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THE PBP GAME

AZ_GAMER

September 11, 2012 - 12:14am

Day One (Part One):

09/11/2399 at 1830 Hrs. Earth Standard Time: Sol Sector Hyperspace Gate (SHG)

The Colonial Space Fleet Exploration Cruiser C.S.S. William Logan: SCC-725 (http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/6813) arrives on schedule at the designated holding zone to begin it's final preparations for departure to the Vega System. Anchorage Space Station flight control operators and their Edon counterparts at the Sol Hyperspace Gate's (SHG) confirm that everything is clear to proceed with today's jump gate transit event. Throughout the crew there is a sense of anticipation that fills the air with an excited anxious energy. Technicians and scientists scurry about the control rooms cross checking every detail for this historic FTL flight.

As the final hour passes the crew of the William Logan anxiously await final confirmation authorizing the ship to proceed into the jump gate. On the 'Logan's bridge the crew watches on the command station's overhead view screen as the swirling nebulous event horizon slowly begins to visibly take form inside the jump gate's driver ring.

Only moments before the launch order is given, an unauthorized jump point is detected forming inside the Sol Hyperspace Gate's restricted fly zone. Seconds later, the unmistakable dark crescent shaped form of a Xin Taro Class Command Cruiser  pierces through the dark curtain of space with a blinding flash of light as it transitions from hyperspace into normal space.

Captain Bishop Crane stares at the surreal scene in complete disbelief as the dark warship takes form silhouetted against a glimmering background of stars. An agile and graceful predator, the Taro Class command cruiser (http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/6256) represents one of the most sophisticated warships fielded by the Xin Confederation. It's very presence in the Sol system without authorization is a grevious violation of the Typo Accords Treaty. A mutual treaty of peaceful co-existence granting sanctuary to Xin refugees and prohibiting unauthorized Xin military technology from entering the Sol Sector.

At two hundred thousand kilometers away the alien warship appeared on the magnified viewer to float in space with the innocence of a child's toy. However, all the souls on the'Logan knew the horrible significance that this harbingers' presence brought on their lives. The deep crimson color glinting mencingly in the ambiet light from the elaboratly decorated lines of its hull revealed the vessel to be warship of the Fen Clan.

The Fen, had long been recognized as a black sheep among the Xin people. Conceived and engineered solely as warriors for their Shi'an masters, the fen represented the most aggressive of the five clans. It was no mystery to anyone that the Fen mistrusted the Xin alliance with the Humans and longed to return to their old way of life. While they supported the other four clans during the uprising against their Shi'an masters the Fen never agreed that it was the correct way to gain their independence.

"Commander Grant, what the hell is that bird doing in my sky!", Captain Crane shouted over to his equally shocked First Officer.

Before First Officer Amelia Grant could utter a reply to the Captain's inquiry something cought her eye on the screen above her helm station. A beautiful but brief chain of brightly flashing pale blue lightning that danced across space towards the 'Logan and the Hyperspace Gate. It took less time for Grant's mind to recognize the inbound blasts of disruptor fire then it did for her hand to slam down on the master alarm. Flashing strobe lights and chiming alarm bells filled the C.S.S. William Logan's command bridge shaking the stunned crew back into the present moment.

"All hands report to battle stations, this is not a drill, we are under attack!", Commander Grant shouted into the ship's communications panel. Barely able to believe the words coming from her own mouth, "Captain, what are your orders?"

Captain Bishop calmly looked at the view screen, any of the lingering spectre of shock was now banished from his face. "Lt. Commander Rojan, activate repulsor shields, set all batteries for defensive suppression fire, keep that vulture off our six'."

"Aye Captain", answered Ky Rojan as the stoic mechanical featured Ganai rushed to his seat at the ship's tactical console. "Target is 195,000 kilometers and closing on a direct intercept course." Out of habit Ky reached for the capacitor shield primer but then remembered that it would not function this close to a hyperspace jump gate. Something about the properties of the gate's mechanics overloaded capacitor shields in every simulation that was tested. Ky shook off the trained instinct remembering that every first year academy cadet knows that overloading a "Cap" shield is a recipe for epic disaster. Ky moved his hand deliberately away from the primer with a deep sigh. Ky knew that the ship would sorely miss the damage soaking power of the "Cap" shield if this ended up being a prolonged engagement. To push the urge of training out of his mind Ky turned his attention to his periscope like tactical scanner to get a better look at the approaching enemy. "Captain, it's definitely a Taro Class Cruiser. Energy signatures indicates she's running with both weapons and shields fully charged. Fortunately, we are still outside of her weapons range but It won't be long before she closes the distance."

Captain Crane leaned over the communications panel next to Commander Grant at the central command station. As the Captain depressed the transmit key the look on his face told Grant that this was not the message he wanted to send but had to. "Mayday, Mayday, this is the Colonial Space Fleet Exploration Cruiser William Logan. We are under attack by an unknown Xin warship. We require immediate assistance from any able vessel."

A torrent of deadly disruptor blasts rained down from the Fen warship as it began to close in on the 'Logan. As the warship grew larger and larger in the bridge's magnified view screen the crew knew that it would not be long before the Taro's cannon blasts would enter a lethal range where they were no longer diffused across the distance of space. However, even at the their currently depleted strength, the crew could still feel the impact of every feint blow on the 'Logan's shields.

Suddenly, the command bridge's view screen filled with the brilliant gleam of another starship's hull as it passed so close to the exterior camera that the ambient glare filled the bridge with a radiant glow. The C.S.S. Aspire (http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/6189), an elegant and nimble Mercury Class frigate raced past the 'Logan and pitched the back of its hull forward like a medieval shield in front of the besieged spacecraft.

"Crane to Simms, Come in Simms..." The Captain shouted urgently into the open channel of the communications panel. "What the hell are you doing out there?", Captain Crane's voice echoed the graven expression of concern chiseled on his weathered face.

"Simms here, Captain Crane, well...hello there handsome" The sultry female voice replied over the open audio channel in an almost playful manner. "If you haven't noticed Bishop, I'm trying to save your ass. I suppose a thank you is out of the question?" Simms words danced from the open comm channel as the 'Logan's command crew watched her ship on the view screen fire a blinding salvo of missiles and laser fire towards the approaching Taro. A collective surge of hope filled the hearts of the 'Logan's crew as they witnessed Captain Simms' small starship shielding them from the unending blasts of pale blue lighting burning from the Taro's cannons.

"This is hardly the time to show off Karyn. Your ship is in no position to stand up against that Taro so get out of there before you get cooked.", Crane scolded with an almost frantic parental tone borne from a long career filled with too many experiences with the horrific events of space battle.

"Why Captain Crane, If I didn't know you better... I'd say... you were getting soft on me." Simms jabbed back with a now less convincing bravado as the sound of her frantically opening panels filled the pauses between her words. "Besides, you really should get out of here Bishop, your ship is filled with colonists, mine is filled with leather necks, you know we love this sort of thing."

The words barely escaped Captain Simms' mouth when the channel suddenly went dead. The crew of the 'Logan watched the view screen in horror as the Taro's four disruptor cannons ripped through the Aspire's hull. Gutting the small starship like a fisherman's prize trophy. The scene played out before their eyes as if it were some kind of slow motion replay at a sports game. In the quiet darkness of space the structural integrity of Simms' ship collapsed forcing large chunks of debris, flaming plumes of atmosphere, and the expelled bodies of the dying crew from the doomed ship.

"Oh Dear Lord, No. Not Simms", The Captain's shocked pleading gasp of a prayer barely escaping his lips. Crane knew he had to hold it together right now and maintain his composure. Now was not the time to mourn over lost friends, the very lives of his crew depended on his leadership.

The crew of the 'Logan watched helplessly as the Taro gave the ruined Aspire a final parting shot from its aft cannons and continued to move forward on its original course. Several nearby scientific observation craft, not much larger then a cargo shuttle, attempted to flee in hopes they may slip by the prowling monster unnoticed. A wave of pale blue lighting reduced the craft to smoldering hulks in a single blast. The Taro's commander seemed bent on laying waste to any living soul in his path as his ship paused momentarily to scan the burning wreckage as if he were admiring his handy work.

In a flash, three gleaming Colonial Corsair patrol ships (http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/6919) streaked past the 'Logan and engaged the crescent shaped crimson war machine. The smaller Corsairs darted around the large command cruiser in all out assault. It seemed that the tiny warships had stunned the ravenous beast like a swarm of angry bees. Challenged by this new agile foe the Taro released its four wing mounted fighter craft to deal with this new nuisance as they continued to advance on the 'Logan's position.

Captain Crane knew that news of the attack must have reached the rest of the fleet by now and that it would only be a matter of time before the mighty colonial battle-cruiser Hyperion would arrive from its perimeter station near Mars. The only real question was, could the 'Logan hold out long enough against the vastly superior Xin command cruiser that was bent on their annihilation.

Lt. Commander Rojan emitted a self-satisfied growl as the Logan's fire control linked laser batteries reduced one of the Taro's attack fighters to burning embers and sent another fleeing back to its mothership. Crane managed a brief smile at his tactical officer's success but knew that his ship was far from in this fight. Status reports flowed in over the communications panel indicating that the gunnery crews were close to bringing the 'Logan's main cannons and torpedo launchers online. They had seemed excessive to crew during a non-military mission; an oversight the Captain swore to himself never to repeat.

Moments later the Taro destroyed one of the Colonial Corsairs and disabled the other two with several fierce volleys of battery fire. The 'Logans' crew could feel the ship shutter with each successively closer disruptor blast wearing down the ship's repulsor shields. A few brief seconds later, the command crew collectively felt the very moment when the shields failed and the ship rolled violently to one side after a direct hit from the Taro's disruptors . The only thing left now between the crew and certain death was the ship's thick reflective polymetal reactive armor and the defensive fire of the 'Logan's laser batteries. Fortunately for the 'Logan the Taro's commander had over confidently decided to try to cover more ground by dividing his cannon fire between the exploration cruiser and the hyperspace gate.

Chief Astrogator Mike Bell urgently shouted, "Captain, the warship's attack on the gate is destabilizing the event horizon!"

Captain Crane slowly surveyed the faces of his valiant command crew. "Options?", he barked in an urgent yet supportive tone.

Ronin84

September 11, 2012 - 5:26am

Over the speakers in Medical the Commander Grant's voice rings out, "All hands report to battle stations, this is not a drill, we are under attack!" Within moments corpsman, nurses and the other junior physicians are streaming in. "Ok folks this is what they train us for, get ready for casualties and standby to be dispatched to damage control parties!" Stabbing at the communications panel he acknowledges the alert message. Taking one more moment he looks at the display for the colonists cold storage units fearing that if the ship needs more power they might have to pull it from those units.

TerlObar

September 11, 2012 - 12:18pm

As the Corsairs passed the Logan, something clicked in Lt. Cmdr. Bell's mind as he looked at the tactical screen. "If you want to make this jump, Captain, we can't sit around any longer," Stars called out. If they get through the Corsairs there won't be much stopping them from taking out the gate.

When the Captain called for options, Star's respons was immediate. "Go to max accel now. We're already lined up so it's straight through the gate. Cut the main engines thirty seconds before gate entry, engage the FTL drives, and away we go. Right now I give us a 99.9978% chance to make it but it's dropping every second we wait, and faster with every hit the Gate Control Station takes. If we don't hurry, the Xin may collapse the gate field before we get there.

"That, of course, is if they don't get us first. Besides, max acclel will throw their targeting solutions off a bit and may buy us some time. And lob everything we have at them as soon as it comes on-line. Hopefully that will help provide a bit more distraction for us as well. At least it can't hurt, sir."

Even as he makes the suggestion, Mike is wondering what happens if the opening on one end is forcefully closed once they've entered. He's pretty sure they will be fine but can't remember the technical details. And what happens if this same thing is happening in the Vega system right now and both ends are closed? "I think this trip is about to go way out of specifications," Stars thinks to himself.

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OnceFarOff

September 11, 2012 - 12:42pm

As soon as the attack began, Tyrell's perception of time seemed to slow down. He watched the display monitor in awe as the Aspire shatterd before his very eyes. Then the shield collapsed, and it brought him back to his senses. He barked out orders to his damage control team as he checked the status displays for the 'Logan's systems. He knew that they couldn't take much more of this.

AZ_GAMER

September 14, 2012 - 9:01pm

Day One (Part Two):

While the command crew of the C.S.S. William Logan weighted the choices before them the looming spectre of the enemy warship grew closer and closer in the overhead view screen.

Another searing volley of disruptor fire rained down upon the 'Logan's unprotected hull. Each impact of the charged particle streams created kinetic shockwaves which rippled through the atmosphere of the 'Logan internal compartments. violently rolling, shaking, and jarring man, alien, and machine alike. As internal components ripped loose from their fittings and power lines became overloaded by sudden changes in current the crew held on for dear life with each new bone jarring hit.

On the bridge, Commander Grant noticed an unanswered panel next to her station flashing yet another warning alert. As she reached to hit the acknowledge button she felt an unusal and somewhat painful tingle race up her outstretched arm. Lt. Commander Bell was the first to see the almost imperceptible arc of energy leap from the panel to Commander Grant's arm. Bell bolted up from his seat knowing in his mind that he had to warn her but also knowing it was already too late.

The explosion of the overloaded power coupling actually started in the lower cargo hold and had raced a path all the way to bridge. The very panel Grant reached for disintegrated in a burst of fire and sparks that threw the first officer 10 feet across the deck. She landed shoulder first with a shower of glass, shattered plastic, and sparks into a motionless smoldering heap.

The Captain spun around in place at the sound of the explosion to see his First Officer land on the bridge deck. "Bell, get her to the med pod!". "Somebody get the Doc up here now! Grant is down." Captain Crane shuddered for a moment as the icy hand of fear clawed for his throat. As he looked at the faces of his crew rushing about the bridge the chilling realization hit him that Simms may not be the only friend he may loose today.

"Captain!" Ky stood quickly from his tactical console in order to see the Captain through the growing smoke. "Captain, Gunnery reports that the main guns and torpedo bays are now on line. Firing solution is fixed and we are ready to commence attack."

"What's that", Crane was a bit surprised to hear those words from across the bridge. Cranes' face quickly changed from deep concern to a vengeful countenance that even made the metal man take a step back. "KY, blow those bastards back to the Abyss. Fire... at... will!"

Captain Crane and no sooner uttered the command as Ky's hand pounded down on the enable button firing both torpedo tubes. The ship gently rocked back as two bright trails of exhausted lit up the darkness of space. On the view screen the crew watched as the fusion warheads reached critical mass emitting a soft dancing red glow atop the spiraling trails of exhaust.

There is no sound in vacuum space and the only detectable confirmation that the torpedoes hit their mark were two brief flashes of intense light. The Fen warship violently pitched to one side as the torpedoes ripped large chunks of hull away from the ship's super structure. The powerful fusion torpedoes didn't even have to penetrate the Taro shields to wound the mighty warship bringing it to sudden heading change and eventual stop.

Captain Crane knew the Taro cruiser was a far cry from being out of this fight. "Listen up everyone!" The Captain called out to his cheering bridge crew from the central command station. "We all know the ship can't take much more of this pounding. Our best bet is to make a run for it while the SHG is still open. Prepare for FTL jump interface", Captain Crane commanded as he brushed away the remaining debris from Grant's operations console. Sliding into Grant's seat the Captain took the ship's helm and set course straight for the Hyperspace Gate.

With a sudden rush of forward momentum the 'Logan's fusion drive roared to life. The engine thrust emitters glowed a brilliant blue hue from the pulsating thrust pushing the ship faster and faster towards the gate.

Everything seemed to be working smoothly as the 'Logan reached the point of no return at the hyperspace gate's threshold. Everyone on the ship could feel the very fabric of space itself begin to distort around them. Though it only took a fraction of a second for the 'Logan to plunge forward into the gate's swirling event horizon the moment seemed to take a life time of eternities. All movement seemed to grind to a hault and freeze in place as the ship phased out of normal space and into the void of hyperspace with a intense flash of light.

The Taro, recomposed from the staggering punch of the torpedo hits, fired all four of its main cannons one last time at the at the fleeing 'Logan. The shots missed their intended mark but hit dead on against the Hyperspace Gate instead. The concentrated attack smashed into the Gate's FTL driver ring ripping away a huge piece of the massive assembly just as the 'Logan slipped through the gateway and disappeared from view.

AZ_GAMER

October 1, 2012 - 8:04pm

OOC:

Doctor Forest, conduct a skill roll first to determine the extend of Commander Grant's injuries and second to conduct treatment on those Injuries.

Lt. Bell: conduct a LOG check roll, something doesn't feel right about the way the ship entered hyperspace.

Commander Kyrell conduct a engineering skill check roll for ship break up prevention.

Please Post Die Rolls and note any automatic successes in italics on your response posts.

TerlObar

September 12, 2012 - 7:14am

Log: 65 roll: 03

Mike breaths a sigh of relief as they enter the jump gate. However, looking over his console, the notices that some things don't look quite right. "Captain, there was something fishy about the jump entry. Probably related to the shots fired by the Xin just as we entered the gate. I'm trying to track it down now."

Mike settles into his seat, fingers flying over the keyboard as he compares the planned jump data with what the sensors and computer are spitting out, trying to track down the cause and probable end result of the mismatch. (OOC: not sure what skill you want me to apply but I rolled a 13 to try to figure out what happened)

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OnceFarOff

September 12, 2012 - 7:31am

(OOC: Die Roll 56. Not sure how many points of ADF and MR were used, but each point is 5% minus 10% for my LVL 2 engineering skill. Pretty sure we're safe)

Frantically calling out last minute status reports to the captian as he pilots the ship, the Logan seems to have dodged calamity this time.

Ronin84

September 12, 2012 - 2:54pm

"Dr. Forrest to the bridge we have casualties on the bridge!" The speaker in Sick Bay booms out the call.

Grabbing a ready medkit, "Dr. Barrett you are in charge till I return!" Bounding down the hall, he bursts onto the bridge to see the captain slide into the helm control station.

The form of Commander Grant though is what he is focused on moving carefully to her side he can smell the burning flesh and fabric of her uniform.

Running the scanner over her body 39 out of 70 "Damn second degree burns over her hand and arm!" Inserting an ampule with a milky substance onto the end of the hypo he inserts it into her upper arm.

Motioning to a crewman who is not manning a critical station, "Help me get her into the medpod."

Making sure to keep her neck steady and aware of doing any more damage to her shoulder or neck...Forrest will take the head.

AZ_GAMER

September 14, 2012 - 10:05pm

Day One (Part 3):

As quickly as time and space seemed to freeze, everything resumed its normal course when the 'Logan completed its transition into the spacial phenomenon called hyperspace. There are no words in any of the human languages which can accurately articulate the experience of travel through hyperspace. It is a deep formless void accented only by the occasional streaks of passing starlight made visible through thin fissures, also known as Jump Points, where normal space intrudes upon the deeper realms of the void.

Lt. Commander Bell glanced down at the instrument displays of his astrogation station to check on the ship's progress. Everything seemed to be functioning within normal parameters but something about the numbers didn't seem quite right. Experience, training, and his instincts kept gnawing at him to take yet another look at the readings.

Meanwhile, across the bridge at the engineering station, Commander Tyrell continued to coordinate the damage control teams and oversee repairs to the ship. While it certainly could have been a lot worse, the crew of the 'Logan was not out of the woods yet. Tyrell would have to employ all of his talents and experience to maintain the damaged ship's hull integrity and prevent a structural break-up while in F.T.L. flight.

Across the bridge at the med pod station Doctor Forrest continued to work feverishly on treating the executive officer's injuries. She was badly burned, had a serious concussion, and was suffering a broken clavicle, but she was still alive. Doc knew a broken clavicle was a tricky injury, one wrong move of the patient's body could easily send a piece of the broken bone into her lung like a spear.

Back at the astrogation station, Bell continued his analysis of the data displayed on his console. Suddenly the color drained from his face as he stared wide eyed at the monitor display. "That can't be right?", he mumbled to himself while plotting some figures with his light pen.

"Captain, we have a serious problem here." Lt. Commander Bell called out across the bridge as he left his station to approach the ship's helm.

"What is it Lieutenant Commander?", The Captain replied with a barely audible sigh of frustration.

"Sir, we are not where we are suppose to be. We must have entered an entirely different jump point that was adjacent to the intended one. I can only presume that something must have happened at the gate or to the gate. Either way, we are on a completely different jump path. One so close to our original course that the ship's instruments and scanners didn't detect its presence when we entered."

The Captain's weary mind raced to comprehend his Astrogator's discovery. "Okay, so how far away from Vega does the mis-jump put us?"

"That's just it Captain.", Bell frantically explained. "We never made the jump to Vega. We entered hyperspace from an uncharted jump point with no known termination point."

The Captain paused for a moment to consider Bell's report, "Lieutenant, are you saying we are stuck in hyperspace?"

"It is too soon to say for certain but that is one possible outcome." Bell replied.

The Captain turned momentarily to look his Astrogator in the eye, "With 180 souls on this ship Lieutenant, I cannot afford to keep us in hyperspace any longer than what is absolutely necessary. We both know what could happen. The longer we are exposed to the effects of the void the greater the chance we will begin to experience jump illness. In the early days of hyperspace travel our exploration pioneers were always placed in stasis during every jump to prevent the onset of jump illness. Some people become ill, some become violent, some go mad, and others just spontaneously die for no apparent reason. Today, with the use of jump point routes and stutter jumping we almost never see a ship required to travel beyond its FTL threshold and need to put the entire crew in stasis. While we do have some additional emergency stasis pods this ship simply isn't equipped to put everyone on ice while we try to figure out where we are. Whatever we do, we need to get these people back to normal space and figure out what happened as soon as possible."

Bell gazed at the dark view screen for a moment considering the situation, "We could use our own jump drive to exit Hyperspace. However, we would essentially be making a blind jump from within hyperspace to normal space. There is no way to tell exactly where we will exit without having a clear idea of where we entered."

Captain Crane leaned back slowly into his console chair, "Very well Lieutenant Commander, make the necessary preparations for the transition to normal space as soon as possible."

Returning back to the helm controls Captain Crane reached over to the communications panel and depressed the ship wide intercom button. "Attention crew of the William Logan, this is the Captain. All hands assume alert stations and prepare the ship for an emergency high risk hyperspace jump. LT.J.G. Finsletter report to the bridge for duty."

TerlObar

September 14, 2012 - 10:21am

OOC:
INT/LOG check (60/65) - roll = 37
Astrogation Check: Chart new route (70% - distance modifier) - roll = 63
Astrogation Check: Find Location (50%) - roll 07

Probably not going to be able to control where we exit or how clean the exit will be but I'll be able to figure out we're a long way from home when we do

. Based on the way the narration is going and the fact that we'll be finding the Frontier eventually (as indicated in the character generation process), I'm assuming this jump is going to take us well out of known Terran space. I'm writing accordingly. I'll change it if need be.

BIC:
"We're deep in Hyperspace instead of in normal Voidspace," Mike thinks to himself as his fingers fly over the keyboard. "Which means we're traveling at a much higher FTL velocity than normal which may make it harder to get out on our own." Suddenly Mike stops and stares at the numbers on the screen. "That can't be right," he says to noone in particular. He double checks the sensor readings to verify that the numbers aren't in error. "Holy crap," he mutters, "I think we entered a second, even deeper hyperspace level, these numbers are way off the charts, we're traveling faster than anyone ever dreamed was possible."

After a moment's pause to let the repercussions wash over him, Mike frantically gets back to work on calculations, thinking to himself as he works. "I have no idea where we're at so I can't really plot a jump with any distance to it. All I can really do is plot an instantaneous jump to 'here' where ever 'here' is at the moment to get us out of hyperspace and back into real space. After that, we can worry about finding location and getting to somewhere that make sense."

As he works, Mike activates a comm link to Engineering. "Engineering, Stars here in Astrogation. Get me Commander Kyrell." After a short pause as he waits for Kyrell to get on the line, he continues, "Commander, Lt. Commander Bell here. In addition to everything else you're worrying about right now, we need the FTL drives on-line and ready to answer maximum power at a moment's notice. I'll be controlling them from my station as the maneuver we'll need to do is a little tricky and I'll need quick and instantaneous control to pull it off. There won't be time to relay engine commands. Let me know when the drives are ready. Stars out."

As Mike continues to work on the numbers, he realizes it's going to actually take two FTL jumps. The first to transition from their current hyperspace level back to "normal" hyperspace and then from there back to real space. It was going to be tricker than he first realized and take a little longer as well to get ready.

With his concentration focused on the problem at hand, all the other activities on the ship just seem to fade into the background and he's no longer consious of them around him. About twenty minutes in, he gets the call from Engineering that the FTL drives are on-line. "Roger that Engineering, FTL drives on-line and ready. Thanks. Be warned, I'm going to probably have to take them all the way into the red to pull this off. Make sure they don't fall apart on me. If you have any ideas about how much abuse they can take over a short two minute window, let me know now. Stars out." After about ten more minutes he finishes up his calculations and looks up to see the Captain staring at him. The sounds and noises from the rest of the ship come flooding back into his senses.

"Sorry Skipper, I was a little deep in concentration there. Here's what we have. First, we're currently traveling through a hitherto unknown level of hyperspace, speed unknown but faster than what we were supposed to be going at. I'll be honest, I have no idea where we are. The best I can do is get us out of hyperspace and into real space "here" where ever "here" is when we make the transition. Once we're out, we can try to determine our exact position.

"Now getting out is not going to be easy. We're actually going to have to make two jumps. One to get back in to the expected hyperspace dimension and then a second to get back into real space. And the first one is probably going to take the engines well into the red to get the power needed. Engineering reports that the engines are on-line and ready. I have the jumps calculated and ready to execute. We can go on your word.

"However, I strongly recommend that before we do this everyone quickly secure their areas and we issue the 'brace for impact' order just before we jump." Seeing the puzzlement on the Captain's face he continues, "have you ever hit a prarie dog hole doing sixty in a pickup? It slams your jaws together and rattles your brains. The first transition from deep to normal hyperspace is going to be like that, like we hit the 15 mile per hour school zone speed bump on main street doing eighty in a pickup with bad struts. People are going to get bounced and there are going to be headaches afterward," Mike said grinning.

"Ready on your command, Captain."

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Ronin84

September 14, 2012 - 11:34am

"Captain!"

Forrest yells out, "One more moment Grant could die if I don't get this clavicle stabilized, and I'm sure that Mike is a great pilot but I know all about back roads driving, and I'm not ready to be bounced around like the head pin of a bowling alley."

42 out of 100 on First aid to stabilize the shoulder and clavicle.

Sweat dripping down his face...he slams the pod lid closed and watches it cycle through it's safety protocols, pushing the restraint button to make sure Grant is secured.

I am not going to lose a crewman like this!

Dashing for an empty seat and strapping the safety belt on.

"Ok Captain, good as we're getting here!"

TerlObar

September 14, 2012 - 12:24pm

"Don't worry, Doc. I don't want to bounce you or the XO around any more than necessary. That's why I recommended giving everyone fair warning. Less work for you afterwards that way as well."

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Ronin84

September 14, 2012 - 1:45pm

"Stars y'all gonna go and spoil me." The smile is genuine though forced you can see the worry for the crew across his forehead, as his brow wrinkles.

"just mind your stick and I will try and remember you kindly next time we are in sick bay." This time folowed by a wink and smile. Though Forrest's eyes dart to the readout on the med pod.

OnceFarOff

September 14, 2012 - 6:05pm

"We're good to go down here", Kyrell signalled from engineering.

AZ_GAMER

September 17, 2012 - 8:35pm

Day One (Part 4):

"Lt. Finsletter reporting for duty", the young officer stated as she emerged from the lift on to the command bridge.

"Excellent timing Lieutenant, the XO is down and we need an extra hand up here at operations. Your personnel file indicates that you were rated for flying mil-spec interstel vessels like this one?", Captain Crane addressed the new officer while his hands glided over the glassy smooth helm touch screen console entering minor course corrections to smooth out the 'Logan's flight. "Take the helm Lieutenant," Crane invited as he stood up from his seat in front of the flight controls. "Lt. Commander Bell will relay our jump entry course and vector to you from his station", Crane gestured to the now wildly busy Astrogator working at his station. "There will be at least two jumps for us to transition to normal space so you will have to get ready to line up for the second jump as soon as we finish the first one. If we miss a jump entry, LT. Cmdr. Bell may have to educated you on the finer points of what happens when pick-up truck meets a prairy dog hole."

"Commander Kyrell", The Captain called into the communications panel. "We will be executing our jump soon and we will need you in the FTL module to monitor the Jump Drive. She'll be getting one hell of a workout with two successive jumps. See that she holds together so we can get our ass out of the fire."

"Doctor Forrest...", Captain called out as he turned from the Command Station and took a step up onto the floor of the main command deck. "Secure Commander Grant for the jump, we don't have much time. Every moment we stay here in hyperspace we travel farther and farther from home."

"Rojan, send any spare security officers you have left to engineering to assist Commander Kyrell or the damage control teams. And...tell them to be quick about it.", The Captain ordered as he passed the tactical station on his way back to the Command to the lower tier of the bridge deck.

"Aye, Captain", The steely skinned Ganai responded as he began relaying orders to his subordinates over his com-link.

A few minutes later, as Captain Crane paced about the deck studying the various station displays around him, the news he was waiting for finally arrives. The communications panel lit up like a Christmas tree as all departments called in their status reports. Everyone was in place at their designated alert stations or safely strapped into one of the many heavily reinforced emergency shelters throughout the ship. The command crew were in place at their stations with all tasks completed and anxiously awaited the final order to go.

"Ready Clara, this gonna be one hell of a ride", The Captain inquired playfully with a wink of his eye and a flash of his confidence inspiring smile. Everyone collectively inhaled as the Captain reached over Lt. Finsletter's shoulder and slowly depressed the enable button commanding the ships computer to engage the jump drive.

AZ_GAMER

September 17, 2012 - 8:50pm

OCC:

Lt. Finsletter: Roll piloting skill checks for each of the two jump manuvers and post die rolls & results.

Commander Kyrell: Roll engineering skill check to prevent break up for each of the two maneuvers.

Doctor Forrest & Lt. Commander Bell, you are still actively involved in your previous tasks and we have your result roles for those actions.

Day 2 Will Start On Next Monday So Be Sure To Get All Of Your Assignments In By Sunday.

AZ_GAMER

October 1, 2012 - 8:03pm

OOC: autotype and correct had a hayday with my post, so try to read around the occasional broken sentence or mis-spelling. For some reason I'm locked out of my own post to correct it any further.

OnceFarOff

September 18, 2012 - 7:09am

AZ_GAMER wrote:

OCC:
Commander Kyrell: Roll engineering skill check to prevent break up for each of the two maneuvers.

First roll: 42 Pretty sure that one is good.
Second Roll: 78 - hmm... no so sure...

(Not sure how many points of ADF and MR were used, but each point is 5% minus 10% for my LVL 2 engineering skill.)

rattraveller

September 18, 2012 - 4:45pm

Two rolls for piloting skill for Lt. Finsletter:

1st 68 (Shaking, rattling and rolling)

2nd 25 (Getting the hang of this)

Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go?

AZ_GAMER

September 24, 2012 - 8:35pm

DAY TWO (PART ONE):

Lieutenant Finsletter's hands glided across the glassy surface of the touch screen helm controls making minor corrections to the ship's course as it began to enter its jump. All eyes on the bridge turned anxiously towards the young officer as the ship's artificial intelligence core chimed an ominous warning in it's robotic female voice, "Warning, approach vector...wrong, entry vector...unstable, advise correct course now". Finsletter nervously looked at her panel, knowing she had over corrected, but unsure when the error had occurred. Finsletter knew, second guessing was suicidal, she took a deep breath, concentrated intently on her panel as she made her final corrections, and increased power to the main thrusters. Time seemed to slowly grind to a halt as the jump drive opened the unseen rift in hyperspace followed by a blinding flash of light as the 'Logan entered its first of two sequential jumps.

Moments later the William Logan exited the rift with a noiseless howl as it arrived into the shallow layer of void space. Everyone on the Bridge collectively breathed an audible sigh of relief as the ship shuddered and settled into its new course. The Captain stepped away from the operations station and took a step up on to the upper tier of the command deck. "That could have gone better, I have faith you will not repeat that again Lieutenant", he mildly chastised as he settled into his seat in front of the Grey 3000 A.I. computer core terminal.

Meanwhile, in the Hyperspace Drive control room Commander Kyrell could feel something was wrong deep inside his bones even before the vast bio-conductive circuitry of the Grey 3000 computer registered the alert on his console. "Engineering to Bridge...", Kyrell urgently barked onto his com-link. Barely waiting for the customary three second pause for acknowledgement Kyrell hastily continued, "I am detecting a structural instability in the aft engineering support module and am rerouting power to the shielding in that section." Morgan Kyrell's voice trailed off as he looked across the control room to see a brightly flashing display panel chiming a new alarm. The experienced engineer knew what the flashing symbols meant on the display even before he reached the panel to read the rapidly scrolling data. Almost loosing his footing during his sprint across the compartment, Morgan catches his balance with a hasty grab on the cold metal railing that left his hands stinging from the impact. Morgan looked up from his awkward position at the railing just in time to see a schematic image of the ship appear on the screen with the crimson glow of warning indicators. Morgan's heart skipped a beat as he read the display. In less than another skipped heartbeat the ship pitched wildly to the starboard side and alarm sirens sounded throughout the ship like a banshee's scream.

Thrown to the deck by the violent roll Kyrell managed to pull himself to the railing again and activated the communications panel. "Engineering to Bridge...We have a structural collapse in the aft engineering support module. Hull breeches detected on decks 10, 11, and 12. Looks like we lost the dropship and docking clamps, emergency bulkheads have activated and damage control teams are en-route."

Just as the Chief Engineer's worst nightmare of a hull breach at FTL was playing out before him a new menacing spectre in the form of a faint green mist seeping from the base of hyperspace drive core appeared. An almost imperceptible haze that slowly began to fill the three story deep chamber adjacent to the control room. Kyrell had to blink his eyes twice to be certain they were not playing tricks on him from the stress. However, it wasn't the hazy cloud of drive coolant slowly filling the deep chamber that caught Morgan's attention. It was the growing spiderweb like etching formed by the caustic gas as it slowly ate way at the 12 inch thick plasti-glass observation windows.

back on the Bridge, Lieutenant Finsletter rapidly typed commands into the helm control console. Firing the docking thrusters and applying alternate bursts from RCS system she managed to snap the 'Logan back out the roll back onto a stable trajectory. Within seconds the artificial gravity system was able to establish a stable field, Lt. Commander Bell leapt from his chair and ran to the helm station to assist Finsletter with maintaining control of the damaged ship.

Recognizing the imminent threat of a complete FTL Drive Core melt down Commander Kyrell sealed the control room's blast doors. "Engineering to Bridge... We have a serious problem here with the FTL Drive, we are venting coolant gas, and it's on the verge of a melt down.", Commander Kyrell shouted into the comm panel. "Whatever you're gonna do with that second jump you better go now or we aren't gonna have an FTL Drive to do it with."

Back at his station, Captain Crane could now see the streaming reports from the damage control teams and Commander Kyrell on his console. "Brige to Engineering.... acknowledged, as soon as we can get back on course we will start the second jump."

At the emergency medical pod, Doctor Forest frowned deeply as he got off the deck where he had fallen during the ship's uncontrolled roll and rushed back to the pod's controls. The pod's insturments displayed a troubling series of changes in Commander Grant's vital signs. The sudden tossing of the ship had aggravated the Commander's already serious injuries.

OnceFarOff

September 25, 2012 - 9:11am

"Hold together baby. You're too young to let go." Morgan mutters under his breath. Hoping somehow that the ship will listen...

TerlObar

September 25, 2012 - 9:42am

Arriving at the helm controls behind Lt. Finsletter, Mike takes a quick look at the ship's attitude. "Pitch down two point three degrees," he says quietly just for her to hear. "You're doing fine," he adds and then continues with the same calm voice despite the chaos erupting around them, "and then yaw right another one point six." He watches as the ship responds to her commands. "There! Hold that!" he says as the ship reaches the desired attitude.

Out loud Mike continues. "Captain, we're ready for the second jump. Initiating now." HItting the intercom panel on Lt. Finsletter's station he adds. "Engineering, Stars here. Hang on just a few more seconds, we're almost done." Rasing his voice so he can be heard on the entire bridge, he continues, "Initiating second jump on my mark. Three... Two... One... Mark!" and indicates to Lt. Finsletter that she should engage the FTL drive as he takes a firm grip on the back of her seat knowing he's in for a serious bouncing.

"Come on baby, hold together," he thinks to himself as he starts to feel the jump drive engage, "Just a bit longer."

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rattraveller

September 28, 2012 - 6:40pm

Lt. Finsletter sits at her post and follows her Captain's directions to the letter. Her responses are automatic and precise after years of study, training and practise. Another part of her mind is secretly thanking the Gods the Captain has moved in close and looking over her shoulder. Alot of pilots would be mad if anyone told them how to do their jobs but she knew she was in way over her head in this complete screw up of a first mission.

Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go?

AZ_GAMER

October 1, 2012 - 8:02pm

OOC: All Players Roll LOG checks And Please Post Results

TerlObar

September 29, 2012 - 1:50pm

LOG = 65, rolled a 05

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My blog - Expanding Frontier
Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site
Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine
Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine

rattraveller

September 29, 2012 - 2:05pm

Logic has flown out the window for Lt. Finsletter.

Roll=98

Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go?

OnceFarOff

September 29, 2012 - 6:25pm

Logic: 65 - roll 53

AZ_GAMER

October 1, 2012 - 8:02pm

OOC: Rolling Log Check For Ronin's Character

LOG: 55, Roll 29

AZ_GAMER

October 2, 2012 - 10:18am

DAY TWO (PART TWO)

Everyone on the bridge seemed to inhale a deep breath as the now familiar sensation of the Jump drive distorting the very fabric of space around them begins. Once again, time seems to grind into slow motion like a turn key toy that has finally wound to a halt. In this last moment before the jump time stutters and the crew's mind perceives the bright flash light indicating that the ship had past the point of no return and entered the rift that would bring them back to normal space.

Anyone who had ever seen the C.S.S. William Logan knew instantly that this starship was neither elegant nor refined in its design. She was a workhorse of a ship constructed with function above form and performance above comfort. Conceived to endure years and years of unsupported deep space exploration this ship was no stranger to the extremes of FTL travel. However, no one had ever intended the ship to go this deep into the void of hyperspace or perform two sequential emergency FTL jumps. The very fibres of the poly-metal hull seemed to groan and twist as the ship plunged from the formless void back into normal space.

Suddenly with a bright flash light the William Logan emerged into normal space arriving in the deep hazy cloud of dense nebula. Everyone on the bridge collectively exhaled with the realization they had made it through the jump alive and in one piece. Some less experienced crew members took a moment to confirm their integrity with a subtle pat down and sigh of relief.

The bridge suddenly came back to life with a constant quiet drone of alert tones and indicator chimes that filled the bridge with the busy sounds of space travel. "Stars" supportively tapped Lt. Finsletter on the shoulder as he turned from helm control and headed back to his station knowning his workday had just begun. On the upper tier of the command deck Doctor Forest could be seen rushing back to the med pod control console to continue trying to stabilize the seriously injured executive officer under his care. Elsewhere in the Hyperspace Drive Module near main engineering, Commander Kyrell resumed coordinating his engineering and damage control teams. Captain Crane knew all of them were exhausted, pushed to the brink, but the hardest task of all still lay before them...getting home.

AZ_GAMER

October 6, 2012 - 6:37pm

Day Two (Part Two): OOC LOGIC CHECK RESULTS

Lt. Finsletter:
Everything seems fine, you made it through one of the toughest hyperspace maneuvers you have ever heard of. You feel a sudden healthy rush of prideful confidence of making it through this alive.

Lt. Commander "Stars" Bell:
Upon returning to your astrogation station your instruments confirm what you observed from the exterior hull camera views displayed on the main view screen. The 'Logan has indeed arrived, relatively intact, into a very deep dust cloud nebula in normal space. Upon consulting your astrogation instruments you are immediately stuck by the fact that incoming telemetry data puts you way beyond known charted space. Your initial surprise has you running diagnostics from your control console to confirm that your instruments are still functioning properly.

Commander Kyrell:
Damage reports roll in wave after wave like a tsunami of chaos. At this point it's easier to tell what works then what doesn't. Life support, main power, gravity generators, fusion drive, and sensor arrays all seem to be working. FTL drive, capacitor shields, repulsor shields, weapons, and communications all are down. The engineering station in the FTL drive control room is lit up like a Christmas tree and your head hurts with the constant flashing of new alarms. As the FTL drive winds down, you open the one of the blast door shields to get a look at the damage inside. It's a bad scene inside the FTL drive chamber. The entire room is flooded with dangerous corosive coolant gases and smoke. Through the mist you can barely see the lights from the observation window of the equipment room on the other side of the chamber. The billowing green and grey clouds momentarily part and you catch the silhouette of Lieutenant Darius Stone's (http://starfrontiers.us/node/6994) unmistakable muscular form dressed in one of the ship's space suits exiting the room. You known Lt. Stone as one of your engineering staff assigned to gravity dynamics. But what was he doing here in the Hyperspace Drive Module? You don't recall seeing his name on the damage control roster for this module.

Doctor "Duke" Forrest:
You see that your patient's vital signs are failing rapidly. The severe roller coaster ride of the two jumps was hard on the crew but even harder on the injured. Your extensive training, experience, and keen senses quickly determine the problem. A fragment of bone has broken free from Grant's clavicle and punctured the Commanders Lung. You know she won't make it to the surgical bay in this condition. One of the medical support bots quickly zips up to you with an update on crew medical reports displayed on its touch screen face plate. As you review the data on the scrollling down the robot's face screen you realize that Grant has only two risky options. Put the Commander on ice by activating the med pods cryo-stasis function or performing emergency surgery right here on the bridge.

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