/ACEG/ RPG Session 3(2)

[19:14] <Val> It's a familiar route that you take, crossing over the ocean once more. Once again, the four of you are flying short handed. Crossing over Belaro island, you can see that the scars of your handiwork is still evident, and the landing forces coming ashore to secure the garrison uncontested after your merciless bombing of the living quarters previously. Ahead, you can see the fleet you're supposed to escort forming up as it prepares to penetrate the canal. Previously, special forces were inserted by submarine to take control of the locks, and will hopefully be able to hold them long enough for the entire fleet to pass through. As you watch, the flight deck of the Kestrel sends another F-14 into the air, off to combat some distant threat.

[19:15] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Blind here. Hope we can give those bastards what for."
[19:16] <Cavalier_3-3> "So...this is it. Seems like it's just us left to do our own part, isn't it, Nadir?"
[19:16] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Isn't it always? Except- where's Spirit Guide?"
[19:17] <Cavalier_3-3> "The AWACS was downed. They have been transported to a medical outpost, Nadir 3"
[19:18] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Damn. She sounded cute."
[19:19] <Strix_4-2> "Really?"
[19:19] <Cosmo_4-1> "Spirit Guide didn't fly so well, Blindsighter. 4-2, 3-3, you're wingmen for this operation. 4-3, you're with me. We all know the briefing. 4-2, I want you to take 3-3 on patrol around the fore of the fleet."
[19:19] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Loud and clear, Cosmo."
[19:20] <Strix_4-2> "Got it, boss."
[19:20] * Cavalier_3-3 flies his plane closer to Nadir's formation. Once more, the only Apogee craft in the air. "I'll be right beside you, Strix."
[19:22] * Strix_4-2 rolls away from the formation, accelerating towards the fleet, keeping a decent altitude. "So, Cavalier, are you always an only child?"
[19:22] <Cavalier_3-3> "Have been since birth. Guess it builds character, though."
[19:23] <Strix_4-2> "Well thats cool, welcome to your new Foster home, it's called Nadir."
[19:23] * Cavalier_3-3 keeps his pace behind Strix, as they fly the same type of Aircraft "Thanks for the warm welcome."

[19:23] <Val> "Apogee flight, this is OFS Kestrel, we mark you at bearing 173, relative, 20 klicks out. Do you confirm?" Says and older voice over your radio channel.

[19:24] <Cavalier_3-3> "Confirming, Kestrel. That's me."
[19:25] * Cavalier_3-3 mumbles to himself, out of radio "If they mistake Nadir..."

[19:26] <Val> "We were told there would be a Nadir flight as well, but I only see four plane Apogee lead, can you explain?"

[19:26] <Cosmo_4-1> "OFS Kestrel, this is Nadir Lead. You've got bad intel, we've got three aircraft from Nadir and one aircraft from Apogee flying together today."
[19:29] <Strix_4-2> "Don't worry, OFS, we're probably worth like, half a plane each."

[19:29] <Val> "I see..." The voice on the other end is silent, but the transmit button is held down, and you're treated to the sound of controlled chaos in the background of the CIC. "That's unfortunate. Unfortunately, we were ordered to form up while still undergoing sea trials. We're not fully combat capable and I've just been informed that our catapult steam pressure system has a fault. We'll not be able to launch any more aircraft until we have it fixed. Rather than holding us this entire operation, we'll be depending on you Nadir." The voice concludes.

[19:29] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Speak for yourself, Strix."
[19:30] * Cavalier_3-3 sighs "Damnit, Phebe..."
[19:31] <Cosmo_4-1> "Copy that, OFS Kestrel. We're proceeding to air patrol range and will be on the lookout for any incoming. You can count on us, fleet."

[19:33] <Val> "Roger that. We sent a couple of Toms up to engage a force of Tu-95s at extreme range. Unfortunately, we were not able to get our Hawkeye in the air. We will inform you if we see anything, but terrain masking aircraft will be impossible to spot from down here."

[19:35] <Cosmo_4-1> "Understood. We'll let you know if we spot any bad guys on the way. Nadir, 3-3, it looks like we won't have an AWACS radar to cover our asses out here, so I want your heads on the swivel. 4-2, don't lead your patrol too far out."
[19:35] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Kind of ironic, honestly. Osean Air is usually more competent than that. You think they got sabotaged somehow?"
[19:36] <Cavalier_3-3> "Seems more like they got rushed out of the production line. Theyre throwing a lot to get Futuro Canal, 4-3."
[19:38] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Proof once more that patriotism a mechanic does not make."
[19:45] <Strix_4-2> Gotcha, Cosmo.
[19:45] <Strix_4-2> "Gotcha, Cosmo."
[19:46] <Cosmo_4-1> "4-2, proceed with 3-3 to the fleet's 2 o'clock, I want you to be on look out for bad guys at the fore. 4-3, proceed with me to their eight o'clock, we'll cover their sides."
[19:46] <Cavalier_3-3> "Cavalier copies, Lead."
[19:47] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Blind copies, Lead."

[19:48] <Val> You take up your positions, idling maintaining you position as the fleet prepares to enter the narrow canal, with the multiple escort ships taking the fore and aft positions around the Kestrel.

[19:49] <Strix_4-2> "Moving."
[19:55] <Cavalier_3-3> "This is Cavalier! We got bandits, Lead. Six contacts, dead ahead to me, at the fleets two o clock."
[19:56] <Cavalier_3-3> "They are flying in low."
[19:58] <Cosmo_4-1> "Copy that 3-4, keep your current course and prepare for engagement. 4-3 and I will proceed to your position to assist, 3-3. Don't let them in close, Cav."
[19:58] <Cosmo_4-1> *3-3
[19:58] <Cavalier_3-3> "Understood. Preparing Sparrows..."
[19:59] <Strix_4-2> "Time to check out how well these new missiles fly."
[19:59] * Cavalier_3-3 continues his interception course.
[20:00] <BlindSighter_4-3> "On my way."

[20:01] <Val> "There should be no friendly aircraft in that sector in those numbers, Nadir lead." The Kestrel officer informs you.

[20:03] <Cavalier_3-3> "...Damnit! Strix, I cant get a lock. How about you?"
[20:03] <Cosmo_4-1> "Copy that, Kestrel. Just keep that support ready if they get too close."
[20:07] * Strix_4-2 Aileron rolls on his course to the bad guys, locking with one Sparrow to one of the planes and firing. "Yeah! I like these things!"
[20:08] <Cosmo_4-1> "Kestrel, this is 4-1. I'm picking up six aircraft at 3 o'clock and 2 more approaching from 12 o'clock. Blindsighter, I'm proceeding to 3 o'clock, you proceed to 12."
[20:08] <Cavalier_3-3> "Well...that's self explanatory."
[20:09] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Gotcha."
[20:10] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Six to one and two to one respectively. Gotta pity those guys."
[20:11] <Cosmo_4-1> "Cavalier, I want you to cover that sector. Strix, as soon as you've got that formation down to a manageable number, I want you to proceed to 3 o'clock and assist."
[20:11] <Cavalier_3-3> "Will do, Cosmo."
[20:11] <Strix_4-2> "Loud and clear, loud and clear."

[20:15] <Val> "Thank you for that heads up 4-1. The escorts are getting ready to launch missiles as soon as we can see them. If your RWR suddenly lights up like a christmas tree, don't be alarmed, that's just us." The same officer replies.

[20:18] * Cavalier_3-3 fiddles with the controls, before finally getting a lock. "Apogee 3, Fox One!" right after, he lets the sparrow fly, as he decreases his speed. It is headed for the left centre craft!
[20:26] * Cosmo_4-1 quickly arrives to her intended position, hovering there for a moment. She flips a few buttons, shouting out, "4-1, fox one out."

[20:29] <Val> You watch as the missile flies off the rail, and out of sight. You watch it on the radar, as it flies towards the intended target, and then cleanly misses the entire formation.

[20:33] * BlindSighter_4-3 shifts to fly lower, so he can find the enemy. "I'm getting up close and personal with these goombas."

[20:35] <Val> The sparrow missile that Strix is guiding continues flying towards the target, as you watch it on the scope the target veers our of the way, and the missile shot is trashed. The reflection from the countermeasures appears on your scope as a bright flash before fading.

[20:37] <Cavalier_3-3> "If this hits or not, I'm closing in, Strix! Can't afford to get cold feet!"
[20:40] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Figures I can't see anything. Make your jokes now, ladies and gentlemen."
[20:40] <Cavalier_3-3> "4-3. Request guidance from the fleet?"
[20:41] * Cosmo_4-1 rolls her eyes, bringing herself around again. She attains another lock on her third target, "4-1, Fox One away." She lets a missile loose, towards her locked target.

[20:43] <Val> Another missile, another miss, as your shot is apparently evaded with ease.
[20:46] <Val> As cav watches his radar screen, holding the plane steady as he tracks the fourth plane in the formation with his radar, he gets to watch as his missile once more misses, passing through the formation without hitting anything.

[20:46] <Cavalier_3-3> "Missile shot trashed! Closing in."
[21:02] * Strix_4-2 brings his nose up slightly, trying to equalize the minute altitude diference between him and bad guy #1. He locks, and fires one missile.

[21:02] <Val> Again, you watch on your radar screen as you record yet another clean miss.

[21:02] <Cavalier_3-3> "Strix, move in at knife range. They can't dodge that way."
[21:03] <Strix_4-2> "I gotcha, Cav. I'll do just that."
[21:06] <Cavalier_3-3> "This doesnt feel right...where the hell are their escorts?"
[21:08] <BlindSighter_4-3> "I finally found these SOBs. They're A-6s. Let's see if their countermeasures hold up against good old-fashioned gunfire."

[21:09] <Val> As you close into minimum range of the formation, you spot a single target, even as your radar records five bogeys. The EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft suddenly switches from deception jamming, washing our your scope with the wide spectrum electronic attack.

[21:09] <Cavalier_3-3> "Block this, Asshole!"
[21:11] * Cavalier_3-3 throws his thrust forward letting out a volley of cannon fire as he speeds by.

[21:12] <Val> Despite the lack of ability to electronically defend against cannon shells, it proves unnecessary as Cav manages to miss the old fashioned way.

[21:13] <Cavalier_3-3> "Damnit! Guys, listen up! This was a bait! There are no bombers here, sans a Jammer!"
[21:13] <Cavalier_3-3> "I'll take care of him!"
[21:15] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Oh no."
[21:16] <Cavalier_3-3> "Cosmo, recommend you confirm a visual."
[21:16] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Son of a bitch, they've launched their Harpoons!"
[21:17] <Cosmo_4-1> "Yeah, I got that. Kestrel, are you reading? I'm going to confirm my targets, but I think we're on a wild fucking bogey chase here."
[21:17] <BlindSighter_4-3> "I need help, I can only get one or two of them in time! we can deal with these assholes later!"

[21:18] <Val> "We are commencing jamming and launching countermeasures." The Kestrel officer informs you as alarms blare in the background.

[21:34] <Cosmo_4-1> "Copy that. 4-2, one of you needs to disengage and move to the fleet's twelve. Blindsighter's dealing with two craft in that claptrap of his."
[21:35] <Cavalier_3-3> "I'm mid-way doubling around, lead. i'll speed over to Blind after this pass, hit or not."
[21:35] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Fuck the crafts, try EIGHT MISSILES headed towards the fleet. Whatever the fuck you're doing, this is automatically more important!"
[21:36] <Cavalier_3-3> "Shit, Coming!"
[21:42] * BlindSighter_4-3 lets out a salvo as always, shredding a missile. "If you can hear me, you Belkan fucks, know that all your mothers are whores and your fathers deadbeats!"

[21:46] <Val> As you pour fire into the missile, your entire scope is suddenly washed out with intense jamming, and your RWR begins to wail maddeningly as the AEGIS vessels turn on the power. As you watch, one of the other Harpoons wobbles in flight, before slamming into the ocean as the heavy targeted jamming takes its toll on it. With just 6 missiles left you continue towards the fleet.

[21:47] * Cavalier_3-3 finishes turning his craft around, positioning himself behind the jammer craft. He begins tailing it, reading and antecipating its movements, afore finally seeing an opportunity. He lets his 4 cannons spit lead.

[21:49] <Val> One wing is instantly chewed off, the heavy rounds hammering into the fuselage before it literally drops out of your
gunsights. One chute, two chutes... Only two ejections from the original crew of four as the aircraft tumbles out of the sky.

[21:49] * Cavalier_3-3 diverts his plane to the side, away from the ejecting crew, speeding past the carcass. "Jammer down!"
[21:57] * BlindSighter_4-3 whispers to his plane, "Black Eye, if you get all of these missiles, I will never ever replace you. Unless we get shot down."
[22:02] * BlindSighter_4-3 lets out a crackle of panicked gunfire. "Down, dammit!"
[22:03] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Why won't these fucking missiles die?"
[22:06] * Cavalier_3-3 continues straining his craft, as it screams towards the second jammer at top speed. After several tense seconds, he pulls up the sparrow controls, as the craft shakes violently. Alas, he manages a lock!
[22:07] <Cavalier_3-3> "Apogee 3, Fox One! This'll get his attention!
[22:09] * Cosmo_4-1 turns her aircraft, disengaging from the decoy and bringing herself around. She quickly makes her way towards the fleet, hammering her throttle in order to reach it in time. "4-3, I'm moving to assist you immediately. Disengaing the jammer."
[22:12] * BlindSighter_4-3 slowly comes to the realization that he, has, in fact, fucked up, as another set of bullets hits nothing.

[22:15] <Val> As you approach, a literal firestorm erupts as every CIWs on the escort ships, and the mounts on the carrier simultaneously open on the incoming missiles, and blindsighter. Two missiles go down, leaving only five to go. As you watch, chaff rockets explode over the fleet, seeking to jam the Harpoons.

[22:20] * Cavalier_3-3 grunts. As he dashes along, the shaking of his craft is worsened as his eletronics are jammed and affected by the enemy craft. Sweating, he keeps his tracking steady. His voice blares in the radio, urgently.
[22:20] <Cavalier_3-3> "I GOT IT! Blind! Fleet! Jamming is off of you! Make this count!"
[22:26] * Cosmo_4-1 closes in towards the missiles, rolling her shoulders as she prepares to fire. "Firing Fox Two," she says, letting loose two missiles at two individual targets. One fires true, making it sway towards its intended target.

[22:27] <Val> The jamming is cut out for good as the sparrow missile guides to the starburst on the radar. Soon enough, Cav's entire scope is completely clear.

[22:28] * BlindSighter_4-3 sighs in desperation, clutching at the controls. "Both Foxes, away."

[22:29] <Val> Between Cosmo and Blindsighter, the two of you manage to knock down two more missiles with your own missiles. Leaving just 3 harpoons heading into the final defensive fire of the carrier battle group.

[22:29] <Cavalier_3-3> "Second Jammer down...come on..."

[22:31] <Val> Another missile is clawed out of the sky, victim to a hastily launched missile from one of the destroyers. The other two however, cannot be stopped. The first missile slams into the bridge of the lead AEGIS cruiser, decapitating it in one fell swoop. The crippled ship leans into the side of the canal, a horrible screeching sounds erupts as thousands of tons of metal is slowly brought to a gradual halt by friction. The other missile's target is the Kestrel itself.
[22:33] <Val> Instead, it is brought up short by the small destroyer that had only moments before placed itself between its carrier and the vulnerable, not yet fully operational, carrier. The small ship is nearly split in two as the Harpoon takes it amidship at the waterline, instantly engulfing it in flames as one of the torpedo racks detonates as well. The foreward section of the ship continues on, as if desiring to remain in formation, while the forward motion of the rear half causes it to quickly fill with water rushing into the exposed internals.
[22:35] <Val> Oil mixes with water, like a pool of blood surrounding the two victims. With no room to maneuver, and the threat of continued attack, the remaining ships are forced to continue on at high speed.

[22:36] * Cavalier_3-3 steadies his craft, as it starts to slow down. He brieflly looks at the fleet, sighing.
[22:39] <Cavalier_3-3> "...Lead. Orders?"

[22:40] <Val> "This is OFS Kestrel, Captain speaking." An older, grizzled voice crackles onto the radio. "Is Nadir lead still in the air?"

[22:40] * Cosmo_4-1 leans back, scratching her forehead. She takes a moment to respond, "This is Nadir Lead speaking. I read you loud and clear, Kestrel."

[22:41] <Val> "I understand you went up short handed today." He says after a few seconds.

[22:42] <Cosmo_4-1> "That's an affirmative, Kestrel."
[22:42] * BlindSighter_4-3 hopes the Captain somehow isn't one of the men who got him removed.
[22:43] * Cavalier_3-3 shall scan the area for any further contacts as the conversation goes on, despite the futility of it.

[22:45] <Val> "On behalf of myself and the rest of the fleet, I would like to thank you for your efforts today. The loss of the Excalibur and Chivalry are regrettable, but you shouldn't feel as if you're to blame." He continues.

[22:48] * Cosmo_4-1 nods to herself, "Understood, Captain," she says briefly. "Nadir, Cavalier, we'll see them through and then double back and return to base. Hop to."
[22:49] * Cavalier_3-3 flies back into formation, answering withva somber tone "Understood, Lead."
[22:50] * BlindSighter_4-3 hesitates before responding, "Understood."
[22:59] * Cavalier_3-3 pipes up, after almost a minute of silence "...Should've figured that...earlier. Of course they weren't shooting back."
[23:01] * BlindSighter_4-3 clears his throat, draws in a breath, and then speaks.
[23:02] <Cosmo_4-1> "Yeah, hindsight is 20/20, Cavalier."
[23:03] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Black Eye, you useless goddamn smoke-spewing, radiation-spawning, permanently-jammed, completely blind hot flying fucking garbage! No wonder I got kicked out of the fucking force flying the likes of you, you piece of shit!"
[23:03] * Cavalier_3-3 starta retorting, but is immediately drowned out by the wave of expletives.
[23:04] * Cosmo_4-1 glances over the formation, leaning back in her seat. "Yeah, let it all out, buddy."
[23:05] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Fly a Mirage, they said. It'll be great, they said. Guns are fucking incredible, they said. WELL, NOT HITTING ANYTHING ISN'T EXACTLY FANTASTIC, YOU HUNK OF JUNK! WHERE THE FUCK WERE THOSE BOMBER-KILLING SALVOS WHEN WE FUCKING NEEDED THEM?"
[23:06] * BlindSighter_4-3 punches one of the more durable parts of the console.

[23:07] <Cavalier_3-3> "...4-3?"
[23:08] <BlindSighter_4-3> "I AM PERFECTLY FUCKING CALM."
[23:08] <Cosmo_4-1> "Hey, don't interrupt him. I'm pretty sure they say this type of stuff can be therapeutic. Prevent getting ulcers or something."
[23:08] * BlindSighter_4-3 clears his throat again. "Just a little bit disappointed is all."
[23:09] <Cavalier_3-3> "...Nevermind. I'll save it for later."
[23:09] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Gonna get a new plane. Try to forget all the people this one just killed."
[23:11] <Cosmo_4-1> "Hey, man. You didn't kill those people, the Belkans did."
[23:13] * BlindSighter_4-3 shrugs. "If you prefer to think of it like that."
[23:14] <Cavalier_3-3> "At least we prevented the majority from hitting."
[23:15] <Cosmo_4-1> "Yeah, thank God for that. It was such a clusterfuck."
[23:16] <Cavalier_3-3> "I was not expecting this. I thought it would have been a face to face fight, not this...cloak and dagger bullshit."
[23:17] <Cavalier_3-3> "...at the very least, it is important life experience."
[23:17] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Fucking Belkans."
[23:17] <Cosmo_4-1> "Fucking Belkans."

[23:19] <Cavalier_3-3> "....Blind. I just remembered."
[23:19] <Cavalier_3-3> "Are you damaged? You flew into that volley of fire. Recommend you check your systems."
[23:23] <BlindSighter_4-3> "Sure."
[23:29] * BlindSighter_4-3 looks over his systems, but everything seems to be in order.
[00:06] <Cosmo_4-1> "Well, what's your status, Blindsighter. You good to go?"
[00:07] <BlindSighter_4-3> "As well as can be, Flight Lead."
[00:07] <Cosmo_4-1> "Good enough for me."
[00:08] * Cosmo_4-1 rolls her shoulders, letting out a sigh. "Nadir, on my rear, we can see the craters on the runway from here." She drops in altitude, bringing her plane gently down on the approach. Her landing gear hits the ground without incident, and she brings her craft safely onto the ground.