Iron Stars - Virtual Dogfight

The arena floor quickly vanishes as the power of the grails clears the broken robots , consoles and computing parts. The fog rolls in again and when it clears it looks like the floor resembles the busy hangar of a carrier. A Galatea Council emblem is stamped onto the hangar floor along with the Inheritor Alliance sigil of equal size. The simulators have been made to look like sleek fighters , complete with working cockpits and all. To the audience, the spectator booths move backwards as the building reshapes and the entire arena in front of them is dominated by projectors that show both simulated outer space and smaller picture in pictures of the for now empty cockpits. The air becomes cold, just like the touch of space. Hidden off on the side of the arena in an entrance tunnel, ready to come on stage are the contestants. The way onto the floor is blocked by a gate for now to keep anyone over eager from messing up the pageantry. An event coordinator helps everyone check their flight suits and hands out datapads with the competition outline and rules

2

The objective of the game is to run to your fighters when the scramble order goes out. The squadron is on the same side , and is tasked with punching through the opposing fighter screen ; in order to destroy a convoy of free merchants and runabouts making transit across the simulated system. Enemy fighters are worth one point and must be destroyed first. Enemy aces are worth three points and their squadron mates must be destroyed before they can be attacked. Free Merchants and Runabouts are worth five points and all enemy fighters must be cleared before they can be targeted. Your fighters will have different armament and you can decide between an interceptor or bomber upon entering the cockpit. You cannot change ships once selected. If you are shot down you will not respawn. The pilot with the highest point total will be the winner of the event. (edited)

6:34 PM

(I have to finish building these and I’ll post the blueprints )

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 10/5/2021 6:34 PM

(And there may not be an actual mission completion depending on how dice go, we are just worried about points. If everyone gets shot down we will just rank by final score)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 10/5/2021 7:34 PM

(Okay that’s all from me until you guys get to post something )

Obsidia walks to the ready area in her flight suit, lining up for the sprint to a simulator

Rodger walks to the start area wearing the standard NMC Air Force flight suit he quickly reads the datapad handed to him before putting it aside and starting to stretch a bit trying to be ready for the run. Once he's limbered up a bit he stands at the gate staring at the simulators focusing in and talking to himself. "It'll be fine Rodger you've never crashed, all of the enemies are simulate, keep calm and focus on helping your squad complete the mission." He closes his eyes and takes in a long breath clasping his hands in front of him.

Obsidia turns to the nervous NMC participant, "I'm going to try and get an interceptor, want to be wingman and we'll watch each other's backs or be bomber and I'll protect on way to target?"

(I forgot to specify too, if your ship has an ammo based weapon and you run out, you can spend a turn reloading back at the mother ship)

"I wouldn't mind being a wingman. More comfortable as part of a squad. I was thinking intercepter as well so I wouldn't have to reload torpedos, besides if there was a few of us working together it wouldn't be impossible to take out the larger ships, and what fun would it be to get into a virtual dogfight if you don't plan to do any dogfighting right?"

Shriven walks in and looks over seeing Jasper, “Hey there.” Shriven nudges jasper, “Want to work together watching each other’s 6s in the interceptors? It could get dangerous out there and though we could do this alone a wingman usually is a safer option. What do you think?”

Jasper enters into the arena wearing a magenta jumpsuit with the inheritor flag on his back. “Sure, I’d love to team up, two heads are better then one, and you knew I had my eyes on those interceptors. Let’s do this”

1

Shriven walks over to an interceptor and hops in. “Oh by the way my call sign was Blackjack. So let’s go with that. What’s your call?”

“Blackjack huh, I’ll go with Manhattan then, for Sol’s nuclear history “ Jasper says turning and waving to the crowd before entering into his interceptor. “Oh, my heart is pounding. “

"Okay, I'm Obsidia, callsign Vulcan for this. Looking forward to working with you." Obsidia says to her new partner

Entering in from the far side in his typical outfit. White and blue spacers jacket with jeans and boots. He walks towards the event coordinator to get his various bits and baubles set up. He has been in a sim since he was a child and never a fighter. But all ships just take a bit to get to know her. Once you do that, you can get them to do just about anything. Seeing the other competitors, Rayce tries to play it cool as he gets checked in. "Names Rayce, I'll be going by Nova calling wise in the sim. Best of luck to everyone."

1

(Jasper is already competing. It’s one entry per polity. Lance is representing the UNW with his first character, Shriven)

1

"I'm Rodger call sign uh Rodger. Keep it simple for the first flight. Yes, good luck. Hopefully we'll clear the mission as a full squadron, whoever wins. Unity is the point of the council and these games is it not, a healthy rivalry requires yiu to be healthy after all? Also it'd be terribly embarrassing for you Veteran pilots if we lost to a bunch of computer programs wouldn't it?" Rodger smiled feeling a bit more in his element once he'd laid eyes on his squad mates.

(Sounds like CBSS has an entrant for this, so we'll give them some time to catch up, and we'll kick things off)

1

(So its pc vs npc?)

(correct

(OK I got to get back to work, but I'll post an intro on my lunch)

Shriven looks around before closing his cockpit and looks over at one of the flight deck and asks loudly, “Just so I’m clear, the squadron is working together on this and friendly fire is looked down on correct?”

9:15 AM

(I know you answered this OOC but IC shriven would want to be clear with Everyone.)

Aleksander comes walking into the arena taking the whole view in and gives a low whistle. "This is all very impressive. I wonder if they would let me take a look under the hood, see how this tech works." He looks up at the other contestants, "hello everyone, looks like I'm the last contestant. The names Aleksander Lenkov, but my callsign is Grizzly." He walks over to his cockpit, hops in configuring it to a interceptor set up.

The Galatea Games assistants don't let you pass by just yet, and you're unable to get to your craft. The lights in the arena go dark, and a simulated show of the mothership flying through space and exiting spike into the target sector plays out on the holographic screens for the audience to see. Actors playing technicians are working on servicing the "craft" before alarms start to go off. The gates open and you hear a signal officer shout over loudspeakers that the squadron must scramble immediately. You hear the announcer telling the audience the conditions of the mock dogfight, so they understand what we are about to watch

5

11:18 AM

The gates open with a flourish of smoke and steam, before the assistants wave all of you on and out.

Obsidia sprints forward for one of the interceptors, avoiding the closest two to try and not get caught in others going for the same simulator "Let's go Rodger!"

Shriven begins to run to an interceptor. Dashing for all he is worth. (11 exert/ str or dex)

Following Shriven, Jasper rushes with all his might to jump into a Interceptor next to him (exert/strength 9)

The three of you manage to hop into the cockpits and the acting is so lifelike to real hangar flight ops you instinctually grab the offered helmets without a second thought. You have to wonder how many air forces recruiting offices will be filled with inspired people after this

Rodger ran to one of the crafts near Obsidia securing himself in it and keying in an interceptor before going through his pre take off checklist. (Exert str 9)

Aleksander ran to the nearest available cockpit and before his butt hit the seat he began to run through his typical systems check making sure the fighter was 100% operational. Of course it was because it was a highly sophisticated flight simulator but it was his ritual, and it steadied his nerves. "Seems like everyone is pairing off into twos, is there anyone left to pair with me?" He asked.

Obsidia clicks on her comm "You're more than welcome to fly with Roger and I, we could use a bomber for some punch against the bigger ships. That good with you Roger?"

"If im able to I am willing to switch to a bomber." Aleksander looks at the simulator controls wondering if he was able to switch.

(We can change up until the second we launch)

"Aha! There we go" Aleksander adjusts the settings and switches the configuration to bomber.

"I guess I am going with a bomber. It's closest to what I know anyway." Rayve says as he makes his way towards a bomber. However if needed he would swap to a interceptor.

(looks like we have 3 interceptors and 3 bombers so far)

7:23 PM

(so if everyone is ok with that spread, we can launch, if we want to think it over some more that is ok too)

(Looks good to me )

(wait, I thought we had 4 interceptors, me, Rodger, Lance, and Jasper, with Aleksander and Rayce bombers?)

(I thought you were changing too for some reason, so yeah if you're not then its 4-2)

(I'm sticking with interceptor, so I'm good to go)

(I'm good to go as well)

(Alright, Raycvve sticks with Bomber then.)

(Interceptor for me)

(Int here)

Pre-flight checks go swimmingly, and the main simulated doors of the hangar begin opening as the crew scatters to their places off stage. Even the sound effects of the landing anchors releasing from the deck is perfect and you feel the simulator judder, and then seemingly become lighter at their release. A countdown from the "tower" scrolls back from 5, down to 1, before READY FOR LAUNCH begins flashing across your HUD in a large green pop up box.

Obsidia slams down the throttle, aiming to rocket her interceptor out first so she has a clearer view of the enemy and will be easier for her wingmates to meet up with

Aleksander throws power into the engines and retracts the landing gear. "Grizzly, taking off" he says and follows obsidia out of the hangar. Before looking around for visual contact he checks the sensors of his bomber to get a clearer sense of what is outside the hangar. (edited)

Rayce throws power into the engines steadily as there is no sense in him hurrying into position. The interceptors need to clear the area about the larger ships to some extent to allow him to do his job anyway. He steadily increases speed and hangs a fair distance back of the interceptors, but well within any possible support range of each other.

Rodger does a simple take off connecting with Obsidia and Aleksander keeping to a wide formation. "Rodger taking off." He's glad the flight mask covers his smile, but the excitement is still visible in his eyes even if they are only digital fighters. "What's the plan, well be a bit limited Since we can only engage them in waves right? Fighters, aces large ships?"

(I'm not trying to sound stupid or anything, just asking a question but are our weapons frigate sized on fighter hulls?)

5:07 PM

(Cause if not, im wondering if the damage dice are different than in the book)

(Yes, Oversized mod allows it. It is one of the best mods out there.)

(Ah ok I understand)

"Rodger, you take lead first, I'll watch your six and we both keep them off Grizzly. Let's go after one squad at a time. Grizzly, if you can pick off any cleanly do it, but save ammo for the big ships

(Are a bunch of posts missing for you guys?)

(Not that I can tell)

(Yes but I get them in notifications.)

5:36 PM

Shriven punches it, the interceptor flying out of the hangar. “Whooohoooo! That’s what I’m talking about. Got to love the Galatean tech if feels almost real!”

(How much ammo do I have?)

5:40 PM

(I'm guessing 8 rounds)

(8 rounds. Normally 4, doubles with compact magazine to 8)

(Yeah I figured thats what compact mag did)

6:44 PM

Alek maneuvered the craft around a little. " The simulator even calculates the added stress on the maneuvering thrusters from the additional munitions."

As the various craft launch out of the docking bay the scanners begin doing a sweep of the imaginary void around you. The simulation feels more real by the second. The convoy is sighted quickly and An enemy wing of fighters is playing vanguard for it several hundred thousand kilometers From the transiting fleet. Seven scout fighters and their leading ace begin vectoring toward your attack wing. (Initiative )

(7)

(Lmfao its kinda hard doing this on a phone, but I'm determined, I accidentally double rolled but my first roll was 9)

(4)

(1)

( 7 )

(7)

(Alexander ,shriven, Obsidia, Roger, rayce , bandits , Jasper)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 10/7/2021 8:13 PM

(Bandit speed is 2)

8:13 PM

(And I can help you with ship combat if you need alek)

(I gave it a brief read through, should I focus on being evasive right now? And can my torpedoes even hit fighters?)

(There is no penalty for using a torpedo , though the speed difference between you and the bandits is 3, so it’s a -3 to your d20, before your modifiers )

9:07 PM

(You are in a military craft so have five command points to spend. Page 114-118ish in the core book)

(Right but I think I read i can only spend it in one department per turn, so I can either evade or attack or fix something

(That’s not how we do our rules. , take a look at our rules doc in #rules-and-books

9:14 PM

(Fighters also don’t need to only use one department anyway )

"Let's see what this baby can do." Aleksander flips the safety off of the torpedo launcher, and obtains a firing solution. "Grizzly, torpedoes away." The torpedoes roars to life and rockets out of launcher towards the nearest bandit. (Roll20 hates me, got a natural 2 for an adjusted 1 figuring in the speed difference, plz double check my work). Seeing the shot go way off Aleksander decided to go into evasive manuevers.

(its a pilot/dex check vs DC 9 for that, and once you get that handled we'll see if you add 1 to your AC for the round, Shriven go ahead and make your move since the results of that check won't change anything for you)

Shriven calls to Manhattan over the radio, “Here we go, follow my lead and let’s clear up some of these bogeys. Whoohoooo!” Shriven taps into his hours of simulations and uses his innate piloting skill and limits of the Mk2 fighter that he has found over the endless combats to pitch and roll his interceptor into the perfect positions for shots to be taken on target without requiring the normal time to line up the shot. (Above and beyond pilot/Int?)

(sure shriv, lets try thaT)

(7)

(Pilot/Int 19 success +6CP) (Base+volley 4+ A&B 6- 12 (fire single x6)- 2 boost engines (14 success) Shriven flips his volley capacitors on begins ripping through the fighters giving each fighter a trio of attacks. Then increases his speed to a blistering 7. (Flak vs fighters gives advantage to hit and damage so, bogey 1: 31/10, 23/8, 27/9 bogey 2: 27/10, 27/8, 17/9) (Roll+8AB+5pilot+1dex-3speed difference) (edited)

(volley capacitors have been used for the engagement)

9:23 AM

Bogey 1 and 2 are both rendered inoperable after being strafed by the flak guns. Their simulated wreckage fields burn out like comets streaking across the black ocean of space (UNW -2 , Rest- 0)

9:23 AM

(Obsidia up)

(if I have enough CP I can keep using fire actions until I'm out of CP, correct?)

(yes as long as you dont have to worry about torpedo ammo.) (edited)

Obsidia, closes in on the enemy fighters less gracefully than Lance but her time spent flying Ejecta in air and space shows as she neatly lines up and fires twice at her target

(I didn't do that roll right I think)

9:59 AM

(so 23 to hit, 7 damage {subtracting Dex from ship weapon damage} first shot, 23 to hit, 11 damage 2nd shot)

(Same target? Different targets ?)

(same target)

Enemy three tumbled away as a hunk of burning space junk.

5:21 PM

(Roger) (edited)

"Rodger heading out." Rodger flies forward engaging with the group of bandit fighters matching their speed as he orbits them taking shots at two of them with his flak emitter battery.

10:42 PM

(13/9, 15/9 different targets)

The second volley of shots heavily damages Enemy4, and you see the flare of its engines as it jinks before the engines detonate, as whatever damage you did compounded inside. Scratch one bandit, NMC.

3:27 PM

(UNW - 2 GSC -1 NMC- 1

3:27 PM

(3 scouts are left, then we can tangle with their ace, Rayce is up)

@Rayce Stardust

Rayce sees the destruction rolling about as well as the remaining enemy fighters. He wants to take evasive action as he makes his approach onto the closest enemy fighter before launching a singular torpedo at said bandit.

(Pilot/dex or int vs9, and then just your attacks when you can)

(Okay what is my stuff I add to attack rolls? I used my Expert ability to reroll piloting and I got an 11)

(It’s the same as a weapon attack, so d20+attack bonus+ shoot+dex mod. Youll then subtract 3 from your to hit roll due to the speed difference between ships )

(So I just used laser pistol, so it was d20+5-3 for a 20 to hit, idk what the damage roll is for torpedoes or if you want the roll for the las pistol)

(Torpedoes are 3d6

4:46 PM

(Laser pistols habe an extra +1 to hit so I’d prefer you don’t use that since it’s a bonus you wouldn’t get here)

(Well, it would still be a 19. but I wont use it next time. 8 damage for the torpedo)

Bandit 4 spirals into a fireball and explodes as the torpedo slams into it.

5:21 PM

(18/5 Shriven) the fighters concentrate on Shriven after the UNW pilot was responsible for sowing such harm in their ranks. Most of the shots miss the agile fighter and have trouble keeping up with its high speed

5:21 PM

(The other shots all miss. Jasper is up)

(Is that with my extra 2 speed?)

(Yes)

1

(Can I take a crisis?)

(Also yes)

(Will take my turn after work, shan’t be too long ) (edited)

Jasper trying his best to keep in formation calls out over his comms when he sees Shriven get hit “Blackjack, come in, are you okay? I’ll give ‘‘em hell “ Jasper flips on his flak emitter battery and starts to fire at the fighter that hit Shriven Fire one Weapon X2 {reroll token spent -1} (rolled a 5) (18/6, 10/3)

The inheritor alliance declares a kill as the simulated vessel explodes and peppers your airframe with shrapnel. (1 scout left , and then the ace ) (UNW has 2 points. Everyone else has 1)

(Thought it was me)

3:23 PM

(And I think I decided on what I want to do)

(Ah you’re right. Go ahead

Aleksander switches his attention to his systems monitors for a moment and does some quick work rerouting additional power to the engines(specialist skill fix/int vs 8 to boost engines, got a 9) Aleksander slams back into his seat of the simulator as he closes most of the gap between their speeds and acquires another firing solution for his torpedoes. He says through gritted teeth "this is Grizzly, torpedo 2 away."(19 -1+1 pilot +1dex= 20, rolled 13 on damage idk if i add anything to damage)

(You don’t, but this is a kill)

4:33 PM

The scout seems to explode inwards on itself as the torpedo guts the airframe. Only the squad leader remains. ( UNW 2points Everyone else one ) (edited)

4:33 PM

(Now Shriven is up)

(What is his speed?)

(3)

Shriven lines up on the squad leader and fires 2 shots, (29/9, 29/10) “By the Light of the Stars this is fun!” Shriven continues zipping around trying to stay in the battle field area with his increased speed. (7)

The ace is heavily damaged. The bulkier assault boat is shot full of holes and is barely hanging on. If the pilot was real he would be thinking about bailing out. (1hp left) (Obsidia )

(Neko if im going to bring honornto my polity I want to do it the right way, I missed my shot on my first turn i should only have 1 point)

4

4:54 PM

*(honor)

(Thanks)

Seeing the weakened ace Obsidia pounces, firing twice more with her flak emitters "For Greystar!"

8:13 PM

(23/7, 22/7)

The ace tries to twist away from a kill shot he had been lining up on another of your squadron mates but his reaction is slow and his craft is too damaged to respond as fast as he needs it to. Roger feels peppering of shrapnel on his bird as he prepares for his gun run on the first of the large ships in the convoy. The runabout is dead ahead, full of VIPs.

8:20 PM

(UNW -2 GSC- 4 Everyone else- 1)

(Roger up, sorry)

"I'm going in, I'll draw attention from the torpedo ships if nothing else." Rodger rushes in correcting for the shake from the shrapnel and flying close to get in range to shoot two bursts of flak at the larger ship. (7/7 15/4)

The runabout is lightly damaged, most of the penetrative power is stopped by the thin armor of the civilian passenger liner.

9:48 AM

(Rayce)

Rayce banks in to go after the heavies. He speeds in weaving in and out between some debris before launching two torpedo shots at one of the heavy ships remaining.

(Jsut need what the hit/damage was if you have it)

(Uh i think thats an 11 which probably misses, but if it hits,9 damage)

(11 hits )

4:46 PM

The torpedo follows up the flak hit. The runabout is heavily damaged but continues sailing on

4:46 PM

(Runabout is up. Rolling it soon )

The flak batteries of the run about send exploding shells into the void but the nimble fighters are too fast for the gunners to track

5:01 PM

(Jasper )

Invigorated by the thrill of the fight jasper flips on his Flak sending out shells towards the Roundabout “Let’s do this! For the Grand Alliance!” (3/7, 18/7)

The armor of the ship halts most of the incoming fire, but enough damage punches through to send a series of explosions ripping through the runabout, sending it burning as it tumbles apart. (Kill)

7:49 AM

(IA- 6

5

7:50 AM

gsc- 4 UNW- 2 Everyone else- 1)

7:50 AM

The second section of the three part convoy is ahead. A wing of ten bulky looking fighters are led by an ace, and they are protecting what looks to be an up-armored free merchant, bristling with guns.

7:50 AM

(alexander up)

(So we are back to fighters? Whats their speed diff)

(back to fighters, they are speed 3)

(Can I target more than one fighter?

(you can)

Aleksander targeted two fighters and fired off two torpedeos(9 and a 5).

8:46 PM

(With speed difference and my modifiers its 7 and 3 I think)

The two torpedoes run wide of their target and explode harmlessly in space. Half the existing ammo load shows red on the pylons

8:55 PM

(Shriven)

Shriven targets 1 of the fighters with a quick double tap. (18/8, 24/9)

Twin taps result in one quick kill and the UNW notched another point on its record as the formation scatters around shriven’s bull charge rush (edited)

9:35 AM

(Obsidia )

(do these fighters look different from the ones before?)

(heavier, bit more health or armor is probably what you could infer)

(IA- 6 GSC- 4 UNW- 3 Everyone Else -1 )

Obsidia tracks a nearby fighter and fires two shots into it (27/5 and 27/9)

11:11 AM

(wait, those are both crits I think, can't see for sure b/c I'm on mobile)

(Yes they are crits) (edited)

(so I'd roll crit damage twice and take the best each hit? Since flak vs fighter? Or just double the rolls I got already?)

(double what you got already)

(10 and 18 then)

The fighter is riddled with flak rounds and explodes from the inside as its fuel source detonates.

11:33 AM

(IA- 6, GSC- 5, UNW- 3, Everyone Else-1 )

11:33 AM

(roger up)

Rodger decides to focus fire on one if the stronger fighters hoping to take it down. (9/7. 15/9)

The shot strikes its armored bulk, and it continues gliding past as its up armored frame absorbs some of the explosive rounds

@Rayce Stardust

(How many shots can I do in a round?

(You've got one weapon, with 5 command points you could do fire one weapon two times)

(Okay. I wasn't sure how the math worked. I'll do 2 shots then at the closest target to me. I can't roll atm as roll20 hates my phone. I'll roll when I can)

(16th, 5th, 11 damage, 16 dmg)

The torpedo pushes through the starship, pushing its pilot compartment out the back and it explodes into a simulated fireball. Half of the torpedo pylons are empty now, a reload will be needed soon. (IA- 6 Gsc- 4 UNW-3 EP-2 Everyone Else- 1 )

3:00 PM

the bandits weave and bob into batlte, each of them trying to pair up to chase you two to one, hoping wingmen catch you as you go defensive. (rolls coming now)

3:05 PM

(18/1 afer armor on alexander, miss miss shriven, crit/6 after armor obsidia, miss miss Roger, 20/1 after armor Rayce, and miss miss jasper)

3:06 PM

The fighters try to create crossfires where possible, though only glancing hits impact most of the airframes. A lucky hit punctures one of the avionics systems on Obsidia's craft as she wrestles wit the controls as Jasper is up.

(8 fighters, 1 ace, 1 free merchant?)

(correcto)

(So my craft took 1 damage?)

(yes)

Weaving through the oncoming shots Jasper begins to send out retaliation shots at one of the pair of ships on his tail. Moving in a figure eight pattern. “Blackjack, they are trying to scatter us” (19/1, 18/4)

The fighter you target is damaged by the flak rounds and veers off to try to find a wingman, going defensive to lead you into a series of hard turns. (Alek, top of the order. When there is time)

Shriven messages back, “Roger, Manhattan there’s one on your tail I’ll pick it off. Just give me a minute to line him up.”

Alek diverts power to the engines and grits his teeth lining up another shot and taking it. (16+2-1=17, 13 damage)

The torpedo landed through the enemy fighter that Jasper was just chasing , causing it to explode.

5:45 PM

Cbss-2

5:45 PM

(Shriven)

Shriven calls out over the radio talking Jasper though how to lead the tail near another pair of fighter. Talking him through the necessary maneuvers. Constantly talking him through the next steps and the effect that each move will make to the position of the battlefield. (Above and beyond talk/Int? Shriven is trying to get jasper to move the tail into a position that he can take him out easily.)

(Fine by me)

Manhattan leads the tail over towards 2 others and Shriven seeing the moment opens fire (12 above and beyond CP- 5+3A&B-2firex4=0) The flak gun fires off double tapping the tail and one other. (21/14, 21/12, Crit/16, 31/10)

7:03 AM

(Sorry that took so long.)

(IA- 6 (UNW-5 (GSC-4 EP-2 CBSS-2 NMC-1)

7:15 AM

The assault is a perfect textbook move when one member of the flight element is defensive. Five fighters and their ace remain before you can make runs on the gunned-up free merchant

7:15 AM

(Obsidia)

Obsida lines up behind a fighter closing in on one of her wingmates and squeezes off two flak battery shots

4:10 PM

(22/8 and 24/10, both at the same target)

Four fighters are left to dance in formation along with their ace, chasing allies of yours in other parts of the fight. (Gsc -5, and Roger up)

Rodger moves to clean up focusing fire on one of the remaining fighters hoping to keep his bomber clear. (22/9 12 /7)

(NMC-2) The flak rounds pop one of the fighters handily, leaving just three trailing behind their ace, all trying to at least end the simulation for one of you.

@Rayce Stardust

(What's the current enemy fleet status?)

(Just what's in the post above the tag, three fighters, and their ace, we can't make a run at the ace or runabout yet until the fighters are handled)O

(Alright, guess I'm doing two shots at fighters)

3:33 PM

(21 and a 5, 6 damage, assumed 5 misses)

A damaged fighter limps back into formation with its comrades. The bandits and their ace dive into the friendly formation , weapons chattering. The evasiveness of the Olympic fighters sees tracers flash by and around cockpits but no hits (didn’t break double digits. )

6:14 PM

(Jasper up)

2

Jasper will try to Go Above and Beyond to notice extra openings in the ships defenses (Notice/Dex)

( that’s works as a combo

(11){Reroll token used-1} Jasper has always had a penchant for noticing finer details in things and moments like these Jasper finds himself slipping into deep thought. His eyes looking all over for the right moment. Jaspers eyes widen and he smiles and switches on his volley capacitors and begins to fire at the remaining fighters. (8/5, 17/7, 5/2, 15/2, 20(nat)/5)

12:17 PM

(How do crits work?)

(double the damage or double the number of dice rolled, works out about the same, choose the one you like and just do that from now on)\

(Double the total damage? Or just the rolled crit? Thank you for clarity)

(damage for the corresponding dice to the crit)

1

(10 damage then for the crit)

Two fighters remain in a ragged formation around their ace as IA scores another kill, Jasper following the advice and example of Shriven.

12:22 PM

(IA- 7 UNW- 5 GSC- 5 EP-2 CBSS-2 NMC- 2)

12:23 PM

(alexander up, enemy forces are still two fighters, then their ace, then the runabout, then mission end)

@Aleksander Lenkov

He fires off two more torpedoes trying to hit multiple targets and misses both times(3 and a 8 natural so 2 and a 7)

The shots run wide of their targets before exploding harmlessly in space

4:10 PM

(Shriven )

Shriven looks at the fighters knowing the simulation and the attack patterns of most fighters and aces. Extrapolating from that he begins to bait them to lining up for him to target pulling them so that they can be lined up with the ace as well. (Above and beyond know/Int? going to target all 3 targets which the first 2 dont die the 2 ace shots will miss)

(That works for me )

(A&B 15) Shriven pivots on a dime and opens fire at the 2 fighters behind. (27/12, 26/13 fighter 1, crit/26 fighter 2) Shriven powers through with his 7 speed flying at the ace that wasn’t expecting to be engaged so quickly and lets the guns go wild. (27/12, crit/28 Ace) (I soooo didn’t think this would work)

5

(That’s five points , so UNW 10)

2

8:33 PM

(Only the transport is left as Obsidia makes their move )

8:34 PM

The fighters are splashed as Shriven shows the world why he spends ten hours a day in the simulator. He moves the fighter like an extension of his body now that he has the measure of it, and three burning comets of twisted metal streak across the simulated sky

8:34 PM

(Obsidia up)

Knowing this is do or die in the event Obsidia diverts all power from life support to her engines and guns, gritting her stony teeth against the simulated cold and holding her breath as she whips her fighter into position with a high-G maneuver, triggers her volley capacitors and fires as many shots as she can into the transport. (Trying Above & Beyond with Fix/Con, then making as many attacks as I can. 4 if I fail and 6 if I succeed IIRC) (edited)

(I like how you framed it. I approve. Let’s see how you do)

(got it by the skin of my teeth - 9 exactly!)

10:15 PM

(what's the speed of the transport?)

(2)

(okay. Rolling 6 attacks, -3 to hit on each)

(9/10, 12/5, 17/6, 17/11, 19/7, 14/11 - removed the +1 Dex to damage Roll20 added in)

The transport shudders and shakes as the high volume of fire shreds through its armored shell. It never gets. A chance to unleash its battery of flak cannons. The bridge is annihilated and it explodes. The simulation ends and the cockpits begin opening and flooding with light from the arena, all except for Shriven and Obsidia who are locked in a tiebreaker. A strange prototype fighter streaks onto the field , cannons blazing as it passes both of you at high speed (speed 8, Shriven would be up) (Final score - UNW 10, GSC 10, IA takes third place silver medal, everyone else gets a bronze participation medal. Silver (IA)- 500,000 credits , Jasper may use the special ability from skyward steel Nowhere To Hide: A single gun takes exceptional aim at its target. Roll the attack twice and take the better of the two rolls. Bronze participants - re roll token for participating and 250,000 credits

13

Shriven looks at the strange prototype and tries to notice it’s trajectory and tries to steal his ship into a pattern to make a large speed differential. (Notice/Int A&B points to be used to slow down the ship.)

(Sure !)

(A&B 12 total CP 5+1=6) Shriven hits the brakes hard as he tries to stay opposite from the prototype. (3x boost engines) Shriven begins the process and sees that the engines are behaving right but his hours in the simulator help him fix that then the rest of the maneuver goes seemlessly. (7 expert reroll to 11, 10, 9) Shriven’s fighter is now flying along at nearly impossible speeds. (13) (edited)

(I dont think you can do that, I think you can only speed up. I told someone they couldn't this engagement already)

7:44 AM

Boost Engines (2 CP): Roll Int/Fix versus difficulty 8. On a success, the ship’s Speed is increased by 2 until the start of the ship’s next turn

7:44 AM

(yeah, only says increase, not both)

(So is it always temporary? Or did we change that?) (edited)

(We've never changed this, its always been temporary )

(Changing plan then)

7:52 AM

Shriven tries to push the engines to their limit, noticing they aren’t getting the reaction he was expecting (7 expert reroll to 11) sees some debris, then proceeds to use some of the debris as a minor gravitational anchor slingshots himself up to speed with the help of the boosters. Then he begins to take evasive maneuvers as he lines up a shot on the prototype. (12 evasive and 34/10 for damage) (Speed 7, ac 23, 8/13 health)

The prototype fighter sheds some shards of metal as the gunfire knocks pieces of it loose, but not enough to compromise its flight profile just yet. It veers hard left, trying to bank and roll to get behind the both of you. It is dazzlingly fast. (Obsidia)

Obsidia flips the oxygen back on and turns off the targeting computer, instead relying on her skill with shooting to properly lead the prototype and her reflexes to fire the shots when it's in the right spot. She lines up the shot and pulls the trigger as rapidly as she can. (A&B Shoot/Dex?)

(Sure, i think that makes sense)

(got 11, so 9 CP is 4 shots. Rolling now, 2x b/c flak on fighter) (edited)

8:13 AM

(21/8, 22/10, 22/9, 14/6)

The incredible firepower and agility, along with Shriven's set up sends the protype exploding into several pieces. Greystar has won the electrum medal, and Obsidia has won an interesting ship. (This is a runabout, with built in fuel scoops, spike-6, and atmospheric configuration. We can fit the rest out how we need and i can help with that)

6

1:18 PM

1:19 PM

Gold 2nd Place Medal- Shriven wins 3 units of pretech.

Obsidia climbs out of the simulator and walks over to Shriven's, wanting to congratulate him on and thank him for a truly epic competition.

Jasper takes off his helmet and whispers “it was real to me..”

2

Rodger claps as the others exit their simulators having watched the last bit of action between the two pilots. He gives Obsidia a thumbs up as she passes to Shrivens Sim pod.

Jasper will also make his way to Shriven but will hang back as to not crowd him.

Shriven hope out of the cockpit, “Well done! Nice shooting! I figured that it was going to last more than that so I tried to focus of living.”

"Thanks, I knew you're the better pilot so I just went all out and hoped I got lucky. I'm glad it worked, but flying with you and everyone else was very fun. Hopefully we can do so again in a simulation and don't have to for real."

Shriven laughs, “My wife wouldn’t let me play with real toys. Nor would my board unfortunately. If your ever on Sumati stop by and we can have a talk or a rematch.”

"I will if I'm ever nearby." Obsidia says before bowing and heading back to the stands, returning Rodger's thumbs up as she does

“Thanks for the help, Blackjack. Would you believe that was my first time? You helped me feel like a kid again. Thank you.