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Rioja's two largest cities are almost entirely under their control now, but the capital and more heavily defended bases haven't suffered a serious assault. The poor condition of the atmosphere is believed to be playing a part in their reluctance to stage a major ground assault.

Other worlds in the Run have had fortunes both better and worse than Rioja.

Merah was briefly invaded and occupied by a small force but they abandoned it after realising how much of the general population was armed. It is a farming colony after all. That didn't stop them from making off with food stockpiles at the spaceports.
Remaining House personnel on the planet are looking at setting up smuggler operations there.

Other colonies including Rare element mining and processing facilities have been invaded and captured. House Kadnil was able to evacuate most of their strategic stockpiles in time.

With Kadnil being the only minor House in the region to have a Heavy Cruiser House Nasidum seems to be putting more effort into capturing their worlds. Their regional capital has largely fallen, though substantial pockets of resistance remain.
So far Baron Ull'ek Kadnil has refused enemy demands to surrender or switch sides.

Things may look bad but you're slowly turning the tide. The Super Heavy Cruiser Sam Bellamy, under the command of mercenary Bernard Foss, has finished its hasty repairs and is now sporting 4 Helios siege weapons.
"Foss, you ship ready for combat?"
"As ready as we're going to be. The sublight engines on my ship aren't as powerful as those on Forbearance. We won't be able to jump back out as quickly."

That may make hit and run more difficult if you plan to deploy your largest ships for such missions.

For the moment Count Al'mari Nirium of the Ruling House has taken over escort of the siege weapon array from Foss and his fleet. The two Heavy Cruisers and their shield platforms seem better suited to protecting the giant weapon system.

>>48345227
For Piracy and Salvage!

>>48345267
For House and Dominion!

Deploy Forbearance and Sam Bellamy to assist in wiping out the enemy forces at Csontos while we deploy 1-3 thousand ships back to the run to harass the enemy forces there and deny them a completely free run of the place?

>>48345227
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

Allahua akbar, death to the traitorous faction alliance pigs

>>48345267
Combat estimates at Csontos?
I want to pound them with siege fire until they break and run. Right into cloaked ships prepared to SP torp the heavies engines before they jump.

>>48345267
>now sporting 4 Helios siege weapons.

I thought they were Iratar siege guns?

Knight Captain Katherine Drake is your fleet's Wing Commander. She has busy commanding your more mobile assets. Her efforts have been directed towards hunting down enemy raider units, bringing superior firepower to bear on them before they can do the same to you.

Knight Captain Kim Yu Chung led the minelayer units in the major fleet battle. They've exhausted most of their stockpiles and will need time to rebuild them. For now he's re-equipped his cloaked battleships to carry their heavy torpedo launchers.

Uyi Rna is the General of your Army. An army ready and waiting for the order to join the fighting. With word of the invasion of the Run and Rioja most are chomping at the bit to get into action.

Wiremu Tama is the admiral of your Fleet. As usual he's been busy with managing the starfighter corps. Despite recent losses you have no shortage of fighters thanks to manufacturing on Magdalena being untouched.

Fadila Saqqaf is your leading diplomatic adviser.

C.F. Vanderwal is a former House Erid noble now serving with your intelligence division as part of his parole. Fadila has sent you a hand written note warning you to remain wary of him. "Just because he's giving you the right advice doesn't mean it's for the right reasons."

Chide Dlam'ard, the Governor of Rioja has undoubtedly been working hard to help organise the defense of Rioja. The PDF seems to be putting up a good fight with relatively low desertion rates. Desertion is still taking place however and may increase over time.

>>48345520
>I thought they were Iratar siege guns?
Forbearance has 2x Helios in two turrets and 4x Iratar guns in two turrets.

The Sam Bellamy temporarily had 2 spare Iratar guns fitted. These have been removed and placed in reserve.
Helios siege weapons were pulled from both crippled enemy Mega class ships and moved to the Sam Bellamy giving her 4x guns in four turrets.

Iratar guns are smaller and less powerful than Helios weapons but are meant to be fitted two to the same turret, the same as Republic Heavy Plasma Cannons.

>>48345457
>Combat estimates at Csontos?
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/48244399/#p48292609

You've more or less halved the number of fully operational enemy ships around Csontos, though they still have many that can be repaired.
So about 3.4 to 5k that are fully operational. Or mostly so. They may have as many as 7k total around Csontos at this point.

Your numbers are sitting at around 6k fully operational, and a total of 10.4k
This number should increase to 9k operational in another 3-4 days if you stay out of heavy fighting.


>>48345350
>Deploy Forbearance and Sam Bellamy to assist in wiping out the enemy forces at Csontos while we deploy 1-3 thousand ships back to the run to harass the enemy forces there and deny them a completely free run of the place?

Is there any interest in this plan or do you want to continue to focus all efforts on the Csontos area?

>>48346145
>Is there any interest in this plan or do you want to continue to focus all efforts on the Csontos area?

I think there's some merit to this plan. Some of our mixed wings fared pretty poorly in the last battle, and it might be a good idea to keep them out of the direct confrontations as much as possible.

We should also check if one of our knights is qualified to coordinate the remaining ships in the run.

>>48346145
>>48346247
>Is there any interest in this plan or do you want to continue to focus all efforts on the Csontos area?

Seems reasonable enough. Don't like how Nasidum is just wreaking the Run as they please.

>>48346247
>We should also check if one of our knights is qualified to coordinate the remaining ships in the run.

Drake is obviously too busy. Mike is used to leading very small forces and would probably not be the best to take command of multiple units.

Your three most experienced raiding unit commanders that would be capable of handling the larger numbers needed.
Kim Yu Chung - May be needed for larger fleet actions.
Phas Rah'ne - experienced, slightly more familiar with the Run than the other two
Hera Boosalis - experienced
Lyas Cinayk - experienced

Baron Khyor Binil - Less used to hit and run tactics but believes they can make use of some resources they've hidden away on certain worlds.
Baron Kári Darrow (House Phobos) - Experienced with hit and run along with larger units tactics. Not familiar with the Run.
Cahya Mace (SRL Merc) - Has been familiarizing herself with the Run since acquisition of their base there. Credentials are sketchy but Foss claims she's good at operating in unfriendly territory.

Who did you have in mind to send? They would not take a large force with them.

>>48346902
>Phas Rah'ne
Phas seems to be the obvious choice no?

>>48346902
>Credentials are sketchy but Foss claims she's good at operating in unfriendly territory.

Is she good at honouring her contract?

>>48346948
>Is she good at honouring her contract?
"That's a definite maybe." Foss tells you.

"That would be funnier at a different place and time."

"She won't screw over my boss I can say that for sure. As long as that doesn't happen we're good."

>>48347073
Isn't his boss currently trying to keep the conflict going as long as possible because he's mildly upset with the dominion for one reason or another?

>other
How are the Shallan Medium, siege Decis, and plasma frigates performing?

Would it make sense to switch the Decis to EMP mode? It worked pretty well when we had a helios medium use it against the neeran supers, if I remember correctly.

>>48346902
>Phas Rah'ne

>>48346902
I want to say Phas Rah'ne, but i'm also interested in seeing what Cahya Mace (SRL Merc) is made of.

>>48346902
> Baron Khyor Binil - Less used to hit and run tactics but believes they can make use of some resources they've hidden away on certain worlds.

I mean, this is the clear winner for me. Strategic resources yes please.

>>48347211
>Isn't his boss currently trying to keep the conflict going as long as possible because he's mildly upset with the dominion for one reason or another?
No. Foss is referring to his boss Warlord Cirtap Krussk. You're thinking of the leading Warlord of the entire South Reach League.

>How are the Shallan Medium, siege Decis, and plasma frigates performing?
Ber'helum has mostly been playing it safe with the Shallan Medium, using it in 3 ship formations with newer Shukhant class ships. Its firepower is respectable but as it is equipped with Dominion built plasma weapons their range is a bit lacking. They're trying to save it for closer range engagements against other Mediums.

The siege Deci's are rather lackluster in performance, though their range is quite good. They lack the numbers necessary for their firepower to compete with the larger siege weapons. The gunners on Forbearance like having them around to give a better indication of how well the heavier shots will penetrate fleet formations, where shield walls might block them, etc.

Plasma frigates are seen as a tremendous fire support option against larger formations or ships that can't maneuver. Enemy commanders are now treating them like Centurion class ships, even though their firepower is much less.

They're not very effective against assault corvettes but this was anticipated. Enemy Assault corvette pilots treat them like less mobile Neeran corvettes and are giving them some insulting nicknames.

>>48347569
>The siege Deci's are rather lackluster in performance

Awww. At least they're somewhat useful as oversized spotting rifles.

>Enemy commanders are now treating them like Centurion class ships

Is that a good thing? Are dominion commanders still used to fighting against republic units?

>>48347756
Well, the Deci's were built with an eye towards economics, ease of production, and being more tactically flexible than the heavy siege weapons on the larger ships so without the manufacturing base to really crank them out it's to be expected that they won't be terribly useful in such large scale tactical and mid-rang strategic warfare.

>>48347756
>Is that a good thing?
They respect its firepower.
>Are dominion commanders still used to fighting against republic units?
The Neeran did deploy a light cruiser design meant for operating in wall formations so there is some familiarity.

Okay so looks like Phas Rah'ne will be sent.
Did you want Cahya Mace or Baron Khyor Binil to go with them for extra support?

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>48347880
Considering 5 of the light siege guns were able to put at least a noticeable dent in forbearance's shields, attaching a squad of 4 to a corvette or mixed wing should increase the ability of that unity to deal with static installations a lot.

It would make sense to treat them like a td or spg brigade you attach to other units to improve their effectiveness in certain situations.

If we'd be able to actually field an entire wing of them, they'd probably be pretty scary, even against heavies and megas. Siege cannons, scorchers or heavy plasma would also be less effective against them as they could simply spread out the formation to minimize losses.

>>48347918
I'm okay with both. So I'll let the die decide.
1= Cahya
2= Baron

>>48347918
Sure thing. I wouldn't mind sending Cahya Mace too.

>>48347918
I am okay with both of them going along. They could use some experienced commanders for what they are about to do.

>>48347918
I want to send Binil.

Less risky, and has access to extra resources.

>>48348063
> Phas Rah'ne - experienced, slightly more familiar with the Run than the other two

> Baron Khyor Binil - Less used to hit and run tactics but believes they can make use of some resources they've hidden away on certain worlds.

I mean, the two axis here are "Familiar with the Run" and "Experienced with Hit & Run tactics"

These two cover those bases nicely with an added bonus of Binil have extra resources in the run.

Mace is just a sketchy merc with talent. No idea why people would want her.

>>48348221
I am thinking this could work as long as we can get them to agree to work together.

Alright, the three of them will be sent. They'll take a few ships as possible with them.

>I am thinking this could work as long as we can get them to agree to work together.
This could be a problem since the Baron is not from your House and doesn't directly have an agreement with the Mercs.
You contact Fadila to see if she can work something out that will minimize inter-unit contlict.

"That should be easy enough Viscount. Our House may own the system the mercenaries were given control of but their ability to operate in the Run is reliant on all the Houses in the Run Alliance.
The Baron is also in a position to offer mass driver point defense systems from Kaartinen if they cooperate."

"Carrot and stick approach."

Are you okay with this?

>>48348583
Fair enough.

>>48348583
Yes.

>>48348583
Sounds good.

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Enemy skirmishing forces have begun to push out of the Run operating in Squadron or wing strength for the most part.

Less than a thousand ships total were detected, but that's more than enough to be disruptive. Especially when combined with the remaining cloaked ships.

"We've lost com and sensor coverage of Tabernas and the surrounding sectors, but we still have coverage of the main trade lane itself."

The Ruling House regional capital should still have a few courier ships to maintain communication if there is an emergency. It's not that far off the trade lane.

"The Ruling House base closest to the entrance of the Run is under attack. A small enemy fleet backed by a dozen Medium cruisers has begun bombarding it."

Looking it up that base is fairly weak and should fold in the face of such a force before long. Ships under repair are being readied for evacuation.

The two nearby bases located in the Spit are much tougher with reinforced shields and anti-torpedo armor. Provided the Mobile Fortress doesn't suddenly appear right next to them you should be able to rush ships to their defense in time if necessary.

There were plans to deploy 1-3 thousand ships either back to the Run or near its entrance to hinder enemy activity there. Do you still intend to do so? Or will you keep up the pressure on the forces at Csontos?

>>48348816
>There were plans to deploy 1-3 thousand ships

I think we should send the ships not well suited to actual fleet engagements. We should have at least have a few hundred of these.

>>48348906
>We should have at least have a few hundred of these.
Easily. The bulk of the fleet's numbers tend towards mixed units of attack corvettes, Firestorm II's and Attack Cruisers. Some are organised differently of course.
The Assault Corvettes make up no more than 30% for most fleets, though that number is expected to increase the longer fighting in the region continues since the newer designs can be built faster.

We'll resume in the morning.

Page 9 bump.

We really need another superweapon.

>>48351386
Nigga, let's try to not go full Zeon here, okay? They lost the war because they kept trying for fancy super weapons instead of focusing on mass production and husbanding their weaker economy.

>>48351480
But think how cool a Super Victory Torpedo would be.

>>48351504
I remember when we hated that one "Charge for Glory" dude who did cool shit that killed everyone around him.

Now you want to emulate him?

How about we get the job done.

>>48351624
When I say cool I mean "wow look how much of the enemy fleet disappeared in that one strike."

>>48351743
Followed by the rest of subspace?

Thanks, I'll pass.

Especially if the resources spent on possibly, possibly developing this are better spent on more ships.

>>48345267
>With Kadnil being the only minor House in the region to have a Heavy Cruiser

Aww shit, does that mean Jerik-Dremine is finally considered as a Medium House now?

>>48351386
Speaking of doomsday devices, the Navigators are quietly wondering if you know what's going on with the Alliance base and their exclusion zone. Supposedly they've been warned that the Alliance may need to make use of Veckron weaponry to defend their facility.
It may be a bluff intended to keep anyone from approaching, or it may not be. Either way it should be far enough from the trade lanes that a single detonation won't close down the Run.

>>48353456
>Aww shit, does that mean Jerik-Dremine is finally considered as a Medium House now?
Yes. Due to a number of reasons.

>>48354281
>Speaking of doomsday devices, the Navigators are quietly wondering if you know what's going on with the Alliance base and their exclusion zone.

We should probably contact FA command about this whole thing. If nobody wants to talk about it through official channels, contact the people we've dealt with before. Would it be possible for Sonia to grab one of the cloaked ships and inspect the local base?

We also need to talk to them about paying for the stuff they broke when they secured our research. And licensing fees for that research. And them technically breaking their charter.

>>48347569
>They lack the numbers necessary
Is Helios willing to sell us the necessary infrastructure to start building light siege cannons?

>>48354360
>Is Helios willing to sell us the necessary infrastructure to start building light siege cannons?
Or we could retire the ineffective design

>>48354365
They're bad because we don't have enough. 4 of our plasma frigates wouldn't impress anybody either.

>>48354360
>Is Helios willing to sell us the necessary infrastructure to start building light siege cannons?
I still don't care enough for the design to bother doing that. Just get more Bombard class Frigates instead seeing as they are performing much better and the Deci isn't performing well at all.

In any case.
>>48348816
>Do you still intend to do so? Or will you keep up the pressure on the forces at Csontos?
Do so. We need to start fucking the enemy forces over in the Run before they take it all from us. Even if they basically already did that.

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>>48354281
>Yes. Due to a number of reasons.

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Who's in charge of the various fronts?

If nobody has been coordinating these forces, we should probably make sure to have a chain of command in place before our enemy decides where to make a push.

Would it be possible to reactive the crappy raiders we managed to capture a few months ago before the first open invasion of the relay?

>>48354360
>We should probably contact FA command about this whole thing.
You're informed that most of the Alliance Admiralty is very busy dealing with a Neeran offensive on multiple fronts.
(It's serious enough that six Supers planned as ACS class ships have been rushed to completion as AEXS class.)
They do consider the matter serious enough that one of them will discuss it with you in detail once things have calmed down. Any potential charter violations will be discussed at that time.
Until then they have confirmed that yes their special operations command acted with their authority in securing dangerous resources.


>>48354532
>Who's in charge of the various fronts?
C) is made up of the majority of Barons in the Relay since that's where most of your forces have been focused. Sonia, Drake, the RH Count and most of the named Barons are there.

The three people you've just sent will be commanding the forces inside the Run.

A) Earl Tarse-enic from Ber'helum has volunteered to take command of forces being assigned there.

B) Baron I'argen from one of the Minor House allies along with Baron Usela to handle logistics will tackle this front. They'll be bringing some of their better people with them.
Unless you wanted to send anyone else?

>>48354814
Is it possible to relocate the RH base that's currently relatively close to Rioja? The one attacked with KKV corvettes a few months ago.

>Unless you wanted to send anyone else?
Sounds good to me.

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>>48354909
>Is it possible to relocate the RH base that's currently relatively close to Rioja? The one attacked with KKV corvettes a few months ago.
This one? Some of it could be but there's the chance the transports moving the base could come under attack.

>>48354977
Yeah, that one. I guess it's probably best to leave it to the commander of the area.

Enemy forces at Csontos look like they're preparing to move. Outlying skirmishing groups are pulling back towards the system, fighting their way through your own.

If you want Sonia's command ship and escort to keep up the pressure roll 4d20.

We'll also need a roll of 4d100 for Drake intercepting as many as possible.

Rolled 4, 4, 19, 14 = 41 (4d20)

>>48355099

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>48355099
>4d20
1

Rolled 74, 65, 85, 30 = 254 (4d100)

>>48355099

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>48355126
2

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>48355137
3

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>48355148
4

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>48355099
>4d100
1

Rolled 41, 30, 6, 26 = 103 (4d100)

>>48355099

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>48355168
2

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>48355208
3

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>48355221
4

Still need one more roll of 4d20.

Rolled 11, 2, 13, 11 = 37 (4d20)

>>48355099

>4d20 = 18, 11, 19, 14 = 62
>4d100 = 74, 92, 85, 53 = 304

Not bad.

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You take the Outer Heaven and its escorts into battle once more, now just trying to intercept as many ships as possible. Your gunners contine to knock out smaller ships with only a few hits while the helm keeps you from taking serious return fire. Both the Athena class escorts take their share of punishment providing additional cover, but don't take hull damage.

The Devourer and its squadron scores critical hits on several attack cruisers, destroying or disabling them. They also manage to avoid taking serious damage.

Elsewhere enemy units that are closer to the trade lane and those farthest back take the least losses, finding quick escape routes. Those closer to the Nav station are not so lucky.

The Count dispatches most of the fast ships from the Nav station to assist while the larger vessels escort the array to a safer location.

"Enemy forces look to be routed. Friendly units are in full pursuit."

As enemy forces begin to arrive in the Csontos system Drake contacts you.
"The enemy Super and heavies are leaving orbit but slowly. The Super and Carriers are loaded down with a few hundred damaged corvettes acting as standoff armour. Heavy Cruisers are patched but are not so loaded down.
I think they're evacuating the shield platforms from the Bastion but we don't have clear readings on them."

Your coms officer speaks up before you can ask Drake a question.
"Sir! Tabernas has just been attacked by the Mobile Fortress. Baron I'argen is reporting that it will reach the main trade lane in a few minutes."

"They're going to try and link up." Tama concludes.

"What's their force strength?" you demand.

"Unknown."

Tama shakes is head. "The enemy has been heavily attacking com and sensor relays near that planet. I'argen was probably expecting to find more raiders there not a large fleet."

Count Nirium will probably be wondering if this would be a good time to deploy the gravity well and array again to trap or delay either of the enemy Fleets.

>>48356254
Have the skirmishers try to delay the enemy fortress fleet, we need to gut as many of the damaged enemy ships as we can.

>>48356254
See if Earl Tarse-enic can start probing attacks into the run.

How long will it take for the Fortress to reach the bastion?

>>48356254
Deploy the array and the well against the super and heavies. We want to take out that last super to deprive the fortress of escorts.

The real problem with delaying enemy fleet movements with the gravity well is the time needed to turn it off again. In the minutes that takes it could come under fire from long range guns unless protected.

>>48356318
>See if Earl Tarse-enic can start probing attacks into the run.
Will attempt to do so.

>How long will it take for the Fortress to reach the bastion?
45-55 minutes.

>>48356254
If we can we should try to take out the last Super and take out as many carriers as possible since we know the layout of the enemy forces and the only way they would have sent that Fortress is under heavy guard so unless we are ready for another fleet battle or manage to somehow rip the fortress out of FTL with only part of the fleet escorting it.

>>48356254
Time to fuck them over. Deploy the Well with the Array at the Bastion along with Sam Bellamy and Forbearance. That should give us enough firepower to take out the Carriers and the one remaining Super or at the very lest destroy a lot of ships. Then we haul ass out of there to Magdalena where we can make a stand should they choose to follow us with the Fortress in which case we should have enough firepower to take it out.

>>48356493
Could we not turn it on and then turn it off again? I mean that can't take more than half an hour or so right?

>>48356520
>Could we not turn it on and then turn it off again? I mean that can't take more than half an hour or so right?
It only takes a few minute to get up to full strength but it takes 15 minutes for the well to bleed off. During which the generator is incapable of making course corrections.

>>48356424
>deploy the array and the well against the super and heavies.
>>48356501
>try to take out the last Super and take out as many carriers as possible

So you'd like to rush everything to the Csontos system before the enemy fleet can jump, or barring that try to drag them out of FTL before they reach the main lane?
Or you you want to use the Grav well to try and slow the Fortress?

>>48356738
>Or you you want to use the Grav well to try and slow the Fortress?
I think we shouldn't send the grav well against the fortress without our entire fleet covering it.

>>48356738
>try to drag them out of FTL before they reach the main lane

Let them jump away from Csontos before hitting the well for maximum 'not this shit again' impact

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>>48356977
>Let them jump away from Csontos before hitting the well for maximum 'not this shit again' impact
Did you have a particular place in mind?

>>48357127
As close as feasible to Csontos if we can tell which path they are going to take. If not we probably want to stop them before they jump at all.

>>48357127
Can we use ECM to make the Fortress think that a fleet is waiting for them to leave the area so we can ambush them? They'll wait up to catch us in a pincer, while we're actually trashing the other fleet.

>>48357314
Make it look like you're bringing in a fleet in front of them or from behind them? Or just off the lane?

Two enemy fleets are in motion.

[ ] Try to block Csontos fleet before it can jump
[ ] Raid Csontos fleet with Supers before it can jump
[ ] Position fleet to intercept Csontos forces after they jump
[ ] Engage fortress fleet with array and gravity well
[ ] Other

If we can't make any kind of decision I'll have to put up a survey since I leave for work in an hour.

>>48357514
We want to make it look like we're planning to ambush them further ahead, so they should wait for the other fleet to get further along in its journey before moving to meet up. Or to take a slower route.
In actuality its fake, so we're really hitting the other fleet.

>>48357569
>[X] Raid Csontos fleet with Supers before it can jump

And then get the fuck out of there before the fortress can bully our fleet.

>>48357569
>[ ] Raid Csontos fleet with Supers before it can jump

>>48357569
[ ] Raid Csontos fleet with Supers before it can jump
Jump in, fuck shit up, get out. All within 40 minutes.

>>48357576
In that case you'll need more than just ECM. You'll need decoys or at least something to give the impression that there are several thousand IFF's present. Starfighter carriers using their drones to broadcast might be able to do it.

>>48357748
Fair enough.

>>48357748
Well, we can do that then. Not like we need them for the raids.

>>48357766
>>48357854
Deploy your Carriers and drones for a decoy operation?

>Y/N?

>>48357921
Y

>>48357921
Ask somebody in-universe if it's a good idea.

>>48357921
>>48357921
N

Seems like a needless danger risking our Carriers like that when we could instead use them to cover our ships back at Csontos. Carriers deploy with fleets or not at all in my opinion.

>>48357960
"It's very risky. If the enemy decides to go after them instead of waiting they could wipe out our carrier and drone forces. If it works though it could buy us time to finish off the Csontos fleet once and for all."

see around 9PM EST.

>>48358150
Thanks. Not really convinced about that.

What's the situation on the other side of the ftl lane to the main dominion territories?

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Accurate?

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>>48360878
Eh, close enough.

Just remember the small cal ammo is above the barrel like kraut space magic gun. No wait that was the original SRL design.
Your mass produced version has the small cal ammo magazines on the sides and top of the barrel.

>>48359617
>What's the situation on the other side of the ftl lane to the main dominion territories?
Largely abandoned by civilian traffic when word came that the sensors arrays on this side had been blown up. Nasidum left only a very small force to keep an eye on the area.

Several major Houses have sent small skirmishing forces to contest the station and nearby bases just because the enemy is there.

Technical difficulties please stand by.

Sorry about that. Hadn't scanned my computer in a bit and things happened as a result.

"We have very little time to get this right. We'll jump in with our biggest ships and do as much damage as possible before they jump out."

Count Nirium is determined that if you're not taking the gravity well along their fleets will move it into position part way along the enemy's projected route.
"Depending on how well things go we could try to drag them out of FTL."

The Sam Bellamy has already accelerated for her jump before you've even given the order. Light flickering off her bow indicates they can jump any moment.
"We're running out of time. If we're doing this we need to go now." says Foss.

Sublight drives on Forbearance kick into full. As soon as they're both ready you give the order for all ships to jump.

After reversion the big guns are brought to bear as quickly as possible. Secondary weapons immediately open fire, as do point defense as the enemy missile and mine screens attempt to converge on your position.

Roll 8d100 for point defense.

Rolled 87, 66, 100, 77, 45, 91, 99, 18 = 583 (8d100)

>>48363236
point defense powered by BELIEF

Rolled 23, 16, 4, 49, 20, 4, 73, 72 = 261 (8d100)

>>48363236
Praise salvage!

Rolled 59, 50, 48, 62, 12, 22, 92, 80 = 425 (8d100)

>>48363236
ROLLIN THUNDER!

87, 66, 100, 77, 45, 91, 99, 80

Nice.

>>48363322
>Praise salvage!
Praise that you're not becoming salvage?

The incoming mines and missiles seem to hit a wall of fast moving metal. Space around the fleet lights up such that from the outside it must look like the Corona of a star. Detonations begin to spiral inward in places as the number of incoming warheads overwhelms the fleet's ability to keep up.

Mass driver fire from Forbearance proves to be a bit weaker than you might have expected. They have more particle beams out at the moment, posing a hazard to any starfighters or drones that might want to get closer. Your own group puts out more than enough to make up for it.

Ruling House ships are a bit deficient in the numbers of weapon systems they've brought along, using their greater number of ships to try and soak off damage with shields and quick rotation much as the enemy has. Still, there is enough friendly support to keep them from taking serious hits.

Siege weapon beams lance out towards the enemy fleet, only one of them missing. Two of the shots from the Mercenary Super are merely glancing blows but the rest are solid hits. Gunners on the Forbearance seem to be getting the hang of things landing four good hits, both of the more power weapons managing to find their mark.

They're overlapping their shields so you haven't been able to punch through yet but a few more shots should start having a real impact.

"Incoming!"
You feel a jolt as emergency thrusters bring the Outer Heaven's bow up, putting you out of harms way. Enemy return fire strikes Forbearance, three of the four siege weapon shots being glancing hits.

"I thought we crippled one of their turrets?"
Arron sends you a grainy image showing the turret damaged in the big battle a few days ago now heavily patched. It's venting a streamer of plasma from the top when firing.

"That can't be healthy for their barrel life."

>cont

Both sides are filling the space between the fleets with heavy phase cannon fire. You have an advantage in numbers of operational ships, but even the damaged enemy ones are adding their fire.

In the next volley two of your fleet's siege weapon shots manage to punch through the shield wall, destroying ships docked to the outer hull of the enemy super.

"Keep up that overlapping fire and we'll do some critical damage to them."

"I don't think we'll have time sir. They're jumping."

[ ] Focus on the Mega
[ ] Focus on a Heavy Carrier
[ ] Focus on a Heavy Cruiser
[ ] Go for overall damage to their fleet

>>48364258
>[x] Focus on the Mega

We knock out that Mega we can use our supers to bash their heavy carriers to death with impunity, the only obstacle being the mobile fort.

>>48364258
>[ ] Focus on a Heavy Carrier
Yes praise we are not salvage.

>>48364258
>[ ] Focus on a Heavy Carrier

>>48364258
>[x] Focus on a Heavy Carrier

More in the morning!

I do have to work again tomorrow evening but I'll be running for the whole day Thursday.

>>48364258
>[ ] Focus on the Mega

I like the idea of taking out their long-range siege capability.

Troops win firefights, Tanks win battles, Artillery wins wars.

So if we can have long range attack capability without them being able to effectively return fire . . .

>>48364258
What's our Anti-matter torpedo situation?

>>48364258
Is this an EX Mega with siege guns? If so, then

> Focus on the Mega

Otherwise

> Focus on a Heavy Carrier

To further cripple their logistics capability.

I mean, they're all good choices really.

Rolled 182 (1d666)

>>48364258
>[ ] Focus on the Mega

SATAN GUIDE MY COCK

>>48367074
Dead body

182 Every one who

(a) neglects, without lawful excuse, to perform any duty that is imposed on him by law or that he undertakes with reference to the burial of a dead human body or human remains, or

(b) improperly or indecently interferes with or offers any indignity to a dead human body or human remains, whether buried or not,

is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

R.S., c. C-34, s. 178.

Damn, Satan.

>>48364258
Are we capable of disabling the Mega or the Talos heavy carriers in time? They have been pretty resilient so far.

>>48367587
Don't need to disable the Mega. Just shoot out it's Siege guns and it loses a tremendous amount of firepower and gives us the possibility of taking out that blasted Fortress with Sam, Forbearance and the Array.

>>48364258
> [ ] Focus on the Mega

>>48364258
Would it help if we authorized using SP torpedoes for taking out the Mega?

Switching to targeting the Mega.

>>48367587
>Are we capable of disabling the Mega or the Talos heavy carriers in time? They have been pretty resilient so far.
You're sure going to try.

>>48365535
>What's our Anti-matter torpedo situation?
The Helios AM has been building a stockpile of warheads that past few days that Kim's Battleships can use, either in torpedo mode or that can be reconfigured into mines.
They're beginning to run low on stasis bottles to use for construction but Logistics is working on it.

>>48369130
It's questionable if they'd be able to reach their targets in the current environment.

Roll 6d20 for Forbearance last second gunnery.

Rolled 6, 15, 13, 13, 7, 14 = 68 (6d20)

>>48369382
Oh boy. Here we go.

Rolled 1, 11, 11, 12, 20, 13 = 68 (6d20)

>>48369382
So, we can't use an AM torpedo here? Darn.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>48369382
>Roll 6d20
1

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>48369458
2

>>48369458
I tried your single roll method last thread.

It didn't work as well as I had hoped.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>48369472
3

>>48369474
It often tends to result in less extreme results than rolling all dice at once because 4chan's RNG is pretty limited by using system time. It's be no means perfect.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>48369518
4

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>48369518
That doesn't sound lucky at all.

Rolling to see if your rolls will improve.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>48369528
5

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>48369541
6

>>48369382
9, 15, 13, 17, 20, 14

More good than bad. Hopefully that 20 is for a turret lol.

>9, 15, 13, 17, 20, 14
Pretty decent.

>>48364236
>Ruling House ships are a bit deficient in the numbers of weapon systems they've brought along

We should defintiely try tp sell them our PD systems after that demonstration.

>>48369608
We should offer the software for free and charge a maintenance free, retaining proprietary rights to it.

>>48369651
> RH is in the middle of a pitched battle with a house that we're also allied with

> PD goes down for forced update.

TSTG, would it be possible to design a ship upgrade around a cloaking device that's just good enough to work in larger combat situations? Most likely a very downgraded version of the standard cloak.

With all the ecm, eccm, explosions, and weapon fire thrown around in fleet combat, it should be easier to keep a ship hidden than under normal circumstances, right?

>>48369709
That actually would make it harder, since it could show up as a "hole" where all that should be going on. As well as having to deal with not reflecting all the radiant energy. Not to mention you would have to hide it's weapons effects.

As well, our capabilities are pretty stretched right now regardless with cloaking.

I mean, that's a level the Rovinar barely have and they sure aren't thrilled about sharing it.

>>48369458
And this is why I didn't ask you to roll for gunnery on the Sam Bellamy as well.

>>48369709
Cloaks begin to fail if weapons fire strikes them. The newer ones won't fail but their ability to work properly will rapidly degrade.


"Focus on the Mega. We need to land a crippling hit before they jump."

Fire from the rest of your ships begins to focus on the Mega as more enemies shift formation to add more shield coverage. This proves to be dangerous for those near the partially repaired gun. The plasma streamer damages the shields of a few smaller ships forcing them to relocate.

Space tears open as leading elements of the other fleet begin to jump.

Forbearance's main guns fire again at the last moment, every one of them hiting their target. Only one of the Bellamy's guns manage to fire in time. The combined strikes manage to punch a hole through the aft shields, badly damaging the aft sublight drives.

The other three shots fired by the mercenaries pass through empty space as the heavy warships jump.

"Reynard to all ships, prepare to jump in pursuit."

You have data on their outbound heading sent to Count Nirium who quickly responds.
"We should be able to drag their fleet out of FTL. With the damage to their sublight drives it will take too long for them to escape its area of coverage. That will buy us the time needed to finish it."

"What about their other course corrections?" you ask. "Won't that take time too?"

"Yes, just not nearly as much."

1) Do you approve of this plan?
2) Do you want to bring in the Array at maximum range?

>>48370377
>And this is why I didn't ask you to roll for gunnery on the Sam Bellamy as well.

Okay, I'll stop doing it.

>1) Do you approve of this plan?
ETA until the fortress arrives?

>>48370377
Any nearby enemy groups who could help them aside the fortress?

.>>48370412
>Okay, I'll stop doing it.
It's fine if there aren't too many rolls, but if there's a lot it can be problematic.

>ETA until the fortress arrives?
You should have a 20-30 minute window before they can reach the gravity well's location. If they're dragged out by it they should still be at the edge of their weapons range.

Unless the well is in the process of being bled off in which case the radius of the gravity well will be much smaller and it will be dragged out of FTL much closer.

>>48370470
A few minor raider groups that didn't return to the Csontos system and instead waited nearby. Most are at wing strength.

>>48370377
Do we even need to pursue? The Mega has been reduced to a barely mobile station, and I'm pretty sure no place in DRH 1 produces the equipment required to get it mobile again within weeks and possibly even months.

>>48370805
>Do we even need to pursue? The Mega has been reduced to a barely mobile station
It still has its maneuvering drives. It can move but slowly. While jumping will be very difficult it is still possible.

>>48370902
Wouldn't it be to our advantage if they have to keep dragging that ship around?

While the Fortress and most of their fleet is busy assisting the Mega, would could raid our way through the run instead.

>>48371009
>Wouldn't it be to our advantage if they have to keep dragging that ship around?
That is up to you and the other players.

Are you pursuing the enemy fleet or letting them go?
Count Nirium will not activate the gravity well if your fleet will not be arriving to provide reinforcements.

>>48370377
Approve and bring in the Array. Finish the Mega off and perhaps we can even hurt the Fortress with any luck

>>48371129
>Are you pursuing the enemy fleet or letting them go?
I'm for it, although I'd prefer we keep the engagement as short as possible. Instead of focusing on the mega, try to damage as many ships as possible.

>2) Do you want to bring in the Array at maximum range?
No. We have the fortress inbound, I'd prefer to avoid that confrontation for now.

>>48371129
> Try to focus on hurting as many ships as possible while making it look like we're going for the Mega.

>>48371129
Taking out the mega would really help. I'm for it.

>>48371276
>>48371412
>>48371555

Looks like you are going in pursuit. The Count will activate the gravity well. Meanwhile the Array will stay away from the area.

If there are any objections to this you have 8 minutes to make them.

>>48371580
>If there are any objections to this you have 8 minutes to make them.

I feel like we're missing something importing. Quick, ask not-daska if this plan is okay.

>>48371580
Let's do it. I hope to go we wont die.

>>48371580
I want to set a 20 minute engagement window for our forces. Once we hit that, we leave.

>>48371580
I'll support >>48371950

Do what damage we can and then bounce.

Sorry for the minimal post, I screwed up a bit.

Jumping in pursuit your fleet receives nav data from Drakes ships tracking enemy movement. You're back just far enough for them to make their course corrections at the realignment points.

"The gravity well has dragged them back to real space. They're sending out a distress signal."

You're warned before the final jump to the gravity well that the Count can either have you dropping out far enough away that the enemy can't turn on you as easily, or you can jump into knife fighting range.

[ ] Stay farther away to make disengaging easier
[ ] Jump in close to break them

>>48372282
>[ ] Stay farther away to make disengaging easier
We have a definite long range advantage.

>>48372282
> [ ] Stay farther away to make disengaging easier

We can always hit them again later, at range. I don't like the idea of committing to a fight where we haven't thoroughly prepared or at least picked the site like our first pitched battle.

>>48372282
>[ ] Stay farther away to make disengaging easier
We have the edge here. We got more siege cannons than they do and we do not want to stay here longer than we have to.

>>48372282
[X] Jump in close

>>48372406
We also have our plasma corvette wall, and our cute and permanently bullied deci squad. Maybe attach half of the decis to foss' ship for this engagement if their useful ranging guns?

>>48372282
>[ ] Stay farther away to make disengaging easier

You're draged out of FTL far enough away that the enemy can't quickly turn back to engage you without facing an extended bombardment first.

The gravity well is set up such that it's headed farther away from the lane, but is still more than close enough to prevent the enemy from a quick escape.

"We should count on no more than a twenty minute window. Shut the gravity well down in another five."

Your supers focus their fire on the enemy Mega while smaller ones try to do as much damage as possible to their escorts. It looks like they've already taken some damage to ships at the front of the formation.

"How did that happen?"
"The Count deployed some SP Torpedoes at the edge of the well before their arrival."

Return fire rocks the Sam Bellamy but it looks like shields are holding. Your own fire is doing a number on enemy shields. The Merc gunners are still managing to miss the occasional shot but they're getting better.

You're certainly inflicting plenty of damage on the enemy. They're using the more heavily damaged ships to intercept fire, and while its keeping some ships intact they're losing plenty of hulls.

"Why haven't we taken more fire from their super yet? They should have fired by now."

The next four beams are fired not at your group but at the gravity well fleet. With them being at the very edge of weapons range none of them hit the mark but they do manage to inflict damage on the escorts.

"We're turning off the gravity well early." the Count informs you.

Headed for work!

>>48373008
That's cool. I don't want to risk the well anyways.

Let's keep hammering their super for as long as we can, it has trouble jumping anyways.

>>48373108
I'd rather we just cripple or destroy as much of the smaller ships as possible, since every ship damaged is another ship clogging up their logistics.

>>48373208
You don't want to push for having range superiority? Because I sure do.

>>48373008
>Continue to focus fire on the Mega.

Fuck their artillery. I mean, come on, it JUST screwed us re: the gravity well.

>>48373398
Considering the state the ship's in, we'll have more than enough time to shoot at the mega.

However, their heavy carriers will probably jump asap, so I think we should focus our fire on them for now.

>>48374489
Would we be able to even drop their shields in time? Might as well finish off the Mega now while we can be sure.

File: 2heavies1post.png (26 KB, 213x557)

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>Asteroid tug heavy carrier
I really like the ceres carrier modification, is it hard to build the basic hull + engine? It seems like a design that should also be easy to deploy with massed spinal weapons like heavy plasma cannons or scrap cannons. An upscaled version of that neeran medium design with 4 heavy spinal cannons, if you will.

It may not be as fancy as the Talos but it looks like a ship that you can build three of in the time it takes to finish a Talos. Which probably works better with the corvette spam most traditional dominion houses favor too.

I also like the way it looks.

>Boli
What's the idea behind this ship? Other than having a class you can call the horseshoe heavy. Is it a heavy cruiser / carrier hybrid?

>Enemy forces
Has the enemy in the relay indicated they'd be willing to talk? Are the three counts leading the fleet known to be pragmatic, or at they more in line with the nasidum diplomat who showed up to 'talk' to the run alliance during the first invasion?

Have the heavy pushes by neeran forces had any impact on the opinion held by the warring houses?

>>48375220
Anon, you offer terms when you're winning. Hopefully Myrun also has a chance to defect, but I would leave the psy-ops for after we have cornered them.

If we can take out the Mega and have tactical superiority with our siege array, then we can really pound them and start to negotiate. Maybe we could discuss the safe return of planet bound Bonrah assets, holding them in trust for the end of the war or allowing them to head off to the FA in the meantime, in exchange for ceasing hostilities.

Also Helios STILL hasn't done fuck all.

>>48375070
>Would we be able to even drop their shields in time?

I would assume it to be very doable on the ones that aren't the new talos design.

>Might as well finish off the Mega now while we can be sure

I don't want to finish the mega, to be hoenst. Just disable the heavy turrets, and they'll have to drag around a ship they can't really justify abandoning but also have no way of repairing. Even if they manage to patch it up somehow, it will eat up a significant part of their scarce resources.

>>48375430
>I don't want to finish the mega, to be hoenst. Just disable the heavy turrets, and they'll have to drag around a ship they can't really justify abandoning but also have no way of repairing. Even if they manage to patch it up somehow, it will eat up a significant part of their scarce resources.
It has repair docks anon. Its a net positive to their resources in everything but fuel.

>>48375430
This is a very good point and one I was thinking over. If we cripple the Mega, they'll have to rally around it and defend it, after all I doubt they could justify abandoning it outright.

If we freed them of the burden of defending the mega, they'd be able to break into smaller groups centered around the heavy carriers and we'd have more trouble contesting them with no equal heavy carrier fleet of our own.

This would leave them a few options but I think it would be reasonable to assume they would make a play for facilities capable of repairing a super, most of which we can set up fixed defenses at.

If they abandon it, they'll presumably scuttle it to prevent anyone else from using it, so we still accomplish destroying it.

>>48375484
>Its a net positive to their resources in everything but fuel.

Didn't tstg say fuel has the chance of becoming scarce as the amount of ships actively deployed in the relay outstrips the local fuel production by a large amount?

I also wouldn't be surprised if the carriers had more modern repair facilities. The Dominion is supposed to use Megas mostly as a way to recycle second rate equipment from other ships.

>>48375284
I don't think they will be willing to talk as long as that Fortress is still in their hands. Once that is good they loose their one strategic advantage that they do have and we can mop up their remaining forces with little problem.

Also I too am a bit miffed at Helios and their lack of doing fuck all. 2600 ships and they are just sitting there while Nasidum is fucking over the entire run.

>>48375430
>>48375515
Mega has carrying and repair capacities. It stores lots of ammo and fuel and is one of the few things that can threaten our own Supers. The only other thing that can really threaten it being the Fortress and possibly a massed attack by the Heavies, the later being a stupid thing to do.

>>48375484

I see targeting the Mega as a win win. Either they lose their last reliable siege weapon, or rhey sacrifice a significant amount of ships to protect it.

Regardless, it will severely limit their tactical options in turn limiting their strategic ones as they won't be able to contest our array as well as making our Gravity Well generator much safer.

I'm less concerned with their fuel and repair logistics because we already outstrip them there. The concern right now is to prevent them from expanding their capabilities.

You're still stuck in offensive raid tactics, not considering our advantages as a defensive position.

>>48375612
Or they'll be willing to surrender to keep their fortress. No sense losing it just to cause damage to the run out of spite.

>>48375612
>Also I too am a bit miffed at Helios and their lack of doing fuck all. 2600 ships and they are just sitting there while Nasidum is fucking over the entire run.

Well, they also have to consider places besides our relay. Although some additional support like additional SP torps or planetary shields would have been appreciated. Even if we manage to resolve the current invasion before Helios makes their move, the ships will help a lot during the fight for the other relay currently occupied by bonrah.

>I don't think they will be willing to talk as long as that Fortress is still in their hands.

They probably realize their fortress can only be in one place at a time, and they'll definitely have problems repairing any not completely superficial damage done to something of that size.

>>48375697

They probably know they have a very decent chance of escaping to the other relay if they need to.

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>Actually discussing ideas and plans while OP is away

This is the most comfy H&D has been in months. We should keep doing this, I like it.

I wish the guy who did our rifle designs would show up again.

I think we should poke the fortress with a cheeky Veckron.

Would it be considered too much to parade the enemy commanders in shackles around the streets of Rioja?

>>48375906
>I think we should poke the fortress with a cheeky Veckron.
Is there some test data from the FA available on how well that would work?

Probably. There's beating somebody, and there's being an ass about it. Remember that Daska thing.

Those guys are likely going to be around for a long time, I don't see the need to deliberately antagonize them.

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>>48375835
starshadow is kill. RIP

>>48375906
No to the first, yes to the second. I stand by that the only point at which we should consider using a Veckron is if we are about to lose the Forbearance. Nothing else could stand up against the damage just one more of those things could do to the Relay.

>>48375835
>I wish the guy who did our rifle designs would show up again.
His autism was too great to leave his designs alone, he just had to overdesign everything to near-uselessness. I don't think we saw him in the thread again after he got overruled in the HAG arguments.

>>48375979
No to the first, no to the second. Treat enemy officers with respect and courtesy.

Parade captured materiel through the streets. Or replicas thereof.

It's unlikely Bonrah and Co. Will be completely wiped out,and it will also show that we respect the position of Noble - something our public image has had trouble with.

TL;DR Don't make enemies you don't plan on killing.

Especially with these guys who are pretty good at politics if they've been holding the alliance together.

>>48375906
Or we could take out their long range engagement capability and just pound them from afar.

I don't think they actually can escape the run easily, they damaged the nav relay that they hold and we have the other one. Plus that fortress ain't fast. Plus getting out through our nav relay means joining the FA.

I would say any negotiations we make involve holding at least one if not two of the enemy commanders as well treated but isolated guests to fuck up Bonrahs political machine as well.

>>48376172
>Plus getting out through our nav relay means joining the FA.

They can always jump to DRH 2, which is currently under Bonrah control.

>>48376194
We can't really allow that. If that Fortress escapes to DRH2 it could return with a reinforcement fleet from the Relay or make our attempt at recapturing the Relay that much of a pain in the arse.

Not that I am not looking forward to it. Assuming we did not lose all to many soldiers we should be able to capture a nice fat bunch of territory for JD in that Relay.

>>48376351
>Assuming we did not lose all to many soldiers we should be able to capture a nice fat bunch of territory for JD in that Relay.
You have to remember that JD is stretched thin enough as it is, we can't possibly hold any more territory than we have now, as we'd risk overextending ourselves and losing it all.

>>48376351
>We can't really allow that.

We can't do anything to stop them from doing that at the moment.

>>48376194
Derp I got that mixed up then, I thought that was the one they damaged. Then again, we do have the grav well generator to Harry the fuck out of them with.

And that fortress still isn't fast.

>>48376408
Grav well, AM spam, SP spam, vecky-wecky snuggles, massed siege array & Deci combined fire.

>>48376351
>nice fat bunch of territory for JD in that Relay.
As pointed out already, JD is stretched quite thin.

I'd rather we cede any territory we take to Ber'helum, Helios, or the Ruling house, as a thanks for their assistance over the years. We can also sell it off to other houses we like.

>>48376459
Or trade it for that ruling house planet in the run

>>48376408
Yes we can. Gravity Well Generator. Remember?

>>48376402
>>48376459
That was about half a year ago. We have increased our fleet in the Relay by about 200%. Main territories has had time to settled the conquered Erid territories as well. We are looking at getting some new Barons up in the Run as well in not to long a time so they can help shore up our fleet presence in the area.

Once we've kicked out Nasidum and Bonrah from the Relay, again, is the perfect time to capture a nice swat of territory in DRH2 for JD. Some nice fat colonies and territory in a close proximity to eachother and not all over the place like in DRH1.

>>48376446
We'd still need to catch their fleet before they've made it out of the relay. And we currently have no eyes in the run, and the relevant parts of our fleet are parked at the other end of the relay.

They can probably be mid-jump to drh 2 before we get there.

>>48376459
>I'd rather we cede any territory we take to Ber'helum, Helios, or the Ruling house

Don't forget Kharbos and Che'len. We can probably earn some serious goodwill with them that way, and I think getting more of the large houses invested in the outer relays is a decent idea.

Although I'd like to get J-D some space along a trade lane in the relay, and maybe a one or two systems with planets that are terra forming candiates.

>>48376487
>Yes we can. Gravity Well Generator. Remember?

We still have to get it in the way of the enemy first.

>>48376520
I'd rather trade territory in exchange for aid developing what we already own.

We should capture a scorcher and use it to upgrade the Array

>>48377170
Isn't the array already basically a scorcher? Just that nobody has been insane enough to fire it at a planet on maximum power settings.

By the way, what are we doing with the cooling laser? If just checked, and if you cool down plasma it reverts back to it's gaseous/liquid/solid form. Wouldn't that allow us to deploy anti plasma PD turrets eventually?

>>48377170
Honestly we should just get a Scorcher then instead. The Array is kind of a big target and wasn't designed as a weapon to begin with. As opposed to the Scorcher. Scorcher may not be as powerful as the Array but I am pretty sure it is better in most other ways.

But that's beside the point. Capturing one would be no small feat of strength and we got a Civil War to win first.

>>48377310
>Capturing one would be no small feat of strength

That's quite an understatement, considering the FA still hasn't managed to capture a Neeran jell-o shield and these are a lot more common than scorchers. Not even a Krath has manage to eat somebody who understands how they work and managed to make it back.

>>48377292
>what are we doing with the cooling laser?
I think the plan was to try and get Ber'helum, Helios and the RH in on researching it.

I posted about it before but it's the most unassuming artifact item we have, you think it's not that great at first but it's something that cools things down using only energy. Logistically that's fantastic. You could upgrade the containment systems on fusion reactors to run something like that, and you could run them EXTREMELY hot and just compensate by funneling more power into the freeze ray. The industrial applications alone are staggering.

>>48377170
> Not capturing the Mega and adding it to the array

> Not eventually just having a massive space hulk of supers lurking in the Run daring anyone to come fuck with it

We shall call it - The gun line!

>>48377374
That and the direct application to Plasma Cannons is amazing as well and will give anyone with sufficiently advanced plasma tech who use it a distinct advantage.

>>48377383
Imperium has their Kavarian Dream. Dominion has Sonias Scraphulk

>>48377425
>Imperium has their Kavarian Dream. Dominion has Sonia.
Ftfy.

File: mirthful merchant.gif (1.98 MB, 359x346)

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>>48377425
>That and the direct application to Plasma Cannons

>Larger Republic plasma cannons have difficulty with heat management
>Sonia controls some ridiculous cooling tech
>Alliance steals Nanotech
>Now even less likely to share it

>>48377383
It has so many guns, it can only fire once before it has to shut down to recharge.

It has so many guns, it only needs to fire once.

And if it ever needs to fire twice, it has a stupid amount of AM torpedoes.

>>48377557
I am still hype for when we get to confront the Alliance base here and just fuck with them general. We don't get to flaunt our power all that often. Not that we should most of the time but it's fun the few times that we do.

>>48377557
We could also build specialized terraforming ships for the watchers to quickly freeze planets down to the level they find pleasant.

>>48377709
>watchers
Oh I bet they'd love a freeze ray just in general.

>>48377709
That one is easy. Planetary shield for an extended time to keep the sun from warming up the planet eventually leading to an ice age. Ofcourse that is only a temporarily solution since it will warm back up again only with everything fucked. Really there is no lack of cold planets in space if that's what they want. Just look at like... Pluto.

>>48377749
. . . . . It's going to get used for masturbation, isn't it. We've discovered their equivalent of the detachable shower head.

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>>48377557
> Starbase
> Republic/Alliance BFPC (Big Frakin Plasma Cannon) - Gives Neeran Super Heavies and Command Ships nightmares. Serious cooling issues.

>>48377374
>I think the plan was to try and get Ber'helum, Helios and the RH in on researching it.
I'm just worried about what will happen AFTER the civil war. Remember, Ber'helum wants to replace Nirium as the ruling house, and we've kinda agreed to help them with that, as it lines up with our interests.

>>48378329
We've probably already done more than what could be reasonably expected from somebody in a minor house by getting them additional territory in drh 1, and a few dozen upgraded lance class medium cruisers.

Okay... so a lot of discussion while I was gone.

>>48375220
>but it looks like a ship that you can build three of in the time it takes to finish a Talos. Which probably works better with the corvette spam most traditional dominion houses favor too.
That was the idea.

>What's the idea behind this ship?
Just sketching out random ships and it was one that didn't fall into the FAIL: NEVER USE EVER category. Was trying to come up with ideas for hull designs that could carry plenty of republic plasma weapons. It has the ability to carry several HLV's aboard like many heavy cruiser designs. Doesn't have a huge starfighter wing but could be modified to have one.

In universe explanation is that it was intended to be sold to the Neeran Isolationist forces supporting the war effort. Some of their attack cruisers and frigates (then considered Battlecruisers and attack cruisers) were crippled in the faction wars and later salvaged. Saputo's unit salvaged one themselves but later traded it in due to maintenance difficulty.
Some of these old ships were reverse engineered to a limited extend and used to help design the Heavy Cruiser. The not-so-Isolationists have only bought a couple of them so it's only seen limited production.

>Has the enemy in the relay indicated they'd be willing to talk?
They're undoubtedly under considerable pressure to succeed so its questionable.

>>48378540
That's to be expected.

Let's get get on with mission killing that Mega.

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>>48378369
>We've probably already done more than what could be reasonably expected from somebody in a minor house
But they don't consider you a minor House anymore.
>Laughing Dro'all

>>48377292
>Isn't the array already basically a scorcher?
The Scorcher is a direct descendant of the Array. Or at least of the array's original form. I forget how widespread this knowledge is.

>>48377709
>quickly freeze planets
I'm sure that could in no way go terribly wrong.

>>48378918
>Laughing Dro'all
>that Wiki entry
Be honest, are dro'all an entire race of pepes?

>>48378918
>But they don't consider you a minor House anymore.

I'm glad we didn't let these guys promote Sonia. We can also add the cease-fire with Che'len to that list, and our work with Helios.

>Scorcher
I doubt it's a highly guarded secret if people here notice it so easily. The scorcher simply places the pusher ship equipment in the main body of the super, and replaces the super heavy cruisers supplying the fusion plasma with the equipment in its arms.

We should try to stuff that setup on the ceres tug heavy chassy.

Ice Shark Sonia when?

>>48379002
I haven't been able to get the idea of Daska reeeeeing at Sonia out of my mind for a couple of threads at thsi point.

>>48378918
Come on come on come on come on

Let's finish this fight yo.

Does Sonia like Eurobeat?

>>48378918
Could we rapidly freeze and then heat planets to harvest resources from from it? Or just to see what happens?

"Gravity well fleet continuing to take fire."

Damn.
"Shift fire to target the main guns on the Mega. They're the only thing that's a real threat to it at this range."

Enemy fire knocks out a Shukhant and a Lance class ship that were providing cover to the Gravity well.

Gunners on the Bellamy miss their targets for the first two shots but manage good hits with the other two. All six shots by Forbearance are good, destroying both aft turrets.

"Wait until the Bellamy is ready, we have to time it right. Foss, have your people signal us."
"I copy."

By the time you're ready to fire again their remaining guns have killed another Medium cruiser, damaged another and killed three fast battleships.

"Guns ready."
"Fire!"

Three shots from both ships converge on the same turret, punching through the shield and destroying it. Everything else lands nearby shield hits, weakening the defenses but failing to penetrate. Or in one case allowed through so that it would miss.

The Mega is maneuvering but there's only so much they can do to protect their remaining operational gun and still take a shot at the gravity well. The Heavy Cruisers and Carriers meanwhile are using the action of the gunnery duel to make a run for it. Apparently the ship designers learned lessons from the Senate class because the powerful banks of sublight drives give them an impressive acceleration for such large ships.

By the time the remaining siege weapon fires again they're starting to get a bit farther out of range. Overlapped shields from the larger ships bleed off most of the damage, letting a formation of frigates clustered around the generator soak off the rest.

"Ready again."

Four shots connect with the shield in different places failing to penetrate. Two other shots, one from each ship, end up perfectly in sync with one another and cut through the shield like it's not even there. Combined they shear the remaining turret off clean off.
Secondary explosions from the fuel stores buried in the hull below the turret light of, the explosion throwing the weapon clear.

The ship's previous maneuvering seems to have had two purposes, covering the escaping carriers and to let their maneuvering drives push the ship sideways towards your fleet. You're getting close enough that the Heavy Phase cannons are having a more serious effect.

[ ] Destroy or disable it
[ ] Ignore it and continue bombardment of escaping ships
[ ] Stay out of range / early disengagement

The gravity well is rapidly shrinking but the bulk of the enemy fleet has not reached its edge.

>>48380044
>[ ] Destroy or disable it

>>48379991
Time to grab the ships the enemy managed to disable and get out of there.

>>48380044
>[x] Ignore it and continue bombardment of escaping ships

>>48380044
Early disengagement

>>48380044
>[x] Stay out of range / early disengagement

We out

>>48380044

> [ ] Stay out of range/Destroy or disable it

I was going to change my vote, then I remembered that the ship has logistics value as well.

Might as well commit to finishing it off at this point instead of inflicting minimal damage while exposing ourselves to their Heavy Phase Cannons.

>>48380044
>[ ] Destroy or disable it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1KaXH5LoLo

"Keep the fleet out of range of that Super and prepare to disengage, I don't want to be caught by the Fortress when it gets here. Find out if the Count needs any help with recovery of their crippled Mediums."

"Enemy super is decelerating towards us."

As per your orders of keeping it at range the fleet changes course to keep its distance.

"This is Arron, they're putting power to their afterburners but only firing the ones being used to drive it towards the fleet. I think they've activated all the emergency teleporters they have aboard."

"Anyone not shooting it shift fire to the Mega. I want it disabled or destroyed."

"Gravity well is offline." reports the ship's navigator.

"Begin plotting a fleet jump that will be difficult for enemy reinforcements to follow."
"Aye sir."

Shields on the enemy Mega are collapsing in sections, secondary and tertiary shields only being able to protect parts of the ship at a time. It's a tough ship but it can only take so much of the phase cannon fire raining down on it. Siege cannon fire blasts holes in the armor the size of battleships.

Gunners on the Bellamy put a shot through the port bow maneuvering drives. A second later that entire section of the ship vanishes in a blinding white light that blots out much of the ship from view. Shortly after a similar explosion is unleashed from the other half of the ship.

"Radiation consistent with antimatter detonation."

You pretty much could have figured that part out on your own."

"Put a few more shots into the least damaged sections then let's get out of here."

The fleet begins to jump out, only a few ships are left when the Fortress arrives. Without the well to drag them back in a better position it's too far away and at the wrong angle to get a good shot off.

Two jumps later the fleet takes a moment to rest and performe damage checks. Drake contacts you soon after.

"We're seeing what look like additional enemy scout elements. Probably from the Fortress fleet, but some are from a few of the Wings that were operating in the area."

"What are they doing?"

"Looking for your main fleet I would guess. I'll keep you updated."

The Mediums lost or crippled protecting the gravity well are to be hauled to one of the graveyards that are in friendly territory. They've suffered more damage than can be quickly repaired so they'll be hidden away until there are more facilties available to perform a lengthy refit.

Rufaro appears and hands you a datapad.
"This message was just transmitted to us by intel sir. Secure encryption, your eyes only."

Stepping into a small ready room just below the command deck you check the pad and complete the decryption process.

The file it unlocks has a House Helios seal and a timer counting down. It is currently at 143 hours 59 minutes.

>See you tomorrow. I forgot I have a class in the morning will try to resume before noon.

>>48381810
Awesome! Time to liberate that planet of the other house with a Heavy Cruiser!

You know, because we aren't dicks and take care of our allies.

If only there was some way to get a message to Avrun wossername.

>>48381810
It's
time
to
raid

P10 bump

>>48381810
>Countdown Timer

This should be good

>>48381810
This is probably a good moment to check in on the other commanders. Not just the ones from the big houses. What are they worried about? Is there something they have noticed we might have missed? Are they unhappy about anything?

We have to be mindful that our fleet isn't a monolithic force. Are there Houses whose forces don't act well together?

Are things okay in the other house j-d territories?

>>48386050
See >>48382189

I think we should have the majority of our fleet begin to engage in raiding behaviour while we strike at whatever force is occupying Kadnil's house. Roll out in force with the Array and support, and blow shit the fuck up.

We should start stockpiling AM equipment as well.

> Gunners on the Bellamy put a shot through the port bow maneuvering drives. A second later that entire section of the ship vanishes in a blinding white light that blots out much of the ship from view. Shortly after a similar explosion is unleashed from the other half of the ship.

> "Radiation consistent with antimatter detonation."

> You pretty much could have figured that part out on your own."

Is Bonrah trying to copy our AM torpedoes? Fuckers, we should be on the lookout for that.

>>48386755
Specifically, we should start saving our AM gear for when Helios attacks.

>>48386755
>Is Bonrah trying to copy our AM torpedoes? Fuckers, we should be on the lookout for that.

I think supers come with AM afterburners these days because the enemy they're expected to be fighting isn't using veckron weapons.

>>48386755
We could stage a series of attacks on worlds under attack. Bully whatever is in orbit, drop reinforcements for the troops on the ground, and move on before heavier assets can respond.

>>48386806
I will support this plan. Our ground troops are pretty eager as it is, I have to say. We didn't make Reynard Rifles & HAGs for nothing.

Also, we should definitely make sure we have War Correspondents to get some awesome action reports about their performance.

OH! And we gotta grab those walkers! Let's get some. A nice side-mission to break up the whole massive strategic war we've been rolling with.

As Helios is the only House capable of producing siege cannons at the moment, I would like to suggest we start designing a indigenous scrap cannon model once the civil war is over, or at least resolved in DRH 1.

The Gelsan should be able to provide our r&d with a nice boost as well, considering they've spent centuries building large scale kinetic accelerators.

While it will very likely never be as effective as the various other choices available for heavy and super heavy weapon mounts, it would give us the ability to equip our stations and (super) heavy cruisers with something we can actually build ourselves.

As production of the various siege cannon alternatives seems to be incapable of meeting demand at the moment, it would also very likely allow us to secure additional alliance contracts.

We could also combine this with the current AM torpedo technology for very interesting ammo options.

>>48387060
> Using valuable salvage as ammo

Anon, I'm not comfortable with that as a doctrine as opposed to a last ditch plan.

>>48387060
I have no idea why you would want to use volatile weaponry with craptastic cobbled together scrap ammo and insanely high velocities.

That's pretty much asking for your ships to blow up.

Put it in the wiki under "Awesome but bad ideas".

I don't want you to stop coming up with crazy plans, Anon, please don't be upset when I tell you that this one seems very very very bad to me.

>>48377785
We could try to cool down a star and see what happens. That might open up a whole lot of colonizable planets for everybody in the long run.

>>48387185
It doesn't need to fire scrap. I just used 'scrap cannon' to describe the design because it's already an established designation for super large mass drivers in the house and dominion universe. We could just as easily compress asteroids and other stuff floating around in space until they're dense enough to act as ammo.

Thinking of that, the black hole generator should make it possible for us to produce neutronium. Which is probably decent ammo for mass drivers.

>>48387218
Don't get stuck on the designation 'scrap cannon'. I just use it because it's more memorable than 'super heavy accelerator array derived mass driver'.

>>48387244
Do you remember Starshadow?

Try not to go full Starshadow.

>>48379568
Will listen to more when time allows.

>>48379657
Imperial PR Rep: The Death Star is for mining purposes, honestly!


>>48386050
>What are they worried about?
Losing all of their orbital industry before this is over. Some things just can't be evacuated to the surface of planets easily.

>Are there Houses whose forces don't act well together?
Some of the Ber'helum allied Houses don't do as well when part of Ruling House led fleets. Some Commanders from the Run Alliance prefer working under RH command rather than yours or Drake's.

There has been increased smuggler activity throughout the relay. Many are working for you, moving supplies from the now occupied worlds when they have a chance. Others are helping the enemy with rescuing personnel their personnel off planets you control. The limited number of teleport receiver ships can't handle everything in the larger battles.

You know Ferigold the Fat employs smugglers to bring in high value supplies for those that pay well enough. While the old Dro'all has been important in maintaining trade between you and Baron Dante it's very likely he's moving supplies or personnel for the enemy as well.

Did you want to allocate resources to curb smuggling operations or leave it for now?

>>48387775
>Did you want to allocate resources to curb smuggling operations or leave it for now?

We're probably benefitting more from it at the moment, so I'd suggest we don't anything about the smugglers right now.

>Imperial PR Rep: The Death Star is for mining purposes, honestly!

It would have probably been a lot more useful if used like that.

>>48387775
...Ask Ferigold that if he was, hypothetically speaking of course, trading with the enemy would he be willing to use his contacts to sound out some of the minor houses and merc groups for potential... alternative options? Not that he would be trading with our enemies of course.

>>48387775
We should see if Ferigold can get us in touch with Avrun, not necessarily right away but if we wanted to contact her on short notice.

Ideally we could actually help her gather influence within her house if we don't or can't turn her. Maybe let her recover salvage or personnel that has value value but not immediate war time use.

Secondly let's let him him know that we're in the market for persons of interest if someone isn't paying him enough or thinks they don't need his services.

Finally let's make a show of liberating Kadnils planet to reassure the other nobles that we aren't just interested in protecting our stuff. After all Rioja holds still.

OH! Also see if we can find a theatre those new mech are in. Fuck fighting them, let's just trap them on a planet until they surrender.

>>48387775
Don't curb. Gather information on who is doing what and let it continue. We can deal with it once we've settled the Relay and reward those that helped and punish those that did not or helped our enemies. Don't touch Ferigold. He has a free pass as long as he does not directly hurt us.

>>48387832
>would he be willing to use his contacts to sound out some of the minor houses and merc groups for potential... alternative options?
"I'm sorry but I have a client confidentiality agreement I keep in place. I'm sure you understand. Secrets are no longer secrets if people don't keep them that way. I do have a reputation to maintain.

Information brokering can become far too dangerous for someone in my position. I've seen others fall into the same trap and they were ultimately killed for it. I'm but a humble... well no, I'm actually and extraordinary merchant, and I'd like to stay that way.
There are public contracts that you can find information on from our data net directory. Obviously we don't advertise when particular ships are making runs, but some people can glean all sorts of useful implications from them."

"Thank you."

You wonder if there is any chance the trader could get you in touch with Avun but suspect you'll get a similar answer. That doesn't mean he can't deliver a secure communicator your intel people could set up.

Have a secure com sent to Avun? Y/N?

>>48388178
>Have a secure com sent to Avun? Y/N?
What would we send? We haven't really been able to decide on anything so far.

>>48388178
Y
I mean it couldn't hurt.

>>48388235
>What would we send? We haven't really been able to decide on anything so far.
A physical communicator that could be used to contact them when you decide what you want to tell them?

>>48387943
>Secondly let's let him him know that we're in the market for persons of interest if someone isn't paying him enough or thinks they don't need his services.
He'll consider it, but again confidentiality is key.

>Finally let's make a show of liberating Kadnils planet to reassure the other nobles that we aren't just interested in protecting our stuff. After all Rioja holds still.
Surviving elements of the battered enemy fleet appear to be retreating to the Run. This may complicate matters.

Updates from the Run:
Forbearance station was captured and remains structurally intact, but production resources were scuttled. These include key elements of the RLS armored platform production lines. They're not completely destroyed but will need weeks to rebuild the damage.
Crews were unable to do much about the main repair docks, but were able to damage the extendable arms used to speed up work on Supers. For now the enemy are using them to fix smaller ships.

The Avoubic system administrators have been contacted by the enemy Dukes who are negotiating with them to possibly switch sides. Supposedly the administrator of Belu Fortress has taken the position that they are a relatively neutral member of the system's leadership and thus should host negotiations.
They're prepared to attempt capture of any Nasidum ships sent in system at your word.

>see if we can find a theatre those new mech are in.
Intel reports that an enemy assault transport was supposed to be assigned to supporting ground forces on Rioja but has disappeared.

>>48388178
I'd like to have him be set-up and ready to do so on short notice, but not send one yet.

Like, keep an eye on where she is so that we can have her get when she needs it, but not have the risk of having it until then.

>>48388445
>A physical communicator that could be used to contact them when you decide what you want to tell them?
Sounds fine to me.

>Intel reports that an enemy assault transport was supposed to be assigned to supporting ground forces on Rioja but has disappeared.
Did we ever track down that force they split off in the early days of the invasion? Sombody should start looking.

>They're prepared to attempt capture of any Nasidum ships sent in system at your word.
Sounds like fun. Tell them we've flushed out the initial pocket and are about to start pressing them hard. Then start pressing them hard. In particular, look for any heavies that we can take out one way or another, and tell our Spec Ops teams to get to work.

>>48388445
Sounds to me like it's high time we kicked enemy forces out of the Run. It's our home ground and we should have the advantage in knowledge after all. Don't let them settle in and get logistics facilities up and running.

>>48388530
That's what we've been doing. We're still keeping up the constant raiding, we should also start striking what few gains they have made while using the Array & our heavies to keep their Fortress pinned down.

Alternatively, we can try to see if they split off their Heavy Carriers or Cruisers and try to jack them, but after losing their Megas and no longer being able to contest our long range firepower I don't see them splitting up too much.

My biggest concern is still preventing them from reclaiming assets left behind when we first took the run. If we can do that, then they will have gained pretty much nothing beyond tying us up from the war at large - at the expense of the fleet they sent in, which hasn't significantly reduced our ability to project force outside the run if they flee, or damaged our means of production and infrastructure to a significant amount. So far I would say the only irreparable damage they've done is letting the FA fuck off with our Nanites.

BTW, We should both seek redress and compensation from the FA and then again from Bonrah & allies after the civil war is over. Get paid twice, niggas. Also both parties are complicit. And war reparations aren't all about fairness.

>>48388653
>So far I would say the only irreparable damage they've done is letting the FA fuck off with our Nanites.

Didn't they only take those to their base at the end of the Run where they are keeping it under locks?

>BTW, We should both seek redress and compensation from the FA and then again from Bonrah & allies after the civil war is over.
We will be getting compensation in the form of salvage, new territory, stolen industry and hostages. The later only if Bonrah and Nasidum aren't completely dismantled. Which if they aren't will only cause more problems in the future for the Dominion.

>>48388445
>A physical communicator that could be used to contact them when you decide what you want to tell them?

That seems sensible. Do people still play vidya? If so, make it look like a hand-held gaming device.

>Surviving elements of the battered enemy fleet appear to be retreating to the Run. This may complicate matters.

Did we manage to capture any of the enemy stealth frigates without too much damage, or repair the one Mike's unit disabled? It should be large enough to provide a decent amount of supplies for one planet.

Btw how's the FA heavy tank design performing?

>Fucking cloudflare let me post

>>48388761
So, you're saying instead of fighting a war for dominance, you want to fight a brutal war of eradication that will leave both sides devastated and cripple the Dominion as a whole?

Anon. Anon please. You're not very good at this. While the loser will most definitely lose a large amount of prestige, territory, and money in order to pay reparations, you're absofuckingloutely insane if you think this isn't going to be resolved at the bargaining table.

Or have you missed all the parts that talk about how these houses have been around for several regime changes?

Also, letting super secret high end technology get out of your control pretty much guarantees you will never have full access to any research done on it. It's firmly in FA hands now and it's ridiculous to think we'll get it back by anything other than force - which would be suicidal. I would be pleasantly surprised if we did get it back, but I can't see why they would and honestly so long as the civil war is going on they have plenty of excuses not to return it.

The fleet keeps moving to keep out of enemy detection range. Most of the Nasidum forces are retreating to the Run but many are still escorting the Fortress which is making only slow progress on its way back.

Intel will look into sending that package on its way as soon as possible though it could take time even for Ferigold to get it to the Knight Commander.

"Sir incoming communication from Captain Drake."

You step out of your ready room and back onto the command deck.
"Go ahead."

"I've figured out what they're after. They're following the Array and trying to track it back to a point where they can reach it easily."

The Array is only barely more mobile than the enemy Fortress. You could play keep away with it but eventually they're going to catch up.

Count Nirium is concerned about the number of ships that will need to be allocated to protect the array from attacks by dedicated forces.
"It will only take a small number of successful SP Torpedo hits to the right points to harm its structural integrity. We can protect them but that will mean taking ships away from the front lines."

Baron Mevc Laudium, a former Bonrah allied commander who you fought a few months back, has a suggestion.

"Move the array some place where they'll be forced to commit their Fortress to attacking it. A place with heavier orbital defenses like Magdalena, or Avoubic to provide support."

[ ] Play keep away until Helios joins the fight (+5 days)
[ ] Force a confrontation once a majority of your fleet is repaired (3 days)
[ ] Force a confrontation ASAP
[ ] Other

>>48388445
>A physical communicator that could be used to contact them when you decide what you want to tell them?

Sure.

>Secondly let's let him him know that we're in the market for persons of interest if someone isn't paying him enough or thinks they don't need his services.

Fair enough.

> Surviving elements of the battered enemy fleet appear to be retreating to the Run. This may complicate matters.

Oh good, let's harry them in and then pin them down and array them to death.

> Intel reports that an enemy assault transport was supposed to be assigned to supporting ground forces on Rioja but has disappeared.

Wow, that totally doesn't sound like they're going to try and jump us.

> he Avoubic system administrators

I'm good with this. It's perfectly acceptable for them to go off and fight for the FA. We do still have a whole other war going on. Quite frankly I would be willing to let them go for almost free, with us only taking whatever SP torpedoes and such that they might have as partial reparations for the damage they caused.

>>48389078
> Assault their tracking ships in force

Then we can hid the array, no? If we know where they're going to go we can set a shit ton of traps; could we get some estimated numbers for our current available forces vs. what we would be expected to face if we forced a confrontation now?

>>48389078
>[ ] Play keep away until Helios joins the fight (+5 days)

>>48389078
Can the drone carriers pretend to be the array fleet to draw the enemy away from the real thing?

>>48389049
>So, you're saying instead of fighting a war for dominance, you want to fight a brutal war of eradication that will leave both sides devastated and cripple the Dominion as a whole?

When did I say that? And you are implying we are already not fighting a brutal war that will leave the Dominion crippled. Sure it could be much worse but it's still pretty bad.

>you're absofuckingloutely insane if you think this isn't going to be resolved at the bargaining table.
I haven't gotten close to implying that either. When I said salvage, territory and STOLEN industry I meant stuff we would take from them. Not get them to give us.

>Or have you missed all the parts that talk about how these houses have been around for several regime changes?
Because current events proved just how good of an idea that was. Don't wound and humiliate an enemy. Especially not a traitor. That will just lead to them plotting and trying to backstab the moment they have an opening.

>Also, letting super secret high end technology get out of your control pretty much guarantees you will never have full access to any research done on it. It's firmly in FA hands now and it's ridiculous to think we'll get it back by anything other than force - which would be suicidal. I would be pleasantly surprised if we did get it back, but I can't see why they would and honestly so long as the civil war is going on they have plenty of excuses not to return it.

It is not firmly in their hands. They have it at a local base under guard until this whole thing blows over. Taking it back by force is something we wont have to do considering we outnumber the FA in the region by about 50 to 1 ships. Enough of a force that we just need to threaten at worst. Also why are you condoning theft of OUR stuff?

Also don't be a prick.

>>48389049
>It's firmly in FA hands now and it's ridiculous to think we'll get it back by anything other than force

Considering how paranoid our intelligence division has to be at this point, with the advanced cloak stolen from the rovinar, and a vault with SP torp data hidden somewhere, I'm pretty sure not all our samples of the nanites and technologies from that attack will have been made available to the FA.

>>48389078
>[x] Other

What if we let the array and a small escort take a 10-14 day stl cruise through nav hazard territory?

>Also posted this on the wiki

>>48389078
>[ ] Play keep away until Helios joins the fight (+5 days)

I don't suppose we could hide the Array in a Nebula or close to a black hole or another Navigation Hazard like when we hid from the Neerans after operation "Hide in a rock and kill Command ships"

But yeah. Keep them away from the Array until Helios can join us. In the meantime we keep up our intense attacks on them. Don't let them rest, recover and repair now.

>>48389106
>It's perfectly acceptable for them to go off and fight for the FA.
>>The Avoubic system administrators have been contacted by the enemy Dukes
The three Dukes from Nasidum, Bonrah and Xygen. Not the Factions Alliance.
They want the asteroid forts to join Nasidum.

>>48389170
>could we get some estimated numbers for our current available forces vs. what we would be expected to face if we forced a confrontation now?
Your forces are still close to 6K if you include those raiding at either end of the Run. The ships you lost in the recent battles were mostly larger ones so not as many in terms of numbers.

If both sides pulled in their raiding elements right now they could still field more than 10k.

In 3 days you could be back to around 9k while the enemy may be able to get back up to 12-14k operational.
They are projected to be back to 15k or slightly more by the time Helios is ready.

With downed pilots being recovered the enemy will increasingly be fielding only those with higher skill. Skill levels are going to start to equalize more.

>>48389184
No, the array is too big to fake like that. You'd need big holographic projectors and medium cruisers at minimum. I don't think you have the necessary projectors to pull it off. Worth remembering for a future operation where you can plan ahead for it though.

>>48389271
>Considering how paranoid our intelligence division has to be at this point
There are probably samples somewhere though intel has not informed you if they exist or of their location. This is due to compartmentalization. You know too much.
>What if we let the array and a small escort take a 10-14 day stl cruise through nav hazard territory?
Given how short a distance they'd be able to go in that period of time there is the risk that the enemy might just brave the dangers of the nav hazard to strike at it since it would be so close to the edge.
Using the nav hazard to keep it out of their reach would also take it out of yours for many years.

>>48389078
>[ ] Play keep away until Helios joins the fight (+5 days)
Like the other guy said though, we need to search and destroy their trackers, and maybe raid and sabotage their logistics along the way.

>>48389078
>"Move the array some place where they'll be forced to commit their Fortress to attacking it. A place with heavier orbital defenses like Magdalena, or Avoubic to provide support."

Has anybody run the numbers on how many planetary shield stations we need to keep the fortress from getting through?

I'm not really comfortable engaging the fortress in an engagement it was designed to excel in.

>>48389489
Seems like it was designed to excel in any engagement not involving vekron torpedos. Though maybe now with fewer escorts we could get some corvettes close enough to try those internal suicide runs that everyone loves.

>>48389078
>[x] Play keep away until Helios joins the fight (+5 days)

Keep up the raiding and check on the first battle site to make sure they aren't salvaging those other two Megas.

>>48389467
>Ship numbers
Do we know what ships Helios will be fielding in drh 1? It would make little sense to wait for them, and get mostly obsolete ships. Does their territory have decent repair and supply infrastructure available?

Do we know how effective veckron strike are against fortress type ships? Do we know what kind of launcher ship the ruling house has available?

>>48389656
>Do we know what ships Helios will be fielding in drh 1?
Mixed squadrons with good amounts of Firestorm II, Kharbos built Attack Frigates and Chevalier class ships. They have bought numbers of EC-K's to provide ECM support for their fleets.
4 Helios class mediums were assigned to the region, each with dedicated escorts.

Despite upgrades 1/3 of the ships of their local allies are older models. Knight class cruisers and combat Frigates. Fortunately nearly all of their standard corvettes have been upgraded to attack corvettes.

>Does their territory have decent repair and supply infrastructure available?
Both are adequate for their forces plus another 25%.

>Do we know how effective veckron strike are against fortress type ships?
It's never been done before. It's a new class and the Terrans never had to perform real station strikes against similarly built defense platforms. Damage will depend on both the warhead and the armour used.
"What model warheads do you have?"

The Count doesn't know.
"Their casings were damaged and had to be rebuilt with parts from SP Torpedoes. One of them should be a Mark 4. The other could be a 4 or 5."

"Is there a big difference?"

"Yes."

>Do we know what kind of launcher ship the ruling house has available?
An old Faction Wars era Vulcan Class supposed to be crewed by clone volunteers. It has enough engine power to get in and out in a hurry if need be. A Blackbird is assigned to provide ECM and additional sensor coverage.

>>48389467
So, the longer we wait the stronger both sides get?

And they're going to be recovering their elite pilots too, hey.

I would really like to strike against them either immediately or 5 days then, but if we do 5 days then I would like to really put on the pressure for preparing to trap them. Helios has what, 2600 ships?

So even if we wait we're going to be outnumbered, and the enemy will also have more of its elites recovered.

So

> Attack now

Might as well fight while the number ratios are the same, then fight later when they have us STILL outnumbered, even with Helios reinforcements, AND they will then have their elites.

>>48389078
[ ] Force a confrontation ASAP

>>48389467
Okay, so:
>Immediate confrontation: Enemy has 66% more ships, worse crews
>3day confrontation: Enemy has between 33 to 40% more ships, slightly worse crew
>Helios confrontation:Enemy has ~20% more ships, equal crews, but we'd get a 50% buff to siege cannons

I'm not sure but waiting for helios seems like a good idea.

>>48389994
Do we have an idea if the enemy brought v-torps as well?

>>48390176
Ah, but the ships aren't all consolidated if we attack them right away as they're separated from their Fortress and it's escorts.

So we won't be facing 66% more troops, but at most 33% (6k - 10k) and once again those aren't all consolidated as their raiding elements are spread out and they are split between the fortress and their pursuing force

>>48389467
Correct me if I'm wrong.

>>48389994
>Mixed squadrons with good amounts of Firestorm II, Kharbos built Attack Frigates and Chevalier class ships. They have bought numbers of EC-K's to provide ECM support for their fleets.
>4 Helios class mediums were assigned to the region, each with dedicated escorts.

>Despite upgrades 1/3 of the ships of their local allies are older models. Knight class cruisers and combat Frigates. Fortunately nearly all of their standard corvettes have been upgraded to attack corvettes.

Yikes, that doesn't sound very good. I'm changing my vote >>48389486 to
>[ ] Force a confrontation ASAP
As I'm not very confident in the quality of their ships against the enemy fleet.

>>48390176
I think I'd rather us engage in a battle right now with what forces we have, then when Helios arrives they could smash through the weakened opposition.

>>48390242
>Ah, but the ships aren't all consolidated
Neither are ours.

>>48390291
Yeah, but it's not like we're going to send them a message "Hey guys, we're going to attack, you should get all your ships together"

And like I said, their fortress is both isolated and SLOW. And we're going to be playing to our now uncontested siege cannon advantage which can be fired on wide angle to fuck their corvettes and such up.

Or if they commit a heavy to the fight, they're going to lose it.

And it's not like we can't just have the Siege Array run away again while the rest of our forces manage a fighting retreat, especially since we have superior repair and resupply abilities.

Oh god they were not kidding when they said it was going to get super hot this week. I should have bought Ice, ice cream, ice related products, not pasta!

>>48389489
>Has anybody run the numbers on how many planetary shield stations we need to keep the fortress from getting through?
Enough planetary shields working in conjunction could holding it off for hours, possibly a day. Eventually you get to the point where either the guns or the shield generators will need to be shut down to replace burned out components.

If you brought along the planetary shields you wanted to send to the Nav station, plus the shield platforms, the added shields of escorts and whatever base you're near, you could theoretically hold them off for an hour or two.
There is always the chance that they'll be able to overlap their fire getting higher penetration hits in that could damage generator locations. That goes for you too.

>>48390176
>>48390242
These numbers seem pretty close? So I'll take your word for it.

>>48390074
Waiting could also provide you with more time to prepare a battlefield of your choosing.
Like moving shield gens, preparing mines or infiltrating the Fortress.

Either option has its strengths. Should I put a survey up for this?

>>48390280
Not to mention there's no telling what else they might get up to in those 5 days.

>>48389467
>It's perfectly acceptable for them to go off and fight for the FA.
>>The Avoubic system administrators have been contacted by the enemy Dukes

Oh, I thought people from NBX were looking to switch sides, and was saying that hey if they wanted an out we could let them go fight for the FA.

If they're asking Avoubic to switch sides, then yeah get them to lay a trap & let us know when to bring the hammer down.

Hrm, I wonder if they could possibly organize it so that we hide the Grav Well there, force a confrontation with enemy fleet, and have them inform the Enemy Fleet that we'll be withdrawing to Avoubic with the Siege Array after fighting them, while our main fleet holds up any pursuit.

Then they can tell the enemy commanders that they can lay a trap where they have some heavies or other forces waiting for the Siege Array to come into the system, and that they can take it out when it gets there and they switch sides.

That way they split their forces even more. And then they can be surprised when Avoubic DOESN'T switch sides and our ENTIRE fleet jumps in to wreck their supposedly "hidden" forces. Meanwhile we fire up the Grav Well to a) keep them from escaping and b) keep any pursuing forces from their previous fleet from linking up with their hidden strike force.

I would say we could probably get some elites taken out at the very least.

Speaking of infiltration, if I were them I'd be sending a decapitation strike our way ASAP given how shitty the battles have been going. We should tighten up personal security and advise our allies to do the same. Or we could get the spec-ops gang together and try to assassinate the three stooges first.

>>48390399
Okay, so fight right away = Outnumbered by 33% with worse troops, no fortress & escorts but no prep time on our end.

Fight in 3 days = Outnumbered by about 40%, some elites. Fortress is much closer. Some prep time on our end, mines and some shields.

Wait for Helios = Outnumbered by 20%, facing enemy elite units again, most prep time % 50% buff to siege cannons but we also have to face the Fortress.


> Avoubic trap

Also, don't forget that Avoubic was one of the Fortified Positions recommended for fighting off Nasidium since they would have to bring their fortress there.

I dunno, I like traps but I don't like complicated plans.

>>48390502

COMBAT FURNITURE. Just saying, we should have a desk that transforms into a little hallway tank.

>>48390399
A survey might be the best way to do it so that we have all the numbers down in one place for our forces vs. their (estimated!) forces at the different times, and how long preparations would take.

File: Combat desk.jpg (30 KB, 300x238)

30 KB JPG

>>48390603
Like so?