Day 1 – Phase 1 0000hr
7th Carrier Fleet arrives in Virgo System
Some elements break off in search of surviving Mining Ships, while others set up defensive perimeters, others begin a search of the system for enemy forces.
Intrepid, Triton and S1648th- 10, 12
You set up a close defensive perimeter around the Duke of Venus in case Collective Forces are lying in ambush, however it seems they have not been alerted to the fleet's location yet and the phase goes by without incident.
Revenge
Your patrol turns up nothing out of the ordinary. Your men are thankful that the time is quiet, though they seem a little on edge, waiting out the calm before the gathering storm.
Nereid
Confident in your anti-fighter capabilities you boldly move forward on a long range patrol to try and locate the enemy location. Although your officers report brief contacts moving away from the main fleet several hours into your sweep, you are unable to confirm any enemy presence.
242nd Squadron
(5)Lex and (10)Ace begin a quiet medium-range patrol around the fleet, Near the end of their patrol they are surprised when a large contact appear on their radar. They quickly ascertain that it bears the markings of a Collective Frigate!
Database marks it as the Ochakov
It attempts to close in on the Light Fighters, but they are a good deal faster and decide to withdraw rather than face the frigate's superior firepower.
Meanwhile 3(Taz) and 8(Grunt) are scouting ahead of the main fleet when they too are surprised by a large contact. It seems the 242nd are natural stalkers as they've identified the frigate Nikolaev It too seems to be on patrol and attempts to close the distance, but the speedy Interceptors are easily able to turn back and return to the fleet.
23rd Squadron
While on Patrol (9)Lead and (10)Lon stumble upon 2 enemy fighters, performing their own sweep. It seems both sides are ready for a fight and they both fly towards a dogfight. While their Heavy Fighters are not as speedy as the Collective Light Fighters, they definitely have the advantage in firepower.
(9)Lead and his opponent(5) square off. The Light Fighter gaining the initial advantage. A hit is scored, but the Heavy Fighter's armour cushions the blow. As they pass a second time, they each go to fire on one another. Again neither able to score a killing blow. Turning and rolling they fly at each other again and again, until Lead is able to pull off a death-defying loop and bring his weapons to bear. Bullets rip through the enemy pilots fuselage, and it explodes.
+1 Kill to (9)Lead
(10)Lon has his own problems as he and the other pilot (6) fight. Again, the enemy LF coming out behind. Again Lon is saved by the thick armour of his HF. After several jousts Lon brings his weapons to bear and racks the wing of the enemy LF. Damaged and keenly aware he is now outnumbered, the wounded LF turns tail, using it's superior speed to escape back to his fleet.
Light Damage to enemy LF
Elsewhere, the scouting group lead by (3) Fuzz seems to have have found a significant enemy asset. Matching it to known enemy fleet markings, it is identified as the venerable Collective destroyer, Kirov . It begins to move to a defensive position signifying it has spotted the scouting group, mistaking it for a bombing run. Despite the destroyers weaker anti-fighter armament, your weapons are not designed to crack the thick hull of the Destroyer. You turn back to report your finding.
Phobos, Deimos S1648th (9), (11)
Your ships spread out and scout the last known position of the mining fleet. You're not sure why but it seems like your scanning arrays are not calibrated properly as none of the vessels are able to find any sign of the mining fleet. Perhaps they have moved on to another location to hide from the enemy?
210th Squadron
Pips(11) and Fancy(12) have a very uneventful scouting mission, not able to report anything of significance.
While Jack(5) and Trinnie(6) out scouting, they are quick to notice an enemy patrol of 2 enemy Heavy Fighters. Not confident they can win in a straight fight, they turn back to report their findings in case enemy reinforcements arrive.
Meanwhile Cor(7) and Kal(8 ) patrol with their Light Fighters mindful of enemy threats. Several hours into their patrol they spot 2 Collective LFs closing in on their position. Turning to meet the threat, a dogfight ensues!
(7)Cor begins the dance with his partner(1) with the enemy veteran pilot gaining the advantage. It is quickly apparent that the rival pilot is more skilled than Cor. Surprised by the enemy's tenacity, Cor makes a fatal mistake and turns too quickly, allowing the enemy LF to slide into his kill slot and finish the job.
Cor - KIA
(8)Kal is left to his devices as his more experienced wingman is overwhelmed. Sparring with the other pilot(2), they both make a pass at one another hoping to score a decisive blow on the other. Kal shrugs off several blows, but is still in the fight before a missile impact knocks out his guidance system. Not willing to risk a fight in a damaged bird, Kal expertly peels away from both attackers and manges to fight another day!
Kal's LF – Light Damage
Known enemy Forces
AWARE ships
Ochakov - Frigate - Spotted by 242nd - 1 Phase
Kirov - Destroyer - Spotted by 23rd - 1 Phase
UNAWARE ships:
Nikolaev - Frigate - Spotted by 242nd - 1 Phase
I'll update the rosters now.