Archive through April 26, 2005
Star Fleet Universe Discussion Board: Star Fleet Battles: SFB Proposals Board:
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Archive through April 26, 2005
umm, you guys sure it is 6 hexes from the planet and not that range from the recon flight out around 300 hexes distant. Rich is asking SPP how far out his flight is in his post warning of the G1.
Captain Stovell listening in on the fighter banter.
"Paul here, David have we got confirmation of that G1 sighting? Could you feed range and bearing to my batteries asap, thanks"
"Jones make sure the batteries are all aware of the new boggie"
OOC- If the drones are still the main problem then the 150+ intercept is my choice. The impulse the drones cross 100 should depend on our observations of the drone stream (if allowed) IF they are in single hex then end aim to have the drones at range 1 from the planet on impulse 32 and work back from there. If they are split up at all then it might be better to have some enter the atmospher on one turn and the rest the turn following I'm thinking on this. I suspect the end at r1 is best unles we can split the drones over three turns. This would invovle a minimum 33 hex seperation from lead to trailing drone.
Switching to Command Comm line 'B' Channel.
"All posts and stations, report combat status!
Major Wile out."
assumptions: #1 Comm link "B" is to Only ground bases (such as the Phaser 4 units, the Ground Space Warning base (David Kass' command) and the Fighter Hanger modules). Assumption#2, with Sgt Major Plana out of the action, it just dawned on me that I don't recall ANY posts from David Kass reporting readiness of his unit. and Assumption #3 if the Space warning system is "off line" or off the Communications system, it might explain why the 429th did not detect the G1 gun boat that "tank" reported.
If I dont get an immediate response, the following will be sent on the private link to Col Knight:
"Major Wile to Col Knight: Recommend dispatch security to Space warning ground base. David Kass Command not reporting in on the Battalion Comm System. We may have a problem. Wile out."
Ken Kazinski: SPP has indicated we can essentially set the scenario up however we want, that we have infinite time in which to prepare and set up our defenses (but within the rules and only the defenses we actually have). There is no need to play out fighter loading/launch/transition to initial point (IP). Turn 0, impulse 32 the fighters are fully loaded and on station (wherever we decide that is), any SPs and GASs are on station with the SPs moving at least speed 1, and the leading drones are X hexes from the planet (and we get the define X).
Guys:
Calm down.
The CURRENT SITUATION (Acting with GM hat on) is as follows:
Loren Ordered the bulk of his fighters to load up but stay near the planet. So that is where they are.
As I have noted several times, and will note once more, the PDU will be at WSIII when the drones arrive on map, to include full deployment, i.e., Loren Can Tell Me Exactly What Hex Each Fighter/Shuttle Is In At That Point And Where Any Troops Have Been Deployed If He Wants To Deploy Troops.
Loren Can Issue Firing Instructions, but as of right now based on his earlier statement I am assuming the leading drones will arrive on the Map (hit hex 100) On Impulse #25 of Turn #1, and all will flow from there.
Loren Ordered the CAP (Flt Lt Richard Sherman as Flight Lead) to go recon one of the drone waves. He defined the CAP as a standard fighter (Sherman) and the EWF (while I thought it curious that the EWF just happened to be on CAP, and commented on that point, I let it go).
The Cap was approaching the 400 hex interception point (I actually defined this as 350 hexes) when the EWF picked up a Gunboat, closing fast.
Richard Sherman is in the process of deciding if he is going to try to carry out his original mission and get past the gunboat to see the drones, or run for home.
Let me add, you are all invited to "role play" your actions getting your personnel and those things your character controls ready for the action. (The Planetary Defense Home Forces are probably working feverishly on getting people to shelters, perhaps using their truck company and GCVs for that purpose.)
Major Wile has no "Command", he has a staff section [the "Three (Operations) Shop"], at this juncture he is supposed to be advising Colonel Knight and supervising the status, i.e., "Colonel Knight, all batteries report ready. Fighter Ground bases have not reported lift off of the fighters yet, but are scrambling to get the scatter packs loaded." Aside to the Fighter Ground Bases "Why have you not launched the shuttles yet? What is the hold up?"
And so on.
Master Gunner DeMaris approached his superior and leaned in close to confer discretely.
"Major Wile, I really think you should reconsider your assesment of the Klingon's capabilities. I think it's far more likely that the Klingons have a gunboat escorting each drone wave. Moreover, if they are and we split the fighters up to engage each drone group, well, that's just begging the fighters to get wiped out piecemeal. Two fighters would have to get lucky to even drive a gunboat away, much less damage it. We'd probably need flights of four fighters to be able to fight off a gunboat and engage the drones. Perhaps we should recommend sending the fighters out that way and deploying shatterpacks to break up the drone waves from the other directions?"
(Or is this wildly inappropriate to any service, for a very senior NCO to quietly suggest to an officer that he might be making an invalid assumption?)
"Banshee 3 to Haunted House. Confirming one bandit - G1 gunboat, repeat, G1 gunboat - on intercept course 180 mark 2, range 50kk, closing fast. Our position is 350kk from home at 359 mark 9."
I heard the Old Man get on the line, and order us to turn away 120 to vector A. Were we being ordered to bug out? Parallel? Pull back for reinforcements? What? And what happened to Banshee Lead? If the Old Man is jumping the chain, something else must be up...
"Haunted House. Please confirm last. Over."
OOC: Guys, as SPP said, my character and his EWF wing is in contact with a G1, type unknown. It is 50 hexes away from my position in direction A. Right now my element is 350 hexes away from the planet.
If I engage, I "die," but the EWF might be able to get a look at the drone swarm in this direction before it makes it's real estate deal too.
If I disengage, I and my wing are OUT OF THE BATTLE until AFTER the drone swarm hits the planet. I will not be available to assist in defense. Obviously, our two fighters will survive, and return to base at a later time.
There is - possibly - a third option. The G1 will gain 4 hexes per turn on my element if I HET RIGHT NOW and head directly back to the planet at maximum speed on the same course I headed out on, IF it pursues us(which it may not, depending on what it's mission is).
What this means is that it will reach range 15 - its maximum firing range to us in just under 9 turns. It'll make range 10 - disruptor range - in 10 turns. Range 8 in under 11 turns.
At maximum speed, my element can reach the MIDPOINT between "here and home" in under 7 turns (350/2 = 175 hexes. 175/ speed 26 = 6.73 turns)
What this means is that IF 1 or 2 (or more) fighters is committed to rendevous with my element at the mid-point, we may be able to drive off this G1, and get a look at the drone swarm while it is still about 220 hexes out (more than 6 turns).
And guys, it shouldn't be lost on anyone that there is only a single G1 out here in this direction, but the drones are inbound from the six cardinal directions...
PLEASE ADVISE.
Revised G1 interception figures:
The above is true if the EWF jettisons it's sensor pod. Which I am inclined to do if we rendevous with other fighters, depending on command's decision.
If I am ordered to retain the pod, then the G1 will reach range 15 in exactly 7 turns. That makes rendevous with reinforcements much tighter, but still doable.
And now, for some more "color commentary..."
The Wizzo, call-sign "Fuzzy," heard Tank's radio call for clarification.
"Close up to within 1kk of Tank," Fuzzy told "Stork," the 6'3" "bird-deflector" in front of him. He flicked both of his electronics packages to the left, and checked his outputs.
"Max ECM! Tank, we're as blurry as I can get us."
All Banshee 6 heard in reply was "click-click." Tank was busy too.
Captain Grafton turned to his Company Gunnery Sergeant, "Go get the Planetary Home Defense Battallion people armed and organized. If anyone from their chain of command shows up, turn that mess over to them, otherwise get them armed, equipped and ready for deployment."
He signed as the Husky Sgt trotted off cursing...
Reaching to consult his pad, he pinged and recieved an OK from each of his deployed units and then rapidly typed an update to Batt HQ
To: Maj Wile
From: GMG-6
1) Defense Company fully deployed per SOP
2) Planetary Home Defense Batt. has NOT formed at this time and their chain of command has not reported for duty. UNORDIR, as individuals report to the GMG armory they are being formed in ad hoc units and kept at the GMG as PDU reserve.
3) GMG admin shuttle is enroute to (wherever) for loading as a shatter pack.
Grafton, Commanding
off camera
1) Have all the other shuttles been sent to be readied at the fighter bases?
2) I would suggest that our CAP send a bit more detail as it becomes available, ie what models are these G1s? Ground Assault?
3) We know that the ships observed included 5 cruiser sized with 2 using special sensors. So a Pft is probably one of the bad guys.
4) Note that a Large freighter sent to resupply the striking drone ship would appear to be size class ___. I wold suggest we ask SPP what level Tac Intel we have and thus what we know. If do we have a warp signature size?
Rich, you have an interesting situation out there. Assuming that the EWF is running at least 4 ECCM (to counter the STM) then the G1 is just entered your detection range. On his side, the 6 ECM you have (2 for normal fighter, 4 for STM) is beign countered by his 2 free ECCM and possibly 2 more from his swing points. Meaning you should be within his S5 (a one shift applied to his A) range. The question should be what is his direction from you and what is his current speed.
The other question is whether you detected the leading edge of the drone wave...
Richard you can squeeze an exra hex from your fighters by use of mid-turn speed changes.
It is specifically allowed in the rules.
Perhaps it can be explained by some clever flying!
SPP & Loren, please expound on which troops and "stuff" are assigned to the Maneuver Comapny unuts and the Defense company (+ detachments).
As I understand it, defense company includes
ALL the guards in the bases (2 BP per base IIRC),
All the leftover BPs that aren't in Maneuver Coy
plus the GMG admin shuttle,
plus the GMG stuff (like the 12 trans arty rounds and 4 transporters).
I assume I will also get any crew units that are formed nto militia unless someone else has alternate needs. They are not really as mobile as other units from a transportation standpoint.
NOTE, as I interpret the Home Guard Batt TO&E, they have more GCVs than BPs assigned, thus not making full use of their capabilities. I am assuming for game purposes that their stuff is stored at the GMG.
Also, where do you want the tanks to START (they are not transporter mobile).
"Master Gunner" DeMaris:
What is your duty post?
IIUC I am still awaiting transpport from the "party" at the Governor's estate (no update on that from SPP, sooooo I assume I and other officers are awaiting our turn to transport.
Secondly, my station is in the GMG Annapolis.
Just guessing, but I would have to assume that a master gunner would be more helpful in one of the 3 phaser IV batteries...not the OP S3 office. (remember, I fill a staff billit, not an operational command such as the manuver btn element or a fighter section... as such I expect that I would have little need for a senior NCO master gunner in my section.)
Up to this point, I haave been dealing with the situation "remotely" using little more that a communicator, text messaging and fiddling with my (hopefully forgotten) wine glass.
Unless you were at the Ball in the Gov's estate...I find it curious that you could "jump the Queue" at the transporter to beam half way across the planet (assuming your normal assignment is away from the capital) just to whisper a admonition to your "superior officer"
(you would also have to be connected to the battalion comm net to see all of the messages, as well as reading Col knights personal comm link, to be a party to all of the information.)
that said, I certainly welcome your input, but you would need a different assignment to be at either the GMG or the Gov ball than "Master Gunner".
Paul,
I'm aware of the mid-turn speed trick. Unfortunately, for purposes of pursuit, the G1 can do the same thing, or just go speed 31. And even if he uses a full point of impulse power, power is not an issue for him right now.
G1 in fast pursuit, projected EA:
15 power
---------
1 - shields
7 - speed 31 movement
2 - EW
1 - HET allocated, if needed
.6 - EM allocated, if needed
That leaves the G1 with 3.4 power left over, plus a battery, and that's with him allocating for things he might not need (HET, EM).
Stewart:
I am not in detection range of the drone wave yet. You may presume that is why the G1 is 50 or so hexes away from me; if the drone wave is there, I'd have to get PAST him to detect it, or force him away.
Tough to do with 2 F16M, even if one of them is an EWF.
Confirming current EW status for each fighter:
2 generated ECCM (built-in)
2 generated ECM (built-in) + 4 generated ECM (EW pods) + 4 natural ECM (stm at current range) = 10 ECM
Capt Grafton, message recieved. Thanky you.
Captian David Kass, Please report status of your unit! Acknowledge!
Major wile out.
NOTE a Marine Master Gunner is a Warrant Officer Rank, not an enlisted...
General Comment:
OOC
Some thing "fishy" going on here...
Up to now we have been accepting the drone strike at face value, estimated 6 groups, 60 per group, 360 units (fast speed) for a min cost of 360 BPV (with the speed upgrade).
the launch group with "five Cruisers" would weigh in between 510 to 700 BPV (depending on type).
now it appears that one of the hulls was inded a PFT. with 6 G1's (at 20 economic cost BPV each and a combat BPV of 38 (plus drone speed upgrades) that adds 120 to ~240 combat BPV to the mix...
that would pit 1,000 to over 1,500+ BPV against the 429th PDU (IIRC had less than 500 BPV?!?)
we are looking at a "Major effort" by the Klinogns at a time when supposedly they are trying to make war "on the cheap"
something just doesnt "add up"
Richard,
Sorry I didn't work your example through properly.
Jeff, casual PFs, we don't have a positive confirmation that there is a G1S out there, do we?
Jeff Wile:
The BPV costs of this are irrelevant. It it a role play situation.
Beyond that your analysis of "strategy" has been, is, and remains, flawed.
The effort versus one planet is in the scope of things minor. The effort is NOT how much damage can be done to one planet, the amount of damage is simply cake. More would be better, of course. There is no intent to damage the PDU with the drone strike (per se), as a drone strike cannot damage a PDU (barring as some have noted some possible hits on fighters/shuttles/etc., but it cannot actually be targeted on any of the ground bases).
The EFFORT is to DIVERT FLEET UNITS. If this planet gets hit, how many other minor colonies are there that the Federation may be forced to permanently deploy ships to? Ships that will then not be available for offensive operations against the Empire.
So, yes, it is "war on the cheap". Expend a few drones here and maybe several squadrons of Federation ships are diverted to local defense.
Economy of force.
In that context, the planet has meaning only because it does have Federation citizens on it, even though as has been noted it provides nothing of value in and of itself to the Federation's war effort.
But the Federation will defend its citizens even if they are not providing valuable support to the war effort. That is why the planet has a PDU when it does not materially support the war effort.
Jeff Wile:
Moving your character is your duty. If people get carried away with things, I might have to interevene (like using a lot more transporter capacity than you have), but beaming officers from the party to battle stations is not going to be such a major drain that I am going to individually queueing people for when they can transport. That is just you walking your character around, just as Loren Knight has already beamed himself.
But what if all that ever hits the map is the flotilla and the bombardment drones. Wouldn't that be closer to the BPV of the 429th? SPP never said the ships were moving closer to the planet.
Opps, SPP already posted.
Jeff,
you are assuming that the entire 'force' that Starfleet detected will be in fact engaging the 429th PDU.
If the engagement actually consists of a G1 PF flotilla and ? Type IIIXX drones, then the BPV mix would be much closer than you've indicated.
Also, no one has yet to confirm the presence of any drones. The Klingons could very well be using the G1 (s) as a diversion to prevent the 429th from reporting to Starfleet that they are NOT the target of the drone strike, thereby allowing Starfleet to isolate the actual target by a process of elimination.
Edit: Guess SPP beat me to the point 
Michael C. Grafton:
The data says:
INFANTRY COMPANIES:
Maneuver Company:
Captain Alex Chobot, Commanding.
First Platoon: Lieutenant Jim Davies.
Second Platoon: Lieutenant Ed Grondin.
Third Platoon: Lieutenant Mike Raper.
GCV Platoon: Lieutenant Les LeBlanc.
GAS Platoon: Lieutenant John Trauger.
Ground Military Garrison: BPV 20, Commander's Option Points available: 4.
General Defense Company:
Captain Michael C. Grafton, Commanding.
Deployed with the various Small Ground Bases.
Basically that means you control and fight the GMG, and those BPs at the GMG not formally part of the Ground Maneuver Company (one heavy weapons squad and one boarding party, basically). Organizationally, it is hard to tell who owns the Admin shuttle, but I suspect it would belong to the Maneuver Company, although you share it as a kind of jeep. Obviously that means you control all the rest of the GMG (the crew units that are not Ground Combat Troops), but you only play maneuver company commander if your company forms (i.e., the various local security teams at the other bases start gathering at some location with you).