| The Hard Choices |
| Summary: | A bomb takes out Raptor 305. The fleet responds. |
| Date: | 23 May 2041 AE |
| Related Logs: | Plenty |
| Players: |
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| Space! |
|---|
| (The final frontier.) |
| Post-Holocaust Day: #86 |
[Harrier-307: Tillman] After the last two surprise attacks, Tillman has ordered DRADIS pickets to be stationed at the edge of detection range to help identify incoming enemy attacks. However its been quiet for the last thirty five hours and fifty-five minutes. The fleet has stepped back to condition three but the CAP is still out in full force with an additional three Vipers tagged to the other side of the battlegroup. So far, its been quiet with the pickets reporting in at regular intervals.
[TAC3] (from "XO" Tillman) Emerson sings out over the channel from her position in a picket Raptor. "Eighteen-fifteen check in, Raptor three zero five. All clear."
[Petrel-648: Cidra] Cidra is once again ensconced in a Viper, with the expanded CAP and still short several pilots from the Leonis adventure. And again flying wing to Bell. She has no illusions about her place as section-follow in the little ships.
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Ethan is sitting on the drivers' seat of his Raptor, slightly bored but still paying attention given the last events. He takes a deep breath and exhales quietly. The only thing that breaks the silence in the Raptor, is Skeeter's voice. "So…Fresh" says the woman with her usual tone of voice. She is sporting a /wiiiide/ smile when the man turns around to look at her. "Hitting on the CAG huh?" says the lady, looking at him with a smirk. "I wasn't hitting on the CAG" says Ethan with a defensive tone of voice. The Radio COM can be heard and he says to Skeeter "Anything on the DRADIS?"
[Petrel-647: Bell] Cidra on his wing - at least, until Bell's craft takes too much damage to fly straight. Petrel six four seven has been repaired by the ever-vigilant Deck Crew, and again Jeremiah is at the controls.
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] BlackKnight-855 is currently being piloted by a young JiG, a young Tauron who has earned the callsign 'Kaboom' due to his love of breaking the soundbarrier when he was a rook. He doesn't call in himself, just yet, letting the Raptors sing out first while he keeps an eye out on his own DRADIS, his expression blank.
[TAC3] "Doc" Bell says, "Eighteen fifteen, aye. Petrel lead, all clear."
[BlackKnight-309: Malone] Present in BlackKnight-309, Malone seems to have recovered his rattled brain enough to be out here again. Staying quiet as he doesn't have anything to add, he glances from DRADIS to space and back while he keeps flying.
<FS3> <FS3> Malone rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Ethan rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Alessandra rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Bell rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Cidra rolls Alertness: Success.
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Nothing so far, says Skeeter to Ethan. The young pilot nods softly and then narrows his eyes as he spots something. "What the hell?" He immediately says something in the com channel.
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] Kaboom Frowns as he sees something during a quick glance out of his canopy, a flash that has his attention firmly held now. "Frak me…" he comments to himself while maneuvering his Viper in that direction carefully. This is of course nervous-making for him and for a second his fighter veers slightly off course as his hand shakes.
[TAC3] "Fresh" Ethan says, "Flight, Fresh here. I just saw a brief flash. Raptor 305, it's moving towards you, anything on visual?"
[TAC3] "Lucky" Alessandra says, "Flight, Kaboom. I saw a quick flash out by 305's position. Advise as what to do."
[Petrel-648: Cidra] Cidra's eyes flit to her little DRADIS, then back out to the starfield in an attempt to get a proper visual on…whatever it is they're chattering about. "Gods send me a proper DRADIS board and an ECO to read it…" she mutters.
[Harrier-307: Tillman] The transponder on Raptor-305 suddenly winks out on everyone's DRADIS. It lists only as an unknown contact.
[TAC3] "Doc" Bell says, "Cerberus, Doc. I've lost contact with Raptor three zero five. Confirm?"
[TAC3] "XO" Tillman says, "Confirm, Doc. We're showing as a bogey at this time."
[TAC3] (from "Lucky" Alessandra) There's a gasp of surprise from Kaboom when he sees the change in the readout; shocked as he is, he reaches out and taps his DRADIS' screen as if it might be a glitch and that'll clear it up. "Flight, Kaboom. Did you guys see that? Frakking transponder for 305 is reading as a frakking unknown contact." There's a slight twinge of shock in his voice and for a moment he forgets communications protocol. "Frak me, guys. What's going on, huh?"
[BlackKnight-309: Malone] Blinking a bit as he hears the reports, Malone frowns a little bit, and when Raptor-305 winks out, he blinks more. Frowning a bit as he looks around outside, then back to the DRADIS then back outside.
[TAC3] (from "XO" Tillman) Emerson comes over the tactical frequency, barely giving Tillman time to finish. Its static-y and broken. She sounds a little frantic. "Cerberus, three-of-five! Bom-<Bzzzrt>..nt off! Engines a..<ffxxxgh>..offline! <Jjrzzzt>..s injured! Casca-<Ddrrgzt>-ng failures! Need SAR!"
[TAC3] (from "Fresh" Ethan) "Flight, Skeeter here. I got the same thing on my DRADIS.
[TAC3] (from "Splash" Malone) Malone's voice can be heard as well, "Flight, Splash. Got the same thi…" Trailing off at Emerson's words.
[TAC3] "Fresh" Ethan says, "Cerberus, Fresh here, requesting permission to approach Raptor 305 coordinates. Viper assistance would be good."
[TAC3] "Toast" Cidra says, "Flight, Toast. Reading the same over here. Fresh, are you able to get a transponder read for SAR? We shall cover. Let us move."
[TAC3] "XO" Tillman says, "Copy. All flights proceed to three-zero-five's location, speed buster."
[TAC3] "Fresh" Ethan says, "Fligt, Fresh. Wilco."
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Ethan looks over his shoulder at Skeeter "Let's move out" and with that say, he turns around and turns the Raptor on that direction. The bird moves to meet up with Raptor-305, or at least to where it's supposed to be. "Keep an eye on the DRADIS, Skeeter"
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] 855's brought into an approach, the Viper's engines gunned some, now. The pilot's nerves must have subsided now as he's able to fly a lot straighter, making him look a lot less like a rookie. "Frak…" Kaboom grumbles to himself, that said off the comms.
[Petrel-648: Cidra] As she speaks, so she does. Cidra's Viper flits to flank Ethan moves his craft off, leading the Vipers on approach after his Raptor. Movements in the ship competent but still lacking the ease - or smooth confidence - she shows when flying a Raptor.
[BlackKnight-309: Malone] Turning around in the same direction as Kaboom, Malone moves his Viper in fast, to join the others moving in towards 305's direction.
[Harrier-307: Tillman] Allllmost there. The flight makes its way out towards the location of 305 and is approaching DRADIS limits from the battlegroup. The radios are still quiet, Emerson assumedly a little distracted with her Raptor falling apart around her. Then it happens. Nobody could possibly miss it. Space flashes next to the Raptor and when the light fades a Cylon basestar is there in a position right overhead 305. Then another flash. Then a third sickening flash. Three basestars hover around the suddenly surrounded and stricken Raptor. Raiders are launching off the ships before the flash even fades.
[TAC3] (from "XO" Tillman) Emerson shrieks on the radio: "OH MY GODS! GET ME OUT OF HE<Reeggzzt> CERB, 305! BASESTARS!"
[TAC3] "Toast" Cidra says, "Cerberus, Toast. Confirmed. Visual on three - repeat three - Cylon basestars. They are disgorging Raiders."
[TAC3] "XO" Tillman says, "Copy, Toast! We're coming about and moving to Condition One!" Therea a muffled sound as he start barking into another phone about gun batteries. Then he's back, his voice firm. "Engage! We're flushing everything we have. Spooling FTL."
[Petrel-647: Bell] Bell's fighter tears off towards the enemy presence, afterburners converting tyllium into thrust at a horrific ally inefficient rate. "Here's hoping things go better this time around," he muses to himself inside his helmet.
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Fresh opens his eyes wide as three basestars appear right in front of him. His attention refocuses on the damaged Raptor and then on the Cylon raiders coming out of those nasty looking basestars. He keeps his eye on the front but says "Skeeter, get ready for ECM, we have a massive amount of Toasters in front of us" To this, the only answer that comes it "You think?!". Skeeter gets ready for what it's going to be a jumpy ride.
[Petrel-648: Cidra] Cidra does not tear, precisely, but she manages to at least keep up with Bell as the Vipers fire off after the Raptor. Toward their poor comrade in need of search-and-rescue. And all those basestars.
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] 855 is kept in formation as the others fly towards the Cylon ships, Kaboom's Viper just behind the others and slightly to the right.
[Harrier-307: Tillman] The first wave of Raiders don't go far. About thirty of them take up a position around Raptor-305 and form a wolid wall of Cylon defenses. The rest of the Raiders pile out of their launch points and accellerate rapidly towards the incoming fighters. Meanwhile, far behind them, BSG-132 is slowly turning to engage. The Cerberus is acoming around on a direct course for the basestars with the Frig escorts already moving to flank the huge carrier.
<FS3> <FS3> Ethan rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Cidra rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Alessandra rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Malone rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Bell rolls Alertness: Success.
[TAC3] (from "XO" Tillman) Emerson is only getting worse. "Can't ejec..<trrgzzt> Canopy won't fire! They're all ov-<Rrszz>..e! Toast!! HELP!"
[BlackKnight-309: Malone] Staying with the others, Malone grimaces as he eyes the basestars. Frowning a bit as he seems to notice something. "Frak…" Then moving to send a message to the others.
[TAC3] "Toast" Cidra says, "Get them out fast, Fresh. This is turning very hot. Doc, Toast. You have flight lead. I shall try and bring you better luck this time."
[TAC3] "Splash" Malone says, "Flight, Splash. Looks like there's a heavy raider or something similar launched, heading for 305. Whatever we do, we do it fast."
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Fresh just looks at the Raiders covering the other Raptor, he also hears Emerson's plead for help. "God damnit!" Then Toasts voice on the com. He takes deep breath and nods firmly "Let's get them out, now…" Skeeter nods to this and remains silent. The Raptor speeds towards 305, fast. He takes the com and speaks.
[TAC3] "Fresh" Ethan says, "Flight, Fresh. On it."
[TAC3] "Doc" Bell says, "Copy, Toast. Flight, focus fire on that Heavy. Do not allow our pilots to be captured."
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] There's no doubt that the Cylon have making things difficult for them and it has ice settling in Kaboom's heart, the sheer numbers overwhelming. He pepares to engage as everyone else does, intent on making a hole in that wall of Raiders so the rescue can be made.
[Harrier-307: Tillman] The wall of Raiders doesn't move. They don't have to. The other disgorged Raiders slice down across the stars, guns blazing as they head for the small gaggle of Vipers. Around the flight, hundreds of Raiders have appeared and seem to have only one mission: Kill the Vipers. They dance across the sky, jockeying one another for a position to approach. Stars begin to disappear behind the sheer mass of them. Its going to turn into a claustrophobic knife fight VERY fast.
[Petrel-648: Cidra] "My gods…" Cidra breathes, off mic, as the Raiders pour out of the basestars and onto the Colonials. Something is murmured beneath her breath again, but she doesn't pause too long in praying. A shudder as the DRADIS continues to be lit up like a downtown red-light district by Cylon contacts.
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] Kaboom picks a target and begins to get into position, the Viper's nose alined with the nearest optimal target he can find. There is a quick prayer mouthed even as he takes that first shot, the pilot eerily calm.
[TAC3] "Toast" Cidra says, "Doc, Toast. You have got a pair of Raiders moving in on you."
[BlackKnight-309: Malone] Moving in for one of the targets, Malone frowns a bit. Closest target he could find, time to make that one turn… nonexistant, now…
[Petrel-647: Bell] Bell cuts his throttle somewhat as he approaches weapons range, lining up on the nearest Raider and letting off a few bursts. "This will be one for the ages," he murmurs, before clicking on the comms.
[TAC3] "Doc" Bell says, "Copy, Toast. Flight, Doc. We have one chance at this before things get too chaotic. Good hunting."
<COMBAT> Raider1 attacks Ethan with KEW - Light wound to Body.
<COMBAT> Ethan passes.
<COMBAT> Cidra attacks Raider4 with KEW - Moderate wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Alessandra attacks Raider2 with KEW - Serious wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Viper3 attacks Raider2 with KEW - Serious wound to Body.
<COMBAT> Viper2 attacks Raider5 with KEW - Moderate wound to Body.
<COMBAT> Viper1 attacks Raider2 with KEW - Critical wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider1 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider2 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider3 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider7 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Raider7 attacks Ethan with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider6 attacks Viper3 with KEW - Serious wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Raider5 attacks Bell with KEW - Light wound to Weapon.
<COMBAT> Raider4 attacks Bell with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider3 attacks Cidra with KEW - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Malone attacks Raider7 with KEW - Moderate wound to Body.
<COMBAT> Bell attacks Raider4 with KEW - Serious wound to Body.
<COMBAT> Raider2 attacks Viper3 with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Tillman has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Raider-3685t has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Raider2 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Raider-2000c has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Raider7 has been KO'd!
[Harrier-307: Tillman] The Cylons cut into the formation of Vipers, losing two of their own in the process. The Vipers barely manage told hold their own but the Cylons just keep coming. The main body is only seconds away. Meanwhile, far to the rear, the Cerberus' main guns open up for long-range shots. Not the dorsal guns, either. The huge cannons on the front. Shells blast across the sky, aimed at the basestars, but miss. One shell cuts through the swatch of Raiders and explodes, taking out five or six of them - barely less than three percent of the overall.
[Petrel-647: Bell] As they pass each other in the murky blackness, Bell's fire rakes across the targeted Raider, while he evades its return volley. The Mark II Viper shakes as its cannons are struck, but Bell slides in behind his target and squeezes off another few bursts.
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Ethan breathes heavily as he moves the Raptor towards destination "Frak!" comes out when he is hit, nothing major but still hit. "Hold on tight Skeeter, well get through this." He sounds agitated but focused enough to violently shake the Raptor in order to avoid another attack. "Come on, almost there, almost there…come on…."
[TAC3] "XO" Tillman says, "Fire support inbound, Toast. Be ready for it."
[Petrel-648: Cidra] Cidra's Viper fires off a volley, bursts landing along with Bell's on the Raider's hull. Her plane's grazed by enemy fire but not dinged to speak of. The Mark II is a tougher creature than one might imagine.
[BlackKnight-309: Malone] Heading straight for his target, Malone manages to tet that one out of the sky. Frowning as one of the newer arrivals come for him, he heads forward a bit more cautiously, going for that particular Raider. "You against me now, my friend…"
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] There is one Raider exploding but of course there are more to take its place, this easily noticed by Kabom who grunts, aggrovated. "Frakkers," he snarls while picking another target, hopefully one that is targeted by more than just himself.
<COMBAT> Raider5 attacks Viper2 with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider3 attacks Viper3 with KEW - Serious wound to Controls (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Ethan passes.
<COMBAT> Viper3 attacks Raider3 with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Viper2 attacks Raider5 with KEW - Light wound to Right Wing.
<COMBAT> Viper1 attacks Raider1 with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider1 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider4 with ECM. <unsuccessful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider6 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider9 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider3 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Raider9 attacks Malone with KEW - Moderate wound to Body.
<COMBAT> Raider8 attacks Viper1 with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider6 attacks Cidra with KEW - Serious wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Raider4 attacks Alessandra with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider1 attacks Bell with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Cidra attacks Raider4 with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Bell attacks Raider4 with KEW - Serious wound to Controls.
<COMBAT> Alessandra attacks Raider3 with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Malone attacks Raider9 with KEW - Moderate wound to Right Wing.
<COMBAT> Tillman has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Raider-8895d has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Raider4 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Viper-4725x has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Viper3 has been KO'd!
[Petrel-647: Bell] Bell slides out from behind his target just as his shots split the Raider in two, thankfully avoiding too much goo on his cockpit window. He cranes his neck to discern just where the fire on Cidra's craft is coming from, and angles his Viper that way.
[TAC3] "Doc" Bell says, "Toast, Doc. Status report?"
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Ethan keeps a complete focus on his target, the damaged Raptor. "Fresh, we are being targeted again!" exclaims Skeeter. "We are being covered by the Vipers, we are getting closer now, just a bit longer and we are there, we gotta take get them out, we have to!" Not only he wants to get them out, the CAG also ordered that…so, well.
[TAC3] "Toast" Cidra's comms crackle ominously, but they're at least still functional. "..oc, Toast. …hit to cockpit. …Deck shall not be pleased…controls still functional…cuting evasive maneuevers."
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] Listening, this situation just gets a whole lot worse which puts Kaboom's instinct as a pilot on overdrive. He's by no means pleased when he hears Cidra's announcement and he is quick to call out.
[TAC3] "Lucky" Alessandra says, "Toast, Kaboom. Do you need an escort back?"
[Petrel-648: Cidra] Cidra's craft takes one directly on the chin. Or cockpit, as the case may be. Ouch. She spins about in a hard evasive pattern, working the Viper's speed for all its worth. Or what of it remains after that hit.
[TAC3] (from "XO" Tillman) Emerson's voice cracks as she talks, the woman obvious terrified. "Heavy raid<errrzzgt> ..s nose to nose with me." Her breathing is heavy and clouding the transmission even more. "Oh Gods. Athena, please help me. Grant me streng-<thrrbzzt>. Help the pilots. …Oh GODS. Th-<errbbggzzt> ..oming about!"
[TAC3] "Toast" Cidra says, "Kaboom…oast. …shall manage. …none can linger here much longer, however."
<COMBAT> Raider6 attacks Alessandra with KEW - Moderate wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider3 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider9 with ECM. <unsuccessful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider5 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider6 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider8 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Raider1 attacks Viper2 with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Malone attacks Raider9 with KEW - Light wound to Left Wing.
<COMBAT> Cidra tries to attack but has no target!
<COMBAT> Viper2 attacks Raider11 with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Viper1 attacks Raider3 with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider9 attacks Ethan with KEW - Moderate wound to Engine.
<COMBAT> Raider8 attacks Alessandra with KEW but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider5 attacks Cidra with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider3 attacks Ethan with KEW - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Raider11 attacks Viper1 with KEW - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Raider10 attacks Viper2 with KEW - Moderate wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Ethan passes.
<COMBAT> Bell attacks Raider5 with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Alessandra attacks Raider3 with KEW - Moderate wound to Left Wing.
<COMBAT> Tillman has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Raider-4590y has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Raider3 has been KO'd!
[Harrier-307: Tillman] The main body of Raiders sweeps in, slashing across the Vipers with guns blazing. The already hard-maneuvering Colonials manage to dodge most of the fire but the second wave doesn't appear to have any such notions of 'slash and dash'. They slow on the approach and turn into the engagement to mix it up immediately.
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] Another one down and there's a soft 'yessss' hissed out, the pilot of 855 taking a brief second to celbrate. He's hit as well but it's shrugged off once he realizes that the damge's light enough to not necessitate his having to leave the game, his eyes sweeping the scene outside of his Viper, once more finding a target.
[Harrier-651: Ethan] "Athena, be my guide…" says Ethan with an strangely calm voice. He takes another deep breath and shouts "Incoming!" BOOM! It hits the engines, shaking the entire Raptor. Ethan tries to keep control over the sheep, maintaining it in the right path as he speeds towards the other Raptor. "Skeeter! Hit those frakking toasters!"
[Petrel-647: Bell] Bell's shots go wide, and he closes with the Raider pursuing his wingman for another pass. This time he holds down on the firing stud, hoping to lead his shots onto the enemy craft.
[BlackKnight-309: Malone] Only getting a light hit on the Raider, Malone ducs back a little bit in his cockpit as the Raider turns for him again, grimacing a little bit now. But he still gets ready to fire off a few shots at the enemy.
[TAC3] "Doc" Bell says, "Flight, Doc. All craft, RTB. Repeat, RTB. Undamaged craft, form on me for a rear guard."
<COMBAT> Raider6 attacks Alessandra with KEW - Light wound to Nose (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Raider12 attacks Bell with KEW - Serious wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Cidra attacks Raider11 with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Viper1 attacks Raider5 with KEW - Serious wound to Body.
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider10 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider11 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider6 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider8 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Skeeter suppresses Raider12 with ECM. <successful>
<COMBAT> Raider9 attacks Malone with KEW - Moderate wound to Tail (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Raider8 attacks Alessandra with KEW - Moderate wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Raider5 attacks Viper1 with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Raider13 attacks Viper2 with KEW - Moderate wound to Controls (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Raider11 attacks Bell with KEW - Moderate wound to Nose (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Raider10 attacks Ethan with KEW - Light wound to Body.
<COMBAT> Raider1 attacks Alessandra with KEW - Moderate wound to Tail (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Malone attacks Raider9 with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Ethan passes.
<COMBAT> Bell attacks Raider11 with KEW and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Alessandra attacks Raider1 with KEW - Moderate wound to Cockpit.
<COMBAT> Viper2 attacks Raider5 with KEW - Moderate wound to Right Wing.
<COMBAT> Tillman has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Viper-2364n has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Bell has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Raider-8900h has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Raider5 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Viper-7220s has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Viper2 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Bell spends a luck point to keep fighting!
[Petrel-648: Cidra] Cidra's ship jerks as she tries to bring the guns about, but they fire into empty space. Yes, the Deck will indeed not love her after she lands this thing back on ship. Well, hopefully it will make it back. She limps back into something resembling formation with Bell again, sputtering it to whatever 'full speed' remains in the thing.
[Harrier-307: Tillman] BSG-132 is finally approaching missile range. Which means that both sides let loose with a barrage at the same time. The whole of space is alight with the plumes from missile launch tubes and the subsequent smoke trails they crosscross back and forth across the stars. The Colonial battlegroup opens up with their own flak batteries as teh enemy missiles approach, the Cylons doing similar and even taking down a few of the Raiders in the process. But as the RTB order goes out and pilots begin to comply, the Raiders quit pursuit of the pilots who are fleeing and return to form an all-encompassing bubble around Raptor-305 while the Heavy Raider pulls along side.
[TAC3] "Lucky" Alessandra says, "There's the sound of weapons fire hitting the very Viper Kaboom is flying, causing a string of cursing to leave his mouth before he can curb it. Wincing, the swearing stops almost as quickly as it ends, his face a bit red under his helmet. "Roger. RTB."
[TAC3] "Splash" Malone says, "Splash returning. I'll help bring up the rear."
[TAC3] (from "XO" Tillman) Emerson sniffles once as she cues the mic. Her voice is quiet and shakey as if she were the only person left alive. "Plea-<zzzzt>. Please don't leave me. Sir..you promis<ddrrzzt> ..o one left behind." She's quiet for a moment, the tears audible over the radio. Then, "DON'T FRAKKING LEAVE ME!!"
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Ethan listens the communication from Doc, he remains in silence for a moment, still looking at the Raptor ahead of them. "Skeeter…" starts the man "We are going to RTB" With that said, he presses his lips together as he looks at the other Raptor, he takes a deep, heavy breath and moves the trajectory of his Raptor, aiming for Cerberus this time. "DAMN IT!" shouts the Ensign, hitting on the side of his seat. Focus, focus.
[Petrel-647: Bell] Petrel Six Four Seven's running lights wink out for a moment as the Raider's gunfire slices through the avionics package. End over end it tumbles through space, until finally Jeremiah completes his emergency reboot and ekes some last measure of power out of the ship.
[TAC3] "Doc" Bell slips into his stern, reprobative tone as he responds. "You've a sidearm, Mister Emerson. Use it."
[TAC3] (from "Fresh" Ethan) "Flight, Fresh…" there is a moment of silence from the pilot. "…RTB"
[TAC3] (from "Toast" Cidra) ..Toast, copy. Returning…base
[TAC3] (From "XO" Tillman) The woman, told to use her sidearm, finally responds. "Aye, sir. They're tryin' to boar<ggzzt>" There's a pause of a few seconds. "SHIT!" A series of rapid-fire gunshots can be heard on the comms, through the static, before the entire transmission cuts out for good.
[Petrel-648: Cidra] Cidra winces at the chatter over the comm, but she turns her ship around and heads home with no real hesitation. Or, at least, none that shows in her piloting. This wasn't the first poor soul they've left to be blown out to the stars. It likely won't be the last. She chokes at the sound of gunfire over the comms and murmurs, off-mic, "Gods forgive us all…"
[BlackKnight-309: Malone] Malone's face is expressionless as he keeps on working on getting the Viper back home. Shaking his head a little bit as he glances around. Keeping silent for now, it would seem.
[TAC3] "XO" Tillman says, "Flight, Cerberus." The XO doesn't sound like his normal self. Especially considering there's a naval engagement on. "Cleared for combat landings. Jump in sixty seconds."
[Harrier-651: Ethan] There is only silence in Ethan's Raptor, no words are being said and barely audible, are the sounds of Skeeter, crying. Ethan's eyes are focused on the Battlestar, he can't even speak a word right now. The shots are heard and the grip on the controls become stronger. Alarms fire across the Raptor panels, signaling engine damage.
[BlackKnight-855: Alessandra] Kaboom's likewise silent, the sound of gunfire stripping the man of the ability to talk.
[Harrier-307: Tillman] The two fleets exchange fire, missile and gun. Explosions flicker across the sky as the two groups close. However the Cerberus Battelgroup slowly turns broadside to the whole engagement and the two Frigates jump away before the Vipers even touch down. The last volley of missiles won't even reach the battlestar before it jumps away.
TO THE HANGAR DECK!!
[Petrel-647: Bell] Bell pushes his fighter towards Cerberus' flight pod, in a meager attempt to leave the horror of the Cylon swarm behind him. Another day, another combat landing in the rugged little Viper known as six four seven.
<FS3> <FS3> Ethan rolls Raptors: Good Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Malone rolls Vipers: Great Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Bell rolls Vipers: Good Success.
<FS3> <FS3> Cidra rolls Vipers: Good Success.
[Petrel-648: Cidra] Cidra comes in hard and hits the deck in a shower of sparks. Hard to tell if it's from the speed of combat landings or just general sparking of her broke-ass ship. There is nothing pretty about that. But she manages to get it down on the flight deck without further damaging it, by some minor miracle.
[Petrel-647: Bell] Bell's landing is as graceful as can be, given the condition of his vessel. Plenty of sparking, plenty of work for Deck to do, but no further damage to the Mark II and no injury to its pilot.
[Harrier-651: Ethan] Still in silence, Ethan quietly lands the Raptor directly on one of the elevators, ready to be transported. He starts shutting down the engines and unbuckles his harness. He stands up and looks at Skeeter, who's still crying. "Athena is with her…" says the man, in an attempt to provide comfort. Skeeter nods and stands up as well. Ethan his the button to open the door and both Pilot and ECO, get out of the Raptor.
It's quite a difference from the last time Malone had to land in a hurry. This time he lands it nice and easy, getting it in place before starting to move out of the cockpit as soon as the means to get down from there are in place. Expression still more like a statue, now.
The ship has already jumped by the time the pilots have all been brought down to the hangar deck with their aircraft. The Deck crew is working feverishly to turn the aircraft around and pull the ones to the side that require work. Tillman is standing by the main hatch looking grim-faced and pretty frakking angry. Hands are clasped in front of him as if keeping his right hand from reaching for his gun and trying to kill. Eyes search the faces of the deck hands.
Bell goes through the motions, popping off his helmet and unsealing his gloves before he climbs down out of the cockpit to the deck. He makes immediately for Cidra's fighter, heedless of the XO's presence on the flight deck for the moment.
Ethan sits on the wing of his Raptor, he takes off his helmet and puts it right next to him. He looks pale, to say the least. Lips still tightly pressed against eachother and he just shakes his head, without throwing a word out there. Skeeter is close, she is sitting on the floor, helmet already off…years rolling down her face as she leans back against the wing.
Cidra emerges from her beaten ship once it's lowered down onto the hangar deck. Uninjured. Fortunate CAG is fortunate. Though she clearly does not feel particularly lucky as she surveys the beating their ships have taken. And they are returning with fewer of their number than they left with. She does not immediately notice the XO, either, Bell commanding her full attention. "Hard run there, Doc." Her tone is somber, and her eyes go to Ethan with a good deal of sympathy.
Malone stops at the bottom of the ladder to his Viper, seating himself there as he takes off his helmet. Pausing as he notices the XO. "Sir…" he offers, quietly, along with a quick salute.
Tillman looks to Malone as he takes off his helmet and salutes. The man's jaw is too far set for him to say anything at the moment. He just nods and continues looking at faces. One of them meets his and looks away quickly and he looks like he might stomp over to the man. The Major doesn't though. Instead he walks over towards Cidra's Viper, passing Ethan and Skeeter along the way. The pace slows like he might say something but how much can you really offer to them. "Lieutenant Bell. Major Hahn." The XO Sounds every bit as pissed-off as he looks.
"Makes you wonder why we bother with a CAP to begin with," Doc returns darkly to Cidra, clasping his hands at the small of his back. He looks as if to say more, but is interrupted by the Tilldozer. Jeremiah pivots on a heel, snapping off a smart salute. Reservist he may have been, he's polished up a bit. "Major, sir."
Cidra seems about to say something more to Bell as well but it's forestalled, whatever it is. Tillman's voice makes her turn on her heel, posture straightening, salute coming up automatically. "Major."
Ethan lightly looks up as the XO walk past him and Skeeter. He narrows his eyes after defining his destination but doesn't do anything. His attention moves to Skeeter and he doesn't interrupt her, he just lowers himself to ground level, sitting close to the woman. "I'm fine…" offers Skeeter, showing a very faint smile to Ethan. She isn't, nobody is. Ethan nods at her and stands up again, just to lean against his Raptor, letting his head be supported by the cold metal.
Malone grimaces a little as he listens to the XO now. Looking relieved he's not one of the names being called out by the grumpy XO.
Tillman nods sternly. "As you were." He fights a snarl. "The Lieutenant reported some kind explosion right before that went off. One of you get frakking charge of this deck and figure out who the shit is responsible. Marines are already investigating. Coordinate with them." His eyes then narrow on Bell. "Tough call. But you and I are going to have words later, Lieutenant." The man lets that hang for a moment before he takes a step back and looks towards Ethan and Skeeter. "Get turned around and ready to fly. This isn't godsdamned over with."
"The enemy fighters blocked out the starfield, sir. I shudder to think of what that crew will be exposed to, if they survived, but I was not willing to condemn this entire flight." Bell is steadfast in his response, remaining at parade rest until the XO has moved on to greener pastures.
Ethan places his attention on the XO as he addresses him and Skeeter. He stands up straight and salutes the officer "Yes sir…" Skeeter does the same, she stands up and cleans her eyes before nodding an standing straight to salute "Yes, Major Tillman" She looks at Ethan now and nods. The young Pilot turns around and looks at his Raptor, jumping on the wing and getting inside…perhaps to do a systems check. He is trying not to think on what happened, but it's hard, quite hard.
"Lieutenant Bell's call to poor Emerson was a mercy, sir," Cidra says, blue eyes meeting Tillman's. "And saved our enemy from gaining anything by capturing one of ours." The bit about the explosion makes her intake a breath sharply. Spots of anger appearing on her own cheeks. "Again. All gods. There were supposed to be procedures in place on deck to prevent further sabotage. Yes, sir, I shall work with the Marines however I can and the Chief as well."
The XO turns his head like a turret back towards Bell and his voice drops. "I am referring to your 'suggestion', Lieutenant. Not your recall order." If eyes could bore holes.. He then looks to Cidra. He doesn't comment to her first remark. "I want a name in twenty-four hours or so help me I am going to shove a boot up everyone's ass on this deck. The whole godsdamned battlegroup heard those radio calls." He looks to Bell once more before he steps off and moves towards the hatchway.
Bell looks askance to Cidra, then shifts his helmet under his arm. "Sir. If you'll excuse me." He makes for the hatch himself, following in the XO's wake.
Malone just keeps silent for now, watching the people moving in the different directions, leaning back in his seat on the ladder. Grimacing a bit now.
"Yes, sir," Cidra says simply to Tillman as he goes. No comment on her inability to pull saboteurs out of the air. She goes to speak with the Head Deckie on duty. A backward glance at Bell and Tillman, but she can't trail them just yet. Doc shall have to go with the gods.
Skeeter jumps on the Raptor as well, she starts talking with Ethan about who knows what, probably what just happened. Both Pilot and ECO keep themselves occupied with the bird.