DusaQ VeS Chapter 05: "Counterstrike"

"In battle, the greatest advantage lies in the ability to shape the battlefield before the fighting starts. This requires the use of intelligence, as earlier discussed, but it also requires the element of surprise. You must dictate the conditions of combat so that you have won before your enemy is allowed to respond. As long as he is forced to react to your tactics, victory will be yours. If you lose the initiative and are forced to adapt and react to your enemy, your plans and preparations are all wasted and defeat will dog your heels.

 

The greatest danger in battle lies in not knowing when to request assistance. It may damage your ego to acknowledge your dependence on others to achieve vicctory, but a satisfied ego is no comfort in useless defeat and death."

 Stardate 0909.17 Command candidate Sompek, IKS tIHoy. The tIHoy and the N'taka have been repaired and temporarily assigned to General Kapact's Ab'Qaff Battle Group and dispatched with elements of that group to Tal'Ihnor Gates system. There we will aid in the investigation of events that took place there, as well as securing the system. Our assembled fleet consisted of the following ships:

IKS Ab'Qaff

General Kapact

Heavy cruiser KCA IKS Perseus Captain Torek

Heavy cruiser KCA IKS Stovokor Captain Nujak

 Heavy cruiser KCA IKS DuranQo Captain Korvus 

Heavy cruiser KCA IKS Temujin Captain Chorgut

Light cruiser KCL IKS Hammer

Captain M'Cet       

Light cruiser KCL IKS Capikus

Captain H'Sak        

 

In the remains of theTal'Ihnor Gates system, we encountered a Sha'kurian Fleet equal in size to our own holding station near two of their construction ships that were building a globular device that completely encased the rift that had once been a black hole in the system.

Fortunately we arrived cloaked, and were able to in. The Ab'Qaff destroyed the Sha'kurian Long Fang Carrier in a single massive volley:

IKS Ab'Qaff rolls:175 175o/0d

SRS Long Fang rolls:100 0o/100d

Result:

IKS Ab'Qaff damage 0/25

SRS Long Fang destroyed

 

Then it moved through the system, supporting the heavy cruisers that were faced with stiff opposition:

 

IKS Perseus rolls:80  20o/60d

SRS Count rolls:40 0o/40d

Result:

IKS Perseus damage 0/25

SRS Count damage 0/15

 

IKS Perseus rolls:10  0o/15d

SRS Count rolls:60  0o/60d

Result:

IKS Perseus damage 0/25

SRS Count damage 0/15

 

IKS Perseus rolls:30  0o/30d

SRS Count rolls:60   60o/d

Result:

IKS Perseus destroyed

SRS Count damage 0/15

 

IKS Ab'Qaff rolls:75  15o/60d

SRS Count rolls:30   0o/30d

Result:

IKS AbQaff damage 0/25

SRS Count damage 0/15

 

IKS Ab'Qaff rolls:100  100o/d

SRS Count rolls:50   0o/50d

Result:

IKS Ab'Qaff damage 0/25

SRS Count destroyed

 

IKS Stovokor rolls:96  60o/60d

SRS Duke rolls:60 0o/60d

Result:

IKS Stovokor damage 0/25

SRS Duke damage 0/15

 

IKS Stovokor rolls:40  0o/40d

SRS Duke rolls:40  0o/40d

Result:

IKS Stovokor damage 0/25

SRS Duke damage 0/15

 

IKS Stovokor rolls: 60  0o/60d

SRS Duke rolls:40  0o/40d

Result:

IKS Stovokor damage 0/25

SRS Duke damage 0/15

 

IKS Stovokor rolls:40  0o/40d

SRS Duke rolls:60  0o/60d

Result:

IKS Stovokor damage 0/25

SRS Duke damage 0/15

 

IKS Stovokor rolls:40  0o/40d

SRS Duke rolls:40  0o/40d

Result:

IKS Stovokor damage 0/25

SRS Duke damage 0/15

 

IKS Stovokor rolls:20  0o/20d

SRS Duke rolls:20  o/d

Result:

IKS Stovokor damage 0/25

SRS Duke damage 0/15

 

KCA IKS Stovokor rolls:40  40o/d

IKS Ab'Qaff rolls:50 50o/d

SRS Duke rolls:20  0o/20d

Result:

IKS Stovokor damage

0/25

IKS Ab'Qaff damage 0/25

SRS Duke destroyed

 

The Light Cruisers Hammer and Capikus were not so evenly matched, and destroyed their prey with ease:

IKS Capikus rolls:72 72o/d

SRS Royal Blood rolls:16 0o/16d

Result:

IKS Capikus damage /

SRS Royal Blood destroyed

 

IKS Hammer rolls:64  16o/48d

SRS Knight rolls:24 o/24d

Result:

IKS Hammer damage /

SRS Knight damage /

 

IKS Hammer rolls:48  48o/d

SRS Knight rolls:24  0o/24d

Result:

IKS Hammer damage /

SRS Knight destroyed

 

My wingmate, the frigate N'taka, performed gloriously:

IKS N'taka rolls: 24  24o/0d

SRS Errant rolls:16 0o/16d

IKS N'taka damage 0/25

SRS Errant damage 8/15

 

IKS N'taka rolls:16 0o/16d

SRS Errant rolls:24  24o/0d

IKS N'taka damage 8/25

SRS Errant damage 8/15

 

IKS N'taka rolls:24 24o/0d

SRS Errant rolls:12 0o/12d

IKS N'taka damage 8/25

SRS Errant destroyed

 

My battle against the Sha'kurian frigate was quick but gratifying:

IKS tIHoy rolls:32  32o/0d

SRS Apprentice rolls:4  0o/4d

IKS tIHoy damage: /25

SRS Apprentice destroyed

 

Through these battles I learned that while it is a great advantage to decloak and attack, that does not guarantee victory. The Perseus had that advantage, but it was destroyed. I also learned that while we may attack individually, we fight as a team. If the Ab'Qaff had not joined the battle against the SRS Count, the tide of the battle might have turned.

Once we were finished with the Sha'kurian fleet, we turned our attention to the construction ships, which had stopped their work and were attempting to flee. General Kapact ordered me to capture one for examination.

 

IKS tIHoy rolls:24  6o/18d

SRS Freighter1 rolls:3 0o/3d

Result:

IKS tIHoy damage 0/25

SRS Freighter1 damage 3/15

 

IKS tIHoy rolls:24  8o/16d

SRS Freighter1 rolls:3 0o/3d

Result:

IKS tIHoy damage 0/25

SRS Freighter1 damage 8/15

 

SRS Frigate1 shields down. Commence transport six boarding parties vs SRS Frigate's five:

 

Boarding Party Action

 

a)5  a1)6 .winner: a1

b)4  b1)4 .winner: tie

c)4  c1)5 .winner: c1

d)2 d1)6 .winner: d1

e)1,f)5 e1)3 .winner: e,f

 

b)1  b1)1  d1)5.winner: d1

e)2  a1)3 .winner: a1

f)2  c1)4  .winner: c1

 

Our warriors, superior as they are, met unexpectedly strong resistance, and it is with a heavy heart that I am forced to report the loss of all boarding parties. The Sha'kurians then attempted to go to warp at that point, so I was forced to destroy it while the heavy cruiser StoVoKor held the other freighter in a tractor beam. I immediately opened fire on that ship, now concerned that I could fail so completely in front of so many. I will have to request more boarding parties from the Ab'Qaff once I have disabled the freighter.

 

IKS tIHoy rolls:4  4o/0d

SRS Freighter2 rolls:1 0o/1d

Result:

IKS tIHoy damage 0/25

SRS Freighter2 damage 3/15

 

IKS tIHoy rolls:12  6o/6d

SRS Freighter2 rolls:2 0o/2d

Result:

IKS tIHoy damage 0/25

SRS Freighter2 damage 7/15

 

At this point, I chose to attempt to further disable the ship's drive system. If I miscalculate and the freighter is destroyed, the mission's failure will rest on my shoulders.

 

IKS tIHoy rolls:20  7o/13d

SRS Freighter2 rolls:4 0o/4d

Result:

IKS tIHoy damage 0/25

SRS Freighter2 damage 10/15

 

At this point, the drive systems on the freighter were destroyed. I requested ten boarding parties from the Ab'Qaff to overwhelm the Sha'kurian defences.

 

a)2,f)5  a1)4 .winner: a,f

b)4 ,h)1 b1)4 .winner: b,h

c)2,j)5  c1)4 .winner: c, j

d)4,g)2,i)2  d1)6 .winner: d.g

e)2  e1)1 .winner: e

 

 Our forces were victorious, and the freighter was captured. Our task now is to examine the alien technology to determine their plans against us.

 

 

 

House Abukoff: Services, Affordable Books and Curios, and Opinions http://houseabukoff.blogspot.com
The Place for Affordable Books (hard to find and others), DVD's, and General Treasures http://abukoffbooksandcurios.blogspot.com
The Internet's Only Reliable Blog http://kapactsrant.blogspot.com
Not Just a Game, It's a Star Trek Experience http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com

DusaQ VeS Chapter 02: "The Better Part of Valor"

Chapter 02: "The Better Part of Valor"

"Many have tried to convince others of their bravery and heroism by their willingness to die for their nation. But there is a higher calling, and a bolder bravery. While such devotion to duty is admirable, and in fact the expectation of all Klingon warriors, the true hero doesn't throw his or her life away in a glorious but ultimately futile gesture. The true hero grants the enemy the opportunity to die for their nation. There is no cowardice in surviving to serve the greater good, just as there is no reason to fear dying with your teeth in the enemy's throat. When victory calls on you to die for the empire, do so eagerly. But when victory calls on you to survive, do so with your head held high."

Log Entry:

(0809.10) IKS tIHoy Command candidate Sompek returning from the Tal'Ihnor Gates System

I cannot help but feel that we are running away from whatever destroyed the Pok'tarl battle group. But it would be foolish and even disloyal to throw away the splinter of intelligence that we've gained in a futile attack on a superior foe about which we know almost nothing. For that matter, we actually have no evidence that the battle group was destroyed. We can only assume and prepare for the worst. We are due to dock with Qo'noS starbase in two days.

Early in the first day of our cloaked travel, we were pulled from warp by a massive gravity well emanating from a Sha'kurian frigate. I ordered the tIHoy decloaked and into attack mode. We cannot allow the creatures to retrieve or destroy the intelligence in our hold.

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:16 0o/16d

SRS Frigate rolls:16 o/16d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 0/22

SRS Frigate damage 0/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:12 12o/0d

SRS Frigate rolls:8 o/8d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 0/22

SRS Frigate damage 4/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:24 0o/24d

SRS Frigate rolls:16 0o/16d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 0/22

SRS Frigate damage 4/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:16 0o/16d

SRS Frigate rolls:20 0o/20d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 0/22

SRS Frigate damage 4/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:4 o/4d

SRS Frigate rolls:8 8o/0d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 4/22

SRS Frigate damage 3/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:4 0o/4d

SRS Frigate rolls:16 4o/12d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 4/22

SRS Frigate damage 3/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:20 0o/20d

SRS Frigate rolls:4 0o/4d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 4/22

SRS Frigate damage 3/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:12 12o/0d

SRS Frigate rolls:4 0o/4d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 4/22

SRS Frigate damage 11/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:8 0o/8d

SRS Frigate rolls:4 o/4d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 3/22

SRS Frigate damage 10/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:16 o/16d

SRS Frigate rolls:16 0o/16d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 3/22

SRS Frigate damage 10/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:12 0o/12d

SRS Frigate rolls:8 0o/8d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 3/22

SRS Frigate damage 10/15

IKS tI'Hoy rolls:16 16o/0d

SRS Frigate rolls:4 o/4d

Result:

IKS tI'Hoy damage 2/22

SRS Frigate destroyed

The unidentified Sha'kurian frigate put up a strong fight, but the valor of my crew and the battle-worthiness of the tIHoy proved vastly superior. We are going to jump back into warp without stopping to repair.

We were at warp for another day, unable to repair the damage we'd sustained, but not slowed either. Then we were pulled from warp again, and faced with another Sha'kurian frigate. Fortunately, the tIHoy held together during combat, and the enemy was destroyed. There is now nothing standing between us and home.

 

House Abukoff: Services, Affordable Books and Curios, and Opinions http://houseabukoff.blogspot.com
The Place for Affordable Books (hard to find and others), DVD's, and General Treasures http://abukoffbooksandcurios.blogspot.com
The Internet's Only Reliable Blog http://kapactsrant.blogspot.com
Not Just a Game, It's a Star Trek Experience http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com

Fw: DusaQ VeS Exercise 4: "First Blood"

Objectives:

Accompany SuvwI Qeh battle group to Tal'Ihnor Gates system, intercept any
enemy craft fleeing the battle
100 word log

Player: Kapact (Veteran)

Stardate 0809.16 Command candidate Sompek, IKS tIHoy. I have the honor of
accompanying the SuvwI QeH battle group on a mission to investigate and rid
the Tal'Ihnor Gates system of the Sha'kurians. I have spent my fair share of
time in combat, even crawling across the hull of a ship in battle. making
emergency repairs. But now I am learning the honor and weight of commanding
a ship in battle. I am looking forward to it. We are part of the SuvwI Qeh
battle group, under the command of General Ko'pIH.
We arrived, cloaked, at the edge of the system. The General ordered me to
hold position at the outer edge of the system, along with the K'tinga class
light cruiser N'taka in order to intercept any Sha'kurians attempting to
flee the battle. My blood is calling to be in the thick of this battle, but
every part serves a purpose, and even warship commanders have to follow
orders.

Stardate 0809.18 Command candidate Sompek, IKS tIHoy. We arrived cloaked at
the outskirts of the Tal'Ihnor Gates nebula, alongside the N'taka. The rest
of the battle group remained cloaked and at warp. Our sensors registered
them dropping out of warp just before entering the nebula. I know from
experience that shields and sensors will be almost useless in the nebula.
The fight will be up close and very tough. That means that even the larger
ships in the battle group will be vulnerable to devastating attacks, and
there is little chance of many ships surviving to flee. But if any do, we'll
stop them.

We had been waiting for less than an hour when a massive explosion began in
the center of the nebula. I assumed that a capital ship had been destroyed,
but the explosion continued to grow, and gravimetric forces began to draw
the material of the nebula inward. Eventually, another explosion engulfed
the area, sending out waves of energetic plasma and planetary matter. The
captain of the N'taka and I decided to investigate. As we passed through
what should have been the outer edge of the nebula, we encountered a single
surviving Sha'kurian heavy cruiser. We wasted little time in claiming
vengeance against them.

Stardate 0809.18 IKS N'taka. IKS tIHoy vs SRS Knight

IKS N'taka rolls:24 24o/0d
IKS tIHoy rolls:8 8o/0d
SRS Knight rolls:20 0o/20d
Result:
IKS N'taka damage 0/22
IKS tIHoy damage 0/15
SRS Knight damage 12/15

IKS N'taka rolls:16 8o/8d
IKS tIHoy rolls:16 8o/8d
SRS Knight rolls:10 0o/10d
Result:
IKS N'taka damage 0/15
IKS tIHoy damage 0/22
SRS Knight destroyed

After a resounding howl for the warriors who died in the Tal'Ihnor Gates
nebula, we continued our investigation. We found what can only be described
as a subspace sinkhole. Whatever it is, another fleet will have to
investigate. With a heavy heart, we set course for Qo'noS and went to warp.

DusaQ VeS Chapter 04: First Blood

"Once you have determined your foe and your first objective, strike as if
your life, and the lives of all dear to you hung in the balance. For indeed,
they do. Remember, that defeat is not what truly endangers us. No, any
warrior understands that just as mere life is not victory, mere death is not
defeat. But what truly endangers us is the perception that we can be beaten.
That inferior forces can hurt us. That can not and must not be tolerated.
Confidence on the part of our enemies is the deadliest weapon that can be
weilded against us, just as fear is as a plague that kills us all from the
inside. And remember, there is a place in battle for all warriors. Sometimes
at the front, sometimes along the edge. All warriors, no matter their task,
serve a vital function."

DusaQ VeS Mission Three "Analysis" Stardate 0809.13 IKS tIHoy Command candidate Sompek at Qo'noS Starbase

The device that we brought back to Qo'noS Starbase is a copy of a Romulan
device used more than a century ago to destroy the Tal'Ihnor Gates system.
The device, originally used to attenuate gravitational fields, was detonated
near a black hole, resulting in the destruction of the system. A nebula is
all that remains.

The device that we recovered appears to have been built by Sha'kurian forces
with exotic material not found in the Empire. Imperial Intelligence has
begun an extensive examination of the device, as well as an unusual effect
that it had on the tIHoy's cargo hold. I am eager to recover my ship from
them and return to Tal'Ihnor Gates to pursue these Ha'dibaH to their lair.
It seems certain that the Pok'tarl battle group happened upon them at work,
and was lost as a result.

DusaQ VeS: Chapter One: Intelligence Gathering Stardate Combat Phase: 0809.07

Stardate 0809.07 IKS tI'Hoy rolls:24 13o/11d
SRS Frigate rolls:8 0o/8d
Result:
IKS tI'Hoy damage 0/22
SRS Frigate damage 5/15

SRS Frigate shields down. Commence transport six boarding parties vs SRS
Frigate's five:

Boarding Party Action Worksheet

a)5 a1)1 .winner: a
b)1, f)5 b1)5 .winner: b
c)2 c1)4 .winner: c1
d)4 d1)3 .winner: d
e)3 e1)1 .winner: e

Sha'kurian defences subdued. Scans of hold reveal unknown device with strong subspace energy signature. Executive officer K'tanga transported the device back to our hold. As he began to downloaded the contents of the computer core, an anti-intrusion system activated the ship's self-destruct system and wiped the core clean. Rather than risking losing the boarding party and
gaining no intelligence, I ordered them to return. As soon as the team returned to the tI'Hoy, the destruct sequence stopped, and the ship restored shields. Seconds later, we detected an increase in their warp coil emissions, indicating they were preparing to go to warp. I ordered all weapons to fire on the frigate. It was destroyed quickly, with little resistance. After determining that no distress signal was sent and no other ships in the area, we cloaked and warped out of the system.

DusaQ VeS: Exercise 1: Intelligence Gathering (0809.05)

Player: Kapact (Veteran)

Log Entry:
(0809.05) Command candidate Sompek assuming command of the tI'Hoy.

My transport to the tI'Hoy was abrupt, and without the ceremony that I had imagined for my first command. The crew is obedient, but I have had no chance to get to know them. It also occurs to me that the tI'Hoy might be part of the simulation. I do not know, but I must assume that it as well as the crew and the mission are real. My first order was to cloak the ship. If the Pok'tarl battle group was destroyed, we must assume that the enemy is still in the area. And any enemy capable of destroying a battle group will make short work of the tI'Hoy. And if my first command mission results in no combat victory but the acquistion of vital intelligence, I'll be satisfied with that.

We arrived cloaked on the edge of the nebula and discovered that visual scans were degraded, and sensor readings impossible throughout the area due to unexplained subspace interference. By focusing visual scanners on small areas in the nebula, we eventually discovered a ship, of approximately the same size of the tI'Hoy just inside the nebula. More detailed scans were
impossible. The ship's science officer determined that by using warp power, we could match sensors to ECM to scan inside the nebula without being detected. That resulted in our determining that it was a Sha'kurian frigate of unknown designation. Unfortunately, the use of ship's power alerted the target to our presence. We are now approaching the ship's position at half impulse. The objective in this case is to bring its shields down and obtain whatever intelligence we can. Combat logs to follow.

DusaQ VeS Chapter 1 : "Intelligence Gathering": Summary and Objectives

Course is immediately suspended to investigate loss of contact with 12 ship Pok'tarl Battle Group in Tal'Ihnor Gates nebula. Cadet is given command of B'rel class frigate. Proceed to Tal'Ihnor Gates system undetected, conduct visual scan to covertly assess situation.

Log Entry:

Write log to match chapter summary. Arrive in system. Visual scans are useless. Science officer determines that by using warp power, you can match sensors to ECM to scan inside nebula. Roll 1d6. From result, use table:
Roll 1= ship your size
Roll 2= ship your size, minimal energy signature
Roll 3= ship your size, minimal energy signature, lifeforms
Roll 4= Shakurian frigate, minimal energy signature, five life forms
Roll 5= Shakurian frigate, minimal energy signature, five life forms, impulse failure
Roll 6= Shakurian frigate, minimal energy signature, five life forms, impulse failure, odd energy signature.
In any case, your actions will result in the ship detecting you and moving to investigate.

Objective:
1) Frigate captured, energy signature retrieved. Cadet must board, use boarding party action to capture frigate.
2) Upon retrieval, Shakurian Captain starts self-destruct. Beam off of ship. Destruct sequence aborted, impulse engines coming back on line. Roll 1d6:
1-3= you successfully destroy frigate and escape. 4-6= you must use simple
combat to destroy frigate before leaving.
3) 100 word log entry to complete chapter.

DusaQ VeS: Briefing One: Intelligence Gathering

"It is easy to dismiss the lessons of the past, my brother. Far too easy. And though we may not be brothers or sisters by blood, we are by heritage. We are all sons and daughters of Kahless. We are all brothers and sisters and proud protectors of an Empire who's likes the galaxy has never seen. Every warrior feels the call to battle. That is why we are here. But too many have been lost because they rushed headlong into battle unprepared. Just as you would not weild your bat'leth without first sharpening the blade, nor would a wise Commander attack an enemy without learning everything possible about their foe. Your blade may be sharp, your ship battle worthy and your crew trained to perfection, but if you lack that most vital of weapons, accurate intelligence, you will surely fail, and die forgotten by friend and foe alike. Know your enemy and you shall always be victorious. Prepare for every-"
"This course has been suspended, cadet. You are hereby temporarily given command of the B'rel class frigate IKS tI'Hoy with the provisional rank of captain. Proceed to the Tal'Ihnor Gates system and investigate the disappearance of the Pok'tarl battle group. Remember, Captain, you must approach wih stealth until conditions can be ascertained. And your primary mission is to obtain intelligence and return it to the Empire. There is no time for ceremony or formal change of command. Prepare for transport to the tI'Hoy. Qapla!"

DusaQ Ves.....

The Elite Command Academy (otherwise known as Klingon Academy) is reborn for Fantasy Trek....