Fwurg

[Mercury]

((OOC: This thread is used for the battle of Stellaria Argentum. I should have already opened this thread earlier this turn, but I missed it, so we'll play catchup.

Present:

• Union
  
  • UDF-RIM-21 "Nehket Aeka the Powerful" ( ●●● / ●●● / ●●● | ●●● / ●●● / ●●● )
  • UDF-RES-6 "Odakim V the Magnificent" ( ●●●● / ●●●● / ●●●● | ●●●● / ●●●● / ●●●● )
  • UDF-RIM-7 ( ●● / ●● / ●● | ●● / ●● / ●● )
• Slave Rebellion
  
  • Slave Rebellion Fleet 23 ( ●●●● / ●●●● / ●●●● | ●●● / ●●● / ●●● )
  • Slave Rebellion Fleet 11 ( ●● / ●● / ●● | ●●● / ●●● / ●●● )
  • Remunzia ( ○ / ●● / ●● | ●●● ●●●●● / ●●● ●●●●● / ●●● ●●●●● )
    
    • Slave Rebellion Invasion Force 1 ○ / +● / +● (occupying Remunzia)
    • Slave Rebellion Invasion Force A ○ / +● / +● (occupying Remunzia)

))

The Stellaria Argentum System was entirely controlled by the Slave Rebellion when the Union fleets entered the system. The two fleets were positioned on either side of the main planet Remunzia.

As in sector 10 -4, the fleets were enormous, and part of the fleet was parked on the planet surface. Unlike Fleet 7, however, these ships appeared to respond directly, at least keeping better order than their counterpart. The ships scrambled to get directly in between Remunzia and the attacking fleets, using the planet as a backdrop to limit the amount of fire that could be directed towards them, unless the Union fleets didn't mind destroying Remunzia itself.

((Combat, round 0: Slave Rebellion Fleet 23 → Standard Formation, Slave Rebellion Fleet 11 → Standard Formation, Remunzia -> No formation (planet)))

((OOC: Since we should be at Combat Round 1, I will continue with that as soon as Combat Round 0 has been declared by the attackers

OOC Clarification: though the details are a bit more complex (see the rules pages) you cannot blockade a planet that is actively being defended - you have to first eliminate the fleet defending it before you can blockade. To streamline things, I will therefore presume that the blockade orders count as joining the battle.))

[Chriz]

((OOC: I dont intend to roleplay the Union military fleets. Since we never roleplayed NPC vs NPC before and its simply too much work for us. how does this work?

Although I completely agree about your reasoning on the blockade I don't read that anywhere in the rules. I guess this needs to be added to the blockade strategic action of the military fleets wiki page.))

[Brend]

((OOC: I think that "actively being defended" in this case actually means "fleets are taking the Patrol Strategic Fleet Operation, which is a reasonable default for any NPC fleet that is idling near a system in the Defensive or Combat-ready state. So this is, in effect, already captured in the rules.

In my opinion no note is necessary, since "actively being defended" is very vague, while at the same time there is a very clear action that does exactly that ^_^))

[Chriz]

((OOC: Thanks for the clarification.

However I would still put a remark on Blockade that refers to the Patrol operation, since I did not see that link.))

[Brend]

((OOC: Agreed, there should be simple notes that basically go "Blockade|Engage|etc. can be prevented by the Patrol operation."

Also, right now there's only NPCs, but soon™ there will be PC fleets in here as well (at least the Hiocans), so there's an argument to be made for using the full battle system so the PCs aren't effectively in a rules-wise void of no-actual-impact... Not sure how to best handle this though, so I'll wait and see what you and Mercury think up.))

[Alexander Giambastiani]

((Combat, round 0:

• UDF-RES-6 "Odakim V the Magnificent" → Barrage Formation
• UDF-RIM-21 "Nehket Aeka the Powerful" → Skirmish Formation
• UDF-RIM-7 → Barrage Formation

))

[Alexander Giambastiani]

The UDF RES 6 and the UDF RIM 21 started their attack runs. Both changed their attack focus to the Slave Rebellion 23 fleet which was clearly the biggest threat.

The UDF RES 6 divided into two groups and started a pincir move with their capital ships. They took up position on both flanks of the Slave Rebellion 23 fleet.

In the meantime the UDF RIM 21 launched all its fighters squadrons and bomber squadrons and gathered their destroyers. The group of smaller ships perfectly aligned themselves in a wedge formation and moved straight at the Slave Rebellion 23 fleet.

Supported by some capital ship fire from behind them they pierced a hole in the Slave Rebellion formation. The attack of both Union fleets decimated the first line of defence of the Slave Rebellion fleet due to the fact that all Union fleets had received instructions on the weak spots of the Slave Rebellion fleet.

In the mean time the RIM 7 moved around the battlefield and took position on the side of one of the Remunzian moons. The RIM 7 only fired its long range capital ship weapons which was not very effective at this moment.

((Combat, round 1: UDF RES 6, Direct Combat Action, : Pincir Move
Attack: 7 / 5 / 3 - Barrage Formation
Defence: 5 / 5 / 4 - Barrage Formation

• First Round Penalty (-2 attack)
• Union Intelligence Report (+1/+1/+1 to attack)

))

((Combat, round 1: UDF RIM 21, Direct Combat Action, : Wedge Formation
Attack: 2 / 4 / 6 - Skirmish Formation
Defence: 3 / 4 / 4 - Skirmish Formation

• First Round Penalty (-2 attack)
• Union Intelligence Report (+1/+1/+1 to attack)

))

((Combat, round 1: UDF RIM 7, taking Defensive Advantage Action: Using cover of one of the moons.
Attack: 3 / 3 / 1 - Barrage Formation
Defence: 3 / 3 / 2 - Barrage Formation

• First Round Penalty (-2 attack)
• Union Intelligence Report (+1/+1/+1 to attack)

))

((OOC: Unfortunately it seems that Mercury has even less time than I have. Normally the NPC faction would post first. However since we are already all behind on schedule I will post first this time...
Total attack of 7/5/6 which should leave Slave Rebellion 23 off balance.))

[Veolian Commonwealth]

((OOC: As it turns out the rules on how Rounds work actually state that NPCs usually go last. This is counter to my earlier statement, so apologies for the ambiguity I might have caused.))

[Chriz]

((OOC: I actually based it on the experience that I had with previous battles, however I guess this was a luxury and the rules only give a suggestion.))

[Veolian Commonwealth]

((OOC: I agree that the rules only give a suggestion.))

[Elaris]

((OOC: Let me know when I can join the battle?))

[Mercury]

Slave Rebellion fleet 23 engaged with the Union fleets, leaving Fleet 11 behind hanging above Remunzia. Their ships moved in to attack, but with their attack just started they immidiately withdrew again, the attacking ships deploying mines in their wake. This field provided a barrier making it harder for their fighters to close in and attack.

((Combat, round 1: Slave Rebellion Fleet 23, Attack UDF RES 6, Direct Combat Action, +2 (deploy mines)
Attack: 3 / 3 / 3 - Standard Formation
Defence: 5 / 5 / 7 - Standard Formation

• First Round Penalty (-2 attack)

))

Slave Rebellion fleet 11 repositioned itself above the major Remunzian cities, using them as a backdrop for any incoming fire that missed to land there.

((Combat, round 1: Slave Rebellion Fleet 11, Manoeuvre only, Defensive Advantage Action (position above Remunzian cities)
Attack: 1 / 1 / 1 - Standard Formation
Defence: 5 / 5 / 5 - Standard Formation

• First Round Penalty (-2 attack)

))

[Mercury]

The battle began in earnest as the Union Fleets engaged the Slave Rebellion ships. The opening volleys were always somewhat less effective, and Remunzia itself appeared to play no part in the battle as of yet.

((OOC: The Union total is 7/5/6, which is not enough to make the Slave Rebellion fleet go off balance (note that post order doesn't really matter for this)))

[Mercury]

Slave Rebellion fleet 23 continued to engage with the Union fleets, using their superior numbers and concentrating this in a small area to exaggerate the greater numbers. However, since the ships were weaker this meant closing in on the Union fleets somewhat, making for a very chaotic battle scene.

((Combat, round 2: Slave Rebellion Fleet 23, Attack UDF RES 6, Direct Combat Action, +2 (focussing fire on small sections of the fleet)
Attack: 5 / 7 / 5 - Standard Formation
Defence: 5 / 5 / 5 - Standard Formation ))

Slave Rebellion fleet 11 kept position and linked up shields and defences and cycling front line ships continuously by withdrawing damaged and expended ships to keep fresh undamaged one in the front line. This was actually the first truly coordinated effort by slave rebellion ships the Union had encountered.

((Combat, round 2: Slave Rebellion Fleet 11, Defensive Advantage Action, coordinating defence and cycling ships
Attack: 3 / 3 / 3 - Standard Formation
Defence: 6 / 6 / 6 - Standard Formation

• Defensive Advantage Action (positioned over major cities) +1/+1/+1 Defence

))

[Alexander Giambastiani]

The UDF RES 6 continued to hammer the Slave Rebellion Fleet 23 with its capital ship fire. With the enemy ships closing all crews braced for impact. The Union fleet did not brake the defensive line. When the enemy ships closed in on the fleet they quickly responded. The fleet send out a large wave of fighters that flew straight into the enemy lines. The fighters were immediately followed by a swarm of boarding ships that rammed into the larger Slave Rebellion vessels. Warriors from several different species swarmed into the enemy ships, heading straight to the bridges of the vessels. The experience, training and versatility of the many species in the Union started to pay off.

In the mean time the UDF RIM 21 and UDF RIM 7 coordinated their efforts. With the Slave Rebellion Fleet 11 digging in in orbit around the planet they started to maneuvre around the fleet. Both fleets approached the Slave Rebellion Fleet from a different side setting up flanking positions. Both fleets focused their fire on any enemy ship that broke formation.

((Combat, round 2: UDF RES 6, attack Slave Rebellion Fleet 23, Direct Combat Action, +2 : Sending in the boarding parties, clearing enemy ships from the inside.
Attack: 7 / 7 / 7 - Barrage Formation
Defence: 6 / 6 / 6 - Standard Formation

• Union Intelligence Report (+1/+1/+1 to attack)

))

((Combat, round 2: UDF RIM 21, taking Offensive Advantage Action: Flanking Slave Rebellion Fleet 11 together with RIM 7
Attack: 4 / 6 / 6 - Skirmish Formation
Defence: 3 / 4 / 4 - Skirmish Formation

• Union Intelligence Report (+1/+1/+1 to attack)

))

((Combat, round 2: UDF RIM 7, taking Offensive Advantage Action: Flanking Slave Rebellion Fleet 11 together with RIM 21
Attack: 5 / 5 / 3 - Barrage Formation
Defence: 4 / 4 / 3 - Barrage Formation

• Union Intelligence Report (+1/+1/+1 to attack)
• Defensive Advantage Action (+1/+1/+1 to defense)

))

[Elaris]

((OOC: Is it now my turn to join in?))

[Chriz]

((OOC: Yes you can call your round 0.))

[Elaris]

The Hiocan Fleet suddenly arrives at the other side of the system. They quickly close in for a welcoming salvo.

((Combat, round 0: "Veh Halitra fleet → Barrage Formation))

[Mercury]

Chaos reigned in the battle between Slave Rebellion Fleet 23 and UDF RES 6, as ramming and boarding action started on the already small front. Nobody had any idea what was going on, but damage was certainly being done, as the fleet took significant damage.

((OOC: Your direct combat action is approved, and with 7 / 7 / 7 vs 5 / 5 / 5, your fleet inflicts 1 level of damage on the Slave Rebellion Fleet. It has received 1 level of damage which does not (yet) reduce its effectiveness.))

Meanwhile, the two UDF RIM fleets moved to flank Slave Rebellion Fleet 11, moving in from either side. Their attacks were insufficient to get past the fleets defences, scoring only minor damage as the fleet held firm.

((OOC: Your flanking action is approved! Unfortunately, your total attack is not sufficient to beat the defensive stats of the Slave Rebellion fleet.))

The Hiocan fleet joined the battle, firing a welcoming salve and readying for battle!

[Mercury]

Round 3

Slave Rebellion fleet 23 was taking damage, but they were not about to surrender easily. Having apparently as little respect for their own lives as for those of the Remunzians, the fleet started blowing up its own ships as boarding parties reached the bridge, blowing the boarding party up with the ship. It caused at least some hesitation in the soldiers being ordered to board.

Their primary fire was redirected from their direct opponents, however, to the UDF RIM 21, firing to defend the other fleet, it seemed.

((Combat, round 3: Slave Rebellion Fleet 23, Attack UDF RIM 21, Direct Combat Action, +2 (blowing up own ships to kill boarders and destroy nearby vessels)
Attack: 5 / 5 / 5 - Standard Formation
Defence: 5 / 5 / 7 - Standard Formation ))

Slave Rebellion fleet 11 held their line, and their position above the major Remunzian cities. All power was converted to shields and defensive batteries, while defences were synchronized so each ship covered not just themselves but neighbouring vessels as well.

((Combat, round 3: Slave Rebellion Fleet 11, Defensive Advantage Action, diverting power to shields and synchronizing defences
Attack: 3 / 3 / 3 - Standard Formation
Defence: 7 / 7 / 7 - Standard Formation

• Defensive Advantage Action (positioned over major cities) +1/+1/+1 Defence
• Defensive Advantage Action (coordinating defence and cycling ships) +1/+1/+1 Defence

))

[Slave Rebellion Admiral (mask of Mercury)]

Slave Rebellion AdmiralAs the battle raged, a message was sent from the Slave Rebellion fleet to the Union admirals.

"This is admiral Irar'Bocruf of House Wicfiti. Disengage and withdraw your forces from this system, or all fire will be redirected at Remunzia's population centres."

((OOC: While normally you cannot target a planets population, this is a special circumstance because it is the Slave Rebellion who are in control of the planet.))

[Alexander Giambastiani]

Admiral Giambastiani responded less than a minute later. He opened a secure channel with the Admirals on the Union Fleets in the sector.
We do not negotiate with terrorists. If the Slave Rebellion wants to change their name into Genocide Rebellion for the remainder of their existence we will not be able to stop them anyway, with their armies on the ground. Press the Attack and destroy their fleets!
The Admiral paused for a moment.
Commander Elaris, focus your fire on the Slave Rebellion fleet 11. Try to stop them from reinforcing from the planet.

With the Slave Rebellion Fleet 23 focusing their fire on the RIM 21 the UDF RES 6 quickly regrouped. They stopped their boarding efforts and instead moved all capital ships and destroyers to box in a different section of the enemy fleet. Although several boarding parties were lost the morale of the fleet was still very high. The fact that a large section of the enemy fleet died with them was reason enough for the fleet to continue their efforts. Their sacrifices were not in vain!

((Combat, round 3: UDF RES 6, attack Slave Rebellion Fleet 23, Offensive Advantage Action )Boxing in a different section of the enemy fleet with capital ships and destroyers away from the suicides)
Attack: 6 / 6 / 6 - Standard Formation
Defence: 4 / 5 / 5 - Skirmish Formation

• Union Intelligence Report +1/+1/+1 to attack

))

With the UDF RIM 21 fleet taking some fire themselves they quickly regrouped and responded with an attack on the Slave Rebellion fleet 23. The RIM 21 fleet launched all its fighters and performed a concentrated fighter strike on the flank of the enemy fleet. With the suiciding capital ships on one side, the boxed in capital ships on another side and the fighter strike on yet another front the Slave Rebellion Fleet was spread thin.

((Combat, round 3: UDF RIM 21, attack Slave Rebellion Fleet 23, Direct Combat Action, +2 (Concentrated fighter assault overwhelming the enemy fighters)
Attack: 5 / 7 / 9 - Skirmish Formation
Defence: 5 / 5 / 5 - Standard Formation

• Union Intelligence Report +1/+1/+1 to attack
• Offensive Advantage Action +1/+1/+1 to attack (Flanking)

))

The RIM 7 moved up close and personal with the Slave Rebellion 11 fleet. Due to the fact that they were so close to them the risk of hitting the planet was lower. However the enemy capital ships were still in a bad position for the Union fleets. From the center of the RIM 7 fleet a large group of hammerhead cruisers moved in groups of three towards any enemy capital ship in sight. The hammerhead cruisers made a small flanking maneuvre and rammed them in their side. Although it might not be enough to destroy them the hammerheads together managed to displace the capital ships. Pushing them at the same time away from the cities and into the atmosphere. If the Slave Rebellion did not react to this maneuvre it could mean that several Slave Rebellion capital ships would crash on the planet in the outskirts of the cities.

((Combat, round 3: UDF RIM 7, Removing Defensive Advantage: positioned over major cities (Moving up close and personal with the fleet and ramming the capital ships with hammerhead cruisers)
Attack: 6 / 6 / 4 - Barrage Formation
Defence: 4 / 4 / 3 - Barrage Formation

• Union Intelligence Report +1/+1/+1 to attack
• Offensive Advantage Action +1/+1/+1 to attack (Flanking)
• Defensive Advantage Action +1/+1/+1 to defense (Using cover of moon)

))

((OOC: Updated round to 3.))

[Elaris]

Understood General Giambastiani. We will join you.

The Hiocan capital ships position themselves above the planet and focus their fire carefully on the Slave Rebellion fleet 11. All the space doors open and hordes of fighters approach the planet together with the cruisers and smaller vessel. From the outskirts they fly very low towards the occupied capitals cities. While the Union RIM 7 hammerheads are pushing the capital ships away the Hiocans take their chance and jump in holes of the formation. With the fighters and cruisers they try to disturb the coordination of the Slave rebellions ships. Ion pulses are discharged and even grabbing cables are use to wreck the communication antennas/discs to get the shield alignment out of sync.

((Combat, round 1: Veh Halitra fleet, Removing Defensive Advantage: Disrupt coordination of Slave rebellion ships
Attack: 2 / 2 / 0 - Barrage Formation
Defence: 1 / 2 / 2 - Skirmish Formation

• Union Intelligence Report +1/+1/+1 to attack
• First round attack -2/-2/-2 to attack
  )

))

((OOC: How come that the Slave Rebellion is in round 3 and the Union in round 2? I will keep my owns rounds.))

[Alexander Giambastiani]

((OOC: Sorry, forgot to update, It is round 3.))

[Chriz]

((OOC: I guess we could have had a political discussion after all, since another week has passed.))