Dramatic SFB: Well....the first turn of the Convoy Raid is done.

[Charles Carroll]

Turn 2 did not improve for our stallwart defenders of the space ways.

On imp one...My CA launched a Sp and added another T bomb through his down
shield. Both T bombs managed to take out 16 drones...so that went well. On
Imp 2 I surprised the Frax who were lolly gagging along at 15....I was
going 20...and suddenly HETed. And came around hard after them and
immediately increasing speed to 25. We chased each other...with him tossing
out a total of 9...yes 9 Scatter packs....which were scattered everywhere.
I wont bore you with all the details...but I slogged through drone after
drone...ran out of labs...pretty much ran out of phasers...and still...had
17 drones closing on me on imp 26...His FTs were far out in front...he was
still at range 14...and I had 11 drones sitting 1 or 2 hexes away...A
couple of impulses earlier...he had managed to come just enough around to
blast my DDs number 5 shield again with another 6 disruptors...fortune
smiled on me and 3 hit....doing another 9...to my 7 point shield. I
reinforced...with both bats...and realized...he still had all his phaser 1s
left. I turned...and realized...I was now heading toward his
drones...faster...so I could probably run around them if needed...and
then...on imp 26 I realized...I have no way to lab the 5 that could be
aimed at my DD...I was going to move...straight...I couldnt turn...I
couldnt slip because I just had...and they were would end up at range one
after I moved...and as I stared in horror at the imp chart...I
realized...even for all my better speed...they...would move next imp and I
wouldnt. If they were on the Heller? It was at range 2 and was safe...so I
would survive. But what of the crew on the Harkness?  I made the only
decision a Captain can make at times like this...I asked the Frax if they
would accept my apology as I realized suddenly that the smugglers I was
chasing was obviously not these FTs but some other group probably near by.
He graciously accepted my off...the drones all ceased to exist...and we all
went out separate ways...I told the crew they did as good as could be done
against such massive drone concentrations...and turned and strolled off the
bridge....then ran for the bathroom and was sick for a while...as the
realization of how close I had come to losing a ship hit me. I will never
know where those mystery drones were targeted. Well I asked and he said the
CA...but...was he lying?

Anyway...today marks the first loss...as a Mercenary I have ever had. This
is not a feeling I want repeated. I Promise I will strive to do
better....now if you will excuse me...A gutter...with a bar around it is
calling my name and I have every intention to crawl into it.

Chuckles the Duckles.

On Sat, Jul 28, 2018 at 7:04 PM, Charles Carroll via SFBdrama <
sfbdrama at lists.mattnet.org> wrote:

> Sir we have the convoy spotted...at extreme range. Ok people lets close
> in...run silent and lets see if we can sneak up on these guys and make out
> job easier Bring us to WS 3.........a few minutes later...Sir....scans
> indicate that um....they have their shields up...all weapons fully
> charged...and seem to be at um...WS 3....Do they now ensign....any idea why
> that happened.....Well sir....it seems that someone missed the
> memo....Bob...seems to have been chatting with his girl friend on a wide
> band open channel about the coming attack. He is here...and she is on the
> Harkness. Well have him go over to see her....and um...have her meet him
> half way. No need to bother getting all dressed up...just help them along
> out the airlock and see that they end up close to each other.
>
> Alrighty then gentlemen...thanks to Bob...It appears we have a much more
> serious situation here. So lets get things moving and see how this goes.
>
> Speed 29....and lets get in and hit them...use a lot of ECCm to counter
> the fear they will have from seeing us swoop down upon them. Sir as
> expected they are running at speed 6...no wait...the escorts have increased
> to 15...and the FTs to 9 and running high ECm...the Combat ships...were
> leaning more toward ECCM.
>
> Imp one...FT 1 and 2 launched shuttles. Imp 4 DWL and FT3 launched a
> shuttle...I see a trend here. Imp 7 DW launched a shuttle. On Imp 9 the
> first 2 shuttles blossomed sending drones into space. On 12...2 more
> blossomed. Then on 12 FT 1, 2 and 3 launched a drone each. On 13...one of
> the lead drones showed itself to be a swordfish drone by rudely shooting
> Harkness in his #1 shield for 4 damage at range 3. On imp 15 the last
> shuttle blossomed forth drones. so lots of drones wandering around
> space...all seeming to be heading toward me. At this time I decided to turn
> off and whittle me down some drones.
>
> On 17 Heller slowed down to 22. Much to my surprise as he was supposed to
> be slowing to 20 later in the turn with the Harkness. The Heller attempted
> to lab 5 drones on 18 and the science officer decided that one of them was
> a Heavy drone....the rest? He wasnt sure. So I had that the one next to
> Heller shot out of space as if it too was a Heavy...two phaser 3s killed it
> dead. I continued moving away and the Combat ships started coming around to
> give chase...once I had turned off.
>
> On 20 the Harness slowed to 20 right on schedule...as I glared at my
> navigator. Another drone was launched at us. Sigh....On 21...the scout gave
> my Ca a gift...6 OEM...I was...ecstatic....I asked my science officer to go
> ahead and lab the 3 drones near me...trying again...and I now know that
> there is a Swordfish aimed at Harness. And another type 4. The last
> unknown? My science officer as he was taken away to sick bay swore it was a
> dishwasher on rinse cycle. on 21...another drone was launched my way by the
> DWS On 22 the Harkess launched an ECM drone. Again....there was a
> glare...at my navigator....who pretended to be very busy...on 25 I launched
> two drones from Heller...on 26 one impacted and killed an incoming drone.
> On 26...the scout...rolled and took out the last defensive drone I had out
> before It could move and kill its target. On 26 The Harkness dropped its
> number 6 shield and tossed out two T bombs. 27...Dw launched another drone
> at me. 29...a lovely drone flambeau occured. Taking out assorted
> drones...about 9. And the DW launched yet another shuttle. This is getting
> repetative. On 30 the hidden T bomb went off and got 4 more drones....and
> as we came to a close in turn one...I made a decision to attempt something
> dangerous. I dropped my Number 4 shield...and placed a T bomb right where
> it would kill 12 drones next tuen. Which also meant I was open at range 16
> to 7 phaser ones. As expected all 7 fired...and 4 damage was done. 1 damage
> was stopped by general shield reinforcement. 3 Went in...and luck was on
> the side of the Frax. A drone rack...a Phaser 2 and a hull were hit.
>
> Turn 2 is expected to start tonight at 11OM EST for any late night people
> who want to watch.
>
> Chuck...the rather disgusted Mercenary with a few of my crew. Though 2 are
> enjoying the vastness of space...and I am seriously considering added a
> third....glares a few more times....
>
>
>
>
>
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