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In cooperation with Rekesh intelligence your fleets have begun strikes intended to degrade their galaxy wide command an control functions. Sensors and communication have been blacked out across entire sectors. While the main colonies still have communication, anything that isn't a priority to maintain is rapidly being lost.

The Rekesh have been reluctant to outright destroy all coms around their worlds and have begun relocating transceivers they had already hijacked. This is taking a bit longer but it will ensure they'll be able to coordinate a mass uprising at a later time.

That time may be coming sooner than you'd like. An attempt at destroying a sensor array production facility was nearly preempted by tanker bombings by Ulgean forces. They've struck at several of the better defended enemy shipyards.
You know now that the Neeran fleets stationed at the big shipyards have recently returned from fighting around the Ulgean beachhead half a day's flight from here. According to Rekesh intel they've lost roughly a third of their numbers and many more have suffered damage.

At least some of your commanders and advisors believe the Ulgean fleet may be preparing for an imminent invasion. Contacting the Alliance and asking for immediate reinforcement might be in order.

>1) What do you want to tell the Alliance?
and
>2) What is the minimum size force you wish to request?

>>3504096

>1) What do you want to tell the Alliance?

Let the Alliance know the Ulgeans are about to make their move on this galaxy if they have not already. If they want to liberate this galaxy. They had best send a fleet or three here now So we can free the planets in the galaxy and maybe target one of the Super yards. As it is we've done as much as we can to prep this place for an Alliance invasion. The latest Ulgean offensive has just softened up the Neeran response fleets. To the point where if they send them out now they'll either be captured or destroyed by sufficiently strong Alliance presence in the area. Also our primary target will be in danger of falling into Ulgean hands if the Alliance doesn't send units this way soon.

>2) What is the minimum size force you wish to request?

At least enough to liberate and secure any worlds in the galaxy. From the Neeran and withstand a push from Ulgean forces. So definitely going to need a few more Supers and Heavies in order to liberate and secure those planets. As well as an Alliance rep of some standing, so they can talk with the Ulgeans and either setup some agreement where either neither of us fire on the other and leave the other alone. Or where we work together to kick the Neeran from this galaxy.

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Not dead, just been working on a thing while waiting for responses.

Intelligence from the various rebel contacts is starting to give an idea of the general situation in the galaxy in terms of the different main groups and their goals. The Rekesh my be the largest and most organized group but they're not the only ones. Rebels in systems that see more trade and migration between them identify more with particular political groups.

Even within those there is dissension. At least nine sectors want independence while remaining unaligned with the various larger rebel groups. The West rebels in particular dont seem to have their shit together. At least one sector they identify as part of their core territory has a substantial fraction of the populace wanting independence.

The main fleet base is claimed by both the west and northern groups which isn't really a big surprise. If either of them could gain control of the yards there it would instantly transform them into a leading power in this galaxy.

More bothersome is that the Rekesh have claims against the core territories of the south rebels. That isn't so bad, but with a full 9 sectors being contested between the two it could create issues later.

The rekesh have also made a claim on one of the 3 major shipyards though it's weak one. Probably intended to be an option they can barter for other concessions.

>>3504308

>Map
So the Ulgean's are likely working with the western and northern rebels. And will likely aim for the Fleet Base. Which means we should do our utmost best to ensure we deny them the Super yards.

As for the Rakesh and the rebels to the south. We should see about getting the two together and working things out. Maybe figure out what they have in similar and see how we can get them to work those similarities so that we can then address their differences and they find a way to overcome them and make them either strong allies. Or a unified faction that's stronger than the other two rebel groups to the north and west part of this galaxy. Of course we will likely need to convince the southern rebels that we mean well and aren't going to just stomp all over their wants once this galaxy is liberated.

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I will probably be leaving this for the morning then since I'd like at least 1 other posters input on this:
>>3504096
before proceeding.

>>3504308
Straight up easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Rekesh surrender claims to the south planets in exchange for the south supporting the Rekesh in taking the North rebel areas.

Alliance comes in, takes the shipyard, and cuts off the West rebels while the Rekesh and South rebels collaborate to take yhe North area, leaving the Alliance "clean" from involving themselves in a "internal issue" of the region since they're only taking over Neeran facilities to ensure they aren't used by Imperialist remnants.

Afterwards we surrender the claim to the Shipyard to the Rekesh/South coalition, firmly cementing them in position as the local authority.

If they're fighting over the cake, just give them more slices.

The North is the biggest threat to stability, whereas the South has to be negotiated with anyways. The West can just be contained while it eats itself.

>>3504560

Still need answers for:
>>3504096

>>3504579
Tell the Alliance to get here quick, and to send an Alliance fleet capable of holding the Super Yard as well as a secondary fleet of salvaged ships that can be provided to the Rekesh with a nod and a wink kind of indirect support.

I would also prefer to contact a Dominion centric fleet so they won't pressure us about our presence on the Rekesh homeworld.

But since we're playing it "act like local sovereignty is a done deal" I'd be happy to take what we can get.

I feel too large of a fleet could backfire, since our goal is the sphere world tech.

>>3504096

Each of the 4 Neeran Commanders is supposed to command 2 or 3 Supers, with additional ones under construction at each yard, correct?

That gives us a Neeran Super count of (with 3 each for MoE) 12 active in this galaxy, plus any they have made mobile or partially combat capable.

Are there any confirmed Super losses from the forces that went after the Ulgeans?


The sheer scale of this war is starting to hurt my brain when I think about the sheer number of SHCs that must be running around on both sides, compared to the Warlords Campaign. I wonder how long it will be until a Factions Captured Apex is seen

>>3504058
FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

For house and Dominion stuck at the polling place!

>>3504096
>1) What do you want to tell the Alliance?
We have the chance to take this galaxy with relatively little resistance to ground invasions for its size. The locals are unhappy with the Neeran Empire and only 11 of the more important systems hold any loyalty to their current overlords. However, we will have to act quick if we want to take advantage of the situation. Ulgean forces are already beginning to launch smaller raids and probing attacks on the local garrison and infrastructure.
With the recent return of a heavily damaged fleet, local ship repair and construction capacities are most likely already taxed to the maximum. If we attack before the Ulgean have the chance to invade this galaxy, it's possible that the Neeran will just shore up the defences of their remaining territories and prepare for an orderly retreat alongside an evacuation of their larger shipyards instead of actively contesting an FA lead liberation of the inhabited territories as long as the yards to the east of the galaxy aren't threatened.

>2) What is the minimum size force you wish to request?
It depends on what the FA wants to achieve before the Ulgean can contest this area. If they want to actually destroy the shipyards and heavy installation they'll probably need to send at least twice the number of operational Imperial supers in this galaxy. Which will likely mean a fleet with a core of around 20-25 super heavy cruisers.

If they don't intend to strike before the Neeran try to evacuate, we should be fine with one FA super per Neeran ship of equivalent size. Considering we have a production facility for Executioner guns present in the area, a higher ratio of smaller to larger ship than usual might prove prudent.

>Other
Do we know if the damaged Neeran fleet returned with ships from other commanders or fleets?

>>3504308
>The main fleet base is claimed by both the west and northern groups which isn't really a big surprise. If either of them could gain control of the yards there it would instantly transform them into a leading power in this galaxy.
Giving it to the FA, and declaring it neutral space would be a solution that wouldn't make either of the happy but at least it wouldn't allow either of them to pull dumb shenanigans on the other locals either.

>>3504096
>1) What do you want to tell the Alliance?
Neeran forces in the region are severely weakened, scattered and ragged. Local populations are on the edge of revolting. The galaxy is ripe for the taking with a concentrated push. However Ulgean forces are about to do just that and most likely claim the place for themselves, using the foundation of our hard work.

>>3504158
Also no mention of our primary target, it's suppose to be a secret known only to a select few.

>2) What is the minimum size force you wish to request?
While we do not need a massive response fleet we do not a force capable of either taking out all Neeran forces currently still active, so we can secure a swift victory and claim the galaxy before the Ulgean can. Or we need a force strong enough to deter the Ulgean from wanting to invade. At lest a fleet with two to four supers will be needed. Or enough to be able to claim the enemies primary yards. We gain those we hold the largest strategic advantage in the galaxy.

>>3504308
Well that's easy. We just have to work to strength the Rekesh claim on their territory. Insert their units to the south along with whatever infiltrators we can get. Hopefully part of the southern rebellion will fold into the Rekesh if they show a consistent ability to fuck over the Neeran, arm their forces and be able to provide powerful allies, that is us.

>>3504618
>Are there any confirmed Super losses from the forces that went after the Ulgeans?

>According to Rekesh intel they've lost roughly a third of their numbers and many more have suffered damage.
No concrete numbers on supers lost, though presumably if they lost a third of their fleet some would not have returned.

>>3504762
>Do we know if the damaged Neeran fleet returned with ships from other commanders or fleets?
Unknown.

You send the following to the Alliance:

-The Ulgean are about to move on this galaxy
-local neeran forces are weakened by fighting against Ulgean main fleet
-prep work has been done to aid planetary liberation efforts
-minimal ground resistance anticipated on most worlds
-swift action is needed to ensure Alliance capture of the galaxy

As for reinforcements you specify the following:
-A fleet large enough to act as a "liberation force"
-specifically one capable of taking and holding one of the Super Yards
-20 super heavy cruisers would be able to quickly overwhelm the local defenses of the main yards
-Realistically a force 1/4 of that size might be enough but it would take much longer

-Lastly an Alliance rep is requested empowered to negotiate with the Ulgean

One of the your LRBS II's will take copies of the captured com codes and IFF data back to the Alliance lines. If for whatever reason your communications dont make it through the crew will pass along the request for reinforcements themselves.

Last minute changes?

>>3505103
Add data on estimated Neeran fleet strength? Estimated inflicted loses? Other than that it seems good.

>>3505103

>Last minute changes?

None come to mind. Though we should now think about making contact with the other rebel groups and limited contact Ulgeans. In preparation for the Alliance to arrive.

>>3505103
>Last minute changes?
It's more of a last minute addition - if they want to try to infiltrate the Executioner gun production either in preparation to capture it or to destroy it they should send specialists. I'm sure the Rovinar + Krath have something available that stands a better chance of completing their mission than our teams.

Neeran fleet strength estimates are included along with a request for a unit that could infiltrate and secure a weapons production facility.

One of the Nocturns is retasked with looking for Ulgean units and attempting to make contact with them. It would be good to have some means of communication with them already in place when the Alliance fleets arrive.

The captured shipyards are now online and have begun production of warships for the rebels. Any of the recruited rebels with experience on similar production lines are helping to man them. Thankfully that's more than a few.

Any of the various yards are repairing other ships as quickly as possible. The second training cadre has finished and while they're as green as the first they do know their jobs. This means there is now a large enough available escort to pass for a regular heavy cruiser search unit.

Viq wants to outfit one of the captured heavy cruisers with long range sensor arrays and the latest captured coms and IFFs. The false flag unit could then approach enemy facilities and outposts and provide them with the "updated" com channels as well. With the addition of some hidden code of course.

"Get the out of contact units talking using communications channels and relays that we control. They'll feed us data and we can give them back false information. We could even allow them contact with their main units letting us listen in."

Do you approve of this plan, or did you want the false flag unit focusing on other duties?

[ ] Subvert blackout regions
[ ] Hunt enemy response units
[ ] Aid rebel recruitment and uprising prep

>>3505194

Lets subvert some of those regions and units. Use the gathered intel to better plan and react to our enemies movements. As well as further watering whatever seeds of doubt are in their minds. To convince them to turn to the Alliance.

>>3505194
>[ ] Subvert blackout regions

>>3505194
[x] Subvert blackout regions

gain intel, pass along the odd false orders into a minefield/ambush.

>>3505194
>[ ] Aid rebel recruitment and uprising prep
The rebels are one of our biggest advantages at the moment. We should try to strengthen them.

>>3505194
>[ ] Subvert blackout regions
Information is king. I wonder if we could even be able to use this info to redirect enemy units to attack the Ulgean over ourselves?

While the unit is certainly useful when it comes to rebel recruitment that can easily be taken over by smaller groups of ships. With their expanded force strength they can pass themselves off as a more legitimate enemy unit. Even better, if there are gaps in their formations it can be explained away as losses fighting your raiding fleets.

Viq has traded places with Gun as the entire operation has his idea. Gun will be using her ship and some of Viq's squadrons to keep up with rebel ops.

Ren finally checks in after spending the last few days in the southern regions causing trouble. The mercenary has picked up a few others that were growing disenfranchised with the neeran. In addition to capturing a partially damaged Scarecrow type medium Ren has effectively doubled the size of his fleet.
He's willing to trade the Scarecrow for any Nautilus types you happen to capture.

After being pursued into the southern areas Phas is laying waste to enemy coms there while pushing back towards Rekesh space. She's not even trying to hide her activities, probably hoping to bait enemy response forces into chasing after her again.

Hera is continuing to campaign in the area closer to the fleet base, attempting to cut it off from the other interior regions. She'd also relocating NM2 as it's been in one place for too long in her opinion.

Lyas has attacked and destroyed a base responsible for maintaining watch over the "eye" region of the galaxy. It's not the only one but it was one of the more important ones. Two of the Monitor class mediums were borrowed for the raid as additional long range firepower.
In addition to munitions, some larger station defense guns were salvaged before they withdrew.


Roll 3d100 for the subversion team to see how they're doing.

Rolled 86, 32, 50 = 168 (3d100)

>>3505283

Subverting.

Rolled 89, 32, 59 = 180 (3d100)

>>3505283
>Roll 3d100 for the subversion team to see how they're doing.
What do Ulgeans even look like?

Rolled 61, 39, 42 = 142 (3d100)

>>3505283

Subverting the Neeran

>>3505297
>What do Ulgeans even look like?
Like a bunch of no neck couch potatoes.

Actually a bit like those guys on Dr Who now that I think about it.

>>3505311

So, Sontaran's in House and Dominion?

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>>3505311
These? Fuck, Ulgeans are adorable.

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>>3505317
>Sontaran
I guess? It's been awhile since I dont really watch Dr Who.

The Ulgean abhor close combat though, preferring to use ships and vehicles.

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>>3505323
these guys, I think

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>>3505332
You're probably right. If they looked like this the other races would be already lining up to join up their state.

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The subversion team have successfully taken control of long range coms through one sector and the surrounding space. Other areas are going a bit slower but they havent given away the fact that they're on your side. A few enemy patrol units are being tracked thanks to their efforts.

Because of the need to actually visit some of the bases with the fleet it's going to be slow going. They estimate they can subvert one and a half sectors plus the regions they're in charge of per day. Because of this it might be best to focus efforts on a few that are of higher priority.

The Rekesh fleet have themselves subverted or blacked out coms in a good portion of their territory as planned. Phas is still tearing the enemy a new one and may require backup from the main fleet if the enemy send a serious unit after her.
Hera has finished base relocation and is preparing to resume raids.

Are there any sectors/systems in particular that you wanted to prioritize for subverting their coms?

>>3505379
>Are there any sectors/systems in particular that you wanted to prioritize for subverting their coms?
Well Phas is quickly attracting some ire so where Phas is raiding would be good. That and the areas the Rekesh has contested with the South Rebels. I want the Rekesh to obtain as big as an advantage there as they can get so the claim is bigger for them eventually.

>>3505379
>Are there any sectors/systems in particular that you wanted to prioritize for subverting their coms?
I think it would be useful to connect already existing areas without effective sensor coverage.

>>3505393
>>3505394
This can work.

The subversion team gets to work on cutting of all remaining com lines between the main fleet base and the southern regions. Anything left intact will be under your control. Phas will get plenty of warning if the enemy sends a large force after them. At least if they bother to talk to their local commanders.

You've gotten a response from the Alliance and the LRBS II has returned. Most of the big fleets are engaged in heavy fighting or helping to cover planetary assaults. Because of this it's going to be some time before an ACS group can reach you.

"How long?" you ask.
"Worst case scenario? Sixteen days."
You and your staff are less than appreciative of this news.

"This is a worst case scenario." Versa points out. "By my estimation, if there are no additional surprises, two ACS groups should become available before this. Possibly ten days."

The briefing officer does have some more good news. A Rovinar heavy cruiser fleet is finishing repairs and will be diverting to this galaxy to assist you. They should arrive in 3 days.
"How big a fleet?"
"Two modern heavy cruisers, ten mediums and several wings of light cruisers and attack ships."

"Any support craft? Heavy Carriers?" asks Tama.
"Just repair barges. It's an up to date fleet but they weren't expecting to rotate back into combat for another week."

You sigh.
"Tell everyone to be on the lookout for another station or two we can steal. They're going to need it."

Before you can ask about potential targets to help soften up enemy resistance a new report comes in. A pair of super carriers from the main shipyards have arrived in Rekesh territory. They're conducting operations above two worlds where they have the support of the populace.

"What sort of operations? Do the Rekesh know what they're up to?"

Versa brings up the scans. It looks like they're sending HLV's to and from the surface. Their escorts are also pulling in cargo ships from nearby, preventing them from leaving the system.

Did you want to do anything about this? Or leave them alone while focusing on your own objectives?

>>3505379
Push down and snag all the South rebellion areas in their unenforceable zone.

Push forward in the NW area of Rekesh and grab those systems behind the line of the nuked base and FOB1

>>3505505
Push further south and gain more control there. I want to subvert the entire southern rebellion into the Rekesha cause. If that is done we may be able to open up a corridor for our reinforcement to travel in. Have stealthed ships scout out the Supers to see what exactly they are up to.

Do we know enemy response time to each individual super and their escort? If there are long response times and small escorts we could try to jump one of them with both of our supers and some heavys. It would be a good salvage opportunity and deal a harsh blow to the Neerans forces.

>>3505505
I'd say it seems like they're either reinforcing their position or evacuating. Send a cloaked ship to find out what they're actually doing.

>>3505505
What are the chances they are salting the earth? Taking everything valuable that isnt nailed down and then planting bombs designed to make the world uninhabitable or destroy it? They've shown a willingness to destroy worlds belonging to Factions races. Perhaps they've reached the point where making habitable worlds uninhabitable or destroying their own worlds to deny the FA is an important acceptable loss if the destruction of said planet kills millions of FA troops on the ground and in space.

>>3505505

Do we have any intel on what that world produces?

If they are retaining oddball cargo ships, I'd guess that they are likely evacuating war materials and possibly the population?

cargo ship bomb mission mk 2?


Regardless of their intent, I think that our best option with pro-Neeran worlds is to just wipe out their orbital facilities until the main Neeran forces are driven out of the galaxy, and possibly let the resulting start-up nations deal with the invasions if they want the worlds.

A cloaked ship is sent to spy on their operations. From their engine burns most of the HLV's are going down empty and heading into orbit full.

>>3505534
>Do we know enemy response time to each individual super and their escort?
Response time is hard to say. From their current position they'd still have contact with the main shipyards and surrounding sectors. It would take awhile for a large force to respond but there would be plenty of smaller reinforcement groups coming in as a continuous stream. The longer a fight goes on in one place the better for the enemy.
The second carrier group could reach the other one in half an hour if they immediately broke orbit.

Escorts include 3 older style heavy cruisers and multiple mediums each, around a dozen. Plus remaining orbital defenses of the planets they're orbiting. That includes defense platforms and starfighters.

>>3505546
>What are the chances they are salting the earth?
Too soon to say if they'll burn everything behind them but they're definitely evacuating something.

>>3505581
>cargo ship bomb mission mk 2?
Any support for this?

>>3505626
>Any support for this?

This feels like a mission where there will be very little chance for them to escape unlike last time. With two SHC's and hundreds of ships moving back and forth. If anyone wants to volunteer for it, okay.

>>3505505
I'd say let them pull out of planets they have support of.

Quite frankly we want them to leave those planets anyways, the more material and men they evac the better.

We could even send them a message that we won't contest withdrawals, only reinforcements, to win over the population a bit.

If they DO salt the earth, we can intervene then.

I'd rather focus on hearts and minds at this point, between us and the Ulgeans a Neeran withdrawal is a given. It's more important I feel to focus on post-consolidation to prevent the region from turning into a resource-sink of putting out rebellion and raiding.

>>3505652
The crew that teleported out of the last one would be up for it again, but only if they get danger pay this time. Actual money from you not just the promise of pay in the future.

[ ] Tell them you wont contest withdrawal
[ ] Don't contest their withdrawal
[ ] Tanker/cargo bomb their fleets
[ ] Low level raiding of their fleets
[ ] Large scale attack

>>3505715

[x] Tanker/cargo bomb their fleets

danger pay? Shit, we'll give these crazy rebel bastards a medal and danger pay.

>>3505715

>[ ] Tanker/cargo bomb their fleets

Have the rebels fly in to disrupt their operations. With a recovery ship on station or nearby.

>>3505715
[ ] Large scale attack

What's the current location of the Sensor Scorcher? Maybe we could actually capture it with a fake-out. They think we have only one SHC, if we let it detect Forbearance and then hit it with the Sovereign maybe we could catch it off guard.

>>3505840
It was last sighted operating near the fleet base. It hasn't been straying far from there of late.

>>3505772
>>3505715
Welp. If this is how we're proceeding, I'm all about this.

We can play it up a lot as the rebels being heroic in facing danger and downplay our presence in the operation.

A tanker bomb attack will be carried out. In addition some of the rebels will launch a diversionary raid with expendable ships.

Roll 1d100 for our intrepid bomber crew.

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>3505917

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>3505917
ma shallah tanker bomb crew

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>3505917

And just in case, make sure they identify beneficiaries.

Bring em in closer Merlin.

>>3505927
Yeesh thank goodness, that could have been worse. Much worse.

The tanker crew manages to survive once again and carry out their mission. Their freighter explodes taking out more than a dozen other cargo ships and damaging a number of nearby warships. Debris from a pair of fully loaded CX transports is scattered into orbit requiring the planetary shields to be raised. This will slow down their operations.

The neeran immediately implement more stringent security protocols. They begin boarding ships to inspect them before they're allowed to approach convoys or take up formation near their capital ships.

Of the carrier load of corvettes that attacked the enemy fleet 5 of them actually managed to survive long enough to reach their extraction. Of those lost only one of them weren't picked up by emergency teleporters.

This attack and others are beginning to slip past enemy censorship efforts. Especially now that communications are breaking down. Independent transport crews are taking to passing on Rebel messages and bulletins.

The Dominion Knights report the location of the Sensor Scorcher and another Super Carrier a few hours later. It looks like they're helping to perform similar evacuations. At present they're at an enemy stronghold near FOB1. You'd had to abort attacking it a few days ago when a previous target took a bit too long.

The Knights have called off major raids in the immediate area until they're gone due to the danger posed by that array. You pass on alerts to your allies and halt any possible flights to FOB1 as well.

Intel reports from the fleet base and nearby facilities show that the enemy is fortifying, both in space and on the ground. If they're preparing to abandon the central regions the same cant be said for the high value targets.

Did you want to continue to focus on enemy communications with the occasional bout of thievery? Or did you want to change things up at this point?

>>3506066
I'd like to switch up to hit and run attacks on their space infrastructure. Let them fortify their gravity wells, we can focus on space superiority and keep them pinned in their forts.

>>3506066

Lets keep a unit up for screwing with their comms. But start moving units towards salvaging and raiding. Maybe even deploying more resources for ground units. Heck, maybe we can take this opportunity present to us with Neeran evacuating planets of valueable strategic resources. We give some explosive charges to resistance forces. Who load up said bombs into crates. Crates that will be taken up to the SHC's or whatever ship they are shipped to. And detonated once they leave the planets orbit?

Complicated I know. But it could be worth trying if any rebel/ resistance units want to give a big "FU" to the Neeran who are taking their supplies. By blowing them to bits from the inside.

But really I'm more interested in raiding and keeping our units in top shape for when the Alliance arrives or in case the Ulgeans decide to move in force on this galaxy.

>>3506066

Do we have enough intelligence on the local trade/travel lanes to lure a responding Super to its doom or crippling via minefield?

Say if Forbearance were detected by one of those loading Supers, and it jumped in pursuit? Or a decoy of Forbearance, with the sphere thing?

>>3506066
Can we have Versa run scenarios on if we could tackle the enemy super and scorcher?

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>>3506107
Potentially. It would need more setup time, preparing communications in an area where you could cut off an enemy fleet that would be forth responding to. Or alternatively give them a fake target to chase like Forbearance.

Unfortunately coms are mostly being subverted in the south. If a fake call went out from there you might get enemy units responding from either the fleet base, or one of the big yards if they sent a unit out and around.

If a fake message was sent from any of the current enemy evacuation efforts it's either too wide of an area to cover, or they'd quickly realise it wasn't genuine. Unless a few days were spent doing prep first.

>>3506133
With both Supers yes, though the amount of your SP torpedo stockpile you're willing to commit will play a big part of that.

>>3506139
Let's say we're willing to burn 80% of our SP torps taking the Shipyard.

>>3506139
>though the amount of your SP torpedo stockpile you're willing to commit will play a big part of that.
Percentage wise how much to destroy the super and disable the scorcher enough to board?

>>3506165
That might be overkill.

>>3506167
Around 30%? Though it might be a good idea to plan for what to do after such a boarding action. The ship wouldn't exactly be mobile and there is a very real chance of them calling for help.

>>3506175

Lets say we make 40% of our SPs availible to capture one? We allow the use of 30% but keep the extra 10% to help us blow our way out once we cripple and secure the thing. Once a response fleet is sent.

As for what to do once we subdue it. Can we dock mediums and Heavies to its outside and move an SHC?

>>3506177
>Can we dock mediums and Heavies to its outside and move an SHC?
Not at combat speeds, though it might be possible. Ideally you'd need an asteroid tug just to get it moving. 4 if you wanted to stand a chance. Also it wouldn't be able to raise shields while being towed.

If you want to actually capture one and then escape with it after breaking its engines you'd need to bring in an SRL unit. They're the best equipped for that sort of thing. It's been a bit more than a month since you rescued that SRL fleet. They're probably back at something approaching full strength again if you wanted to call them in.
It would take them 3 days to get here.

>>3506066

actually, if we have friendly forces incoming.

When do we need to hit the Neeran sensor arrays to give them an opening into the Galaxy?

>>3506216
>>3506177
I guess Operation Capture Scorcher is a lot more possible than I originally thought.

In any case, maybe it's time we start making moves against the Sphere world? We don't have to hit it directly, but when we start invading we're going to need as much time as possible, so hitting the closest bases, logistics facilities, and even staging points could give us some needed breathing room.

So what's going to be the priority? (Also stopping here for the night.)

[ ] Keep targeting Infrastructure
[ ] Increased raiding while still hitting coms
[ ] Begin setup to lure a response force into an ambush
[ ] Plan cripple/capture of enemy super

>>3506216
What about neutralizing a SHC and immediately blasting it into the yard at ramming speed?

Like. Could we make a giant single-shot engine to grab on and move a SHC?

They would never expect it.

>>3506253

> [ ] Keep targeting Infrastructure (space)

>>3506254
>Could we make a giant single-shot engine to grab on and move a SHC?
If given enough time, maybe. The SRL guys absolutely could because they haul a lot of ship building gear with them.

>>3506253
>[ ] Keep targeting Infrastructure
Around the target planet if possible.

>>3506253

As much as I'd like to make plans to cripple/ capture an enemy super. We'll have time for that when we work with the Alliance to take the yards. So for now lets,

>[ ] Increased raiding while still hitting coms

And as other anons have suggested, start targeting the region around our target planet.

Oh, I forgot there was another thing I wanted to ask.

A Scarecrow medium has completed its refit and is ready for assignment. Did you want it assigned to the Rebels with the false flag unit, Gun and her people, one of your commanders or the Rekesh?

>1)
>>3506253

>2)
2A) Rebels / false flag
2B) Gun & her people
2C) J-D Commanders
2D) Rekesh Fleet

>>3506268
2A

>>3506268

>2C) J-D Commanders

>>3506253
>[x] Keep targeting Infrastructure

>>3506268
>2A) Rebels / false flag

>>3506268
>[ ] Begin setup to lure a response force into an ambush
>2D) Rekesh Fleet

>>3506268

[x] Increased raiding while still hitting coms

Secure a station to loan the Rovinar, if possible.

>>3506268

2B) Gun & her people

I think the best way to prove that we're not going to marginalize our rebel allies at this time is to up-gun Gun with a combat medium that the Neeran would never allow her to command alone.


>>3506216
SRL folks we saved

I'd like to extend them an invite to join us when they've completed repairs, so long as they're willing to recognize rebel worlds as invalid plunder targets.

They may even be able to secure some defecting mercs like Ren is doing.

>>3506276
>>3506268
I'll change to 2B

File: Yang_Rough20.gif (32 KB, 1004x794)

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"I dont think we're ready to target enemy super heavies yet. It would use a lot of our SP stores. That can wait until our reinforcements arrive. For now we keep targeting orbital infrastructure to help make it easier to liberate more worlds when they pull out.
That doesn't mean we cant harass them. Have a few mine layers drop fields along their projected routes when the supers begin to move."

Gun is given the Scarecrow medium, along with some more rebels that are finishing up training. Viq requests the squadrons that he'd loaned to Gun but the latter argues that she needs help getting the trainees up to speed. The other shallan reluctantly agrees to let Gun keep them on for a few days but then he wants them back.

Hera has captured a Nautilus type medium while searching for a potential station to grab. Its engines are intact and just needs repairs to the forward sections.
Ren is willing to trade his captured Scarecrow for it once the engines on his are fully operational. The Merc has largely been keeping quiet, filing little in the way of reports. He has sent a transport full of FTL drive components as your cut of his salvage.

"That guy isn't a mercenary, he's a pirate." States Mezan.

You shrug. "There is a bit of a grey area there I'll admit but he is doing what I paid him for. If he starts slaving though I'm going to kick his ass."

The two carrier groups in Rekesh space that were conducting evacuations have moved. They've linked up and relocated to another system in the southern region. It's a system you haven't attacked in force due to the presence of heavier orbital defenses. Neeran loyalists from nearby systems are flocking there, probably worried they'll be left behind.

You expected Ren to be picking off ships there but instead he's moving even farther South towards the rim. Instead Phas has sent some smaller units from her fleet to cause trouble for them.

Lyas salvaged a station using one of the spare Neeran heavy transports but it turned out to be a mixed fuel refinery/production platform. It can construct Neeran corvettes with the latest upgrade options. This is actually quite handy as you also have the designs and materials to produce FTL modules for them. It should help bolster the numbers of the rebel fleet since the attack cruisers salvaged so far take time to repair. Or more often than not to rebuild.

Where did you want to set up this new platform?

>>3506816
In that system cluster SW of TMB2. Keep it nice and central, and use it to push Rekesh claim to the area.

>>3506816

Subvert some communications in the dense star region NE of the Target and hide it away there?

Can it construct phased plasma corvettes to upgrade our fleet with?

>>3506841
>Can it construct phased plasma corvettes to upgrade our fleet with?
Yes.

>>3506845

>Yes

Are Phased Plasma Cannons still 'on par with' LD cannons but slightly longer ranged?

The potential to replace LD weapons with PPCs if our supplies begin to run low is interesting, as well.

>>3506917
>Are Phased Plasma Cannons still 'on par with' LD cannons but slightly longer ranged?
Yes more or less. I should note that corvettes you've been salvaging are all the uprated ones, with the older lower damage ones being left alone by the salvage crews.

>>3506834
>>3506841
Going to put it roughly half way between these two places unless there is a better idea or someone breaks the tie.

>>3506816
>Where did you want to set up this new platform?
I'd put it in some cozy spot somewhere around "FM" so it can produce and stash away fuel in preparation of the arrival of our main fleets.

>>3506816
Put it in the N trade lane between 3 systems in the Rekesh claims.

>>3506981
>>3506962
>>3506834
>>3506841
4 very different ideas.

For now it will be parked in one of the subverted regions of rekesh space mid way between the various suggested locations. If it becomes necessary to relocate the platform it will be sent to each of the different locations in turn?

>>3506989
>>3506981
This is me.

Seems like a goos compromise. I'd prefer to have it closer to the front but so ling as it's in the Rekesh sphere of influence it should be good.

You and Mezan oversee the relocation of the new platform. From there you can swing past the primary objective and good a good look at its defenses. It's supposed to have a station with heavy cruiser construction capacity. A second station remains under construction, though that has probably been stopped by this point.

"We'd better perform a few light raids against the nearby systems along the way. Don't want the enemy to think we're leaving them alone on purpose."

Before you have an opportunity to get on with the raids Maybourne gets your attention.

"Emergency communication from the Rekesh."
"Send it to my station."

Ni Ahni appears on screen. "Viscount we have a possible intelligence leak."
That's not good.
"Do you need assistance from my forces? We can redeploy our jamming craft."
"Our own forces are attempting to track down the... source? Due to the seriousness of the situation I felt it was necessary to inform you."

"Thank you for at least letting me know. Can you provide any details?"
"One of our scientists was asked to look into old records from Threochts planet. Try to determine if there might have been anything of value located in the ruins or museums there. Or find clues to the disappearance of Threocht himself.
We have recently discovered our researcher left the fleet on a transport delivering rebel cell leaders to Threochts planet. They would already have reached the surface by now."

"Do you think this scientist would go to the Neeran with the data? In return for a reward of some kind?"
"Unlikely but we are not prepared to disregard that possibility."

You turn to Maybourne. "How long until our reinforcements arrive?"
"28 hours give or take?"


>Your orders?

>>3507134
>>Your orders?

Extreme reaction:

Perform an emergency raid on the station in orbit. Sending units to the surface below in the chaos so that we can deploy our spec troops, whatever we've got on board to deploy to the planet below. To shadow and intercept this "scientist" should he approach the Neeran.

Moderate reaction

Wait and hope that the salvage gods are kind and the guy learned something and wants to find out about those ruins himself. Also if we haven't already, have the Rekesh give us the same info so we can have Versa look over it all to see if there's something in the data this scientist found. That would make him either go rouge and go to the Neeran or go rouge and want to head out for himself.

>>3507134
Isn't this what we have Spec-ops for?

Anyways, was the scientist working with the rebel cell leaders or just hopping on a convenient ship to threochts?

I think for now we should offer to replace Rekesh forces that could in turn be sent to Threochts to lock down the situation.

>>3507134
Well, what kind of scientist is the guy? Are we in danger of him running off an triggering whatever defenses the installation has, or is he just trying to get early start on the research to help his people?

>>3507134
spec ops team to locate and question the scientist

>>3507196
>have the Rekesh give us the same info so we can have Versa look over it all to see if there's something in the data this scientist found.
They'll deliver a data core to your unit immediately, though they request that none of the data be allowed off of your command ship.

>>3507199
>Isn't this what we have Spec-ops for?
You do have SP stealth drop pods available.

>was the scientist working with the rebel cell leaders or just hopping on a convenient ship to threochts?
Hopping a ride it would seem. The rebels are trying to build up existing cells and start new ones any way they can in preparation for the upcoming liberation. They haven't been too picky about people that claim they can bring in more recruits quickly.

>>3507206
>Well, what kind of scientist is the guy?
Crypto linguist primarily. One of only a dozen in their fleet that can read the older Rekesh language no longer used in modern times.

>Are we in danger of him running off an triggering whatever defenses the installation has, or is he just trying to get early start on the research to help his people?
Hard to be sure. The scientist's name is Ten Zohn. A few that know him think he is probably trying to uncover the secret before anyone else. That could be either to claim it for themselves or to take credit of its discovery.

Discoverers and keepers of secrets are held in high regard in Rekesh society. What isn't a secret is that many rebel leaders have been killed by the Neeran. If he finds anything of value it could easily propel them into becoming a key power holder in their nation.

Ni Ahni is less worried about Ten Zohn opening up any ruins or triggering defenses than the threat of the Neeran capturing him.
"He is a researcher, not a field operative. Worse I can't simply ask all rebel cells to apprehend him. If I divert too many resources to finding him enemy intelligence may take notice."

>>3507278
>the threat of the Neeran capturing him.
That definitely is something to worry about. Do we have any Kavarians in our spec ops teams? And how hard is it to get them to pass as Rekesh by gluing stuff to their heads?

>>3507286
>Do we have any Kavarians in our spec ops teams?
A few.
>And how hard is it to get them to pass as Rekesh by gluing stuff to their heads?
It's doubtful they'd pass as Rekesh. Their dermal denticles follow a different pattern. They would be farther ahead to use holographic camouflage.

Unless there are any other ideas?

[ ] Covert Spec ops team insertion (Disguised transport)
[ ] Stealth/cloaked Spec ops team insertion (Nocturn/Drop pods)
[ ] Attack planet to cover Spec ops team insertion
[ ] Raid orbital platform as cover for Rekesh rebels to search
[ ] Monitor subverted coms, wait for Neeran to catch Ten Zohn

>>3507371
>[ ] Stealth/cloaked Spec ops team insertion (Nocturn/Drop pods)

>>3507371
>[ ] Stealth/cloaked Spec ops team insertion (Nocturn/Drop pods)
This seems like the most realistic chance to get into contact with that scientist before the Neeran catch him.

>>3507371
>[ ] Stealth/cloaked Spec ops team insertion (Nocturn/Drop pods)

>>3507371
>[ ] Stealth/cloaked Spec ops team insertion (Nocturn/Drop pods)
>[ ] Attack planet to cover Spec ops team insertion

>>3507376
>>3507381
>>3507432
Did you want to include one of Ni Ahni's commandos on the team? Or just ask the Rekesh to provide a few safe houses and drop points?

>>3507469

If they have units on the ground close to the target. Then sure, having their units coordinate with ours to find this guy could help.

>>3507469
>Did you want to include one of Ni Ahni's commandos on the team?
Having a local with the team sounds like a good idea as this seems like a mission that's very heavy on infiltration and very light on all the other stuff these people usually have to do. Thinking about it, better bring two Rekesh if we can.

>>3507469

Include one of Ni Ahni's commandos. Our people can't really act as the face here.

Calling in Arron you set up a rendezvous to pick up the Rekesh commando. A Battleship shuttles them over to your command ship and from there one of the stealth LST's link up with the Nocturn. The plan is to deploy the drop pod team from low orbit. If the planetary shields are already up then they'll ready a few decoys to look like micrometeorites striking the shield.

You meanwhile continue the plan to perform minimalist raids against the surrounding systems as well as Threochts planet. That should allay suspicions and allow you to check to see if the ground team made it down okay.

How badly did you want to damage the orbital defenses of Threochts planet when you get around to it? As much damage as possible so you dont have to deal with it when you eventually invade? Or would you prefer to only do damage you know you can fix? It might be necessary to defend this place after you take it.

[ ] As much damage as possible
[ ] Shoot to disable

>>3507556
>[ ] As much damage as possible

>>3507556
>[ ] Shoot to disable

Trying to claim this world. Would be nice to keep its orbital facilities in tact. Especially if we're allowed to take them back home.

>>3507556

[x] As much damage as possible

Blast the hell out of the smaller defenses, including those AM launchers.

Don't try to destroy the stations, but put them out of action for repairs.


allied units should conduct a few similar 'knock out repair yards' raids, as well to conceal our interest in this world.

>>3507556
>[x] Shoot to disable
Don't want the Ugleans to scoop in and grab stuff or worse bombard the planet.

>>3507556
>[ ] As much damage as possible

>>3507556
> [ ] Shoot to disable

>>3507578

Politically speaking, Ulgeans bombarding -any- world in this galaxy would probably benefit our efforts to contain their influence by driving most rebel groups into the FA's arms.

>>3507556

If we do as >>3507570 anon suggests and destroy the defensive items. And disable the things like stations and yards. I'd be down for destroying as much as possible. So long as we watch those AM launchers.

"As much damage as possible" is first to 3.

>>3507637
>So long as we watch those AM launchers.
Actually did you want to focus more on those and the medium platforms over the bigger station?

Since making contact with the Rekesh rebels you've largely stayed away from larger strikes on their worlds. Carrying out anything more than minor raids has been left to them. With their preference for longer range weaponry you're starting to see why that's been a good thing.

"Looks like they were one of the client races building medium defense platforms for the Neeran."

"Probably not the only ones." says Maybourne. "We've seen Quattro gun setups like this on a few of the larger bases we've hit. They just happened to be attached to larger platforms, that's all."

"We've only seen these newer platforms around the bigger bases and the rekesh core worlds."
Though you'll admit at least the rebels provided you with accurate weapon range data and shield strength.

The larger ships in your fleet have to engage platforms from longer range than you'd like, doing less damage. Despite this your covering fire helps the attack wings engage the platforms from closer range. The AM missile platforms are a pain in the ass to engage, not really because of their damage output but because they have a tendency to shoot down an entire volley of torpedoes at once.

"Set the targeting computers to stagger the warheads and decoys so they cant hit all of them at once."

You're not sure if this is a better or worse way of warding off SP torpedo attacks than the Neeran fluidic shielding. If they found a way to combine the two it might seriously fuck with Alliance logistics. That or you'll be forced to use starfighters.

Despite the difficulties of adapting to the newer platforms you manage to cripple or destroy platforms around two other worlds before the attack on Threochts planet. A few attack cruisers that have taken a beating were forced to pull back for repairs. A couple corvettes were lost or crippled but the crews were recovered. Some will be needing radiation treatment for awhile.

At Threochts planet Mezan is confident enough about the range and damage that she brings in the mediums a bit closer for a quick run. Interceptor missile systems are kept busy shooting down AM warheads that get past the skirmishing line. Fortunately one of the other fleets salvaged some Neeran KKV's from a few Kraken class ships they downed. Those are certainly helping.

>Cont

By the time you depart 6 of the medium platforms have been destroyed and close to half of the AM platforms are down. Two assault corvette squadrons wanting to prove how badass they were performed a high speed strafing run of the main platform, crippling most of the big guns. Both of the heavy cruisers under construction wont be going anywhere soon either.

With its shields collapsing a few of your battleships bombard the platform with heavy torpedoes. A good portion of the station a cratered mess by the time you jump out of the system.

You ask Tama how he thinks the starfighters would fare against the AM platforms.
"I think they would perform adequately, but I'm worried about the radiation levels they'd face from warhead detonations."

You were in a medbay for a couple days after your close encounter with a ground based planetary defense missile back in the day. Those used normal nukes, or maybe slightly more modern fusion warheads. Antimatter warheads by comparison are no joke.

"Communications? Did we get anything from the surface?"
"The team landed successfully sir. They're still procuring mission specific equipment, but they have made contact with local resistance cells."

They've been on the ground for 10 hours and they're still procuring equipment? Then again to be fair they are searching an entire planet without giving themselves away or alerting the Neeran to their target.

1) How long are you willing to give them?

2) Do you want to take out coms in the surrounding area just in case or just leave the subverted coms active?
2A) Take down long range coms
2B) Leave them subverted coms

>>3507824
>1) How long are you willing to give them?
Give them until the reinforcements from the Alliance shows up. Or if it looks like a large Super task force comes baring in on this region.

2A) Take down long range coms
Want to delay any Neeran Super task force coming to this world. Also maybe start thinking about intercepting any courier services heading out.

>>3507824

1) A week. Our special forces are dealing with a whole planet and they are professionals. If they need extraction I'm sure they know how to get word to us.

2A)

Pop the majority of the long range coms, but let a few subverted ones survive, preferably round-about ones that we control. Limit their bandwidth and possibly garble anything we can't crack?

This should look like our denial area expanding after a major, crippling raid, but we either missed a few or pulled out before we hunted them all down.

>>3507824
supporting: >>3507838

>>3507838
>>3507824
Supporting

The surface team has a week to do what they can, no more. If anything their time limit will get shorter.

"Cut off that system's communication except for one or two routes that we can monitor. I want even those limited in terms of bandwidth if possible. Make it look like we missed a few com relays on our pass. The same goes for the previous colony we hit."

The Rekesh do what they can to accommodate, shutting down communications except for another colony that itself has limited connection to the rest. Everything remaining online around the nearest 5 colonies are being filtered by you or your allies.

As the clock counts down to the arrival of allies you send one of the cloaked battleships with a more powerful communications arrays outside the galaxy to make contact. A request is sent to Ren to see about disabling the sensor arrays along the southern approach or above the plane of the galaxy. Whichever is more convenient. The Merc chooses the upper arrays.

After they make contact and are given approach data they send a request for a rendezvous location. Apparently they want to top off their fuel supplies as soon as they arrive. Their admiral also wants to discuss mission objectives.

You return to the main fleet and work a good location to meet up with them. Gun managed to track down another Trayan mobile base to be loaned to the Rovinar. It was in bad shape but they grabbed it anyways. Repair crews will need a few days to bring it online.

>Cont.

Taking Lyas and a heavy tanker you head for the Rendezvous. After making contact with a silent hunter the Rovinar fleet begins to jump in. One of the heavies has been upgraded with a pair of external equipment upgrade "roll bars" above and below the main hull, similar to those on the Terran Antares class. It looks like these have been fitted with repair facilities in addition to more weapons and shield generators.

The main guns on either ship have also seen some work. Secondary or perhaps supporting emitters have been placed around them.
"I hope those guns pack a punch because we're going to need it." comments Mezan.

The larger vessel contacts you, their commanding officer introducing themselves as Admiral Elerain. You're not sure if they're just old or recently injured because there are quite a few spots where their skin or scale tone doesn't match or appears more like vat grown tissue.

"General Reynard I'm sorry my fleet were the only ones who could respond. My unit is still under strength following recent fighting. I couldn't even bring my command ship as it's under repair for another week. I was able to secure additional stockpiles of SP torpedoes that your force can make use of. Intel didn't bother to inform me of your supply levels so I erred on the side of caution.

What's the current status of operations here?"

Do you inform the Admiral of your primary objective? Or will you keep quiet about it, focusing on the liberation mission? Perhaps something in between, simply mentioning that you have an additional target to secure you cant otherwise discuss?

[ ] Inform the Admiral, but the Admiral only
[ ] Keep the Admiral in the dark
[ ] You have an intel side mission but cant give details

>>3508073

>[ ] You have an intel side mission but cant give details

Bring him up to speed on the situation here in this galaxy. On what we've been doing and what the Ulgean's and Neeran have been doing. While I appreciate having more units to back us up. We have compartmentalization for a reason, so if possible we talk to him face to face. And let him know we've an intel target inside this galaxy beyond the one heavily defended factory his unit is likely here to hit. And that we can't give more information than that, until the Alliance begins liberating the galaxy properly.

Or if another anon has a better way of saying "There is another priority target that is in the galaxy that we're trying to prevent the Neeran from getting wind of. And him and his fleets arrival are greatly appreciated."

Of course, if he's got the proper security clearance that we can somehow verify. Which I don't know how we would right now, then we let him know.

>>3508073

Did we get a deal with the Rekesh for exclusive Dominion rights to the sphere signed?

Or was it just talk?


[x] Intel side mission but can't give details

Due to teams actively being in the field and the presence of rebels within our larger fleet, we are under extreme compartmentalization. Once all teams are recovered we can discuss it with the Admiral and the Admiral only.

For now, we bring the Admiral up to speed on the galaxy's situation. And thank them for coming.

>>3508089
You guys wanted to prevent the Alliance from making any claim against any builder tech you found. Keeping the Admiral in the dark would be one way to help do it.

>>3508092
>Did we get a deal with the Rekesh for exclusive Dominion rights to the sphere signed?
Not yet. The Rekesh also wanted certain assurances of sovereignty. (They're also running short on leaders to ratify such a treaty.) So you requested a higher level diplomat from the Alliance. Fortunately they've now arrived with the Rovinar.
The Tech thing can be worked out as a quiet side deal which would include support from the Dominion when striking the final deal.

>>3508073
> [ ] You have an intel side mission but cant give details

Goddamn Rovinar are almost as bad as the Terrans for spying. Can we imply that it's part of our deal with the Rekesh and that we won't take kindly to invasive intervention by the Rovinar, and that it could disrupt our plans to deal with the Ulgeans if it threatens our relationship with the rebels?

That way they think it's some sort of dirty political black op they'll want to stay out of instead of a sphere tech planet.

Or would it just be best to keep a look out for their spy drones?

>>3508120
> The Tech thing can be worked out as a quiet side deal which would include support from the Dominion when striking the final deal.

Oh. We haven't done this yet.


Okay. Is the Alliance cool with this?

Can we bribe the Admiral with anything to make this look just like the Dominion is trying to just get Rekesh rebuilding contracts to profit from the sector?

>>3508120

Wait, isn't the Alliance aware of our target in this region? I thought they were.

If they aren't then yeah do our best to keep him in the dark on it. And then do as suggested and strike a deal with the Rekesh that if they can keep quiet about any discovery on planet. We will give them additional support from the Dominion.

The less loot we can hand over to the Alliance the better.

>>3508125
>Is the Alliance cool with this?
Would you like to tell them and find out?

>>3508131

Oh hell no.

We're basically trying to screw the other Factions out of this new sphere builder world's tech access via underhanded diplomacy.

>>3508130
>Wait, isn't the Alliance aware of our target in this region? I thought they were.
Ehh... parts of the Alliance are more than others.

Gaben Wilson with Alliance intel (who actually knows what's potentially at stake) would probably be more cool with this than others but he's not here yet. Even he would want the Alliance to have some oversight and a share of the find.

>>3508134

Well until people who know what's at stake arrive. I firmly change my vote to keeping the good admiral in the dark on our target. And do our best to strike a deal with the Rekesh now that the Alliance are arriving. And as anon suggested make it look like we're scalping future business and loyalty to the Dominion with the Rekesh. So that only those in the know know what's really going on.

Since we're in orbit of the target, can we take some scans? Locate any oddities?

Maybe it's worth dropping our own separate commando teams with a recon and information gathering mandate. Give them enough materials to set up hidden/underground FOBs and get the lay of the land.

The faster we can get control of whatever this facility is the better. I'm hoping it's a massive manufacturing sphere personally, they had to make the Dyson Sphere somehow, right?

>>3508122
>>3508073
Changing to

> [ ] Keep the Admiral in the dark

Until we can get an exclusive deal with the Rekesh.

Point out that if the Rekesh join the Alliance, they'll have to share their sphere tech for whatever the Alliance is willing to give them.

But the Dominion is willing to give them a ton of support in exchange for exclusivity.

Even if worst comes to worst for them and the Dominion decides the sphere tech isn't worth it, we still want their shipbuilding tech anyways. Sonia alone could drive industry in their likely sized nation post-revooution if she wanted to.

>>3508159
>Since we're in orbit of the target
You were in orbit. You left after trashing a good chunk of the orbital defenses. Versa did take scans, but the planetary shields went up when the attack started so they're not as useful as the ones the Nocturn took.

>Locate any oddities?
Mostly just the previously reported ones regarding a spherical sensor shadow within the planet. There were a few odd returns from the ruin sites the Rekesh provided the locations of.

You'd need powerful active scans while the planetary shields are down for more accurate readings.

>>3508073
>[x] You have an intel side mission but cant give details
They're an ally, so they deserve some honesty.

>>3508073
>[ ] Inform the Admiral, but the Admiral only

>>3508073
>[ ] Inform the Admiral, but the Admiral only

>>3508073
>[ ] You have an intel side mission but cant give details
Keep this under wraps. This is a Dominion secret we have kept just so we can maximize any gain the Dominion gets from it. If we dont we risk the FA stealing it from out under us. Which they totalt would. No, we should take this with the Rekesh instead and work out a deal with them for post liberation.

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You explain that officially your fleets are here to assist with the liberation of this galaxy. However your unit does have an intelligence side mission that you can't go into details over.

"That makes sense." Elerain admits. "I did as much research as I could on this galaxy before departure. Some data was outside my clearance but what I did see was that your Emperor pulled strings to delay a certain intelligence unit from deploying here. Whatever the reason it's sparked the Krath's curiosity. They'll be sending a unit of their own here to investigate before long."
The Admiral holds up a hand to forestall comment.
"Before you ask I dont know when or how large."

More attention being brought to your "secret" mission. Great, that's just what you needed

"Tell me about your fleet." you ask.
"I have 470 warships plus support craft under my command. We are a fighting unit, not one that skulks around. I do have cloaked ships but the majority of my attack forces are newer Balaur class Attack Frigates. Their systems are geared towards all out fighting capability, not stealth."

Frigate might be a bot of a stretch for the newer Balaurs given that the Silent Hunters were already pushing it. They're more on par with an attack cruiser in terms of firepower. If these numbers are right they have the mobility profile of an assault corvette.
As with most high end Rovinar designs they're probably not cheap to produce. Hence why their larger Alliance fleet contributions are using license built assault corvettes.

As refueling gets underway the Admiral wishes to know your plan of attack. Were you planning to tackle some of the enemy Supers in the region now that you have a bit more firepower on your side? Take on some larger bases? Or would you prefer to keep undermining enemy control until the Ulgean arrive or the enemy withdraw?

Speaking of which the two super carrier groups in the south have moved to another enemy strong point closer to the edge of the galaxy. It wouldnt be difficult for them to leave the galaxy entirely from there.
In the north the Scan Scorcher and team are beginning to move back in the direction of the NM2. Hera is deploying a few small minefields to slow their progress. More an annoyance than an actual threat.

>What targets did you want to go after with the help of your Rovinar allies?

Not going to be on very long today.

>>3509072
Phew, at lest we didn't completely blow everything. But we do REALLY need to get into negotiations with the Rekesh for the post liberation. Before the FA can start talking with them about how THEY want things to go.

None the less.

>What targets did you want to go after with the help of your Rovinar allies?
I would like for them focus on the southern LR sensor coverage, where I assume the ACS groups will enter from. We help thin that out the enemy will either be forced to redirect forces down there to guard them better against them. Meaning they open up even more holes in the lines than they have before for us to exploit. Or they abandon that part entirely. Giving the ACR groups a clear line of approach once they get and can help us with the heavy lifting.

Secondly they should further work on subverting out taking out the coms in the southern parts and generally being a menace down there. We've already done massive good work there and and we will probably soon be able to take over planets themselves.

On the other hand I really want to take out a Super at this point but I also want the Neerans to use those against the Ulgean. Time to starts blitzing them in any case.

>>3509072

Does the Admiral feel comfortable launching an attack to cripple/destroy the enemy Scorcher while it is unsupported by another Super?

Potentially with just Forbearance to keep our second Super as an ace in sleeve?

That will hopefully force them to pull another SHC to assist/cover repairs, which would hopefully give us a chance to ambush a second lone SHC for crippling.

Or weaken important garrisons that we can blow up.

>>3509072
First take out the sensors super

>>3509072

>Plans

Lets get something together to intercept that sensor Scorcher, to either cripple or destroy.

And afterwards, to raid those two SHC's and do as much damage to them and their escort as possible. Depending on how our fleets look after we hit the Sensor Scorcher.

>>3509072
I have to agree with the other anons, the scorcher with the sensor array seems like a good target to take out before the main fleets arrive.
How many more days until the minimum and maximum eta for the FA supers?

>>3509072

Did we have enough support to invite or call in those SRL supers we saved?

>>3509072
>In the north the Scan Scorcher and team are beginning to move back in the direction of the NM2.

Do we have enough troops to attack the Scorcher, pull in their reinforcements, and then hit their reinforcements with the Rovinar?

Because if we can give a big one-two like that, then we can work on undermining enemy control again.

And we can just wait for someone to make a move on the Fleet Base and then snap it up after the fighters have exhausted themselves and one side is about to lose.

>>3509098
>we do REALLY need to get into negotiations with the Rekesh for the post liberation
Yes that is next on the agenda. I made sure to mark it down.

>southern LR sensor coverage, where I assume the ACS groups will enter from.
Most likely approach, yes.

>Take out a super vs leaving them for the Ulgean to fight.
It is a dilemma. The faster the Ulgean roll the primary Neeran defenses the less time you're going to have to liberate planets.

>>3509106
>Does the Admiral feel comfortable launching an attack to cripple/destroy the enemy Scorcher while it is unsupported by another Super?
Absolutely, though they'd prefer to have some backup, both to minimize losses and so that the Rovinar can split off some of their units. They'd like to not have everything in one group.

Currently it looks like all of the enemy Supers have started to double up. The two carrier groups that started off solo in Rekesh space are together in the south. The scan scorcher is itself continuing to operate as escort for a Super Carrier. As they've been assisting evacuation efforts that carrier probably wont want to hang around in a fight.

>>3509139
>How many more days until the minimum and maximum eta for the FA supers?
It is currently day 34.
(Special forces deadline day 40)
Alliance best case arrival time: day 41
Worst case arrival time: day 47

>>3509161
>Did we have enough support to invite or call in those SRL supers we saved?
That fleet would almost certainly be up for returning the favour. (They might not even charge you much!)
If you mean player support for it I haven't seen much.

>>3509172
As long as they dont send an actual proper battle fleet at you it could be done. The second they start showing up with Executioners and organized support not too many will be willing to hang around.

Looks like everyone is set on taking out that scan scorcher. Aside from the Rovinar who will be contributing? Presumably Sonia and Mezan will be there.

>Select all that apply:
[ ] Forbearance
[ ] Sovereign
[ ] Hera
[ ] Phas
[ ] Lyas
[ ] Dominion Knights
[ ] Gun & Rebels
[ ] Rekesh
[ ] False flag rebels (Active participant)
[ ] False flag rebels (Intelligence support)

>>3509261

>SRL Backup?
I'd rather not invite more units into our galaxy and be forced to compete with more units for our prize. But if the Ulgeans will be moving in soon. Having the SRL bringing their guns to bear will help out a ton.

I'd be on board for asking them to come pay us back for getting their asses out of the fire. If other anons are as well.

Scorcher Mission Units
>[ ] Forbearance
>[ ] Hera
>[ ] Gun & Rebels
>[ ] Rekesh

A good chance to give the Admiral and his crews a chance to work with our allies. And so we can also use this as an opportunity to observe their units tactics and the full capabilities of his units in combat.

>>3509261

[x] Forbearance
[x] Hera
[x] Phas
[x] Dominion Knights
[x] Gun & Rebels
[x] Rekesh
[x] False flag rebels (intelligence support)

The purpose of this strike is to disable/destroy the enemy ASAP and withdraw while preserving our fleet strength.

If we can have a low TTK on the enemy force without deploying the full strength of all the forces, all the better as the remainder can conduct distraction raids to draw away response units.

>>3509261
>[ ] Forbearance
>[ ] Phas
>[ ] Lyas
>[ ] Dominion Knights
>[ ] False flag rebels (Intelligence support)
I don't think we should have the Rekesh show up alongside our main fleet.

>>3509261
>[ ] Sovereign
>[ ] Dominion Knights
>[ ] Rekesh
>[ ] False flag rebels (Intelligence support)

>>3509261
>[ ] Forbearance
>[ ] Sovereign
>[ ] Gun & Rebels
>[ ] Rekesh
>[ ] Hera

>>3509261
>As they've been assisting evacuation efforts that carrier probably wont want to hang around in a fight.
Do we have to offer them a chance to surrender or something similar under FA laws because they're most likely transporting large amounts of civvies?

>>3509367
>>3509261
Actually change Rekesh to Dominion Knights.

Heavily Dominion representing.

>>3509371
No you dont have to ask. The Neeran haven't exactly been forgiving with civilian population centers on your side. You will have to respect any ships that surrender though.

>>3509371

A military ship (SHC) should be a valid war target regardless of what it carries, unless it is unarmed and bears protected markings (red cross for medical ships). If it was a civilian ship, it could be a valid war target if it was armed or carried war material to a belligerent power.

>>3509312
I can support not using the Rekesh. Both in the hope that their worlds don't get bombarded in retaliation and for maximum Factions/Dominion show of power.

>>3509380
Aren't we trying to win over the locals, though?

Could be a good show to be willing to let civvies go.

>>3509398
These are Neeran loyalists, if they even bothered to evac the population vs taking all the war material they could.

Forbearance, Hera, the Dominion Knights, the Rekesh will be asked to assist and the false flag unit will provide intelligence support.

Baron Xedols, Phas and Gun will begin preparations should they need to be called in to bail out the fleet. Lyas will cover raiding work elsewhere so that the enemy doesn't get the idea you've pulled back Hera and the Knights.

Hera is requesting the Outer Heaven, the AM Helios and the minelayers. She has a good idea where the fleet will go when they've finished their next evac op. At present they've stopped at another stronghold colony and will be the better part of a day finishing up there. That gives you plenty of time to get into position.

Did you want to make use of the gravity well generator, or give them an opening to escape through so they dont turn and fight?

>>3509483
>Did you want to make use of the gravity well generator, or give them an opening to escape through so they dont turn and fight?
Don't use the generator. As long as we destroy the scorcher every damaged ship that escapes will strain enemy logistics and block their repair capacities. Especially that super heavy carrier will be a huge drain if we manage to let it escape barely functional.

>>3509489

Seconding this.


>>3509483

And give Hera the requested ships.

>>3509483
I am with >>3509489 anon on their idea. And loaning ships.

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Estimated enemy force strength. Lead group will most likely be the Super Carrier so that the Scorcher can cover a retreat. It's unknown how many corvette the Supers and the two heavy carriers have aboard due to the presence of HLV's used to evacuate ground side cargo.

Enemy Medium cruisers are mostly Shoal types. Outer groups have fast mediums and mixed attack wings.
Note: Medium Cruiser markers have been changed to 1x medium instead of 2x.

The Rekesh are unwilling to use both of their heavy cruisers in the same battle. They've brought about half their forces.

Make your plans. I will post briefly probably around midnight.

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>>3509652

So first plan, we either put the minefield in spot A and give the Foreberance and Ni Ahni cover from oncoming enemies. Or we put it in position B and let it soften up the Neeran forces that have to go through it. Personally I would put it in spot A, so to give both the Foreberance and Ni Ahni cover. As the rest of us pretty much go forward. Our primary target is the Sensor Scorcher. DK and Hera pretty much are to burn hard and fast to get in and grab the Sensor Scorcher groups attention and slow if not stop them in place. Creating holes in their formation for Ni Ahni and Forbearance to take shots at the Sensor Scorcher. While we head towards them from the front. Getting their attention and forcing them to split between either us or Dk and Hera. The Admiral will deploy closest to the SHC’s group. Engaging their right flank and convincing them to bugger off rather then stay and fight. With the Admiral letting those who choose to flee, to leave. And those that stay and fight are crippled or destroyed. As his primary goal is to damage the SHC and encourage it and its escort to flee the area quickly rather than linger and try to take on the Forbearance or Ni Ahni.

I’m relying on the SHC having orders that its survivability takes precedence over the Scorchers. And if we can spook its commander to leave, by it either taking to much damage or its escort taking to much damage. We can take the Scorcher apart.

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>>3509791
flip as necessary to focus on hitting the super scorcher, but we should use the minefield to split their forces if possible and then use the bulk of our forces to drive them into a pincer attack focused on the scorcher unit.

>>3509911
>>3509652
Forgot to mention that the Forbearance is placed there so the mediums and carrier can screen from the second group striking around the minefield and trying to reverse pincer our forces.

>>3509914
>>3509911

Overall the goal is to prevent them using their usual tactic of screening heavier ship losses with their corvette/mediums.

File: BP - Envelopment.gif (17 KB, 1612x904)

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>>3509652

So my plan is to drop the minefield roughly where we expect the gap between their fleet groups to be, but angle it slightly to match the angle of their fleet (paint only does 90 degree turns)

Primary goal of the minefield is to arrest forward movement of the trailing group, preventing them from quickly jumping and putting full rear shields. If they jump forward/back, part of the fleet hopefully reverts in the minefield and is instagibbed or crippled.

Our fleet attacks from the rear in a rough crescent, denying the enemy their forward fire arcs until they are able to turn and hopefully allowing our initial volleys to inflict crippling damage on the engines to cripple the enemy's ability to come about and face us effectively. Out-of-control ships may cause additional damage to their allies or disrupt formations as bonus points.

The Eclipse with Versa/Sonia shelters within the Forbearance fleet, and our general envelopment hopefully means the trailing group and super are torn to shreds in a crossfire.

Ni Ahni's force positions to support the DK flank from long range, acting as a skirmishing force.

If we overwhelm the trailing group quickly, we can make to pursue the SHC for a short while, but I consider this an assassination mission against the Scorcher.

Apologies for not properly indicating the direction of the enemy convoy's movement.

As most player made plans call for attacking from the flank I put the fleets there as a starting point. Also I turned the enemy super heavy cruisers to point towards the side of the image so I figured that plus their formation would be enough of a giveaway.

Working up diagrams for the suggested plans.

>>3510011
>drop the minefield roughly where we expect the gap between their fleet groups to be
That will be difficult to pull off with certainty, but not impossible.

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>>3509791
Plans A and B

>>3509911
Plan C

>>3510011
Plan D

I hope I've done C and D right.
Admiral Elerain refuses to split up her heavy cruisers where they cant support each other so Sonia and one of the Rovinar units have traded places in C. Some interesting ideas for the minefields if I've read them right.

>>3510365
>C

I like how it splits them into two groups and forced them to break formation or risk the mines

>>3510365
I'm sticking with C

That's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Bonus, we have all the fastest of ships so with Sonia's fleet on the "edge" as it were they can still whip a shitty around the end of the mine field to hit targets of opportunity that are trying to withdraw.

>>3510365
I think C should work nicely although I'd prefer if we could shift the mines a bit up or down on the map so these three civilian ships don't jump directly into them.
I'm personally not a big fan of the plans that put Forbearance in front of the Scorcher unless the scan array prevents it from firing the main gun.

>>3510365
>D but rotate the minefield ~100° clockwise

Going to be busy today and tomorrow morning. Probably resume tomorrow afternoon.

>>3510603
I mean, the Forebearance has a lot of mediums around it too.

The big reason I put it there was it's a nice blob of firepower to prevent the two groups from regrouping at the edge of the minefield.

Besides, why bring it if we aren't willing to use it.

As for the Civvie ships, they ARE still mediums. Unlikely that a minefield alone will destroy them.

If they're really worried about the mines, they can always surrender too.

>>3510940
>Besides, why bring it if we aren't willing to use it.
I meant the actual positioning for that ship in plans A and B where Forbearance is placed directly in front of the Scorcher's giant death beam. C and D at least force that ship to turn if it wants to bring its main gun to bear on any of our larger targets.

>>3511137
Convoy movement is headed away from the Forbearance group though?

>>3511137
>>3511141
Wait I thought you were originally talking about plan C.

Plan C is best plan I feel.

>>3511156
>Wait I thought you were originally talking about plan C.
I was. Should have probably added another blank line between the two sentences because the second sentence refers to plans A and B.

>>3510365
Are all our Monitor class ships equipped with plasma cannons or did we bring one with a planetary shield generator setup like the SRL fleet used?
Also, would the scorcher be considered an adequate target for a veckron torpedo strike if we can't gun it down with regular weapons quickly enough?

>>3513666
Honestly if we could pull it off, I'd say it would be worth a V-torp to take out the scorcher right away and then then take down the Heavy Carrier and whatnot.

There's no such thing as a weapon of last resort, they should always be used to maximum effect.

Personally I don't think it's worth the V-torp here. They're all sorts of expensive to use, directly and even moreso indirectly.

Not worth the risk of it only saving us some time.

We could charge it up to spook them when the Heavy Cruiser starts to pull away to toss them into a disorderly retreat as the current effective defense against a V-torp is to sacrifice ships to block it though, and then just power it down.

Should make them think twice about our capabilities, especially since the size of our forces and the timing of revealing them should be an unpleasant confirmation of their more negative projections for the stability of the sector.

I'm back btw, I'm just having trouble getting rolling is all.

test post

>>3510940
>As for the Civvie ships, they ARE still mediums.
I've previously stated (though not recently) that the civilian ship marker indicated groups of civilian ships. It's easier than putting a few hundred dots on the map.

>>3513666
>Are all our Monitor class ships equipped with plasma cannons or did we bring one with a planetary shield generator setup like the SRL fleet used?
2 of them had some of their torpedo batteries swapped out for additional shield generators awhile ago. All the monitors have been upgraded from the base design to include additional armor, weapons and shielding to improve their survivability. They all still have their main guns.

The SRL guys went a step further with theirs, replacing the main guns with shield platforms. Yours may not have as much additional shielding but they're still much better than they used to be.

>Also, would the scorcher be considered an adequate target for a veckron torpedo strike if we can't gun it down with regular weapons quickly enough?
It might be if not for the fact that you're going to be using antimatter mines. It would be good to coordinate your forces to not be carrying AM afterburner fuel pods or AM warheads into a fight if you expect V-Torps to be lobbed about.

>>3510482
>>3510496
>>3510603
>>3510659
>>3511156
It looks like there have been no additional plan suggestions, merely minor tweaks to the existing ones.
Plan C selected.

>Cont.

Your allies and related units are called in and given their assignments. Hera will use scouts to watch for enemy fleet movements and then set up the minefield at an appropriate location. When they do begin to move you'll have very little time to get into position.

Also of importance is making sure you're not detected. If they enemy see a fleet lead by a super heavy on the way they'll call for reinforcements, delay their departure or both. Elerain requests any data your fleet has on enemy positions and patrol routes, offering to let their cloaked ships clear the way for the fleet. You're not about to turn them down.

While the Rovinar fleet may be a "fighting unit" their battleships are always equipped with cloaking shields. This gives them a much larger number of cloaked vessels to draw on for use as a picket force. Combined with the squadron sized force of silent hunters acting as scouts the Rovinar do a good job of clearing a path for the fleet's advance.

By the end of the day Forbearance and its escort have arrived about half way between the enemy fleet base and the outer colonies being evacuated. By now Hera has her minelayers and reinforcements while Lyas has taken over raiding duties.

Now it's just a matter of waiting for the right time and place to intercept. When word comes in that the Scan Scorcher and their fleet are on the move once again it's quickly relayed to Hera.
"They're not moving the direction I expected them to. I'm sending intercept coordinates."

"Do you have enough time to deploy the minefield?" you ask.

"Yes, they're moving slow because of the civilian ships but it could still be close. You should move the main fleet immediately."

You quickly scramble to head for the new intercept point.

https://youtu.be/VoEc2vY4_ks?t=39

Roll 3d100 for mine placement

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Rolled 72, 48, 33 = 153 (3d100)

>>3517487
>Roll 3d100 for mine placement
Rolling to do our best.

Rolled 50, 92, 2 = 144 (3d100)

>>3517487

Come on presumably Space Combat Engineers.

Rolled 29, 10, 73 = 112 (3d100)

>>3517487
Oh boy

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Hera manages to get the mines placed before you or the enemy fleet arrives. You dont have a chance to see the deployment just yet as Versa warns you to halt all movement due to the presence of enemy ships entering sensor range. They'll be able to detect Forbearance and the heavy cruisers if you jump to the ambush point now.
Fortunately you're able to get set up for another jump that should bring everyone to the minefield in a matter of seconds. Hera sends coordinate data to make sure everyone arrives a safe distance away.

"Have jamming craft come in behind them so it looks like they're being pursued, or that we're attacking the colony they just left. We dont want them thinking we're in front of them yet."

Long range sensors track what may be an enemy scouting force jumping ahead of the convoy but it doesn't look like they're able to get a signal off. Hera must have either taken care of them or they jumped into the minefield.

Watching sensors you have the fleet throttle up and prepare to jump. If Hera isn't able to get a signal off because of jamming you'll have to make your own judgement on timing. This turns out to have been a prudent decision as you lose coms with her group just before the enemy main fleet makes their jump.

You have Versa check the approach angles then give the word.
"Signal the other units, we're jumping in ten seconds."

A short jump later you snap back into real space right where you're supposed to be. Ahead you can see mines and ships detonating. The minefield isn't quite deployed how you'd planned. In their rush they must have accidentally dropped it in a more concave shape. Fortunately that hasn't stopped it from doing its job. 3 Medium cruisers are down and hundreds of transport craft and warships are scattering in every direction.

>Cont.

All friendly ships open fire, throwing out cannon fire towards their nearest enemies. Forbearance and the heavies begin targeting the enemy super with their main guns. Watching the Rovinar ships you see them fire four power e-beam weapons mounted around the main gun before the siege cannon itself fires. Striking the Scorchers shield you catch a flash of light between the main beam strike and the four surrounding ones. That entire section of the shield erupts outwards leaving a great crater behind.

Though the shield immediately begins to fill in it will take some time for the defenses to fully recover. Especially with the sustained barrage from Forbearance and the other Rovinar Heavy. Even light siege cannon fire from the Rekesh unit manages to score some hits on the big ship.

Despite the risks you're making use of Versa's command system, and its a good thing too. There are plenty of minor problems that together could add up into a larger one. On the other side of the minefield the super carrier is accelerating, probably getting ready to jump out. Despite this it has begun launching corvette units with IFF's tagged by intel as elites. Fortunately their fleet is too busy dealing with internal panic for those corvettes to quickly enter the fray.

Hera is bogged down fighting a similar sized attack force to the rear. They're quickly cutting through the enemy but it's keeping them from assisting Forbearance with their assault corvettes. The starfighters have begun a charge to take up the slack.

There are also other small attack units each with a fast medium scattered about. Some are trying to get around the minefield or may be planning to get in the way of your run at the Scorcher.

Did you want to divert units to assist with any of these problems?

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>>3517779
>Despite this it has begun launching corvette units with IFF's tagged by intel as elites.
Have he Helios jump back in once the SH carrier has left the area and start throwing AM torps at these corvette groups.

>Hera is bogged down fighting a similar sized attack force to the rear.
Have half of Forbearance's medium escort open fire at the medium and other large ships currently engaging Hera's unit and see if the Rovinar admiral is willing to send one of his BB groups to support them.

>There are also other small attack units each with a fast medium scattered about.
Split off the two Sledges and a strike wing to deal with the fast units on the left flank. Sonia's ship engage the one in front of them, same goes for the Dominion Knights.

>Other
Have Ni Ahni form up with the Rovinar fleet and coordinate their long range fire.

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>>3517779
Okay, this is chaos. I love it

Have part of Sonias force move up to the closest enemy fast unit and take it out quickly before moving to the one that seems to be heading towards the AM Medium. The other part of Sonias force should look at setting up fire support for Drake, Ni Ahni and Elerain. But with a focus of guarding the left flank

The AM Medium should micro away to Drake for added security where we could have it lob a few AM torpedoes into the enemy formation to completely break their formation. The lost salvage will be worth it if the enemy routs and we take out that Super.

Drake, Ni Ahni and Elerain should advance on the enemy force and lay down heavy fire on them from their side while the Forbearance hammers the shit out of that Super.

As we got plenty of long range units with the Forbearance we can direct some Medium fire to help Hera out. Not that she needs it but it will speed up her own task and she can then join the real fight and help support the Forbearance advance.

I assume we are able to collapse the minefield into the upper enemy unit at will?

>>3517893
>Drake
I'm assuming the Dominion Knights since Drake is a Baron off doing her own thing and doesn't take orders from you anymore.

>I assume we are able to collapse the minefield into the upper enemy unit at will?
The mines dont move very fast over longer distances. They're better at a short range sprint. You can send them drifting as a group in one direction or another.

Kraken anti torpedo ships with the Carrier group are expending a lot of their munitions killing mines. The Scorcher group is just trying to keep away, hoping to save their interceptor missiles for your incoming torpedo volley.

Both of the suggested plans are close enough in my opinion.

Roll 3d20 for your starfighter groups since we rarely seem to use them.

Rolled 18, 5, 12 = 35 (3d20)

>>3517935

TOPGUN time.

Come on barrel roll luck...

Rolled 15, 12, 9 = 36 (3d20)

>>3517935

Rolled 8, 5, 1 = 14 (3d20)

>>3517935
>'m assuming the Dominion Knights
... Yes, I had a brain fart and read DK as Drake.

>The mines dont move very fast over longer distances
Just figured that we could do what we did during the first major battle of DRH 2 when we collapsed the minefield into the enemy force.

Also go go Starfighters!

Rolled 14, 14, 19 = 47 (3d20)

>>3517935
>Roll 3d20
Dice!

>your starfighter groups since we rarely seem to use them
It's hard to keep track of them. I think even the Eclipse medium cruiser can have a hundred or so but we never use them. I think Sonia has just given up and handed command of them over to somebody who knows their way around these things.

>>3517960
>It's hard to keep track of them.
And I always forget about them because we never use them.
It's a vicious cycle.

OH BOY IS IT TIME TO FINALLY DEPLOY THE FIRE DRAKES?

>>3518152
>>3517935
I support releasing our Fire Drakes.

We can use them to counter the enemy elite since they won't be prepared to handle them. Their experience will ne less relevant.

>>3518152
Oh god yes. Let's see how the Neeran enjoy our latest addition!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3l4sifNTr8

"Someone tell the Rekesh to get into the fight please." you have Versa relay to Maybourne.

Next you order the Sledge mediums in your group to break off and engage enemies on the flank. Most of an assault corvette wing are sent to assist. Mezan has her Eclipse unit kill the nearest enemy medium then turn towards the Scorcher fleet, burning hard.

On the right flank you direct some of the medium cruisers guarding Forbearance to give supporting fire to Hera. This helps to put down the medium and battleships that were tangling with her heavier assets finally giving them a chance to focus on the attack cruisers. In short order they've put down most resistance and the corvette carriers jump out.

On both sides of the minefield the enemy formations are in chaos. Civilian ships are scattering in panic and getting in the way. The Super Carrier's attempt to launch corvettes to join the battle appear to have only made the situation there worse. There are too many ships in too small of an area.

A similar situation is unfolding around the Scorcher as both it and the escorting heavies launch corvettes. In this case it isn't as severe and has the added benefit of blocking fire that would have hit the Super. Never the less a group of transports and civilian ships caught between the Scorchers and Forbearance are cut to pieces by fire from both fleets.

Your Starfighters have closed to torpedo range with the enemy fleet and add their own warheads to the mix. Most of them launch a combined volley to saturate anti-missile systems, but others hold off firing some of their warheads until they get closer. A sizeable chuck of the enemy fleet goes up in flames including one of the heavy cruisers.

>Cont.

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That actually seems to have helped the enemy in some cases, clearing the way for the elite units to break out and engage the oncoming corvette and attack wings. In an even fight they might have stood a chance against your veterans but by this point it's becoming anything but even. Backed up by the closing medium cruisers and the remaining starfighters they're finding themselves in local engagements with a nearly 3:2 advantage in your favour.

Forbearance and her escort are still tearing into enemies at the rear of the formation. Hera is closing as quickly as possible, expending any remaining afterburner fuel stores to reach the fight.

Rovinar attack ships tear through their opposition with startling ease, intentionally targeting elites despite the damage they take in return. They soon get a helping hand when Hera's starfighters arrive and all but cripple a heavy cruiser that was moving to engage the Rovinar Mediums.

Versa highlights a number of enemies towards the right side of the minefield that are showing signs of a potential rout. Some units that had been rushing in to assist have turned back and are fleeing. Some of your starfighters are hanging around that end of the minefield and harassing anything that might be headed for the battle.

Despite still being disorganized most of the fleet around the carrier are running up for a jump to FTL.

"Alert. Scorcher is deploying array." Versa warns.

That you fully expected that to happen eventually. Despite performing a roll to bring new shields to bear they're still taking a beating from Forbearance and the Heavies. The bow of the Scorcher splits open, but stops and locks in place after only creating a gap the size of a medium cruiser. They're also maneuvering to bring her bow to bear on your Eclipses.

>Orders to your heavy assets?
[ ] Keep shooting its engines, we can dodge
[ ] Priority target her siege array

>>3518359

[x] Keep shooting its engines, we can dodge

between Versa and ye olde TAP system, we should be able to stay out of the scorcher's direct line of fire, and not have to pound down the forward shield sections as well.

And once the engines are disabled it will have an even harder time using the main weapon.
That said, this is why you don't attack a scorcher from the front.

>>3518359
>[ ] Priority target her siege array
A scorcher without a functional main gun array is just a huge upgunned tanker.

Also, make sure the unit with the two Sledges on the left flank disengages or at least conducts a fighting retread towards the rest of our fleet. If the enemies on that flank are too fast to do that, send some reinforcements before they get overwhelmed.

>>3518359
>[ ] Keep shooting its engines, we can dodge

Shoot the engines and make sure our units start getting out of its line of fire.

>>3518359
[ ] Keep shooting its engines, we can dodge
Just focus what we've already damaged.

Maybe that Mixed unit that is close by could make a SP run on the Array?

>>3518359
>[ ] Keep shooting its engines, we can dodge

I'm greedy.

>>3518359
How is that left flank holding up? The seem to be pressured and taking damage, do they think the can stall them or should we send our Fire Drakes over to help them and take out those elite squadrons?

>>3518359
Seems like we're going for the engines. Make sure people are aware of the scorcher's gun right now, so they can take early steps to prevent a hit. If they can't avoid the front of the super for some reason, have them micro jump out. We're not in 2d space like the maps tends to make you think.

"Reynard to all heavy fleet assets, keep shooting that Scorchers engines. The rest of us can dodge."

Next you order Mezan to break the formation and maneuver hard to stay out of line of fire. The same is sent to the Sledge mediums. With more enemy ships bearing down on them they report that they're conducting a fighting retreat.

Apparently noting that many of the enemies on that side of the field are jumping or preparing to do so Maybourne suggests scattering that end of the field to damage enemies there.
"Might as well do the same for the mines on the opposite side. See if we can catch a few more ships before they run."

Drifting mines from the end catch a Shoal medium by surprise and a few battleships guarding the carrier. By now most enemies are accelerating away from the field more quickly than they can catch.

With only a few seconds having passed you turn your attention back to the Scorcher. Attack wings are closing on it quickly, but being careful to stay out of the firing line of the big guns. Cannon hits continue to crater the shield and are followed up by SP torpedo attacks. Two shots from Forbearances aft guns punch through a hole and gouge out two fissures in the drive section. Its only one eighth of the engines but it's a start.

A plasma shot emerges from the bow of the Scorcher, twisted slightly by the emitters in the partially open arrays.
"Emergency disconnect." announces Versa.
Then you snap awake in your command chair just before a heavy hit impacts the aft shields. The aft sections light up with damage reports but they look minor. All the aft shields are completely overloaded though and need to be shut down.
Mezan has the helmsman maneuver hard, turning towards the Scorcher to bring the forward shields to bear. A barrage of phased plasma cannon fire hammers the defenses, collapsing the main shield. The secondaries kick in before anything gets through.

"The enemy have traced our command broadcasts." Versa informs you.

"No, really?!" is Mezan's sarcastic remark from forward.

It's a case of too little too late. Some starfighters and a mixed wing swing up from below. It's enough to keep the turrets on the Scorcher too occupied to continue targeting your command ship. The next volley from Forbearance lands 3 good shots. By now Hera and her people are beginning to pummel the ship as well.

>Cont.

The next time the heavies shoot the blast unleashes a cascade of secondary explosions. As with some other Neeran Supers you've seen this one detaches its drive section to prevent the inferno from spreading to the mid ship.

"Partial shield failure on the Scorcher." reports sensors.

A few of Hera's assault corvettes dive in past the erupting drive section and into the gap. They disappear off sensors and IFF as they enter the structure of the vessel. Less than a minute later they emerge, additional explosions venting plasma from either end of the remaining Scorcher hull.

Versa reports that the corvettes have destroyed the Scorcher's wormhole generator and control systems for the array weapon. The command and control center may have also been destroyed provided it didn't teleport out.

"All remaining enemy units are in full retreat." says Maybourne.

The Super Carrier has jumped and any remaining transports and Mediums are only staying long enough to pick up corvettes.

"Do you want us to pursue?" asks Tama.

Most of the fleet will need repairs or at least a reload, but there are probably some ships that are still good to continue fighting. In addition not all enemies fled with their carrier. Some transports scattered, jumping out as quickly as they could in any direction.

Did you want to task some of your undamaged forces to keep the pressure on? Or would you rather focus everything on protecting recovery and salvage operations?

>>3518894
>Did you want to task some of your undamaged forces to keep the pressure on?
Form undamaged units into a raiding party to harass enemy remnants.

>>3518894

>Orders?

If we've got some undamaged units. That can group up quick enough. I say, have them go out and harass the retreating Neeran. Causing damage and such. No destroy, no risking their lives, just harass until the retreating forces reach a point that puts them within reach of Neeran reinforcements. Preferably they go after units that did not jump with the Super Carrier.

Rest of the units here will conduct salvage operations as well as rescue and recovery operations. I'd like to salvage the Scorcher. But I am pretty sure that is a no go. So lets stick some super powerful bombs on the thing and blow it to hell and back. Maybe see what happens when you overcharge its array while damaged? See if that makes a pretty explosion.

>>3518894
>Did you want to task some of your undamaged forces to keep the pressure on?
I would prefer to have some of the lighter assets keep going after targets of opportunity before the enemy can group up. The Rovinar Belaur units and battleships are probably most suited for this. Have our three BB units back them up, they seem undamaged.

If we could also get one of our more experienced unit to babysit the three Rekesh frigate squadrons and have them go after a couple transports or an easy target I'd appreciate it. These guys obviously lack the experience to be of much use in an engagement like this and we have to start with them somewhere if we intend to fix that.

Everybody else focuses on recovery and salvage.

>>3518894
> Or would you rather focus everything on protecting recovery and salvage operations?

Broadcast that the Rekesh are first going to provide emergency aid to any stranded civilian ships. Time for some Hearts & Minds operations.

We can then make it clear that any refugees traveling with military forces will be treated as soft targets, but that we won't target them intentionally.

While the Rekesh do that, we can salvage.

>>3518963
>the Rekesh are first going to provide emergency aid to any stranded civilian ships.
This fine with everyone else?

>>3519029

If they're going to be providing a lasting presence here. While propped up by the Alliance. Might be best to let them take the charge and building a good rep.

>>3519029

These ships evacuated NEERAN LOYALIST worlds, right?

If so, I say salvage the valuable/least damaged ships and kick the civis out into rescue pods. The last thing we need is the hassle of Neeran loyalist civilians being held as POWs.

"We should keep hitting them while they're down. Send out a request for volunteer units that haven't suffered any serious battle damage and still have plenty of ammo. Send out about half of those to pursue the scattered transports. Battleships too. I'm better most of those didn't take any damage."

Your escort squadron got a bit beat up but as you'd guessed most of the battleships are fine. A squadron of them splits off along with two wings of attack ships. The Rekesh offer to assist in pursuit as well but you want most of their assets to help with civilian recovery operations. Its important that they be seen as rescuers and the most visible part of the rebellion. Especially here, beyond their home territory.

"The Rebellion needs to be seen working as allies towards the same goal. Helping civilians from the other worlds, even ones that are supposedly Neeran loyalists, can help with that."

Ni Ahni doubts very much that the loyalists can be swayed in such a manner but agrees to its usefulness for propaganda purposes.

While patrols of the damaged vessels begin, salvage ships are called in and boarding teams begin combing the wreckage. There isn't exactly a shortage but anything that could potentially be repaired needs to be thoroughly searched. Nothing new, but it's been awhile since you've been able to hit a group this large.

A few cargo ships are brought in to help in taking down the remainder of the minefield. Your stores of conventional munitions are getting low. All of these will need to be reused.

According to damage reports 50 assault corvettes are either destroyed or will need to be tore apart and rebuilt. A number of mixed and attack cruiser units also took losses and will need time to take stock. 2 Mediums will need to be rotated out for heavier repairs as well.

The Rovinar lost a few ships but the majority of the damaged will just need light repairs. Their Balaur attack ships seem to be quite tough.

Salvage teams haul in remains from 5 fast mediums and 9 Shoal types. There's no way you'll be able to repair them all. The engineers hope to strip some of them to provide parts to rebuild others. They think they might have enough to get 4 Shoals operational if given time. A crippled heavy carrier is also recovered. It's not in bad shape all things considered.

"There are two heavy cruisers that we might be able to fix but either one would take up a lot of space we could use for other vessels."
Maybourne sends you the data. An older heavy cruiser which is missing half its engines. With their larger hull they can be upgraded with many more weapons, but it will take longer to fix.

Then there's a compact heavy. It's also pretty beat up. Worst case it could be scrapped for spare parts to repair the other two your fleet is operating.

[ ] Older heavy
[ ] Compact heavy
[ ] Leave them, make room for smaller craft

>>3519215
Loyalists have friends and families, and I'm sure not all of them were evacuated.

It'll help pacify the planets the Rekesh claim.

>>3519233

>Plan for Heavies

I want to take both. Can we take both? We don't have enough space for both, do we? Can we marry Older Heavy to Compact Heavy? To make a nightmare of a ship that would make the SRL proud.

Since we cant do that, not realistically and in the time we have. Lets take the Compact Heavy and cannibalize it to speed up repairs on the other heavies in our fleet.

>>3519257
>Can we take both?
Not in a reasonable period of time.

>>3519233
[x] Compact Heavy

When in doubt, go for uniformity.


>>3519245
Unless we just captured the equivalent of local Dominion Nobles, I doubt it will amount to anything. I can't actually recall an instance of 'hearts and minds' working, though. You generally still have to enforce your will by blowing them back the stone age or submission.

So outsider updated. Again. A week after the last one.

That's 8 pages in less than 2 months.

>>3519257
>make a nightmare of a ship that would make the SRL proud.
I just tried this and it was indeed a nightmare. I have deleted it.

Keeping the compact heavy for spare parts then.

Next is the issue of prisoners of war. Officers of course could be of value. Some have been captured in your raids but the majority have been left for the enemy to spend time rescuing.

This is the first time in this galaxy you have the option of deciding the fate of an enemy super heavy crew. Even with the damage sustained there were quite a few survivors on the Scorcher, even if some have used emergency teleporters to escape by now. Versa estimates that if rescued there may be enough Neeran personnel still aboard to skeleton crew another Super.

More than a few of your commanders want to prevent that from happening, especially given the enemy's staggering production output.

Will you leave them or take them prisoner? Or violate Alliance protocols and stage an accident with some of the AM mines?

[ ] Leave them
[ ] Take them prisoner
[ ] Accidents happen

>>3519382
>[x] Take them prisoner
We can't start killing off POWs out of laziness, it'll just cause other crews to fight to the death instead of surrendering.

>>3519382
>[ ] Take them prisoner

I know this plan will likely use up all our stasis pods. But if there are concerns of POW levels being a strain on resources. Then lets put the Empire Neeran into stasis units. Followed by whatever POW's we don't have the means or supplies for. Until they're all on ice, figuratively. Likewise, we could just dump them on a nearby habitable world with a few supplies to stay alive until the Alliance arrives, right?

>>3519382
>[ ] Accidents happen
I do love a good AM accident.
Did we ever get confirmation the AM teleport capsule bomb we deployed actually worked? Way back during the first invasion of the Shallan galaxy. Probably like five irl years ago.

>>3519382

[x] Accidents happen

Scoop up any in escape pods or HLVs and intentionally scuttle the Scorcher via AM strikes to ensure the enemy can not return it to service.

Lingering to capture the crew of a SHC does not by any means seem practical for a raiding force that needs to vanish before enemy pursuit forces can prevent our escape by positioning to track our movement.

Don't accept the Scorcher's surrender, it is clearly a trap by the crew so that they can delay and pin our force down.

>>3519382
>[x] Take them prisoner
Might as well give the enemy Neerans an out so that we can actually gain a little bit of leverage to be used later. May also be able to get some turncoats from the bunch as well. Besides worst thing that we could do to them is just place them on a asteroid and ignore them till the time has come that we would need them.

>>3519382
>[ ] Take them prisoner

They can be possible bargaining chips later.

Besides, accidents can happen at any time so it's not like we can change our minds later.

>>3519411
>>3519401
I would have voted differently if the Rekesh weren't here.

Especially since we're angling to cut a side deal with them. Don't want to come off as too untrustworthy. A side deal is just politics, murdering POWs is . . .well, just murder.

>>3519411
>intentionally scuttle the Scorcher via AM strikes to ensure the enemy can not return it to service.
Do this? Added incentive to convince the remaining crew to get off the ship.

>>3519439
Is it truly un-salvageable?

Can we at least salvage just the array?

But yeah let's do this.

>>3519439
I'd prefer to keep the ship in a state where the enemy is still tempted to drag it back to one of their yards. If it blocks local repair capacities and drains resources all the better.

>>3519441
>Is it truly un-salvageable?
With another drive section it could be made operational again easily enough. Just some time in a super heavy yard.

>Can we at least salvage just the array?
You could probably cut off the top and bottom ones and haul them with one of your supers. You'd need to call in the Sovereign since Forbearance is at capacity.

>>3519448
If they brought in another drive section they could be gone with it in an hour. Unless you destroyed all of its docking hard points.

>>3519460
Might as well do both and steal as much of the array as possible while wrecking the docking points and the remainder of the array.