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[SeriousConcentrate]

"Wanderlust and a chance to try my hand at grand theft aero," Scott responded with a grin. "I've been flying for twelve years; it took the Empire that long to catch up with me. I won a ship at cards when I was fifteen but the stingy bastard - pardon my French - didn't want to hand over the keys to his Sorraia-class fighter... so I laid him out and stole the thing." He laughed. "I almost got blown up by the orbital defense cannons on my way out of New Damascus, but damned if I didn't have a knack for flying, and that Sorraia flew like an eagle."

He sighed and sat back in his chair. "I haven't seen her in awhile. When they finally caught me they confiscated her and told me 'either join up or go to jail.' Hell, I ain't got time for prison. And 'sides, if I'd taken Option B you'd be sitting here on your lonesome. Can't say I particularly like or dislike flying under a government banner, but it's a lot different than going from planet to planet on my own. On the one hand, freedom; on the other, regular meals and pay. Tough choice. What about you? What made you wanna suit up for the skies, in a manner of speaking?"

[Tiruin]

"Information."

"See, my homeworld gets its news and knowledge via tachyon communication from the passing merchant fleets and tradeports. Its always a seasonal event to celebrate every waning quarter of the second moon as that is the time the last trade ships depart - they usually do it in a spectacular manner, mind you, with all the effects and flight demonstrations."

Inara glanced back to the other fighters to check if they were ready, seeing as there was still time, she continued.

"But that's not the reason. Remember I said something about ruins on our planet? Those. During one of my hiking trips, I discovered a strange winged artifact - seemingly made of gold and shaped like a bird. I was alone then, so I decided to test it out. Threw it off a cliff and watched it fly; it moved like a fish through water, but kept its motions fluid and smooth amidst the soft wind, flying in circles before alighting at my feet, directly from where it was thrown.

"That, and the fact that I believe the Empire is falling into a derelict state. I-...really can't explain it correctly at the moment Scott." she added abruptly. "Maybe later?"

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Ah. Jealous of the birds, huh?" Scott said, raising an eyebrow knowingly. "Fair enough if you don't want to talk about it. I'm more or a horse man myself though. Back on New Damascus, we used horses to get most everywhere. Cheaper than man-made vehicles, y'know, and the planet's still being settled so it ain't like you need a fancy car to get anywhere important." He himself was a third-generation New Damascus settler. "If it was closer to major trade routes that'd probably be fixed right quick, but you know how it is when the planet's out in the ass end of nowhere."

As far as he knew, New Damascus had worthwhile resources, but not enough to worry about going in there full-throttle to get. Its main thing was it was very close to the original Earth's environment, if a bit warmer overall, so it was more valuable as a place to colonize... though only by folk who didn't mind being off almost every major and many minor trade routes. It certainly wasn't a tourist trap, that was for certain. "What do you miss most about your homeworld? In my case it's the freedom. There isn't much of a government back there, and a man can do whatever he wants on his land. Ain't like you have to worry about disturbing the neighbors."

He grinned. "Now, the closest neighbor my family had was the Hudsons, and they had a nice patch of land. They built their house right near the edge of this plateau, with a river not even a hundred yards from the house. The river went over the edge and made a pretty nice waterfall, and you could get to it by going down some slopes near it. Me and Mary Elizabeth Hudson, we... heh..." He shook his head. "Well, that probably ain't polite conversation with a lady, so I'll spare you the details. Have a lot of good memories about the banks of that basin, though..."

[Dwarmin]

Jaxos businesslike voice echoes from the intercom system.

"All pilots in launch position-1 minute to sling. All personnel clear the bay."

...

The launching system of most space borne carriers such as the Tripoli only bears momentary mention-the quickest way usually to deploy fighters is to literally sling them from launch docks in the sides of the ship at high speed-it's not unlike firing a bullet from a gun...and the pilots are subjected to fairly powerful G-forces-the inertial dampers only kick in once they are clear. Emergency hatches and the grav rails are completely independent of the vessel, and can be fired off remotely even from the hanger itself, allowing launches even if the ship has taken heavy damage.

Should one return from a mission, a slipfighter navigates back to the central hanger, which is usually the most heavily armored and shielded section of the carrier and located underneath-where there ship locks back into the gravrail system that runs throughout the ship, and is smoothly rotated back into position at the launch dock, again like a bullet in a revolver-the slipfighter is serviced en route in a conveyor belt style, and a good engineering crew learns to do everything on the move with the utmost speed and percision.

Landings, refuelings, rearmings and takeoffs were often in less than five minutes, back in the glory days of the Empire.

[Unholy_Pariah]

"Im sorry my pixelated little friend but our competition shall have to wait"
 Says Auron pausing his game and reaching for his helmet."we will finish this when i get back"

pause game and put on my helmet then strap myself in and brace for launch, once outside the ship fall into formation with scott.

[Digital Hellhound]

Prospero strapped himself in, trying to contain his excitement. He had to sound professional in front of the others. He considered his words carefully.

'This is Thunder 2 - good luck, everyone. Think of the millions of pilots before you who have launched in these craft and their predecessors, heading into the void and the unknown - the greatest of the Empire's heroes. No matter what we face out there, remember the legacy of men and women like us, stretching to the earliest atmo pilots before humanity even had thought of conquering space.'

Prospero smiled, thinking back on his studies. 'Marigar. Bloodworth. Dalia and her 971st Squadron. All names every citizen in the Empire knows, all names carved into the walls of the Lion's Gate. Let's do our jobs well, and it will bear our names as long as the Empire survives in turn. Thunder 2, out.'

Strap in and get ready!

[Dwarmin]

The sensation of being punched in the chest by a giant fist is usually what's it described like.

Thunder Wing launches in unison, each prepared in their own way.

[?]

As per training, the six pilots quickly form into reverse triangle formation in preparation of a combined slip jump-only Prospero misjudges his speed, and overshoots the line. He sheepishly activates his retros and moves back into his spot, perhaps enduring some gentle chiding from his fellows.

~This is Prophet. Coordinates are set and locked. Follow us in ten minute intervals if our comms go out. Preparing slip field...now.~

Slipspace-and the Slip Fighter-are both vital tools in the wars of this era. Slipping between realities is not an easy task, but far easier for a small vessel. So they go now, each feeling the sting of quick acting sedatives from their IV lines numbing their senses and sending them into dreamless sleep. They have all trained to let themselves lose consciousness at this critical juncture-the alternative does not bare contemplating.

...

The actual jump itself is mostly done by computer, though exceptionally skilled individuals have learned to program the systems prior to their sleeping/waking cycle. Their world fades, and...

Slipjump commencing.

...

There is a sudden shock, as emergency adrenals counter the sedatives and force the members of the Thunder Kings back into consciousness. As before, their training has enforced the need to become immediately aware.

[1][?]

Auron is first to regain complete control of his faculties. He instinctively checks his scanners, then employs the Mk-1 eyeball. What is that?

The others file in unison almost immediately after, checking calls.

They are at the first listening post, or whats left of it. It seems to have been reduced to scrap parts, leaked gas fields, and odd ghost signals...nothing is going to repair that.

Prophets voice echoes on the comm line.

~This is bad. There's nothing left here...my team is hitting the next mark. Thunder Kings, you might consider a in depth search of the area, if you think it's worth it. That said, you could just follow us or split your men. I'll leave it up to you, Cowboy.~

Her wing dozes out, not wasting any time.

The Thunder Kings, plus two members of Prophets wing, float in space-contemplating their next move.

Identifying Local POI...

6xUnidentified Wreckage, Large/Medium Mass, Short Range
5xOrganic Forms (Human, Deceased)
Anomalous Repeating Signal Reading (Location undetermined)
Imperial Pulse Beacon (Unactivated)
Ion Gas Field (Hazardous Combustible)
Unidentified Gas Field (? ? ?)
8xSmall Slipspace Signatures (faint readings, Trajectory unknown)

Current Location: Listening Post A1, RG-195 system

0% Fuel cost
To Listening Posts A2-12

5% Fuel cost
To I.S.S Tripoli
To Solartech Station

10% Fuel Cost
To Vancouver Asteroid Belt
To Planet Kingsmount (System capital)
To Planet Masonrift (Industrial world)

20% Fuel Cost
To Praexae Lunarus
To Planet Euclyptus V (Farm world)
To Planet Burnout (Industrial world)
To Planet Loocan (Industrial world)

25% Fuel Cost
To Planet Enduring Song (Munitions Moon)
To Jumpgate-->Storm Coast System (RG-196)
To Jumpgate-->Tala's Heart System (Rg-197)

((Remember, investigating anything takes time. ))

Spoiler: Jimmy Aslak (Larch) (click to show/hide)

Craft: Typhoon D3
Armor Integrity: 100%
Shield Integrity:  100%
Missiles: 2 remaining (Incendio 'Superhydra' Assualt Multi-Missile 2d6+6 damage)
Fuel Remaining: 95%
Active Bonuses: +1 Piloting, +4 Reflexes

Spoiler: Solane Aceae (Paprika) (click to show/hide)

Craft: Thunderchild C6
Armor Integrity: 100%
Shield Integrity:  100%
Missiles: 1 remaining (IA Shredder 4d4 damage)
Fuel Remaining: 95%
Active Bonuses: +3 Piloting, +2 Defense

Spoiler: Auron Kell (Ironsight) (click to show/hide)

Craft: Thunderchild C6
Armor Integrity: 100%
Shield Integrity:  100%
Missiles: 1 remaining (IA Shredder 4d4 damage)
Fuel Remaining: 95%
Active Bonuses: +2 Piloting, +2 Defense, +1 Marksmanship

Spoiler: Prospero (Carcass) (click to show/hide)

Craft: Thunderchild C6
Armor Integrity: 100%
Shield Integrity:  100%
Missiles: 1 remaining (IA Shredder 4d4 damage)
Fuel Remaining: 95%
Active Bonuses: +2 Piloting, +2 Defense, +1 Marksmanship

Spoiler: Inara/Scott (Ruin/Cowboy) (click to show/hide)

Craft: Blackweave
Pilot: Inara
Gunner: Scott
Armor Integrity: 100%
Shield Integrity:  100%
Missiles: 3 remaining (IA Wave Pulse Missiles 1d5+2 damage)
Bombs: 4 remaining (Hullbusters 10% damage vs vessels)
Fuel Remaining: 95%
Active Bonuses: -1 Piloting, +4 Defense

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Larch, you're our tech guy. You take Carcass and Blue 4 and look around. The rest of us are going to jump ahead," Scott said, giving the order.

[Tiruin]

Pre-launch chatter.

Inara was unsure how to reply. The topic was drifting closer and closer to things she didn't, or had trouble with talking about. Shifting back and readying the controls, strapping herself in and checking all pre-launch systems, she was somewhat glad when Jaxos' voice cut in - that, and Scott couldn't see the expression on her face.

Why was she nervous now?


Moments later...

It was like a dream. A vivid illusion which you have full control over, only to be shattered leaving you disoriented in the sense of reality. You knew how you got there, but your memory was like a dream - hazy and intangible.

A blip on the radar brought Inara's attention back as she hoped Scott didn't notice her silence. At least here, informal language was alright other than the strict codes learnt in the academy.

"We have eight other signatures of unknown origin, bandits probably? Painting sights on where that repeater is coming from but I'm all in agreement for heading forwards."

She shifted the channel to her co-pilot. "Where do you think we should head first?"

If Scott agrees: Head towards the Repeating Signal Reading.

If not: Head where he wants to.

[Digital Hellhound]

'Understood, Thunder 1. I've got you covered, Larch.'

Prospero steered his plane to follow Aslak - a bit more gently, this time.

Cover Larch and Blue 4, keeping an eye out for dangers.

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Good enough for me. Take us there, Ruin. Blue 3, Paprika, Ironsight, form up on the Blackweave."

[Tiruin]

Inara nodded with a smile.

"C9 Bomber moving to tweak the anomaly. Scanners detect an inactive beacon along with multiple gaseous fields - unsure if from the station or from natural remnants.

"I'd suggest we split on this matter."

[Dwarmin]

Blue 3 chimes in. He sounds a younger man, probably coreworld.

"I've got a name, you know. Call me Ranger for now. I'll form up with your pals, and sorry we couldn't get a proper introduction earlier...oh, and Blue 4 is callsign Bedouin. He's not much of a talker..."

Overriding that is a quiet, more reverent voice.

"I merely save my words for when they are most needed, Des. As for my personal opinion-These signals, they look too small to be manned craft, at least to me. That's a smaller signature than a Tarrak Needle fighter. Drones of some sort? I don't know...I'm going to get in a bit closer..."

[Unholy_Pariah]

form on the blackweave, keep an eye on my sensors

Understood cowboy, falling in. said Auron before hearing Bedouins analysis of the signals. Take care Bedouin, if they are drones then they were probably launched by something nearby or are merely the vanguard of the assault.

[Skyrunner]

Solana keeps quiet, her engines off and comm set to listen mode. The eight blips are small, and if they are actually fighters disguised as floating bits of wreckage, a bomber would be a sitting duck, in space, with two people aboard. She clicks the sender on and reports an affirmative.

form up onthe blackweave, whatever that is >_> Oh wait, she thought, remembering the moment before liftoff, with Inara and that weird man getting into the bomber. So the bomber's called a Blackweave. She distantly makes a mental note of it as she vectors into position.

Spaaaaace. So wide and cold and black.