Ambush
Ambush!
Arc: A Majestic Flight
Summary: And of course, the Kilrathi cannot even let a simply personnel transfer go without putting their paws into it.
Date: 2659.207
Related Logs: A Majestic Flight
Participants: Zorro, Cyric, Phillip, Singh

After about an hour of sluggish flight, the quartet of fighters roll through another nav point. Their charge of two shuttles and several transports plodding along with them. Their destination lies over 200 minutes away at current speed and the rendezvous with the new Wing Commander is still another hour off.

A grey blip appears at the edge of the Stiletto's sensor range… only to disappear a second later.

Zorro is trying to stave off boredom by mentally designing a new dress.

«Guys, I have a contact, IFF not resolving» Karen squawks. «If I tighten the bands, I can get more resolution, but we'll be shining like a beacon out there.»

Iceblade has been bouncing between sensors and old logs when he hears Karen's contact notice. «Nothing on my scopes, is it still there?»

Zorro radios «We're shining like a beacon already, I'd say.»

Karen initiates a narrow band scan.

«Let's give them a wakeup call, Lead!» Talon enthusiastically comms as he pings his sensors trying to isolate and resolve the signal.

Zorro does her own scan as well.

«Well, they spotted us now.» Karen grasps her flightstick, preparing to disengage autopilot. “Please be a smuggler off the normal nav lanes…"

Iceblade radios again… getting more alert. «Repeat, Karen is the contact still present?»

Karen radios «Nothing, IB, scanning quadrant.» «Zorro, should I sweep 50 klicks towards them? I may get a better view.»

The grey blip returns for another brief second before disappearing… then a second blip is observed in the same general area but a slightly different vector. This too disappears after two seconds.

Zorro radios «Go ahead. If it's a hot shirtless guy, I want to know.»

Singh blasts her afterburners at a gradient of the target, trying to ping from a different angle. She is maintaining the same approximate distance but trying to triangulate.

Talon wonders if this is simply a distraction to separate us from our convoy as he focuses on locking down the intermittent signal blip. Divide and Conquer 101 or else it’s just a sensor glitch with Singh's radar.

Karen maneuvers into position and runs a second scan.

Iceblade tenses up, fully ready for anything. «Karen, watch yourself and no unnecessary engagement.» Iceblade rechecks his missiles.

Zorro keeps calm. She's seen this sort of stuff before.

Karen's hand firmly grasping the throttle, she keeps it at 330 kps, ready to burn in case of bogeys She is holding her FCS waaay to tight.

«This is TCS Corwin of Sapphire. We are reading multiple sensor contacts. May be sensor ghosts. Are you picking these up?» The Diligent class transport radios.

Karen radios «Scans showing negative. Returning to the fleet then going to the other side for another scan.» Karen radios back to the transport, «Affirmative Corwin, please confirm number and basic spectrum, maybe we can enhance your resolution.»

Just then Karen's Stiletto registers two fast moving objects… no IFF heading in her direction. The Rapiers also now see two gray dots on their scanners.

Karen's stiletto spins in a 180, full afterburners at a 15-degree deflection to the convoy. Karen radios «Tight beam comm» «I have two fast moving objects on sensors, relaying data>.>

Zorro radios, «All Rapiers, break and attack.»

Karen radios «Please regroup at a standoff posit…Or that.»

Iceblade spots the radar blips, «Can confirm hostiles. Moving to engage.»

Zorro turns off to line up on the objects and sets up to attack them.

Karen radios «Did anyone get an IFF? Are we chasing enemies, or some kids on a joyride?»

«This is the TCS Corwin of Sapphire. Be alert pilots, there are two more sensor contacts coming in from the other direction.»

Zorro radios «We don't need an IFF. If they're not squawking, we challenge them once and then engage.»

«Acknowledged, Lead! Engaging Enemy Rear Flight!» Talon corkscrews around to engage the enemy approaching from behind and punches his afterburners to engage.

Zorro moves in to engage the first pair.

Iceblade comes about with the sight of the pair of fighters… who are Gothri… Great! Iceblade goes for a frontal assault at full burn readying a DF splash for the second Gothri. «Iceblade here, FOX Four!»

Zorro opens fire with all her guns on the first Gothri. Aiming to knock the shields down

«Attention Gothri pilots… Did you ever wonder why we keep these translators in our ships, and our ability to communicate with each other?» Karen asks, voice slightly trembling. « There is no honor that can be found here, only humiliating death». As Karen is standoffishly attempting to flank the Gothri.

Talon guns his afterburners selecting the second target and rakes his fire upon the second Gothri as he spins a bit to dodge out of the way of the enemy lead's gunfire.

"Good, the Gothris are out of range of the convoy… come on Singh, you can do this… only a pair of evil Sabres in front of you with enough firepower to blow up a small Starbase… can't be that hard."

COMBAT BOT: Iceblade's Dumbfire Missile hit Gothri2 dead-on.
Gothri2 lost their front shields and their front armor absorbed the hit.

COMBAT BOT: Zorro scored several hits on Gothri1 with Full Guns.
Gothri1 lost their front shields and their right armor absorbed the hit.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri1's shots missed Talon completely.

COMBAT BOT: Talon barely hit Gothri2 with Full Guns.
Gothri2 lost their front shields and their left armor absorbed the hit.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri2 almost hit Karen several times.

COMBAT BOT: Karen scored several hits on Gothri2 with Mass Drivers.
Gothri2 lost their front shields and took crippling damage to their craft's right wing.

COMBAT BOT: Turret1's shots missed Talon completely.

COMBAT BOT: Turret2's shots missed Zorro completely.

One Gothri finds itself the target of three ships who tear into its armor and even nearly strip off its right wing. Meanwhile Zorro scores a solid hit herself on the other Gothri. Both Gothris however find themselves too harassed to do much more than avoid being hit as their shots repeatedly miss. Just then two gray blips appear well behind the Confed fighters and forward the direction of travel by the Convoy.

«Team, I'm in the fastest ship, do I harass the other guys? I can't hit hard here» Karen hesitantly asks.

«We need to nail these two quick! Two more are ahead of the convoy! This is Talon! Fox Four!» Talon shouts as he switches to his dumbfires for a point blank attack on the section of the enemy armor he damaged on his initial shot.

«Yes, go harass them please» Zorro says and switching to her missiles, ready to finish this Gothri off.

Karen radios «Engaging bogeys…» Karen then afterburns out of the fray zipping through the convoy to engage the forward party. Singh says, “Pleasedon'tbegrikathspleasedon'tbegrikaths"

Iceblade smiles at his solid hit. «Dang buggers! I'm moving to engage the second pair. These guys can't shoot for crap anyway.» Iceblade comes about and kicks the fires - launching a passing FF at the Gothri now locking onto Iceblade’s Rapier.

Talon grins with predatory glee as he swoops into and around the enemy Grothi's turret and gunfire lining up for his shot on his first real kill of the game.

COMBAT BOT: Zorro's Friend or Foe Missile scored a critical hit on Gothri1.
Gothri1 lost their aft shields and their aft armor absorbed the hit.

COMBAT BOT: Iceblade's Friend or Foe Missile hit Gothri2 dead-on.
Gothri2 lost their front shields and took crippling damage to their craft's cockpit.

COMBAT BOT: Talon's Dumbfire Missile scored a critical hit on Gothri2.
Gothri2 lost their front shields and had their craft's missile launchers blown up.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri1's Image Recognition Missile was unable to maintain lock and hit Zorro.

COMBAT BOT: Karen passes this round.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri2 could not fire a missile due to the destruction of their Missile Launchers.

COMBAT BOT: Turret1's shots missed Zorro completely.

COMBAT BOT: Turret2 almost hit Talon several times.

Zorro radios «Die you idiot!»

Karen scans her VDU. "Damn, my team is good"

As Iceblade and Karen race off, the combination of missiles from the Rapiers do extreme damage. Gothri 2 who had decided to lock onto Iceblade found its cockpit smeared by a Friend or Foe missile and its missile launchers blown to kibbles and bits. Unharrawed, Karen and Iceblade begin approaching the second pair of Gothris.

«Attention Gothri pilots, it is not too late to surrender, you will be treated fairly and your safety will be assured», Karen states more confidently.

«Yeah right.» Iceblade locks onto one of the new… Gothris "Of Course" and locks on with an IR missile. «Iceblade, Fox two» Iceblade says after a quick lock on.

«Zorro, Fox One» Zorro radios as she fires her own missile.

Talon grins widely as he sweeps in for another pass to finish off the damaged enemy Gothri.

One Gothri attempts to flee the battle while the two newbies begin locking onto Iceblade - the more dangerous target - leaving their tails guarded by their turrets.

Karen radios «Gothri Pilot, I will fire some warning shots at your cockpit and life support systems, please consider disengaging.»

«Kitties don't surrender or run. That's what makes them such good target practice! Right, Kitty?» Talon grins as he answers his wingmate and prepares for his first kill.

«HAHAHA… What a weak cowardly ape you are. I will enjoy munching on your bones later.» One of the Gothri pilots taunts.

Zorro radios «You need to get through my sexy skin first.»

Karen radios «Munching??? Isn't that the action of a herbivore?»

Talon radios «Isn't that Kitty sacrilege?»

Karen radios «Hey, Gothri… Chomping would be better, maybe Gnawing. Crushing… but munching is what I do on overcooked pasta.»

COMBAT BOT: Zorro's Friend or Foe Missile scored a critical hit on Gothri1.
Zorro's missile launcher clicks empty for Friend or Foe Missiles.
Gothri1 lost their front shields and their front armor absorbed the hit.

COMBAT BOT: Talon's Dumbfire Missile scored a critical hit on Gothri2.
Talon's missile launcher clicks empty for Dumbfire Missiles.
Gothri2 lost their front shields and had their craft's controls fried.

Gothri2 is shredded to pieces and explodes as its ship's core denotes from shrapnel.

COMBAT BOT: Iceblade's Image Recognition Missile only land a glancing blow on Gothri3.
Gothri3 had their aft shields weakened.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri3's Image Recognition Missile was unable to maintain lock and hit Iceblade.

COMBAT BOT: Karen passes this round.

COMBAT BOT: Turret4's shots missed Karen completely.

COMBAT BOT: Turret3 almost hit Karen several times.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri4's Image Recognition Missile was unable to maintain lock and hit Iceblade.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri1's Image Recognition Missile only land a glancing blow on Zorro.
Gothri1's missile launcher clicks empty for Image Recognition Missiles.
Zorro had their front shields weakened.

COMBAT BOT: Turret1's shots missed Zorro completely.

Inside the shuttle, many nervous individuals are looking through the viewport at the fireworks outside. Seelig has headphones on and is belting out: "Dakooooooooota where we don't have to worrrrrrry… Gonna taaaaaaaaaaaake my time right heeeeeeere."

After a massive missile exchange, the Gothri's did very little and the Rapier's piled on significant damage. In the space in front of the steadily moving convoy, Iceblade and Karen continue to dogfight it out with the two Gothri there. Far behind the Convoy, Talon's marksmanship scores the destruction of one of the Gothri while Zorro continues to duel with a second.

«Victory!» Talon comms with glee at his first combat kill!

Iceblade's missile launched forth at the Gothri just as both Gothris fire missiles at him. Phillip immediately jukes as he fires the missile throwing off his missile's firing angle as he attempts to juke and dodge the incoming imrecs. Fortunately, Iceblade's missile managed to explode near the tail pipe of the Gothri while Iceblade succeeded in dodging his pursuers. "Definitely been a while since I've had these kinds of thrills." Iceblade cues up an FF and slings it as he goes evasive. «Karen, I could use a bit of assistance.»

Zorro calls over to Talon. «Well done, I'll kiss you later, Talon. Now come help me with this other guy.»

Cyric responds, «Acknowledged. We'll nail this one quick and get back to assist our escorts, Lead." Cyric punches his afterburners after the remaining distraction.

Karen radios «Attention Gothri pilot, I will now repeat the warning shots at your cockpit glass to ensure maximum visibility.»

COMBAT BOT: Talon scored multiple weapon hits on Gothri1 with Full Guns.
Gothri1 lost their aft shields and took crippling damage to their craft's power core.

Gothri1's ship exploded due to a critical failure of ship's integrity in addition to instability in the power core.

COMBAT BOT: Iceblade's Friend or Foe Missile scored a critical hit on Gothri3.
Iceblade's missile launcher clicks empty for Friend or Foe Missiles.
Gothri3 lost their front shields and their left armor absorbed the hit.

COMBAT BOT: Zorro is unable to complete their attack as Gothri1 has been taken out.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri4's shots missed Iceblade completely.

COMBAT BOT: Karen barely hit Gothri3 with Mass Drivers.
Gothri3 lost their front shields and their left armor absorbed the hit.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri3's shots missed Iceblade completely.

COMBAT BOT: Turret4's shots missed Karen completely.

COMBAT BOT: Turret3's shots missed Karen completely.

And with that order, Talon flies and fries Gothri 1 in a glorious explosion. On the other side of the field of space, Gothri 3' s left armor is shredded thanks to one FF missile paired with some mass drivers rounds. And whether through Iceblade and Karen's flying skills or these Katuntry bumpkins lack thereof, the Gothri’s shots fly wide of both Iceblade and Karen.

“Victory! Another Kill!” «Now, let's nail those two ahead our escort ships and get ourselves home!» Cyric spins his fighter with a graceful split-S turn maneuver and punches his afterburners again with a triumphant grin behind his helmet faceplate.

«Indeed. Let's do that» Zorro replies, turning her own Rapier so it is heading for the other two Gothri.

Karen continues to radio, «Attention Gothri pilot, surrender, your power core is going critical, do you want to be remembered as someone who died attacking a transport full of my collectibles?»

"Juke and Jive, in the middle" Iceblade sings and he easily dodges the particle and mass driver fire. «Might as well use missiles, cause you can't shoot for crap. You Imperial rejects.» Iceblade decides to drag the Gothris toward the rest of the group, and they hold hot on Iceblade's tail. «Bringing them to you, Lead.»

"OMG OMG OMG, I am talking down a Kilrathi… OMG OMG OMG…. Stay calm Juliana, you got this yougotthis…" Karen says to herself.

Zorro radios «Gothri, you'd better surrender, because you're going to die and hell is cold.»

COMBAT BOT: Zorro's Image Recognition Missile hit Gothri4 dead-on.
Gothri4 lost their front shields and their left armor absorbed the hit.

COMBAT BOT: Talon's Image Recognition Missile scored a critical hit on Gothri3.
Gothri3 lost their aft shields and had their craft's left wing torn off.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri4's shots missed Iceblade completely.

COMBAT BOT: Iceblade passes this round.

COMBAT BOT: Karen scored several hits on Gothri3 with Mass Drivers.
Gothri3 lost their aft shields and took moderate damage to their craft's power core.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri3's shots missed Iceblade completely.

COMBAT BOT: Turret4's shots missed Karen completely.

COMBAT BOT: Turret3's shots missed Karen completely.

And the third Gothri starts shredding and an imrec rips into its weakened left side causing a small explosion knocking off that Gothri's aim off followed by some mass drivers wrecking havoc on the fighter-bomber’s power core. Gothri-4 starts to weaken as well thanks to an imrec against it. Both Gothris turn toward the convoy, accelerating toward the larger transport.

«Switching to wide band comms» Karen radios. «Captain, what was that term for Kilrathi suicide where they slash their throats? You think a Gothri's cockpit has room to do that? I mean they are huge targets… they gotta have room for that…» Karen then radios at the Gothri craft, «Gothri pilot… I think I'll call you Chad, you sound like a Chad, don't do it… surrender, we will keep in peace, I can teach you how to do manicures… we can gossip, eat candy and salad, maybe boiled vegetables if you have an upset tummy, come on, I'm sure you'll love it, surrender! I’m sure the prison's got movie nights too… hey I got an idea… want to hear some of my tunes?» Karen starts putting: "Lollipop Bop" on most known Kilrathi channels.

Nina says, «Chad? Aren't Chads successful?» Zorro radios «Gothri, your mate is having affairs while you're away dying for nothing!»

Iceblade laughs as he continues to dodge and then the shooting stops… "What….WHAT!!" Iceblade exclaims as he comes about and spots the bombers heading straight for the lead Transport. «They are going to ram the Transports.» Iceblade cues up his dumbfire and aims for the stronger one.

Karen radios «He's not dying, he's surrendering. Come on Chad, do it!»

Cyric grinned again at the comm chatter as he sensed his prey's weakness as his shot hits home and tore off its left wing. Switching over to the fun guns, Cyric juked to its left side and opens fire! «No way, kitty. Are you really the best the enemy has?! You should never have left your kitty litter behind, Cat! Time to break your training wheels and turn you into a nice expanding gas-cloud!»

COMBAT BOT: Talon scored multiple weapon hits on Gothri3 with Full Guns.
Gothri3 lost their aft shields and had their craft's missile launchers blown up.

COMBAT BOT: Iceblade's Dumbfire Missile scored a critical hit on Gothri4.
Iceblade's missile launcher clicks empty for Dumbfire Missiles.
Gothri4 lost their aft shields and took crippling damage to their craft's power core.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri3 passes this round.

COMBAT BOT: Gothri4 passes this round.

COMBAT BOT: Zorro scored multiple weapon hits on Gothri4 with Full Guns.
Gothri4 lost their aft shields and had their craft's tail sheared off.

COMBAT BOT: Karen scored multiple weapon hits on Gothri4 with Mass Drivers.
Gothri4 lost their aft shields and had their craft's tail sheared off.

Gothri4's ship exploded due to a critical failure of ship's integrity in addition to instability in the power core.

COMBAT BOT: Turret3's shots missed Karen completely.

Gothri 4 crumples after being dogpiled while Gothri-3’s missile racks are thorn and blasted… and the ship explodes several seconds later. Looks like several torpedoes exploding at once.

Zorro radios «I think we can split that kill, Karen»

Karen radios «I … I … they were there… OH MY GOD… I THINK I HAVE A PAW ON MY COCKPIT…. ew ew ew ew.»

"GOT YA! Try firing your torpedo now!" «Lead, Target's missile launchers disabled! Our escorts are safe. Finishing last enemy ship now!» Cyric laughs as his craft comes around for another run on his final kill for the day!

Zorro radios «Let the sexy lady get this one.» Zorro turns to aim at the final Gothri.

Iceblade's Dumbfire lands right up the pipe followed by even more punishment from Ice’s comrades. And then a blinding light appears as the other Gothri explodes. «Dang, Talon, did you fire a torpedo at it.»

Zorro radios «Well, he's earned two kisses from me when we RTB»

«Clean Sweep! We nailed them all!» Talon fist pumps in the cockpit as he spins his craft back toward his escort position.

Zorro radios «Well, you nailed two of them.» Zorro starts to move back towards her own escort position.

Karen nervously checks life support in her ship, O-2 nominal, she removes her glove and pours out the sweat then reattaches it.

Zorro looks at her own status and smiles.

Iceblade sweeps back into escort position. «Anybody even banged up?»

Zorro radios «Not me…»

«All Systems Nominal, Ice! They couldn't touch us! We crushed them!» Talon responds.

Karen's stiletto is visibly yawing at a very high rate… Karen radios «All systems… check… All lights green, but I can't get this paw of my cockpit.»

«Not your job…» Zorro radios «This was a milk run, but they won't be all like this.»

Talon radios «That's what techies are for! They'll squeegee your cockpit for ya!»

«Sending video» Karen responds «I see tendons! ew!»

Iceblade comms, «Either I've gotten better or these guys were garbage. Not an ounce of damage.»

«I hope so, else we will split their atoms from here all the way to Kilrah!» Talon cheers!

Zorro radios «Indeed, but let's not get overconfident»

«Guess, I'm your good luck charm guys!» Talon laughs!

«Now, did I tell you about a Zorro tradition?» Zorro comms.

Karen radios «Re..Returning to formation»

Iceblade rolls his eyes before comming, «Don't get cocky, I've been shredded several times in the cockpit.»

Talon is already there. «Roger, Ice. Escort position confirmed. Are all of you ready to go home?»

«Once the escorting is done, yes» Zorro radios.

Karen radios, «Resuming scanning» Karen is shaking in the cockpit and doing her best not to look at the paw lodged on her glass. Instead focusing on her instrumentation.

Iceblade radios «Acknowledged on that. You'll love being on a carrier, Talon and Karen. Swimming pools, fitness center, movies»

Zorro radios «And you'll love my parties.»

«Sounds like a vacation!» Cyric says with good cheer.

Iceblade responds, «Well, we do get the tougher assignments, without those amenities, brass probably thinks we go suicidal or something.»

Talon radios «If today is anything to go by, I am not worried!»

«I am… they… found us… in space!» Karen radios. «Seriously, I flew over 70 patrol sorties so far. This is my first encounter and with GOTHRI?!?» Karen continues, «Those ships are still in testing… what makes Gemini so special they send their expensive ships?»

«Today was a good day! Besides, we got them all without a scratch! Frankly, I'm a bit disappointed!» Cyric says cheerfully with a chuckle at the end. This was exactly why he wanted in with an actual combat squadron on the front lines! No more boring 3-point patrols here! He loved his first day on the job, it was so eventful! His thoughts were filled with the glory to come!

Zorro radios «Yep, it was a good day. Enjoy them while they last. Don't get cocky either.»