NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This action was authorized by Kyanges.

IC:

Somewhere in the New Territories-

Captain Anton Siward, leader of the Redfist Band, stood tall and fierce, East German Helmet on head, tattered old tigerstripe uniform on body, and cigar in mouth, and red sash around waist and katana on hilt. He smiled, examining the bridge of his ship, the Proud Mary. It was a military surplus warship, an old Mao Zedong I, modified with black market railguns and lascannons, hacked and modded battle computers, and a certain cyperpunk flair to it.

He looked at the Catgirl manning the comms on the bridge. Like the rest of the Redfists, she had a red item of clothing (in this case, a bandanna), an OD Green tanktop with a pic of Che Guevara on it, and a black wristwatch, made by People's Chrono. She had a tattoo on her arm, a barbed wire wrapped around a heart with the word "Elena" on it. Elena was her name, but that was not important now.

Siward said, "Hey, Elena!"

Elena turned from her job, and said, brousquely, "Qué?! Jesus, what do you want now?"

Siward then said, "Are the scouts back yet?"

Elena said, "No. The scouts ain't returned. They won't be back for several hours."

She turned around, and sighed, saying, "Now stop messing with me, or I'll give you an exclusive appointment with the Virgin herself."

Siward then sighed. Where were those scouts he sent to the Eshirian Border? He had sent some stolen Gagarin shuttles, to scout things out-he thought they'd do their job already. They said it would only take 48 hours.

And it was way past 48 hours.

Siward then got a comms message. He picked up the Gertrude, a feature on most pirate ships, like CB was to the Bandit, he used it to communicate with the others via jerry rigged pirated frequencies of all kinds, be they subspace, quantum, Standard Energy, etc. They had video screens, but many pirates liked the Gertrude, it just seemed.....cool.

He picked it up, pressed the button, and said, "This is Big Daddy," using his callsign. "Who is this, over?"

"This is Noodle Boy," a voice replied. "The boys are restless. When do we make the run, over?"

Siward replied, "Noodle Boy, Big Daddy's got everything covered. We're just sweeping for L'migre, over. Don't want them to call Smokey and the Dixie Boys, mess things up, over."

The voice replied, "You get six more hours, then we leave. We ain't sittin' here forever, over," and hung up.

To those not trained in Neo-CB Speak, Siward had tried to explain to one of the other pirate leaders that the scouting mission was ensuring the Eshirian Border was not heavily defended, so as to not invite disaster by the arrival of reinforcements.

Still, Siward was not happy to hear this. Pirate gangs rarely banded together, out of greed, and out of the fear that the sheer presence of their movements would attract the ever-present Internal Security patrols and Military forces. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to earn some cash; he had worked hard, milked his connections to assemble a large scale fleet of pirates from all over the New Territories to attack the Eshirian Soverignity. He remembered using the clause, "They haven't fought a real war, they don't drink, they'll be easy."

Now, the chance would vaporize.

Then....the Gertrude buzzed. Siward picked it up, and said, "This is Big Daddy, report in, over."

The reply was, "This is Snakehead, we checked out the border, man. That border is about as pourous as my momma's cheesecloth and my daddy's flyswatter, combined. There's gaps all over, where only a lascannon stands between us and the Big Bazhooley. It's like they want us to rob them, over."

Siward replied, "Sweet. Come back in, over."

"Snakehead" then said, "Roger."

Hanging up, Siward then pulled the Gertrude out, and did a party call-a crude form of conferencing.

He then said, "Attention, minasan. Minasan. St. Crispin Calls, repeat, St. Crispin calls, we're gonna be rich tonight!"

A sound of whooping and cheering could be heard. Orders of all kinds to power the ships up could be heard too. Siward then hung up.

He then said, "Elena, power up weapons. Mickey (the helmsman), set a course for the Eshirian Soverignity. If this is successful, everyone gets whisky and some company!"

A loud cheer emerged....and they were on their way. A makeshift fleet of thousands of ships, old Mao Zedongs, jerry rigged transports, stolen cruise ships armed to the teeth, and such, were now on their way, to make a mess.

(ooc is this open?)

(ooc is this open?)

OOC: Not sure. By the phone convo I had with Kyanges (who is my RL best friend), I assume it is pretty much between him and me. But, he may say otherwise.

(ooc is this open?)

(OOC: Yeah, like ND says, I didn't plan on having anyone else joining in. This was kind of a preplanned thing where I plot the fall of my nation. Failing to corral a few pirates is a sure sign that something's not right with the Sovereignty. So for now, it's closed. Thanks for asking first! :) .)

IC:

Along the edges of the Eshirian Frontier, and old and decrepit lascannon mount held point on a position not checked on in over a few hundred years. The turret was in horrid condition, its surface pockmarked with thousands of debris impacts, and a large gaping whole dominated its ancient exterior.

Its sensors were years out of their repair cycle, and only a few SpTi Fluid gauges functioned at all. Making the turret little more than an ancient speed bump for even a passing comet, let alone a concerted attack. The turret hung only a few lightyears from a border system with a population of only a few hundred. It was truly a forgotten corner in space.

The turret's computer still scanned diligently for any anomalies. Fortunately, this computer was made well before the advent of "Everywhere" intelligent AI, or else the computer might simply have given up centuries ago as strange as that may sound.

Suddenly, activity filled it's sensors, then just as sudden, they were gone. The Lascannon's sensors had just fried, and the turret was now blind. It began to fire a few rounds as a deterrent...

(OOC: Yeah, like ND says, I didn't plan on having anyone else joining in. This was kind of a preplanned thing where I plot the fall of my nation. Failing to corral a few pirates is a sure sign that something's not right with the Sovereignty. So for now, it's closed. Thanks for asking first! :) .)

IC:

Along the edges of the Eshirian Frontier, and old and decrepit lascannon mount held point on a position not checked on in over a few hundred years. The turret was in horrid condition, its surface pockmarked with thousands of debris impacts, and a large gaping whole dominated its ancient exterior.

Its sensors were years out of their repair cycle, and only a few SpTi Fluid gauges functioned at all. Making the turret little more than an ancient speed bump for even a passing comet, let alone a concerted attack. The turret hung only a few lightyears from a border system with a population of only a few hundred. It was truly a forgotten corner in space.

The turret's computer still scanned diligently for any anomalies. Fortunately, this computer was made well before the advent of "Everywhere" intelligent AI, or else the computer might simply have given up centuries ago as strange as that may sound.

Suddenly, activity filled it's sensors, then just as sudden, they were gone. The Lascannon's sensors had just fried, and the turret was now blind. It began to fire a few rounds as a deterrent...

To the huge Pirate Fleet moving in, the few shots fired were a joke. A few ships began firing wildly at the cannon, throwing a wall of lascannon shots, railgun slugs, and the odd torpedo. The fleet organized into a loose formation of sorts, Siward on the Gertrude yelling, "There's nothin'! Keep moving!"

Essentially, the action was one huge bumrush. They moved through the area covered by the turret, loud rock music blaring, hooting about.....

Eventually, many were entering Eshirian Space. Sovereign space that was now at their mercy.

To the huge Pirate Fleet moving in, the few shots fired were a joke. A few ships began firing wildly at the cannon, throwing a wall of lascannon shots, railgun slugs, and the odd torpedo. The fleet organized into a loose formation of sorts, Siward on the Gertrude yelling, "There's nothin'! Keep moving!"

Essentially, the action was one huge bumrush. They moved through the area covered by the turret, loud rock music blaring, hooting about.....

Eventually, many were entering Eshirian Space. Sovereign space that was now at their mercy.

The turret exploded in a glorious fireball, raining debris in all directions. It's last combat action was too fire off a message declaring that it was under attack. The message wouldn't get very far however, as the turret's form of communication was the most prevalent form of communication at the time of its design: Radio...

Fortunately, there were some Eshirian forces in the area, consisting of a puny three Ultra-light fighter carriers. More modern sensors picked up the explosion and the three craft were alerted. Normally, each UL would carry at least 6 fighters. However, in this abandoned corner of the Frontier, the total came to a stunning...3. Nevertheless, the vessels plotted in a course, and initiated their jump. Aboard the lead UL, Commander Ri'ental sat, his leg twitching nervously... "Uh, engage..."

The three carriers disappeared in a flash, appearing instantly a few light-years away to carry out what their diligent training had taught them. All green recruits shook lightly in nervousness. A readout displayed a .021 realignment in the vibration stabilizers...

The turret exploded in a glorious fireball, raining debris in all directions. It's last combat action was too fire off a message declaring that it was under attack. The message wouldn't get very far however, as the turret's form of communication was the most prevalent form of communication at the time of its design: Radio...

Fortunately, there were some Eshirian forces in the area, consisting of a puny three Ultra-light fighter carriers. More modern sensors picked up the explosion and the three craft were alerted. Normally, each UL would carry at least 6 fighters. However, in this abandoned corner of the Frontier, the total came to a stunning...3. Nevertheless, the vessels plotted in a course, and initiated their jump. Aboard the lead UL, Commander Ri'ental sat, his leg twitching nervously... "Uh, engage..."

The three carriers disappeared in a flash, appearing instantly a few light-years away to carry out what their diligent training had taught them. All green recruits shook lightly in nervousness. A readout displayed a .021 realignment in the vibration stabilizers...

Siward, strutting about the bridge like a man possessed, got new transmissions on the Gertrude. It was from his left flank, held by Maria Salvador de Rinha-chibi of the Forty Thieves pirate group. She was screaming: "Big Daddy! Smokey's found us!"

Siward siezed the Gertrude's talk button, and pushed it, saying, "Then give Smokey hell. How many of 'em, Hot Tamale?"

Maria said, "There are three ships, man. Could be more. Better shut 'em up, or Smokey will bring more friends, over." They didn't know this was all the Eshirians had in the area, but they didn't gather much intel....

Siward then said, "Then deploy steamers and shot, over. Get some fighters, too, over."

Maria then said, "Roger. Over and out."

-------------------

Maria then turned to her crew, and said, "Orale! Turn this ship and the Santa Esmeralda 50 degrees starboard, get us closer. Fire a broadside at our new guests, railshot and steamer! Get those fighters out there!"

The crew began doing as told. The ships designated turned, and began moving closer to the Ultralights. Then, they turned, and fired the appointed broadside, a literal Age of Sail style broadside of railgun shot, though slightly better aimed. Then, torpedoes and 25 fighters, both illegally modded civil craft and stolen Marineskos, began making attack runs, deployed from the ship.

Meanwhile, more ships under Maria's command began moving closer to assist, and fired as well....

Siward, strutting about the bridge like a man possessed, got new transmissions on the Gertrude. It was from his left flank, held by Maria Salvador de Rinha-chibi of the Forty Thieves pirate group. She was screaming: "Big Daddy! Smokey's found us!"

Siward siezed the Gertrude's talk button, and pushed it, saying, "Then give Smokey hell. How many of 'em, Hot Tamale?"

Maria said, "There are three ships, man. Could be more. Better shut 'em up, or Smokey will bring more friends, over." They didn't know this was all the Eshirians had in the area, but they didn't gather much intel....

Siward then said, "Then deploy steamers and shot, over. Get some fighters, too, over."

Maria then said, "Roger. Over and out."

-------------------

Maria then turned to her crew, and said, "Orale! Turn this ship and the Santa Esmeralda 50 degrees starboard, get us closer. Fire a broadside at our new guests, railshot and steamer! Get those fighters out there!"

The crew began doing as told. The ships designated turned, and began moving closer to the Ultralights. Then, they turned, and fired the appointed broadside, a literal Age of Sail style broadside of railgun shot, though slightly better aimed. Then, torpedoes and 25 fighters, both illegally modded civil craft and stolen Marineskos, began making attack runs, deployed from the ship.

Meanwhile, more ships under Maria's command began moving closer to assist, and fired as well....

"Aww, CRAP!"

Commander Ri'ental practically soiled his pants at the sight of the oncomming barrage, and nearly jumped out of his chair as he screaming, "Ge-, ge- ,GET THOSE FIGHTERS OUT THERE!"

In rapid succession, each of the fighters were blasted off of the hull, and sent flying towards the enemy vessels. Onboard auto-pilot systems were immediately overridden by the few pilots that actually had a few years of combat experience, and the fighters sped off to their respective targets.

The pilot of the first fighters to engage was calm and clear as he announced his progress. The confidence in his voice was an obvious sign of the extremely thorough training he had received, as well as his experience in true battle. If only the other commanders were the same way... "T-One, locked on... 'Thumpers' away!"

Each of the three fighters fired two anti-ship torpedoes towards the nearest vessel. Rep-tubes instantly reloaded the torpedo tubes while the fighters quickly broke formation and backed off, letting the Ultra-Light's Lasher cannons fire upon the enemy fleet, targeting the enemy's main cannons with dead-on accuracy. While they fired, the UL's slowly manuvered farther and farther back. Eshirian Technology just might win the day, or so Ri'ental hoped.

The UL's tiny size made maneuvering out of the way an easy task, nevertheless, the sheer size of the scale of the onslaught made complete evasion impossible. Each of the three vessels were hit followed closely by a furious thundering heard inside the ships. the ReGen PPAD shielding did it's job, as most of the torpedoes impacted the Corrollium "pads", rather than the UL's themselves. "D" PDG's tried to lock on the the oncoming torpedoes and fighters, each firing all of the 48 "Sprite" missiles they were equipped with along with a hail of MP fire from their twin cannons making for a literal cloud of oncoming fire. The three fighters spun around from their break-off and began to engage the enemy fighters.

Meanwhile the UL's AI dispatched an emergency PsiCommu QE alert was sent throughout the system...

"Aww, CRAP!"

Commander Ri'ental practically soiled his pants at the sight of the oncomming barrage, and nearly jumped out of his chair as he screaming, "Ge-, ge- ,GET THOSE FIGHTERS OUT THERE!"

In rapid succession, each of the fighters were blasted off of the hull, and sent flying towards the enemy vessels. Onboard auto-pilot systems were immediately overridden by the few pilots that actually had a few years of combat experience, and the fighters sped off to their respective targets.

The pilot of the first fighters to engage was calm and clear as he announced his progress. The confidence in his voice was an obvious sign of the extremely thorough training he had received, as well as his experience in true battle. If only the other commanders were the same way... "T-One, locked on... 'Thumpers' away!"

Each of the three fighters fired two anti-ship torpedoes towards the nearest vessel. Rep-tubes instantly reloaded the torpedo tubes while the fighters quickly broke formation and backed off, letting the Ultra-Light's Lasher cannons fire upon the enemy fleet, targeting the enemy's main cannons with dead-on accuracy. While they fired, the UL's slowly manuvered farther and farther back. Eshirian Technology just might win the day, or so Ri'ental hoped.

The UL's tiny size made maneuvering out of the way an easy task, nevertheless, the sheer size of the scale of the onslaught made complete evasion impossible. Each of the three vessels were hit followed closely by a furious thundering heard inside the ships. the ReGen PPAD shielding did it's job, as most of the torpedoes impacted the Corrollium "pads", rather than the UL's themselves. "D" PDG's tried to lock on the the oncoming torpedoes and fighters, each firing all of the 48 "Sprite" missiles they were equipped with along with a hail of MP fire from their twin cannons making for a literal cloud of oncoming fire. The three fighters spun around from their break-off and began to engage the enemy fighters.

Meanwhile the UL's AI dispatched an emergency PsiCommu QE alert was sent throughout the system...

The pirate fighters began diving and weaving to try and avoid the Sprites, but some of the slower ones, about 6, mostly the converted civil craft, were reduced to particulate matter, pilot and all. Meanwhile, the survivors, swamped by the wave of MP fire, were damaged moderately, but gunned for the three Eshirian craft, firing torpedoes and railgun shot at them.

Meanwhile, the torpedoes, at least those made from old oil drums and rocket motors and other older types converted from terrestrial models, were downed by the fire. But a few survived, and continued on......

And, as all this occured, Maria's ship, the Space Jockey was hit with the two antiship torpedoes, sending the ship rumbling as the crude shields and superstructure buckled, causing sparks and people to fly about inside. The enemy had by then, sufficently weakened the shields to disable six of the guns on the Jockey, and the Esmeralda was hit was well, with two guns offline.

Maria, getting up and slightly bloody, howled on the Gertrude she grabbed with ferocity, "Bail me out! Help me, Goddamnit!"

The other ships began to move in to aid Maria, including Siward's Proud Mary, steamed forward, and tried to envelop the Ultralights, moving to try and overtake them on the sides and to a lesser extent, on the top, deploying waves of pirate fighters and firing railgun shot and torpedo, as well as modified cluster mines dubbed "Skyflowers" that were rigged to rocket motors and exploded when they got close. They moved as fast as they could.

Siward opened a line to the Eshirians, saying on the Gertrude, "Listen, bitches. Your sit is pretty nigh hopeless. You've got men who ain't afraid of yer pretty machines on all sides of ya. Just power down, you may yet live. Now, the music."

He then piped through the Gertrude, loud music, his trademark. In this case, Black Sabbath's "Symptom of the Universe...."

The pirate fighters began diving and weaving to try and avoid the Sprites, but some of the slower ones, about 6, mostly the converted civil craft, were reduced to particulate matter, pilot and all. Meanwhile, the survivors, swamped by the wave of MP fire, were damaged moderately, but gunned for the three Eshirian craft, firing torpedoes and railgun shot at them.

Meanwhile, the torpedoes, at least those made from old oil drums and rocket motors and other older types converted from terrestrial models, were downed by the fire. But a few survived, and continued on......

And, as all this occured, Maria's ship, the Space Jockey was hit with the two antiship torpedoes, sending the ship rumbling as the crude shields and superstructure buckled, causing sparks and people to fly about inside. The enemy had by then, sufficently weakened the shields to disable six of the guns on the Jockey, and the Esmeralda was hit was well, with two guns offline.

Maria, getting up and slightly bloody, howled on the Gertrude she grabbed with ferocity, "Bail me out! Help me, Goddamnit!"

The other ships began to move in to aid Maria, including Siward's Proud Mary, steamed forward, and tried to envelop the Ultralights, moving to try and overtake them on the sides and to a lesser extent, on the top, deploying waves of pirate fighters and firing railgun shot and torpedo, as well as modified cluster mines dubbed "Skyflowers" that were rigged to rocket motors and exploded when they got close. They moved as fast as they could.

Siward opened a line to the Eshirians, saying on the Gertrude, "Listen, bitches. Your sit is pretty nigh hopeless. You've got men who ain't afraid of yer pretty machines on all sides of ya. Just power down, you may yet live. Now, the music."

He then piped through the Gertrude, loud music, his trademark. In this case, Black Sabbath's "Symptom of the Universe...."

In quick succession, each of the fighters made a point to point jump back to the capital ships themselves, once again firing their anti-ship torpedoes, this time a point blank range, and effectively ignoring and swiftly evading the attack of the the enemy fighters in one graceful maneuver. (The point to point jump.) After firing, they quickly disappeared, jumping back to the three ULs now slowly being surrounded.

Once again, the smooth actions of the fighters highlighted a severe disparity between ship crew training and fighter pilot school. As the fighters easily evaded nearly everything that was thrown at them, the ULs fared markedly less impressively. Ri'ental sat dumbstruck by the message that had just been patched through the translators. "What's a 'bitch'? he asked his first officer. He merely shrugged, and replied, "Something bad I guess?" Ri'ental only stared at him for a few seconds, and suddenly snapped back to the battle, as the ships klaxon sounded again. The ship's AI recognized that there was a problem. The enemy ships were beginning to near too close for comfort, and had automatically moved the ships away from the encroaching enemy fleet, choosing to go up as an escape.

He chose not to make a reply, and instead let his guns do his talking for him. Quite possibly the first...and last, competent military decision of his career. The UL's continued to target enemy cannons, while Ri'ental prayed to the Gods for reinforcements...

In quick succession, each of the fighters made a point to point jump back to the capital ships themselves, once again firing their anti-ship torpedoes, this time a point blank range, and effectively ignoring and swiftly evading the attack of the the enemy fighters in one graceful maneuver. (The point to point jump.) After firing, they quickly disappeared, jumping back to the three ULs now slowly being surrounded.

Once again, the smooth actions of the fighters highlighted a severe disparity between ship crew training and fighter pilot school. As the fighters easily evaded nearly everything that was thrown at them, the ULs fared markedly less impressively. Ri'ental sat dumbstruck by the message that had just been patched through the translators. "What's a 'bitch'? he asked his first officer. He merely shrugged, and replied, "Something bad I guess?" Ri'ental only stared at him for a few seconds, and suddenly snapped back to the battle, as the ships klaxon sounded again. The ship's AI recognized that there was a problem. The enemy ships were beginning to near too close for comfort, and had automatically moved the ships away from the encroaching enemy fleet, choosing to go up as an escape.

He chose not to make a reply, and instead let his guns do his talking for him. Quite possibly the first...and last, competent military decision of his career. The UL's continued to target enemy cannons, while Ri'ental prayed to the Gods for reinforcements...

Siward was amazed the Eshirians were still willing to fight. After all, they were surrounded by angry pirates, all of whom would most likely enslave them or do all kinds of things to them. He simply replied, "Alright, boys. You won't give up, I'll have to drop the hammer." Even as several other commanders reported losing their guns, he was adamant about going on.

He hung up the Gertrude, and then got in touch with the other commanders. He then said, "Boys, shoot to wound. Get somebody to pull up alongside 'em, do a boarding action. And somebody bail out Hot Tamale."

He hung up, and the pirates fired at the engines and guns of the Eshirian Ultralights, trying to knock them out. And, sure enough, one of the faster sloops tried to manuever alongside one of the ships, firing its guns at the enemy guns and trying to find a spot to latch onto.

Siward was amazed the Eshirians were still willing to fight. After all, they were surrounded by angry pirates, all of whom would most likely enslave them or do all kinds of things to them. He simply replied, "Alright, boys. You won't give up, I'll have to drop the hammer." Even as several other commanders reported losing their guns, he was adamant about going on.

He hung up the Gertrude, and then got in touch with the other commanders. He then said, "Boys, shoot to wound. Get somebody to pull up alongside 'em, do a boarding action. And somebody bail out Hot Tamale."

He hung up, and the pirates fired at the engines and guns of the Eshirian Ultralights, trying to knock them out. And, sure enough, one of the faster sloops tried to manuever alongside one of the ships, firing its guns at the enemy guns and trying to find a spot to latch onto.

As the ULs continued their "upward" coast, the PDGs locked onto a smaller craft that came within close range. An evasive jump just wasn't possible. The ULs and their fighters were the only forces in the area, and it was their task to destroy intruders. Fleeing the area to let other forces arrive was out of the question.

The UL's exterior was a sharp contrast to more conventional Eshirian designs. The normally smooth and graceful lines were replaced with practical Lock Clamps and other devices needed to secure fighters to their mid outer hull. Places for a fighter to secure onto also made inviting spaces for a vessel looking to latch on. PPAD shielding normally took care of such flaws, as they produced a solid barrier against such boarding attempts. However, should the smaller vessel have a tough enough hull to smash through... (An unlikely possibility, yet...)

The fighters made a strafing run against the trailing vessel...

As the ULs continued their "upward" coast, the PDGs locked onto a smaller craft that came within close range. An evasive jump just wasn't possible. The ULs and their fighters were the only forces in the area, and it was their task to destroy intruders. Fleeing the area to let other forces arrive was out of the question.

The UL's exterior was a sharp contrast to more conventional Eshirian designs. The normally smooth and graceful lines were replaced with practical Lock Clamps and other devices needed to secure fighters to their mid outer hull. Places for a fighter to secure onto also made inviting spaces for a vessel looking to latch on. PPAD shielding normally took care of such flaws, as they produced a solid barrier against such boarding attempts. However, should the smaller vessel have a tough enough hull to smash through... (An unlikely possibility, yet...)

The fighters made a strafing run against the trailing vessel...

The other pirates noticed the fighters, and began throwing walls of railgun shot and torpedo shot. A little more lasgun shot was being thrown up now, as well, to try and protect the boarding party.

Meanwhile, the sloop, as it turned out, had the hull necessary to ram the PPAD Shielding. One of the boarding party members said, looking out a porthole, "Guys....there's some latches here, you wanna hitch on 'em, and see if we can get on?"

The pilot said, "These Eshirians have some kinda shield up, it's awful solid. If I hitch on, I'm gonna ram 'em."

The man said, "Ram 'em!?"

The pilot said, "Yeah! Ram 'em!"

Under fire, sustaining some hits, the pilot increased the speed of the sloop, and slammed the ship into the PPAD Shielding, rocking the sloop and producing an unholy grinding noise......the ship held, but whether they got in was unknown as of yet....

The other pirates noticed the fighters, and began throwing walls of railgun shot and torpedo shot. A little more lasgun shot was being thrown up now, as well, to try and protect the boarding party.

Meanwhile, the sloop, as it turned out, had the hull necessary to ram the PPAD Shielding. One of the boarding party members said, looking out a porthole, "Guys....there's some latches here, you wanna hitch on 'em, and see if we can get on?"

The pilot said, "These Eshirians have some kinda shield up, it's awful solid. If I hitch on, I'm gonna ram 'em."

The man said, "Ram 'em!?"

The pilot said, "Yeah! Ram 'em!"

Under fire, sustaining some hits, the pilot increased the speed of the sloop, and slammed the ship into the PPAD Shielding, rocking the sloop and producing an unholy grinding noise......the ship held, but whether they got in was unknown as of yet....

The ferocity of the attack against the Draken fighters forced them to pull away from their strafe prematurely. They squeezed in a few shots at the smaller vessel before jumping away once again.

The PPAD Shields did their job, creating a massive wall in front of the small vessel. They were rated for a far greater impact than the little ship created. Only a more concentrated attack would succeed.

The ship that the smaller vessel had chosen was none other than Ri'ental's own craft. In fear, he ordered a few ES Marine teams to be on alert, as well as locking down the exterior ports.

(OOC: Once you do get in, your pirates had better be ready. If you remember what I've said before about my vessel's interior fortification...)

The ferocity of the attack against the Draken fighters forced them to pull away from their strafe prematurely. They squeezed in a few shots at the smaller vessel before jumping away once again.

The PPAD Shields did their job, creating a massive wall in front of the small vessel. They were rated for a far greater impact than the little ship created. Only a more concentrated attack would succeed.

The ship that the smaller vessel had chosen was none other than Ri'ental's own craft. In fear, he ordered a few ES Marine teams to be on alert, as well as locking down the exterior ports.

(OOC: Once you do get in, your pirates had better be ready. If you remember what I've said before about my vessel's interior fortification...)

The sloop pulled back, and then called for help. Clearly, this was going to need something bigger.

A few ships replied, but only one stepped up to the plate. The Boss Hog, a ship which was once a construction vessel, was now arriving with extra armor, and stolen military grade shielding. THe head of the Hog ordered the shields to be focused on the front, and the ship to slam into the vessel at ramming speed. This was done, and the vessel soon hurtled towards the Eshirian vessel, slamming into the side....

The sloop pulled back, and then called for help. Clearly, this was going to need something bigger.

A few ships replied, but only one stepped up to the plate. The Boss Hog, a ship which was once a construction vessel, was now arriving with extra armor, and stolen military grade shielding. THe head of the Hog ordered the shields to be focused on the front, and the ship to slam into the vessel at ramming speed. This was done, and the vessel soon hurtled towards the Eshirian vessel, slamming into the side....


With a lerch and a sickening crack, the PPAD fractured, bent inward, then as the structure fields were shut down to prevent overload, the entire mass shattered.

{Oh, no...}

Interior defenses charged up...

With a lerch and a sickening crack, the PPAD fractured, bent inward, then as the structure fields were shut down to prevent overload, the entire mass shattered.

{Oh, no...}

Interior defenses charged up...

A cry of celebration could be heard, as a "WEEEHA!" could be heard all over the Gertrudes of the various pirate ships. The sloop sailed forth, and grabbed onto one of the locks, extending a loading gate onto one of the airlocks, sealing it off and making a stable, Earth-pressure zone. Then, several teams of engineers took a big cutting laser, and began firing at the door.....several men were nearby, armed with Stens, Kroot Kalashnikovs, Lasguns, and the odd illegally modified railgun to defend agaisnt counteractions.

A cry of celebration could be heard, as a "WEEEHA!" could be heard all over the Gertrudes of the various pirate ships. The sloop sailed forth, and grabbed onto one of the locks, extending a loading gate onto one of the airlocks, sealing it off and making a stable, Earth-pressure zone. Then, several teams of engineers took a big cutting laser, and began firing at the door.....several men were nearby, armed with Stens, Kroot Kalashnikovs, Lasguns, and the odd illegally modified railgun to defend agaisnt counteractions.

The door was still energy shielded however, and the blasts from small arms fire were easily absorbed. The crew may have been incompetent, Eshirian Defense Engineers were not. Once again, a much more powerful attack was needed.

(OOC: Bring it on! Heh.)

The door was still energy shielded however, and the blasts from small arms fire were easily absorbed. The crew may have been incompetent, Eshirian Defense Engineers were not. Once again, a much more powerful attack was needed.

(OOC: Bring it on! Heh.)

The pirates were disgusted, but not discouraged. One of them, a Kroot, soon got the idea to rig up a series of explosive charges on the door, so that its shields would be damaged, and the cutting laser would continue its work.

So, several small satchel charges, mainly Taishonium and other civil explosives, were planted near the door, and the pirates took cover inside. It was good the dock was specially reinforced against this (it was routine to use high-grade explosives), because the explosions resounded with fury and rage, shaking the dock and filling the compartment with smoke, which was quickly vented into space.

The pirates took a look at their handiwork....

The pirates were disgusted, but not discouraged. One of them, a Kroot, soon got the idea to rig up a series of explosive charges on the door, so that its shields would be damaged, and the cutting laser would continue its work.

So, several small satchel charges, mainly Taishonium and other civil explosives, were planted near the door, and the pirates took cover inside. It was good the dock was specially reinforced against this (it was routine to use high-grade explosives), because the explosions resounded with fury and rage, shaking the dock and filling the compartment with smoke, which was quickly vented into space.

The pirates took a look at their handiwork....

(OOC: The energy shields I meant were those of the ship's itself. As in the same shields guarding the entire vessel... Not a secondary, weaker docking port shield thing. But it's alright, you don't have to edit you post unless you want to.)

IC:

With a flicker and a defeated buzz of energy emitters powering down, the shields fell. Sparks shot about at the edges of the port as a few of the emitters overloaded and exploded, in a cloud of smoke and small bits of debris which shot out almost like bullets...

The shields were down, and basic physics were in play. The port door was still armored like a tank, but the pirates had the laser, and the alloy would melt in time.

All the while, the Drakens made additional passes at the latched vessel, while the other two ULs positioned themselves nearby, readying their "Lasher" cannons at low level, and at point blank range...

(OOC: The energy shields I meant were those of the ship's itself. As in the same shields guarding the entire vessel... Not a secondary, weaker docking port shield thing. But it's alright, you don't have to edit you post unless you want to.)

IC:

With a flicker and a defeated buzz of energy emitters powering down, the shields fell. Sparks shot about at the edges of the port as a few of the emitters overloaded and exploded, in a cloud of smoke and small bits of debris which shot out almost like bullets...

The shields were down, and basic physics were in play. The port door was still armored like a tank, but the pirates had the laser, and the alloy would melt in time.

All the while, the Drakens made additional passes at the latched vessel, while the other two ULs positioned themselves nearby, readying their "Lasher" cannons at low level, and at point blank range...

The sloop's jerry-rigged PDC's fired at the Drakens, and the other Pirates fired more lascannon shots at them. Meanwhile, Siward's ships under his command picked up the movement on scanners, and fired at the UL's.


Despite the noisome conditions outside, the pirates began to turn the cutting laser onto the door. It's angry red beam surged forth, hitting the sides as they focused on cutting the door down.....

The sloop's jerry-rigged PDC's fired at the Drakens, and the other Pirates fired more lascannon shots at them. Meanwhile, Siward's ships under his command picked up the movement on scanners, and fired at the UL's.


Despite the noisome conditions outside, the pirates began to turn the cutting laser onto the door. It's angry red beam surged forth, hitting the sides as they focused on cutting the door down.....

The UL's and the Drakens were still able to fire off two shots directly at the "Sloop", before breaking away, and rengaging the other vessels.

The Corrollium alloy armor covering the hull of the Ultra-light was rated to withstand the the conditions inside a yellow star, however, it eventually broke down under the intense heat of the relentless beam. Inside, ES Marines were now already at the port, lying in wait taking partial cover behind the corridors turns. The ports of the exterior fighter dock did not lead directly into the ship. Instead, they were connected via a small Zero-G tunnel, where pilots would enter, and then be pushed to the cockpit of their awaiting fighter through inertial thrusters. The Pirates entering the ship would be forced into a bottleneck as the small tunnel was only big enough for one person at a time. Behind the port door, the Marines had placed a series of MP mines, set to go off by remote. The first Pirate to enter would almost certainly be instantly vaporized.

A few security droids equipped with personal shields waited along with the Marines while the the pop-out MP cannons lining the corridor ceiling and floor remained concealed and charged.

It would be a turkey shoot unless the Pirates were ready. No Eshirian vessel in history had never been successfully boarded and commandeered, and in modern times, the odds for Pirates were frighteningly low. Previous attempts had been made by an enemy far better equipped and trained, and on average, they were all ejected into space within the first three seconds...

The UL's and the Drakens were still able to fire off two shots directly at the "Sloop", before breaking away, and rengaging the other vessels.

The Corrollium alloy armor covering the hull of the Ultra-light was rated to withstand the the conditions inside a yellow star, however, it eventually broke down under the intense heat of the relentless beam. Inside, ES Marines were now already at the port, lying in wait taking partial cover behind the corridors turns. The ports of the exterior fighter dock did not lead directly into the ship. Instead, they were connected via a small Zero-G tunnel, where pilots would enter, and then be pushed to the cockpit of their awaiting fighter through inertial thrusters. The Pirates entering the ship would be forced into a bottleneck as the small tunnel was only big enough for one person at a time. Behind the port door, the Marines had placed a series of MP mines, set to go off by remote. The first Pirate to enter would almost certainly be instantly vaporized.

A few security droids equipped with personal shields waited along with the Marines while the the pop-out MP cannons lining the corridor ceiling and floor remained concealed and charged.

It would be a turkey shoot unless the Pirates were ready. No Eshirian vessel in history had never been successfully boarded and commandeered, and in modern times, the odds for Pirates were frighteningly low. Previous attempts had been made by an enemy far better equipped and trained, and on average, they were all ejected into space within the first three seconds...

The Pirates shouted, "URAHH!!!!" and began moving in. They were prepared, the 40-50 man group was armed with all sorts of things, but in the great pirate tradition, ten had stolen Shield Steel Armor suits, all had any number of grenades and explosive detpacks, and many had lasguns, railguns, and Kroot AK's with explosive tipped bullets, some made illegally. Some even had antique RPGs, Stens, M1911A1s and other weapons you'd normally expect a street gang to use, not a band of space pirates.

The first band of ten threw grenades and fired explosive bullets and RPGs to try and clear out any resistance before going in.

The Pirates shouted, "URAHH!!!!" and began moving in. They were prepared, the 40-50 man group was armed with all sorts of things, but in the great pirate tradition, ten had stolen Shield Steel Armor suits, all had any number of grenades and explosive detpacks, and many had lasguns, railguns, and Kroot AK's with explosive tipped bullets, some made illegally. Some even had antique RPGs, Stens, M1911A1s and other weapons you'd normally expect a street gang to use, not a band of space pirates.

The first band of ten threw grenades and fired explosive bullets and RPGs to try and clear out any resistance before going in.

Immediately, the ship's AI utilized the onboard site to site transport to teleport the first band of ten into space.

The ES Marines quickly took cover behind out trigger bulkheads designed for just such a scenario. The droids were sent to move up, though they stayed a safe distance away from the port door, while the Marines kept their trigger fingers on the clackers for the grenades, ready to vaporize the next wave into oblivion.

(OOC: I hate to sound cheap, but that's what I can do. I'll have some malfunction stop that Site to Site transport thing. BTW, dinner for me.)

Immediately, the ship's AI utilized the onboard site to site transport to teleport the first band of ten into space.

The ES Marines quickly took cover behind out trigger bulkheads designed for just such a scenario. The droids were sent to move up, though they stayed a safe distance away from the port door, while the Marines kept their trigger fingers on the clackers for the grenades, ready to vaporize the next wave into oblivion.

(OOC: I hate to sound cheap, but that's what I can do. I'll have some malfunction stop that Site to Site transport thing. BTW, dinner for me.)

OOC: Thanks. That is a bit sudden, actually.

IC:

The pirates were horrified to discover their comrades had dissapeared into oblivion. They grew angry, these Eshirians with their damned parlor tricks, they would be taken down a notch. Were they afraid? Not really, though they did realize this would be hard.

The pirates, undeterred, got an RC Car. They strapped a detpack to it, and then drove it inside the ship, seeking those Eshirians. They detonated it in there, hoping to get some, although it wasn't sure to succeed....

OOC: Thanks. That is a bit sudden, actually.

IC:

The pirates were horrified to discover their comrades had dissapeared into oblivion. They grew angry, these Eshirians with their damned parlor tricks, they would be taken down a notch. Were they afraid? Not really, though they did realize this would be hard.

The pirates, undeterred, got an RC Car. They strapped a detpack to it, and then drove it inside the ship, seeking those Eshirians. They detonated it in there, hoping to get some, although it wasn't sure to succeed....


(OOC: Well, seeing as the how the tunnel splits up into one room, that leads out to a three way intersection, I don't think that the car will do it...)

IC:

On the bridge, a sparks flew up on one of the control panels. The officers nearby jumped up a bit, and a few quickly came to aid of any injured. The console began to smolder when Commander Ri'ental asked, "What's happened? Why didn't the AI beam out the rest of them, and that little vehicle they sent?".

One of the engineers that began to tend to the fired piece of equipment answered, "It looks like the last site to site transport the AI pulled shorted out the power grid in that part of the ship. Seems like the power conduits on that deck had it with the explosive used on the port door, and the overload on the PPAD generators."

"Ah Crap.."

"Yes, sir."

The ES marines watched with amusment as the little car drove down. and then exploded. They simply ducked behind the bulkhead they had been standing behind while their personal shields easily took the indirect peices of fried RC debris.

The droids were also in the vicinity, and unfortunately, took the full blast. Their shields were weakened, but they remained fully functional.

Outside, the fighters began to arm themselves with additional "Thumper" torpedoes, and began to jump to point blank range of the Pirate vessel's guns, discharging their ordinance, then jumping away. The other two ULs then began to send for reinforcements.

(OOC: This is dragging on too long. Whatever other tricks you may or may not have ready, do something, because once additional ships come...)

(OOC: Well, seeing as the how the tunnel splits up into one room, that leads out to a three way intersection, I don't think that the car will do it...)

IC:

On the bridge, a sparks flew up on one of the control panels. The officers nearby jumped up a bit, and a few quickly came to aid of any injured. The console began to smolder when Commander Ri'ental asked, "What's happened? Why didn't the AI beam out the rest of them, and that little vehicle they sent?".

One of the engineers that began to tend to the fired piece of equipment answered, "It looks like the last site to site transport the AI pulled shorted out the power grid in that part of the ship. Seems like the power conduits on that deck had it with the explosive used on the port door, and the overload on the PPAD generators."

"Ah Crap.."

"Yes, sir."

The ES marines watched with amusment as the little car drove down. and then exploded. They simply ducked behind the bulkhead they had been standing behind while their personal shields easily took the indirect peices of fried RC debris.

The droids were also in the vicinity, and unfortunately, took the full blast. Their shields were weakened, but they remained fully functional.

Outside, the fighters began to arm themselves with additional "Thumper" torpedoes, and began to jump to point blank range of the Pirate vessel's guns, discharging their ordinance, then jumping away. The other two ULs then began to send for reinforcements.

(OOC: This is dragging on too long. Whatever other tricks you may or may not have ready, do something, because once additional ships come...)

OOC: I'll speed it up, though I wonder what's the rush.

IC:

The pirates then charged, yelling a variety of things, mainly, "ALLAH AKBAR!" and "F**K YEAH!" They threw a hail of grenades at the droids, and proceeded to attack them with lasers, railguns, and slugthrowers.

The vessel outside, meanwhile, found some of its guns damaged and the hull wrecked. They turned to try and hunt the fighters, who were by now becoming like mosquitoes to the pirates: small, angry, and needing to die.

bump

OOC: I'll speed it up, though I wonder what's the rush.

IC:

The pirates then charged, yelling a variety of things, mainly, "ALLAH AKBAR!" and "F**K YEAH!" They threw a hail of grenades at the droids, and proceeded to attack them with lasers, railguns, and slugthrowers.

The vessel outside, meanwhile, found some of its guns damaged and the hull wrecked. They turned to try and hunt the fighters, who were by now becoming like mosquitoes to the pirates: small, angry, and needing to die.

(OOC: Please, demonstrate some strategy. The last thing that I want is for this to turn into another generic slug fest. I know that they're only pilots, but really now.)

IC:

With flashes and thunder, the droids fought back. Personal shields flickered as they took the onslaught of fire. The corridors reverberated with the sound of of MP fire flying around. Behind them, the ES Marines were closing in, using the Droids as lumbering, slow, but effective shields. They readied MP grenades...


For once, the pirates had done some damage. A single Draken fighter jumped too late, and was hit. It's PPAD shielding had already taken too much fire, and was as good as gone. The shot went straight through, and struck the fighter, blowing half of it clean off. As his last act, the pilot went in for a suicide run at the con tower, arming its last weapons to explode on contact...

(OOC: Please, demonstrate some strategy. The last thing that I want is for this to turn into another generic slug fest. I know that they're only pilots, but really now.)

IC:

With flashes and thunder, the droids fought back. Personal shields flickered as they took the onslaught of fire. The corridors reverberated with the sound of of MP fire flying around. Behind them, the ES Marines were closing in, using the Droids as lumbering, slow, but effective shields. They readied MP grenades...


For once, the pirates had done some damage. A single Draken fighter jumped too late, and was hit. It's PPAD shielding had already taken too much fire, and was as good as gone. The shot went straight through, and struck the fighter, blowing half of it clean off. As his last act, the pilot went in for a suicide run at the con tower, arming its last weapons to explode on contact...

OOC: Well, you want strategy, here it is.

IC:

The Pirates were in a tricky position. They realized now these Eshirians, they were no magicians, rather, cold, methodical men who knew the value of a machine. They would make good techslaves, if the Pirates could enslave them. A sense of respect grew in these men-but also a sense of fear. They began to panic.

The bigger Pirates whipped the smaller ones into shape, and then, the bigger ones readied bootleg lightsabers, cattle prods, and Railpistols, along with satchel charges, for close combat with the droids, the others got out explosives, as well. All the pirates then retreated back into the dock, and then armed and slid a huge collection of charges at the feet of the droids-grenades, satchel charges, molotov cocktails with jerry-rigged lighter fuses, and all kinds of other explosives, powered by C4, TNT, or Taishonium-then detonated them with a resounding *BLAM* sending fire, and all kinds of quakey type goodness all over....

-----

Meanwhile-

Siward lost control of his Gertrude...the ship shook.....

"What happened?"

The comms officer went, "Sir, we have lost comms.....our tower's gone."

Siward then said, "F**K. Mount another on, we've got spares in back. Tell Engineering to get the damage under control."

The comms then said, "Aye."

A team of men was called, and they donned suits, picking up the parts to perform an emergency fix. This was getting messy.

The other pirates, meanwhile, noted Siward's loss of contact, and planned accordingly. The others now worked to try and provide defensive cover....

OOC: Well, you want strategy, here it is.

IC:

The Pirates were in a tricky position. They realized now these Eshirians, they were no magicians, rather, cold, methodical men who knew the value of a machine. They would make good techslaves, if the Pirates could enslave them. A sense of respect grew in these men-but also a sense of fear. They began to panic.

The bigger Pirates whipped the smaller ones into shape, and then, the bigger ones readied bootleg lightsabers, cattle prods, and Railpistols, along with satchel charges, for close combat with the droids, the others got out explosives, as well. All the pirates then retreated back into the dock, and then armed and slid a huge collection of charges at the feet of the droids-grenades, satchel charges, molotov cocktails with jerry-rigged lighter fuses, and all kinds of other explosives, powered by C4, TNT, or Taishonium-then detonated them with a resounding *BLAM* sending fire, and all kinds of quakey type goodness all over....

-----

Meanwhile-

Siward lost control of his Gertrude...the ship shook.....

"What happened?"

The comms officer went, "Sir, we have lost comms.....our tower's gone."

Siward then said, "F**K. Mount another on, we've got spares in back. Tell Engineering to get the damage under control."

The comms then said, "Aye."

A team of men was called, and they donned suits, picking up the parts to perform an emergency fix. This was getting messy.

The other pirates, meanwhile, noted Siward's loss of contact, and planned accordingly. The others now worked to try and provide defensive cover....

Eshirians were all at least semi-psi. ES Marines on the other hand were on a whole other level. In response to the Pirate's frenzied attack, they cried out one of more disheartening things an enemy soldier might hear in response to his attack...hearty laughter.

Their laugh was brief, and was followed by something else more substantial, Multi-Phasic Energy Grenades. A good 20 or so were lobbed at the pirates while the Marines continued to use the Droids as shields. The concentrated onslaught had long since destroyed the droid shields, and the most of the once fearsome robots were now smoldering hulks. One Marine yelled out a command that was almost drowned out by the deafening explosions set off by the Pirates and their "toys".

Suddenly, the walls, floor, and even the ceiling came alive as pop-out MP guns deployed at point blank range to the Pirates. Some even came out right at head level...

Eshirians were all at least semi-psi. ES Marines on the other hand were on a whole other level. In response to the Pirate's frenzied attack, they cried out one of more disheartening things an enemy soldier might hear in response to his attack...hearty laughter.

Their laugh was brief, and was followed by something else more substantial, Multi-Phasic Energy Grenades. A good 20 or so were lobbed at the pirates while the Marines continued to use the Droids as shields. The concentrated onslaught had long since destroyed the droid shields, and the most of the once fearsome robots were now smoldering hulks. One Marine yelled out a command that was almost drowned out by the deafening explosions set off by the Pirates and their "toys".

Suddenly, the walls, floor, and even the ceiling came alive as pop-out MP guns deployed at point blank range to the Pirates. Some even came out right at head level...

The Pirates were surprised by this trap; they were veterans of many boarding actions, but it wasn't often that a target refused to stop fighting and give up the ship. Now, they had all kinds of doodads, doodads that decided to shoot them and make their lives miserable. They made them, for a moment, reconsider their jobs. Then the laugh made them decide to come back. After all, nobody insulted a pirate and lived. That was the way life worked.

The ill-disciplined smaller ones said, "We've had enough!" About 10 of them bolted, and ran back to the sloop. The others were on the verge of doing so, but were beaten back into action by the bigger ones. Eight more died in the ensuing drone gun attack. And, it looked bad now that these grenades were going to them....

The Pirates ran back to the dock, and shot at them to try and detonate them early....

(OOC: Them grenades got proximity fuses on them matey! ^_^ .)

(OOC: Them grenades got proximity fuses on them matey! ^_^ .)

OOC: Must you bring this up now?

Fine, I fixed the post, but I wanna be able to take some of your ships sometime, ok? We're pirates, that is what we do. We don't just do ship-ship combat.

(OOC: Good thing we discussed this in school.)

IC:

A few of the grenades did indeed detonate prematurely, going so far as taking a few other grenades out in the resulting blast. The rest landed beside the Pirates' feet, and detonated point blank. The wall guns continued to fire. The AI made sure that only cannons behind the Pirates exposed themselves. Following the blast of the grenades, the ES Marines then made an all out charge at the Pirates... Whoever, or whatever was left, wouldn't be alive for long...

(OOC: Good thing we discussed this in school.)

IC:

A few of the grenades did indeed detonate prematurely, going so far as taking a few other grenades out in the resulting blast. The rest landed beside the Pirates' feet, and detonated point blank. The wall guns continued to fire. The AI made sure that only cannons behind the Pirates exposed themselves. Following the blast of the grenades, the ES Marines then made an all out charge at the Pirates... Whoever, or whatever was left, wouldn't be alive for long...

The Pirates then decided it was now or never....and, pride being an issue for them, decided to go down fighting. They called the fleet outside, saying, "Big Bird, Big Bird, gimme some lovin'. Over!"

The Pirate ships outside, meanwhile, began firing at the Ultralight they were on, using their lightest ordinance-something to shake up the ships, and yet ensure their boarding party, which was in trouble, wouldn't be shaken up more than they were already. Just for good measure, they also attacked the other ships too, to soften them up.

Meanwhile, the larger Pirates and those with no sense of self preservation, armed with naked blades and last clips of ammo, ducked low and charged into the Marines, mimicking a football tackle combined with a joust-be it sword, knife, or lasgun/railpistol/Sten/what-have-you. The other Pirates fell, and the survivors reluctantly backed up their comrades. 10 more had fallen, and things were looking desperate....

Things didn't look so well on the part of the Marine either. With the hail of fire from the menagerie of weapons 5 marines made the ultimate sacrifice. Several of the barricades crumpled under the weight of the explosions and bodies were tossed about.

"Come on! Come on! Keep up that rifle Marine!"

As the bowels of the tiny carrier erupted in a blaze of fire, the Marines kept up the advance. The fight wasn't easy, and when was it ever?

"Grenade!!" The Marines ducked behind some cover as the drone guns poured more fire into the invading pirates from their soft, fleshy rears. Miss, the aim was poor and the grenade spoofed. There wasn't much else left to try. And now the Pirates were charging...

"Alright Marines!! Frag'em, and Charge!!!"

From behind their barricades, the Marines threw detonators set to proximity detonation into the charging mass, and hoped for the best before the time came to counter charge.

Things didn't look so well on the part of the Marine either. With the hail of fire from the menagerie of weapons 5 marines made the ultimate sacrifice. Several of the barricades crumpled under the weight of the explosions and bodies were tossed about.

"Come on! Come on! Keep up that rifle Marine!"

As the bowels of the tiny carrier erupted in a blaze of fire, the Marines kept up the advance. The fight wasn't easy, and when was it ever?

"Grenade!!" The Marines ducked behind some cover as the drone guns poured more fire into the invading pirates from their soft, fleshy rears. Miss, the aim was poor and the grenade spoofed. There wasn't much else left to try. And now the Pirates were charging...

"Alright Marines!! Frag'em, and Charge!!!"

From behind their barricades, the Marines threw detonators set to proximity detonation into the charging mass, and hoped for the best before the time came to counter charge.

OOC: Based on what you told me before, about the ship's shape. If this post sucks, then I'll change it-but please, if so, tell me exactly what to change; after all, the environment of this ship is still somewhat new to me.

As this occurred, one of the Pirates noticed that there was in fact, more than one hallway. However, they had been occupied by the Marines, the defenses, etc....Pirates tended to smash what was in front of them.

The Squad Leader that was left ordered the Pirates to break off into smaller groups, and run throughout the ship. They did so, quickly scattering as the explosives hit the Pirate lines, killing five men. They so could NOT keep this up.

They split into four large groups, and began running into the nearby halls. Brandishing their guns, they began to try and find another way to the Bridge that was not clogged with Marines, covering their paths with caltrops and gunfire...

(OOC: Seems fine. Just need something about just what damage my detonators did.)

(OOC: Seems fine. Just need something about just what damage my detonators did.)

They did so, quickly scattering as the explosives hit the Pirate lines, killing five men. They so could NOT keep this up.

OOC: Fixed.

OOC: Based on what you told me before, about the ship's shape. If this post sucks, then I'll change it-but please, if so, tell me exactly what to change; after all, the environment of this ship is still somewhat new to me.

As this occurred, one of the Pirates noticed that there was in fact, more than one hallway. However, they had been occupied by the Marines, the defenses, etc....Pirates tended to smash what was in front of them.

The Squad Leader that was left ordered the Pirates to break off into smaller groups, and run throughout the ship. They did so, quickly scattering as the explosives hit the Pirate lines, killing five men. They so could NOT keep this up.

They split into four large groups, and began running into the nearby halls. Brandishing their guns, they began to try and find another way to the Bridge that was not clogged with Marines, covering their paths with caltrops and gunfire...

(OOC: Woah, just how many Pirates did you bring? TBH, technically, the internal turrets should have killed you all by now, and I should just transport you out. Just to give you an idea of how many concessions I'm making here to let this innership battle go on.)

IC:

"Damn it..." Muttered the commander. The hail fo fire should have blown the Pirates clear into the void, yet they kept on coming. With hundreds of turrets raining death upon them, nothing short of a tank or ubersoldier should be able last this long.

"That's it! Charge!!" The Marines lit up their energy bayonets, each almost two feet long. Being energy, they weighed nothing, and only a lightsaber would be able to deflect them. Another round of detonators were thrown straight at the Pirates. Gauging the ineffectiveness of the previous batch, this one was set to a farther distance. Each grenade could take out 30 soldiers easily. How only five were killed was beyond comprehension.

In one final bid, the Marines ran straight for the Pirates. Bayonets aimed straight into their soft, fleshy guts...

The Pirate groups which had just spilt up would find a nasty surprise. The area which the entire battle took place was actually right in the middle of the small carrier's main airlock corridor. Each small lock lead to one fighter stowed outside. With the lack of fighters, the air ways where clear...

Force fields where set in place, trapping the pirate, then the airlocks where thrown open.

(OOC: Woah, just how many Pirates did you bring? TBH, technically, the internal turrets should have killed you all by now, and I should just transport you out. Just to give you an idea of how many concessions I'm making here to let this innership battle go on.)

IC:

"Damn it..." Muttered the commander. The hail fo fire should have blown the Pirates clear into the void, yet they kept on coming. With hundreds of turrets raining death upon them, nothing short of a tank or ubersoldier should be able last this long.

"That's it! Charge!!" The Marines lit up their energy bayonets, each almost two feet long. Being energy, they weighed nothing, and only a lightsaber would be able to deflect them. Another round of detonators were thrown straight at the Pirates. Gauging the ineffectiveness of the previous batch, this one was set to a farther distance. Each grenade could take out 30 soldiers easily. How only five were killed was beyond comprehension.

In one final bid, the Marines ran straight for the Pirates. Bayonets aimed straight into their soft, fleshy guts...

The Pirate groups which had just spilt up would find a nasty surprise. The area which the entire battle took place was actually right in the middle of the small carrier's main airlock corridor. Each small lock lead to one fighter stowed outside. With the lack of fighters, the air ways where clear...

Force fields where set in place, trapping the pirate, then the airlocks where thrown open.

With the pirates remaining flushed outside, there was just five burly men left. Tired from the fight, running on sheer adrenaline and anger, and definetly in need of medical assistance, they were three things.

Low on ammo. Surrounded. And left with nothing to lose.

They tried running back to the sloop--they really wanted to get some bandages on and maybe some spare packets of O- in them. But then, the grenades came.....and they were reduced to particulate matter.

One of the other pirates heard the pirates crying out as they were consumed by the blasts. The one dubbed "Hot Tamale," meanwhile, simply shook her head, going: "Ay....we're going to need a lot more guns."

With the pirates remaining flushed outside, there was just five burly men left. Tired from the fight, running on sheer adrenaline and anger, and definetly in need of medical assistance, they were three things.

Low on ammo. Surrounded. And left with nothing to lose.

They tried running back to the sloop--they really wanted to get some bandages on and maybe some spare packets of O- in them. But then, the grenades came.....and they were reduced to particulate matter.

One of the other pirates heard the pirates crying out as they were consumed by the blasts. The one dubbed "Hot Tamale," meanwhile, simply shook her head, going: "Ay....we're going to need a lot more guns."

(OOC: Remember, we did agree on that story arc.)

IC:

The Marines made a straight stab at the Pirates, the energy bayonets extending it's deadly light, hopefully with painful results.

The drone guns retracted back into the walls and ceilings, as this was the damage being incurred by them was beginning to grow beyond safe limits.

Quickly, and swiftly, the marines hoped to finish off the last of the Pirates, however...


Outside, as the ships were pounded by the massive Maos, the UL's shields finally buckled under the barrage. One snapped in two, another, dropped dead in the water, while the third, the one where all this had taken place, exploded in a brilliant light. The remaining two fighters jumped away, the fight was over.

A wideband emergency transmission was broadcast from the second stranded UL. Reinforcements where called for, yet... There was nothing that could be spared.

The Pirates had done the impossible, the Sovereignty...was breached...

(OOC: Remember, we did agree on that story arc.)

IC:

The Marines made a straight stab at the Pirates, the energy bayonets extending it's deadly light, hopefully with painful results.

The drone guns retracted back into the walls and ceilings, as this was the damage being incurred by them was beginning to grow beyond safe limits.

Quickly, and swiftly, the marines hoped to finish off the last of the Pirates, however...


Outside, as the ships were pounded by the massive Maos, the UL's shields finally buckled under the barrage. One snapped in two, another, dropped dead in the water, while the third, the one where all this had taken place, exploded in a brilliant light. The remaining two fighters jumped away, the fight was over.

A wideband emergency transmission was broadcast from the second stranded UL. Reinforcements where called for, yet... There was nothing that could be spared.

The Pirates had done the impossible, the Sovereignty...was breached...

Siward then had just reestablished communications, and then began broadcasting to the others on the gertrude.

The responses were, at the least, good.

"Boss! This is Hot Tamale! We got 'em!"

"Boss! This is A-Rab! They are running like the infidels they are! Glory to Allah!"

"Boss, we did it! We whipped those sumbitches! YEEHAH!"

Siward then gertruded back, "Nice job boys and girls. We did it, but it wasn't easy. Assess casualties! Make repairs, collect whatever scrap you can find....we'll need it."

He then finished with, "Beer's on me!"

A shout of joy broke out, as the various pirate ships who needed it tried to pick up scrap, and recover from the extended assault. 50 good men had died, and this was the toughest attack any of the pirates had engaged in.

One thing was clear to them. The Eshirians would not be easy to crack. But, they were in their space now....that was what mattered.

(OOC: Well please continue the advance, by all means. There's officially not much I can do, but you've got to raid and pillage, or else, there's nothing else logical for me to do, other than scrounge up some more ships, and engage in yet another space battle. And that's not what the story arc's about as you obviously know. Just FYI, I want to focus more on the impending collapse of the Sovereignty. The fun political, social, and economic upheavals and such.)

IC:

The nearest planet, Lohios, in the path of the Pirates was the small world the ULs had been defending. A mere border world on the rust belt of the Sovereignty, there were very few respectable defenses. The pickings would be slim here, but...they would also be easy.

(OOC: Well please continue the advance, by all means. There's officially not much I can do, but you've got to raid and pillage, or else, there's nothing else logical for me to do, other than scrounge up some more ships, and engage in yet another space battle. And that's not what the story arc's about as you obviously know. Just FYI, I want to focus more on the impending collapse of the Sovereignty. The fun political, social, and economic upheavals and such.)

IC:

The nearest planet, Lohios, in the path of the Pirates was the small world the ULs had been defending. A mere border world on the rust belt of the Sovereignty, there were very few respectable defenses. The pickings would be slim here, but...they would also be easy.

Siward then called a war council on the Proud Mary. He needed to organize the confederate forces under his command, and get some things straightened out.

Maria Salvador de Rinha-chibi of the 40 Thieves, Abu Shamsoon of the Al-Juhziz Clan, Throckton Meyer of the Order of the Iron Cross, Edvard Gureyvich of the Vakhulinchuk Mob, and the last major leader, Karl Ten Boom, of the Elven Freigauneren Casimirpulaski, sauntered into the meeting room of Siward's ship. With Siward, they were the six major pirate leaders who were commanding the operation, along with the many minor gangs that joined forces. And all of them sat down together, both mutually suspicious and comfortable with one another as fellow criminals and outcasts.

Siward then banged a gavel and passed out whiskey, saying "This war council is convened. Lemme say this effort is paying off, we survived our first test. We know that our fleet, with its creative makeup, can deal with anything they bring. But, there are a few flaws. Anybody know?"

Maria said, "Well, that boarding action was problematic. They didn't give in like usual, and whoever led that should have backed off the first time. Me, you, and others here lost a good bunch of men in that attempt. God bless their souls."

Abu said, "Yes. They will have their rewards in Paradise."

Siward then said, "So, any suggestions?"

Meyer then quipped, "I say, we bring heavier firepower to the equation. More explosives. More men-"

Maria said, "You cabron. We do not have many men, we are reliant on hit and run, that's why that boarding op hurt!"

Meyer said, smoothly but shaking his head, "No need to get angry, I'm just making a suggestion."

Karl said, "I for one think we need men who are experienced and are intelligent, and creative. We need to compensate for the fact they can beam our men out in a heartbeat. Or if they don't do that, summon God-knows-what."

Siward then said, "Well, true. But those were some of our best."

Karl said, "That is why we need creativity."

Siward then said, "Well, I can see firepower and creativity paying off. But what of actually breaching their hulls? They should have bigger ships than those."

A call then went out from the Bridge. "Señor! We found something!"

Siward then said, "Meeting is on hold, drink up and follow me!"

They drank their shots and followed Siward to the bridge.

-------

On the bridge-

Siward and the other pirate leaders rushed forth to find Elena excited. This was rare for the normally stoic and cynical helmsman....

Siward then said, "So what is it?"

Elena said, "I found a new planet, some distance ahead. Scans indicate Smokey's not going to get pissy if we come by."

Siward said, "What's it called?"

Elena said, "Scans of comms and star charts indicate its called Lohios."

Siward then said, "Gertrude the fleet, tell them that we're moving to Lohios. Send them the charts, if you can."

Elena said, "It'll be done."

-------

The leaders returned to their ships, the Pirates became mobile again. They moved in full force toward Lohios.....

....a few hours later, they found themselves only a few kilometers from it.

Siward grew excited, and said on the Gertrude, "Alrighty! Close in, and attack their defenses! And send raiding teams to the planet! We're gonna score!"

The ships began closing in as ordered, firing on the planet's defenses and sending raiding teams down to the surface....the planet was overrun, and then taken captive by the pirates.

The Pirates, meanwhile, held their fleet in Orbit over Lohios, as they settled in with their new arrangements.

A new flag flew over it. Several new flags did, the symbols of these pirate gangs that dared to shake the order of things.

The pirates began taking captives. The men and boys mostly as conscript labor (manual and as techslaves to operate and teach others how to operate captured Eshirian equipment) and soldiers, the women as servants for purposes fair and foul, and the valuables as booty and any usable scrap metal for repairs and replicator fuel, since many used the older majority-fuel replicators. The old they left behind as work detail.

They made the place their own, adding everything from grafitti, cyberpunk grunge, etc., to liquor bars to give the planet a more familiar atmosphere. The Cats began to buy up housing like crazy-the Eshirian living quarters were castles compared to the slums many had lived in before. The Shamsoonites began to spread Islam, trying to win converts from a reluctant populaition.

Siward himself thought the name Lohios "too wierd." So, he renamed it: "Port Royal," something the pirates agreed on.

The Pirates also agreed to make it their base of operations. They set up workshops with replicators (locally made, stolen, and operated by techslaves or imported) to make weapons, tools, other things. They invited other gangsters and pirates to come....especially Abu Shamsoon. His connections to the Al-Juhziz Clan led to a sudden spike of cash and some new ships for the pirates, and shiny new things, such as parts for a drydock.

And, all the while, the Pirates began planning their next moves. Scans indicated the nearby sectors were empty or nearly empty- a real gold mine. They had entered a proverbial "Rust Belt." And they were going to pick it clean.

(OOC: Go right ahead and continue to RP until I give the word. You have my official authorization to RP my "Rust belt" citizens in any manner you please. Just don't make them stupid. I've seen your other RPs, and I trust you to do well. I simply haven't the time for so many RPs now, therefore I thank you in advance. I'll just tell you how I'll respond to certain of your actions, and you can take it from there. Thank you again.)

Motivated by their recent victory, the Pirates--especially the 40 Theives and the Al-Juhziz Clan and the Iron Cross Order--began to pillage once more. Leaving a sizable contingent for defense at Port Royal, they began to ride out, devouring remote stations and mining worlds. Planets with names like Krythos, Alrgeha, and at least ten others began to fall, often after minimal conflict from the locals. They too suffered the same fate as their comrades, their sons and daughters conscripted for various purposes.

The Pirates also began hitting remote space stations, about 12, bleeding them dry by taking captives and technology (always making sure they could get people to operate it), before blowing the stations up and harvesting the scrap.

All in all, it became a productive period. Especially since some of the gangs began recruiting settlers from the Workers State, often malcontents, radicals, and general ne'er-do-wells who had no opportunities either by circumstance or because they did something to deserve it. Meanwhile, the Port Royal Drydock was halfway built, assembled from the Al-Juhziz Donation, replicated parts from scrap metal, and the sweat of the conscripted Eshirians. Now, a secure base was becoming possible....

(OOC: The one ship that was dead in the water, you seem to have forgotten. The big vessel would have been repaired by this time, and would now be barreling towards your little construction in orbit for a suicide run. And that bit about the women really gets to me... And not in a good way. Keep it in for character, and in keeping with my word about giving you free reign, but I'll express my strong disapproval for anything more of that sort.

Also, just to make things easier for you, the Rust belt covers about 30 systems in that area of space. My Homeworld is obviously far away, on almost the exact opposite side of this space. Keep in mind, if you extend any further, you will begin to come up against regular forces, and they will kill you.)

One Eshirian Ultralight--as it turned out--had survived the Brawl, as it was known. It made its presence known at Port Royal, and began going in for a suicide run to ensure that the Port Royal Drydock would remain a pipe dream. The Pirates that were there simply opened fire on it with broadside after broadside, to prevent it from reaching the Dock...

------

Meanwhile, the Pirate bands began to have trouble with their new subjects.

To begin, those that took cruel advantage of the local women began to show up at their medical facilities with severe injuries, often to their privates or faces. Meanwhile, those Pirates that tried to introduce recreational pharmaceuticals to the locals also had to contend with the fact their whiskey and drugs weren't made for Eshirian bodies-many became sick, or outright dead. And, the psychic powers of the Eshirians proved baffling indeed, as many of them would often use these powers to begin carrying on secret conversations and potential plots behind the backs of their new overlords. Some even used them in outright murder and sabotage.

The Pirates called a meeting to discuss this issue. One by one, the major Pirate leaders met in the HQ at Port Royal....

Maria opened with these stinging words.

"The natives under my command are shifty, lazy, and violent. I had one servant girl under my command, I ask her for coffee, she uses those damned Eshirian powers to spill it on my head! Anybody having the same problem?"

Abu said, loudly, "Seconded. The conscripts under my command-I swear-are unreliable. They keep to themselves, they nod to each other, and they use their psychic powers to distrupt the Friday worship with acts of telekenesis, throwing objects at the imams with their minds! They are incorrigible!"

Meyer then chimed in with, "I took a native wife. Fat lot of good that did me. Thanks to her, I'm in a cast for the next six weeks with a multiple fracture!"

He then pushed his chair back and showed the cast to the crowd. "See?"

The cast caused a murmur.

Anton then said, "Okay. Clearly, we need some ground rules, for them and for us."

Meyer said, incensed at this: "They're the ones that need ground rules! Where's my dinner!?"

Anton then said, "What I mean is codes of conduct, laws. Clearly, they are the majority, we are the minority here. That creates a liability if we beat on them too much. In exchange, we need a secure labor source."

He then got up and said, "How about a set of Native Codes?"

Maria said, "I'm interested."

Karl chimed, "So am I."

Anton said, "Okay. First off, no taking local women without their consent. Let's make that clear. Clearly, we're getting way too many casualties because of that. I'm one for intermarrying with the populace, but we need some serious ground rules. So, we treat the local women like we do humans in terms of marraige, etc. We pay dowries, we treat them with respect, and we do not commit rapine as we please."

Maria said, "That we can do. After all, my group is-"

Meyer then interjected angrily, "A bunch of mangy butch Catgirls. We get it."

Anton then fumed, "Right....anyway, we also actually obligate ourselves to feed them and put them in good housing, and treat them nice as possible. After all, we want to keep them working for us."

Meyer then slammed his fist down on his chair and said, "I for one will not agree to this provision. We are the conquerors!"

Anton then said, "Then you find your own booty. We won't share with you."

The others were shocked at this. They had left New Dornalia to form a society where they could do as they wished. Now, this man wanted to order them around like the commissars did at home?

Anton then looked at the others and said, "Right?"

They nodded nervously. The Red Fists were the biggest gang in this assembly, and they could enforce their rules....

Meyer said, defeated, "Fine."

Anton then said, "Of course, in exchange, we make the locals carry passbooks, and restrict their movements. None of them move unless we know of it. None of them go to the grocery unless we know it. None of them go to hell unless we know it. You dig?"

The others nodded and said, "Sure."

Abu then said, "What of religion?"

Anton said, "That is for each band to decide. So Abu, you can go on with the whole Islam thing."

Abu then said, gladly, "Score!"

Anton then said, "Okay, we also make the locals subject to conscription for labor and war, and we can quarter soldiers in their homes. We can also search their homes without a warrant, and we forbid them from owning firearms and any sort of defensive weapons. Any other suggestions?"

Maria then put a finger up and said, "Let them have some blades. They have psychic powers you know, you want them to use those instead?"

Anton said, "Fine. But, we deny them...what's that legal word....the one with the whole arrest and jury, and hold-"

Abu said, "My cousin knows that, it is Habeas corpus."

Anton said, "Right. Well, they don't get that. Pirates do."

Meyer them fumed, "Showoff."

Anton then said, "What of collaborators?"

Meyer then said, "I don't give a fark what you do."

Maria said, "Give them extra rations and benefits. Cushier housing. Respect. Things like that."

Anton then said, "That's agreed to then."

Karl then chimed in with, "Should they be allowed personal possessions?"

Anton said, "Duh."

--------

Thus, the Native Codes were created, and disseminated throughout the Pirate-controlled sectors. It was a step towards some kind of law-an amazing development, since these were lawless men after all.

The Codes went as follows:

1. All native women are to be treated with basic respect to person and mind.
a. This includes marrying natives only with their consent.
b. This includes respecting native marriage customs.
c. Any person found committing rape will be executed.
2. All native persons are to be given rations, housing, and services that are sufficent to meet their daily needs.
a. Those natives who perform exceptionally well in the service of their managers or show strong loyalty to their managers are obligated to be rewarded for their performance.
b. Natives must submit to those who wish to search their belongings and their dwellings.
3. All native persons are allowed personal belongings and the right to privacy.
a. However, all native persons must submit to arrest and incarceration if it is required of them.
4. All native persons are allowed limited self-defense weaponry.
a. However, these weapons must be of a bladed nature.
b. However, they shall under no circumstances be allowed the possession of firearms or electrically powered defense instruments.

5. All natives, if necessary, must quarter soldiers in their homes.

6. All natives must carry internal documentation for travel abroad and internally.

7. All native persons are required to serve in the armed forces of their band leader. They are also required to perform labor on projects if asked.

8. Failure to comply with these laws is to be set at the discretion of the managers of the ward in which the offense is committed.
a. However, it is to be no less than a hard labor sentence.

The Pirates continued to consolidate their holdings, even as the New Dornalian Government put up some shiny new Mannerheim FTLi Defense Platforms on the Eshirian-ND border to stem the flow of smuggling traffic and outright migration and the Port Royal Drydock was crippled by the UL in the suicide run, setting back construction for at least several months.

Still, the Pirates continued to get new guns and crews for those who sought to make their fortune in this hostile land. Most notably, members of the Al-Juhziz Clan and Catgirl and Kroot "private security comapnies," wishing to enjoy a secure base free from ISB patrols, moved into Port Royal, Krythos and Alrgeha, and some of the other first Strongholds of the Pirates.

Flush with new crews, they resumed raids. Among the Red Fists, the 40 Thieves, the Al-Juhziz Clan and the Order of the Iron Cross, it became a race to see who could take more land first. Right now, it seemed to be the Al-Juhziz Clan and the Red Fists, who took 4 systems each and were in the process of siezing 3 more. The others were gradually catching up, and even some of the minor gangs that were before little more than muscle now found themselves in command of a system or two.

All in all, the Pirates now had 12-25 systems, and were in the process of consolidating claims among the various groups that wrested the land from the locals. Indeed, the Conscripts that were drafted from local populations were tried out in the attempts to take each system-they proved troublesome, but when given enough carrot-and-stick-style "motivation" by their handlers (read: those who do their jobs well get benefits, those who refuse get the WH40K/WWII Russia treatment), either Pirate or the occasional, but rare collaborator,, they would take objectives and secure cities.

Of course, there were the Eshirian Regulars themselves. The Pirates were careful not to avoid as much contact with their forces as possible-which involved staying mostly in the Rust Belt. They knew that judging from the Ultralights, if their smallest ships were bad news, what would their biggest ships be like.