Fwurg

[Astrian Colonial Authority]

The ACN First Fleet slowly started to pull back to the Novalia System, still exchanging fire with the Mandalorians.

Once they arrived in the Novalia System they took up defensive positions throughout the system but mostly concentrated around Stellaria and Lianee.

Meanwhile the defences on Lunia started powering up.

[Mercury]

129

With the Mandalorian fleets arriving ahead of the Union fleets - which were not far behind - the advantage lay with the Mandalorians as they pushed into the Novalia system!

Their current advantage was great, but the Union fleets already in the sector knew that, and withdrawing into the Novalia system bought them the time they needed. Their withdrawl was not without cost however, as the UDF RIPI 1 and UDF RIPI 2 both lost a level of effectiveness in the withdrawal.

Regardless, with the rest of the Union fleets arriving, the battle for Novalia had begun!

[Senator Enrorgh of Meritonia]

The fleets, KK F1, KM F1 and KM F2, of the Kingdoms of Meritonia and Komès joined the Union fleets in their assault in 7 -4. Eventhough the front had now shifted, the admiralty saw no reason to change the current standing orders: to shield the Union fleets against any incoming damage as much as possible.

[Astrian Colonial Authority]

The ACN First Fleet shift tactics instead of large and wide barrages as they had done until now the moved in for a more targeted strike. They went after MF-1389 to thin out the Mandalorian forces.

Lunia Base launched large numbers of long range missiles with advanced warheads at the Mandalorian Fleets. But that was only the beginning any Mandalorian ship that came to close to Lunia or Stellaria would be greeted by a rain of plasma weapons fire.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

Following the Mandalorians, the fleets of the Union dropped out of hyperspace and opened fire on the Mandalorian ships.

UDF AUX 1, CORPI 2 and CORE 2 joined the battle.

[Mercury]

((OOC: The current battle involves the following fleets on each side, according to my best knowledge.

Mandalorians

• Brokar Aaray (MF 718) -- 3 effectiveness level lost (-1)
• Abiik Nynir (MF 719) -- 2 effectiveness level lost (-1)
• Ori Naast (MF 279) -- No effectiveness lost
• Kote Ka'rase (MF 26) -- 1 effectiveness level lost (-0)
• Ne'tra Hettir (MF 315) -- No effectiveness lost
• Mir'Shupur Vod (MF 1389) -- 1 effectiveness level lost (-0)

Union

• UDF RIPI 1 -- No effectiveness lost
• UDF RIPI 2 -- No effectiveness lost
• Astrian Colonial Navy First Fleet -- 1 effectiveness level lost (-0)
• Kingdom of Komes Fleet 1 -- 1 effectiveness level lost (-0)
• Kingdom of Meritonia Fleet 1 -- 1 effectiveness level lost (-0)
• Kingdom of Meritonia Fleet 2 -- No effectiveness lost
• UDF AUX 1 -- No effectiveness lost
• UDF CORPI 2 -- 3 effectiveness levels lost (-1)
• UDF CORE 2 -- 1 effectiveness level lost (-0)

))

130

An influx of Union fleets took the battle to the next level. The Union forces easily outnumbered the Mandalorians, but the Mandalorian forces were better armoured and equiped and currently in a superior position. Using the Astrian Colonial Authorities defences was most helpful however.

The battle caused some mayor devestation on both sides: all of the Mandalorian fleets lost an effectiveness level, taking the Brokar Aaray out of the fight.

In return the UDF RIPI 1, the Astrian Colonial Navy First Fleet, Komes Fleet 1, Meritonia Fleet 1, Meritonia Fleet 2 and UDF CORPI 2 each lost an effectiveness level. Additionally, Zone 3 on Lunia (A planetary defence zone) was damaged by the attack, causing 500 worth of damage.

((OOC: I don't currently know rules for effectiveness levels on Planetary Defence Zones or Planets, but I think this damage is representative.))

[Astrian Colonial Authority]

The ACN First Fleet repositioned and cut of the Brokar Aaray fleet's escape route. Lady-Fleet Admiral Nethorius lived up to her ruthless reputation by opening fire on the incapacitated fleet, targeting the weak spots the intelligence message specified.

In the meantime Lunia Base continued it's attack on the rest of the Mandalorian Forces. Launching barrages of missiles targeting the enemy's weak points.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

While the reinforcements from the Union joined the battle, UDF CORPI 2 suffered from hull breaches and power failures. No longer be able to fight, they had no other options then to disengage the battle.
"Evasive manouvres! Break break break!"
"All power to shields"
"Fighter wings 4 to 9 have returned, close hangar bay 2 and 3"

While UDF CORPI 2 disengaged, all the other fleets hit the Mandalorians as hard as they could with the new information from the Ministry of Defence. Destroyers, cruisers, frigates, corvettes, bombers, fighters and every other kind of vessel recalibrated their weapons and aimed at the weak spots of the Mandalorians ships according to the plans they received. All meant to take as many Mandalorians out while they still had this advantage.

[Mercury]

131

The retreating Brokar Aaray received a full assault from the Union fleet, led by the Astrian Colonial Navy's first fleet. Their combined fire soon completely destroyed the fleet, using the Unions intelligence to devastating effect.

All other Mandalorian vessels too suffered huge hits, each losing another effectiveness level, effectively crippling the Mandalorian forces.

They did not give up their hides cheaply though - the Astrian Colonial Navy First Fleet, the UDF RIPI 1 and UDF RIPI 2 as well as the UDF CORE 2 and UDF AUX 1 all suffered a lost of effectiveness.

It was not in vain. With all the destruction wrought, the Mandalorian forces moved to disengage the enemy, forming a defensive line as they withdrew from the Novalia system!

((OOC: The enemy is disengaging and will be out of the sector next turn. They are heading for Sector 6 -5. You can give chase if you wish, but be sure to coordinate - if you are the only fleet giving chase, the Mandalorians are sure to whipe you out for the hell of it.))

[Mercury]

What remained of the Mandalorian fleet was chased by a plethora of Union Fleets chasing off the attackers, ready to take vengeance upon their fleeing foes, who continued their retreat towards Sector 5 -5.