Ask Beat the Piñata

[Aden Archer]

It seems like a normal, peaceful day on Kowark, the sun is out, the monkey-lizards are out playing around. Then a ship would blare through, shaking the trees and sending the monkey-lizards scattering.

Aden would be borrowing a vessel from a contact of his, a Y-Wing (modified with a afterburner) in exchange for an I-owe-you down the road. The afterburner would be deactivated at the moment, but ready to turn on when he needs to. Aden's helmet has a recording device installed in it now.

The spacer would look through at the view through the ship canopy "Easy enough on the eyes" The spacer muttered to himself, still preferred the endless expanse of the void himself, but it didn't look so bad here.

As for vessel Aden is piloting, it's would have a Pantoran mercenary manning the co-pilot/gunner station, another contact of his. Being a veteran in the mercenary business his it's works, you get to know other mercenaries who will help each other for mutual benefit. In the astromech socket is his normal choice, T7-N1.

The experienced pilot would then on a private comm channel then patch in to his closer partners who are formed up. "We are approaching the target up ahead. Ya'll ready?" he asked. They are on the approach, shields are up too.

The target was the Kowark shipyards, and this job was given to by 'anonymous' employer and he would be flying with a wing's worth of mercenaries in various starfighters, mostly consisting of the Cutlass 9. Aden didn't know who their employers was, he could only speculate, maybe a rival syndicate perhaps? Who ever it was, they didn't seem so keen on the fast-growing Zann Consortium and seems to want to take them down a beg really bad. Who knows, the credits are good though

It's almost time.

Spoiler: OOC Note

Open to 3 Zann-aligned opposition. Lets keep the focus on PC-piloted ships, NPCs in other ships fluff/background only.

 

[Helen Holcomb]

Helen Holcomb sat pressed into her acceleration seat, wisps of super-heated plasma playing over her little interceptor's aftermarket deflector screens as it descended through Kowak's dense, tropical atmosphere. The Tolvite Lepi gritted her teeth, listening to the space-frame rattle and creak around her; even with the shields, reentry was always a hair-raising process, even more-so due to the lightweight, technologically primitive construction of the YP2Z Skyspark, product that it was of an industrial base that had only recently graduated from building propeller-driven atmospheric craft.

Still, it held together, and as the buffeting eased and the flames disappeared, Helen breathed a sigh of relief, reaching up to flip a few switches above her head. She spoke into the comm as she did, nodding in satisfaction as her indicator returned a fault-free green glow.

"Ears here. All checks are good. Ready to break some heads today!" She called, then grinned to herself. "All craft report in! Status, before we come up on the target!"

 

[Zhaan Duran]

Hired on as an auxiliary to Aden's strike group, Duran had to dig out the classic T-70 X-wing he kept hidden away for such jobs. What was a merc pilot without a half-decent fighter, right? Equipped with the same sort of fusial afterburner as the Y-wing bomber it was escorting, the fighter tagged Corsair flew nearby and slightly behind Aden's craft. His gear was similarly equipped with a recording device, his headset combined with his armor's helmet.

"This is Corsair. In the pipe, five by five, " reported Zhaan in a smooth, accented baritone. Shields were up and on the approach, his S-foils spread into attack position. Corsair's warhead launchers were armed with tracking-capable high explosive missiles for air-to-air as well as hard targets, an expense covered by their employer. A good amount of money was going into flattening this particular expansion and Duran intended to ensure the construction site was reverted to a smoking crater.

"Eyes up for interceptors, ladies and gentlemen," he advised. Better to be cautious during any raid, no matter how hit-and-run it was planned to be.

@The Good Doctor @AutoFox

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace Zann had been carefully watching the construction of Kowak Drive yards, something she primarily oversaw personally. When she wasn't around, her oldest friend and father-figure Havvs would do the watching for her. On this particular occasion, the woman was there herself, and construction was nearly complete. Much of their staff had been former slaves of the Zygerrians, and many of them were happy to work for credits now.

She was in the main hanger area of the facilities, when one of her mercenaries would come running toward her frantically. "MISS ZANN! Miss Zann! We have approaching fighters! They're not ours!" The woman's eyes would dilate in shock, and she would quickly ask, "How many ships do we have? Inform all available pilots to get to their ships, we need to expect the worst." the mercenary, now winded from his run would explain "We've got the Corvettes, but the Starvipers and Gozanti are back on Hypori! Some of our Syndicate Fighters are operational too!"

Grace would give him a simple nod in response, "Then inform my crew I'm coming!" She would then dart off toward her parked Crusader-Class Corvette, running to the bridge of the vessel with enhanced speed of the force. If these were enemy fighters, then they should have a hard time dealing with an anti-starfighter vessel. With Grace at the helm of the ship, the corvette would rise into the sky from the hanger. Along side her, a dozen Syndicate-Class fighters would also come to their defense.

From her captain's chair, Grace would attempt to send a transmission to the incoming assailants. Meanwhile, her crew would be activating the ship's weapon systems. "Attention unidentified starfighters. We're going to give you one chance to turn around. I don't know who hired you, or what they're paying, but I'll double it..."

After her announcement was made, she would shout to a comm operator from across the ship, "Someone patch me in to @Tyr'din Selm and @Harleen asap."

@Bread @Mad Dog

 

[Tyr'din Selm]

"Talk about kicking the Hornets Nest..."

He muttered to himself as he broke out into a brief sprint down to the Hangar after he received the same news that Grace was just privy to, this was bad, they had to get into the Air and now, his Scyk wouldnt be of much use during this time so he elected to "borrow" one of the Syndicate-Class fighters that had been snugly resting in the Hangars, knocking a Mercenary flat on his ass as he slammed into him like a missile during his mad dash for the Fighter, he kept going.

<"Oy! Albino! Boss Lady needs you in the air!">

"Tell me about it..."

He would say as he grabbed the side of the Fighter he elected for himself pushing himself up ontop of it before sliding into the Cockpit, within a moments notice he flipped switch after switch bringing the damn thing up to speeds and online, he powered up the Weapons Systems whilst he patched into 2-24, their main Communication line.

"Red Ace 1-1 hailing, im online Grace. Talk to me, Sweetheart. 1-2, 1-3 form up on me, keep it tight, we engage once they do not any sooner, by the books gentlemen."

His Laser Cannons came online, checking the Payload of his Hardpoints visually he was pleased to be graced with guided Air to Air Missiles, if this spelled a Dogfight, he would be prepared, slamming a hand on the controls for his Fighter he blasted off from his Hangar after getting enough clearance, in tow he had Red Ace 1-2 and 1-3 two equally equipped Fighters that usually did the Patrols with him which made it easier for him to cooperate.

<"Remember your shields, 1-1 and 1-3.">

Like pulled from a dream both respective Fighters powered up their Deflector Shields, it was a good call, maybe they would be immedietly entangled in a firefight.

Being the first out of the Shipyard they would act as both scouts and the Vanguard of the first blows, he just hoped there would be a hail back from their Assailants before everything turned to shit, a Arrowpoint Formation was that which Tyr'din and his two compatriots formed with him at the tip one that headed straight for the source.

@Where @Mad Dog

 

[Harleen]

Harleen was sitting by the transparisteel window of the Crusader II Class Corvette she'd been assigned while on security for the construction of the Kowak Drive Yards, the thing was hovering some on hundred meters above the surface, and for the time Harleen believed this was just another cake assignment, she'd done nothing but walk around the ship, eat and smoke about three deathsticks.. a horrible habit she'd picked up from her time spent around other Syndicate's members.

The warm sun beating through the transparisteel, and her comfortable relaxed position underneath it may have almost lulled her to sleep had it not been for the sudden uproar on the comms systems, and the loud reactive voices of the crewmen on the bridge. What the Fhtagn.. Harleen said as she scurried over to the Captain's chair to read the scanners. Grace had popped over the comms about some incoming ships, Here?... why?.. Harleen thought, this was an awfully strange target for anyone to hit, it wasn't even fully operational yet, and the knowledge of it couldn't have been that widespread.

Shields? Harleen asked out loud, Online.. a crewman responded. Weapon systems? She followed up, Ready to bear... a response came from a different section. How many? Harleen asked one final question, Approximately fifty ma'am.. the response came in, whoever they were this was bad.

Harleen turned her attention back to the comms, This is Boomette, reading, enemies on approach, we're ready to respond.. Harleen spoke into their encrypted channel, once the comm was closed she looked at her crew, Weapons free, Fire when ready.. a half moment later the armament of the Corvette began warming up, preparing to fire.

@Where @Bread @Mr. Teatime @AutoFox @The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

Aden's statuses were all good. Everything ready, all systems go, full payload of bombs loaded and he reported in. "Bravebird here locked and loaded" and "Acknowledged" when warned about their interceptors. Aden didn't expect this place to be defenseless. That's what the escorts are for, and Aden has a gunner with him just in case, his astromech droid can also help keep an eye out. "Stay low on the approach, ready evasive maneuvers, be ready to engage." he said to the whole group. Lower profile on the approach might be prudent, not super low on the ground though of course.

Before too long, they would be entering around the vicinity Kowak Shipyards, that is the target. Aden can see two corvettes facing him in the area, they would be at a higher altitude than his vessel. Quickly he would switch on his helmet's recording device. He would be getting a communications from Grace Zann, leave now and she will double their pay. They were also mobilizing ships of their own as wel

Aden would have his ship continue advancing towards what he recognizes as the Crusader Mark 1 corvette (and the shipyards themselves in addition), staying at the same altitude, while doing so he would respond with a private line to it "Grace Zann?" her voice has been on the holonet in regards to 'Shipgate'. "This is Bravebird. Your offer sounds intriguing. I'm willing to take you up on your offer IF we can meet you at nearest landing area here" he would state calmly with his cool demeanor and call her bluff. It did make perfect sense, how would they expect to collect their double pay if they turn away?

Aden still has line of sight of both corvettes and is already and still ready to perform evasive maneuvers when combat would break out even while speaking. With his ship sensors, gunner watching his rear, and his astroid droid and Aden's own senses, he would be prepared for anything he thinks. And at any given moment, Aden is prepared to give the order to attack to his and fire the first shots himself.

@Mr. Teatime @AutoFox
@Mad Dog @Bread @Where

 

[Helen Holcomb]

Helen watched as the new, digital gauges of her aftermarket heavy laser cannon climbed to optimal levels, the weapon a major improvement over the bulky, delicate, primitive "raygun" weapon which had been fitted to the Starspark as standard. She looked ahead through her fighter's ring-shaped canopy, shaking her head as she watched a pair of corvettes, one rising to from the facilities, the other apparently already on station.

Even after years of adventuring in the Outer Rim, Helen did not yet have a complete type recognition guide in her head yet. She knew these ships, however; Crusader-class variants, well armed and definitely a threat. Or rather they would have been, if indeed they were in position to be effective.

"Ears. Copy that, Corsair! Everyone, stay low, stay fast, come in under the guns! We're going and we're going in full throttle, that outta keep those interceptors off our backs!"

There was a buzz of conversation over the comm. Helen listened to the flight lead as Bravebird spoke to the Zann Consortium officer who had addressed them. In the meantime, she reached up to dial in her fighter's targeting computer. Abruptly, however, there was a sensation of warning tugging at her instincts, and she caught a flash of movement as several objects left a hangar in the facility.

"Bogey! Bogey! All craft be advised, bad guys have launched their snubs! Three marks at 1200 low! Shields up everybody!"

Helen briefly checked that her own shields were active. They were still raised from her atmospheric reentry. Satisfied she was ready, she squinted at the incoming fighters, her targeting computer giving only an "unknown type" designation; they were either not built into the database, or were too new for many people to have seen them yet.

The Lepi gave a feral grin, edging her throttle to full. The Kuati ion turbine that filled the fuselage behind her howled as it sped up. Assuming their leader's calling of their opponent's bluff went as she suspected they planned, it would soon be time to see just how good their new toys were...

@The Good Doctor @Mr. Teatime @Where @Bread @Mad Dog

 

[Zhaan Duran]

With Zann forces and shipyard clearly visible ahead, Corsair's astromech warbled something sarcastic through the cockpit speakers. "Couldn't tell ya," Duran commented back in an amused tone. He maintained his low to the ground approach, keeping altitude below that of the two corvettes. Sensors also picked up a dozen fighters, a design Duran wasn't especially familiar with. "Aye-aye raid leader, low and ready."

An offer to double their pay came in through comms. Duran rather thought Aden's reply was reasonable; who wouldn't entertain the idea, right? Either way, he kept shields and weapons powered and maintained course until they got something concrete back. "Copy, eyes on snubs," Duran replied. Aden was in charge of this job and how they handled Grace's offer was his decision. Hey, if they were willing to buy off a full strike wing for double their rate, they must be doing half-decently, eh?

Until that point, however, the entire raiding wing of fighters kept moving at full throttle toward the shipyard and its defenders. Corsair matched speed with the strike group and maintained his escort position, eyes and sensors watching carefully, ready in case Zann forces fired the first shots.

@The Good Doctor @AutoFox @Where @Bread @Mad Dog

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace would notice that all the approaching fighters would be low to the ground, probably trying to move right under their noses. She would give orders to her crew, "Turn the corvette ninety degrees east, I want our light and heavy laser cannons pointing their direction..." Following suit, the crew would begin to turn the ship in the requested fashion. Five light laser cannons would now be facing the approaching fighters, and the ventricle heavy laser cannon would do the same.

Thankfully, the leader of the mercenary band seemed willing to negotiate. Some Grace would be more than happy to oblige. She would hail them yet again, this time replying "Attention Bravebird, tell your men to halt their advance. One kilometer to the east of your position is a large lake with a grassy clearing. I want you, and two of your best to meet me there. We can discuss payment there... There will be no funny business, you have my word."

She felt her offer was a good one, and would wait for the three of them to land before she started in that direction. She would finally add, "Be advised. If your people approach our shipyard any closer, all our ships will open fire."

The woman would then send a transmission to Harleen and Tyr'din, "I need you both to stay in the air. If they try anything, gun them all down."

@Mad Dog @Bread

 

[Tyr'din Selm]

"Understood, I am lowering my approach by 10, if something happens ill clink myself behind the main vessel."

His right hand came up to adjust his thrusters by a tad slowing down by a mild fraction causing his Formation to tighten up, the assaulting group would notice that he and his entourage had piloted himself in a head on towards their entourage, it would be a test of faith if their opposing force had the gal to take the deal or not for if they were not they would be faced with direct air to air combat.

<"This is 1-2, I have visual on multiple vessels, give me the order and these Missiles will find a new home.">

"Negative 1-2, wait for instruction. 1-3 I need your fingers on your Thrusters, if they continue course we will swoop over and navigate behind."

<"Understood, 1-1.">

He reached up to press a button located just above him to bring up a crosshair for his Missiles, he wouldn't attempt to lock onto his Enemies yet as that would more than likely be detected but any good pilot knew that from this Distance and the course both sides were taking, that Missiles were hard to dodge head on especially if the only direction to divert to was up, this was his plan, if there was no deal, force evasive maneuvers because that would bring him where he wanted to be, behind them.

"Eyes on. Awaiting Orders."

His Fingers hovered over the controls, this gave him the same sensation as a classic Standoff and the tingling it brought forth was a feeling he cherished, his mind zoned in, he was ready.

@Mad Dog @The Good Doctor @AutoFox @Mr. Teatime @Where

 

[Harleen]

Harleen followed the orders of her commander, though she kept the armament of the Corvette warm, if they didn't pull back they'd first have to deal with the ship's @Tyr'din Selm was commanding, then once they'd pass them Harleen would create a wall of fire in front of them, bringing the full armament of the Corvette to bare, sure some would pass through it but the open land to the outside of the shipyards would be pummeled by the missed shots and littered with downed ships if they did try to charge, Harleen's elevated position giving her quite the upper hand with said tactic...

For now though, Harleen held off, perhaps this was a misunderstanding, and as she had seen before, sometimes misunderstandings could turn very profitable for both parties involved.. she didn't recognize the approaching ships, though that meant little as just about anyone could climb inside just about any ship and do whatever it was that was happening here..

@Where @AutoFox @The Good Doctor @Bread @Mr. Teatime

 

[Aden Archer]

It looks like calling her buff worked, with that, Aden was half-way not expecting it too, maybe just getting a final warning to go away, but this worked. Grace kept on talking and then the raid team was able to keep zooming forward. It looks like they have they have about a dozen of their own fighters that are heading the way of the raiding team. Aden would ask his gunner to aim forward with it's ring-pivoted turret with it's targeting computer as the enemy is front

f your people approach our shipyard any closer, all our ships wil-

At this point, Aden would adjust his course, making it look like he is about to pull away in the direction requested by the Crime Lord, but in the same motion he would have the tip of the Consortium fighter formation (@Bread) in his crosshairs, and upon doing so firing a volley medium laser cannon and light ion cannon fire at it. With the Syndicate fighter only having Light shields, it's more frail than Aden's craft "Attack. Go forward, stay out of our way keep out of their broadsides as much as possible. " Aden would order to some of the mercenary wings via the mercenaries, more specifically to the ones aren't his more personal acquaintances, they have more discretion on how to handle thing since they are not just nameless mercenaries. This attack would also catch the fighter by surprise as Aden was complying with Grace's last order until the last moment.

Aden wanted to complete his job, he wanted to be known as someone who will complete jobs given and not turn on his employers just because they had more. There is a pragmatic reasoning for that. Aden called Graces' bluff only so he could get closer while getting shot at as little as possible.

As for the corvettes, as they are both higher than the mercenary ships and them having closed the distance while Grace and Aden were talking, they would find that their positioning is not as good as they may have thought. While Grace did turn the capital ship around, it would still take time for the corvette to do so, she would find that the top mounted laser cannons would not be able to point at the raiding team, leaving her with just her bottom heavy laser cannons which although powerful fire slower and have slower tracking. It's like the turbolasers on the Death Star, they won't be able to hit faster and smaller craft as they are moving.

Aden's group did not pull back and would keep going. Harleen's corvette is also poorly positioned and some one hundred meters up, it is still facing the towards the mercenaries. The Crusader II has the same problem with the corvette being at a higher altitude and can't aim it's top mounted laser cannons and turbolasers at the fighters. And because it's front is still facing them, it inherently can't bring all it's weapons to bear, including the broadside ion cannons. If they fired, the four of the laser cannons (front and middle sets) would be shot at by themselves, destroying them, and the the middle turbolasers would rip through it's own hull as well. The rear set of laser cannons and the ion cannons would be unable to hit them at all)

Bravebird would veer towards the east after firing that volley of shots and aim to get underneath Graces corvette, avoiding the other raider ships passing by, the NPC mercenaries would aim meet the rest of the (NPC) syndicate fighters and gun them down while following their commander's direction. Aden's veer would make him avoid all of the fire from the capital ships that would plausibly could target him (the remaining other turbolasers). Aden's ship wouldn't be defenseless as the turret on his Y-Wing would be able to return fire if needed as it would point to be in a rear facing arc again. The mercenaries would be able to pass while the mark 2's wall of fire ineffective and didn’t hit any of the main three main raiders, suffice it to say.

If his wingman Corsair and Ears aim at the front most Syndicate fighter too (@Bread) then he should be taken out before the corvettes could reposition themselves, which given they are corvettes will be awkward.

Spoiler: OOC Note

Going by the images, the top mounted guns on both the crusader classes can't aim at us because of established positioning of the ships (We are a low on the ground, you guys are at higher much higher altitudes, the Crusader MK 2's front still facing them, and the positioning on the turrets on the image disallows, in fact middle and rear set of light laser cannons would indeed shooting the front and middle set of turrets). This is like mistaking jump boots for jet boots, and them taking big hurt. This is unfortunately a tech fail.

@Mad Dog @Where @Bread @AutoFox @Mr. Teatime

 

[Zhaan Duran]

THEME​

In acting as Bravebird's combat escort, Corsair matched Bravebird's heading and veered in the same direction with everyone else, keeping up the appearance of breaking off their approach. Like Bravebird, this would place the lead Zann fighter (@Bread) in Corsair's crosshairs, at which point he immediately fired a volley from his X-wing's four medium laser cannons. "Roger, tapping bandit," Duran calmly replied to Aden over comms.

Now with two full volleys forming a heavy crossfire, it'd be even more difficult to avoid the surprise attack against its light shields. Corsair continued to fly at full throttle to pass the syndicate fighters on his new heading.

Since the Crusader II (@Mad Dog) was facing them head-on and 100 meters higher up, most of its guns had no way to target Corsair or the other fighters with him. Its port and starboard light laser cannons shot at the ones in front of them, the top turbolaser into empty space not remotely close to the raiding craft. Broadside ion cannons were facing entirely the wrong way, more likely to hit Grace's ship than anything else. This just left the ventral turbolasers, which were unable to effectively track and engage starfighters.

Corsair's veering movement would avoid all the remaining capital ship weapons that could reasonably fire toward him. No weapons managed to land a hit on Corsair. A dozen Cutlass 9s would focus on intercepting the dozen Syndicate fighters when they came into range, both their number occupied by a chaotic dogfight. This left the three strike leaders -Bravebird, Ears, and Corsair- with a squadron of 12 each should they need one.

Grace's Crusader had similar angling troubles, with only the bottom-most guns with a valid firing arc. It'd begun a turn eastward, but that took time. Even then, only its slower-tracking ventral guns would be able to target the raiding fighters because of their wildly differing elevations.

Corsair's course would take him eastward toward the Crusader II's after firing his opening volley, on the approach from its ventral-starboard side from below to get underneath it with his squadron. Grace's Crusader had begun a turn to properly angle its guns, unlike the Crusader II. However, that took time. With Corsair moving east and getting closer to Harleen's corvette while maintaining his lower elevation, aiming at him or anyone else still on approach would rapidly get even more difficult.

@The Good Doctor @AutoFox @Where @Bread @Mad Dog

 

[Helen Holcomb]

Helen's mind was going at a pace similar to her fighter as she and it bore in on the enemy, turbine howling behind her. In-atmosphere fighter combat was an interesting dance, and one she was intimately familiar with; before leaving Tolvis VII, she had fought against starfighters very similar to those she faced now, and had done so in flimsy, propeller-driven craft, barely capable of a few hundred kilometers an hour in level flight. Even in those primitive ships, however, she had scored kills, and now she was in command of a craft that was as to them as a falcon was to a tiny songbird.

She breathed out, calming herself. Just because her ship was more capable than what she was used to didn't mean she should get cocky. Her awareness focused on the incoming fighters, trying to put herself in their cockpits, and guess what it was they were going to do. She wished she was more familiar with the type, but it couldn't be helped.

"I'm going wide! Keep on the leader!"

As Corsair fired a volley of laser fire at the lead Zann interceptor, Helen snapped off a shot from her own heavy laser cannon, although it was rushed, and she did not expect it to hit. Just after pressing the firing stud, she banked her little fighter sharply to the west, skimming the terrain as she did, the green carpet of the treetops blurring barely a meter below her ship; she was conscious that she was still below the fast-tracking guns of the Crusader II, and intended to stay that way for as long as possible. She of course had a healthy respect for the firepower of corvette's ventral turbolasers, but being hit by them would be a statistical anomaly, even with trained gunners; they were meant for use against slow-moving capital ships and ground targets, not nimble starfighters, and had fire control to match. In the meantime, she squinted at the enemy fighters, trying her best to get a better idea of what they were; at her distance, she thought she could see under-wing hard points, with long shapes attached to them. That was unusual in ships in the wider Galaxy, most carried their munitions inboard, but on her own world it had not been uncommon for small combat aircraft to carry bombs and rockets on external mounts.

She cursed, the circuit connecting in her brain to tell her roughly what she was seeing.

"All craft, be advised! Enemy snubs are armed with missiles! Be prepared for evasive maneuvers!"

@The Good Doctor @Mr. Teatime @Where @Bread @Mad Dog

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace had feared these mercenaries may have had some loyalty to their employer, and as such accepting her deal was just a ploy. While the lead ship would turn for a single moment, laser fire would be spotted soon after. The fools. This would lead to the woman announcing over the comms, "Syndicate fighters engage them! I want them all dead." Quickly following suit, the force of Zann starfighters would launch out toward the opposing mercenary wing.

Meanwhile, Grace had already positioned her ship to where the port side was pointing directly at the incoming forces. She was a little higher in the air than them, but the thick tree-line of Kowak would prevent them from flying too low. "Lower our position by thirty meters, and rotate the port side. I want a clean shot against those fighters."

The ship would begin lowering itself, and would rotate ever so slightly, to where the various turrets would all be able to fire. All apart from the dorsal turret that was. The five port-side light laser cannons would all shift toward the Bravebird's (@The Good Doctor) ship. "Fire on their leader!"

Following this would be a large barrage of light laser fire coming from five different laser cannons. The attack had been directed in front of Tyr'din's fighter, as to hopefully not hit her ally. Meanwhile, the two ventricle turrets would begin firing off shots toward another fighter that was slowly getting under Harleen's vessel (@AutoFox). Though the gunners doubted the heavy cannons would actually hit, it would perhaps cause a distraction for the nearest fighter to the shipyard...

Spoiler: OOC

Going by the images, the top mounted guns on both the crusader classes can't aim at us because of established positioning of the ships (We are a low on the ground, you guys are at higher much higher altitudes, the Crusader MK 2's front still facing them, and the positioning on the turrets on the image disallows, in fact middle and rear set of light laser cannons would indeed shooting the front and middle set of turrets). This is like mistaking jump boots for jet boots, and them taking big hurt. This is unfortunately a tech fail.

@Mad Dog @Where @Bread @AutoFox @Mr. Teatime

For what it's worth, I had already established in post #10 that Grace turned her ship to where the port side would be facing the approaching force. If her ship was directly facing the mercenary force, then yes, these guns would shoot each other. In this instance however, the five light turrets were already facing the direction of the approaching force, and getting a proper aim only requires them to rotate the corvette's position downward slightly.

 

[Tyr'din Selm]

Everything happened instinctual, every Fighter in this conflict came together to unleash their opera of death and it seems he was the main course today, yet he anticipated similiar, there was a reason why he slowed his approach by a significant margin, those that were having him in his sights likely didn't expect him to be able to accelerate further.

"This... is a pucker moment..."

He spoke to himself as he saw those guns divert his way but just before he could react Bravebird, (@The Good Doctor) unleashed a volley of its cannons at him, there was no way he could evade this head on during this moment of surprise aside from a lucky miracle, he had made intentions to turn himself upside but afore he could reach his controls he felt the Shots already impacted him.

"Not... good."

His defense was broken and battered, Bravebird had not only disabled his shields but also powered down the Fighters Laser Cannons with a well aimed shot, this left him only with his hardpoints and maneuverability, his other two wingmen diverted east and west veering off to engage their own targets as battle ensued, however this left him still engaged by two more.

before the second volley came in from Corsair (@Mr. Teatime) the six hardpoints on the Syndicate Fighter detached and flew forth, their target, Bravebird. A rushed deployment surely but nevertheless with this being a head on assault missiles from the front were always a bad sign, thankfully Bravebird pulled to the East but that didn't mean that the Missiles were gone.

It was then that the X-Wing took advantage of the crippled state of the Fighter, the full Volley came in without something to bar its way perforating the frame of the Ship, the Engine gave out and all controls seized up, desperately punching the button of the Ejector Seat yet... it didn't respond to him.

Tyr'din was trapped in that ship and it was going down alright, fast and unrelenting it was nosediving for the dirt, it impacted the treeline before then the ground in a glorious and spectacular cloud of smoke followed by a fitting explosion, there was no hail coming from it afterwards.

<"1-1 is going down! I repeat the Squadron Lead has been shot down!">

Syndicate Squadron Leader @Tyr'din Selm was elimated from the Opposition.

[Le Exito Althreado]

@Mad Dog @The Good Doctor @Mr. Teatime @AutoFox @Where

 

[Aden Archer]

♫ Battle Theme ♫​

Harleen's corvette would then proceed to fire upon itself, the front and middle set of laser cannons on each side would be destroyed by the one behind them, leaving only the rear-most set of dual laser cannons on each side. That's not the end of Harleen's troubles, as the dual light turbolasers minus the one on the chin would shred through the corvette's hull towards the ship's head. It would do very significant damage to the corvette. On the bridge sparks would fly, klaxons would start sounding off, and there would be enough recoil to knock everyone down hard out their seats or from where they are standing. The shields can't protect the vessel from any of this as this is all happening inside the ship's shield bubble. Harleen's corvette failed to react to the raider team's movements, and now with the ship's command being knocked off, this will impact their ability to react, look at the situation, and issue commands, leaving itself open attacked with impunity. Even if the captain and crew gets up, they will find themselves in a bad position with almost all their point defense weapons gone.

Aden was surprised when he saw it and it will be recorded on his helmet's recording device.

Spoiler: OOC Note

Mad Dog didn't post after 48 hours, so time out.

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With the squadron leader of the Consortium fighters down and the a lot of the guns destroyed on the crusader mark II, the raider fighters would have a big advantage over the numerically inferior Zann fighters, which will let the Cutlasses start dwindling down the remaining.

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The lead Zann Consortium fighter was downed quickly in a triple attack that it couldn't stand against. Aden was already moving east after the dumb-fired missiles started flying. To be safe, Aden activated his ship's afterburners, giving his bomber craft extra speed making it almost on par with an interceptor, that would be more than enough to dodge the missiles, so they passed by harmlessly.

After dodging the missiles, Aden would move towards Graces' corvette as previously intended, turning towards it and then proceeding to go underneath go it at a angle towards the part of the ship closest to him, keeping low to the ground as usual while he sees the corvette lowering it's altitude. With the increased speed, Aden would be able to close the distance quite a bit before those dual laser cannons could get Bravebird in their crosshairs, But when the guns were able to get him in their sights, the shots would almost hit. Aden gritted his teeth but kept his cool under fire. Close one though. But in the end he would be able to fully close the distance without a hit.

Once he gets underneath Grace's corvette, he would proceed towards the ship's rear at maximum speed, his gunner and astromech droid keeping him aware of the ship's movements. The ventral laser cannons were too slow to track him, so he need not worry about it with his speed either. He would then turn his ship to climb up from after getting from underneath. At this point Aden would turn his afterburner off. Now decreasing his speed, now his craft would face the ship's engines at a safe distance. At this point, he's at a full blind spot in the corvette, there would be no way it could strike back at Aden in the position he is in. With that, he would fire bombs at the three engine thrusters, one each. The bomb launcher would throw them forward and the shields can't block the slow moving bombs, and it's going to be hard for the much larger Crusader to dodge even if it is decently maneuverability for a corvette. If they hit, the engines should be destroyed, which should send the ship crashing down to the ground.

All through out these movements and the attack run , Aden well experienced enough a pilot to be able to adjust his actions accordingly on the fly according to what his opponent does.

@Where @Mad Dog @AutoFox @Mr. Teatime
GG @Bread

 

[Helen Holcomb]

Helen let out a brief "Woohoo!" of triumph as the lead Zann fighter went down in a hail of laser fire. Her celebration was short lived, however, as geysers of earth and vegetation began erupting around her; above, the nearest of the Crusaders was firing down at her with its ventral heavy laser cannons. The odds of hitting her were slight, but it was nevertheless an effective deterrent.

She looked up at the enemy capital ship balefully, twitching her controls and resolving to do something about it. Checking her laser cannon was indeed powered up and ready to deal some damage, falling in loose formation with Bravebird, who seemed to have had the same idea. She followed the other fighter through its arc, setting up to contribute her own fire to the ship's destruction.

"I'll hit 'em after your bombs get through!" She called over the comm, setting up her own attack run. If anything, the damage she would inflict would only be insult to injury, but there was no kill like overkill.

@The Good Doctor @Mr. Teatime @Where @Bread @Mad Dog

 

[Zhaan Duran]

Thrusters burning on his new course toward the Crusader II's underside, Duran got a front-row seat view of the corvette blowing the absolute shit out of itself. Side guns scrapped and, arguably worse, turbolasers taking chunks out off its front end. Zhaan figured they must've been dipping into their own spice stash to get that result.

But as much as the Chiss mercenary was laughing in his cockpit, he was still a professional. When it came to pirate tactics? If the prey's bleeding, go for the throat. Corsair surged forward, arcing at an angle toward the Crusader II's side bow, too quick and nimble for the chin-mounted turbolaser to target. As a bonus, Grace's crusader couldn't target him without firing through the Crusader II even if she could get her guns realigned since she was on the opposite side of Harleen from Corsair. Zhaan grinned a nasty grin and armed a pair of high-explosive missiles, targeting computer lining up his unconventional attack run.

With the other corvette focusing its attention on Ears and Bravebird's squadrons and the Crusader's IIs gunss mostly reduced to scrap, Corsair's approach was entirely undeterred, nothing firing toward him thus far. The X-wing swiftly approached and raised its nose, coming up from beneath on course to fly within meters of the corvette's side bow hull plating, facing upward with the X-wing's nose toward the ship's bridge. He adjusted the distance to compensate for any corvette movement, making sure he didn't clip the hull or crash into the otherwise-still corvette. He was close enough that he'd dip below the corvette's shield bubble, thrusters reducing output for the maneuver.

As the X-wing passed harmlessly through the shield Duran depressed two triggers. A quick burst of laser fire and a pair of high-explosive missiles launched up toward the bridge's window with a split-second stagger. The laser cannons should crack or shatter the window with the missiles striking just after. This one-two-punch combination would blow open the window and ensure missile detonation within the hull- and importantly, the bridge itself, more than capable of wiping out both the captain (@Mad Dog), bridge crew, and controls in a storm of heat, kinetic force, and shrapnel.

Corsair was prepared to pull evasive maneuvers or change targets during his approach and attack run, as needed.

@The Good Doctor @AutoFox @Where @Mad Dog