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Total Members Voted: 10

[Hanzoku]

I dare you to say that on the Aurora forums. The walls of hard-science math that would descent upon that thread would blot out the sun...

[C-SH4M4N]

OH HELLZ YEAH, we're approaching the part where the first LP suddenly ended!!!

Soon to brave the fair unknown, lads!

[Sirus]

Just about, yep.

Let's hope this LP doesn't come to a similarly sudden end 

[Hanzoku]

I'm working hard to avoid that. Currently I have the post(s) for next week written up and ready. I'm trying to get a buffer built up so that updates will continue around the Christmas holidays.

[C-SH4M4N]

Yeah, the Pallas-class loses something like ten module spaces, and it's a lot less well laid out compared to the Borodino class. The big draw is supposed to be your first superweapon, but those things are really a trap.

The bonus to the superweapon is you can fire it from across the whole combat area. The downsides is it's not that much better then a large-type laser, takes a complete energy bar to fire, and disables charging for a few seconds. I don't think after I saw how um... unuseful they were that I ever used one again in my first playthrough.

Those "specials" were ANNOYING; I mean, it's not just the drawbacks you mentioned. It also ties in with the whole "rock-paper-scissors" system that's used in the game; Specials and 'Barrage' end up being the same thing, system-wise, so when you fire your Überlaser/Accelerator/Death Star-thing, there's this BIG chance that the enemy will simply "Evade". And you'll be a sitting duck (specially in the early game, when your Leadership stat is downright abysmal).

I stuck with paying attention to 2 stats when it came to purchasing new ships: FIREPOWER and HULL STRENGTH. (And Carrier Capacity, later on...)

[Hanzoku]

I think specials should have been unavoidable to counterbalance the 4-bar requirement (full red bar required to fire, unlike barrage which will fire from one stripe.), and using the special shouldn't lock out recharging the gauge. The damage also needs to be something like 75% of a barrage - not as good, but the ability to sic your fighters on the enemy, back all the way across the screen and fire from a safe distance would have made that a potentially usable tactic.

Of the stats, I think hull strength and armor are the two most important ones. I have the sneaking suspicion that if I gutted our current ships of all modules, I'd still be doing about the same in combat. Thus, it comes down to being able to absorb a certain amount of damage in combat and not a lot else.

[C-SH4M4N]

They could have been anything else, besides another attack option. I mean, when you get Barrage (which is firing every single gun on all your ships, three times with no delay) what else do you need?

I might have considered using SPECIAL more often, if they had actually made something useful. As the game was shipped, the late game routine was:

• Charge to Yellow: Launch Fighters
• Move to optimum attack range. Fighters will pin enemies in position. (Thanks, fighters! )
  
• Wait for enemy to make an attack.
• Their command bar is empty now. They can't evade. 
• BARRAGE TIME!  (If they haven't been killed by the fighters already.)

[Hanzoku]

Prison Break
New Characters:  Terzi, Leo
New Ships: Eudora K(CG), Daphne ZA(CV)
New Equipment: Hanger Lv 1, Maintenance Room Lv 1
New Fighters: Krechet (MR), Berkut (S), Grif (I)

Spoiler: Squeezing an Informant (click to show/hide)

That looks appropriate.

We charge for the enemy, focusing our fire on the destroyers and then the supporting cruisers. The three cruisers manage to land a barrage on the Menthu, beating her up badly, though she's still in the fight. A few more barrages and we're in melee range with the pirate leader, who's trying (and failing) to run away from us.)

Unlike most enemies, he actually tries to fight. I benefit from miss-clicking, and counter his attempt to shoot by cutting his men to pieces with slash.  With his crew cut apart, we win the fight and capture ourselves a Kreios pirate boss.

Yuri: Did we do it?! Did we capture a pirate?!

Torlo: Yup. And this one is apparently one of the bigwigs! C'mon, you!

Terzi: Hmph. I must be losin' my style. I can't believe I let a bunch of little brats like you get a hold of me! I'm warning you right now, nobody's gonna get ol' Terzi here to talk!

Yuri: ...

I think Yuri's planning to cut off a few of the less crucial parts.

Terzi: Huh? Ha ha ha! What's that supposed to be, some kind of threat?

Yuri: I promise you. It's not a threat. The life of somebody I care about is one the line. And that's why you're going to tell me, right here and now, everything you know about Skantzoura. Do you understand?

Terzi: Don't make me laugh! Do you really think a child's threat is--

Yuri starts cutting.

Terzi: Aagh! Aaghhhh!!

Yuri: ...

Terzi: Aagh! No! What, are you crazy?!

Yuri: I already told you. The life of someone I care about is on the line. Now... for your other arm!
And our hero starts for the Moral Event Horizon. He's not over it yet, but...

Terzi: Aagh! You're nuts! Somebody lock this kid up!

Yuri: I'm going to keep cutting you until you start talking. I just hope you have the chance to tell me what I want to know before you bleed to death.

Terzi: W-Wait! Wait! I'll talk! I'll talk! Just stop already!

The screen fades while Terzi frantically spills everything he knows.

Ian: So you're saying that orders to the Kreios Pirates are coming from inside Skantzoura?

Terzi: Th-That's right... as far as Captain Kreios is concerned Skantzoura is like a safe little vacation getaway for him. And we get plenty of money flowing in too, from all the people we nab and send over there. That's why we always have enough G to do whatever we want.

Ian: Human trafficking is your source of capital?

Yuri: What happens to the people who get sent there?

Terzi: Grus, I don't know all the details, kid! But they say that when there's a bunch of them stored up, they get sent to some other dominion, or something like that.

Torlo: So are you tellin' us Skantzoura is Kreios's stinkin' base of operations?!

Yuri: Grus. We've gotta get Nia and the others out of there, fast!

Ian: I agree. Let's take Terzi to the Security Agency. With him as our proof, they'll have to move on this immediately.

So we take (most of) Terzi back with us to Veroia.

>>Veroia - Security Agency
Ioannou: Hm. So old Kreios has been holding the entire prison planet of Skantzoura in the palm of his hand, has he?

Yuri: We heard it straight from Terzi, that Kreios boss we handed over to you, so I don't think there's any doubt about it.

Delis: Commander, we have got to storm Skantzoura right away. Not only for Pappas and the women's sake, but Prisoner X might have been sent there as well.

Ioannou: I guess this is no time to be waiting on a permit from the Justice Bureau. We'll have to take matters into our own hands. Assemble Division 3, Division 9 and the Strike Team. We ship out as soon as they're ready!

Delis: Yes, sir!

Ioannou: Yuri, let me tell you how to deal with enemy fighters. There are armored carriers stationed at Skantzoura, so you'll definitely need to know how to deal with fighters. If you want, you could have this module built, so you'll have the ability to carry fighters yourself. Or you can get anti-air weapons equipped at a remodeling shop, so you'll be able to use the Anti-Air command from any ship.

Pursue one of these tactics, or both. It's up to you to decide.

You can now user the Fighters command!
You can now use the Anti-Air command!
You got blueprints for a Hanger 1 module!
You got blueprints for a Maintenance Room 1 module!

Ioannou: There's a fighter design company on the planet Thira. You can get fighter blueprints there if you need them.
We need them.

Ioannou: As soon as you're ready, report back here to me.

That was a nice pile of upgrades. We won't be equipping anti-fighter weapons, and we'll never use the Anti-Air command. We'll swamp our enemies in a swarm of fighters and blow them apart.

But first, we head to Thira.

>>Thira
Now that we have access to the Fighter command, they're willing to sell to us. We pick up the Krechet, Berkut and Grif designs, then head to orbit to refit the Sharanga as a light carrier.

xxx
oox - Hanger Lv 1 - Fighters +4, Maintenance +1, Must be next to catapult
oox

xxx
oox - Maintenance Room Lv 1 - Maintenance +15
oox

Ships with carrier capability have a designated 'Catapult' area. Hanger modules need to have at least one square on one of the lighter-colored squares around the Catapult area to be able to launch their stored fighters.

We end up gutting out a lot of the Sharangas combat capability as a regular cruiser, but we manage to wedge four hangers into her belly, giving us a squadron of 16 strike craft to play with.

We then go and assign the type of strike craft our carrier uses. You can only assign one type of craft per carrier, and they come in three sorts - interceptors, strikers and multirole.

Eventually, we'll just use Multirole fighters, as later versions are just as good as interceptors and strikers, but simply cost more. For now, we can actually do a comparison.

Name	Type	Speed	Durability	Anti-Ship	Anti-Air	Flight Time
Krechet	Multirole	110	70	10	10	70
Berkut	Striker	100	70	13	10	60
Grif	Interceptor	120	80	10	14	65

The Grif is fastest, most durable, and (logically), the best at handling enemy fighters, while being only slightly behind the dedicated anti-ship Berkut at shooting ships.  It also has the second longest flight time, so it earns the honor of being our first strike craft.

One oddity is that you're allowed to buy more fighters then you can launch - however the extras do nothing for you (as far as I know), as any fighters destroyed in battle are automatically replaced at no cost by the next Fighter command.

Coming back through and editting, but I had forgotten that fighters are replaced based on your maintenance skill. I'll try assigning extra fighters and see if that allows multiple sorties at full strength.

Now that we finally have fighters, I also edit one crew assignment. Gadina has been patiently handling our guns, but her true love has always been piloting. We make her our Fighter Commander, letting her take advantage of her Ace Pilot skills.

With our spaceport work complete, we head back to Veroia. While traveling, I'll explain what fighters do for you, exactly.

The Fighter command takes two energy bars to activate, and your fighters will move towards the enemy. If they encounter enemy fighters, the two groups stop and have a dogfight. The winner will continue onward, When fighters reach their target, the ships are forced to stop and defend themselves - either with fighters or anti-air weapons.  While this is going on, the fighters are causing damage to all the enemy ships at the same time. Right now it's fairly minor, but late-game with large carriers, It's not uncommon for the fighters to destroy some enemy ships before you even touch them personally.

in RPG terms, fighters are a combination DoT and snare for minimal cost. They're my favorite command in battle.

>>Veroia - Security Agency
Ioannou: Are you ready to ship out?

>>Yes.

Ioannou: Good. We ship out for Skantzoura, then!

Spoiler: Straight Down Their Throat (click to show/hide)

The combined tasks force reaches the outer defenses.

Yuri: Commander, the Oort Interception System!

Ioannou: We're just going to have to break our way through it! All ships, launch decoys! Release them all!

Across the fleet, ships start deploying all the decoys they can to overload the defense system with targets.

It's successful. We're taking hits, but the defense system is spending a lot of attention on blowing decoys apart.

The ship shakes.

Yuri: Grus!

Kira: Starboard stern hit! Assessing damage!

Yuri: Don't let up speed! We're going to push on through!

More ships push through the barrage of fire, punching through the cloud of satellites.

Torlo: Whew! Looks like we made it somehow.

Yuri: Kira, what's our damage?

Kira: Only slight, but some of the Security Agency ships have been badly damaged.

Yuri: That's no good.

Kira: Huh?! Yuri, large ships have left the Skantzoura port. They're headed this way!

Yuri: They must be those armored carriers. Get ready for anti-ship tactics!

We're in battle against one carrier, supported by two cruisers and two destroyers. We launch our fighters straight off and close range as quickly as possible. Since we're facing a dedicated carrier, they might overpower our fighters, and I want us in range with our small weapons if we get halted.

However, if the enemy uses fighters, I don't notice it. We avoid a barrage and pop the supporting cruisers and destroyers. The carrier itself does some minor damage, but explodes to a volley of normal fire.

Ioannou: Yuri, are you all right?!

Yuri: We're fine, Commander. What about you?

Ioannou: We took care of all the armored carriers. Now we storm Skantzoura!

Yuri: Right!

>>Skantzoura

Security Trooper: Entering drop range in fifteen seconds.

Ioannou: Very good. Strike team, release all landing craft once you enter drop range. We need to take control of that orbital elevator!

Security Trooper: Roger!

The troop ships open armored bays as they enter range, revealing the landing craft nestled inside.

The first wave breaches the atmosphere.

Ioannou: Yuri, we're sending out an advance landing team to get control of the orbital elevator. Prepare to invade the port! And use paralysis weapons only. We don't want any of the regular staff harmed.

Yuri: Got it. Ready to invade the spaceport!

We take the port without incident and shuttle down the secured orbital elevator. The prison is made up of three parts - a west wing, east wing and the administration building. We take it from the top.

>>Prison (West)
Ian: So this is the prison, huh? It looks like this part is where they keep the female prisoners.

Torlo: This has gotta be where they're holdin' Nia and Celina.

Yuri: Let's go find them then!

The building is dead still, except for the two battalions of guards who ambush us on the second floor.

Guard: Intruders! Halt! Stop right there!

Yuri: Uh oh.

As soon as the party enters the corridor, they are quickly surrounded by guards.

We get into a fight with 700 guards, but we have 1400 crew and much better leadership. One short fight later, we leave them behind.

Kira: Let's go, before they wake up!

Yuri: Yeah, come on!
We're still using stun weapons, apparently.

We check out the third floor after that.

Torlo: Grus! I don't see Nia or Celina anywhere!

Yuri: But they've got to be here! Did you look everywhere?!

Ian: We checked every single room. They must not be in this building.

Yuri: Nia, where are you?!

Kira: Yuri...

Yuri: No, it's okay. I know Nia's too tough to let anything happen to her. But I know she's here somewhere, and we're going to find her!

>>Prison (East)
Torlo: So this is the dudes' prison, huh? Man, it stinks in here! And bad!

Yuri: Yeah, I know. But deal with it, Torlo. They might be holding Ensign Pappas here. Let's go find him!

We get ambushed on the second floor by another 700 guards, with predictable results.

Security Guard: There they are! The intruders!

Yuri: Oh, Grus!

Guards appear as if from out of nowhere and block the party's path!

We have a harder fight this time, but knock them all out again.

Ian: Hey, Yuri. There's some kind of strange room over here.

Yuri: It's not locked. Let's go check it out.

Leo: Huh?

Inside what appears to be a research facility, the party encounters a man. He is standing upright, staring off into the distance with an absent expression on his face.

Rhea: Leo?! I can't believe it! It's Leo!

Leo: Oh, hey, Rhea. Long time no see!

Rhea: "Long time no see"?! What's the matter with you?! I've been worried sick about you, and that's all you can say?!

Yuri: Wait, so this is the boyfriend you've been looking for all this time, Rhea?

Torlo: What's he doin' here?

Rhea: That's what I want to know! What are you doing here, Leo?!

Leo: A man came to my house and told me he'd give me whatever I needed  to carry out my interception system research.

Rhea: And you just followed him blindly?! Don't you know where you are?!

Leo: Hm... I never really thought about it, to tell you the truth. But just like he promised, this is a pretty wonderful place to do research. I've got all the latest equipment, I can use as many materials as I want ,and nobody seems to mind.
Leo, ladies and gentleman: the wonder idiot.

Rhea: You big geek! You just disappeared on me! Don't you have any idea how worried I was?! You could've at least tried to call me! Why didn't you tell me where you were going?

Leo: Huh? Oh... I get it. You're made because I left without telling you, right?

Rhea: Well, duh! I've been going out of my mind just trying ot think what might have--

Yuri: Whoa, Rhea! Calm down, okay? We've found him, and that's what's important. Let's just take him with us and everything will be fine.

Rhea: Okay... You're right. Come on, Leo! We're leaving right this instant!

Leo: Hey, wait just a minute here! Stop pulling!

Leo Folias joined your crew!

Well, that was amusing. We head for the third floor, and from there to the fourth floor.  We're hit with another battle there.

Yuri: Agh!

As the party arrives on the fourth floor, guards quickly surround them!

Yuri: We don't have time for this! Let's take care of them, fast!

Once the guards are taken care of, we inspect the rooms.

Kira: Yuri, Belen Pappas is in this room.

Yuri: Ensign Pappas! We'll get you out of there!

After prying the door open, Pappas steps out.

Pappas: (groans) They put me through the wringer.

Yuri: Are you all right?

Pappas: yeah. They were pretty rough on me, though.

Tatiana: So the Kreios Pirates really were controlling this place, huh?

Pappas: Yeah, and Warden Claucus was in on the deal, too. Look where it landed me!

Yuri: But where are Nia and Celina?

Pappas: I don't know. But I think those pirates saw through our plan. I sure hope those two are all right.

Yuri: Nia... We've got to find them!

>>Administration Building
Pappas: The warden and his crew are holed up here in the control building somewhere. We have to be careful.

Yuri: I know. All right. We're going in!

The scene fades and returns as we search.

Yuri: ...

Torlo: Huh? What the Grus?

Ian: There isn't anybody here.

Yuri: ...

We search the building

>>Go to the standby room.
The standby room is deserted.

>>Go to the observation room.
The observation room is filled with computers and screens, set up to monitor the prisoners.

Tatiana: There's nobody here.

Pappas: It's odd, but there isn't a soul around. I doubt they just ran away.

Ian: Hold on. Let's look for a map of the building.

Ian Fenevich uses one of the computers for a few moments and then looks up.

Ian: Look at this. There's a hidden passage behind the warden's office. Perhaps there's a switch to open it somewhere on the warden's desk.

Yuri: So the warden is probably hiding out in there.

Ian: that would be my guess too. And Kreios may be in there, too.

>>Go to the warden's office.
Ian: I found it. Here's the switch to the hidden passage.

Ian presses the switch, and a door opens.

Tatiana: Wow, you were right!

Torlo: It sure is dark in there... (shivers)

Yuri: Come on, let's just go in! Nia and Celina might be in there, too.

Torlo: All right, but I don't like this one bit! No siree...

We follow the path through several twists and turns before we come across someone.

Tatiana: Yuri, look! There's somebody sitting there!

Yuri: Is it Nia?!

Tatiana: I don't know, but-- Yuri, wait!

Yuri rushes ahead of everyone, completely ignoring his hard-won experience about pirates and traps.

Yuri: Nia! Nia! Is that you?!

Nope.

Yuri: Aaagh!

Kira: Eeeeek!

Torlo: Wh-What the Grus?!

??: That's what's left of old Kreios.

Yuri: Huh?!

Nia: He was locked up in here and left to starve to death. Nasty, isn't it?

Celina: That's a pretty pathetic way for a pirate to die, if you ask me.

Yuri: N-Nia! Celina!

Nia: Ha ha ha! What, were ya worried about me or somethin'? We heard ya yellin' all up and down the passage. I can't believe you're here!

Yuri: Nia... I'm so glad you're alive and all right! I'm really, really, really glad!
We couldn't tell, Yuri.

Nia: Aw, don't make that face, kid. We were just locked up for a little bit. There's no harm done.

Torlo: So you gals were here the whole time?

Nia: Yup. We broke out of our cell and found the hidden door. But then that damn warden found us and locked us in.

Ian: So I guess this means the warden really was working with the Kreios Pirates.

Celina: Not exactly. You see, Warden Claucus is Kreios now.

Tatiana: Huh? What do you mean by that?

Nia: When Kreios got thrown in jail here, the warden killed him and secretly took over. He was givin' the pirate underlings funds and orders from right here in the prison.

Pappas: So that's it, huh? With the "leader" having such a safe, cozy setup for himself here, it's no wonder we could never put a dent in their operations. Come on, Yuri. We have to report this to Commander Ioannou right away.

Ian: According to the last communication we got, the commander is launching an attack on the west building!

Yuri: Got it! Let's go!

>>Prison West
Vlasis Delis and Silas Ioannou are in the west building. Silas is commanding the incursion team.

Pappas: Commander Ioannou!

Ioannou: Ensign Pappas! You're all right!

Delis: It's good to see you're okay, Pappas. I was worried about you.

Pappas: Well, here's the story...

The screen fades out and in while he catches everyone up.

Ioannou: Fascinating. So Warden Glaucus was passing himself off as Kreios, eh?

Pappas: Have you found him?

Delis: No. According to some of the people we captured, he escaped when we were breaking through the Oort Interception System.

Ioannou: And I'm afraid we haven't found Prisoner X yet, either.

Pappas: Hm...

Celina: If Glaucus escaped, I'm going to go after him.

Yuri: Do you know where he could've gone?

Celina: There's a starlane just past this planet that leads to Kreios's base, the Spider Web. I'm sure he's following that route.

Ioannou: Wait. We still have details to take care of here. Glaucus can wait until--

Celina: If I wait, I may never catch him. Besides, I've already kept up my part of the bargain. I have no desire to cooperate with the Security Agency any longer.

There's an explosion in the distance.

Celina: It looks like my ship has come for me, so if you'll excuse me...

Yuri: Wait! We'll go with you!

Celina: ...

Yuri: Unless we wipe out the Kreios Pirates, we won't be able to get to Mytilene. So we're coming with you!

Celina: ... Heh heh. Do as you please. In any case, I'm taking off now.

With this, Celina Sioufas turns and disappears into the Lykourgos that has arrived to take her away.

Pappas: Commander, my ship is still here, isn't it? I want to go with Yuri. Besides, Prisoner X might have been taken to the Spider Web, too. You never know.

Ioannou: Good idea. Yuri, are you sure you want to do this?

Yuri: I'm positive. All right, guys, let's ship out!

We shuttle back up the elevator and get Nia back into her spot as Helmsman.  Our new addition, Leo, is a Machine Geek and becomes a Mechanic under Nerissa.

As we're leaving, there's one more scene.

Nia: Yuri...

Yuri: Huh? What is it?

Nia: You really went through a lot of trouble for me, didn't ya, kiddo? I just wanted to say thanks.

Yuri: You don't have to thank me. How could I not have come looking for you?

Nia: Ha ha ha! I still wanted to thank you. I appreciate it, Yuri.

Yuri: Uh... yeah... Don't mention it. W-We have to get ready to ship out now, so I'll be on the bridge.

Yuri flees the awkward emotions.

Nia: Heh heh. After all, what gal wouldn't be touched by a guy who goes all out for her? Even if he is just a kid...

Spoiler: Collaring the Warden (click to show/hide)

We head towards the Spider's Web through an empty area. As we do so, Pappas picks up a familiar signature ahead.

Pappas: Yuri, I'm picking up the Lykourgos on my radar. Do you see it?

Yuri: Kira?

Kira: I'm just getting it now. I'll put it up on the monitor.

I didn't bother with a screenshot because the Lykourgos was barely visible next to a hulking asteroid.

Kira: Yuri, I'm getting an inflaton reading from that asteroid next to the Lykourgos.

Yuri: An inflaton reading? Does that mean it's man-made?

Celina: Yes. It's my mobile base, the Cocoon.

Yuri: Celina!

Pappas: Huh. A flying base? That's pretty clever. No wonder we could never find it! But why would you let us in on your secret now? Don't forget. I'm still part of the Security Agency.

Celina: I'm not worried about that. I won't have it for much longer, anyway.

Yuri: Are you going to abandon it?

Celina: No. I'm going to crash it into the pirate base.

Pappas: Crash it?! Your mobile base?!
That's going to make a mess.

Celina: You got it. Their entire fleet is hidden in the Spider Web asteroid belt. If I crash my base into it...

Pappas: It would do some major damage to their fighitng power, wouldn't it?

Celina: You got that right. Now, then. I'm heading for the Spider Web.

Yuri: Wait!

Pappas: She's gone... It all makes sense now, why she was so sure she could wipe out the Kreios Pirates alone.

Yuri: It does, doesn't it? I say we should let her give it a try.

Pappas: I agree.

When we reach the Spider's Web, our combined fleet get in position for the asteroid attack.

Yuri: So that's the Spider Web, huh?

Ian: It's odd, though. As close as we are, they haven't tried to intercept us.

Celina: The Spider Web is a dense asteroid field. Radar won't work here, so it's the perfect place to hide. But, unfortunately for them, it's also the perfect place to make a surprise attack.

Yuri: Okay, I get it now.

Celina: Now it's time to get this show started.

The Cocoon starts its engines and begins to accelerate.

Nikitas: Engine output, critical point in fifteen seconds. Remote control functioning smoothly.

Celina: Heh heh. I can't wait to see this!

Nikitas: Reaching the Spider Web periphery in three seconds... two... one...

The Cocoon plows through the first docking asteroids without appreciably slowing.

Nikitas: you did it, Captain! It's a direct hit!

Celina: Hah... Heh heh heh....

Celina: Ha ha ha! Ah ha ha! AH HA HA HA HA HA!
Celina, despite helping out, is not what you would call a nice person.

Chain reactions are destroying more ships and asteroids, and the Cocoon is stuck in the middle, still fairly intact.

Torlo: Wow...

Ian: I can see now why they call her the Merciless Night Queen. Yikes.

A warning signals.

Yuri: Huh?!

Kira: Several large ships are approaching from the Spider Web zone!

Yuri: Survivors, huh? What kind of ships are they?

Kira: It's an armored carrier! They're Skantzoura ships!

Yuri: So that means the warden--

Pappas contacts us.

Pappas: Did you see the enemy ahead?

Yuri: Those are the prison warden's ships, huh?

Pappas: Yeah. I want him captured alive. There's something I need to ask.

Yuri: Okay, we'll do our best! All hands, battle stations! And watch out for enemy fighters!

We're fighting a carrier and four cruiser escorts. We launch fighters about the same time they do so, dodge and pull back to charge our batteries.  Our fighters clash and ours win, though we're down to only a few.  We push forward and dodge their initial barrage. After having done so, it's easy pickings.

Pappas: Do you read me, Yuri? We've apprehended the Skantzoura prison warden, Dardanos Glaucus.

Yuri: That's great news! Now everything is settled!

Pappas: I'm hoping it will be, anyway.

Yuri: Why? Is there something else?

Pappas: Oh, uh... I'll let you know after we question Glaucus. I'll take him back to the Security Agency. Drop by there when you have some time. We want to thank you, too.

Yuri: Roger.

Celina: I guess we'll be going now.

Yuri: Celina...

Celina: I'll leave you with one piece of advice. It's not just pirates we've been dealing with, kid. Beware of the ones who work behind the scenes.

Yuri: What? Who--?

Celina: Is Nia there?

Nia: Yup. I'm right here.

Celina: That's a good kid you found there. He's going to be a great spacefarer one day. You'd better make sure you live a good long life, so you can raise that kid up right.

Nia: Ha ha! I plan on living a lot longer then you, lady!

Celina: Heh heh.

Everyone takes off in their separate directions.

Torlo: She's gone.

Yuri: Yeah.

Minas: Now, at last, we can finally go to Mytilene!

Yuri: I guess you're right. It's about time. On to Mytilene, then! Start the engines! Prepare for departure!

We're left with two mysteries - who were the ones working behind the scenes that Celina warned us about? And who is this "Prisoner X" that the Security Agency is so worried about? More so then Glaucus himself, even?

[Neonivek]

Nia REALLY should bathe more often. I mean seriously.

[Hanzoku]

You mean the whole 'rotting, dessicated corpse being mistaken for Nia'? thing? Given the type of prison this was, maybe the whole planet smelled like that...

[Neonivek]

You mean the whole 'rotting, dessicated corpse being mistaken for Nia'? thing? Given the type of prison this was, maybe the whole planet smelled like that...

So the entire planet smells like Nia huh?

Or I guess maybe he thought she was wearing a really convincing BLONDE zombie costume... wait... Does Nia dye her hair?

[Hanzoku]

Poor Nia. I'm sure the Crew Quarters Lv 3 she's living in have a shower block! (I don't know if we can make her use it though. None of the female protagonists on the ship are badass enough to try.)

[birdy51]

Celina scares me a little bit. I hope we see her again soon though, as she is almost as badass as Nia.

[C-SH4M4N]

Celina scares me a little bit. I hope we see her again soon though, as she is almost as badass as Nia.

She pops up ... but it might be some time until her next appearance. Or not!
We're finally reaching unexplored territory now! Yeah!!

Yuri's got quite the bipolar disorder sometimes, huh? First, he's cutting a pirate to ribbons like a mean sadist. Next, he's screaming like a little girl on a prison planet after seeing a corpse. It's only going to get better from now on! ADVENTURE!!!

(I've got a few screens to share for laughs, but I'm saving them for when the time comes. Believe me, this game is zany enough to give you a lot of materials to work with.)

[Hanzoku]

Rewards and Digging up the Past
New Characters:
New Ships:  Volos (CG), Selene (DD)
New Equipment: Anti-Air Control Room Lv 2
New Fighters:

Spoiler: Receiving our Reward (click to show/hide)

Before we follow Minas' advice and visit Mytillene, we first want to go back and wrap up with the Sector Security Agency.

>>Heraklion
The first planet we come to, we settle into the bar and chat with our friends.

>>Talk to Leo Folias.
Leo: Here, do you want this?

His mouth crammed with rapayan, Leo Folias hands Yuri a slightly dirty data chip.

Yuri: What's this?

Leo: It's a module blueprint I drew up while I was on Skantzoura. you know, just for fun. I haven't tested it out yet though. I had a little bit of trouble with sizing it down, but it's not bad, all in all.

You got a data chip from Leo Folias! You got blueprints for an Anti-Air Control Room 2 module!
Yay?

Yuri: (He designed this all by himself? This guy could really be a genius!)

Leo: Mm! There's nothing like a little beer to wash down your rapayan with. Don't you think so, Rhea?

Rhea: Leo, what do I always tell you? You've got to eat a more balanced diet. Try some vegetables every once in a while!

Leo: But I hate vegetables...

Yuri: ...

>>Talk to your friends.
Conversation #1
At the bar, Poplo polishes what appears to be a very unusual gun.

Poplo: What, this? This is a maser blaster I got from Celina Sioufas in exchange for a little information. Heh.

Yuri: From Celina?

Poplo: Heh heh. Yup. While you were getting Terzi to talk, I was "encouraging" one of his men to do a little talking, too. He told me the Kreios Pirates were sending the people they kidnapped for their human trafficking trade directly to the buyer. None of them were ever sent to the Spider Web, the guy said. When I told all this to Celina, she was thrilled, saying now she feels completely free to wipe out the Spider Web.
She has something of a conscience, maniacal laughter aside.

Yuri: ...

Conversation #2
Larissa: I always heard Kalymnos kept their pirate situation under control, so this is really disappointing to me. To think that an official, a man who's supposed to uphold law and order, would commit such criminal acts!
Hahahahahahahaha.... oh, such naiveté.

Torlo: The Sector Security Agency has been doin' everything they could, but with this kind of thing goin' on...

Ian: I hear Commander Ioannou is going to use this as an investigation done of the judicial system. I believe Kalymnos will become a much safer country soon.

Larissa: I hope you're right.

Conversation #3
Nia: Mm, boy! Nothin' tastes better than the beer and freedom of the outside world!

Finishing off her drink, Nia Lochlain raises her mug and barks out these words.

Nia: But this ain't the time for this, is it? We still got some loose ends to take care of. But before we do... Hey, bartender! I'll take one more over here!

Bartender: Coming right up!

Torlo: Sure doesn't look like she's in much of a hurry to me.

Yuri: That's our Nia. I'm just glad to have her back.

>>Veroia
Once here, I increase the Sharanga's fighter complement to 60 Grifs. It's accepted, so I think the case is they're launched sixteen at a time, so the spares allow for losing fighters and still being able to launch full-strength fighter attacks.

I also check out Leo's anti-air control room.

xxx
ooo - Anti-Air Control Room Lv 2 - AA Accuracy +3, AA Attack +8
xxx

It's nice for an Anti-Air Control Room. But we're never going to build it anyway.

Down below, we visit our friends at the Security Agency.

>>Security Agency
The Sector Security Agency Strategy Room. Vlasis Delis sits alone.
Yuri: Huh? Where's Ensign Pappas and Commander Ioannou?

Delis: They've both been called to an inquiry.

Ian: Are they being taken to task for the way they took matters into their own hands?

Delis: Yeah, I guess that's about the size of it. But, anyway, the commander wanted me to give these to you. They're a kind of thank-you gift for all you've done.

You got blueprints for a Volos-class cruiser!
You got blueprints for a Selene-class destroyer!
You got a 5,000 G reward for helping to get rid of the pirates!

>>Talk to Vlasis Delis.
Conversation #1
Yuri: By the way, have they gotten around to questioning Warden Glaucus yet?

Delis: Yeah, and we know all about his human trafficking operation now. Apparently, the people the pirates were kidnapping, and some of the prisoners too, were being delivered to a man named Cadmus. The story matches up with the Skantzoura ship navigation records, too, so there's no question about it.

Yuri: Cadmus?

Ian: I've heard of him. If I recall, he's the feudal lord of the Dominion of Spetses, isn't he?

Delis: That's right. Cadmus was paying them a lot of money for those captives, and they were using the funds to build up their strength.

Yuri: So is this Cadmus guy being investigated?

Delis: No, I'm afraid we can't do that.

Yuri: Why the Grus not?! With all you know?!

Nia: Come on, Yuri. You know better. You more than anybody oughta understand how it works with these autonomous dominions.
Including the first rule - noone's going to touch you if you walk in and pound him flat.

Yuri: ...

Nia: Anyways, you must've found out all kinds of other stuff. After all the cooperating we've been doing, I think it's only fair that you tell us everything you know.

Delis: Uh... That's all we found out so far.
You're such a poor liar, Delis.

Nia: You sure about that?

Delis: ...

Conversation #2
Delis: So what are you going to do now? Have you decided?

Yuri: Well, first we're going to go check out Mytilene, since that's what we came to Kalymnos for in the first place.

Delis: I hear what you're saying, but you know, we'd be glad to see good people like you settle down here in Kalymnos one day.

Yuri: Thanks, but I still have a lot of traveling I want to do.

Torlo: Yeah, same here! I wanna go check out Nova Nacio, myself!

Ian: Me, too. Ihear Nova Nacio has a lot of dealings with the Large Magellanic Cloud, and they're very technologically advanced. I'd like to see it with my own eyes.

Delis: Nova Nacio? Let me warn you then. Nova Nacions can be cunning and tricky. You really shouldn't trust them. Take it from me.
Your nationalistic sentiments are seeping through, Delis.

Ian: But--

Kira: Why don't you trust Nova Nacions?

Delis: I know it's not a good thing to make broad generalizations about a whole people like that, but... Those planets they're living on were first discovered by Kaymnos. If we had access to all those resource-rich planets, our people wouldn't be living in the poverty that they are right now. The Interplanetary Union of Elgava was wrong to support the Nova Nacions' immigration!

Kira: ...

Yuri: ...

Delis: I'm sorry. I got a little emotional there. Anyway, you just be careful. And come on back any time if you run into any problems.

Yuri: We will. And thank you for everything, Ensign Delis.

If we come back and talk to Delis one last time...

Delis: Well, if it isn't Yuri! How is your Epitaph quest going?

Yuri: Okay, I guess. Thanks.

Delis: A lot of pirates target Epitaphs, you know. You'd better watch yourself. Come to think of it, you did say that Valantin stole your Epitaph from you, didn't you?

Yuri: That's right.

Delis: I wish we could apprehend him for you... But no matter what kind of elite units we try to put together, they never manage to get anywhere near his ship. It's no wonder he's held onto Number One in the rankings for over twenty years. He is hands-down the top zero-G dog!
Everyone is a fanboy for Valantin.

Yuri: I'm going to catch up to him someday. I'll keep traveling until I do.

Delis: Whew. I don't know. That's quite an ambition. But I'm not going to knock you for it. I hope you really do pull it off one day.

Yuri: Thanks.

We head up top and look at our new designs.

The Volos-class is disappointing. It's only positive against the Eudora-class is a faster cruise and battle speed. In all other aspects, it's strictly worse, including an inability to carry fighters and smaller weapon mounts.

The Selene-class is at least a closer competitor with the Skoryy-class we're currently using. It's still across the board worse in everything but cruise speed and battle speed. It does edge out the Skoryy in Anti-Ship by two points, but has a medium and two small mounts for weapons and less module space.

I guess we give quizzical thanks to Delis for the designs and get ready to move out.

Spoiler: Yuri the Archeologist (click to show/hide)

Along the way to Mytilene, I get to try out having extra fighters, but while you're allowed to buy them, they do absolutely nothing for you, as I had first thought.

We eventually reach Zakynthos, the first planet beyond the Spider's Web.  Unfortunately, there's nothing to do here - like Zante, the tavern is abandoned.

Finally, we reach Mytilene.

Kira: Such a quiet planet...

Minas: It's uninhabited, you know. I imagine we're the only people to pay a visit to this planet in at least ten years.

Torlo: The Cosmic Trade Authority's here, though. That's pretty weird.
Agreed.

We head down to the ground and do the only thing possible - visit the ruins.

>>Ruins
Minas: Here they are! These are the ruins where the Epitaph used to be! Well, let's not just stand around here! Let's go in!

The screen fades and returns as everyone enters the ruins.

Hurried along by Gavriil Minas, the party goes through the small door and descends the stairs to an underground chamber. Despite being so far underground, the air here is fresh and pure.

>>Examine the floor.
Blowing away the accumulated sand reveals a floor with a strange luster.

Ian: It's extremely hard. My laser knife just bounces right off of it.

Yuri: What in the galaxy is it made out of?

Ian: I don't know. I've never seen anything like it. It's like a cross between stone and metal.

>>Examine the walls.
Intricate symbols are carved on various places on the walls. They appear to be the writings of some sort in an unknown language.

Yuri: I wonder what these symbols are for.

Minas: Hm... There appears to be some sort of logic and meaning to their arrangement. I would say it was a writing system. And considering the number of strokes used to form each symbol, it's a very primitive system, at that. I'll copy down as much of it as I can.

>>Examine the hill.
Minas: Yuri, come take a look at this depression over here.

Yuri: Uh, okay.

Yuri climbs to the top of the hill and looks to where Gavriil Minas is pointing. There is a depression there, about four inches square, that seems to have been carved out by hand.

Minas: What do you make of it?

Yuri: Make of it?

Minas: Come on, now. Think, boy. You had an Epitaph, didn't you?

Yuri: Oh, yeah! You're right. It's just about the size of an Epitaph. Maybe it's for an Epitaph to fit in, or something!

Minas: A-ha! Just as I thought.

Yuri: But what are these broken pipe-like things around the depression?

Minas: I can't say that I know. Hm... This material is very hard. I'll just scrape off a little sample to be examined.

With all three areas inspected...

Minas: Well, it looks like we have just about all the samples we need.

Yuri: Have you figured anything out?

Minas: Patience, my boy, patience! These things take time. But what we have confirmed is a case of an Epitaph being located near a dead gate. That is some priceless information indeed! Now what we need to do is take our samples to the Ludoviko Tani Observatory and have them examined there.

Yuri: The Ludoviko Tani Observatory?

Minas: It's the largest research facility in the Small Magellanic Cloud. It's located on the planet Tineo, the capital of Nova Nacio. One of my former students is there, in fact.

Yuri: Nova Nacio, huh?

We leave Mytilene behind. We have a new destination - Tineo, in the Nova Nacio sector. We make our way to Volos, the nearest planet to the Nova Nacio warp gate.

>>Volos
Before we leave, we talk to our friends one last time.
Conversation #1
Yuri: I'm surprised you have a former student in Nova Nacio, Professor Minas. I mean, from what I understand, the people of Kalymnos and Nova Nacio don't exactly get along very well, do they?

Minas: Well, personally, I believe there should be no borders when it comes to the pursuit of knowledge. But in those days, when Aminda was attending the academy where I was teaching, there were a lot of thoughtless Kalymnians on campus. I suppose she did have rather a hard time. But now she's one of the leading authorities on astronomy in the Small Magellanic Cloud!

Yes, if you ever need help in that field, Aminda is definitely the one to go to.

Torlo: I dunno. I'm not really good around those academic types with their books and their glasses. They make me nervous! Except for you, of course, Prof baby!
Torlo, ladies and gentlemen. >_<

Minas: Well, you don't have to feel that way around Aminda, Torlo. She's a bright young woman, and she's full of the spirit of adventure, just like us. I'm sure you'll like her just fine.

That's the last new thing our friends have to say, so we bid Volos and Kalymnos goodbye and head for the void gate to Nova Nacio.

And that wraps up Chapter 4. Yuri and crew are gaining a hell of a reputation for solving pirate problems, as this brings a running total of three sectors saved from the pirate menace (and one sector from a feudal lord on a power trip.)

We have a couple of loose leads to follow right now.  Finding Valantin and recovering the Epitaph still remains the long-term goal. Short term, we need to visit Tineo to advance our knowledge of Epitaphs in general, and to the side, we should really do something about the Dominion of Spetses, given their reliance on slave labor.