Declassified Communications Intercepts Y174

From: Tholian Security Services

To: Secretary of Isolation & Secretary of Resources

Subject: Operation BEST clearances

The Tholian Security Services understands the sudden burden approving staff, crew, and officers for this operation has placed on the Department of Isolation and Department of Resources. To lesson the burden, Improve Security, and hasten operations I approve the use of the Ground Combat Division 5 to provide the bulk of the additional boarding parties and commandos requested for the 4 destroyers assigned to BEST to augment their standard detachments. All these personal have a security sufficient for alien contact portions of this operation.

Disodium Inosinate, Minister of Security

By Fred J. Kreller (Kreller1) on Thursday, August 04, 2011 - 07:24 pm: Edit

The Vudar are sad to report that two of the small freighters were lost due to poor movement choices by the Destroyer squadron. As a result, none of the destroyers took any internals, and the heavy shield damage is easily reparable. The colony is still in need of some supplies, and the return profits from the colony are less than pleasing to Vudar High Command.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Friday, August 05, 2011 - 03:59 pm: Edit

Were the matchups posted, or was it emailed? I never did get mine, although my opponent has contacted me and we're set to play. ;)

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Friday, August 05, 2011 - 04:02 pm: Edit

I hope it's okay that I'm going to end up flying my duel before my monster scenario... if not, let me know ASAP and I'll cancel my game with Troy until such time as I finish the monster one.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Friday, August 05, 2011 - 04:11 pm: Edit

Well, we're starting, so I hope so. ;)

By Peter Thoenen (Eol) on Friday, August 05, 2011 - 04:26 pm: Edit

Dale:

They were posted on the BBS, read back

Also I don't think it's ok as it might impact your forces available for the fleet fight. Unlikely but possible.

By Mike Johnson (Akira) on Friday, August 05, 2011 - 05:24 pm: Edit

Dale you should fly the scenarios in order in case you take lasting damage to your ships.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Friday, August 05, 2011 - 05:32 pm: Edit

OK, what to do then. We've started the game and have flown 1 turn.

Should I go back, fly the first mission, and then start the second game over?

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Friday, August 05, 2011 - 05:50 pm: Edit

Nothing of consequence has really happened in the game, so if I can get through the first mission without lasting damage, I guess I'm good to go... otherwise we'll have to start over...

By Mike Johnson (Akira) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 07:35 am: Edit

yes please do fly the first mission,well, first!

By Josh Driscol (Gfb) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 10:08 am: Edit

I sent in the saved game from the first mission, with a question on a monster feeding mistake.

So far ive not gotten a response, so no idea if the saved game opens or what to do about the second F-S that was hit for 6 6 6, yeah what are the odds that the thinnest skinned ships would get the maximum damage.

Im fine with the loss of two freighters, never liked those two freighters anyway.

But i have seen people report their victory before really completing the scenario, after the monster is dead there isn't much to do.

So do I schedule with the Hydran, redo the displacer beast for the 3rd time, or is it 4 with the saved game that refused to open.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 02:54 pm: Edit

Handling solo mission now.

Got to say this is more fun than it looked. So far.

Turn 1 complete, the squadron has spread out and moved towards the planet at speed-12. The DD Sly Cooper has taken damage to her #3 shield (twice!) but no internals yet. The DW Flipper took a bite to the tailfin (#4). All ships took a ding on the nose from the dust, except those with reinforcement. Freighters all hauling ash so they have no power to spare.

Monster tummy @72, phaser damage was 39 this turn. All ships roughly 14 hexes from the planet and 13 hexes from safety...

By Peter Thoenen (Eol) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 03:05 pm: Edit

The Vudar destruction of the Frax has been postponed do to the Vudar High Command suffering instrument corruption as a result of a subspace power disruption.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 03:28 pm: Edit

T2 complete. More battering and shield damage on the warships, but no internals yet. Cooper's shields are getting thin. But, I scored 58 damage on the beast this turn with phasers, so it will lose its first attack, allowing the ships to reach the safety of the planet's clear zone.

Monster tummy @ 171.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 04:08 pm: Edit

All units reach safety of the planet. DW Ganga and DD Cooper stick necks out to lure monster in. 91 points of phaser damage scored; Ganga takes a bad bite to the tail but, no internals yet.

Monster tummy @ 277.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 04:30 pm: Edit

Monster zips around while ships huddle under planet's umbrella. Random die puts monster close to planet; Ships tac and blast it. Phaser damage = 77; Monster tummy @ 354.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 04:44 pm: Edit

Monster wanders around while ships huddle up, firing at closest pass (range 5-6). 42 more phaser damage done; monster tummy @ 396.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 04:53 pm: Edit

Turns 6 & 7, monster wanders away and stays away while ships just perform repairs on shields.

By Christopher M Schrader (Eastcoastfolk) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 05:13 pm: Edit

I guess my 65 impulse record for filling the beast is secure.

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 05:14 pm: Edit

Turn 8, bored of waiting for the thing to randomly bop near the planet, Ganga sticks her nose out. Monster makes a beeline for dinner. It works, and Ganga's shield holds (barely).

Phaser fire at close range from all units scores a total of 104 damage, bringing the critter's total to 514. Full, it disappears, leaving the freighters to load up their full load of cargo and exit the map peacefully.

Monster defeated on T8; All freighters load up and will exit map fully loaded. Victory points = 400/400*80 = 80 VPs.

Game save sent to Mike!

By Dale McKee (Brigman) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 05:20 pm: Edit

Chris, yeah, you're safe. I guess I could have done it better but in the end, once I reached the planet, it was a no-brainer. Not bad, but that's 4 hours of my life I'll never get back. But I wanted to do it by the numbers and play it out.

By Troy Latta (Saaur) on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 05:43 pm: Edit

That's what I did too, Dale. Filled up my monster on turn 7, but then I could cancel more of its ECM than most folks could.
Btw, I used the tractor rotation rules to great effect in the final stage. Ship declares speed 1, moves into the cloud on i32, monster comes in for a bite. Base tractors the lure, then everyone fires at the monster and the base can rotate the lure back into safety over the turn break.
The lure can even fire at the monster because the displacer beast isn't a ship so (G7.91) doesn't apply!

By Josh Driscol (Gfb) on Sunday, August 07, 2011 - 04:50 am: Edit

ISC Destroyer Squadron 22

Reports displacer beast killed in 5 turns 3 impulses with the loss of the F-S Valtressa and all hands. All ten of them.

Damage to the DDL and DD's were repaired in under 50 turns, and the fleet disengaged for 70 VP on turn 55.

The contaminated F-S was left in orbit of QX-57 for salvage and decontamination.

The Squadron will do battle with the Hydrans soon.

By Troy Williams (Jungletoy) on Monday, August 08, 2011 - 04:40 pm: Edit

Dang, I was hoping the monster might remove one of those Peladine cruiser class destroyers.

Those things are armed to the teeth.

By Troy Latta (Saaur) on Monday, August 08, 2011 - 05:00 pm: Edit

-=MEMORANDUM=-
The Drexari must be protected.
Long-range scanners have picked up three small alien vessels on an approach vector. Vessels appear to be crewed by carnivorous felinoids. It is unknown whether or not they would find Drexari palatable, but chances are not to be taken. At current rate of closure, encounter predicted in approximately 3.5 terrestrial rotations.
Analysis indicates each carries four launchers for small faster-than-light missiles, similar to an underpowered tachyon missile, but in greater quantity. They also have several phasers which appear to be identical to those of the Federal Republic of Aurora and two beam weapons of unknown manufacture, approximately of the same strength and power consumption as a light hypercannon, albeit with expanded arcs. One of them has GREATLY expanded firing arcs.
Classification: probably hostile. Vector indicates an approach close to space interdicted by Drexari Preservation Order #1.
Directive: Assault. Enemy vessels must not be allowed to approach Drexari Preservaion Zone. Freighters will be stationed outside engagement area to await escort to final destination. Analyze expanded firing arcs of enemy vessels and, if possible, capture an example for possible replication. Enemy disengagement is to be allowed and even encouraged.
The Drexari will be protected.
-=MESSAGE ENDS=-