Praetorians: Sovereign Right [IC]

[trollthumper]

"Oh, I'll manage," said Cavalier, following up on the evasive maneuvers from before. "I'll try to draw the little ones off of you." He strafed the ship, firing on the smaller batteries and trying to slag the cannons. It was a bit harder than he thought - this vessel was likely experienced in dealing with small, even person-sized, craft - but the barrage would likely land somewhere.

 

"Y'know," he said, "I tried to be sensible. It may have been angry, forthright sensible, but still sensible. But sensible clearly was never going to work. You just insisted on doing this, like the rapine overstuffed bags of dicks that you are." The blaster fired off streaks of calescent energy. "So, now it's time to go to town."

[Thevshi]

Orbit above Galor III

Cavalier's strafing run proves successful, as the Star Knight manages to take out one of the capital ship's guns on the port side.  The weapon's destruction sent a flickering power surge along that side, temporarily seizing up the remaining weapons on that side.... 

Surface of Galor III, Yollon City
 
"Well, I go by Shell."  The pilot of the large mech added as the machine turned to track the path of the interceptor that Moon-Moth had damaged.  A burst of plasma shot from the mech's left arm, striking the pirate fighter on one side, but the ship's plating took the damage with no apparent effect. 

The fighter banked back around over the city below, another fighter pulling up alongside it as the pair streaked back toward the mech and Praetorian.  Blaster fire erupted from the two interceptors, impacting around the two targets and blasting pockmarks in the street surface, but otherwise missing the targets.

The two interceptors then zoomed overhead as they finished their attack....

[Exaccus]

Quick as a whip moon moth swings around and with a sweep of his arm snares one of the vessels in his transtemporal silver, rendering it immobile and helpless, suspended in the air as the conforming snare ripples as time flows around it like a river.

 

"Pleasing to meet you shell!" He squeaks enthusiasticly "We're not mercenaries, mores politicy neutral peacekeeping party." He explains almost absent mindedly as he watches the other fighter streak away "We intercede when we deem it appropriate and nessicary."

Edited February 10, 2016 by Exaccus

[Thevshi]

Orbit above Galor III 

With the weapons on the port side out of commission for the moment, the pirate capital ship began to bring itself about to bring the Praetorians and Star Knight into the firing arch of its starboard side batteries.  For such a large vessel, that required a more intensive maneuver than one might think. 

As the ship banked, pitching to make the turn as sharp as possible, the starboard guns took another series of shots at some of the planet's defense satellites.  A couple more exploded in bright flashes, but the rest withstood the barrage. 

[Vahnyu]

"Much appreciated, Cavalier!" Mater Vyrdna replied to her teammate, after the latter managed to take off the enemy ship's immediate offensive armaments, and causing it to make a turn. "Now, if you'll just hold on a sec..." she said, as she laid a hand upon the ship's console, a hand that fused with the ship itself, allowing her to will it into making some snappy improvements on its systems. "... I'll give the Kavaca's systems a slight boost." Whirling noises overcame the Praetorian spaceship, as its shape started changing in parts, gaining a few engines in the back and sides, while the weapons aqcuired additional sights, and an extra power generator. On Vyrdnaya's end, the radar, scoping, and triangulation panels seemed to achieve a better precision level as well, as the entire ship's capabilities improved drastically. "There, see? It only needed a gentle hand, and it's good to go!"

[trollthumper]

"Good idea, Mater," said Cavalier. "You draw the main fire, if you can. I'l see if I can take out more of their pea shooters." He soared forward, once again darting out of the shadow of the spaceship. The pirate ship still hung suspended, the cannons that had been aimed on him reduced to slag. He charged his battery once more, ready to put a black eye in their other defenses and leave it so that they had little other choice but to retreat. He zoomed towards the cannons, ready to open fire --

 

-- when they turned, just a second before he could aim. Blasts filled the air; none of them hit, but their intent wasn't exactly to hit. Cavalier's arm jerked to the right, and the burst of energy soared off into the void, leaving him somewhat unready at arms when the cannons turned back around. 

 

There really is such a thing as too cocky... 

[Thevshi]

Surface of Galor III, Yollon City 

"Nice job."  Shell commented as Moon-Moth snared one of the pirate interceptors in his silvery mystical net.  The mech turned to track another of the fast moving fighters with its weapon arm, firing another blast of plasma into the air.  But this time the mercenary had failed to lead the target sufficiently, and the blast passed harmlessly behind the interceptor. 

The pirate craft banked around and came back toward the pair, firing its blasters as it drew near.  This time the attack struck Shell, who staggered back slightly from the attack, a grunt of pain escaping from the pilot. 

The second interceptor followed right after, trying to strafe Moon-Moth, but the mystical Praetorian avoided the blasts.  Both pirate fighters roared overhead, pulling away from the two targets as they prepared to make another run. 

Orbit above Galor III 

As Cavalier's attack missed the pirate capital ship, the vessel completed its maneuver, positioning itself to attack with its starboard side weapons.  As it finished its turn, two smaller craft rocketed out from a hanger door on the opposite side, pulling quickly away from the larger ship and banking back around toward the battle. 

"Two fighter craft have launched."  Seresk informed Mater Vyrdna and Cavalier as the large reptilian Praetorian manned the Kavaca's sensors.    

[Exaccus]

"I fear I am at something of a disadvantage, they move so tricksy..." he answers grunting slightly as his spell goes wide of the interceptor disappearing in the air in a ripple of translucent energy taking a moment to asses the situation a little as shell is chit by the thrumming discharge of the ships energy weapon and staggers back ever so slightly under their force "I Hopes my friendsies are handling better the enemy ship in orbit."

[Thevshi]

GM 

Orbit above Galor III 

With two interceptors now deployed to try to deal with the Star Knight, the gunners on the pirate capital ship focused their attention on planetary defenses and the Kavaca.  A barrage of turbolaster fire lights up the darkness above Galor III, joined by the explosions of several more of the planet's orbital defenses. 

Four of the powerful blasts steak toward the Kavaca, but Mater Vyrdna's enhancements quickly prove their worth, as the vessel avoids three of the blasts, while the fourth glances harmlessly off the reinforced hull.  The pirate capital ship maintains its position, its defenses managing to absorb the attacks from the remaining orbital defenses.

[Vahnyu]

"Roger that, Ceresk. I see them now as well." Vyrdnaya responded to her teammate. "Alright, Cavalier, I'll leave the small ones to you for now, as we agreed, but as soon as I'm done with the capital ship, I'll be assisting you." Indeed, no sooner had Vyrdnaya finished talking with Cavalier, that the enemy ship opened fire.

 

"HAHAHHAHAHA!!!" Mater Vyrdna laughed as she easily maneuvered the Kavaca through the beam barrage. Even the one blast that hit, could manage nothing more than a light graze on the ship's newly coated plating. "Is that display supposed to scare me? Your firepower cannot harm our ship; the Kavaca can handle all you can dish out, and it can hit back just as hard, if not more." Lining up her sights, Mater Vyrdna once more opened fire, this time having a better feel for the ship's targeting systems, which automatically assisted her aim. True enough, the hailstorm of plasma fire she rained upon the enemy pirate ship managed to land on all spots, but its shielding seemed to resist it. "Playing tough, huh? Well, no matter. I'll just have to chew through your defenses, then."

[trollthumper]

"On it, Mater," said Cavalier as he adjusted the sights on his blaster. "Just what I needed. Smaller targets." Of course, that was a blessing as much as it was a curse. Because while Cavalier could plug shots into a cruiser all day, there wasn't much like the elegant dance of engaging with fighter craft. He dove in, weaving around the light craft as they opened fire, lighting up the void. He flew close enough to one of them to get a good look at its pilot - and to confirm that ejection measures were in place. Once his conscience was clear, he opened fire on one of them, following the familiar pattern - wing, engine, main cannons. Something had to be disabled with a distribution like that. 

[Thevshi]

Surface of Galor III, Yollon City 

Despite being hit hard by one of the pirate interceptors, Shell quickly recovered, swinging her suit's weapon arm around to try to track the interceptor that had attacked her.  However, the plasma blast shot well behind the fast moving vehicle, as the interceptor made a wide turn to come back around for another run.

Once again a flurry of energy blasts ripped up parts of the ground, with Shell caught once again in the middle of the barrage.  The Zultasian took a few steps back as she grunted in pain from attack, but otherwise remained on her feet and in the fight. 

The other interceptor again tried to target Moon-moth, but the Praetorian was able to avoid the barrage of blaster fire, as the spacecraft streaked by him. 

In orbit above Galor III 

The two interceptors that had emerged from the larger pirate vessel headed directly toward Cavalier, both opening fire on the Star Knight.  Both pilots found their mark, as a barrage of blaster fire struck Cavalier...

[Exaccus]

With a meticulous gesture and a flick of his wrist moon-moth sends a elipsies of prismatic energy streaking towards the target, twisting itself in mid air as it approaches it sheers through the crafts wing and stabilisers before disappating In the air. the pilots autoejector flinging him clear of the craft as it enters an uncontrollable spin and crashes into the plateau, a wreck of twisted metal and plasma fires. "One all." Moon-Moth notes mostly to himself 

[Thevshi]

Orbit above Galor III 

The pirate capital ship continued to unleash a barrage of turbolaser fire at the Kavaca and the planet's orbital defenses.  While more of the planet's defenses were destroyed in the barrage, Mater Vyrdna easily avoided the four blasts fired at the Praetorian spacecraft.   

Surface of Galor III, Yollon City 

As Moon-Moth eliminated one of the last interceptors in the air above the city, the Praetorian saw several of the pirate ground forces moving into the outer edges of the city.  The mercenaries hired by the Galor natives were falling back in the face of the advance.

[Vahnyu]

"CAVALIER!!!" Mater Vyrdna shouted, as her comrade got shot by the interceptor vehicles. Seething rage boiled inside her, her teeth gritted against each other, and her right eye's optical laser flashed a dangerous red colour. Suddenly, her hand that had been clenching on the joystick let go. She started inputting some commands on the control pannel, as she said to Seresk, "Better hold on tight, partner. It could get bumpy."

 

No longer did she finish speaking to the reptilian Praetorian, that she grabbed the joystick again. Having inputed the necessary calculations and projectory corrections, she grined a dangerous smile as she unleashed yet another barrage of energy blasts, this time accompanied by missiles, rockets, and all other available ordnance. "FIRE AT WILL!" she shouted, as the Kavacca rained down a hailstorm of firepower that damaged the enemy capital ship and ionized its systems, surrounding it in an electric current as it struggled to maintain altitude.

[trollthumper]

This was never a good position to be in. It brought back so many memories. And the vast majority of them were the kind that usually came to him when he woke up covered in a heavy sweat. 

 

Cavalier tried desperately to regain control as the blast sent him reeling through space. He knew, objectively, it was only a few seconds to recalibrate the thrusters and work off the vertigo. But it always felt longer. For all that he lived for flying through space and feeling the void right next to him, he was aware that he was helpless against the vacuum. He closed his eyes, focused, and attempted to wrest control of the balancing elements of the suit.

 

And when he did, he found one of the pirate fighters coming right towards him, hoping to strike the easy target. He raised his blaster, just as he felt his targeting reticule on line. The blast hit home, disabling the craft.

 

For all that he felt helpless against the void, he sure didn't mind making other bastards feel similarly helpless. 

[Thevshi]

Surface of Galor III, Yollon City 

"Looks like my comrades need some help with the ground forces."  Shell called out to Moon-Moth as the mecha started tracking the pirate interceptor that had just made a strafing run.  "Go help them out, I can handle this last one." 

The mercenary quickly proved her point, as her plasma cannon fired at the fast moving spacecraft as it started banking around for another pass.  The burst of plasma slammed into one of the interceptor's small wings, blasting it off completely and sending the fighter flying out of control to crash in the middle of the now empty streets. 

In orbit above Galor III 

As Cavalier's volley of energy fire tore apart one of the pirate interceptors, the last one looped back around and opened fire on the Star Knight once more.  This time the blasts went well wide of Star Knight, as the interceptor rocketed past.

[Exaccus]

Moon-moth nods in acknowledgement of shells words and skillful shot and reaching out with all the mystic might at his disposal uproots a gargantuan outcropping of rock, his scrawny arms gesturing to guide it as it ponderously glides through the air, only to come crashing down before the advancing pirates with a dull boom, making a natural barrier butted up with the walls of the canyon they approach through.

 

Taking to the air he floats down towards the top of his barrier "Hold, Villains!" he bellows as he goes "leavings now in peace or facings the mighties of the Praetorians!"

[Thevshi]

Surface of Galor III, Yollon City 

As the large rock outcropping came crashing down, the pirates came to a sudden halt, looking in shock at the massive barrier that had just appeared.  When Moon-Moth floated up above the makeshift barrier, they regarded him for a moment, before two of the larger figures inside stepped up to grab larger rocks that had broke free when the outcropping had come slamming down.  With a slight grunt, the two hulking pirates flung the rocks at the Praetorian, both managing to strike his mystical forcefield.

Meanwhile, two other larger pirates moved forward to push against the rocky barrier, but were only to barely budge its massive weight.

[Vahnyu]

Seeing as her previous attack had seriously hampered the pirate capital vessel, Vyrdnaya kept the barrage of ion blasts up, hoping to take down the enemy ship now that it was still reeling and vulnerable. Thankfully, despite its better evasive maneouvers, the enemy pirate ship had been firmly locked under Vyrdnaya's watchful sights, and the Akarnian Praetorian fired up the Kavaca's main weapons once more, piling up on the damage she dealt to the enemy ship. "Tis but a matter of time!" she gloated, before noticing that the enemy ship had stopped shaking, and was stabilising.

 

"Anathema!" She cursed, and turned to her lizard-looking companion on board. "The enemy is preparing a counter attack, Seresk. Hang on tight!" She cautioned.

Edited March 30, 2016 by Vahnyu

[trollthumper]

Cavalier realized that, after Mater Vrynda's onslaught, his attack would be like an angry mosquito following a machine gun barrage. But sometimes, that mosquito bite was all it took. He darted around, taking note of where the assault had loosened the most armor, as well as where the weapons had been most heavily damaged. He also took account of where the weapons were not heavily damaged, wanting deeply to avoid having that happen again. After careful scrutiny, he found what he thought was the right seam in the bulkhead. "All right," he said, charging his blaster, "let's see how you like getting hit broadsides." The blast tore through the void, streaking towards the gap in the ship's defenses. 

[Thevshi]

Surface of Galor III, Yollon City 

The more normal humanoid pirates began to spread out, some starting to climb the rocky barrier Moon-Moth had created, others trying to find if there was a way around the barrier.  Five aimed their blaster pistols at the Praetorian and opened fire.  Most of the hail of blaster fire missed him, but two blasts managed to strike his forcefield. 

Shell came running over in her power armor, having to climb up onto the rocky barrier as well.  But the power armor's sudden appearance certainly made the pirates that had climb onto the rocks question the wisdom of their decision. 

Orbit above Galor III 

As Cavalier caused the pirate ship further damage, the last interceptor came swooping back toward the Star Knight, opening fire as it drew near.  But once again the attack was well off target, as Cavalier moved out of the way just in time, and the interceptor rocketed past him.

[Exaccus]

With the pirates response to his attempts at diplomacy bouncing off his forcefield moon-moth presses his palms together and after a moment of concentration pulls them apart to reveal the tiny flickering point of silvery light suspended between them "Your choice is made." Is his solemn response before he rotates his hands and brings the heels of his palms together thrusting them out and causing the suspended orb to errupt in a torrential outpouring of glinting silver shards that fill the valley for all of an instant as they crash into the stone with dull cracks and  impact the sand in puffs of displaced particles, picking away at the armour and weapons of the pirates assembled before him.

 

As quickly as it came the storm is gone, the only evidence it ever occurred being the ten pirates laying on their back, bludgeoned to unconciousness by the onslaught and the potmarks in stone and sand as the dust settles he idly taps his communicator.

 

"Moon-moth Retorting, Situation under control so long so goods"

[Thevshi]

Orbit above Galor III 

Even as the pirate ship continued to suffer heavy damage, it completed a turning maneuver, bringing one flank of batteries to bear on the Praetorian starship and Cavalier.  But the four guns focused their attack on the Kavaca, unleashing a barrage of heavy laser fire.  But the enhancements provide by Mater Vyrdna were more than up to the task, as she dodged and weaved, avoiding the incoming fire. 

Surface of Galor III, Yollon City 

Despite Moon-Moth cutting into their numbers, the pirates on the ground did not appear to be ready to surrender just yet.  One of the large aliens climbed up onto the barricade Moon-Moth had collapsed in their path.  The muscular alien then moved to attack Shell, swinging a meaty fist at the battlesuit, but end up missing as Shell stepped to one side.

Another of the large aliens, standing near some of the other pirates Moon-Moth had blasted into unconsciousness lifted up another large rock.  With a grunt, he heaved the makeshift projectile at the Praetorian, who only barely dodged aside.

[Vahnyu]

"They seem to be focusing on us?" Vyrdnaya asked Seresk for confirmation, while the evasive protocols of the Kavaca were working double and tripple time. "Good! That should give Cavalier some breathing room to work." Once more, she opened fire at the Capital Pirate Ship. That the enemy vessels were focusing on her meant only one thing; they were starting to pile some serious damage on the enemy warship. Nine times out of ten, you'd willingly sacrifice your pawns, if it meant saving your queen. But it would be for naught. This time, there'd be no saving their biggest piece.

 

The first barrage struck true, causing some explosions upon the enemy vessel's starboard. Realizing that this was their chance, Mater Vyrdna jumped on it, rerouting some of the Kavaca's engine power into the plasma machineguns in order to recharge them, and taking one more shot, this time critically injuring the Capital Pirate Ship. Sighing at relief, she nevertheless warned her comrade on board. "Praetor Seresk, I'm gonna go all out with taking their mother ship out. Keep an eye on the monitors in case some of the enemy hostiles decide to board us!"