Main - Chapter 7.2: Neptunia

"Hank, I don't see anything in the data to help. Was that an active lock that gave them away? Heck, not that it matters. I'm adjusting power to the drive for now. We should run for the planet, it'll make getting backup easier and maybe they'll break off if we get close enough to help."

"No. We detected them on passive. Since they were intentionally intercepting us, I figured they already see us, so I thought active sensors would give us a better view. Instead it just basically disappeared. I haven't been able to see them since. We probably won't get a better view until they get much closer."

Hank then tries to get in touch with the Sentinel.

RB, you seem to have some technical knowledge and skill. I have some ideas. Gui Wang, if you have some time I'd appreciate the help too. Let's make his as difficult as possible if they end up boarding.
We could use some these grenades, and I know some very unfriendly chemicals, but I'd absolutely love some help.
Plus I think we can right up a mobile barricade with some of this repair supplies.

htech says:

"Sure thing, boss. I think we should combine the gas and the electricity in a single 'kabum', though. I can surely get one mobile barricade and 3 traps made every hour. Where should we put the first batch of traps? Section 2.E?" - said RB.

"That's an excellent idea, RB, I didnt know they could be combined; I don't know how to make them, I've just seen them in use." Mercer pulled up a layout of the Celestial Voyager. "There are no real structural changes in the Celestial Voyager from its base model. We can assume our attackers have access to our ship structure, or could have if they wanted it.
Yes, let's get 2.E trapped. Then let's look at 1.C, 5.C, 4.A and 3. C. Those seem to be the next most likely points of entrance. If we get a second barricade, one around the bridge makes sense. You have a better grasp of the technical specifications of this ship, what do you think the second most likely points of enterance is, if they were focusing on ease of access?"

"Well, this isn't a fighter," Douklan replies to Captain Zaytsev, "But let's still see if we can outrun them and avoid a confrontation altogether."

Trade Era 1235, Day 167. 15:00 UTC
Bridge, Celestial Voyager
Douklan and Corbin tried to put some distance between the ship and the Celestial Voyager. They surged forward. But in the cold silence of space, speed was relative. Without seeing their pursuers, there was no way to know if they were truly escaping or merely delaying the inevitable.

Minutes passed, each one more tense than the last. Hank kept a close watch on the sensors, scanning for any sign of the dark ship. The seconds stretched into minutes, each one filled with a growing sense of dread. The tension on the bridge was palpable, everyone straining to hear something from Hank, anything, that would signal their escape.

Suddenly, the sensors pinged again, louder this time. The dark ship had reappeared, closer, and within weapon’s range. It was a Maelstrom-class fast attack frigate

"They’re hailing us, Captain. No holograms, voice only." Hank reported, his eyes flicking to Valeria.

Valeria hesitated for a fraction of a second. This was a critical moment. Opening a line of communication could give them valuable information, or it could be a trap. She weighed her options quickly.

"Open channel," she ordered.

"Captain Zaytsev of the Celestial Voyager," the person on the other ship intoned, his voice a harsh rasp. "I suggest you cut your engines and prepare to be boarded."

Valeria’s jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing at the audacity of the demand. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice icy.

The male voice seemed amused. "That is of no concern to you. Your cargo is valuable, Captain, and I intend to take it. Cooperate, and your crew might live to see another day."

"You’ve made a mistake," she said coldly. "We are not a ship that’s easily taken."

The amusement in his voice faded, replaced by a sneer. "We’ll see about that, Captain."

The transmission cut off abruptly.

"Prepare to engage, all hands to battle stations!" Using the intercom, Valeria’s voice rang through the ship, the calmness replaced with the hard edge of command.

The crew snapped into action, the air charged with a mix of fear and determination. Valeria’s eyes flashed with anger. "They’re playing with us. Douklan, evasive maneuvers! Get us out of here!"

---

Departments may act in any order:

OOC:

Also, if we don't have lv2 skills, Above and Beyond makes no sense, right?

Mercer is going to Do Your Duty to support the escape maneuvers Go Above And Beyond by motivating our pilot .

Departments may act in any order:

On the bridge, Douklan attempts Evasive Maneuvers.

At Comms, Hank sees two primary options for himself to perform:
1) Attempt Crash Systems. But that would only cost them one measely CP. Not sure if it is worth us spending two CP to take one of theirs away.
2) Do Your Duty. That adds in a CP for use by Douklan to get us out of here. If Gunnery also does Do Your Duty, we'll have enough CP for Douklan to attempt Escape Combat.

As soon as the alert came down from the Captain Peter will first run to the armory and grab some extra ammo for his laser rifle, he will also get in to his assault suit and change it’s type b power cell.

After taking care of his own setup he will radio to Mercer while making his way to the gunnery position.

"Saw you preparing some defenses while I passed through the hall, keep at it and I will join you as soon as I see the ship guns are not useful anymore"

Once getting to the gunnery station Peter will Do his duty and keep the sandthrower ready, to shot if necessary when the ship gets on range.

Departments may act in any order:


PS: Bridge can also act again or change its action, if there's enough CP left after all PCs act and spaceseeker19 wants to.