Eric grunted as the radar went offline.
"Continue evasive maneuvers. Siphon power from the point defense turrets."
"Continue evasive maneuvers. Siphon power from the point defense turrets."
Fleet Command: Squadron Leader.
- Thread starter Lord Harrab
- Start date
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Heck no at all. I apologize for the absense, now I shall commence immediate awesome.
Copy copy, Terra Leader. Stalwarts gold gold gold. Freddie, you're pulling point, Benz, starboard quarter, we fly on Offset Wingman Left. Fayden, you take the Anti-Venture's engines, We'll take your misspoint. Pewgen, cover us. Let's earn ourselves some wings to fly, boys. said Klau. His voice was sharp, clean and clear like ice, level and at home in their situation.
"Copy Fayden, We're on point and taking the engines." said Freddie with a minor Southern American accent.
"Copy Pewgen, we're starboard offset left and covering you, Calliope." said Benz with a strong Martian accent.
"About bloody time we get to shoot something!" shouted Quarree. "Guns guns guns!" he said as the targeting system made a discordant snap to full power, the fusion core gaining an immediate pressure to its exertion. The generator housing hissed at the sudden drastic thirst for coolant.
The first spoiler meant I was away for three days.
The main contingent of my post was jargon unique to my Corvette's flight, mostly consisting of special or unique tactics developed by themselves and only known by themselves.
Stalwarts means pretending to be a decoy by flying in a very level and predictable manner. This serves a dual purpose of explaining my lack of communication over my absence, and being basically a group of fighters that was hiding in plain sight by not really moving.
Gold gold gold basically means "Go".
Offset Wingman Left means an assault formation, in conjunction with "Pulling Point" (Main spearhead) "Starboard Quarter" (Right side) and "Misspoint" (follow-up)
The main contingent of my post was jargon unique to my Corvette's flight, mostly consisting of special or unique tactics developed by themselves and only known by themselves.
Stalwarts means pretending to be a decoy by flying in a very level and predictable manner. This serves a dual purpose of explaining my lack of communication over my absence, and being basically a group of fighters that was hiding in plain sight by not really moving.
Gold gold gold basically means "Go".
Offset Wingman Left means an assault formation, in conjunction with "Pulling Point" (Main spearhead) "Starboard Quarter" (Right side) and "Misspoint" (follow-up)
Explosions blossomed across the bow of the Buster as Alpha squadron's bombs found their mark, poorly aimed point defence fire trailing in their wake as the bombers made their escape. In a single stroke, the cruiser's offensive might had been silenced.
Immediately it began to veer away, plasma leaking from it's wounds to hiss silently into space.
"The Hostile cruiser is retreating," Lucy told her captain, "I'm detecting a power surge in it's FTL drive annnnd i think i can hear some secondary explosions. It's out of the fight."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Charging after the wounded capital ship, calliope squadron only fired two thirds of their available firepower at the closing bombers, decimating the lead formation but allowing the second to just fly though the wreckage un-opposed.
on the bridge Lucy's eyebrow twitched as she revived the simulated damage reports when the hostiles dropped their payloads then self-destructed, representing a kamikaze attack, those who saw it quickly returned their attention to their duties. That little tell was the only warning they would have before she erupted, the AI was pissed.
when she spoke it was with an icy calm.
"Combat Trails are complete, all hostiles neutralized. But we're dead in the water and have "fires" across multiple decks. Current Combat Effectiveness: 47 percent, and i say that solely due to our still functioning flight-deck. If that first squadron had also gotten through.."
The AI slashed a hand across her throat and Eric paled, it was a shocking reminder at how fragile his ship was at the moment. Lucy nodded meaningfully, then tilted her head, the now familiar action for when the AI was receiving a transmission
"Report from the tower coming in," she explained, "Patching it through."
The main screen changed from a view of the distant cruiser entering hyperspace to the face of a young man of the galactic transit board, most would have simply dismissed him as a suit, a man who knew combat from books, if it wasn't for the scar that ran from one side of his forehead to his chin, cutting through an eye-patch that must cover an empty socket.
"Errant Venture this is Group-Captain Device, of the Galactic Transit Board's Combat Advisory Division, i have the results of your trails here if you wish to hear them."
Immediately it began to veer away, plasma leaking from it's wounds to hiss silently into space.
"The Hostile cruiser is retreating," Lucy told her captain, "I'm detecting a power surge in it's FTL drive annnnd i think i can hear some secondary explosions. It's out of the fight."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Charging after the wounded capital ship, calliope squadron only fired two thirds of their available firepower at the closing bombers, decimating the lead formation but allowing the second to just fly though the wreckage un-opposed.
on the bridge Lucy's eyebrow twitched as she revived the simulated damage reports when the hostiles dropped their payloads then self-destructed, representing a kamikaze attack, those who saw it quickly returned their attention to their duties. That little tell was the only warning they would have before she erupted, the AI was pissed.
when she spoke it was with an icy calm.
"Combat Trails are complete, all hostiles neutralized. But we're dead in the water and have "fires" across multiple decks. Current Combat Effectiveness: 47 percent, and i say that solely due to our still functioning flight-deck. If that first squadron had also gotten through.."
The AI slashed a hand across her throat and Eric paled, it was a shocking reminder at how fragile his ship was at the moment. Lucy nodded meaningfully, then tilted her head, the now familiar action for when the AI was receiving a transmission
"Report from the tower coming in," she explained, "Patching it through."
The main screen changed from a view of the distant cruiser entering hyperspace to the face of a young man of the galactic transit board, most would have simply dismissed him as a suit, a man who knew combat from books, if it wasn't for the scar that ran from one side of his forehead to his chin, cutting through an eye-patch that must cover an empty socket.
"Errant Venture this is Group-Captain Device, of the Galactic Transit Board's Combat Advisory Division, i have the results of your trails here if you wish to hear them."
Alpha squadron formed up behind Tom and he lead them back to base. He could have fired his remaining bombs at the engines to prevent the capital ship from retreating but there was little point. Besides, the PMC guild might want their ship back relatively intact. Alpha wing returned to the Venture and docked. Tom dismissed his men and went to the bridge to meet up with the Captain and the other squadron leaders.
Mila was back on the flight deck when news reached her that the trials were over. She told her men to get some rest and then headed to the Bridge, she figured that the Captain would want to ahve a long word with her about charging into combat and frankly she could not blame him, not affter she had droped the ball so badly.
"Form up form up, standard winglet." said Klau as the faux cruiser disappeared from the computer.
"Combat Trails are complete, all hostiles neutralized. But we're dead in the water and have "fires" across multiple decks. Current Combat Effectiveness: 47 perc-"*Thud*
Klau banged his right fist into a capacitor cowling plate, a notable lack of hazard paint in the vague shape of his fist on the plate itself attesting to many previous singular poundings from frustration. Many were the scars of the Calliope, attesting habits.
No one said anything. They all knew that Klau was Captain because he was the one most competent in observation and calculation and therefore already knew his mistakes from the situation, burning them into his mind to try and ensure such a failure would not recur.
"Combat Trails are complete, all hostiles neutralized. But we're dead in the water and have "fires" across multiple decks. Current Combat Effectiveness: 47 perc-"*Thud*
Klau banged his right fist into a capacitor cowling plate, a notable lack of hazard paint in the vague shape of his fist on the plate itself attesting to many previous singular poundings from frustration. Many were the scars of the Calliope, attesting habits.
No one said anything. They all knew that Klau was Captain because he was the one most competent in observation and calculation and therefore already knew his mistakes from the situation, burning them into his mind to try and ensure such a failure would not recur.
A dark look crossed Eric's face.
"It would be better if the Squadron Leaders heard this too. Tell them to land and get their asses to the bridge."
"It would be better if the Squadron Leaders heard this too. Tell them to land and get their asses to the bridge."
Mila reached the bridge, she had expected a cold reception, but the look on Eric's face downright scared her
"Hey captain, I'm sorry about my SNAFU I had out there, I know it probably screwed up our scores, but again for what its worth, sorry"
Eric still had to look and Mila began to wonder what was up.
"Hey captain, I'm sorry about my SNAFU I had out there, I know it probably screwed up our scores, but again for what its worth, sorry"
Eric still had to look and Mila began to wonder what was up.
Eric looked at Mila.
"I don't think you understand. If that had been a real battle, all of the other squadron leaders would be DEAD or left without their ships. That bombing run took out all but ONE hanger bay."
"I don't think you understand. If that had been a real battle, all of the other squadron leaders would be DEAD or left without their ships. That bombing run took out all but ONE hanger bay."
Seven men headed by a midget appeared presently, none of them had any indication of pride or delight.
Eric immediately turned his rage to Klau, although he managed to calm down slightly. Slightly.
"And...just WHAT were you thinking when you ordered your squadron-under orders to guard the Venture from bombing runs-to attack a GOD DAMNED capital ship?"
"And...just WHAT were you thinking when you ordered your squadron-under orders to guard the Venture from bombing runs-to attack a GOD DAMNED capital ship?"
Lucy gave a meaningful cough, "Captain, we have a guest."
Group-Captain Device didn't look surprised by Eric's sudden desire to chew out his pilots, insead he sighed and waited for a pause before speaking himself.
"Captain, I understand this is your first command, I also understand that it can be difficult organizing inexperience flight crews, so I'm willing to make allowances."
"he lent back in his chair and seemed to shift through some papers on his desk, then he pulled a file from the stack and passed it off screen.
"In truth this result is what i expected, it's unreasonable to expect a carrier to emerge from a like-on-like battle unscathed, more so if the crew is still wet behind the ears. in those circumstances a stalemate like this is actually one of the better outcomes.
You weren't expected to win, just to show us your potential. And I think you have potential."
Device gave them a crooked smile at their surprise, "Let me offer some advice before i aprove you for the FTL test, you can discuss it during the jump if you wish."
he started to count off on his fingers
"make sure your flight leaders know what's expected of them in an engagement, if they are defensive or offensive, you can't afford to have craft dithering about during combat and combat can come without warning.
Avoid direct combat with dedicated warships. You lack the weaponry and number of bombers to disable them without help, so look to hiring some escort ships and fill that empty weapon port on your bow when you can, I recommend a torpedo launcher as carrier operate best at stand-off ranges. in the meantime be prepared to cut and run."
a paper was handed back on-screen and Device peered at it with his remaining eye, then nodded to the unseen assistant.
"Errant Venture your jump destination has been decided, preform your final checks and jump to the co-ordinates I'm sending you as soon as you're able.'
Lucy tilted her head, then nodded, "Got them, Fort Norton jump point confirmed, it'll take about nine hours."
"I'll inform Norton of your ETA then, Good hunting Errant Venture.'
The Officer saluted, then the link closed and they could see the stars once more.
Group-Captain Device didn't look surprised by Eric's sudden desire to chew out his pilots, insead he sighed and waited for a pause before speaking himself.
"Captain, I understand this is your first command, I also understand that it can be difficult organizing inexperience flight crews, so I'm willing to make allowances."
"he lent back in his chair and seemed to shift through some papers on his desk, then he pulled a file from the stack and passed it off screen.
"In truth this result is what i expected, it's unreasonable to expect a carrier to emerge from a like-on-like battle unscathed, more so if the crew is still wet behind the ears. in those circumstances a stalemate like this is actually one of the better outcomes.
You weren't expected to win, just to show us your potential. And I think you have potential."
Device gave them a crooked smile at their surprise, "Let me offer some advice before i aprove you for the FTL test, you can discuss it during the jump if you wish."
he started to count off on his fingers
"make sure your flight leaders know what's expected of them in an engagement, if they are defensive or offensive, you can't afford to have craft dithering about during combat and combat can come without warning.
Avoid direct combat with dedicated warships. You lack the weaponry and number of bombers to disable them without help, so look to hiring some escort ships and fill that empty weapon port on your bow when you can, I recommend a torpedo launcher as carrier operate best at stand-off ranges. in the meantime be prepared to cut and run."
a paper was handed back on-screen and Device peered at it with his remaining eye, then nodded to the unseen assistant.
"Errant Venture your jump destination has been decided, preform your final checks and jump to the co-ordinates I'm sending you as soon as you're able.'
Lucy tilted her head, then nodded, "Got them, Fort Norton jump point confirmed, it'll take about nine hours."
"I'll inform Norton of your ETA then, Good hunting Errant Venture.'
The Officer saluted, then the link closed and they could see the stars once more.
This is slightly anachronistic, I would probably actually arrive after ZapperX.
EDIT: and now that I've been ninja'd it's even worse. Just assume this came before Lord Harrab if that's okay.
EDIT: and now that I've been ninja'd it's even worse. Just assume this came before Lord Harrab if that's okay.
Tom finished finally made it onto the bridge in time to see the captain yell at Klau. He was hesitant to approach, well aware of his own shortcomings on this mission, but entered anyway.
"I'll inform Norton of your ETA then, Good hunting Errant Venture."
"Captain," interjected Klau "I thank you for your grace in my er..*cough* lapse in my judgment of the combat situation.-"
"Understatedly."
"[sup]If I need a hyperbolic supplication, I will ask for it, [/sup]Lucy." said Klau partially under his breath, a bite of frustration still lingering.
"Captain," interjected Klau "I thank you for your grace in my er..*cough* lapse in my judgment of the combat situation.-"
"Understatedly."
"[sup]If I need a hyperbolic supplication, I will ask for it, [/sup]Lucy." said Klau partially under his breath, a bite of frustration still lingering.
Lucy folded her arms, "Indeed? Perhaps you should also ask to redo basic flight training, in order to recognize the stupidity of attacking a capital-ship in corvettes, or were your actions just another case of "little man, big weapon" syndrome?"
"Hey I didn't want to attack the capitol ship, we were already delpoyed and we just wanted to intercept the suadren before it could do any damage. Look I'm sorry, i know I screwed the pooch on this one, I'm going to try to make this up to you guys somhow"
"I do not need beratement by a program, you blasted toaster!-"Sheesh said:
Two of his men grabbed him by the arms and restrained Klau from lurching forwards at the hologram.
"Cool it, Klau, walk it off. Ueh- Captain, may we have our leave?"
"No you need to learn how obey orders. oh, and to improve your arsenal of insults, that one really hurt." Lucy raised a perfect eyebrow at Klau's reaction to her jibe, her self-satisfied smirk only adding to the pilot's ire.
"I'm going to give the FTL drive another once-over before we jump," the AI continued, turning her attention to Eric, "If you must continue spouting the obvious at these simpletons, i suggest you take it to the briefing room behind the bridge. I need to concentrate on these calculations and their bleating is giving me a headache, so to speak."
"I'm going to give the FTL drive another once-over before we jump," the AI continued, turning her attention to Eric, "If you must continue spouting the obvious at these simpletons, i suggest you take it to the briefing room behind the bridge. I need to concentrate on these calculations and their bleating is giving me a headache, so to speak."
You managed to scape through your combat trails by the skin of your teeth, and all that stands between you and membership in the PMC Guild is a jump through hyperspace, and Lucy can handle that. Just give her the nod and she'll initiate the FTL drive, sending you on your way. During the jump, feel free to roleplay between yourselves, discuss your character's pasts and the like. Just know that you cannot leave the ship, nor contact anyone outside of it.
It took the convincement of all six of Klau's comrades to escort him back to his quarters, his fingers white from clenched fists, keeping his mouth shut with fury, knowing that if he opened it, it would inextricably open his rage as well.
Benz and Fred still holding him by the arms, let go in a similar motion to let him loose beside his bunk as the rest of them followed into the quarters, the last man closing the door. Immidiately Klau let out an agonized shout of frustration, punching a post of his bunk making a small dent and a crack sound from his middle finger's knuckle.
"I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENING, LUCY! That bloody visage of personality or emotion is still something somebody had to make for you! You can only be as condescending as someone told you to be, and bloody well it's endangering people's health so you'd better cut it out! You're only as human as a or a landspeeder or a pulley!" Klau sat down, breathing heavily, only then noticing a rather sharp pain in his right hand.
"Oskar Neuveicht Clohmur, calm yourself." said Benz calmly. "Breathe in," (he inhaled) "Breathe out." Klau heeded and breathed inunision as he said, them both relaxing in a way that Benz had done so many times before.
"Forty-seven percent. Forty-seven! Acceptance for this isn't grace, it's an insult. The Elite Corps have a pass mark of ninety-six! Why did I order the attack on the cruiser? Stupid, stupid!"
"Captain, Klau, we just came from the Obari Commissions. The counter-raids on their cruisers was like shooting bits of dried crackers. We got used to those rustbucket Cruisers being capable targets. It's not Rookie, it's conditioning. Those raids lasted months, we got used to seeing them in our recticles." said Erri, the gunner of the Fayden. Klau sighed, looking at his hand and despondent still at the results of his efforts.
"..I hate to lose."
"And something that puts you head over your heels above everyone else is that you don't blame others but try to figure out what you did wrong. The problem is that in doing so you usually hurt yourself or somebody else." half-chortled Fred. Klau sat, starting to feel his hand with the other, noting a bruise. He said nothing, then looking at his compatriots. They all looked back with the same expression of trust and brotherhood on them.
"This really reminds me of that time that you built that sled out of spare paneling and tried to slide it down the stairs at McCowell International." said Benz to Quarree, remembering and chuckling.
"Somehow you convinced me it was a good idea, and that's why I did it. Man, that was so sketchy-"
"..No, You convinced Me. And then you ended up in the brig for two days for Civil Irresponsibility and Public Stupidity."
"Oh yeah, so that's how you got that Service Record of your marred." said Wyle.
The agravvated heat of the moment faded into the warmth of laughter and friendship within moments, restoring a moments peace...
Klau laughed as Erri finished his story.
"Yeah, well, I guess that's how it's done in Verro when there's no one else around. Psheesh, let's get it back together. Lucy, we're ready to make a jump."
Benz and Fred still holding him by the arms, let go in a similar motion to let him loose beside his bunk as the rest of them followed into the quarters, the last man closing the door. Immidiately Klau let out an agonized shout of frustration, punching a post of his bunk making a small dent and a crack sound from his middle finger's knuckle.
"I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENING, LUCY! That bloody visage of personality or emotion is still something somebody had to make for you! You can only be as condescending as someone told you to be, and bloody well it's endangering people's health so you'd better cut it out! You're only as human as a or a landspeeder or a pulley!" Klau sat down, breathing heavily, only then noticing a rather sharp pain in his right hand.
"Oskar Neuveicht Clohmur, calm yourself." said Benz calmly. "Breathe in," (he inhaled) "Breathe out." Klau heeded and breathed inunision as he said, them both relaxing in a way that Benz had done so many times before.
"Forty-seven percent. Forty-seven! Acceptance for this isn't grace, it's an insult. The Elite Corps have a pass mark of ninety-six! Why did I order the attack on the cruiser? Stupid, stupid!"
"Captain, Klau, we just came from the Obari Commissions. The counter-raids on their cruisers was like shooting bits of dried crackers. We got used to those rustbucket Cruisers being capable targets. It's not Rookie, it's conditioning. Those raids lasted months, we got used to seeing them in our recticles." said Erri, the gunner of the Fayden. Klau sighed, looking at his hand and despondent still at the results of his efforts.
"..I hate to lose."
"And something that puts you head over your heels above everyone else is that you don't blame others but try to figure out what you did wrong. The problem is that in doing so you usually hurt yourself or somebody else." half-chortled Fred. Klau sat, starting to feel his hand with the other, noting a bruise. He said nothing, then looking at his compatriots. They all looked back with the same expression of trust and brotherhood on them.
"This really reminds me of that time that you built that sled out of spare paneling and tried to slide it down the stairs at McCowell International." said Benz to Quarree, remembering and chuckling.
"Somehow you convinced me it was a good idea, and that's why I did it. Man, that was so sketchy-"
"..No, You convinced Me. And then you ended up in the brig for two days for Civil Irresponsibility and Public Stupidity."
"Oh yeah, so that's how you got that Service Record of your marred." said Wyle.
The agravvated heat of the moment faded into the warmth of laughter and friendship within moments, restoring a moments peace...
_ _ _
Klau laughed as Erri finished his story.
"Yeah, well, I guess that's how it's done in Verro when there's no one else around. Psheesh, let's get it back together. Lucy, we're ready to make a jump."