Iron Stars - nfss-rachk-fleet-battle

Battle stations and war chants break out across the Rachk fleet as they enter the system. On their charts the system name is not something that be pronounced by a human throat, let alone most humanoid ones , and to hear it aloud is to hear a name as though spoken through a mouthful of bloody glass and marbles. The syllables are sharp, as is the percussive banging of axes, plasma rifles, and hooved feet against the deck plating. Hundreds of thousands of Kilometers away, the NFSS interception fleet begins drawing preliminary battle lines as its ships emerge from spike space. A ballet of firing engines, retracting fire ports, and jutting cannons begins as bridges are bathed red in the light of a battle stations alert.

7:20 PM

7:26 PM

Six sleek Singularity ships spike into system seeking the Rachk fleet. Having been tipped off by the Lamplighter Foundation, Singularity Naval Command dispatched their specialized hunter squadron. A fleet cruiser supported by a logistics ship is escorted by a pair of heavy frigates and a pair of destroyers. Weapon platforms begin coming online and picking their targets as the fleets drift into range. The destroyers and frigates take up flanking positions around the heavier displacement craft. Six strong ships are fully ready for the engagement that lay in front of them. Intra-system engines come online at full burn.

7:27 PM

FC [Speed 2] - 7
Shard [Speed 2] - 6
HF 1 [Speed 2] - 5
Logi [Speed 3] - 4
Shatter [Speed 2] - 4
Liminal [Speed 2] - 3
Dessi 1 [Speed 2] - 2
HF 2 [Speed 2] - 1
Dessi 2 [Speed 2] - 1
Loot-Sack [Speed 0] - 1

(edited)

Heavy frigate Shard [speed 2] -6 Heavy Frigate Shatter [speed 2] -4 Heavy Frigate Liminal (speed 2) -3 Supply Cruiser Loot-sack (speed 0)- 1

Eisheru, et al. pinned a message to this channel. 11/11/2021 7:03 PM

The flagship of the squadron performs a diving maneuver to end up below the Rachk fleet. Using a speed that matches the lighter displacement frigates it manages to maneuver into an advantageous position. The Charged Particle Casters come online as the energy signature of the cruiser blooms. Four banks of turrets begin tracking individual targets. On the bridge of the ship the scene is a picture perfect display of order and the practiced cohesion of a well oiled fighting machine. The discharge of the guns can be heard throughout the ship as a furious barrage is unleashed. The Captain reroutes power to the gunnery department so it can maintain its onslaught (Support Dept - Gunnery)

Fire all guns! x2 -4 CP
Shard - 14/14, 24/9 AP 15
Liminal - 19/16, 15/10 AP 15
Shatter - 8/8, 21/11 AP 15
Loot-Sack - 9/12, 14/7 AP 15

(edited)

Each of the Rachk ships takes a single hit as the NFSS fleet opens combat with a round of weapons fire. Light damage, but nothing that impedes combat , is reported on the various Rachk vessels here. Firing on the cruiser , Shard lets loose with a torpedo spread (fire one gun x2, ) (Miss 21/12 ap20. 2/4 ammo)

7:06 AM

The Rachk cheer as sensors detect one of their torpedoes striking home, the guttural sounds of their alien war chant reverberating even louder within their vessels

(NFSS HF 1 I believe is next )

The first of the Heavy Frigates catches up to the Cruiser and begins a strafing run on Shatter and Liminal. The charged particles attempt to overload the ship systems

Support Department (Gunnery)
Fire all guns x2 -4 CP
Shatter - 13/8 and miss
Liminal - 20/8 and 17/8
All AP15

11:09 PM

The Cruiser rocks as the torpedo slams into a port side storage compartment. An unfortunate soul is sucked out of the small hole in the armor plating before damage control measures kick on and secondary bulkheads are sealed to prevent further loss. The damage does little to stop the fighting spirit of the Singularity warship (7 damage after armor reduction) (edited)

(missing shatter with the 13 as well. Liminal takes 2 hits)

8:21 AM

Liminal has taken moderate damage from the repeated CPC hits, some electrical fires and sparks coruscate off the sides and dorsal section of the ship and it begins bleeding gasses, sailing onwards lockedin combat

8:21 AM

(I think your log cruiser is next)

The Logistics ship diverts power away from the guns and attempts to overflow the targeting systems of Shatter with spoofed ghost targets. The communications team of the logistics ship works furiously to reduce the overall effectiveness of the Rachk vessel.

Support Dept - Communications
Crash Systems x3 - Opposed Prog/Int checks -4 CP
6, 9 & 8
-1 CP on Shatter for each failure

(edited)

(7, 12 and 7 so that last one removes 1 cp from shatter) (edited)

(Shatter then Liminal up!)

Shatter does its best to dispel the ghost contacts, choosing to fire its torpedo launcher twice at the wounded log ship, knowing to destroy it will mean cargo free floating in the void. Both torpedoes run long (best i got was a 12, so im confident that probably doesn't do anything, fire one gun x2)

9:58 AM

They explode harmlessly off course, the torpedoes spoofed by the elextronic jamming.

(20/9) A volley of torpedoes from Liminal does its best to try to learn from the failed firing solutions of the other craft, corkscrewing into a lucky hit, but the second shot goes wide, joining the other dud torpedoes.

10:16 AM

(Dessi)

Dessi 1 Breaks away from the pack and pursues the fat bellied logistics ship of the Rachk Fleet. The Gun Platforms are good for one thing and one thing only. Point and Shoot. The Captain pulls power reserves from non critical systems to make room for the surge of power coming from the volley capacitors. The gunner uses the nemesis tracker to get their bearings on their first shot. A vicious salvo is quickly followed up once they have gotten their instruments dialed in.

Support Dept - Gunnery
Volley Capacitor +4 CP
Fire All Guns x3 -7 CP
Fire One Weapon x1 -2 CP
Nemesis Tracker/13, 19/13, 14/6, 16/14, Crit/20, Miss x2 nothing over a 11 on those
All AP 15

(edited)

10:32 AM

(Updated for speed difference)

(Rachk Log ship is disabled)

10:35 AM

The Loot-Sack groans as electrical systems inside blow out. Non-emergency lights go out and damage control teams begin mobilizing to control the spread of fires and contain leaking atmospheric gasses. They can only hope the fight outside goes better so they can get assistance from friendly ships later.

The second of the Singularity Heavy Frigates pulls up on the other side of the Cruiser and focuses all of their guns on the Shard Heavy Frigate. They maintain a position so they are ready to chase any that attempt to flee as their spike drive flares with increased output. The captain attempts to head off any attempt to leave the battle for open space.

Fire All Guns x1 -3 CP
Fire One Weapon x1 -2 CP
20/11, miss x2 didn't get over 10
Support Department - Engineering
Boost Engines - 12 v 8 - Success! +2 Speed
New Speed = 4

(edited)

Shard is burning heavily as the volley of shots slams into its side. Rachk crewmen aboard struggle to contain the cascading system failures and the marine contingent is summoned to the main thoroughfare and bridge, weapons are passed out from the armory and damage control struggles to try to keep things running for just a little bit longer.

The second Singularity destroyer maneuvers to catch up with its wingman destroyer. Targeting the lead Heavy Frigate, the gunboat utilizes the best kind of Diplomacy. The roar of the charged particles is deafening

3:48 PM

Support Dept - Gunnery
Volley Capacitor +4 CP
Fire All Guns x3 -7 CP
Fire One Weapon x1 -2 CP
Nemesis Tracker/9, 22/9, CRIT/22, rest are clear misses
All AP 15

(Sorry wasn't clear. These would all be on Shard)

(shard is now disabled)

The heavily armored fleet cruiser once again takes the lead and begins targeting the remaining two Heavy Frigates. The Captain is shouting out orders and calling targets as they appear on the board. The cool discipline of the advanced Singularity Navy is on full display

Support Dept - Gunnery
Volley Capacitor - +4 CP
Fire All Guns x3 -7 CP
Fire One Weapon x1 -2 CP
Shatter - 14/10, miss, 15/10, 22/10, miss x2, 23/11
Liminal - 15/13, 24/6, 24/14, miss, 23/10, 18/8
AP 15

(this splashes both of them, which I believe just leaves the disabled loot sack)

10:36 AM

The Singularity fleet is better armed and better trained, skilled gunnery and disciplined officers prevail over primal raiders with crude understandings of the technologies they command. The enemy fleet floats in the void, fighting in vain against the rising tide of red-warnings and damage alerts.

(everything should be disabled then. All had charged particle casters)

(yeah they didnt explode they just can't do anything)

Out of the shadows of one of the system's many moons comes a massive carrier with it's swarm of fighter escorts. The capital class vessel powers ahead to the scene of the brief but violent combat. The Hunter fleet continues to keep the Rachk vessels disabled with the occasional blast of charged particles. The supermassive ship pulls all the raider ships into a tight formation with it's tractor beams. The boarding tubes extend to the logistics vessel and begin the laborious process of cutting through the hull. The three heavy frigates are pulled into the internal frigate bays where scores of Singularity Marines are waiting to eradicate the Rachk threat. The rhythmic stomping of feet can be heard through the tubes and within the ship bays as the Marines sing their battle songs that carried them through the Shaper conflict. (edited)

(picturing this as kind of like the opening of Star Wars Episode IV )

(exactly except they don't get away! Damn rebels)

(if you want, we can do the skyward steel boarding where we just figure out what percentage of your marines have perished. You've got the numbers)

(Yes 1d6x10%... oof 50%!) (edited)

(makes sense for the Rachk honestly)

2:20 PM

(I'll write something , unless you want to for how the marines handle this, I'm good either way)

(I'll give it a go!)

Plasma cutters ignite and begin the slow task of forcing open the hatches to the Rachk frigates. Boarding tubes are nearly finished cutting through the thick armor plates of the fat bellied transport. Marines are formed up shoulder to shoulder. Boarding axes and swords slam against force pavis while void carbines have their magazines loaded. The sounds of Rachk war chants are met with the battle hymns of the Fleet Marines of the Singularity. The hours go by and it is a brutal slog for the Fleet Marines. The Rachk are outmatched in terms of technology, bit their ferocity in battle is on full display during the boarding actions. For every one Rachk Raider that fell, four Singularity Marines paid with their lives. Their massive frames paired with the tight quarters of shipboard combat made them formidable foes. At the end, nearly 2100 Marine casualties with another 300 critically wounded. Now the is not a single Rachk survivor. The raider fleet is exterminated, never to prey upon the weak or defenseless ever again. Once the last of the Rachk corpses are put into cold storage and Marines are given their customary funeral rites, technicians begin cleaning decks, replacing interior panels and cutting out destroyed sections of the super structure of each ship. The NSFV Manifestation begins a full burn to the system's edge. The countdown to enter metaspace via spike drill has already begun. Communications begin being sent off to their intended destination. Saliv.

Some Time Later...

7:44 PM

The Singularity Flotilla exits metaspace at the distant edge of a brilliant blue star's gravity well. The communications officer aboard the NSFV Manifestation begins broadcasting a communications request to Inheritor Command on Saliv. Long Range scanners have picked up the seven strong fleet sitting at the edge of the gravity well with its engines powered down. They seem content to wait for the time being ( @Dr. Jasper Artemis | Suko )

From: Ambasteter Isaac of The Inheritor Alliance 
To: Commandant Nelzosh  of the Northern Free-State Singularly

Greetings, Commandant Nelzosh 
We ever thankful you your continued support of our polity and Alliance. 

We are honored and quite impressed by your quick effort. It was only this month that we were warned of the Rachk being spotted near by, now so soon you have neutralized our worries. Not only that you have brought their ships to us. We thank you for these gifts, and will make use of them promptly, your efforts will help secure the safety of Saliv and the Alliance as a whole. 
We will be sending a shuttle to meet you, I will accompany them to discuss any further details. I look forward to seeing you soon. 
In hopes of The Grand Alliance 

Respectfully yours,
Ambassador Isaac.

9:29 AM

Within the hour a shuttle is detected to have left Saliv’s atmosphere and within Six hours the inheritor vessel sits patiently in front of the fleet, requesting to dock.

The shuttle is allowed to pull up next to the carrier. Localized tractor beams pull the shuttle up to a boarding tube and there is a loud thunk as the tube is magnetized to the hull of the shuttle. There is a hiss of air as the space between the tube door and the shuttle airlock is pressurized. Opening the door, the people onboard the Inheritor Shuttle are greeted by Delegate Izabela Carr and an honor guard of two Marines. She bows and greets the Inheritors on the shuttle "Greetings, my friends. Welcome to the NSFV Manifestation"

Ambassador Issac stands with a small group of much less imposing guards as the door opens “Thank you we are honored to be here. It’s good to talk to you again ms. Carr. This is a very impressive ship you have here.”

"And we are excited to have you aboard. Please! Walk with me..." She motions you to walk beside her down the corridor. The Singularity Marines step aside and take up positions in the back of the procession being created in the breezeway. "Your guards can come too of course. I see that you have gotten Commandant Nelzosh's message. Sorry that we only gave you a few hours heads up to our arrival. We hope that it has not caused any issues on Saliv." (edited)

Issac chuckles as he follows “Not a worry, we were just surprised to hear that you were here, gave us a bit of a surprise but when we heard it was you our fears were immediately quelled. As for my guards I only need them to follow to the meeting room, there they can wait outside, I know we are in trusted hands. I’m excited to sit down for a formal discussion. “

Izabela leads the way to an executive conference room with an adjoining green-room. Inheritor Marines are allowed to either wait in the hall or in the green-room.

2:49 PM

Inside there is a large meeting room table with a drinks cart near one end. Izabela begins pouring herself a glass of blue-ish liquid, "We have quite a number of beverage available. All from different parts of the Singularity." Izabela gives a list of several different liquors and pours which ever one suits Isaacs fancy, "I apologize for any concern a fleet of our size showing up in your gravity well might have caused. A communications delay which could be mitigated in the future." "As to the reason for the visit, I wanted to personally deliver the captured vessels to Saliv as a gesture of the Singularity's good will towards Saliv and the Inheritor Alliance. A logistics ship and three heavy frigates are space flight ready. Much of the internal components were destroyed during the boarding operations, but the ships have a functional spike drive and life support system."

Issac takes a sip of the same blue tinted drink that Isabela poured herself He sits calmly while Izabela speaks until the point where she mentions the types of ships where his eyes go wide “We are honored. This is quite the gracious gift and will gladly take it. Repair and refitting should be nothing compared to the costs of building them from scratch. Is there anything we can do to repay you for this?”

You enjoy a sip of Khystian Ale. It is an extremely tart yet refreshing beverage. With hints of berries and earthy notes. "There is no payment necessary, in all honesty this is more payment for what Ambassador Kror has done for our people. Engaging in time honored rituals and solving delicate political matters? You made the right decision to send him on a tour of our home and I can only begin to express our gratitude for his presence." Izabela takes a sip and manages to do so without puckering, "There is something I wanted to ask you, Isaac. Have you given our offer to join the Singularity any more consideration?"

“Consideration? yes of course. As I’m sure you know it is a difficult situation, but believe me we have been putting a lot of thought into this. I must admit, as one friend to another you and the Singularity have been more then generous and preformed exceptional outreach to our small polity, and because of this the Northern Free-State Singularity has become a respected talking point amongst many of our inheritors. In truth, we have had very slim contact with the Iron Stars Federation. An Interesting choice to federalize after your appearance on the stage, but I digress. “ Issac takes another sip and seems to have sturdied himself from the tart drink “We truly believe it would be in our best interests to establish a relationship with them now that we’ve seen what you offer however this is a difficult proposition as it is such a massive distance between us. It’s a difficult situation because on one hand you have been very active towards us, on the other only one person from their federation has reached out in recent months; the leader of the Lamplighter Foundation, and while we appreciated his help and efforts on our home planet, it’s been sadly quiet from the rest of them, honestly making us more nervous to reach out ourselves. “ Issac chuckles and holds the blue drink up to the light “My apologies Ms. Carr, I suppose this Khystian Ale is a little bit stronger then Salivian whisky, my point being that we would still like to weigh our options before we make our final decision, just know how highly you sit as of now. I have one question however Ms. Carr, say we went the route of The Greystar Confederation and choose independence, would the Northern Free-State Singularity still support us?”

Izabela listens to Isaac's every word and gives cues of understanding and agreement as he speaks. Taking her own occasional sip of her drink. "I am sorry they have not been putting much effort into building a relationship. It would seem the colonies continue to be mostly talk with little action." "The Lamplighter Foundation has also reached out to us, but only to ask for our recognition. They seem to want the legitimacy of their name without putting in the leg work. Can't fault them for trying, however." "It is a potent drink, is it not? A personal favorite of mine from our friends in the Irradiated Republic. Something about brewing it near a black hole gives it a unique flavor." Izabela smiles but there is something more that you have a hard time pinning down. It is fleeting before she regains her composure, "While I would understand the decision, I cannot say it would be an advisable one... When the Mandate fell some decades ago, the Tenebrian Empire was right there to capitalize on the power vacuum. When the Empire fell, there was no such ready replacement for the powers that be. We are trying to pick up the pieces, but we are not naive enough to think that we are the only ones trying to claim the mantle for themselves. I can almost guarantee that all will not be as kind in their dealings towards you. Especially once they learn about Saliv." She shrugs "I will not going to press you for an official decision today. And our offer does not have a time limit. And to answer your final question, we will offer support but as I have said previously, it becomes a lot more expensive as outsiders as compared to Singularity members"

Issac nods taking this in Yes, I understand. It is nice to know that the singularity would still support us even if we went independent, a concept I am well aware of the challenges of. While I wish not to infer that independence is our current leading choice, simply another option for us to consider. “ “We will reach out to them, take a tour of their worlds, and see what they have to offer. If we receive the same treatment that we have been receiving from them until this point then we will know it isn’t worth it. We cannot risk being left alone again, as we were for those four years since the scream. “ “Izabela, believe me when I say, as one friend to another, I am not blessed with the powers of Prescience but I believe that if nothing changes, this time next year The Inheritor Alliance will be part of the Singularity. “

"I think we both know what kind of future there is to be had within the new ISF, but if you feel the need to see it with your own eyes, we will not begrudge you the curiosity. I must say I am interested in what passes for life on the surviving colonies..." "Not that I wish for them to treat you poorly... But I hope to be toasting your acceptance into the Singularity!" She raises her glass to propose a toast, "To the Inheritors"

“To the Inheritors, and may there be Strength in Unity “ The toast is made and they both drink, Issac finishing his drink. “I would like to thank you again. You and the singularity have been incredibly supportive of the Alliance, don’t think your efforts have been in vain. I look forward to our cooperation in the future. “ “Is there anything we can find out for you while we are visiting them? “

Izabela smiles as she looks at the now empty glass "It has been a pleasure getting to know the Inheritors." "If you are offering, nothing in particular... But we would certainly be interested in hearing your diplomat's report. General knowledge is also something we lack." (edited)

“That I can promise, as one friend to another. “ “Is there anything else you would like to discuss while we are together?”

"Nothing of import." She says smiling. Taking another hearty sip of the blue drink. "May the ships serve you well!"

Issac requests another short pour of the Khystian Ale before holding it up for one last toast “Thank you Izabela, for this wonderful meeting and this generous gifts. In hopes of the Grand Alliance and may there be Strength in Unity. “ The toast is made, documents are signed, handshakes are given and before both parties knew it they were already standing by the airlock once again. “Before we go I must say again the NSFV Manifestation is a beautiful ship, thank you for having us. I look forward to our next meeting. “ (edited)

(I’ll add these to the IA registry. We can fit them out

"Thank you, Isaac. She is certainly one of my favorites. We look forward to our next meeting. Be well."

(all good for me to move this down to past missions? )

(Yeah, I’ll give it a finishing message. Go ahead and archive it, was very fun!)

(all good on my end)

Issac and co enter the Inheritor Shuttle and begin to make preparations for the journey home. He makes a brief communications call with the NFSS pilots of the gifted vessels requesting them to follow the shuttle to the Bottas Shipyards before they will be shuttled back to the fleet. Thanks are given as the boarding tubes are disconnected and the Inheritor shuttle begins its six hour journey home with its three new ships following behind. (Thanks for the fun you guys!)