Event #11: WE RULE THE SEAS MISSION LOG

[vivalamods]

Event #11: WE RULE THE SEAS MISSION LOG

With the Flotsam fleet now occupying the Fallen Isles, they have access to port facilities for the first time since the Fleet’s inception. With many of the nobles convinced to “take a trip to Elysium” leaving their houses unattended for the Corsairs to capture, giving them access to additional resources that allow them to patch up and reinforce the fleet and fill their bellies in a way they haven’t been able to before.

This is fortuitous, since as expected, the occupation of the Fallen Isles has painted a target on them. With the Flotsam fleet now gathered and docked in one place, the Empire quickly musters two Legions with the intent to storm the Fallen Isles and, in their minds, destroy the Corsairs once and for all.

And it is in this moment that the Skysplitters roar, and their thundering barrage begins to tear apart the descending airships as they enter the airspace of the Fallen Isles. And in the din of Imperial panic, the Corsairs strike.

Consequences
The casualties incurred and the personal injuries incurred will depend on the Corsair involvement. The first three missions will all feed into the general casualty rate of the operation, whereas the final two will result in personal injuries if Corsairs take place, as well as increasing casualty rates if unsuccessful.

These consequences will be combined over several logs to determine the final result.

Log Leader
All logs outside Tend the Injured are eligible for a Log Leader. If selected, that leader will receive additional details on the prompt via PM, like NPC weapon details. Log leaders are optional, especially for the first two prompts.

MISSIONS

Flight of the Black Wings: The Corsairs fly up to meet and destroy whatever airships survive the initial Skysplitter assault
Status: Open
Description:The Black Wings are a powerful fleet of reaver airships that are renowned for quick, punishing assaults. The Black Wings have carved enormous losses from the Corsairs over the year. Today, the Corsairs fly to meet them.

The Black Wings will suffer most under the assault of the Skysplitters, suffering heavy losses in their vulnerable descent. They will attempt to blast the fleet apart and sink any Corsair ships that rises to oppose them.
Current Participants: Natalia, Donnie
(Optional) Log Leader: None
Needed Participants: 2 for success, 3 for ideal success

Descent of the Steel Soldiers: The Corsairs will have to repel the more agile armor squadron that has joined the assault.
Status: Open
Description:The Steel Soldiers are often deployed alongside the Black Wings to serve as armored assault units. Trained for aerial combat, they serve as support for the major airship forces and their speed is frequently employed to chase down and sink fleeing Corsairs.

While the Skysplitters will inflict damage on the Legion, their agility will make them much harder to target and hit, meaning the Corsairs will need to sortie to repel them.
Current Participants: Atom, Raphael, Kanna, Renne
(Optional) Log Leader: None
Needed Participants: 2 for success, 3 for positive success, 4 for ideal success.

Tend the Wounded: The Corsairs will need to quickly triage the wounded and get them to safety.
Status: Open
Description: The battle is expected to be bloody, and the Corsairs expect the toll to be high. Keeping an active field clinic will be crucial if they want to minimize casualties and turn aside life-threatening injuries.

Those tending the wounded can expect to be constantly busy fighting off death and permanent injury.
Current Participants: Ilphyl, Matt, Shu, Tau
Log Leader: Not needed
Needed Participants: 2 for success, 3 for positive success, 4 for ideal success. Additional contributors may soften the penalties in other areas. Gods will provide additional benefit.

Clip the Black Wings: The Corsairs will need to board and bring down the capital ship of the Black Wings.
Status: Closed
Description: Ewan Gringoire, illustrious Captain of the Black Wings, is a former slaver who “went legit” and became a Privateer in service of the Empire. In his slaver life he tangled with the Corsairs on more than one occasion and was known to capture them for the Empire’s unquenchable thirst for free labor.

Ewan is a skilled pilot with the fastest ship in the Empire, shooting him down is not especially feasible and boarding is next to impossible. This will be an enormous challenge for the Corsairs to accomplish
Current Participants: Harlock, Natalia, Shu, Renne
Log Leader: Shu
Needed Participants: 3 for success with the target escaping, 4 for success with the target being killed. A participating god can make this into an ideal success, but will receive a curse. Injury is almost guaranteed for taking part in this mission.

Shatter the Steel Soldier: The Corsairs will need to bring down the Bloodstained Comet Singe Madillon.
Status: Closed
Description:Singe Madillon is a peerless ace pilot who has a legendary number of confirmed kills. His custom Feder unit painted in his blood red color is said to be able to move 3 times as fast as a normal Feder, and he is one of the few who can withstand the incredible G-force it generates.

The Corsairs will need to find a way to surround, entrap, and ultimately shoot down his armor before it can cause too much damage.
Current Participants: Raphael, Atom, Donnie, Kanna
Log Leader: Atom
Needed Participants: 3 for success with the target escaping, 4 for success with the target being killed. A participating god can make this into an ideal success, but will receive a curse. Injury is almost guaranteed for taking part in this mission.

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Comments

[singlemilletgrain]

"I am in illustrious company." Shu smiles wryly, though it is clear her teasing is good-natured. Though she would prefer to place herself in the dangerous position, there are no legends spread among the Imperials about the farmer Corsair who owns three cows.

"Very well. Then..."

She pauses in thought.

"I do not know much about ships. I wonder... is there something that might suggest weakness? Something that only one familiar with airships would understand. For instance, a worn axle on a plow would cause it to stutter and jolt - the oxen would appear to be slightly unbalanced. However, anyone who is not a farmer would be unlikely to notice anything unusual. Similarly, if we present a believable flaw, he might have reason to think the airship is easily captured. Once he approaches, we can surprise him and turn the tables."

[theriflespiral]

"A dozen different little things. High output for low speed suggests a damaged drive. Any hull damage, while not as fatal as for a sea ship, suggests a blatant weakness. A list suggests a sail imbalance, high winds, or an unbalanced load; all are maneuver issues. Most ships cannot fly on Ether drive alone and rely on Ether currents to buoy them; holed sails are a bad sign. any sign that the helm does not know where she is going indicates a serious weakness of sight or helmsman." She scratches her head. "You know... Our strongest capability in this field is the anti-air cannonades, is it not?"

[straykitty]

Renne had been content to let the proceedings continue, but at the mention of the cannons, she steps forward.

"Should we perhaps lure him into our firing line?" Her expression is thoughtful. "Our crews on the ground could be instructed to certain firing patterns so we could dodge them but he wouldn't be able to anticipate them. It'd of course be risky, but it might afford us an upper hand."

[singlemilletgrain]

((Posting now since I'll be on a plane for a few dozen years.))

"Shoot him down?"

Her eyes grow slightly wide. She had thought the operation entailed boarding and capturing the pilot of the ship. But she is not opposed to the idea, and after a moment, she frowns in thought.

"You're right. The Skysplitters are our best asset in this fight. But we've lost the element of surprise in that regard already. He will be on the lookout for ground fire. Still, even if we can't shoot him down, the firing patterns could box him in, restricting his maneuverability. Is cannon fire a weapon tactic you're familiar with, Natalia? Could you create a pattern that would pen him into a straight alleyway of flight?"

[freearcadia]

Shu, Renne and Natalia all seem to have hit on roughly the same plan - good, they're on the same wavelength. "Bait him into range, box him in..." He murmurs to himself as he takes a map, and with a pen starts to mark off areas.

"They're here... and here..." He marked off the Skysplitters location to allow for a more visual plotting of firing patterns. "Black smoke is also a inter-universal... multiversal sign of something being seriously wrong on a ship, and would have the bonus of decreasing visibility of crew activity." He offered after a couple of self-corrections.

"So far the plan seems to be to have a bait ship lure our target into the Skysplitter's lane, boxing him in - shooting him down if we're unable to board and capture." He taps the table thoughtfully.

[theriflespiral]

"It's simple, but requires that we free up enough Skysplitters. Any idea how we're going to achieve the luxury?"

[singlemilletgrain]

"That should not be an issue."

says the person who got a PM stating the Skysplitters would be the best course of action for this task as he makes up something random that sounds plausible

"Now that our own ships have begun to engage the Black Wings, it is too dangerous for wide salvo attacks. The Skysplitters are currently being used in precision strikes - and we have permission to request the resources we need for the successful completion of this operation.

Well. That should do for a broad outline of our plans. Let us make suitable preparations and commence the operation shortly."

Operation

[singlemilletgrain]

Rapid communications have been sent to the great Admiral of the fleet. Approval has been obtained. Skysplitter operators have been briefed, armors have been assigned if needed, and Harlock and Natalia are bid to depart in their various ships to create a convincing lure for this leader of the Black Wings.

Timing is critical, and so it is that Shu, a miniscule target hovering beside a cloud, trains precision binoculars on the dogfight from a distance. The Black Wings duck and weave as they chase Corsair ships, simultaneously navigating short bursts from the Skysplitters. They do so expertly, of course; after the initial blast sent many of them hurtling from the skies, they have adjusted to this new threat. At the lead is their commander, flying his ship with superior expertise obvious to even Shu's untrained eye.

There comes a moment when the foremost ship breaks away from the others in an attempt to chase down a faltering Corsair.

"Now, Harlock, Natalia. Now is the time to draw his attention."

Re: Operation

[freearcadia]

The airship Harlock was commanding was waving his flag - making it clear he was part of the operation that took down Maleficient and the takeover of the Archipelago.

"Brace yourselves, we're simulating an engine stall - hold on tight." He warned before opening the lines to the engine room. "Choke the ether flow in five second intervals - you don't need to be precise, just give the appearance we are struggling to maintain power, but do not allow for it to completely stall out - we have no intentions of crashing for real."

It was a dangerous gamble, and he could hear a few uncertain murmurs, though they were quickly schooled into a look of determination.

He soon responds to Shu. "Ready to play decoy, we should be experiencing "Engine trouble" in about five seconds."

Re: Operation

[theriflespiral]

"We are in Flotsam red?"

"Aye, Commodore."

"... All right. RUN UP THE DISTRESS!"

Two banners went up underneath the Flotsam flag. One was the primary ensign of Duchess Maleficent's House forces; the other the ensign of the Bloodstained Legion. Banners she had captured.

Both were upside-down. Was the taunt obvious and blatant? Sure. The only thing more obvious would be cutting in on the Imperial channels and yelling 'come and take them'.

Natalia might have some subtlety in her blood, but when it came time to be loud, she could do so quite well. "Port bays, prepare smoke cannisters."

"All hands, brace for evasive maneuvers!"

[singlemilletgrain]

Regrettably, there is nothing she or anyone else can do for the faltering unknown Corsair. As it goes down in flames, Shu sends a brief prayer that the medic team can do what is possible for them.

But Ewan Gringoire has fallen out of formation. And he is about to overextend himself even further. From the east, Harlock's sputtering ship drops out of a cloud. From the west, Natalia's crew zips by with their captured banners. One can almost hear the gears turning in Gringoire's head as he stalls for a few seconds, uncertain of which to follow.

A burst of fire from a Skysplitter right behind him encourages him to make his decision quickly. 'Easy Glory' is perhaps a good name for his ship and no doubt in Harlock's failing engines, he senses blood in the water.

"Captain Harlock, he's heading for you. Please hold position as long as you can - but prioritize your safety if you feel you need to take evasive action. Natalia, Renne, I would suggest you ascend and take cover in the clouds. Position yourself between him and the sun if possible. If he attempts to board Captain Harlock, we turn the tables. If he keeps a distance to shoot Harlock down, we strike when the Skysplitters pen him in."

Gringoire wastes little time. It is shocking how much cannon fire is output in Harlock's direction almost ceaselessly.

[freearcadia]

Bait taken - now to survive until the trap springs. "Roger that Shu. We have smoke ready - if it looks like he's keeping distance, we will signal with it." And the smoke would make make it harder for Gringoire to aim.

"Ease up on throttling, increase the time between them - we will need to put distance." He called out to the engine crew. As the cannon fire whizzed past - while several fell short or flew high, some were far too close to comfort as he harshly turned the helm, the ship lurching as crew members clung to to their braces.

"Prime the small guns!" He called out to a couple of elves and ratkins. While their intentions is to lure the commander close, he knew a lack of defensive maneuvers or counter attacks may draw suspicion. "Pepper him, but if it looks as if he's approaching to board, let him."

A volley of return fire came - more to keep Gringoire's attention and to give the ship some breathing room.

[theriflespiral]

"Hard ascent aye." She reached for the address. "ALL HANDS FREE FROM BRACE! HARD ASCENT, STARBOARD."

"Flank speed aye!" Eowyn's voice came over the vox, and Natalia felt the engines underneath her feet rumble and begin to pick up speed and the luftfoils whine with the power.

Was this what others felt, capturing a wave? No time to think on it now. She pulled the yokes and felt the bow ascend, then turned the yoke slightly into a roll, a widening gyre as she aimed for the stoop. "Aft castle, time to solution?"

"Torpedos ready, commodore!"

"Forecastle, time to solution?"

"Fore cannons ready to fire!"

Natalia nodded. "Port and starboard bays, dissuade the Glory's friends, aye?"

"Firing at will!"

The main cannons thundered, and one of the Black Wings began to lose luft on one side.

This, then, her element.

[straykitty]

Without any real time or resources to fabricate an armor-sized scythe, Renne had elected to borrow a flight-capable Zepter for this operation. Flying alongside Natalia, she began gathering ether into the machine's amplifier, before unleashing it in an arc of jagged lighting in an effort to clear the deck of personnel.

[singlemilletgrain]

((just a note his ship is called the 'Black Skull,' Shu's narrative was just making a dumb joke at his expense haha))

Gringoire's cannon fire continues to thunder at unfathomable speeds. There is surely something different about his personal armada - from this distance, Shu cannot tell, but she knows enough about cannons that she can surmise they are somehow able to skip the entire phase of the reloading process. But there will be time for technological study later.

"Captain Harlock, please don't hesitate to pull out if needed..."

This is far too close for comfort. Harlock's return fire is enough to cause the Black Skull to quickly dart upwards in an attempt to gain altitude, but it still seems to be in perfect control of the situation. And now, it is clear that it is zigzagging closer and closer to the 'wounded' ship... Gringoire, of course, enjoys taking his prizes and a notorious Corsair who had taken down the sorceress countess would look well presented in chains.

Up above, Natalia and Renne have successfully dissuaded Gringoire's comrades from drawing closer. The skies are now clear for their counter operation.

"...He is aiming to board. Captain Harlock, give the order when you cannot take any more pressure."

Natalia and Renne, above the Black Skull, are presented with a few options if they wish to strike. The underside of the ship gleams with reinforced steel, resistant to any standard artillery. Its engine is no doubt well protected deep within, and is unlikely to be accessible to be damaged. The decks are fairly standard, manned with dozens of sailors rapidly swapping cannons in and out. Unique to this ship are a number of fin-like appendages protruding on both sides, no doubt to bolster its aerodynamics.

[freearcadia]

He idly mused if he was kidnapped five or six years ago, he would have pushed back against the idea of pulling out, but as he looked to the crew reloading and firing - his lips pursed into a thin line, now he's older and hopefully a little wiser that he wouldn't let pride overrule his responsibility as a Captain.

Damn, the rate of fire... that's more comparable to - no, even Arcadia needs more time between rounds, what is the Black Skull's secret? Quickly, he snaps his focus back onto the fight on hand.

As Natalia and Renne help to ease up on the pressure, an elf reported the damage. They had managed to dodge the worse of it, but by the estimate, it could only take one more direct hit on the broadside before they have to pull back, and two would likely be enough to send them crashing into the sea. "He's going to try to board - he won't try to destroy the hull - but there's no perfect plan in battle..." He started slowly, weighing caution and risk.

"We'll signal to the others to strike - one last volley - aim for the fins - the hull is too guarded!" He commanded.

"Aye, Captain!" came the reply as he steadies the ship, as guns were primed, loaded - and fired to tear into the fins. "Engine room, be ready to give full power on my signal."

"Shu - Black Skull is coming in close - now's the time."

[theriflespiral]

"Eowyn, do we still have the magicannon?"

"-- Yes?"

Natalia nodded. "Aft castle, fire all tubes! All hands, Emergency dive! Target: the Black Skull! Captain, you have the conn!"

She had the sun at her back and she scrambled on the deck for the magicannon, and felt it hum and shift into life as she pulled it from its swivel housing near the newly attached fore turret. The targeting reticle lined into place.

It's a shot from thousands of feet away, on a target that is covered by winds and the shadow of the Mad Archer herself, combined with the roar and shaking of cannons.

The price of failure is severe.

From this range... With this much force... with this much at stake... And it's a single ice lance aimed at the wing as the cannon and torpedos fall to the top of the unprotected deck.

This is a shot only Natalia could make, to foul the wings that the bait ship cannot possibly hit. "Die!"

The magicannon nearly slips her arms, and she nearly slips through the rigging, but she manages to hang on, even as she feels her left shoulder get wrenched. The howling wind loses whatever Captain Clinton and Engineer Eowyn have to say.

Hit or miss, the Mad Archer rights herself with a sickening swoop as Natalia staggers for the magicannon mount and shouts into the horn, "Not to worry, I'm alive--"

[straykitty]

Channeling heavy Ether into the Armor's core, Renne unleashes a burst of gravity magic, channeling everything she can into stilling the Black Skull's movement enough to ensure the other attacks hit their mark.

[singlemilletgrain]

This would be an excellent scene in an action movie. Perhaps Shu is the one who most appreciates it, at her distance, but her gasp through the communicators is drowned out by the concussive shockwaves of the rally of attacks. It seems to all happen simultaneously.

First, the Black Skull’s cannon fire lands a strong hit right through the ‘rudder’ of the substitute Arcadia, sending it reeling. In a fraction of a second, a dozen iron hooks are launched straight towards the ship to latch on; Shu can see the distant dots of personnel ready to swing down towards the injured ship.

But they never strike. For in that instant, a prismatic blast, summoned seemingly straight from the heavens above, shatters the sky with the speed of a bolt of lightning and the precision of a sniper shot. With Renne’s help, Natalia’s shot strikes true and two of those great arcing wings are rent asunder, the debris spiraling into the sea of clouds in flames.

To say that the Black Skull reels is an understatement; the force of the blast is such that it almost tips a full 90 degrees horizontally in the direction of the strike. The barbed lines ineffectually go limp and every personnel on deck frantically seeks to right themselves. Harlock’s ship is forgotten momentarily. It is obvious to all that they have triggered a trap.

Shu probably doesn’t need to say ‘now!’ but she does so anyway. Her beast of burden soars through the air and crosses the distance - a little slower than she would like, but one must make allowances for a stylish entrance. As she passes above Harlock’s ship, she leaves a rain of glittering seedlings in her wake. If any of Harlock’s crew are combat worthy, they will find themselves teleported up to the deck of the Black Skull should they step into the area she controls.

On board the Black Skull, panic reigns - but only briefly, for these are the finest soldiers of the Black Wings. As the Corsairs board, they might notice a few things in their favor: there are no mechs or great weapons stored here, for the Black Skull prioritizes speed and stealth above all else. The soldiers are still armed with standard weaponry, of course, but the most harrowing part of this fight was simply gaining access to the ship in the first place.

….Except, perhaps, for the figure of the man framed in the doorway to the captain’s quarters, coolly surveying the scene unfolding before him. He has drawn no weapon yet, and a sardonic grin spreads across his face.

”Well. Not bad, Corsairs.”

That’s all he has to say before he strides forward, removing two long barreled revolvers from their holsters.