RP [Nepleslia] The Fleet Assembles

[Gunhand4171]

RP Date

YE 43

RP Location

Longwatch System

Aboard one of the Longwatch Orbital Bulwark Starbases:

The starbase was a flurry of activity, as multiple new ships and their crews scrambled to resupply and top of their fuel and food reserves. It had been some time since this station had seen so many sailors at once, which made the halls very cramped. There were also sailors and marines getting those last few items that were not technically allowed aboard a wartime vessel, yet they did their best to smuggle what contraband they could aboard their ships.

Docked to one of the Bulwark's many airlocks was the new flagship of this fleet. The NSS Phantom, a Specter class stealth carrier, was currently just as active. The crew quickly working so that the ship could get underway.

Tucked away behind the bridge was the CO's ready room, where Rear Admiral Cole Greyson sat. Greyson's salt and pepper hair was cut short and covered by his officer's cap. His scarlet eyes scanning over the reports from his department heads. At one side of the ready room was Greyson's desk and computer. On the other side there was a couch, coffee table, and two chairs. On the wall, a screen showed a view of the planet below.

"Sir?" A feminine voice asked at the doorway.

"Come in XO." Greyson ordered, setting down his reports and looking up to the raven haired commander. Commander Jessica Adler walked in and quickly shut the hatch behind her before snapping a salute to the CO, her hazel eyes meeting his. Cole waved in dismissal. "No need for that here Adler. What do you have for me?" He asked as the XO dropped her arm.

"The other captains have begun to arrive sir. They are all being directed to meet in one of the briefing rooms." She replied.

The CO nodded. "Good, please go down and greet them. I have one last thing I need to do before I meet with them." He replied.

"Of course, Sir." Commander Adler replied, before leaving the room and heading down to the briefing room. The briefing room's long conference table had a place set for each of the CO's. A briefing packet and a mug of coffee with the NSS Phantom's emblem emblazoned on the side.

Commander Adler stood at the head of the table, waiting for the other ship captains found there way in.

 

[Soban]

Captain Ajit Lysander stood tall, taller even than most ID-SOL; his lanky frame set him apart from the genetically engineered supersoldiers. He carried a cane with a silver wolf's head and a black wooden shaft. His gait only hinted at the reason he needed it. Head and shoulders above most of the crew, the insignia of a Captain on his pristine uniform, the crowds parted around him as he strode from his last meeting with his senior officers towards the meeting with Cole Greyson and the other COs assigned to this battlegroup.

As he entered, he saw he was one of the first to arrive. He extended a long arm towards Adler. "Commander Adler, good to meet you. I'm Captain Lysander of the Invictus." He said in a friendly tone.

 

[raz]

Another captain soon followed, entering the briefing room with his own vacuum sealed tumbler full of coffee. The container was scuffed and worn all over its black aluminum surface and, if one looked close enough, you could see a tiger's silhouette in glossy relief over the letters "KU." The cup wasn't designed this way, though. That's just where the old Kennewes University sticker that came with it a decade ago had once sat.

Hector Pontius, the new arrival, had silver hair and a hardened face that looked good for a naval officer. Which is to say he wasn't that comely at all. But a fine Nepleslian specimen nonetheless, who seemed like he'd been born in the blue officer's jacket he wore today. It was actually his first time sporting the thing, this assignment being his first captaincy, and he didn't find it particularly comfortable compared to the NSN's regular uniform. Nonetheless, a briefing with Greyson and his fellow task force captains called for it, so he would put up with its big collar and wide neckline until everything was wrapped up and he could get back into some attire more practical for commanding a scout ship.

"Captain," Hector said, eyeing Ajit and Commander Adler beside him. He gave the more senior officer a nod first and then did the same for the woman. "Commander."

Taking a swig from his travel mug, he turned his attention toward the table to try and see if he could find any sort of label on the packets to indicate where he should sit. He couldn't see anything at all from where he stood just inside the entrance, so spied the place he wanted to sit — third down from the head of the table where Adler stood on the right side — and began striding over to claim the spot.

"Hector Pontius from the Battle of Nexim Arsenal," he added, identifying himself as he made the few steps across the deck (just in case they couldn't see his rank insignia or read his name tape). A man of few words. "It's a pleasure."

 

[Cowboy]

Captain Jacob "Lucky Jack" Canterbury II looked again at his gold bars on his new Captains jacket and smiled. He still couldn't believe it. Just a short time ago he was Lt. Canterbury, XO of the beloved ship Surprise. Now he was Captain of his beloved ship Surprise. His steward, an ugly, unhappy man who only smiled when he was bringing bad news had smiled when Jack had put on his Captain's coat for the first time had said, "Cap'n Pullings, Rest his sole, would be rite proud to see you now sir." Jack had nodded his agreement. The late Captain Pullings had had the Surprise before him and had taken a special interest in Jack. Almost as if he had been grooming Jack to one day take over the Surprise. The day had come far too soon and at too great a cost.

Jack looked out the window of his shuttle as it was approaching the flagship, The NSS Phantom, a Specter class stealth carrier. He stood as the shuttle docked and put on his cap over his golden hair, which was tied back in a pigs tail that stretched halfway down his back. His golden beard was neatly trimmed and on his right cheek was a tattoo of a blue dragon holding an anchor and star. The airlock door opened and a file of marines came to attention as a young Lt saluted him and welcomed him aboard the Phantom. It was all Jack could do not to smile. His first time being greeted with all the honors his rank deserved. He understood it. He had been the Lt, greeting some demi-god aboard his ship before.

The Lt. escorted him to the briefing room. Jack nodded his thanks then entered the room. Inside were three officers, 2 Captains and a Commander. Jack recognized the first Captain right away, even though they had never met in person. It would be impossible mistake Captain Lysander. The man towered over everybody and everything. Jack wondered how he even fit in his own ship. The other Captain looked familiar, but Jack wasn't sure. It could have been they served as junior officers together on a ship or perhaps they had met informally during the normal routine of ship visiting in a dock for refit. Finally there was the commander, who by her location standing at the head of the table was most likely the Phantom's XO, here to answer their questions until the Admiral arrived. "Gentlemen, Commander. Captain Jacob Canterbury, Surprise." Jack introduced himself.

 

[Gunhand4171]

Commander Adler shook each of their hands in turn. "Welcome gentlemen. We are awaiting a few more people, but welcome aboard the Phantom. Admiral Greyson is currently indisposed and sends his apologies. He will join us as soon as he can." She said as she moved, taking the seat just to the right of head of the table. "Please take a seat. Are there any questions I can answer for you all while we wait?" Jessica asked, crossing her legs and turning to the captains.

 

[Gunhand4171]

As everyone settled in, the door to the room opened once more. Rear Admiral Greyson stood tall in the doorway, though not as tall as Captain Lysander by a fair margin. Before anyone was able to stand, he waved his hand dismissively. "At ease everyone. No need formalities right now." He said looking across the room at the assembled COs. "We are missing a couple of Captains, however they are caught up in transit so we shall proceed with the briefing." He said moving to the head of the table.

The screen behind changed from the NSS Phantom's logo, to a starmap of the Kikyo sector. "As you are well aware, we are currently located in the Longwatch system. Command has decided that our Battlegroup is going to take part in a wargame as a way to get our feet wet. We are going to be going up against the system's guard division. The opposition force is going to consist of 12 Rook platforms and 12 Na-D2-1b Atlas-Class Destroyers. They are going to set up a defensive line in orbit around the planet of Longwatch itself." As he spoke, the map behind him updated. 12 red ovals and 12 red squares were placed around the planet. "We will be carrying the the 34th NSMC Regiment. Our objective is to penetrate the OpFor's defenses, and deploy the marines to the surface. Once the marines drop, our part of the operation is complete. We will remain on station to perform simulated fire support for the marines on the ground but once the drop it's the Marines show."

Looking at each of the Captains in turn, he added. "This will be our first operation as a Battlegroup, but let's make a name for ourselves out there. The operation will begin in 48 hours. That is how much time we have to prepare. Any questions so far?" He asked.

 

[Cowboy]

Jack leaned back in his chair as he studied the display. He reached down absent mindedly and pulled out a pipe that he began to chew on thoughtfully. 12 Atlas class Destroyers would be a tough fight alone. Jacks eyebrows furrowed. As far as he was aware, their little battle group only consisted of six ships and over half of them were smaller than an Atlas Destroyer. Throw in a dozen Rook defense platforms and this was shaping up to be more of a suicided run. At least that was what it was lookin like on paper. Jack knew, from personal experience, that a larger, more heavily armed ship didn't always mean a stronger ship. How well a commander handed his ship and how well a crew worked together could give a relatively small and weaker ship a huge advantage. Still, 2 to 1 was pretty long odds. 4 to 1 if you included the platforms and they couldn't be discounted.

Jack spoke up, "Sir, am I correct that our battle group consists of just six ship? And we're going to be taking on a dozen Destroyers and another dozen Rook platforms? Those are pretty long odds, Admiral." Jack smiled, a predatory gleam sparkling in his real eye. "So how are we going to take them?"

 

[raz]

"Long odds for sure," Hector said from his chair, in which he'd been leaning back reclined in since the briefing started. He rocked forward and back upright, and took a swig from the coffee cup provided for him (the one he'd brought was on the ground under the table for now, waiting for his later departure once everything was over).

"The Battle's Event Horizon Jammer can give our entire battlegroup the element of surprise within 149-point-six million kilometers, but it'll only work once," he offered. "Just tell me when and where to pop it and we should be able to strike at a chunk of the OpFor before the rest know what's hitting them."

 

[Soban]

Lysander nodded considering, "If we use that to get our troops on the Rook platforms and take them, then it becomes a much more even fight." He said, motioning for the hologram to show troops to deploy from his ship to the rook platforms with a long bony hand.

 

[Gunhand4171]

The Rear Admiral looked to Jack and shook his head. "Seven actually." He corrected, then smirked at his follow up question. To Hector and Lysander, Cole nodded. "That is what I had in mind. Taking into account that both the Battle and Phantom have exceptional stealth qualities, the plan was to attack from stealth. However taking the platform may be a more viable option especially if we are successful in turning them to our side." He said, inclining his head to Lysander.

"The plan will be 2 fold." He said as Commander Adler began working the map. The 7 blue ovals representing Havoc where split into two groups. One with 5 and one with 3. "Both teams will approach under stealth. The main group will engage the enemy destroyers and draw them after us. Once the enemy ships are drawn away, the Battle, the Invictus, and the Suprise will deploy their away teams and begin taking the platforms. Once your objective is complete we will lead the destroyers back into the now captured platforms..." Cole explained, trailing off at the end and allowing the captains to draw their own conclusions.

"If no one has any objections, the operation will commence in 48 hours shipboard time. Return to your ships and begin preparing your crews." He said standing, followed quickly by Adler who stood off to his right.

 

[Cowboy]

Jack quickly jotted down a few notes then stood up as the admiral did. "Aye, aye sir. The Surprise will be ready." Jack pulled out his com unit and signaled his ship. He canceled all shore leave and informed his XO that he wanted all officers assembled and ready for briefing as soon as he returned to the ship. Having done that Jack glanced at his two fellow captains who would be responsible for taking the Rook platforms. "Gentlemen." said Jack addressing the two captains. "If you have a moment, I'd like to discuss a plan of attack." Jack paused a moment to light his pipe before continuing. "The Surprise is a Thoroughbred. She moves more like a fighter than a frigate." Jack spoke with real pride in his ship. Not boasting, but with a genuine love of his ship and her capabilities. "My crew," He continued, "My crew are a bunch of pirates. They dearly love boarding a ship and taking it. I believe that 2 Marines and 2 Sailors will be plenty to capture and man each Rook emplacement. The Surprise's 2 shuttles can drop off the boarders at each platform and take them in 5 mins apiece. If I can have the use of your ship's shuttles I think we could take all 12 platforms in under 10 mins. Your ships would need to soak up the fire from the platforms until the boarders can take them. At least that's my plan. I'm open to any suggestions you might have."

 

[raz]

"My Hray-class is something of a glass cannon," Hector explained. He was willing to indulge Lucky Jack's strategic thoughts even though the captains had been dismissed by the Admiral, and explained his concerns to Jack and Lysander without modesty. "My shuttles and their away teams can follow the lead of your troops for sure, but the Battle won't last long in a straight-up fight. All I've really got to offer is my Event Horizon Jammer and a quick death for any bogies that get in front of our aether cannon."

Hector stood in contemplation for a moment and wondered how his stealth ship could fare in a straight-up fight. Not well by his estimation, but he was a Nepleslian naval officer and he'd make the best of it nonetheless. It was fortunate, Hector thought, that there was a Carnivore-class in Havoc and indeed within his sub-formation for this little training engagement.

"You two are going to have to take the lion's share of the fire until our away teams can overtake the platforms," Hector said now that he'd thought about it. "But I can have my boys rig up some kind of sensors trick with our Mass Mesher and signals projectors to make the Battle look like something else. Maybe a battleship or even a whole squadron of Longswords. I'll have to hope the OpFor doesn't pick the right place to strike and get a lucky hit on my ship, but it's probably the best I can do to keep the heat off of the rest of you."

 

[Soban]

Fletcher considered for a long moment before nodding, "The Invictus is built to take the fire, if you two can do stealth, then we can take the fire and distract them. I'll have our shuttles and a portion of our detachment moved to your ships so you can focus on the landings. I'll reserve a portion of my force to appear that I'm also making my own play for them. A feint for the two of you."