George Kelln
Banded Mongoose
A summary of the our last session. Our campaign is set in 1109 in the Lunion Subsector, along the Shield/Metal Worlds, during the second year of the Fifth Frontier War.
This strategic asset was fortified with a dense minefield of CAPTOR mines, supported by two 2,000-ton tankers and a 1,000-ton freighter, all under the watchful protection of an 800-ton heavy gunboat.
Utilizing their stealth-capable 20-ton Gig, piloted by Beau and manned by crewmembers Jonesy and Phillion, the team from the LANCEA stealthily approached a CAPTOR launcher located in the outer ring of the minefield.
During a prolonged extravehicular activities (EVA) lasting nearly 18 hours, Jonesy and Phillion executed a sophisticated cyber operation. They systematically breached the defence network's layers, starting with the launcher, moving on to the regional control unit, and ultimately gaining control over the entire minefield system.
Once inside the network, the pair skilfully circumvented its security measures. They covertly deployed a program that granted them the ability to override the system, effectively placing it into Maintenance Mode, thus neutralizing the minefield as a threat.
Twenty-four hours following the LANCEA's arrival in the system, and six hours after the 20-ton Gig had returned from its EVA, a SWC convoy emerged into the system. This convoy, consisting of six 800-ton freighters escorted by two 400-ton Close Escort ships, took three hours from their point of entry to reach the refuelling station.
Each vessel underwent a stringent security protocol, being challenged and verified through codes transmitted via radio. Additionally, the 800-ton gunboat conducted a thorough scrutiny of every ship as it made its approach, ensuring the integrity of the refuelling process.
Witnessing these procedures, the crew of the LANCEA devised a covert strategy. Their plan involved using the stealth capabilities of the 20-ton Gig to discreetly approach the refuelling tankers and deploy a pair of modified Ortillery Missile warheads onto each tanker, effectively turning them into limpet mines.
The intention was to detonate the warheads upon the arrival of the subsequent convoy for refuelling, delivering a strategic blow to the SWC's logistical operations.
A day after the departure of the first convoy, a second one entered the system. This group was comprised of a 3,000-ton freighter and two 2,500-ton freighters, all under the protection of three 400-ton Close Escort ships.
Moving at a more cautious pace than their predecessors, it took this convoy approximately six hours to navigate from their entry point to the refuelling station.
During the approach of the second convoy, the 20-ton Gig, under the skilled piloting of Lise Warder and carrying marines Beau, Bill, and four warheads, navigated its way through the minefield towards the refuelling ships. Despite facing two critical moments where detection seemed imminent, Lise adeptly manoeuvred the Gig into position alongside the tankers.
Over the course of more than two hours spent on EVA, the marines meticulously placed the explosive charges on the target vessels.
Capitalizing on the distraction provided by the 800-ton gunboat, which was engaged in the security vetting of the incoming convoy, Lise executed a strategic withdrawal. She piloted the 20-ton Gig away from the refuelling station's core, weaving back through the minefield with precision. The Gig cleared the hazardous area several hours later, having successfully completed its mission without detection.
As the convoy initiated the refuelling process, a 400-ton close escort ship and a 2,500-ton freighter aligned themselves with tanker 1 for refuelling, while another 400-ton close escort ship accompanied by the 3,000-ton freighter commenced refuelling at tanker 2.
Meanwhile, the third 400-ton close escort ship, along with an additional 2,500-ton freighter, stood by in close proximity, awaiting their turn.
The 800-ton heavy gunboat maintained its vigilant patrol of the inner ring, orbiting approximately 10,000 kilometres from the core area of the refuelling point, ensuring the security of the operation and the integrity of the station's defences.
Having navigated safely beyond the confines of the minefield, the crew of the 20-ton Gig remotely triggered the explosives attached to the tankers.
The initial detonation tore the first tanker apart in a brilliant explosion, sending a devastating shockwave through the vicinity. The adjacent 400-ton close escort ship, caught in the blast on its port side, disintegrated as the shockwave coursed through its structure. The force of the explosion propelled the rupturing tanker to starboard, where it collided with a freighter, causing severe damage as it crushed the containers affixed to its hull.
Shortly thereafter, the second tanker met a similar fate, igniting in an intense flash. Its hull breached; it began venting hydrogen fuel into the vacuum of space in an uncontrollable surge. The ensuing shockwave decimated the 400-ton close escort ship stationed on the tanker's port side for refuelling. The momentum of the blast forced the tanker to veer starboard, slamming into another freighter with such force that it shattered the vessel's hull and obliterated the cargo containers mounted along its side.
Up until the moment of detonation, the LANCEA remained undetected, utilizing its advanced stealth capabilities. Positioned approximately 50,000 kilometres from the centre of the refuelling point and 25,000 kilometres from the outer ring of the minefield, the vessel then transitioned from stealth to an offensive posture, acquiring a weapons lock on both the 800-ton gunboat and the surviving 400-ton close escort ship.
In response to the unfolding chaos at the refuelling point's core, the 800-ton heavy gunboat ramped up its sensor operations, scanning the surrounding void for threats. Similarly, the 400-ton close escort ship, disengaging from its refuelling duties, powered up its systems to commence a search of the nearby space.
With targets locked, the LANCEA initiated its attack, launching several salvos of 10 multi-head missiles and engaging with its dual particle beam barbettes, signalling the start of a direct confrontation with the SWC's defensive assets.
Upon launching its offensive, the LANCEA's position was compromised and swiftly detected by the enemy.
Reacting with aggression, the 800-ton heavy gunboat made a beeline towards the LANCEA, unleashing a volley of missiles and firing from its four medium particle bays at the stealth vessel.
Mirroring the gunboat's actions, the 400-ton close escort ship also set a course for the LANCEA, entering the fray.
Missiles from both sides traced lethal arcs across the void, racing past one another as they homed in on their respective targets, marking the escalation of hostilities into a full-blown engagement.
The 800-ton heavy gunboat's point defence lasers were partly successful in neutralizing some of the missiles from LANCEA's initial barrage. However, the missiles that evaded interception impacted the gunboat with brilliant flashes of light, though they were unable to breach the vessel's robust armour.
The particle beams from LANCEA, on the other hand, managed to inflict damage, tearing off chunks of armour from the gunboat's thick hull.
The 400-ton close escort ship endured a harsher fate. Despite its point defence lasers managing to destroy some of the incoming missiles, the ones that got through caused significant damage, peppering its hull with explosive breaches. The assault compromised its propulsion, reducing its velocity by 25% as it began leaking fuel into the vacuum of space.
In response to the counterattack, the LANCEA activated its Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) against the incoming missiles, successfully disrupting their targeting systems and causing them to veer harmlessly into space.
While commencing its strategic withdrawal, the LANCEA persisted in its offensive, launching additional missile salvos and directing its particle beam barbettes against both the gunboat and the close escort, maintaining pressure on the enemy even as it manoeuvred to exit the engagement zone.
Meanwhile, the crew of the 20-ton Gig maintained radio silence, aiming to remain undetected and clear of the ongoing battle. They observed the unfolding events at the centre of the refuelling point from a safe distance. Notably, they witnessed the SWC forces initiating a rescue operation, utilizing a ship's boat from the previously identified 1,000-ton freighter. This small vessel darted among the debris, embarking on a mission to aid those caught in the aftermath of the explosions and combat.
The crew of the LANCEA executed a critical maneuvre by initiating a program they had previously integrated into the refuelling point’s defensive system. This action effectively rebooted the system. Upon its reactivation, they reclassified the 800-ton heavy gunboat in the system as a hostile entity and commenced jamming the gunboat's Identification-Friend-or-Foe (IFF) transponder. This confusion within the system prompted it to launch torpedoes from the CAPTOR mines positioned near the gunboat as it aggressively advanced out of the minefield toward the LANCEA.
The ensuing conflict persisted for nearly an hour, with the gunboat assaulting the LANCEA with a ferocity reminiscent of an enraged wild boar. It withstood the barrage of missiles, torpedoes, and particle beam fire directed at it, relentlessly closing the distance between itself and the LANCEA.
In a frenzied exchange of firepower, the gunboat’s medium particle beam bays, discharging in seemingly erratic patterns, eventually scored a direct hit on the LANCEA. The impact was significant, violently shaking the vessel and inflicting nearly 50% damage to its hull. Moreover, the breach allowed radiation to permeate the ship's interior, posing an immediate threat to the crew’s health.
Onboard the LANCEA, damage control teams sprang into action, swiftly moving to seal the breaches in the ship's hull and isolate sections heavily contaminated with radiation to safeguard the crew.
Meanwhile, the 400-ton close escort ship, significantly damaged and struggling to maintain operational control, ceased its pursuit. It made a hasty retreat back to the refuelling point, proceeding at half its normal speed and leaking fuel at an alarming rate, a clear sign of its dire condition.
In the heat of battle, the crew of the LANCEA sharpened their focus on the gunboat, deploying ECM to disrupt its weapon targeting systems and jam its IFF transponder. They intensified their assault, switching their missile loadout from multi-head to standard warheads. This tactical adjustment was aimed at delivering a more potent blow, one sufficient to penetrate the gunboat's robust armour, as they continued to unleash both missile and particle beam attacks against their formidable adversary.
The relentless onslaught from the LANCEA, combining precise missile strikes, targeted particle beam hits, and the unexpected intervention of torpedoes from the minefield, compelled the gunboat to disengage from the attack.
Severely compromised, the gunboat's hull was marred with extensive damage, evidencing the ferocity of the engagement. It was radiating dangerous levels of radiation and leaking fuel from its port side, a testament to the intensity of the battle. Furthermore, its operational speed was diminished by 20%, indicating significant systems damage. Acknowledging its diminished combat effectiveness, the gunboat made the tactical decision to turn and begin its retreat towards the refuelling point, signalling a temporary withdrawal from the confrontation.
At this juncture, the LANCEA had positioned itself approximately 235,000 kilometres away from the centre of the refuelling point and 210,000 kilometres from the outer ring of the minefield, having effectively distanced itself from the immediate vicinity of conflict.
The gunboat, now heavily damaged and retreating, was located 80,000 kilometres from the centre of the refuelling points and 55,000 kilometres from the outer ring of the minefield, marking its path back towards the relative safety of the refuelling station.
Meanwhile, the 400-ton close escort, significantly impaired and withdrawing from the fray, found itself 13,000 kilometres from the centre of the refuelling point. It was just to leave the inner perimeter of the minefield, signalling its exit from the immediate danger zone and its retreat towards the refuelling point.
The 700-ton Corvette LANCEA and its 20-ton Gig
SKIRMISH AT REFUELLING POINT NUMBER 3:
Captured intelligence identified multiple refuelling points operated by the Sword World Confederation (SWC) in the depths of space, with one such crucial node located in Parsec 1625, consisting of four distinct stations. Upon entering the parsec, the crew of the LANCEA initiated a detailed reconnaissance operation, zeroing in on Refuelling Station Number 3.This strategic asset was fortified with a dense minefield of CAPTOR mines, supported by two 2,000-ton tankers and a 1,000-ton freighter, all under the watchful protection of an 800-ton heavy gunboat.
Utilizing their stealth-capable 20-ton Gig, piloted by Beau and manned by crewmembers Jonesy and Phillion, the team from the LANCEA stealthily approached a CAPTOR launcher located in the outer ring of the minefield.
During a prolonged extravehicular activities (EVA) lasting nearly 18 hours, Jonesy and Phillion executed a sophisticated cyber operation. They systematically breached the defence network's layers, starting with the launcher, moving on to the regional control unit, and ultimately gaining control over the entire minefield system.
Once inside the network, the pair skilfully circumvented its security measures. They covertly deployed a program that granted them the ability to override the system, effectively placing it into Maintenance Mode, thus neutralizing the minefield as a threat.
Twenty-four hours following the LANCEA's arrival in the system, and six hours after the 20-ton Gig had returned from its EVA, a SWC convoy emerged into the system. This convoy, consisting of six 800-ton freighters escorted by two 400-ton Close Escort ships, took three hours from their point of entry to reach the refuelling station.
Each vessel underwent a stringent security protocol, being challenged and verified through codes transmitted via radio. Additionally, the 800-ton gunboat conducted a thorough scrutiny of every ship as it made its approach, ensuring the integrity of the refuelling process.
Witnessing these procedures, the crew of the LANCEA devised a covert strategy. Their plan involved using the stealth capabilities of the 20-ton Gig to discreetly approach the refuelling tankers and deploy a pair of modified Ortillery Missile warheads onto each tanker, effectively turning them into limpet mines.
The intention was to detonate the warheads upon the arrival of the subsequent convoy for refuelling, delivering a strategic blow to the SWC's logistical operations.
A day after the departure of the first convoy, a second one entered the system. This group was comprised of a 3,000-ton freighter and two 2,500-ton freighters, all under the protection of three 400-ton Close Escort ships.
Moving at a more cautious pace than their predecessors, it took this convoy approximately six hours to navigate from their entry point to the refuelling station.
During the approach of the second convoy, the 20-ton Gig, under the skilled piloting of Lise Warder and carrying marines Beau, Bill, and four warheads, navigated its way through the minefield towards the refuelling ships. Despite facing two critical moments where detection seemed imminent, Lise adeptly manoeuvred the Gig into position alongside the tankers.
Over the course of more than two hours spent on EVA, the marines meticulously placed the explosive charges on the target vessels.
Capitalizing on the distraction provided by the 800-ton gunboat, which was engaged in the security vetting of the incoming convoy, Lise executed a strategic withdrawal. She piloted the 20-ton Gig away from the refuelling station's core, weaving back through the minefield with precision. The Gig cleared the hazardous area several hours later, having successfully completed its mission without detection.
As the convoy initiated the refuelling process, a 400-ton close escort ship and a 2,500-ton freighter aligned themselves with tanker 1 for refuelling, while another 400-ton close escort ship accompanied by the 3,000-ton freighter commenced refuelling at tanker 2.
Meanwhile, the third 400-ton close escort ship, along with an additional 2,500-ton freighter, stood by in close proximity, awaiting their turn.
The 800-ton heavy gunboat maintained its vigilant patrol of the inner ring, orbiting approximately 10,000 kilometres from the core area of the refuelling point, ensuring the security of the operation and the integrity of the station's defences.
Having navigated safely beyond the confines of the minefield, the crew of the 20-ton Gig remotely triggered the explosives attached to the tankers.
The initial detonation tore the first tanker apart in a brilliant explosion, sending a devastating shockwave through the vicinity. The adjacent 400-ton close escort ship, caught in the blast on its port side, disintegrated as the shockwave coursed through its structure. The force of the explosion propelled the rupturing tanker to starboard, where it collided with a freighter, causing severe damage as it crushed the containers affixed to its hull.
Shortly thereafter, the second tanker met a similar fate, igniting in an intense flash. Its hull breached; it began venting hydrogen fuel into the vacuum of space in an uncontrollable surge. The ensuing shockwave decimated the 400-ton close escort ship stationed on the tanker's port side for refuelling. The momentum of the blast forced the tanker to veer starboard, slamming into another freighter with such force that it shattered the vessel's hull and obliterated the cargo containers mounted along its side.
Up until the moment of detonation, the LANCEA remained undetected, utilizing its advanced stealth capabilities. Positioned approximately 50,000 kilometres from the centre of the refuelling point and 25,000 kilometres from the outer ring of the minefield, the vessel then transitioned from stealth to an offensive posture, acquiring a weapons lock on both the 800-ton gunboat and the surviving 400-ton close escort ship.
In response to the unfolding chaos at the refuelling point's core, the 800-ton heavy gunboat ramped up its sensor operations, scanning the surrounding void for threats. Similarly, the 400-ton close escort ship, disengaging from its refuelling duties, powered up its systems to commence a search of the nearby space.
With targets locked, the LANCEA initiated its attack, launching several salvos of 10 multi-head missiles and engaging with its dual particle beam barbettes, signalling the start of a direct confrontation with the SWC's defensive assets.
Upon launching its offensive, the LANCEA's position was compromised and swiftly detected by the enemy.
Reacting with aggression, the 800-ton heavy gunboat made a beeline towards the LANCEA, unleashing a volley of missiles and firing from its four medium particle bays at the stealth vessel.
Mirroring the gunboat's actions, the 400-ton close escort ship also set a course for the LANCEA, entering the fray.
Missiles from both sides traced lethal arcs across the void, racing past one another as they homed in on their respective targets, marking the escalation of hostilities into a full-blown engagement.
The 800-ton heavy gunboat's point defence lasers were partly successful in neutralizing some of the missiles from LANCEA's initial barrage. However, the missiles that evaded interception impacted the gunboat with brilliant flashes of light, though they were unable to breach the vessel's robust armour.
The particle beams from LANCEA, on the other hand, managed to inflict damage, tearing off chunks of armour from the gunboat's thick hull.
The 400-ton close escort ship endured a harsher fate. Despite its point defence lasers managing to destroy some of the incoming missiles, the ones that got through caused significant damage, peppering its hull with explosive breaches. The assault compromised its propulsion, reducing its velocity by 25% as it began leaking fuel into the vacuum of space.
In response to the counterattack, the LANCEA activated its Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) against the incoming missiles, successfully disrupting their targeting systems and causing them to veer harmlessly into space.
While commencing its strategic withdrawal, the LANCEA persisted in its offensive, launching additional missile salvos and directing its particle beam barbettes against both the gunboat and the close escort, maintaining pressure on the enemy even as it manoeuvred to exit the engagement zone.
Meanwhile, the crew of the 20-ton Gig maintained radio silence, aiming to remain undetected and clear of the ongoing battle. They observed the unfolding events at the centre of the refuelling point from a safe distance. Notably, they witnessed the SWC forces initiating a rescue operation, utilizing a ship's boat from the previously identified 1,000-ton freighter. This small vessel darted among the debris, embarking on a mission to aid those caught in the aftermath of the explosions and combat.
The crew of the LANCEA executed a critical maneuvre by initiating a program they had previously integrated into the refuelling point’s defensive system. This action effectively rebooted the system. Upon its reactivation, they reclassified the 800-ton heavy gunboat in the system as a hostile entity and commenced jamming the gunboat's Identification-Friend-or-Foe (IFF) transponder. This confusion within the system prompted it to launch torpedoes from the CAPTOR mines positioned near the gunboat as it aggressively advanced out of the minefield toward the LANCEA.
The ensuing conflict persisted for nearly an hour, with the gunboat assaulting the LANCEA with a ferocity reminiscent of an enraged wild boar. It withstood the barrage of missiles, torpedoes, and particle beam fire directed at it, relentlessly closing the distance between itself and the LANCEA.
In a frenzied exchange of firepower, the gunboat’s medium particle beam bays, discharging in seemingly erratic patterns, eventually scored a direct hit on the LANCEA. The impact was significant, violently shaking the vessel and inflicting nearly 50% damage to its hull. Moreover, the breach allowed radiation to permeate the ship's interior, posing an immediate threat to the crew’s health.
Onboard the LANCEA, damage control teams sprang into action, swiftly moving to seal the breaches in the ship's hull and isolate sections heavily contaminated with radiation to safeguard the crew.
Meanwhile, the 400-ton close escort ship, significantly damaged and struggling to maintain operational control, ceased its pursuit. It made a hasty retreat back to the refuelling point, proceeding at half its normal speed and leaking fuel at an alarming rate, a clear sign of its dire condition.
In the heat of battle, the crew of the LANCEA sharpened their focus on the gunboat, deploying ECM to disrupt its weapon targeting systems and jam its IFF transponder. They intensified their assault, switching their missile loadout from multi-head to standard warheads. This tactical adjustment was aimed at delivering a more potent blow, one sufficient to penetrate the gunboat's robust armour, as they continued to unleash both missile and particle beam attacks against their formidable adversary.
The relentless onslaught from the LANCEA, combining precise missile strikes, targeted particle beam hits, and the unexpected intervention of torpedoes from the minefield, compelled the gunboat to disengage from the attack.
Severely compromised, the gunboat's hull was marred with extensive damage, evidencing the ferocity of the engagement. It was radiating dangerous levels of radiation and leaking fuel from its port side, a testament to the intensity of the battle. Furthermore, its operational speed was diminished by 20%, indicating significant systems damage. Acknowledging its diminished combat effectiveness, the gunboat made the tactical decision to turn and begin its retreat towards the refuelling point, signalling a temporary withdrawal from the confrontation.
At this juncture, the LANCEA had positioned itself approximately 235,000 kilometres away from the centre of the refuelling point and 210,000 kilometres from the outer ring of the minefield, having effectively distanced itself from the immediate vicinity of conflict.
The gunboat, now heavily damaged and retreating, was located 80,000 kilometres from the centre of the refuelling points and 55,000 kilometres from the outer ring of the minefield, marking its path back towards the relative safety of the refuelling station.
Meanwhile, the 400-ton close escort, significantly impaired and withdrawing from the fray, found itself 13,000 kilometres from the centre of the refuelling point. It was just to leave the inner perimeter of the minefield, signalling its exit from the immediate danger zone and its retreat towards the refuelling point.
The 700-ton Corvette LANCEA and its 20-ton Gig
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