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RP: YSS Eucharis [Mission 7.1] At War - Battle of Nataria

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Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

The hulls of the enemy vessels were thick.

Either that, or they had not been damaged nearly as much as one would think.

Aboard the squadron's leading ship, the Tivurthrinth, the silent figure who had been monitoring this battle opened Its eyes. The destruction of the defending fleet was nearly complete. It knew this instinctively. It could feel the pull of consciousnesses, spiraling on downward into both the darkest depths of hell, and rising gloriously to the heights of enlightenment. It heard the faint fizzle of communications over long distances. It heard screams, orders, and the pulse of many hearts. It reveled.

One of the Gathering informed It that their shields were down.

It told them; 'Good. Let Them Hope.'

The more comfortable they could make the prey, - for, caught in a net, the squadron in front of It could be nothing else - the more hope they could cultivate, and the more satisfying the act of crushing it would be. The more difficult the victory, the more thrilling. Although one were not supposed to play with dangerous enemy ships like this, the act of doing so was rather empowering, in and of itself.

'Also,' It said. 'Also - Limp a Little.' It smiled, amiably, though the effect was more like a very dangerous carnivore, bearing its teeth. 'Throw Out Some Smoke. Make Like, You Know, One of Those Things That Pretends To Be Dead, And Then Bites You Very Hard Afterwards.'

Metaphore had always escaped its grasp, somewhat.

'Oh Yes,' It also added as an afterthought, the grin never fading, 'Charge The Scalar Array. When You Sense They Have Diverted Power To Their Weapons, Take Them Down.'


---------

There was static gathering now over the communications channels.

The ships behind the Eucharis and her sister ships broke off from their formation and split to deal with the two Yamataian ships that had doubled back.

Although the Nadeshiko and the Aurora had scored multiple direct hits, the Mishhu vessels had been redesigned in recent years with the capabilities of Yamataian ships in mind, and were still almost fully operational. The ocean of stars was once more disturbed by the rush and explosion of missile and torpedo ordinance.

However, a dangerous streak of antimatter had been added into the mix - the two ships that had paired off against the Nadeshiko and the Aurora had brought their subspace cannons online, and were now engaged in an offloading of ordinance that resembled very vigorously colorful, festival-style fireworks. The sort that accidentally blew the roofs off of buildings.

The Tivirthrinth clung to the Eucharis's trail like a dog that had caught the scent of blood.

Energy crackled across the hull. It looked a heck of a lot like an electromagnetic malfunction with its shielding and possibly auxiliary systems.

A visual would also reveal a little bit of a change in the black Tivirthrinth's forward hull design. Several prongs had been extended forward, from within the hull. They did not extend terribly far. In fact, they could have been there all along, and nobody had noticed.

Minor changes were often overlooked, in the heat of combat.
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Aurora and Nadeshiko exchanged shots with the NMX ships and held out for the moment, firing their aether cannons on rapid mode, while Starling's one or two remaining turret guns took pot shots. Aurora lost shields again and took major damage to main cannon and then the wardroom and bridge compartments, killing the command crew, but the ship kept up with Nadeshiko by computer control. Nadeshiko fared better but its shields were low. The ships' aether pods managed to keep the NMX torpedoes at bay for the moment.

Meanwhile, Eucharis slipped between the seemingly endless rows of parked ships. Hanako signaled the shuttle that they'd arrived.
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

"Sune-hei. You're a Medic, this is a battle. Do your job, and do not jump the chain of command." Misaki answered sharply. It slightly annoyed her that they were getting calls like that, she imagined that some of the newer crew lacked the discipline that they had paid for in blood on Viridian.

"Hamada Taii. That's the go." She nodded once, hoping they'd have some better luck. When the Aurora took those hits, the Chusa winced visibly. Things were getting even worse. They had to make sure no more ships could be used by the NMX. Had to. "Keep what you have to between them and us, save the Boarding Team's target."

"Taisa, I'm plotting possible escape routes for the most damaged based on what we can expect if the ships get activated." Assuming they breached the offensive lines, it could give their sister-ships the breathing rooms they needed.

Akita Taii, gomen...
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Junko’s hands flew across input keys as energy loads shifted to and fro on the display before her. The dispersed energy storage and supply system was indeed designed to provide for the constantly varying demands present in combat, but overuse could result in all sorts of system failures, from melting down important power conduits or capacitors to overloading the engines or weapons. It was all she could do to reroute power flows through less taxed portions of the system as the demands flowed in from the bridge. During a lull in helm input, Junko stepped back from her station and breathed deeply for a moment before she activated the intercom. “Bridge, Engineering. The engines can only withstand a certain amount of over-boost at a time; if tactically feasible, allowing propulsion some cool-down time would be highly beneficial from a preventative perspective. Otherwise, all systems are at 100% readiness. We have only sustained limited superficial damage to the hull.”
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

"Bridge to Engineering. Thanks for the updates and confirmation." Nika acknowledged Junko's report as she continued to fire at whatever is coming at the Eucharis.

"Chusa, should we turn the ship around so we can attempt to use our secondary weapons on our pursuers?"
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Sune kept from replying to the Chusa's admonishment, as anything he would say would probably get him put on report. Perhaps she would prefer that I wait until after the battle to submit my suggestion in triplicate. he thought as he channeled his frustration. Need to stay focused. When he heard the go signal, he felt his adrenalin start to surge. Sune realized that this was the risky part, once clear of the Eucharis the boarding team would only have their Power Armor for protection from any enemy vessels.. But time was ticking, and with each tick, lives were being extinguished.
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

In the armor bay...

Hamada took a deep breath.

"That's a go," she said crisply, though she didn't feel half that enthusiastic. She moved to the armor bay door controls and punched in the operational code. Gradually they slid open, revealing a view of a stationary fleet in orbit that zipped past the opening like roadsigns out the windpw of a speeding car.

In the distance, past this armada of stationary equipment, the battle raged on in flashes of light and bedazzling explosions that surrounded Nataria on all sides. But that wasn't their concern. It turned the Taii's stomach slightly, but that wasn't their concern.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the officer began, gradually shifting from her own gravity manipulation to the suit's, which was much more powerful and shimmered faintly, "Our priority for this mission is to activate the self-destruction sequence on the shuttles, ships, and armors in storage."

"First, we will board one of these ships by cutting through its hull with the Aether Sabers. Once inside, we will proceed to the bridge, retrieve the keycard, and bring the emergency systems online."

It sounded so simple, put like that. But how simple would it prove, in a combat situation? How stealthy could they actually be?

"Jalen-Hei, Hotaru-Hei. You are both on me. Pineapple-Juni, and... you," said the Taii, referring to the man in the black armor, "Will watch our rear. Keep your eyes and your ears open. Check your weapons, now."

She checked hers. It was at full charge. She had a spare charge somewhere on the armor, she knew, but ran her hand over it anyway just to check. It was difficult to do with a shield. If the shield got in the way during combat, it would be simple to throw away.

"All ready?"


---------------------------------------


Outside of the Eucharis...

The electromagnetic interferance crested, causing a queer keening in the communications channels for several seconds before, with an overly theatric burst, the ship directly behind the Eucharis exploded with electromagnetic energy.

The pulse raced outwards.

It washed like an oceanic wave over the shields of the Eucharis. It hit the unprotected Aurora like a crackling gale wind. It rushed the Starling like a bull after a matadore. It took its merry time on the Nadashiko, but momentum was definately there for some good, healthy damage.

It hit literally dozens of the ships in stasis, and their systems fried like crispy bacon in a cheap eatery on Sunday morning.

The residual crackling of electricity died several moments later, and communications channels were open again. Gradually, behind the Eucharis, the Tivurthrinth began the process of restoring its shields. The initial charge delivered to them glittered and sparked, before the visual became a more normal distortion of space. The other two ships in its squadron had weathered the storm behind their own shields. They discharged several blasts towards the Aurora and the Starling, as if to confirm kills, then broke off of them and began focusing their attention on the Nadashiko.

No missles or torpedoes were forthcoming, however. Either they were out, or had something else in mind.
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Starling, stunned by the energy attack, clipped one of its shield-like CFS projector arrays on one of the parked ships, causing it to spin and tumble out of control. She collided violently with a row of the parked ships, exploding. Aurora merely glided out of the depot fleet like a burning frisbee.

Nadeshiko was turned around backwards by now dumping a solid stream of anti-matter onto the lead pursuer and every two seconds it also hit that ship in the face with its main cannon.

- - -

Sparks flew on the bridge.

"Spin us to face and fire on that ship too," Hanako ordered Ramiro and Nika, seeing the thrashing Nadeshiko was dishing out.

"Hamada and team, this is Hanako; the ship airlocks should open for you automatically now. I am sending the signal to activate the dormant ships. This also means the ships could be easily boarded and controlled by NMX forces as well, so be careful. Remember speed is of the essence, because the longer you take, the more of these ships the NMX will steal. The stolen ships will not respond to the self-destruct command and we will end up fighting them the rest of the war."
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Ramiro watched as people jumped around doing this and that, while he sat and wondered what he should do as there really wasn't any piloting left to do. Without much else to do he ran another set of diagnostics when he noticed something funny. He pressed a button or two and the computer told him there was interference. "Taisa you might want to take a lo..."

Then the electromagnetic burst happened. Ramiro heard it before he saw it and knowing that it was impossible for a cannon to miss its target at that short of a distance, instinctively slammed his fast down on the collision siren. The siren sounded, then died as power and systems of the ship started going haywire. His screen was fuzzy and crackling and nothing was responding. "Ma'am nothings responding!" He shouted as he starred at his station. His mind raced as he thought to himself how training hadn't prepared him for anything like this.

Ramiro was about to turn to the Taisa and ask for orders, but then everything went back to normal. He quickly ran diagnostics for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.

Finding that all systems were normal he turned around to report this to the Taisa, just as she gave her orders. He spun back towards his console and started twisting the ship to face their enemy. Once they were facing the correct direction he turned to the Taisa. "Ma'am, from what I can tell are systems are online and as functional as they were before the blast."
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Sune adjusted his Mindy so that he was ready to use the suit propulsion as soon as he stepped through hatch, he did not want not waste any time making a correction. His PA weapon systems were operational, and he double checked the LAS Rifle. "Suit weapons, and systems operational, LAS rifle armed and spare mags on hand. Ready to deploy when you are ma'am."
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Nike silently celebrated when her shots were true and hit the lead enemy ship. However, she did not expect it to release a huge pulse of electromagnetic energy. Squeaking out in surprise, the neko held on as the energy wave pounded the ship and cut off communications...

As soon comms were back online, Nika scrambled to check the status of the ship as well as the rest of the squadron, "Eucharis... shields held... comms are slightly fizzled but operational... Starling is down... Aurora was hit hard... Nadeshiko..."

She heard the Taisa's order in aiding a squadron mate. As Ramiro made the turn, the neko fired whatever the ship had onto the enemy ship, which fired at them.
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

"Understood Taii, all systems are go" Tasuku said firmly as he tapped the solid blade of the (non-activated) aether saber lightly against his wing-shield.

Still floating slightly above the floor he only partially felt the violent shaking of the Eucharis; he understood how serious the situation was, a blast like those hitting the ship could easily obliterate the power armors. He could already feel the rising edge of adrenaline in his system, as he readied to follow the others out.
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Hanako suddenly came up with an idea. "This is a perfect chance to use the new electronic warfare suite! We can use the volumetric array to disguise our ship as one of the dormant ships and our mass mesher to blend in. If we can blind the enemy sensors for a moment, we could use the suite to 'disappear.' While the Mishhu are looking for us, our armor team will be able to complete the mission with us close by."
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

On hearing Hanako's idea, Nika replied, "Taisa, if we were to use this warfare suite, the Nadeshiko is the key to increase our chance of success..." She hope Hanako would understand that the Nadeshiko had to distract the enemy long enough for the Eucharis to activate the suite... a sacrifice...
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Going from potentially overloading engines to an electromagnetic pulse was not exactly a trade Junko wanted. Granted, her displays were showing only relatively minor damage and no systems failures, but surviving a shock like that always increased the risk of later failure. Thus, for the moment, she made sure the power distribution was still within the requirements and that there were no near failure points within the system. But aside from a circuit board melting down in one of the refrigeration units in the galley, the only damage was a blown surge protector for a secondary capacitor in the Power Systems space. “Bridge, Engineering. All systems are functional; the only damage is to a low priority stand-by capacitor. Requesting permission to leave my station for damage control.”
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

"Get the capacitor fixed if you can. Then back to your station, Engineering." Misaki replied. "I should have thought of that sooner. Blueberry!"

"Yes Ma'am!" The sensor specialist barked from her nearby station, knowing Misaki wanted her to implement it on the Taisa's perimeters.

"Engineering! Work fast! We're bringing it online!" The Chusa relayed, then spoke to the former sprite again, "If they're ineffective just make certain their targeting is off as much as possible."

"Coming online!"

While that occurred, Misaki contacted the the Nadeshiko to engage theirs at the same time. It could work. It has to, has to...

Their chances were slim, but not as bad as they had been with the EWS. She hoped it had been installed well, and they'd pull out of it. She monitored the progress with the capacitor while the system came on line, leaving Blueberry to work her special brand of magic to confuse the onslaught of the vessels trying to hunt them down. "Stay strong everyone. We have to last until the team is successful."
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

“Aye aye, ma’am,” replied Junko with verve. Switching the systems to autonomous control, she bolted over to the damage control locker and grabbed the trusty repair kit pack; with it slung on her back, she ran to the forward bulkhead of the compartment, sidestepping various pipes and conduits on the way before grabbing the forward ladder and heading up through the hatch into Power Systems. Junko raced over to the back-up capacitor bank. The blown surge protector was easy to identify, now being a deformed and slagged brick of metal and circuitry. Scanning the area of the damage with a device from the repair pack, she brought out the cutting/welding torch and calibrated it to the depth of the socket. With four deft, but measured and careful movements of her hand, the wreckage was free from the walls of the socket and slipped out easily.

It only took Junko another minute to locate a spare surge protector, handily mounted in a rack next to the bank of capacitors. The connections activated with a reassuring click as the circuit block was slid into place. A row of green lights appeared on the little indicator display next to the socket and a moment later more green lit up on the slightly larger display next to the capacitor. She glanced at the chronograph on the display as she activated the intercom. Four minutes, she thought. Not bad, but only one capacitor was down. “Bridge, Power Systems. Requesting confirmation that the number eleven back-up capacitor is back in the power availability queue.”
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

"This is Bridge, confirmed number eleven back-up capacitor up and operational." With the ship's system being updated on its status, Nika now shifted energies towards running the warfare suite and the shields... and hoped...
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

The shields collapsed.

The leading enemy ship veered off under the weight of so much ordinance.

It rammed through ship after ship after ship, carried on through by sheer force of mass and momentum. Orbited by a field of debris, the ship finally stalled, fire ripping through its interior compartments one at a time.

Very quickly, the damage reached the propulsion system.

It exploded in a nova that sent several unmanned, nearby ships flying outwards into other ships. The chain reaction stopped after a few rows, but the charred scrap metal soared on where it could.

The two remaining enemy ships immediately directed fire on the Nadeshiko.

Although the Tivurthrinth was still chasing the Eucharis, it opened fire with several broadside guns, filling the space between itself and the Nadeshiko with subspace-encased antimatter. It sister ship, mirroring the squadron leader, also focused its arrays on the Nadeshiko. They were ganging up on it, just like Yamatai's 2nd Squadron, First Expeditionary had ganged up on the Ithuriath.

It was vengance. It wouldn't last long.

The rate of fire was slow - each gun only firing once every seven seconds or so - but the surfaces of the pursuing battleships sported several of the same calibur gun and the discharged ordinance was clearly heavy. The barriage was immediate, co-ordinated, and solid. Not much could stand up to a total of twelve heavy guns at once.

Certainly not a Light Escourt.

------

Meanwhile, aboard the ship...

The Taii was watching the results of the battle with mild interest. Some of the debris from the fighting whizzed by the open armor bay doors like angry hornets.

She looked up briefly while receiving the update from the Taisa on the hangar doors being operational. It was a little window of hope. Being somewhat suspicious by nature, she didn't trust it as much as her own idea, but it would made things a lot easier and faster.

For everyone.

The Taii felt a slight shiver up and down her spine.

Hotaru and Pineapple reported much the same time as Jalen-Hei and the person she was now coming to think of as Black-Hei. She couldn't take her eyes off of the peculiarly shaped armor for some reason. Briefly, she wondered if it were spaceworthy, but surely he'd have informed her if it wasn't.

"Roger that," she said. "Prepare to deploy in five, four..."

Let's get this over with, she thought to herself as she eyed the ships zipping by, but she didn't say it.

"...Go!"

And Shizu was through the environmental shielding like a bolt from a crossbow. Quickly, she picked out the nearest likely candidate for boarding - an Irim warship that was relatively out of the path of destruction so far as she could tell. The co-ordinates were transmitted to her squad.
 
Re: [Mission 7.1] Universe at War - Battle of Nataria

Blueberry cursed under her breath. She couldn't have the ship put on its disguise right while the enemy was watching. That would be obvious. Thinking fast, Blueberry had the volumetric projectors of both gunships come online, and then created a very carefully scripted illusion: From the NMX point of view, the two ships (still taking "hits") made a sudden corner around one of the parked behemoths and then darted down an adjacent row, out of sight.

Meanwhile, the real ships, disguised as empty space, pulled over and parked against an Ayame-class cruiser, blending their mass in and shutting down most systems. At the same time, probes scattered throughout the depot, emitting confusing signals to baffle the enemy sensors...
 
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