NationStates Jolt Archive

New York and New Jersey had long since had a research and development facility located out on the fringe of the system underneth the surface of Pluto's moon Charon. The facility was in itself not a secret and it was publically refered to as Nomad Moon Research Facility. The tests carried out on it however were of the upmost secret in nature and delt with everything from researching new medicines and vaccines to the development of the latest missile guidance systems. The base being on a moon with little to offer and little to sustain it required a large shipment of supplies from earth every several months. The shipments including food,water,spare parts, personnel transfers and the latest books and movies from Earth.

The transports were two of the earliest vessels built by the Federal Republic of New York and New Jersey and belonged to the Federal Merchant Marine Navy. The vessels were MacAuther class transports, a type of interstellar transport that when filled to the brim could supply an entire battlegroup with a months worth of supplies. The two transports were a precaution of human error though, not expecting pirates inside of the Sol System itself. If one transport were to break down the other would still be able to continue on its course and arrive on time while the other would just play a catchup game and arrive later on.

However times were changing and even though the Sol system was relatively safe Federal Republic Stellar Naval Command thought otherwise and in turn decided to dispatch a small escort of ships to watch over the two ship convoy. It was a single Kidd class Nuclear Space Destroyer(SDDN) SDDN-4003 Liberty. Capable of more than being able to handle with what Captain Hertez described as a few Pirate Vessels the convoy would take several days to pass between Sol and Charon and would on the way to the fringe meet up with several Stellar Navy vessels. The SCGN-0001 Battlewagon which was awaiting several spare parts near Saturn's moon Europa and the SCVN-2800 John F Kennedy which was waiting for several replacement fighter pilots and was parked with the 3rd Fringe Battlegroup near Charon.

Deep down inside, Captain Hertez wanted a confrontation of any kind with a pirate element. He wanted to try one of the methods of execution listed. And he wanted to test out the brand new weapons systems on the Liberty which had yet to fire its guns in anger.

OOC-
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwDrAhQV5!gjygg*uTfLjI0SrVhIc!JH8doUHawmWxImQLHXZIqDEbGVkc!63YDVwytfwOngtpU7l6RwbMCjC7jODB7ElJtnLR6 qTVk*n5s/ss00031.jpg?dc=4675443252047254620
Specs on the Kidd class SDDNs-
Length: 460 meters
Crew: 510 Navy(500 Enlisted 10 Officers), 144 Marines
Weapons:
4 turreted Dual Rail Guns
2 150mm ACSM Launchers
20 Pulse Laser Cannons(5 on all arcs)
Maximum Acceleration: 4.0Gs
Maximum Velocity: 2.0C
Engines: 4 Helium 3 Fusion Engines,2 Chemical Rockets
Sublight Range: 4.2 Lightyears

150mm (Anti Capital Ship Missile)
Length:10 meters
Warhead: 2,000kg explosive penetration warhead, or 500 shot fragmentation warhead(Anti Fighter Varient)
Maximum Range: 300 miles before motor dies, thruster power available for 20 seconds worth of manuvering before thruster power is exhausted

Two Trasnian pirate vessels drop out of warp several thousand kilometers away from the convoy and move to flank it at a range of 500 km. Thier weapons and shields are offline, they obviously aren't here to fight. At least... not yet.

On the bridge of the SDDN-4003 Liberty two blips lit up the LIDAR officers screen infront of him. "Captain we have two contacts entering the system and moving toward us. Unknown registry, they are not coming at us with weapons hot. We dont know who the hell they are."

"Okay Leiutenant, how far out are they?"

"500 klicks and closing in. One on port, one on starboard."

"XO, what do you make of it?"

"Well they obviously arent a welcoming committiee to the solar system. For that we have credible nations to give us support. Speaking of support, the SCGN-0001 is only 5 hours away if we get to it..2 1/2 if they know of the situation and move to meet us halfway..."

"We probably wont need the Battlewagon just yet. Comm, lets see what they want. Standard query."

The commucation officer nodded and turned on the broadband radio commucations array and began to transmitt into open space."This is the Federal Republic Stellar Navy vessel Liberty to unknown vessels identify yourself and the reason you are on approach with this convoy. Over."

The message was sent in a variety of languages from english, to russian, to even Elven.

The reply comes back in Xanthalian language (a close variant of Japanese). "This is the Trasnian raider Imex. We are here to monitor... business opportunities in the area."

Well, Xanthal, that wasn't subtle at all.

I'll post later when I can think of something...

OOC: No one said it was supposed to be subtle. The Trasnians can actually afford to be direct, for reasons that those who have read their introduction well know.

As the translator converted it back into english the commucations officer looked over toward where Captain Hertez was seated on the bridge."Captain, we've gotten a reply, they're a pair of Raiders sir."

"Privateers Ensign, thats what they are. Tell them to keep a wide berth from the two transports. I dont want them closing to within 200 km of our group. If they do however, inform me.I'm going to be in the breifing room." The Captain stood and left the bridge as the tense bridge crew began to pull on the buckles of their seat harnesses alittle tighter expecting something bad to happen.

"Vessel Imex, your vessel and the other vessel are ordered to maintain a clear 200 kilometers away from our convoy. Repeat, vessel Imex, your ship as well as the ship you entered the system with are ordered to remain 200 kilometers away from the convoy group. Over."

"We do as we please, but for the moment we do not require proximity to your fleet. We will maintain 201 kilometers for now. We advise you to watch your cargo closely, be assured that we are watching it very closely indeed. Imex out."
The two raiders close in to 201 kilometers and follow the convoy, ever watchful for an opportunity to dash in.

The commucation officer snickered abit, and looked over his shoulder to the XO, a young officer by the name of Lance Nolan who just shook his head and walked over toward the LIDAR station." Lieutenant, where are the raiders?"

"They're at 201 km just like they said Commander."

"Weapons officer, have the gun crews move to their stations, ACSM tubes 1 and 2 are to be loaded with EPWs. Captain to the bridge. Comm officer, contact the Corporate Star,and Customer Service, tell them to bring their weapons online, but to not target the pirate vessels just yet."

"Aye, aye Commander. Captain Hertez please report to the bridge."

"Corporate Star, Customer Service, this is the SDDN-4003 Liberty, arm your weapons systems however, do not, repeat,do not target the Privateer vessels. Over.Wait till they close within 199km before seeking a targeting solution. Over."

Captain Hertez moved from out of the briefing room onto the bridge once more as the white lights dimmed down to a dark red color light. Taking a seat at the Captains chair he looked ahead at the computer monitor which displayed the LIDAR readings to him. "What's the SitRep, Nolan?"

"The two Privateers have closed to within 201km of us sir. It appears as if they are waiting for something."

"Okay lets not take any chances. Radioahead to the Battlewagon, tell them to light a fire under their asses and have them meet us halfway. How are the transports holding up?"

"The CS I and CS II are holding formation with us Captain. They report their weapons systems are on standby and the crews are ready to repel any invaders if need be."

"Ritchie, I want two MDs facing port, and the other two facing starboard. Are the guns loaded?"

"Guns and tubes are loaded. I can get a firing solution on either vessel whenever you need it skipper. Gun crews reporting movement of turrets now Captain."

On the outside of the vessel the front two Mass Driver turrets began to turn port while the bottom one and aft one began to turn starboard to face the other thread to the convoy. On the transports armmed with 2 Pulse Laser Cannons each they began to target whichever was closer to them. as they trailed slightly behind the Liberty and to the port and starboard in a wedge like formation.

Two ships of Xanthalian Dreadnaught design come into range, exiting the slipstream 50 kilometers in front of the convoy. Their shields are up and their weapons are hot. They are not broadcasting any ID signals. They hurtle towards the convoy at combat speed, but do not fire.

(dp)

The vessels already at combat alert were only mildly shocked by the two vessels close in apperance. Captain Hertez was no fool. The Battlewagon was still an hour away, and the only other help was the 2nd Battlegroup which was slightly farther away than that. "Get me the 2nd Battlegroup and the Battlewagon on the radio."

"Aye aye Captain." Pressing several buttons the comm officer sent out on closed faster than light transmitters and not the general radio channels."This is the SDDN-4003 Liberty, to SCVN-2806 Lexington, and to SCGN-0001 Battlewagon, we are in need of assistance, we are under attack by several Capital class vessels. They are after the Convoy to Charon. Repeat, they are after the Convoy to Charon."

Onboard the SCVN-2806 Admiral Towne read the incoming message and grimaced abit. His fleet would arrive on the battle and they would be lucky if they could get in a few shots. However, they were a Carrier Battlegroup, and the fighters would arrive a hell of a lot sooner than the rest of the fleet. "Get pilots to their stations, get me on the Fleet Commucations Channel."

"Ready Admiral."

"This is Admiral Towne aboard the flagship, all vessels to battlestations. Launch all available fighter squadrons. The SDDN-4003 Liberty is under attack. All vessels prepare to make way to rondevous with the Liberty."

The SCVN-2006 Lexington and SCVN-2007 Dwight D. Eisenhower comprised the core of the 2nd Fleet, with the SCGN-0002 Hood offering some heavy combat support. On the fringe of the Battlegroup were of course the escorting ships. The SDDN-4000 Kidd, the SDDN-4005 Monroe, the SDDN-4006 Abigail and the SDDN-4010 Ashley.Aboard the two Carriers were a total of 384 SA-43 Hammerheads. A multi-role fighter specifically designed for a wide range of combat roles from space superority fighter to ground attack craft when support marines on the ground. However all 32 squadrons werent ready for combat and they wouldnt be for anywhere between 20-30 minutes.

The launching bay doors openning on the two Carriers a steady stream of SA-43s entered space and once their numbers reached 264 fighters, they began to turn and move toward the direction of where the Liberty had sent the transmission, the total trip would only be half an hour moments that would definately go by quickly if Captain Hertez could manage to hold the line long enough.

Aboard the SCGN-0001 Battlewagon, Commodore Lionsdale had already ordered the movement of his ship sometime ago and they were moving at full speed toward the Liberty and the two Xanthal warships. They would arrive in little more than an hour but it was still uncertain if the battle would still be going on by the time that hour was up.

Specs:
http://web-worthy.com/saab/graphics/3view/hammerfront.jpg
SA-43 Hammerhead
Primary Function : Deployment in combat missions (Combat Space Patrol), interception, Close Air Support (CAS) and Colonial Defense, but can also be adapted for SAR (Search and Rescue).
Manufacturer: Federal Combat Systems Aerospace Division
Length : 11.5 m
Height : 1.7 m
Wingspan : 12.5 m
Propulsion : He3 fuelled SCRAMjet (Supersonic Combustion RAMjet)
Engines : SCRAMjet - enabling the SA-43 to fly from inside an atmosperic envelope to a transorbital fase right into ACM (Air Combat Manoevring, i.e. dogfighting), in the (almost complete) vacuum of space
Armament : 1 x frontal, sub-nose gimbal-mounted electro-magnetic railgun (capable of covering a 50° kill-zone) 1 x dual-barrel aft-mounted railgun, mounted in a turret, capable of auto-target seeking and tracking
Existing hardpoint configuration : 6 x hardpoints, capable of carrying:
- a. Missiles :AIM-135 Spartan Space to Space Missile
- b. Bombs and ACSM

Features: The SA-43 has various modular components, easily replaced in case of malfunction.
The canopies are detachable, enabling the craft not only to dock on board carriers, but also on various types of space stations. The cockpit usually is lifted up to the flightdeck (hence smaller decks are possible). It also doubles as an escape pos in case of midair emergency.
LIDAR : Laser Infrared Detection And Ranging. Long Range, configurable. Can track and engage up to 100 independent targets.
HUD : Heads-Up Display. Mainly used for displaying flight parameters, navigational information and overall combat intelligence.
ODP : Optical Disk Playback. Used for mission data recordings. Can be used lateron for mission evaluation.
Crew: 1
Unit Replacement Cost: 35 million Federal Republic Dollars

The two Xanthalian dreadnaughts blow past the convoy and fire on the two Trasnian pirate vessels. The raiders turn and go to warp, leaving the area. The two Xanthalian dreadnaughts move in close to the convoy and one hails the lead ship. "Hello there! Sorry we didn't come sooner, but we were a bit slow in tracking those Trasnian feinds. How do you do? I hope they didn't attack any of your vessels?"

Captain Hertez stared out of the bridge window on either side looking at the Xanthal warships, looking over toward his XO who had a puzzled look on his face. He moved his left hand up and wabed it up and down infront of his face. "What do you make of it?"

"Umm..sorry sir. I dont know what to make of it. They just came in out of no where...we didnt send them a message, or even a general SOS. Dont know how they could just show up out of no where if it werent a trap. Hell one Destroyer can take on a few Privateers...but it looks like we might be outclassed if we let our guard down."

"Seems like the Academy is teaching you raw recruits what it is supposed to be teaching for once. Good job. But lets play a long. Ritchie keep those weapons online. Comms, open up the general waves to those friendlies"The regular comm channels were turned on the radiowaves were transmitted on an open frequency.

"This is the SDDN-4003 Liberty, Captain Hertez here. We'ed like to thank both your vessels for its assistance in this matter. We'll be under the cover of our own ships soon. So forgive us if we dont slow down to thank you. We have a schedule to keep."

The three vessels continued on their course as the first of the SA-43 Hammerheads from the 2nd Fleet began to arrive and take up escorting positions around the moving convoy.

"No problem, but you won't mind if we tag along? We're independant workers; we make it our business to track and thwart the Trasnians wherever we can. Their 'business' practices are most unsavory. We'd be interested in providing guard for..."
Abruptly, three Xanthalian Dreadnaughts operating under Trasnian registry exit slipstream and bear down on the group.
"Crap. An even match. Can your cargo vessels travel faster than light? If so, I recommend you escape now. The Trasnians have begun sending reinforcements, and it's not wise to fight them in numbers."

"Negative, our transports can only move STL. We'll assist you in holding off the Dreadnaughts. Our ships are only half an hour away. We're already well covered in fighters over." Captain Hertez sighed if it wasnt one thing it was another with this run on Charon. The various fighter squadrons around the Convoy began to slowly peel off and began an intercept course toward one of the Tsariana Dreadnaughts.

The Liberty began to slow down and turn as the two transports kept their heading toward the direction of the 2nd Fleet. All the while the 2nd Fleet was barrelling down upon the convoy, and what was appearing to be the ensuing melee. Already though the SCGN-0001 Battlewagon was arriving on the scene, with her weapons hot and ready for combat.

Specs:
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwDYAg4VrOgjygg*uTfLjEk9tuCbPhzegxpGdS81EIAW1mt9oYSVkW1ZLq6R0KdO30bnmnAicb5dHZEwHzy7rwEAtVWld7gOKNX 4RvpoRuI/ss00033.jpg?dc=4675444486614696909
Battlewagon class Space Guided Missile Cruiser(SCGN)
Length: 2,250 feet
Crew: 1,870 Navy(1,800 Enlisted 70 Officers) 540 Marines
Weapons:
4 Bow Mounted Heavy Beam Weapons
12 300mm ACSM Launchers(144 300mm ACSMs)
40 Corvette Killer Heavy Pulse Laser Cannons(10 cover, overlapping arcs allow for 20 to be converged on port or starboard)
Maximum Velocity: 3.7G
Maximum Acceleration: 1.6C
Engines: 8 Helium 3 Fusion Engines, 2 Chemical Rockets
Endurance: 1 year fully stocked with provisions
Onboard Craft:
24 SA-43 Endo/Exo MultiRole Fighters


300mm Anti Capital Ship Missile(ASCM)
Length: 16 meters
Explosive: 5,000kg armor penetrating warhead
Role: Capital Ship Killer
Range: 150 kilometer range, 20 seconds of thrust manuvering capability.
Unlike the 150mm Guidance is internal and does not need to be tided in with the firing ships guidance system.

AIM-135 Spartan Space to Space Missile
Length: 2 meters
Explosive: 100kg explosive burst warhead
Role: Anti-Fighter
Range: 50 kilometer range with 20 seconds of thrust manuvering
Internal Guidance

Bump for Boredom and the following:
Questions
Comments
Suggestions(Keep in mind this is one of my first space RPs that has taken off anywhere past mere threats so these and others would be helpful)

Bump for Boredom and the following:
Questions
Comments
Suggestions(Keep in mind this is one of my first space RPs that has taken off anywhere past mere threats so these and others would be helpful)

Seems good...although you might want to go deeper into your characters...give some subtil background info...thier thoughs...thier views on things...

The Albion Class Assault Carrier, the Dominion is cruising through space outside of the Sol System, scientific analysis when it receives the emergency transmissions of the New York and Jersey convoy...

http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/0083/pegasus.jpg

Captain, emergency transmission from a NY&J convoy... They are being attacked by raiders...

Respond to their SOS, immediately...

The Dominion moved into hyperspace, bound for Charon...

ETA to destination: 30 minutes

OOC:

NY&J: Are you from the Tri-state area?

OOC: Too bad this won't last long enough to allow for your fleets to arrive... One question to ensure accurate RPing on my part: What is the status of energy and/or physical shielding on your transports?

OOC:Yea, I'm from NYC.

IC:
Captain Hertez smirked slightly to himself, the arrival of one of the largest warships in NYNJ's Stellar Navy, not to mention the most advanced was a sight to behold. Never in his 42 years of military service did he see such a welcomed sight. Commodore Nilea Stome was a seasoned officer and one of the prime candidates to be assigned the role of Cruiser skipper. She had seen naval combat in every ocean on Earth and had commanded from an OH Perry all the way up to the Republic class Guided Missile Battleship"Republic" before the vessel was lost in combat durning the war with United Indiastan.

Now with a brand new command she was determined not to lose another ship. This made her rather cautious, and while Captain Hertez the gung-ho veteren that he was fustrated Commodore Stome felt that there were better ways to deal with the situation at hand.

"Commucations, get me a direct feed to the Liberty."

Captain Hertez blinked as he listened to the orders pour in from the SCGN-0001 Battlewagon. Turning once more in the silence of space the Kidd class SDDN began to move again once more in formation just behind the two transports. The SA-43 fighters which were deployed as escort remained on escort of the group of vessels. This made the CAG officer on the SCVN-2806 rather annoyed that his fighters kept getting orders to attack but those orders were superceded within moments of shooting. Admiral Towne wasnt a seasoned veteren, nor experianced commander, he was a bookworm. A kind of officer that achieved his rank because he knew what people to impress when, and where. Of course his thinking abilities were better than those of the other two Admirals in the FRSN, they were just unsuited at the moment for warfare. And while the SA-43s which were being fueled could have had their AIM-135 Spatarns changed to 50mm ACSMs they werent. They would go out with space superority missiles. Not anti capitalship missiles.

Commodore Stome wouldnt make such a mistake though. Her two squadrons were armmed with the lightweight 50mm ACSM nicknamed Mosquito. Captain Hertez watched as the raider vessels began to get closer to the fleet and as ordered reached forward onto the commucation officers board and pressed the general radio button. "This is the SDDN-4003 Liberty of the Federal Republic Stellar Navy to any allied vessels in the area, we are under attack, repeat we are under attack by multiple vessels. Please send assistance. Repeat, please send assistance."



Specs:
http://web-worthy.com/saab/graphics/cgi/net-macarthur.jpg
MacAuthur class Transport
Crew: 67(61 enlisted 6 officers),12 Marines
Energy Shielding-None
Regular Shielding-Standard Armored Plating consisting of Titanium and Steel
Speed-Comparable to that of a Kidd SDDN
Cargo haulers are capable of carrying 450 metric tons of cargo each

The Dominion came out of hyperspace near the Stellar vessels. Immediately it powered up its weapons and shields and moved to intercept the raiders.

The two unmarked dreadnaughts, taking advantage of the distraction, initiate transport and glean a little less than half the technoloy and supplies aboard both transports. They then reactivate their beacons, which identify them as Trasnian vessels. "So gullible." Says the captain of the lead ship. "Slipstream, before they shoot at us." The two dreadnaughts escape at slipstream velocity as the three other Trasnian dreadnaughts cover their getaway by laying down heavy fire on the NYJ and FCN vessels.

The Dominion's shields easily absorb the damage. It launches a pair of Fox Class Corvettes to chase the unmarked dreadnaughts. The Dominion remains behind to make sure the NY&J transports are safe.

The three remaining dreadnaughts maneuver and leave at slipstream as well. The Trasnians are now completely out of the area.

OOC: They'll all be heading back to Talmaraan V. You can catch them up there.

Captain Hertez slammed his fist down on the console infront of him. The two other Dreadnaughts hadnt fooled him a single bit and he partly expected it to happen. Of course he wasnt going to fire on vessels with IFFs that marked them as neutral. However, he would be making sure to file a full report to command about the make up of the vessels. Including as many details as they could have gleened off with passive scans of the LIDAR. The Kidd class Destroyer rocked lightly under the fire from the Tsarianian Dreadnaughts and began evasive manuvers to dodge the other shots.

"Comm, get me the Battlewagon."

Commodore Stome was in a smiliarly angry mood as the Battlewagon let out several blasts for its Heavy Pulse Lasers before the Dreadnaughts could escape to hyperspace. Of course they wouldnt really get much from the supply run. Movies and food. Any technology from the research base would have been sent back with the transports not on them. Spare parts for the Battlewagon included extra armor plating and extra fuel while the JFK was to recieve esstenially the same cargo.

"Commodore, Captain Hertez is on the secure line."
"What does he want now?Put him through..."

"Commodore Stome, the transports are reporting they're carrying a lighter load. The pirate vessels have left the system and the transports are reporting that they have a lighter load but still can make it to Charon."
"Understood Captain Hertez, we'll join your escort. Undoubtly Admiral Towne will want the 2nd fleet to cover the remaining Cargo as well. If not cover the transports return trip as well."

The 2nd Fleet slowly began to arrive on scene with the first few Kidd class Destroyers moving into formation and then the arrival of the SCVN-2806 Lexington and SCVN-2807 Eisenhower, Admiral Towne's flagship. It had been several hours since the pirates had left and Admiral Towne was only now recieving reports of the incident from Captain Hertez and Commodore Stome. Staring at the reports in the war planning room he recieved another set of reports.

"What? Another ship? Ugh...tell Commodore Stome to deal with the other vessel. Get me a secure channel to Earth on the double. They'll want to read this report."

Commodore Stome fumed abit and mumbled under her breath a few words about Admiral Towne, after the events that occured none of the line commanders wanted to deal with another vessel outside of the FRSN. Speaking on the general radio waves Commodore Stome seemed none to pleased.

"This is the SCGN-0001 Battlewagon, under the command of Commodore Stome, to unknown vessel. We thank you for your assistance. We'ed slow down to chat, but we have to make sure those transports arrive safetly. If you find whereever those pirates came from, please tell us. We'ed like to repay them in full.Stome out."

Cutting off the comm channel before any response could be recieved the fleet kept on moving silently forward.

The Dominion sends a long-range encoded transmission to the New York and Jersey ships.

This is Captain, Armad Delaz, of the Five Civilized Nations Albion Class Assault Carrier, the Dominion... We currently have two corvettes chasing the pirates. If we receive the location of their base I will inform you. Over and out...

After sending the message, the Dominion deployed its long-range sensors to locate the location of its corvettes.

OOC: Until you guys interact with one of my ships again I can't RP anything...

OOC: Sorry...

IC: The lead Fox Class Corvette, the Sting was only ten minutes behind the fleeing dreadnaughts. Chasing the dreadnaughts to its homebase...

Passing pluto was the LRRSMV Zeus, a medium-sized freighter. The name Zeus was given to it by a very sadistic ship designer. The ship appears gutted from afar. Only up close can you catch sight of the worn and rusty slabs of steel, titanium, and countless other metals that keep the hull intact. The drives nozzle is the same as one would find on an omni class frigate, mostly because it was taken from a wreck. EVA suits had to be worn at all times, and there was only a kitchen-sized room where one could be crtain there were no leaks. And that was only because the crew had taken countless EVAs to tape over the leaking areas. The hyperspace drive was in extremely poor condition, and was held in place by a magnetic bottle crafted from old fusion reactor parts. And the hyperdrive was failing. Badly. In their hyperspace jump from Cygnus 3, the drive was suffering massive power failures, probably caused by shotty wiring. Finally the drive gave way. the H-space drive simply blew out, cutting the Zeus in half but doing little damage to either side. It drops out of hyperspace, its cargo of silicon disks venting out of the foreward half. Before long, a crewman with a thruster pack can be seen outside attempting to force the discs back inside. After most were back in, he takes a roll of duct tape and tapes over the huge hole.

"Have you got them back in, steve?"
"I got most of 'em. I keep tellin' ya this here ship needs to be put out 'ter pasture."
"Quit your jabbering and get back inside! I need help with this solar sail!"
"I also told ya we should've been buyin' backup fusion plants, not insane solar sails! Now what d'yer expect to do with that ther' sail?"
"Well.....er.......I want to......"
"You want to stand outside and hold the sail into the solar winds? I don't tinks so."
"Well, what do you propose to do then?"
"Y' still got that radio we won in Damogran?"
"Yep. I'll see if it still works. This is the Lunatic Retard Robots Space Merchant Vessel Zeus. We require rescue. We carry a cargo of 3,000 tons of silicon discs. We are approximately, oh.......
*Approximates with his thumb*
"......call it 200 kilometers above charon. Do you copy?"


http://www.traipse.com/more_ships/ship4.jpg

The Zeus in its prime.

They keep running until they reach Talmaraan V. They then enter the atmosphere and land in the pirate settlement.

This is the Lunatic Retard Robots Space Merchant Vessel Zeus. We require rescue. We carry a cargo of 3,000 tons of silicon discs. We are approximately, oh.......
*Approximates with his thumb*
"......call it 200 kilometers above charon. Do you copy?

"Charon Node to Zeus, copy that. Well send out a tow craft ASAP."

From a small iris in the machine-covered surface of Charon rose a 3-meter Shadowcraft, on its way to intercept the Zeus.

One of the corvettes peel off from the chase after it received the SOS call from the Zeus. The other corvette, the Sting followed the space pirates to Talmaraan V. Wary, as the corvette wasn't heavily armed, the captain of the Sting transmitted a message to the Dominion, informing the mothership, the location of the pirate base.

The Talmaraan system is a bustle of activity. On Talmaraan VIII a large Xanthalian colony is operating with millions of inhabitants. Talmaraan V has one large central city and many tiny peripheral towns, all belonging to the Trasnian pirates. Dozens of Trasnian ships orbit the planet as their unsavory business is conducted below. Twenty Xanthalian fleet ships sit in space as a standing blockade. They try to keep as many Trasnians from leaving the system as possible without firing on them but it is a futile excercise, as demonstrated by the ships constantly going around them. A Trasnian ship leaves orbit and moves to intercept the FCN corvette. A Xanthalian slipfighter group peels off of the blockade and flanks the pirate ship, guarding against trouble. The Trasnian ship, an old armed freighter of generic design, stops 50 kilometers from the FCN corvette and contacts it.
"This is the Trasnian freighter Pillager. Hello foreigners, how can the pirates of Trasnia serve you today?"

OOC: Use 5CN instead of FCN, cause that stands for Freedom Country Navy...

IC:

The Sting after being hailed, turns 180 degrees to port and goes into hyperspace, away from Tamaraan V...

OOC: Does really matter?

IC: After the corvette leaves, the freighter returns to orbit and the slipfighters return to their blockade.

This is the Lunatic Retard Robots Space Merchant Vessel Zeus. We require rescue. We carry a cargo of 3,000 tons of silicon discs. We are approximately, oh.......
*Approximates with his thumb*
"......call it 200 kilometers above charon. Do you copy?

"Charon Node to Zeus, copy that. Well send out a tow craft ASAP."

From a small iris in the machine-covered surface of Charon rose a 3-meter Shadowcraft, on its way to intercept the Zeus.

"Hey, did y'e buy a reciever?"
"Wot's that?"
"You dolt."

OOC: Waiting for someone to interact with me...

Recieving no response to it's hail, the Shadowcraft decided on a more direct method- upon reaching the Zeus, it began banging on the hull in morse code.

Sitting in the primary communication and sensor hub aboard Gammack Base, Captain Locke was somewhat suprised to see the Trasnian vessels open p onteh NYNJ convoy. It was relativly late, and Locke was the watch officer on the graveyard shift, but when you're encased in fifteen billion tons of steel and titanium, not to mention suspended above Jupiter, time seems to lose a lot of meaning. Surrounding the Base was the usual guard of six Omega destroyers and ten Hyperion heavy cruisers, while four more Omega's were docked and undergoing their two-year refits. Two moer Omega's were docked alongside, their refits complete, but their crews enjoying a bit of leave. The rest of the Sol system fleet was scattered here and there, some at the Ross bases over Earth and Mars, others at the Ophelia waystation over Uranus, the rest patrolling in between.

However, this little skirmish troubled Locke. These Trasnians had been spotted a few times before, and it neevr ended well. He passed the word up the chain, and it wasn't long before Command sent the six destroyers out to escort the convony at least back to Gammack. Relations with NYNJ had been sporadic at best since the war some two hundred years past, so Command felt like extending the olive branch, for once.

The force set out under Flag-Captain Neil, and hoped that there would be a convoy left for them to escort once they met them...

United Indiastan: OOC: You don't have anything to worry about. The Trasnians aren't stupid; they won't strike in the same place twice in a row. The Trasnian are concerned with profit and survival, but few will go for the former over the latter.

Recieving no response to it's hail, the Shadowcraft decided on a more direct method- upon reaching the Zeus, it began banging on the hull in morse code.

"Hey, is that a ship o'er there?" (The crewmen are outside the hull. There are only two crew, and four manic depressant robots.)
"Looks like it might be one."

The two crewmen wave wildly, and they feel the ship shake as the shadowcraft's tapping causes one of the more rusted steel strips to buckle.

"Hey, is that a ship o'er there?" (The crewmen are outside the hull. There are only two crew, and four manic depressant robots.)
"Looks like it might be one."

The two crewmen wave wildly, and they feel the ship shake as the shadowcraft's tapping causes one of the more rusted steel strips to buckle.

Noticing the crewmen, the biomechanical Shadowcraft floated over, and regarded them with a single large red compound eye. Stretching out its front two tentacles, it grabbed hold of the men and attempted to pull them away.

The two crewmen squirm and struggle for a few seconds, but then realize that they should accept imprisonment on an unknown ship rather than be stuck in space with an ancient radio and no reciever.

It would be far more comfortable at Pluto... but that was much farther away. The Shadowcraft filed away the LRR ship in its brain as scrap metal, and descended once more towards Charon. Some twenty minutes after being plucked from their ship, the two crewmen found themselves falling towards a large iris opening several meters below them. The Shadowcraft passed through just as the iris fully opened, taking the crewmen with it. After a moment of total darkness, the room was flooded with white light, and began to repressurize.