Futuristic Starpath: Burning Sails [IC] [CLOSED]

[Breadman]

He expected the absolute stupidity from Jackson, but Vance should have some semblance of common sense.
"Get out of the line of fire and back behind cover or we leave both of you behind!" Petar shouted from behind cover and picking his next target. He gave Daniel a quick glance "We got to limit his supply from now on." He popped back out of cover and took a shot.

 

[joshuadim]

Vance heard Petar and quickly changed course towards Jackson and sought to grab him and pull him away. "I'll try to get him out!" Vance yelled.

 

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Interior Midpoint) - TURN 9
Vance regenerates 1 HP (The Gift.) Vance HP = 11.
Shun and Shuren continue to hack the terminals.
Jackson = 10. CH Roll = 9. Does 4 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #11. CorpSec Grunt #11 dead.
Yolandi = 7 - 1 + 2, 5 - 2 + 2, 9 - 3 + 2 (8, 5, 8. Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge, Drunken Master.) Does 3 DMG (Drunken Master, Drav's Armorer) to CorpSec Specialist #3, Does 3 DMG (Drunken Master, Drav's Armorer) to CorpSec Grunt #8, Does 3 DMG (Drunken Master, Drav's Armorer) to CorpSec Grunt #7. CorpSec Specialist #3 HP = 4, CorpSec Grunt #8 & #7 dead. Yolandi suffers 1 DMG from recoil. Yolandi HP = 13.
Vance attempts to pull Jackson back. D6 used. Chance Roll = 2. Chance Failed.
Petar = 8 + 1 (9, Shotgun Surgeon, Competitive Edge.) Does 2 DMG (Sadistic) to CorpSec Specialist #3. CorpSec Specialist #3 HP = 2.
Derrick = 10 - 1 + 1 (10, Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge.) CH Roll = 7. Does 3 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #10. CorpSec Grunt #10 dead.
Daniel attempts to heal Shuren. D6 used. Chance Roll = 4. Chance Successful. Shuren regains 3 HP. Shuren HP = 15.
Karina = 5 - 1 + 1 (5, Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge.) PR Roll = 7. Primal Rage Roll Successful. Does 3 DMG (Primal Rage) to CorpSec Specialist #3. CorpSec Specialist #3 dead.
Loudmouth = 9 - 1 + 1 (9, Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #9. CorpSec Grunt #9 HP = 2.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Interior Midpoint) - TURN 9 (ENEMY)
Enemy reinforcements have arrived. 6 Phaunos Light-Infantry Drones, 1 CorpSec Specialist.
CorpSec Grunt #6 = 8 - 1 (7. Target in Cover.) Does 1 DMG to Petar. Petar HP = 11.
CorpSec Grunt #9 = 1. Misses Daniel.
Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #13 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Shuren. Shuren HP = 14.
Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #14 = 10. CH Roll = 8. Does 4 DMG to Jackson. Jackson HP = 11.
Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #15 = 4. Misses Vance.
Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #16 = 4. Misses Jackson.
Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #17 = 10. CH Roll = 5. Does 3 DMG to Vance. Vance HP = 8.
Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #18 = 10. CH Roll 9. Does 4 DMG to Jackson. Jackson HP = 7.
CorpSec Specialist #4 = 4. Misses Shun.

------
​

Shun and Shuren continued their hacking attempts on the terminals, as Jackson charged headlong into the fray with his sledgehammer. He jumped over one of the small barricades, slamming the metal hammer down on top of a shocked grunt's helmet. The impact shattered the helmet, and also caved the grunt's head in. Just what Jackson wanted. Vance attempted to stop Jackson afterwards, grabbing him by his shirt and trying to tug him back towards the team. Still, he slipped from Vance's fingers. Meanwhile, the rest of the group focused on the Specialist and some of the remaining grunts. Yolandi, in her delirious state, fired off a last burst from her LMG then opened up with her auto-mag on the Specialist and two of the grunts. The Specialist managed to take grazing shots from the LMG, while the grunts were taken down with ease by the magnum rounds. Petar and Karina focused on putting the Specialist down, Petar firing off both barrels at the enemy while Karina did another angry mag dump. The shots connected, destroying the Specialist's armor and putting him on the floor. Derrick got a good hit in, hitting a grunt between the eyes with a pistol shot, while Loudmouth got in a grazing machine pistol burst on one of the other grunts.

Daniel, glancing over and spotting Shuren requesting assistance, shot the technician with a medical dart. Painkillers and medical stimulants were dumped into his system, giving him a quick boost. As Daniel did this, a grunt's laser shot barely missed him, zipping by his arm. Meanwhile, the other remaining grunt took a shot at Petar, hitting him in his right shoulder before he could dip back into cover. Then, they heard the door open behind the grunts. More drones marched in, whom quickly took aim and fired off several shots at Vance and Jackson as well as Shuren. Numerous lasers impacted Vance and Jackson, colliding with their torso and legs several times, and one laser managed to zip by and hit Shuren in the back of his thigh. Shun managed to avoid being hit, a laser shot from an incoming Specialist hitting the wall next to him.

Shuren and Shun were almost through the blast door, their terminal hacking almost finished. Just a few more data streams and wires needed to be dealt with before they could get the door open. Meanwhile, the rest of Hammer team had drones and a few remaining grunts to deal with.

 

[joshuadim]

Vance was hit a few more times, causing him to stagger back a bit away from Jackson. The wounds were starting to get bad, and he needed to get out. But he couldn't just leave Jackson there, even if the others disliked him for his insanity. It was quite a conundrum for him, for how could he get both himself and the berserk pirate out safely? Time was running short, and he needed to act. As if by instinct, Vance quickly rushed over to Jackson and grabbed him by both the waist and one of his arms from behind. Ok, that was done. Now what? He glanced over and tried to take in the distance between them and the rest of Hammer Team. It wasn't too far if he pushed himself as much as he could. He didn't even notice his veins beginning to glow white as he lifted Jackson onto his shoulder and sprinted with him in tow back towards safety, the metal floor crumpling from his powerful stride.

"GET... THAT... DOOR... OPEN!" Vance cried out as he ran full speed ahead.

 

[Frankafurter]

Yolandi's drug haze continues and she finishes off the magazine to her handgun into another grunt before she finds a spot to take cover behind and begin reloading her weapons, her movements are slow and deliberate, her addled mind trying to do everything correctly. When she's done she sits there and breathes slowly, trying to get a grip on herself.

 

[The_Rifleman]

Jackson let the drugs take over his control and the adrenaline was like a sweet honey coursing its way throughout his body. He watched as if he was along for the ride, as he jumped over the enemy defenses and onto one of the poor, unlucky bastards to be the target of his hammer. The man had a face of pure terror, shock, and confusion. For of course he should be safe from melee...right next to his fellow soldiers and behind barricades right? Jackson loved ever single moment, and with the drug effects, boy did that moment last, of the soldier's agony.

In real time, that moment lasted only a split second as the hammer crashed through the helmet, the skull, and into the brain of the enemy. He was dead seconds later, with the silly look of confusion still on his face. Jackson looked up and saw half the team instantly aim at him, and fire. He charged in return, feeling small pings of pain in his leg and side. Flesh wounds. "I WILL MAKE YOU EAT YOUR BROTHERS FLESH!" He screams as he licks the bloody hammer, to terrify the men. To him, the drug made it taste like chocolate and he couldn't stop licking.

However, there was something odd going on, and inner Jackson caught on. Outer body Jackson was sprinting forward, yet...they were moving backward. It was at this moment he realized Vance had picked him up, and was retreating to the safety of the others. "NO. NO NO NO!!!!" Jackson yelled, as he struggled to avail. The sudden realization of reality set in, and the drug's effects quickly sobered up Jackson, making him slighty drowsy. He kicked and screamed, but Vance had a hold on him.

Then Vance began to light up. "What the fuck kind of trick is this, pony boy!?" Jackson yelled as he continued to struggle.

 

[Breadman]

"He's saving your stupid ass!" Petar answered after firing off another shot. "Show some gratitude."

 

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Interior Midpoint) - TURN 10
Shun and Shuren have completed hacking the terminals. The blast door is now open.
Vance regains 3 HP (The Gift [OVERDRIVE].) Vance HP = 11.
Yolandi = 8 - 1 + 2 (9, Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge, Drunken Master.) Does 2 DMG to CorpSec Grunt #9. CorpSec Grunt #9 dead.
Petar = 10 (Shotgun Surgeon.) CH Roll = 8. Does 5 DMG (Sadistic) to CorpSec Specialist #4. CorpSec Specialist #4 HP = 2.
Derrick = 5 - 1 + 1 (6. Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Targets CorpSec Grunt #6. Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #13 move to take damage. Does 1 DMG to Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #13. Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #13 HP = 2.
Daniel = 9 - 1 + 1 (9, Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Specialist #4. CorpSec Specialist #4 HP = 1.
Karina tosses a grenade at the drones. D6 used. Chance Roll = 6. Chance Successful. Destroys Destroys 3 Phaunos Light-Infantry Drones. Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #18, #17, and #16 destroyed.
Loudmouth = 6 - 1 + 1 (6, Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Specialist #4. CorpSec Specialist #4 dead.
Shun attempts to shut down remaining drones. D6 used. Chance Roll = 5. Shuts down two of three remaining drones. Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #15 and #14 shut down.
Shuren = 6 - 1 + 1 (6, Target in Cover, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 4 DMG (Drav's Armorer, Reroute to Remain, Zaptastic!) to Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #13. Chance of Chain Lighting. D6 used. Chance Roll = 4. Chance Successful. Does 4 DMG (Drav's Armorer, Reroute to Remain, Zaptastic!) to CorpSec Grunt #6. Phaunos Light-Infantry Drone #13 destroyed, CorpSec Grunt #6 dead.

------
​

As Vance came barreling towards the blast door, Shun and Shuren finally managed to finish hacking into their terminals. They punched in the needed input on the console, and soon the blast door slid apart. Just in time for Vance to squeeze through with Jackson slung over his shoulder. "Time to go." said Karina aloud, pitching a grenade at a cluster of drones. Timing it just right, the grenade detonated just between the drones in midair, blowing all three apart. Petar decided to take a shot at the Specialist with his shotgun, knocking the wind out of the man as the slugs punched through his cover and caved in his chest plate. Daniel and Loudmouth followed it up with their own shots, effectively putting the officer down. Derrick and Yolandi chose to fire on the remaining humanoid grunts, Yolandi blowing half of one's head off with her auto-mag pistol before reloading and heading through the door after Karina, Petar, Daniel, and Loudmouth. Derrick had a bit more trouble, however, as one of the remaining drones chose to take the shot for the grunt. It didn't exactly help, however, as a crack of lightning from Shuren's rifle killed both the drone and grunt. The two remaining drones were quickly shut down by a psionic attack from Shun, and soon enough all of Hammer team had darted through the open blast door.

Once inside, the group got a chance to look about. They were now inside the core of the station. It looked a lot like the area outside the blast door, but this one was a large open room full of computer banks and terminals. The computers were encased in blast proof shielding, and the terminals seemed to be reinforced. There were several black cables lining the walls and floor, covered with sealed panels to make it easier to traverse the circular room without tripping over anything. There didn't seem to be anyone in here. At least none that they could see. Karina glanced to Petar, as she reloaded her rifle once again. "Should we start placing explosives, sir?" she asked, before looking to Jackson. This seemed to be his area of expertise.

Before Petar could reply, however, Loudmouth spoke up. "You guys hear a stomping noise? Or are my audio sensors just fucked up?" he said, turning towards the others. The group paused for a moment, growing quiet. There actually was a stomping noise nearby. Two sets of heavy stomping. Then they saw what the source of these sounds. Rounding a pair of tall computer banks were two huge drones, heavily equipped and eyeballing the group with intent. Easily twelve feet tall, both had a tri-laser system with under-slung plasma lances mounted to both their arms, and a large missile pod attached to their backs.

"They certainly look angry." said Karina, taking aim with her rifle.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Core) - MINIBOSS FIGHT
Minotaur Assault-Infantry Drone (2) (Minibosses)
15 HP (Each)
Trait #1 - Reinforced & Relentless: Reduce all damage taken by 1, to a minimum of 1. Can attack multiple targets a turn.



------
​

Outside, the storm was getting progressively worse. It had settled in a bit more around the station, and was starting to affect the Mordred's sensors as well as those of the fighters. "They really need to hurry up in there. We can't stay up here the entire time." said Zadra, as she came marching back up to the bridge. There was a crack of thunder, and lightning darted by the bridge's window, forcing the bridge crew to jump a bit. Once they had settled back down, Zadra glanced over to the gunner's chair and noticed that Vixaya had left. "Where's our kanad gone?" she asked, looking to Drav. Drav shrugged. "She seem odd. Drav try speak to her later." she responded, before glancing over at the screen next to her when a blip caught her eye. "Incoming." she then stated, pointing it out to Zadra.

Zadra looked at it, and simply said "Shit." before grabbing a headset. "Get back to the turret." Drav nodded, quickly getting up and heading back through the ship to the turret tunnel. Zadra then switched to speaking over the ship's intercom. "Alright, we got another ship inbound. Likely hostile. I need everyone in defensive positions again. Vixaya, need you back up front."

Soon enough, the incoming ship arrived. This one was far more heavily armored and seemed to be a bit quicker than the ones they had previously fought. And the sheer size of it was something to gawk at. It was larger than a patrol ship, almost rivaling the size of a corvette. "Shit, did they just jump straight to the big guns or something?" muttered Zadra, as she peered out the window at it. "Whatever it is, we'll take it down." said Aesha, over comms from her fighter. A moment later, Aesha and Olivia moved in to engage.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - MINIBOSS FIGHT
Tisiphone Fighter (Miniboss)
15 HP
Trait #1 - Head Hunter: Does increased damage (+2) to the target if they were injured during the current/previous turn.​

 

[Frankafurter]

Yolandi looks around to spot the two heavy assault drones, her mouth drops open slightly and she runs to take cover behind one of the computer banks figuring that with all the shielding on it, it should be decent cover. She fumbles with her LMG, making sure the thing is fully loaded and ready to roll, her auto-mag returning to its holster. She looks at the others in the room, that drug haze suppressed itself when the sight of two massive fucking warbots showed up. She wishes Zou was here but the radio comm in the old space suit she's wearing can't transmit and she forgot her personal headset, not that it would have mattered likely in this room since it was probably shielded to prevent outside transmissions. Once she's ready to rock, she darts a couple computer banks over and unloads a burst on the warbot nearest to her, hoping to draw it's attention away from the rest of the group so they have a little breathing room to maybe plan something.

---

Meanwhile, Zou back out on the hull spots the large fighter coming into view. He rings the boxing match bell and cycles the ammo bins from the HE based rounds he was using on the light fighters and drones to the AP Sabot rounds meant for hitting targets like that big fighter since it's way thicker skinned. Knowing he won't be able to fully punch through the main body of it, he decides to target any weapon pods on it to try and take some of the teeth out of the heavy fighter's arsenal.

 

[joshuadim]

Once he barreled through the open doors, Vance dropped Jackson down and got into cover as the rest of Hammer Team made their way inside before the doors closed. Once inside, Vance took a moment to relax and look around. By this point, the glow had faded again and Vance was once again left confused as to what the hell just happened. In any case, he quickly regained focus on the task at hand. He noted that the banks nearby were heavily protected. "Looks to me they're protecting something in here." Vance said before Loudmoth spoke. With the heavy thumping being a cue, Vance turned to see the massive drones approach the team.

"Out of the fryin' pan and into the flame it seems." Vance said with a grin. With combat an inevitability, Vance made his way around the computer banks to try to flank one of the robots and fired a shot from his ray-gun at it.

 

[The_Rifleman]

Jackson realized there was no use fighting the man, and let himself be carried, grudgingly while shooting happened all around him. He never minded weapon fire, if anything it encouraged him. Either you get hit or you don't. Simplifies it a lot. Finally making it through the blast doors and joining others, and then got off Vance's back. Or rather he was dropped. Looking around, everyone else was here, gasping for breath as they finally got away from the baddies outside.

He turned towards Vance, "You know I had that covered right. This here," he said slamming the hammer into his fist, "Is all I needed." Then he felt the ground shaking with the others and noticed in awe at the two robots making their way towards the group. Turning back to Vance, he added with a smile: "Now I really wish you left me outside!" He reached into his pack and pulled out a couple of high explosives. He knew they'd come in handy.

He winked at Karina, and tossed the explosives towards the incoming bots.

 

[K0mori]

Vixaya had nearly reached the door to her cabin when the next call to arms came over the loudspeakers. Hungry, tired, and indifferent, the situation was very familiar to her. She turned and began to jog toward the bridge once more, arriving a few moments later. As she entered, she glanced at Zadra. "<Need orders after battle,>" she spoke, dully, before setting her listless gaze on the gunner controls. Her arms raised as she shuffled towards them, giving her the appearance of a pulp horror zombie, and by the time she had her hands wrapped around the interface, the same instinctual survival streak was evident. She opened fire on the enemy.

 

[SniperComZero]

Olivia had barely finished patching up the scratches to her ship, superficial as they may have been, before the announcement blared through her radio at her. Rolling her eyes beneath her helmet, she hopped back to the cockpit, swivelling her neck from side to side to loosen up.

"Welcome back, S--" The combat computer's synthetic voice was quickly cut off by the redhead still strapping herself into the chair. "Skip pre-flight checks and engage emergency sortie protocol. Code Ida Tango Ten Delta." Click. The intelligence paused for a half-second, before registering the command. "Confirmed. Initiating launch procedure." There was a sudden lurch as the spacecraft lifted itself upwards, its pilot more used to gravity being nil. Olivia wet her lips, and flexed her fingers over the control sticks whilst she got a good look at the new contact. "Big ugly fat fucker, ain't he?" A bemused sigh left the pilot as she spoke through the radio. "Guess they don't learn, huh?" [...Yeah, that'd work.] "Ronin Squadron engaging." Seems she's come up with a name for their impromptu air team.

Once sufficiently in the air, Kovak beelined for the ship, maxing out her thrust as she gained a lock, releasing missiles as soon as she could, hoping to soar over top of the craft before its bigger guns could lock on and slap her silly.

 

[Breadman]

"Shit, these things got upgraded." Petar ducked for cover as soon as the robots lid up. "Shun, work your magic on them. Shuren, you do your voodoo." He peaked out of cover to take aim "Take them down quick."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

And so Shuren did just that, sending some hot, charged electric voodoo right towards the missile pod on one of the drones, hoping he can disable it before the drone has a chance to use it.

 

[Dmaster]

Shun floated into the computer room with his interface still active, certain that he would have to open up more security measures once in the core. However, once the stomping of robotic feet was heard he quickly fizzled out the various panels floating around him, quickly changing gears as he floated into cover. "Certainly." the cyborg Ayr replied to Petar, two polygonal spheres charging around his palms. Quickly he darted out of cover to launch both of them at the nearest drone, garbage data meant to overwhelm and fry their sensors was flung at them rapidly.

 

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Core) - MINIBOSS FIGHT - TURN 1
Yolandi = 6 + 1 (Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 2 - 1 DMG (Drav's Armorer, Reinforced & Relentless) to Minotaur Drone #1. Minotaur Drone #1 HP = 14. Suffers 1 DMG from recoil. Yolandi HP = 12.
Vance = 2 + 1 (3, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Misses Minotaur Drone #2.
Jackson throws out high explosive charges. Charges set.
Petar = 7 + 1 (8, Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to Minotaur Drone #1. Minotaur Drone #1 HP = 13.
Shuren = 3 + 1 (4, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Misses Minotaur Drone #2.
Shun attempts to stun a Minotaur Drone. D6 used. Chance Roll = 2. Chance failed.
Derrick = 10. CH Roll = 7. Does 3 - 1 (2, Reinforced & Relentless) to Minotaur Drone #1. Minotaur Drone #1 HP = 12.
Karina = 5 + 1 (6, Petar's Competitive Edge.) PR Roll = 3. Roll Failed. Does 1 DMG to Minotaur Drone #1. Minotaur Drone #1 HP = 11.
Daniel = 9 + 1 (10, Petar's Competitive Edge.) CH Roll = 9. Does 4 - 1 (3, Reinforced & Relentless) to Minotaur Drone #2. Minotaur Drone #2 HP = 12.
Loudmouth = 8 + 1 (9, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to Minotaur Drone #2. Minotaur Drone #2 HP = 11.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Core) - MINIBOSS FIGHT - TURN 1 (ENEMY)
Minotaur Drone #1 = 10, 7 - 1, 8 - 1, 5 - 1, 9 - 1 (6, 7, 4, 8. Targets in Cover, Reinforced & Relentless.) CH Roll = 8. Does 4 DMG to Derrick, 1 DMG to Yolandi, 1 DMG to Vance, 1 DMG to Petar. Misses Shuren. Derrick HP = 11, Yolandi HP = 11, Vance HP = 10, Petar HP = 10.
Minotaur Drone #2 = 9 - 1, 8 - 1, 7 - 1, 8 - 1 (8, 7, 6, 7. Targets in Cover, Reinforced & Relentless.) Does 1 DMG to Shun, 1 DMG to Daniel, 1 DMG to Karina, 1 DMG to Loudmouth. Shun HP = 11, Daniel HP = 11, Karina HP = 12, Loudmouth HP = 9.

---

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - MINIBOSS FIGHT - TURN 1
Aesha (Hotshot) = 10. CH Roll = 5. Does 7 DMG (Ace of Spades, Hotshot) to Tisiphone Fighter. Tisiphone Fighter HP = 8.
Olivia = 3 + 1 (4, Targeting Computer.) Missed Tisiphone Fighter.
Drav = 3. Missed Tisiphone Fighter.
Vixaya = 9. Does 3 DMG (Rabid Savage) to Tisiphone Fighter. Tisiphone Fighter HP = 5.
Zou = 5 + 1 (6, Aimbot 2.0.) Does 2 DMG to Tisiphone Fighter. Tisiphone Fighter HP = 3.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - MINIBOSS FIGHT - TURN 1 (ENEMY)
Tisiphone Fighter = 10. CH Roll = 10. Does 4 DMG to Olivia. Olivia HP = 11.

------
​

Hammer team quickly got into position, some taking cover and firing on the two large minotaur drones while others took shots from the open. Yolandi and Vance attempted to flank the two drones, moving quickly and taking up positions before firing on the drones. The intent was to distract them so that the group could focus on one at a time. It turned out that the large drones were made to deal with multiple targets. Yolandi hit the first drone a few times with her LMG, the rounds hitting the drone quite hard but not hard enough. Its armor appeared to be reinforced. It turned one of its arms and fired back upon Yolandi, hitting her with laser fire as she slipped back into cover. Vance attempted to fire on the second drone, but missed as the drone continued past. Leaving him open to laser fire from the first drone.

Jackson flung out some explosive charges in spokes near the drones, and prepared the detonator as the drones marched towards them. The explosives were powerful enough to blow a hole through the floor, and potentially out the bottom of the station, but the trick was to get the drones onto the explosives. Which they seemed to recognize and avoid. The drones ignored him, however, focusing on the others that were actively firing on them. Petar managed to get a shot off from his shotgun, hitting the first drone with a pair of slugs in the head, before getting peppered with laser fire. Shuren fired on the second drone with his lightning rifle, but the shot barely missed the large drone. He'd have to hit it from behind to take out its missile launcher. The first drone attempted to fire on Shuren for the attack, but missed its target as Shuren slipped into cover.

Shun's attempt to fry the sensors of the drones failed, as it appeared that they had minor shielding. He'd have to crank up his efforts, once he was out of the drone's line of fire. The second drone hit him several times with laser fire, forcing him back into cover as they moved about. Derrick managed to get a good hit in on the first drone, hitting it in the head several times with his kinetic machine pistol. In retaliation, he caught laser fire from both of the drone's arms.

Karina focused her laser rifle fire on the first drone, while Daniel went for the second. Both scored hits, though Daniel seemed to hit something more vital on the second drone as it paused for a moment. The drone then took aim at both of them and tagged them with laser fire as they retreated back into cover. Loudmouth even managed to get a hit in on the second drone before being hit himself.

---
​

Outside, the fighters promptly engaged the new hostile fighter. Aesha managed to score a brutal hit, partially destroying one of the craft's wings with a missile detonation as she zipped by. Olivia, despite her targeting computer's quick work, failed to score a hit as it was thrown off by the storm around them. The fighter would counter attack, moving about and hitting Olivia's craft with laser fire. The hits badly damaged the rear of her fighter, but everything still seemed to work as she moved about to get out of its line of sight. As they flew in closer to the Mordred, Vixaya managed to clip the fighter with powerful laser fire from the Mordred's main guns. Drav's shots, however, missed as the fighter was a bit too fast for her. When the fighter passed by Zou, Zou scored a few more hits of his own, further crippling the enemy fighter.

 

[The_Rifleman]

"You guys need to herd them towards the explosives! I got the detonator ready!" Jackson yelled as he ran for the nearest boxes for cover. His finger was itching over the trigger. Big boom time big boom time come on.

 

[SniperComZero]

An explosion rocked the rear of Olivia's craft as red warning lights flared up in the cabin. "Danger. Left primary thruster at, forty-five percent, operational efficiency. Structural integrity compromised." The monotone voice blared. Jet-black smoke marred the clean red line of propellant and fire that had trailed behind the fighter at this point. And boy, was she pissed. Olivia grit her teeth, breaking hard for a 180° turn to face the enemy fighter. On the approach, she peppered it with plasma fire, "Eat..." just to make sure something hits, before launching another missile. "...shit!"

 

[Frankafurter]

Yolandi gets peppered with heavy laser fire, smoking holes opening up in her armor and space suit. She feels the pain of scorched synthflesh and sits behind cover from the drones, examining her LMG to see if there was some setting to overcharge the accelerator coils even for a little bit. No sign of one, maybe she'll talk to Drav after this mission if Yolandi survives it first. She darts between cover, each gap she passes in the cover to cover move, she fires at the first warbot. She shouts at Jackson, "Try hitting the bastards in the back with your big fucking gun, I don't think they're going to get baited into your bombs that easily! They're probably programmed to avoid minefields and explosive hazards!" She keeps running between computer banks until she's hopefully behind the bots where the armor might be thinner and easier to penetrate. If not, then hopefully she drew their attention so that the others can unload into the rear plates of the bots.

---

Zou doesn't spend any time crowing about his hits on the fighter, he's more focused on trying to hit those damn weapon pods to help take some of the punch away from the enemy fighter. He's using longer bursts and making microcorrections to this aim based on the tracers that spit out intermittently every few shots. He figures he can't pull off a sniper shot, but he can walk his fire a little to try and just put enough shots on target that he's bound to hit the things he wants to hit.

 

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Core) - MINIBOSS FIGHT - TURN 2
Yolandi = 9 + 1 (10, Petar's Competitive Edge.) CH Roll = 8. Does 5 - 1 DMG (4, Drav's Armorer, Reinforced & Relentless) to Minotaur Drone #1. Minotaur Drone #1 HP = 7. Suffers 1 DMG from recoil. Yolandi HP = 10.
Vance = 6 + 1 (7, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 2 - 1 DMG (1, The Gift, Reinforced & Relentless) to Minotaur Drone #2. Minotaur Drone #2 HP = 10.
Petar = 10. CH Roll = 7. Does 3 + 1 - 1 DMG (3. Sadistic, Reinforced & Relentless.) to Minotaur Drone #1. Minotaur Drone #1 HP = 4.
Derrick = 5 + 1 (6, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to Minotaur Drone #2. Minotaur Drone #2 HP = 9.
Daniel = 7 + 1 (8, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 2 - 1 DMG (1, Combat Focus, Reinforced & Relentless) to Minotaur Drone #2. Minotaur Drone #2 HP = 8.
Shun = 6 + 1 (7, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to Minotaur Drone #1. Minotaur Drone #1 HP = 3.
Shuren = 9 + 1 (10, Petar's Competitive Edge.) CH Roll = 9. Does 7 - 1 (6, Drav's Armorer, Reroute to Remain, Zaptastic!, Reinforced & Relentless.) to Minotaur Drone #1. Chance of Chain Lightning, D6 used. Chance Roll = 4. Roll Successful. Does 7 - 1 (6, Drav's Armorer, Reroute to Remain, Zaptastic!, Reinforced & Relentless.) DMG to Minotaur Drone #2. Minotaur Drone #1 destroyed, Minotaur #2 HP = 2.
Karina = 5 + 1 (6, Petar's Competitive Edge.) PR Roll = 1. Primal Rage Roll Failed. Does 1 DMG to Minotaur Drone #2. Minotaur Drone #2 HP = 1.
Loudmouth = 5 + 1 (6, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to Minotaur Drone #2. Minotaur Drone #2 destroyed.

---

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - MINIBOSS FIGHT - TURN 2
Aesha (Hotshot) = 2. Missed Tisiphone Fighter.
Olivia = 5 + 1 (6, Targeting Computer.) Does 3 DMG (Scalpel and Hammer) to Tisiphone Fighter. Tisiphone Fighter destroyed.

------
​

As the group moved to dodge the Minotaur drones' laser fire, some managed to achieve better vantage points to fire upon the towering machines. Yolandi, squat-running and firing at the first drone, managed to get around behind it far enough to hit the softer metal on the back of the drone. A few well placed shots later, the drone's missile launcher was taken out of commission. The explosion from the missile inside the weapon severely damaged the back of the drone, forcing it to stumble forwards in recoil. Meanwhile, Vance managed to get around behind the second drone to fire a handful of shots off from his plasma pistol. However, his shots didn't have the same impact as Yolandi's.

Petar moved up, getting close enough to inflict some real damage to the first drone by planting two slugs into the knee joint of the drone as it was reeling from the explosion on its back. It stumbled, as Shun also hit it with a psionic bolt. Derrick and Daniel focused their fire on the second drone, as Shuren moved around to hit the first drone from behind. One lightning shot later, the first drone exploded violently and collapsed, falling over right on top of Jackson's explosives. The second drone was also hit by the chain lightning, frying its circuits and scrambling its sensors. Karina and Loudmouth finished it off, as they fired several shots at the minotaur drone's head. Soon enough, it collapsed as well.

"FINALLY!" shouted Loudmouth, as he tucked his pistol back into his body. Karina looked around, making sure the room was secure, before looking back to Petar. "We should detonate the explosives, and retu--" she managed to get out, before there was a click nearby. Jackson had already hit the detonator. There was a thunderous boom, as the explosives detonated in the center of the room. The shockwave of the blast stunned several of them, even knocking a few off their feet. The drone laying atop the explosives was vaporized immediately, and a massive hole was blown straight down through the bottom of the station. Apparently the explosion rocked the structure of the station, because soon several systems around them began to shut down.

As Hammer team climbed back to their feet, they began to feel a sense of weightlessness. The station was falling. Quickly. It was time to get the hell out of there.

---
​

Outside, the fighters quickly dispatched the enemy heavy fighter, Olivia moving in and spraying plasma all over the cockpit of the enemy fighter as Aesha's missile missed its mark. The fighter promptly exploded, debris being scattered to the wind as the storm grew worse and worse. Then, they heard Loudmouth's voice crackle over the comms. "THE STATION IS FALLING, GET US THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" he shouted. Zadra's eyes went wide. "Oh shit! ROKU!" she said aloud. Roku shouted back. "I'M ON IT, I'M ON IT!!" he spat, as the Mordred snapped about. They zipped back over to the station, as Aesha and Olivia followed quickly behind.

The Mordred had to match the speed of the station, as it quickly fell from the sky. Either the Minotaur Drones had been tied to the station staying afloat, or Jackson's bombs had taken out something important inside the station. Whatever had happened could be debated later. The ship moved in, opening its cargo bay quickly as Hammer team emerged from the structure. Once the ship lowered far enough to the deck of the station, the team quickly moved inward. The last to board was Karina, simply hopping up and climbing in as the Mordred stopped its descent alongside the the station. Zou soon walked around and joined them, his mission outside the Mordred done for now. The group watched as the station continued to fall, becoming a grayish-black speck beneath them in a short amount of time.

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

END OF INTERMISSION

-----------------------------------------------------​

 

[Breadman]

Jackson's blast knocked Petar off balance and forced him down on one knee. He was about to curse him out when he heard the cracking and felt the entire building begin to fall apart right under his feet. The sudden realization of what was happening made him forget what he had lined up for Jackson. Replaced with a single 'Oh fuck.'

He stood up, looking around quickly to see how many were already up. He pulled Lance up by the hand to give him some help and grabbed Jackson by his collar to get him on his feet all the while shouting to anyone who could hear him to move. He turned to Jackson for a second "WE ARE LEAVING!" Whether he was acting out of habit or he though that the man was too dumb to realize what was happening was currently up in the air.

If there were any doubts or fears that he was still rusty for this, they quickly evaporated when Petar managed to outrun most of the team. The old art of the tactical retreat, more commonly known as 'run like hell' was essential for anyone in this profession. To his current joy, he found out he was still good at it. Though he wasn't sure how the hell Loudmouth managed to outpace him.

Once on board the Mordred safely away from the collapsing station, he could rest easy. "Good job, Roku. Keep it up and that collar will be off your neck in no time.". He took off his helmet to breathe easier. A quick headcount to make sure everyone was there. Despite everything, Hammer team's first time out was a success. There were a lot of things yet to work out, but he had a good feeling. Now it was Scalpel's turn to come back.

 

[Dmaster]

Shun peppered the drone with blasts of energy since the team was so intent on bringing it down, floating and moving through cover with great fluidity. In time the massive mechanical beasts fell, and he spread his hands and fingers in what appeared to be a stretch of some kind. Yet with the Ayr mostly being cybernetic it was mainly to check any damage to his components and actuators. Fortunately despite his injuries all vital systems were operable, nothing a rest and some diagnostics would not fix.

As he floated about the room he took stock of the situation, examining the thoughts of his colleagues passively as their mission seemed nearly complete. Before Karina even spoke Shun began to float away from the center of the room, Jackson's thoughts of manic demolitions were perhaps even louder than the explosion he spawned. Outstretching his hands he tightened the reflective properties of his shielding as the compressed air and debris struck the team. Then, the whole station began to come down, forcing him to focus harder to stay afloat now that they were all falling.

Quickly he flew with the rest of the group, disembarking from the cargo bay and getting back on board the ship. Once safe, he slowly floated down to the ground and began to use his legs again, looking among his peers. "Smoother than expected..." Shun said as he rolled the fingers of one hand again. As Petar spoke kindly of Roku he said nothing, simply continuing to examine himself and his systems.

 

[joshuadim]

Vance's shots connected, but they didn't seem to do much in the grand scheme of things as the others shredded the drones to pieces. Before they could relax however, Jackson's gun-ho nature got the best of everyone and his explosives went off. A familiar feeling of weightlessness took over as Vance found himself in freefall with the station, and promptly joined the others as they made their hasty exit from the doomed platform. He helped a few others get on board first before getting on the Mordred himself, making sure that nobody was left behind.

Once everyone was safe and with their feet planted on the ground, Vance let out an audible sigh of relief. "Wow! Now that was quite a doozy." he said with a neutral tone.

 

[Infab]

Zadra and Roku both let out a sigh of relief, as they confirmed that everyone was on board the Mordred as the station continued to fall below. "Nice work, Roku." said Zadra, moving over and giving him a pat on the shoulder. He twitched, but nodded. "Rather not have my head blown the fuck off because I let them fall to their deaths." he responded, reaching over and flipping a few switches on the console in front of him. "Keep it up, and you'll have the collar off you in no time." she stated, before turning to face Vixaya at the gunner controls.

The little kanad said something when she got back to the bridge, apparently requesting orders after things were done. Zadra would oblige."Good work, Vix. You can head back to your quarters if you want for now. We might need you later, however, so just stay on your toes." she said, stepping over next to the young kanad. She then spoke into her headset once again. "Great work, Hammer team. Patch yourselves up, grab some ammo, and just be ready in case Scalpel needs us. Ronin Squadron, you guys can come back in and patch up your fighters."

Aesha chuckled over comms. "Ronin Squadron?...I like it. Might change my callsign to Akuma." she said, poking at Olivia.