal parts nervous and eager.

The boarding tube (western ring type door) burrows into what looks like the workshops of the ship, and you see two dead Chimeran workers on the other side were in the way when the boarding charges blew to ensure the hull peels open a certain way. Atmosphere seal is achieved, and you hear the sounds of the elevator power being started from elsewhere in the ship (the small one to the east, and larger grate looking area south) Broken machinery litters the room, and occasional showers of sparks from the ceiling indicate further damage either from the battle outside or the violence of boarding.

Taking the initiative, Yalone leaped out of the tub and onto the floor of the Chimeran manned ship. Scanning the room, the ‘Tre looked for any sort of failsafe that he could access to stop one or both advancing elevators. “I’m lookin’ for some type o’ safety measure. Somethin’ to stop these elevators!” (Main goal would be to stop or slow the bigger elevator.)

(This looks to be your way out too since some of the corridors have collapsed, either the big or little one)

Rodger stepped out of the pod and surveyed the situation taking what little cover he could across from the large elevator in his bulky assault suit. "It looks like we have two ways out of here and they're coming to us so we should be ready in case they come in guns blazing. Try not to damage the lifts too much." He motioned for his two remaining squadmates to get into position one covering each elevator. (edited)

Nekosmash

(This looks to be your way out too since some of the corridors have collapsed, either the big or little one)

(Right I was wondering if I could slow or stop one. That way we only have to fight one group of enemies at a time.)

(We can certainly make some attempts depending on what you try)

(I'm making the assumption the elevators are rising to us, rather than dropping towards us, is that correct?)

(dropping to you, we're near the bottom of the space station. They're trying to draw them into the ceiling and trap you down here)

(So people aren't approaching us, empty elevators are running away from us)

(right, they don't need to send people down if they can stop you from going anywhere else)

Kaia gave a sarcastic salute to the cowboy type across from her as he tipped his hat. As the boarding tube opened she followed close behind Yalone, rolling behind some wreckage and taking stock as the elevators began to clank and groan to life. As Rodger came in and settled into position Kaia glanced over at the two elevators and made a decision. "I'm gonna take a peek, chief. Don't wait up!" She rushed to the smaller elevator and leapt towards the wall. Her limbs morphed mid jump, flesh twisting and changing into carapace-like claws and talons as she began to scuttle up the vertical corridor so she could leap onto the climbing elevator before it escaped, keeping an eye out for any possible shooters. (edited)

(Ah okay i thought we heard them moving toward us from elsewhere. Yeah getting on seems like a good idea. I'll give annie a chance to respond first though since it was my messup.)

Rodger Landon (Corn)

(Ah okay i thought we heard them moving toward us from elsewhere. Yeah getting on seems like a good idea. I'll give annie a chance to respond first though since it was my messup.)

(Annie won’t be posting much this weekend if at all. I know that)

(Me either. Getting ready to move )

(No worries i know peeps are busy on the weekends. Besides my sleep schedule is garbage so i don't feel as bad about that. Good luck moving neko.)

Yalone had to stop for a moment as Kaia’s form twisted and morphed in front of his very eyes. ”Note to self: Don’t get on her bad side…”, the ‘Tre thought to himself as he began looking over the area near the smaller of the two elevators for anything he could fiddle with or override to cause the elevator to come back down.

There is an exposed gearbox on the floor that could be used to some effect it seems though some tampering might be required. As Kaia boards the elevator , looking up, 5m above it sounds as though whatever tech crew was in the connecting chamber has been ordered to evacuate and the unmistakeable rack of a void carbine being loaded is heard. The shooter hasn’t come to the elevator shaft yet, and cannot see you from your position set below the floor, though the elevator is rising steadily and soon the elevation difference will not keep you concealed

(just a note to Yalone that I'm on the smaller elevator, in case you want to mess with the larger one. Also going to wait for Rodger to post before I follow up)

1

(No worries. Is it too late to try to catch the larger lift neko? I wasn't sure since assault suits aren't really parkour conducive i think, and yalone was already going for the gearbox so being ready to shoot something seemed like a next best?) (edited)

(You can make a jump for it. If it’s regular power armor you’d need an exert/str)

1

Realizing that the lifts were moving upwards and unsure if Yalone would be able to stop them in time Rodger ran towards the larger of the two. He pressed off of the ground with all of his strength almost pole vaulting with his laslock as he tried to reach the ascending platform. (Exert/str 9)

(Success)

7:11 AM

The rifle holds and you launch yourself onto the second elevator , likewise protected from immediate observation thanks to the difference in elevation between the elevator and the deck above.

(yay, that roll made me nervous lol)

Yalone grabbed a piece of stray metal and drove into into the gear box to stop them from turning.

The elevators come to a halt. The piece of metal wiggles violently against the force of the machine and the powerful gears may chew through it in a moment if not reinforced

“Hey Rodger! Mind givin’ me a hand?”, Yalone shouted as he took off in a sprint towards the larger of the two elevator Rodger was on. Stepping both feet together, the ‘Tre leaped up in hopes to catch the elevator or at the very least an outstretched hand.

Rodger fell prone reaching a hand over the edge of the lift hoping to give Yalone a hand up the rest of the way as he made the jump.

(is there space between the elevators and the walls?)

(No there isn’t )

Kaia glanced up as she landed on the elevator. She glanced around, looking for any buttons or levers that might send it dropping back down towards her two companions below, and would hit it if it was available. Regardless, she would abandon the elevator position as she heard the carbine rack, and begin to scale the wall. If anyone leaned over the side to shoot at the approaching elevator, she would lunge up and strike them from her hidden position. If no one peeked, she would wait for the elevator to force her into the open and take evasive movements in an effort to avoid a long-range attack.

2:34 AM

(hold action to attack, or dodge if no one comes into range near the edge)

There is a set of switches on it but it looks as though Roger, Annie, and Yalone have chosen the larger lift opposite you. Both elevators rise into the room above where two Chimeran marines and two mosk technicians have either drawn hand tools or void carbines to deal with you. Each lift rises with the party 5m from them. (Initiative )

(7/init rodger, just double checking mosk with tools and marines with carbines?) (edited)

(Yep)

1

(If they’re readied it doesn’t matter , they’re just close enough on your person where drawing them isn’t part of action economy )

7:14 AM

(You also roll a d8 for initiative so you’ll have to redo yours )

(Alrighty! Let’s make that initiative 3 for Yalone then haha)

(5/init)

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [8] Result: 8

(Annie can drop in when they are back, but for now the order is Roger, Annie, enemies , Kaia, yalone) (edited)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 6/13/2022 6:21 AM

Rodger whips around his laslock lining it up and taking a quick shot at one of the buggy marines hoping if they're both quickly dispatched the techs will retreat or surrender. (9/11)

The shot strikes the first of the marines, but does nothing due to his stout armor. The two of them return fire at the power armored Roger in their midst.

7:42 AM

!roll 2d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 5] Result: 14

Shots spark off power armor, as Roger stands firm in the face of low grain void carbine shots.

7:42 AM

(kaia) (edited)

( 7 initiative. though Im happy to just go last if thats easier) (edited)

(go ahead and hop in now since you're here, and then Kaia can go )

12:00 PM

(won't change anything)

Annie looks around for anything that could create cover for her and her companions. ( If this is a boarding area is there any crates or containers. we could move behind, or some sort of device that could move them to create cover for us?)

There aren't any crates on the elevators, but as you emerge into the room above you can see a few work benches that look to be thick and sturdy, and bolted to the floor with solid looking legs.

Annie would move to the beaches ti gain what cover she could. ( is there any sort of dodge, or total defense action?)

(there is a total defense that adds +2 to your AC, but that is all you can do for the turn)

( So Could I move to cover and take defense?)

(yes)

(that will be it for me than!)

(Kaia is up_

(Apologies for taking so long!)

12:06 AM

(I have no relative distance or anything to make judgements on what to do, so I will just ask some hypotheticals and write my post afterwards. Is kaia close enough to get into melee with the carbine users without dashing? If so she'd do that and attack one of them. If not she will dash into melee range with them to prevent them from firing. If the technicians are in the way of her reaching the marines, she would instead get as close as she can to the marines while being able to take cover+defense stance) (edited)

(You’re within range without dashing. You can engage one of the carbine users, not both. The technicians are cowering in a corner for the moment )

5:18 AM

https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/984546794040074250/985508795042111548

(So all we would need then is your melee attack result for hit/damage against one of the Chimeran marines )

(Will do!)

(14 to hit, 3dmg, shock 1/15)

One of the marines is wounded, taking a step backwards as Kaia leaps at him, hands changed into claws digging a deep furrow through armor and the skin underneath

4:02 PM

(Yalone)

Yalone would whip around and pull up next to Annie's huddled position, "When we get out of this, remind me to get us a round of drinks." Pulling out of cover, Yalone would fire off the laser pistol towards the injured Marine next to Kaia, and the revolver towards the uninjured marine. The revolver would start to glow with a magical runes as they traced throughout the barrel's length. (Firing a heart stopper bullet!)

7:19 PM

(12 for laser pistol - 5 dmg 11 for revolver - 4 dmg; if this hits I need a physical save if they fail they lose their main action for 1 round) (edited)

(Both miss, Roger is up )

Rodger clears his las lock flipping it towards the other marine taking a shot at the uninjured guard hoping to push them into a quick surrender. "Give it up, you're wounded and hopelessly outgunned, get us onto the bridge of that battle cruiser and we might let you live." (21/10) (edited)

(Nice shot!)

The guard is wounded, but not dead. It looks like the Chimeran might be soon if the pace of the fight keeps up. Despite this, they've sworn oaths of loyalty to their House, and to give the station would see their lives ended by their brethren rather than the enemy. All roads lead to them not leaving this room.

7:28 AM

(annie is up)

Seeing no hope of convincing them otherwise Annie takes a shot with her laser pistol at the wounded guard.

(just for ease, to hit, it is D20+shoot level+dex mod+ attack bonus, and just like 5e, we want to meet or beat their armor class)

1:26 PM

(Which I will let you know if it does)

( 9/4 doubt that hits)

(does not) The shot bounces from heavy shoulder armor, and leaves a pinprick burn hole in the ground.

1:30 PM

The two slaves do not have any fight left in them, and hide in the corner of the room. One of the marines clubs up their rifle (move action) to swing at Kaia

1:31 PM

!roll d20-4

Nekosmash Roll: [4] Result: 0

(misses)

1:31 PM

The other levels their void carbine, and takes a shot at Roger, hoping to bring down what so far has presented itself as the biggest threat

1:31 PM

!roll d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [8] Result: 11

(also misses, back to Kaia)

With the two guards occupied, Kaia's clawed hand would reach up and swipe across the already injured guard's back, hoping to bring him down so she can move to the other and tie him down to prevent his continued weapons' fire.

5:33 PM

(18/7dmg)

One of the marines is pulled down and quickly dispatched, you dive onto the next to bind his weapon and keep him from hitting your friends.

5:39 PM

(Yalone. One marine is dead)

“Just hold still you little bugger!”, Yalone yells out as he brings both barrels towards the last marine. Wasting no time he’d open fire on them.

5:57 PM

(16 to hit, 10 dmg 20 to hit, 7 dmg) (edited)

The two shots put the Chimeran down quickly , leaving the body to fall backwards with two smoking holes in its chest.

6:30 PM

(Out of combat )

Yalone blew the smoke off his still hot barrel before flourishing either barrel into its holster. “Is everyone alright?”, he said looking between the group and the lifeless bodies.

Rodger put his laslock over his shoulder giving a short nod to Yalone. "We should send the lift down for the rest of our group see if maybe these two have access to the battleship?" He motioned to the mosk technicians cowering in the corner.

"Fuck yeah I'm alright! Did ya see that? I tore that one dude's back out! I knew this would be fun when I signed up." Kaia punched up into the air to emphasize the word 'fun' before she turned back and glanced at the technicians as Rodger mentioned them. She walked over to one and crouched down on her haunches with a sinister smile. "Ya hear that, peon? Ya gotta open the door up for us to get at the rest of yer friends, or I'm gonna throw ya out the airlock. Whaddaya say?"

1

Fear of punishment from their masters elsewhere seems to outweigh fear of punishment from you, and they remain in the corner, huddled together waiting to see how the situation develops.

Annie peaks out from cover and asks “ is the fight over?”

As Annie asks that question, a gun shot rings out as a hammer hits metal sending a carefully placed bullet through one of the insectoid wings of the Chimeran technicians. Yalone followed behind Kaia and crouched down near the chimeran he had just shot. Yalone pointed towards the hole in the wing with the barrel of his gun. "Ya see this, this right here, it'll heal, but...", and then aimed the gun towards the other technician, "This next hole I put in your friend won't. So please, do us a both a favor and listen to the lady, alright?"

1

(Roll damage )

(6 dmg)

The technician is gravely wounded despite the shot being “just to its wing” and the mutilation has its companion chittering something in a language none of you speak. The creature begins moving toward the wall (and assuming none of you shoot it) begins entering a complex looking code into the bulkhead keypad.

Yalone eyes the two suspiciously but allowed the one chimeran to walk away gun still held on the other technician.

The pad cycles and the red light begins to flash as the unlocking sequence begins

Rodger sent the lift back down to the others watching the console trying to figure if this was regular or some kind of alarm sequence or something else they should watch for. (edited)

The door unlocks, and the long hallway to another set of rooms beyond is revealed. The air is humid, carrying the scent of salt and the cloying musk of a rain soaked forest. You can almost smell something that reminds you of rotting hardwood chips. The hallway is 20m long and made of metal, with no adjoining rooms except for the one at the other side. Since it is a hallway, it is kept clean of debris and piles of anything that might be used as cover, since it would be in the way of the people authorized to be here. The door at the other end is open. You do not see anyone yet, and the lights within it are on, basking the hallway in a yellow-orange glow from both ends.

(Would heal 0 be enough to help or try to help the mosk technician I dont know if anyone has a med kit)

(I do not:/)

(He’s not mortally wounded , just wounded but not to the point of reaching 0 hp. Doesn’t need to be stabilized ) (edited)

(Not mechanically. I more meant to the point he wasn't bleeding everywhere. Maybe treated is a better word?)

Yalone holstered his revolver after a twirl. “I hate to be a debbie downer, but that looks like a trap…” Yalone looked down towards the wounded chimeran and tipped his hat before stepping over and past them.

"Well, only one way to find out fer sure. Follow back as far as ya like, if ya aint got the nerve for it.Kaia grinned at them as she walks up to the chimeran that opened the door that everyone was regarding with suspicion and eyed it for a moment before tapping the back of the chimeran's back and jerking her head forward. The message was clear, even if their was a language barrier. "You first, buddy." She would follow close behind, ready to grab and use him as a shield if anyone came out firing.

Being frog marched down the hallway you emerge into what looks to be some kind of incubation chamber for the fungal stacks that give the Chimeran body it’s intelligence and sentience. Most of the colonies in here are very small, in use or too new to be of use, and the only things in this room look to be the Chimeran version of eyebots, responsible for monitoring and feeding the colonies. There are no enemies in this room for the moment. An access ladder worked into the northern wall goes both up and down but the sign is in Chimeran and cannot be read. You do know you entered the shipyard from above the battleship.

Yalone followed the lady’s lead as he kept his firing hand dangling free. “Well Rodger, Annie, Kaia, go a clue as to where these muppets might be control this heat rig?”

" Id have no clue, is destroying them a good idea?"

Rodger brought up the rear with the two other nmc soldiers. "I cant read anything here I'd say we either risk going down or kindly ask our guide. As for destroying the whatever that is. I think I'd like to keep the spores on the inside and away from me even in am assault suit besides once we take this placr we'll have plenty of time to redecorate."

(Heading down then? It kind of stalled out but I don’t want to throw us into something if you’re deliberating still)

2

1

(Havent had time to post, but kaia is going to suggest up, on the ludicrous argument that down is engines in all the holovids, and up is always the bridge. Duh!)

(We might have a tie here, so we will see what Annie wants to do, if nothing is updated around evening time, we'll just go with the majority and head down)

1

(Down we go)

3:16 PM

The next room down is a massive observation room, overlooking the dock and the beached battleship below. You look to be alone in this particular viewing gallery. A gondola like observation car runs from this room on a steel overhanging track (like an upside down monorail) across the hangar, to an observation deck on the other side. It looks like the car is on its way over, with four Chimeran marines aboard. Several open hatches on the top of the battleship could easily be jumped to from the cable car if taken.

(so for reference, this picture, just in space, on a shipyard, with a much bigger boat underneath, and on the bottom of that crane rail instead of a crane its a cable car used for observation of the ship being built)

3:43 PM

(Do the marines notice our group yet?)

(Not yet but that will change in about a rounds worth of actions)

(Does it look like we could ride the cable out to them or possibly the observation deck?)

(They’re in the cable car coming toward this room. )

Rodger did his best to hunker down while they waited for the approaching marines and car. "Well it seems like that's the best way to make it over. I figure we lay down covering fire and hop out slowly approaching hopefully presenting a target they can't ignore while Kaia rushes the gondola to make sure it doesn't try to leave without us. You seem the fastest and most at home in close quarters, but I understand if you don't want to be that up close with four of them."

(the Chimeran marines are using 2 handed weapons, so they'd have to club up as opposed to fighting with actual melee weapons, so just explaining for those of you less familiar with the mechanics on that, the odds aren't as bad for Kaia as they might look if they decide to do that plan) (edited)

(Ahh I see) “At’ that sounds a good idea as any.”, Yalone says hiding behind whatever he could find whether that be boxes and crates or protrusions from the outer wall, making himself ready as he unholsters both firearms.

The cable car begins making its approach, finally coming to a stop. The ramp lowers, and the Chimeran marines are 15m from the group. This observation deck has tables and chairs in it, meant for meetings to take place overlooking the awe and grandeur of what is being constructed below, and many had fallen onto their sides given the violence of the boarding action thus far, and general shaking that comes with proximity to a ship battle.

Rodger moved behind one of the large overturned tables preparing to start shooting and providing covering fire for Kaia. (edited)

Annie takes cover behind whatever is available as she readied to do what she could with her small laser pistol.

The door begins opening, and the marines file out, carbines ready

(for clarification, where are we in relation to the cable car exactly?) (edited)

https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/984546794040074250/989502599252299839 (15m from the cable car, behind a barricade of tables and chairs, though if you decide to go with the melee plan I think it makes sense you'd have stayed on the other side, and within 10m of them to be able to attack within one move)

(Right but are we above it, to the side, is there a distance in the air between us?)

(Since it has come to dock with the observation deck you’ve made your barricade on, you are on the same elevation as the cable car. They are getting off to enter the observation deck, 15m from your barricade, and they are facing it.) (edited)

(what weapons do they appear to have?)

(Void carbines, so they don’t break the station or anything. They’re projectile weapons of rifle size) (edited)

A sane person wouldn't even consider running up to engage four people alone in combat with the hopes that their comrades might gun them down, and not shoot their friend in the crossfire. Hell, someone with even a shred of survival instinct might at least give pause at such a request. If Kaia had any, it was lost in the wild roar of fury and manic fear as she leapt over the defences the moment the marines closed to 10 meters, a whirlwind of fang and claw as she lashed at their guns and swung at their heels, trying to keep as many as possible from bringing their guns to bear on herself or her teammates. (movement, Total Defense action)

(If you’ll allow it, I’m sure we’d all like to fire on them as she rushes)

(Let’s get initiative to see where it goes )

(6)

(5)

(3)

(2)

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [8] Result: 8

One of the marines remains behind to fight Kaia, as the others put some distance between them and the melee (club up, swinging at -4 to Kaia, the others will use their main action to use fighting withdrawl and get 10m from the fight so they can shoot next time)

7:24 AM

!roll d20-4

Nekosmash Roll: [10] Result: 6

(missing Kaia, no shock, so Roger is up. )

Rodger opened fire training his laslock on the Marine that tried to stay near the cable car and attack Kaia. (16/10)

The marine is wounded, if its body is capable of making sounds of pain, it does not, but you can see its movements are slower and something is leaking from a new hole in the sides of its armor.

9:50 AM

(Kaia up)

Strikes the marine, and then dives for cover if he goes down!

10:27 AM

(Oof that's a 9)

The blow deflects off the combat field uniform the enemy marine is wearing, sparks flying and snuffing out quickly as they fall to the deck like fireflies.

10:58 AM

(Yalone up)

Yalone was quick with his draw, line up a shot with his revolver towards the Marine in the middle of the three. Smoke blew out of the barrel as it started to glow red, “Try this one on fer size!” (Shooting a Detonator shot) The laser pistol would come second toward the same target.

12:47 PM

(Revolver: 21 to hit, 3 dmg, 2 fire damage for enemies within 5m of the initial target; initial target does take the fire dmg as well Laser pistol: 14 to hit, 8 dmg) (edited)

The flames begin so spread, catching the other two who have scattered from the fight. None of them are killed, but the fire seems to be especially troubling to them.

12:54 PM

(annie)

(Go ahead roger, been over the 24 hour rule for a group misison)

Rodger readies a second shoot trying to bring down the marine by Kaia before readying his bayonet and advancing on the three that Yalone set ablaze. (25/9)

One of the Noctuan marines is cut down by the energy beam, falling onto the deck with a thud of heavy armor striking metal plating.

7:19 AM

(Kaia)

( Hey sorry did not get the notification)

(You can take your turn now if you're around!)

Annie would take a pot shot hoping to be of some help.

12:27 PM

( 6 I assume that misses lol)

(It does miss, we're back to kaia!)

(I'm amazed I havent been shot)

11:14 PM

(You mentioned that the marines had backed up, if they've moved near one of the ledges kaia would attempt to shove one of them off to their death, if it looks like they cant use their wings. If that looks fruitless she'll go for another attack, just lmk)

(They took a step back, not close enough to the edge )

Freed from the marine immediately in her area, kaia rushed the nearest group, swiping up, her forearms and hands morphing into curved blades as she swung at one of the firing marines

9:23 AM

(Oh my lord, a 5)

The armor is thick and this time your claws scrape off the thick overlapping plates, unable to get any significant harm through.

9:28 AM

(Yalone)

"Well this is about as good as two rattle snakes in yer boots.", Yalone grits through his teeth as he lets loose two more shots at two different marines.

9:43 AM

(Revolver: 17 to hit, 5 dmg Laser Pistol: 16 to hit, 5 dmg)

The two shots each wound one of the Chimerans, for now the enemy remains in the fight, though the advantage is slowly swinging your way,

11:33 AM

(Annie)

Annie aims at one of the marines Yalone just shot.

12:05 PM

( another 6 lol)

The shot misses as Annie does what she can to try to get used to the weapon she has been issued.

12:13 PM

(so there's one wounded marine in melee with Kaia, and two wounded chimeran marines shooting, who are not in melee with anyone)

12:14 PM

The Chimeran draws a combat blade, something more effective than the rifle butt he has been using, as this fight does not look like it will be over quickly (main action to ready it for him) The other two pivot, firing at Roger, the power armored giant in their midst

12:14 PM

!roll 2 d20+3

Nekosmash Rolls: [15] Result: 18 [6] Result: 9

!roll 2d6

Nekosmash Roll: [4, 3] Result: 7

(miss. and 18/7 on Roger if that goes through. then we're up to you again Roger)

(Yeah I'll soak the 7)

(Sounds good, your turn!)

(cool let me add that damage on my sheet and then decide if I'm going to stab or shoot the one that hit me lol) (edited)

12:42 PM

Rodger turns from the last marine to the one that shot him returning fire before advancing to bayonet range. (24/14) He addresses the last marine near him. "First and last chance, it's you and your friend if you want to live you can help us get on that ship, if not you'd better hope my friends kill you I've heard a mono knife through the lung is a horrible way to die." (edited)

The chimeran falls, leaving just one in combat with Kaia, and one squaring off with Annie and Yalone, looking down its rifle sights at them.

1:24 PM

(Kaia is up!)

swing batter batter!

6:01 PM

(14/3dmg)

The Chimeran is dragged down, claws now finding purchase and opening fungal skin and armor plate with ease.

7:54 PM

(There’s just one left in melee with Roger , and Yalone is up)

Pew pew, Yalone takes a couple steps out of cover getting a good angle on the last Marine.

8:07 PM

(21 to hit, 4 dmg 11 to miss)

The final marine takes a wound, its arm bubbling as the laser bolt punches a hole in armored plating.

7:44 AM

(annie)

Annie aims at the last marine. (edited)

8:00 PM

( that’s another 6.)

(6…6…6…)

1

(I'm about to be on a plane for the next 10ish hours so if it comes back to my turn and one is still up, neko has my permission to just attack for her. She will then mock everyone who voted for down instead of up)

1

The remaining marine, locked in melee combat with Roger, begins using their combat blade to try to wound the power armored warrior.

7:23 AM

!roll d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [7] Result: 10

(Miss, roger up )

Rodger looked over the last marine and tried to deliver on his promise moving to stab him with his bayonet to what approximated to the buggy things lung. (9/5 3shock vs 15 or less)

Kaia sprints forward, diving into the combat with claws extended

8:13 AM

!roll d20+2

Nekosmash Roll: [9] Result: 11

The sparks fly off its armor as the attack fails to puncture the reinforced combat field uniform's thick plates.

8:14 AM

(Yalone)

Almost on rapid fire now, Yalone let loose another volley of shots.

10:20 AM

(Revolver: 24 to hit, 8 dmg Laser pistol: 22 to hit, 6 dmg)

With another pair of holes, the wind seems to whistle through the armor as the final Chimeran marine from the cablecar falls onto their back. Their void carbine skitters across the deck, its cheaper make using local materials seeing it break into two pieces with the impact.

11:41 AM

(end of combat)

Rodger shakes his head and heads to the cable car trying to see how to get it to the other side once the others join him. "You all ready to take a bridge?"

Annie looks to Rodger and tiredly answered “ yeah I can’t wait to get this over with I couldn’t hit the broadside of a freighter today.”

"Ain't nothin' personal.", Yalone mummers to himself as the last body falls. Sliding his guns back into their respective holsters, Yalone walks over to the rest and nods, "I'm about as ready as a woodpecker in a forest."

The cable car is a simple machine, stick on its overhead rail with a control box that has a lever, and two buttons that allow the car to either move by itself, or move manually and it will stop once someone removes their hand from the lever. This allows it to move to either side of the hangar, or stop overhead of the battleship for observation.

Rodger waits for everyone to get on before hitting the button for manual operation and pulling the lever. "Here goes nothing."

There is an open hatch midway across the battleship's hull, left open by inspectors or open so work could be done you are not sure. There are tool scattered around the outside but it looks like the crew that was there abandoned the work when the battle started. It is a 3m drop down to the hull.

Rodger released the leverage stopping it over the hatch. "I have rope or are you all good jumping down?"

"I mean, I may not speak for the group, but I wouldn't chance nothin'.", Yalone says motioning for the rope to be tied off.

(No fall damage if we rope off and it sounds like there’s no objections)

3

Rodger went about unfurling the rope fusing it to a bit of the platform figuring he'd cut it off later or someone would. He climbed down first to test the rope and inspect the open hatch.

The rope is secure and the top hatch leads down into what looks like an engineering crawlspaces. Oversized ducts like this run the length of the ship, allowing repair crews access to out of the way pipes, cables, and anything else that is needed to hold a ship together and make it run. It is tall enough that it can be taken at a crouch or crawl, but not quite tall enough to allow a full stand.

(Sorry on vacation!) “We’ll if no one else is diving in, I can be the nose.”, taking the rope down first, Yalone grinned as both weapons were pulled once he hit the ducts.

(Same here lol)

5:28 AM

Kaia followed shortly after, skidding down the wall to land relatively quietly as she stared down the long corridor suspiciously. "I'm not a fan of tight spaces. Let's make this quick, eh?"

The vent runs the length of the ship it seems, and 10m ahead of you it looks as though there is a vent covering that looks down into a room ahead. The cover looks reinforced enough that it could also be passed over without falling in. You can hear the sounds of radio clicks below, and yellow light washes up from the secure room below.

“Of course.”, Yalone says in a hushed whisper giving her the side eye before sweeping his overcoat to continue. Once Yalone got to the grate, he’d peer down into it to see what kind of room the group was above.

It looks like there is an armory below you. Void carbines are being cleaned and loaded to be handed out to Chimeran marines, as by now news of what is happening on the other platform is beginning to reach them.

Rodger crawls behind carefully making his way along the tiny crawlspace. "Does this seem like where we want to go down or should we head in further?"

(I think we can let you decide at this point Roger)

Rodger looks at the grate trying to determine how hard it would be to open from this side, and if it could be done quickly and quietly. Rodger spoke in a whisper. "I can pop out here cause a distraction, draw most of the marines who are here for weapons anyway while you all take the bridge." (edited)

“You sure you can handle all that fire?”, Yalone asks, concern in his voice. (edited)

(how many of them do we see down there neko?)

(one armorer and three marines waiting to have weapons handed out to them)

Rodger took a quick look through the grate. "It's only four, all unarmed or just those carbines I can probably handle it then meet you at the bridge. I have a few tricks if things get hairy." He took out his tool kit to see what he would need to start getting the grate open. "The real question is do you think you three can take the bridge without me?"

“ I’m not sure how useful I am in a firefight it might be best if we stick together.”

“I can shoot ‘em up and I still gotta bit of juice left.”, Yalone says with a grin tapping the now dormant barrel that had flung out some more… unconventional shots before in their previous battles.

"Alright we'll stay together for now. Them getting a few carbines won't change the odds." Rodger crawled forward looking for a more direct route to the bridge.

"Let's do it.", Yalone says following close behind Rodger.

(Getting back from vacation today. I'll be more on it come later tonight!)

(have just gotten back myself. Kaia will vote to stick together)

!roll 2d6

Nekosmash Roll: [2, 1] Result: 3

The enemies below do not seem to notice you passing overhead and after five minutes of crouch walking through the engineering duct corridors you come to another transit hub where there is a ladder going up to what is labeled as the bridge access way.

"Looks like we're close, shouldn't be too much further if that sign is right. Just up here. So be ready" Rodger rolled his shoulders and started to climb up the ladder.

“O’ course.”, Yalone whispers back to Rodger. Checking to see each weapon was fully loaded, Yalone snapped them back in their holsters and started the climb after him.

“ While you guys take them down, mind if I rush for their command console?” (edited)

Kaia follows at the back of the line, listening impatiently to the chatter as she idly taps a claw on the duct passage way. "Are we gonna discuss it until they die of old age? Let's move it! Rush the bridge. If any guards spot us, leave it to me. I'm ready to get a move on with this thing!"

Yalone looked down towards Kaia from his spot on the latter, “You in a rush to get full o’ holes? We gotta make this count, a lot o’ people are countin’ on us. We ain’t good to them dead dead.” “You think you can do something at console Annie?” (edited)

"I wouldn't mind Annie, anything that helps us taje the ship faster, and that's probably more or less the idea Kaia. Shock and awe. Take out the leader quickly try to get some of the subordinates to surrender. It might get a bit gruesome depending on how close quarters the fighting might have to break out the mag saw."

Climbing up the ladder it ends in a small metal platform where one at a time you could hop from the ladder and onto the bridge, once a maintenance grate in the way is removed. Right now it is closed and fastened from the other side, but the metal itself seems to be fairly thin, meant more to allow ventilation than to be a determined obstacle in keeping someone out.

"Then don't get hit." The redhead growled at Cassidy, folding her arms as she leaned onto the wall of the tightened confines, waiting for the moment to launch into action.

Rodger stopped for a moment connecting the hud of his suit to his saw instead of his laslock. He took the large piece of machinery from his back using the flatter part of it like a ram to batter out the light grate.

(exert/str Roger)

(13

)

(Coming out of the grate in the bottom right of the screen. The bridge is 60m wide, by 40m tall in this compartment, and 60m tall in the main compartment where you see that purple command console table.) The grate blows off the wall, and the assault team emerges into a surprised bridge. The captain is 60m away at the forward controls of the ship, trying to get his two pilots also sitting there to get the vessel moving. Two Chimeran marines occupy a place near the doors, 40m away at the southern doors of the main bridge chamber. There are two more security troopers 60m away in the conference room. Its doors are open and it looks like they're meeting the ship sergeant at arms who was also in the room when you burst in.

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 7/11/2022 7:27 AM

(Does it seem like they've noticed us yet?)

(they have)

(Ah are we rolling init?)

(Yes, we are, just didn't want to cut off your questions)

1

12:02 PM

(but we used a mag saw and then punched the grate out, safe to say we have been heard)

(Technically didnt start it, but i imagine it would be loud clanging against a grate. Or eould you have to start it to connect it to the power armor hud thing? 8 init) (edited)

(init 3)

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [1] Result: 1

(Init 6)

(Oh I forgot I have advantage. One sec)

8:43 PM

(Oh boy its 4 instead)

1

(2)

(Oh the double roll from alert ?)

(Yeah)

(Roger, Yalone, Kaia, Annie , crew

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 7/12/2022 8:19 AM

(I think this works since you said 60m away for the captain. Hold saw in Left hand draw tempest move 10m closer and shoot a burst at him? Or move saw back to readied and shoot laslock I figured I'd ask before rolling/writing)

(if you have enough readied, it doesn't matter whats in your hands, you can freely switch between any of them without spending any of your respective action economy to do it, so long as you're only attacking with one of the things you have readied, that's all we care about)

1

Rodger sighed as he started closing the distance to the captain he put the saw back in it's holster on his back and drew his laslock flipping it around and firing a shot before readying it to be fired again. "We're siezing this bridge and this ship for the NMC, if you don't want to be killed put down your weapons and step away from those consoles." (15/10)

The captain is killed outright, your laser bolt put through the chest of his ceremonial uniform. The aged carapace body is soft, and falls to the ground with a smoking hole in its chest, the viscera around it still sizzling.

9:10 AM

(Yalone)

"I'd listen what this reasonable man has to say. Lay down your arms and ya'll will get to leave here with your lives.", Yalone moves into place by Rodger and speaks out to the remaining crew left. Yalone drew both pistols and trained either one on two Chimeran marines, the revolver starting to ice over as some shot of shot brewed up in the barrel. (I would like to double down on Rodger's commands!)

!roll 2d6

Nekosmash Roll: [5, 1] Result: 6

(They’re going to surrender )

7:55 PM

With the captain dead and a heavily armed group having penetrated the bridge the crew here begins to surrender. You’re unsure what other security forces might be nearby

"Hot dog.", Yalone says as a sigh of relief. Moving forward thought the room, he'd point for each of the armed marines to drop there weapons, "Put 'em on the floor and slide 'em over real nice like."

The soldiers here look to begin complying, but you have just a moment, maybe less, to finish locking down the bridge before there is a security response from elsewhere.

Rodger moved into action approaching the comms console as he called ot his companions. "Annie get on that console and secure the bridge see what systems you can lock them out of I'm going to make a ship wide announcement." He turned on the inter ship comms addressing the whole of the battleship. "Hello crew of the ex-chimeran battleship. This is Sergeant Rodger Landon of the NMC. Your captain is dead and your bridge is already under our control. We will now be securing the rest of the ship. If you do not resist, and lay down your arms it will go peacefully with no more lives lost as we transition into being an NMC vessel, however any resistance will be met with lethal force. Assistance and facilitation of surrender will be noted in your treatment and safeguard from retribution from your previous administration. I want this to be as seamless and painless of a transition as possible for everyone involved you will not be punished by me for the actions of your superiors." He clicked off the broadcast before looking to Yalone and Kaia. "Now we need to deliver on that. I'm going to check on the rest of the ship. We should collect their weapons then decide if you want to stay on the bridge or secure the important points like the armory and engines just in case anyone tries to resist the idea of surrendering peacefully."

Annie does as ordered rushing to the center console to lock down the bridge, and look for access to the communications systems.

Kaia ducks out of the tunnel, making a wolf whistle at the pristine hole in the captain's uniform. "Brutal, dude." She walked over to the central door and simply smashed the controls. No one would be going in or out that way. She would then see about collecting the remaining crew's weapons.

Yalone, in the process of checking out the carbine rifle tossed it into the growing pile of weapons. “Hey Kaia, looks like we didn’t get shot after all.”, the cowboy said with a wink and a grin knowing full well how much she was looking forward to this all for it to end without much of a fight. “I, for one, ain’t about to sit back and let Mr. Sergeant take all the glory.”, Yalone boasts motioning towards Rodger.

Rodger looked at the panel than to Kaia. "You do know there is probably a way to open it from the other side, also I would like to keep damage to our new ship to a minimum, good enthusiasm though. It looks like we're going back into the tunnels. Now none of you misbehave for Annie, or I'll take the chance to use that giant saw I never got." With that last hanging threat he climbed back into the access tunnels headed back toward the armory.

(I’d say we have effective control of the ship for now, there’s enough troops on the Rodger young where they can dock and finish clearing the ship and we can just roll for the percent lost with the boarding rules from skyward steel if we don’t wanna play through it )

(Would we save any troops if we did? Cause I personally wouldnt mind, bit i don't want to drag anything out unnecessarily.) (edited)

(Hard to answer that without playing the mission out really. Can’t anticipate your choices or the dice

(I’m fine with calling it here. All things considered I think this birding mission went very well.)

(True I'm also semi curious how big scale troop stuff works.)

(The Roger Young's marine contingent outnumbers security here by 2:1 or better, so all we'd do is roll a d6 x 10% and that is how much of the Young's marine contingent was lost in taking the battleship. It could be a high number, but thematically we're storming a capital ship so its probably expected, and reinforcements are at Brizeno that the Young can go pick up)

!roll 1d6

Rodger Landon (Corn) Roll: [2] Result: 2

(Is that 20 marines or 20% also would any of the last two squadmates die?)

(4,200 marines from our contingent of 21,000. We did just assault an orbital station and capital ship, so that is fairly in line with reality)

12:30 PM

(and no on your squad mates since they are here with you

12:32 PM

Fighting ranges for another eight hours, though most of it seems to be directed away from the bridge and instead at the waves of Cooperative soldiers trying to force their way into the engineering deck, armories, and gunnery stations. Section by section, red outlined compartments highlighted on your compads turn green as the waves of greatcoated infantry overwhelm the Chimeran defenders. In sight of their overseers and on the deck of one of their prized capital vessels, fighting is fierce and repeated calls to surrender are ignored. As ships enter their simulated night cycles, the captured battleship begins to fire its engines, now staffed by Cooperative engineers, and the captured ship begins powering toward space to join the rest of the fleet. A lengthy series of refits will be needed back home in a friendly shipyard to make it usable in combat operations by the Cooperative, but the existing hull and some similarities in core systems will make refitting a far easier job than construction of an entirely new vessel.

12:33 PM

(6xp, 50,000 credits to all of you)

3

(woo!)

(Can we continue to rp in this channel?)

(I talked to Neko and he intends to have some more stuff be done, so I think it's cool yeah)

(Really depends on what we decide to do next. The NMC has been given other objectives but if you guys want to go back to personal missions iracus and I can just handle fleet combats and mass combat on the ground in other systems ourselves )

6:13 PM

(This mission is done though. We can rp a bit here but anyone staying down here to do war stuff I’ll make a new thread for that since the next mission will be something different and not related to this one)

(What would our choices be?)

https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/698638545782571109/979002417481912380 (War plan in the federation chat. Right now the CBSS is on attar so that’s being taken care of. The UNW is taking out the listening post and EP is doing their job at veovis I’d say we probably don’t want to go right for Uloth, but the NMC can take any of the other planets , or try to as they seem less heavily defended than what we just encountered. Once you guys secure space , The roger young can drop of its 15,000 surviving soldiers and head to Brizeno for reinforcements which would take a couple weeks to get to you round trip. )

6:48 PM

(Planet based breaker guns are going to keep you from landing directly on an enemy settlement but you could get within 400 or so kilometers and expect to fight overland from there. Even taking a village or small city is enough of a defendable bridgehead to hold until reinforcements arrive)

6:52 PM

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/map/6bbd94db-1310-4ee9-bbea-3a433f74e8f4

Polity Influence Map Y5M6

(Alright so I definitely understood all of that, but could you put it into laymans terms for everyone else?) (edited)

1

(I don't really know how else to put it)

(I guess just pick a Chimeran planet that isn't Veovis or Attar, and whoever is sticking around will use the Farscape to make a stealth landing on that world and we'll try to start a revolution)

(Hmm, should we perhaps go for a more well-defended planet, or one deeper in enemy space, since that will be the most effective location for a sabotage operation?)

(you said no Uloth either right?)

(that is their capital and has a massive amount of ships at it right now as far as we know, so that's probably a suicide mission even for the Farscape, given all the ships and ground based sensors there)