Robbed
I don't know if I have ever been so angry to win a battle before in my life. Yesterday Squad 72b had won a close to even odds skirmish with a Sun and Blossom house scouting party, and I have been seething for the past 24 hours because of it.
Our mission was simple. Recon an asteroid field on our front lines as the Vladislav main fleet moved closer to that position. We were to place sensor mines and monitor the location for activity for 4 hours and return home. If enemy fighters were sighted, we were to engage only if we had the advantage.
We arrived in the asteroid field which was said to hold some resources. It took us about 20 minutes to spread out and cautiously lay sensor mines around the area. There was no sign of any other ships in the area, so we powered down 95% for cloaking purposes and hid our ships around the side of a few larger asteroids.
I was expecting to be bored for 4 hours at this point, and I was for an hour and a half. Then they arrived.
Our on board radars flashed with the incoming ships while we remained hidden in the asteroids. 5 Sun and Blossom house fighters were scouting the area, and were heading strait for us. Intel had later told me that they were the reformed Cyprus Rangers in shiny new gear. Their fighters were very impressive indeed. Close to top of the line and obviously fresh out of the factory. I couldn't help but feel eager to blast away these expensive ships on their first flight into space.
I was setting myself up for disappointment as we waited for Petrova's move. Our orders were to attack only if we had the advantage, and she can be cautious sometimes. While we no doubt have the advantage in our element of surprise, it could be close. As the enemy finally approached our location,Petrova gave the signal to attack.
I should mention at this point that I was surprised at Petrova's order; I think she may have done it for me. Everyone in the squad knows I am one kill away from the big 100. I had gotten number 98 and 99 last week, but it was nothing worthy of note. Just a few rogue pirates flying obsolete fighters. This, however, would be my 100th, and Petrova must have been taking that into consideration when she gave the signal to engage rather than retreating.
It turned out to be an easy battle. I heard there were some good fighters in the Cyprus Rangers, which is a formidable merc group working for the Sun and Blossom House. Those good pilots were apparently somewhere else, because these were the greenest rookies flying the most expensive fighters I have ever seen. I could see, though, that some of them had potential.
Our initial attack came from the shadow of a particularly dense rock and metal asteroid. We flew around the massive rock as close as possible so they wouldn't see us on their scanners. It was tricky flying, but nothing we couldn't handle. We came out with a volley of missiles into the clump of fighters.
They of course scattered without any pattern or coordination. Easy pickings. After they had scattered we had formed in a defensive position, making it easy to evade their counter attack. With some patience,Petrova had evaluated the enemy and gave us the plan of attack.
It was 5 on 5, so we would each of us choose one enemy fighter to deal with. We would lure our chosen enemy into vulnrable positions by chasing them down or having them think they were chasing us down. Dash had two on his tail, and was clever enough to see where his teammates were. He risked his own skin and exposed himself as an easy target. The two enemy fighters went for it, allowingPetrova and Raveena to bear down on them from the flank. The enemy pilots were good enough to knock out Dash's engine, disabling him from the fight, but in doing so they made themselves easy targets for Petrova and Raveena. The two enemy fighters went up in a particularly bright burst, probably caused by their expensive ammo.
The rookie I had chosen to dogfight with was easy to handle. I took a few moments to let him fire at me, as I maneuvered the two of us into a strategic position. The guy seemed pretty good for a rookie, and nearly scorched me with a missile, but I had the experience and stayed a few steps ahead of him with a cool head.
It wasn't long before the rookie behind me was the only enemy left. I saw all of squadmates hang back and I couldn't help but smile. This was it, my 100th kill.
The rookie got off my flank when he realized he was alone and started gunning it away from the rocks so to find a safe jump zone. Too little too late, though, as I was able to catch his flank. Half a second later and he might have gotten away, but my rounds took out his engine as I flew by.
No need for a tight turn, or so I though, and I took my time arcing around getting ready for the kill. The 100th kill.
Or it would have been. I was so focused on the enemy, I didn't notice Petrova gunning it toward the rookie from the opposing side at a rediculous speed. I tried, but I couldn't get there before her, and she blew my kill away before I had a chance. What would have been my 100th!
That's not even the worst part. She was going so fast that she barely managed to pull away from the wreckage. In avoiding the exploding Cyprus Ranger she veered up and nearly collided with my ship! Between the fireball that used to be the rookie and and Patrova on a head on collision course I am lucky to have returned home in my own skin! I actually saw a flash of sparks as she literally scraped my hull with her engine. Another millimeter - A MILLIMETER - and I would have been spaced!
I haven't spoken to anyone on the squad since we returned. This was 24 hours ago. I don't even care why she pulled such an idiot stunt, but I have a feeling I will find out whether I like it or not soon.
Writing this didn't seem to calm me down as I had hoped. I really need this R&R coming up. Another few days, and I am spending my week on the Dominica alone.
S. Gat, Fraking 99 kills.
Our mission was simple. Recon an asteroid field on our front lines as the Vladislav main fleet moved closer to that position. We were to place sensor mines and monitor the location for activity for 4 hours and return home. If enemy fighters were sighted, we were to engage only if we had the advantage.
We arrived in the asteroid field which was said to hold some resources. It took us about 20 minutes to spread out and cautiously lay sensor mines around the area. There was no sign of any other ships in the area, so we powered down 95% for cloaking purposes and hid our ships around the side of a few larger asteroids.
I was expecting to be bored for 4 hours at this point, and I was for an hour and a half. Then they arrived.
Our on board radars flashed with the incoming ships while we remained hidden in the asteroids. 5 Sun and Blossom house fighters were scouting the area, and were heading strait for us. Intel had later told me that they were the reformed Cyprus Rangers in shiny new gear. Their fighters were very impressive indeed. Close to top of the line and obviously fresh out of the factory. I couldn't help but feel eager to blast away these expensive ships on their first flight into space.
I was setting myself up for disappointment as we waited for Petrova's move. Our orders were to attack only if we had the advantage, and she can be cautious sometimes. While we no doubt have the advantage in our element of surprise, it could be close. As the enemy finally approached our location,Petrova gave the signal to attack.
I should mention at this point that I was surprised at Petrova's order; I think she may have done it for me. Everyone in the squad knows I am one kill away from the big 100. I had gotten number 98 and 99 last week, but it was nothing worthy of note. Just a few rogue pirates flying obsolete fighters. This, however, would be my 100th, and Petrova must have been taking that into consideration when she gave the signal to engage rather than retreating.
It turned out to be an easy battle. I heard there were some good fighters in the Cyprus Rangers, which is a formidable merc group working for the Sun and Blossom House. Those good pilots were apparently somewhere else, because these were the greenest rookies flying the most expensive fighters I have ever seen. I could see, though, that some of them had potential.
Our initial attack came from the shadow of a particularly dense rock and metal asteroid. We flew around the massive rock as close as possible so they wouldn't see us on their scanners. It was tricky flying, but nothing we couldn't handle. We came out with a volley of missiles into the clump of fighters.
They of course scattered without any pattern or coordination. Easy pickings. After they had scattered we had formed in a defensive position, making it easy to evade their counter attack. With some patience,Petrova had evaluated the enemy and gave us the plan of attack.
It was 5 on 5, so we would each of us choose one enemy fighter to deal with. We would lure our chosen enemy into vulnrable positions by chasing them down or having them think they were chasing us down. Dash had two on his tail, and was clever enough to see where his teammates were. He risked his own skin and exposed himself as an easy target. The two enemy fighters went for it, allowingPetrova and Raveena to bear down on them from the flank. The enemy pilots were good enough to knock out Dash's engine, disabling him from the fight, but in doing so they made themselves easy targets for Petrova and Raveena. The two enemy fighters went up in a particularly bright burst, probably caused by their expensive ammo.
The rookie I had chosen to dogfight with was easy to handle. I took a few moments to let him fire at me, as I maneuvered the two of us into a strategic position. The guy seemed pretty good for a rookie, and nearly scorched me with a missile, but I had the experience and stayed a few steps ahead of him with a cool head.
It wasn't long before the rookie behind me was the only enemy left. I saw all of squadmates hang back and I couldn't help but smile. This was it, my 100th kill.
The rookie got off my flank when he realized he was alone and started gunning it away from the rocks so to find a safe jump zone. Too little too late, though, as I was able to catch his flank. Half a second later and he might have gotten away, but my rounds took out his engine as I flew by.
No need for a tight turn, or so I though, and I took my time arcing around getting ready for the kill. The 100th kill.
Or it would have been. I was so focused on the enemy, I didn't notice Petrova gunning it toward the rookie from the opposing side at a rediculous speed. I tried, but I couldn't get there before her, and she blew my kill away before I had a chance. What would have been my 100th!
That's not even the worst part. She was going so fast that she barely managed to pull away from the wreckage. In avoiding the exploding Cyprus Ranger she veered up and nearly collided with my ship! Between the fireball that used to be the rookie and and Patrova on a head on collision course I am lucky to have returned home in my own skin! I actually saw a flash of sparks as she literally scraped my hull with her engine. Another millimeter - A MILLIMETER - and I would have been spaced!
I haven't spoken to anyone on the squad since we returned. This was 24 hours ago. I don't even care why she pulled such an idiot stunt, but I have a feeling I will find out whether I like it or not soon.
Writing this didn't seem to calm me down as I had hoped. I really need this R&R coming up. Another few days, and I am spending my week on the Dominica alone.
S. Gat, Fraking 99 kills.
# posted by S. Gat @ 19:49
The Dominica
I was hoping to spend some alone time during R&R to keep it simple. The Dominica, however is one hell of a ship. I should give credit to Dash for finding a hell of a deal. Even with all 5 of us going, it will still cost a lot more than I would have ever expected to pay for a week's R&R. Still, when else am I going to have a chance to spend time in a luxury cruiser with its own synthetic beach? I understand it is modeled after what the luxury resorts on Earth used to look like. It's a squarish building called a "hotel" set inside a giant cavernous room which has one hell of a lighting system: a warm bright, yellow circle which moves along the blue coloured domed ceiling. I have heard this makes the place look just like the earth's star Sol moving across a blue sky. The infopage states that it feels just like you are on a planet with a real sky above you rather than a ship floating in space.
The Dominica is massive. It's larger then the command ship, but it's not full of hangers and military offices. The Dominica is an independently owned vessel; the owners have somehow managed to keep the delicate balance of neutrality in this war torn age. No nation of any sizable force would consider attacking this ship; not only would there be no point, as it is no threat, but there are vacationers from almost every house floating through the stars. Additionally it does have quite a decent security system both inside the ship and outside. I had heard that even the fighters escorting the vessel are custom designed to look sleek and decadent.
It seems we all agree that the Dominica will be our destination. Unfortunately our R&R will be delayed by a few weeks, as it seems House Vladislav is finally seeing some action. There have already been a few skirmishes with our scouting parties and the Sun and Blossom house scouts close to the front lines. This may mean I may actually get my 100th kill before it's time to celebrate on the cruiser! I look forward to what the next few weeks will bring.
S. Gat, Sergeant 1st Class
The Dominica is massive. It's larger then the command ship, but it's not full of hangers and military offices. The Dominica is an independently owned vessel; the owners have somehow managed to keep the delicate balance of neutrality in this war torn age. No nation of any sizable force would consider attacking this ship; not only would there be no point, as it is no threat, but there are vacationers from almost every house floating through the stars. Additionally it does have quite a decent security system both inside the ship and outside. I had heard that even the fighters escorting the vessel are custom designed to look sleek and decadent.
It seems we all agree that the Dominica will be our destination. Unfortunately our R&R will be delayed by a few weeks, as it seems House Vladislav is finally seeing some action. There have already been a few skirmishes with our scouting parties and the Sun and Blossom house scouts close to the front lines. This may mean I may actually get my 100th kill before it's time to celebrate on the cruiser! I look forward to what the next few weeks will bring.
S. Gat, Sergeant 1st Class
# posted by S. Gat @ 12:30
On the move
Patrol after patrol, and no combat. It seems House Brar is getting all of the action while Vladislav sits back. A huge Brar fleet even managed to take out the Cyprus Rangers last month. The entire Cyprus Rangers! That was a battle I wish I had been apart of. I heard a romour that they would be re-forming with a new command ship. Lets see if this one lasts any longer.
I am not impatient for a fight, however. It seems that we are going to start shifting our direction soon to a more contended area. We are sure to run into some fighting soon. I hope to get my 100th kill before R&R in a few weeks. That will really give us all a reason to celebrate!
With R&R approaching, everyone in the squad seem to have put differences aside as we are all discussing where it is we want to go, and if we will go together. My squadmates seem to be talking about a luxury star cruiser, but we would all five have to go in order to make it affordable. At first I was against the idea, but this particular cruiser, Dominica, seems almost too good to pass up. I will have to come to a decision soon.
S. Gat
I am not impatient for a fight, however. It seems that we are going to start shifting our direction soon to a more contended area. We are sure to run into some fighting soon. I hope to get my 100th kill before R&R in a few weeks. That will really give us all a reason to celebrate!
With R&R approaching, everyone in the squad seem to have put differences aside as we are all discussing where it is we want to go, and if we will go together. My squadmates seem to be talking about a luxury star cruiser, but we would all five have to go in order to make it affordable. At first I was against the idea, but this particular cruiser, Dominica, seems almost too good to pass up. I will have to come to a decision soon.
S. Gat
# posted by S. Gat @ 23:47
Optional Journal
Shortly after my last entry, my C.O. informed me that I did not have to continue updating this Journal. I was happy to put away my journal entry software for good right away.
What Surprised me is, over time, I have missed writing about my life on the Vladislav front. I have decided to write once more by my own free will, and will continue to do so until it bores me, or I am ordered to stop.
Raveena has proven herself to be quite clever with her fighter. We spent surprisingly little time recalibrating Squad 72b to our new second left winger. While on duty and while in combat,Raveena works with the sqaud flawlessly, and our team is as strong as ever.
Off duty is another matter. It seems discipline and professionalism are not common traits among off duty House Brar pilots, and Raveena is no exception. She is entirely too friendly with everyone around her. She certainly did not drop her fixation over the fact that I am anuncloned body, and she has made it shockingly blatant that she would like to be more than just "friendly". I would be flattered, as she is a very beautiful woman, however it is extremely inappropriate to even suggest an involvement of that kind to a squad mate.
While it was somewhat flattering at the beginning, she persists despite my efforts against it. It has now become more irritating than flattering at this point.
While our right wingers Nikitin and Dash seem to find the whole situation amusing, it seems a bit more serious that Petrova and Raveena do not get along. It baffles me that the two women developed an instant dislike for each other, and I would have no guess as to why. I personally dislike Raveena's undisciplined attitude, but our Petrova seems to take it entirely too personally.
The entire squad is scheduled for R&R in just under three standard weeks. While off duty tensions are rising slightly, I am hopeful a few days of relaxation will ease our nerves and allow us to settle things rationally on our return.
Perhaps these issues have been caused by boredom. It has been very quiet on the front as of late, and my kill count has not raised by even one since my last entry. I am eager for the next battle to come our way.
S. Gat, Sergeant 1st Class
What Surprised me is, over time, I have missed writing about my life on the Vladislav front. I have decided to write once more by my own free will, and will continue to do so until it bores me, or I am ordered to stop.
Raveena has proven herself to be quite clever with her fighter. We spent surprisingly little time recalibrating Squad 72b to our new second left winger. While on duty and while in combat,Raveena works with the sqaud flawlessly, and our team is as strong as ever.
Off duty is another matter. It seems discipline and professionalism are not common traits among off duty House Brar pilots, and Raveena is no exception. She is entirely too friendly with everyone around her. She certainly did not drop her fixation over the fact that I am anuncloned body, and she has made it shockingly blatant that she would like to be more than just "friendly". I would be flattered, as she is a very beautiful woman, however it is extremely inappropriate to even suggest an involvement of that kind to a squad mate.
While it was somewhat flattering at the beginning, she persists despite my efforts against it. It has now become more irritating than flattering at this point.
While our right wingers Nikitin and Dash seem to find the whole situation amusing, it seems a bit more serious that Petrova and Raveena do not get along. It baffles me that the two women developed an instant dislike for each other, and I would have no guess as to why. I personally dislike Raveena's undisciplined attitude, but our Petrova seems to take it entirely too personally.
The entire squad is scheduled for R&R in just under three standard weeks. While off duty tensions are rising slightly, I am hopeful a few days of relaxation will ease our nerves and allow us to settle things rationally on our return.
Perhaps these issues have been caused by boredom. It has been very quiet on the front as of late, and my kill count has not raised by even one since my last entry. I am eager for the next battle to come our way.
S. Gat, Sergeant 1st Class
# posted by S. Gat @ 15:07
New Comrade
Our new second left winger is a woman from House Brar named Suki Raveena. She seemed very confident for someone who had just been assigned to a squad under the command of another house. I can only hope her confidence translates to skill out in combat. The last thing we need is a Leroy on 72b getting us all killed.
She did seem very interested that I am still moving about with my original bones, especially since the House Brar new pilot training and testing gets the pilots killed 95% of the time before they even graduate. It is rare to find a Brar fighter pilot that has not been through the cloning process even once.
It may be rude to ask or even speculate, but I do not believe Raveena is very old - maybe in her late 20's? She was quite unprofessional when she was introduced to the squad; when she first learned I was in my original skin, and she had immediately come up to touch my wrist, as if she could feel the difference between a cloned body and a born body.
On an unrelated note, Petrova seemed upset over something and left abruptly after we had met with our new second left winger. I have no idea what it might be, but I am probably just imagining things.
Tomorrow will be a full day in the sims with all of 72b. Hopefully we can learn to work together as well as we had with Ivanov on our left flank.
S. Gat
She did seem very interested that I am still moving about with my original bones, especially since the House Brar new pilot training and testing gets the pilots killed 95% of the time before they even graduate. It is rare to find a Brar fighter pilot that has not been through the cloning process even once.
It may be rude to ask or even speculate, but I do not believe Raveena is very old - maybe in her late 20's? She was quite unprofessional when she was introduced to the squad; when she first learned I was in my original skin, and she had immediately come up to touch my wrist, as if she could feel the difference between a cloned body and a born body.
On an unrelated note, Petrova seemed upset over something and left abruptly after we had met with our new second left winger. I have no idea what it might be, but I am probably just imagining things.
Tomorrow will be a full day in the sims with all of 72b. Hopefully we can learn to work together as well as we had with Ivanov on our left flank.
S. Gat
# posted by S. Gat @ 16:36
