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[Ross Vernal]

I suppose I'll move it along, since it seems to be pretty much accepted.

*type type*

[Ross Vernal]

Short version?

- Unknown small fleet approached in hyper, then immediately ran the hell away like a reasonable person. Much amusement was had.
- During a regularly scheduled rest stop, patrol ships of the Fleet picked up something that might possibly be three ships with the size/mass to be three Megafreighters, or possibly something else with a LOT of EW trying to not be seen, or possibly nothing whatsoever.
- You're having a quick staff meeting to discuss what sort of response you'll have to the possible contact.

[Ozarck]

This is at a rest stop on the way to our destination, but not AT our destination? What is the political situation in this particular region? Is this a commonly used shipping route? Military route? Who would likely be in this area? How far from our destination are we? What would this system/region think of our fleet passing through?

-three megafreighters suggests either a) a peaceful region and standard trade caravan or b) a convoy with armed escort, likely not to be a serious threat. Though total tonnage is 3 to 1 in their favor, I think our combat-heavy convoy makeup would counter that with ease.

-a military convoy suggests we are severely outclassed. Tonnage difference is at least 5 to 1 in their favor

[Ross Vernal]

You're on the way to the hyper bridge that will cut most of the transit time to the planet, and doing a routine stop to double check your math and do final calculations. It's about seven to ten more days, depending on how much of a line there is for the bridge; the long way is about sixty days and you'll be way too late by that point.

This particular region isn't claimed by any power, but is relatively close to what could be considered Rift space. Not a super common route, but it is a tributary to a pretty decently trafficked route.

It's notable because there normally wouldn't be anything out there, and the size combined with the really low velocity could have several meanings ranging from "stealthy fleet doing something" to "derelict ships hit by pirates and left to drift through space" to "Had a hyper fuckup and are doing work to fix it so they can get back in hyper", so on.

[Ozarck]

In that case, I suggest we send a greeting message and ask their situation. If we get no response, we could possibly send a fighter in alpha band to drop in a little closer, peek, and dash away if it's dangerous. Derelicts mean free loot if the pirates didn't take everything of value, and if we can gather it and still make it to the planet on time, someone in need o repairs might pay, or we can at least get a message to some locals to send out, and if we get eyes on something illicit, we can send a warning ahead, maybe even get a little reward, or at least some rep.

Another option is: It's not our concern. Move along. We have work to do.

[Ross Vernal]

You would have to send something in to chat to them at this range. Ten hours is a bit of a communications delay, since they don't appear to actually have any drives up to read or send grav-pulse messages that'd decrease the delay (and the message quality, but oh well.)

[Ozarck]

How long are we scheduled to be in this system? I hesitate to just send a fighter to relay messages, but I suppose it's doable.

[Ross Vernal]

No more than five or six hours to find the fastest-time route, do checks and overhauls to minimize logistics, etc. I'm assuming that the default policy is 'do whatever is convenient to start reducing maintenance cost when you have time', so this is a great time for that to happen as long as you're not going anywhere anyway.

There's about two or three hours left until you can depart with everything vital done, but you can jump back into hyper with about 15 minutes notice to cycle back up.

[Ozarck]

So, it seems the question boils down to: send a fighter to drop out of alpha and do a check, or don't? If we ,do, shall we send them silent, or with permission to broadcast a message and receive a reply?

[Knave]

My understanding is we have some pretty "quiet" ships of our own. I think a small scouting sortie is in order as long as time isn't a huge factor in getting to our contracted destination.

[Rolepgeek]

It is, actually. >.>

However, I was thinking the Vanguard and the Corvettes head out to see what's going on, and meet up with us later if necessary. They're fast, after all, and make good scouts considering their loadout.

[Ross Vernal]

There's slack time built in, but only about five days. If you cut it really close, you can get five and a half.

You might be spending three days waiting in line, though, so you have about 48 hours to kill if you want to make it to the planet before the enemy does. 

[Ozarck]

That is pretty tight, especially for interstellar flights. Still, it won't take long for the scouting party to hop out and back. We can check it out, at least.

[Ross Vernal]

Suggestion: send multiple fighters and use them as FTL relays to the fleet. Basic messages can be sent quickly if needed.

If you're going to send in bigger ships, I'd have to agree on the Vanguard going. It's got the missile load and enough acceleration to outrun what can hurt it and out fight what can.

[Rolepgeek]

Yep. The Corvettes can take the Fighters, the Fighters accel means they can catch up pretty easily for when it's time to pack up and head out.

Plus, grouping up means more effective EW. I think the Corvettes have EW, anyway.