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Post by Teal Turken on Feb 28, 2014 2:27:37 GMT
***** Water came through a hollow green tendril to the Herdfather's mouth as the star-scape once more turned into a vast swirling tunnel of light. Shortly thereafter, the Voidspeaker announced their arrival. " We will be reaching Sol in five, four, three, two, one!" " Entering realspace," responded the Shipkeeper as the tunnel vanished again, this time revealing a very familiar yellow Sun, Who looked pleased and a bit relieved to see Her Little Ponies back to visit, safe and sound. " Receiving transmission direct from Homeworld, Herdfather," said the Lightreader. " It bears the mark of the Princesses and the Homeworld Council." ***** Teal drank up the water from the tendril until he was satisfied. For later however, he plucked a flower off of his seat which changed into a cup shape and hardened, then filled it with water from the tendril. The Herdfather turned his attention to the sun of Homeworld, Equestria once the light of it touched his face. He stared at it for what seemed like an eternity as he tried not to remember the many years he spent living there. The years he spent protesting against fuel burning devices in the first stages of pollution, those many violent incidents ponies for him when he didn't want them. He didn't feel it but a tear run down his cheek. The Lightreader startled him out of his trance and he took a gasp of air and turned his head away to quickly wipe the shred of sadness away. Teal looks to the Lightreader. Good, uh-put them through. he replies and takes a sip of his water. |
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Post by Midnight_Aurora on Feb 28, 2014 2:38:45 GMT
cosmic goes over to his grandpa giving him a warm and gentle hug. " Hello grandpa. Here are the results for the test run." He gives to his grandpa his full report on the running of the phoenix runner. he then looks to be thinking about something. he says, " Grandpa? are all my ships prototypes because it seams that they all needed minor adjustments on the go. The runner however had the biggest of problems. We had to use the phoenix and the defender to keep her unharmed when her cloaking failed taking the shields with it. We had to jimmy rig the system to get them online long enough to be of use in the combat. Also the experimental ablative armor works like a dream." He waits for tech's response. Tech smirks even more at his grandson's arrival. " good to hear about my newest armor working. It does trouble me about the cloaking taking the shields though. It will take some time for the runner to be operational again. I am having to install a separate system for the shields and cloaking. Also your galactic phoenix will also need to re-dock itself here. As you have guessed yes all of the ships with augmentations like the armor and cloaking are indeed prototypes for the refits of the older models. Your defender is no prototype however. We did give her a shield and weapons upgrade to make her a bit more capable of working with the prototypes you have. Also as you well know the defender, and soon your galactic phoenix, has or will have a beam cannon similar to my fortress' R.B.C. please use extreme caution when firing that. It can practically pierce a planet." {Defender and Fortress Class only Ability = Energy Lance}Charge time: 2 GM posts (can be charged at the same time other attack systems are in use.)
Range: medium range (after 6 GM posts becomes a Long range attack that may be able to crack a planet.)
Duration: 1 GM post per 2 GM posts spent charging it. (Means that once the command to change is given can be held for multiple sets of GM posts to increase duration and effective damage.)
Max charge time = 10 GM posts (any longer and may overload the cannon rendering it useless until it is repaired. the chance of overload after 10 GM posts is base 50% + 5% for each GM post after the 11th GM post)
Effect: deals damage based on how long it is charged. Add a plus one multiplier for every 2 GM posts that the weapon is charging once the command to charge it has been given. base damage is shields 10% and hull 5%. has a chance of giving the target ship the Cripple shields debuff.
Debuff: Cripple Shields = this debuff disables a ships shield system for about 3 GM posts or until an action is spent trying to actively repair the shields. Which ever comes first.
Tech looks to cosmic and says, " How did your fortress shield hold? and the ablative armor must have been strong as well." Cosmic looks to Tech and says, " Grandpa, the shields were not as strong as I expected of a fortress class cruiser. The armor was fine though lasted allot longer then the medical's armor." Tech grins at cosmic before saying, " That is because the armor and shields on the fortress class had to share generators. but when done your Galactic Phoenix will have full shields and the armor will be a bit stronger. All I need is about a day to get her all set up. Same goes for the runner." Cosmic smiles, " I guess my crew and ships get a one day shore leave. I am glad to know that it wasn't just me over thinking things about my ships. Now I know to be less reckless with them." Tech glares at cosmic, " I want you to treat them like you would any other ship. No specialties for the prototypes. I need you to be rough with them. It gives for far better test results if you are. Why do you think I didn't tell you that the ships were prototypes in the first place." Cosmic looks like he wants to run but holds his ground knowing his grandpa likes a captain who can stand up to an intimidating target and keep nearly all their cool. But around Tech not even his own staff of helpers can keep their cool when he gets upset. " Yes Sir. I will treat my ships like I would any other and I would make the enemy hate me even more." He says with a slightly feared grin on his face. It seams even around his grandpa he likes to be a little ambitious. Cosmic goes over to the counsel and contacts the Galactic Phoenix, " Galactic Phoenix, this is Captain Cosmic. Technician Master Tech wants you to dock with his lab for upgrades. And he wants it done yesterday. Also all ships, namely runner, defender, galactic and reborn, you have one day of shore leave for the repairs and upgrades. Cosmic out." Cosmic then returns to his grand father's side and says, " There is one more thing Grandpa. right before each of the battles with the unknown raiders. we kept receiving a communications of some sort what the central computer of the galactic Phoenix was able to translate was they it was some form of warning. Also with each possible communication we also received what looked like a program of sorts. it started messing with the galactic Phoenix's systems so I downloaded the code as we got it to my data pad. For a while the pad seamed to act in the same way as the ship until the final one came. then my pad started working normally again but had this icon." Cosmic pulls out his Data Pad and shows it to his grandfather. " What do you think it is, grandpa? I didn't want to activate it because I have no idea what it does." {Program Icon for Unknown Program Executable}  " What do you think grandpa? do you have an idea of what this program is for? I have been trying to figure it out sense we got the darn thing and I don't want to activate it because it might be something that could be hurtful to anypony." Cosmic asks. ((Magus This part is where you come in.)) |
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Post by Wavelength on Feb 28, 2014 7:30:58 GMT
Yellow Light actually looked over and examined the massive space plane for the first time. It was easily three pelicans wide; a massive delta-wing craft with an equally massive tail stabilizer trailing out behind it like a spear. It had a boarding ramp lowered just under the nose of the craft, and appeared to have an access hatch on the side of the hull just behind the cockpit. The wings were amazingly broad, probably containing a blend of structural reinforcements and fuel in addition to two engines the size of the crew compartment. The tiny windows at the front and the fact that the entire craft was as black as the night sky made it quite obvious that it would be very difficult to see with anything but heat scanners. Then again... Yellow wondered if it was redesigned for cooler engine output in addition to everything else.  She finally peeled her gaze off the interceptor, turning back to Stone, Flame, and Rose. "Amazing... what else are those capable of?" Yellow asked as she returned to the task at hoof by beginning to un-bolt a damaged hull section from the front of the troop transport. |
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Post by Clockwork on Feb 28, 2014 11:53:20 GMT
The twenty minutes it had taken the commanding duo to dock was nothing compared to the hour-long journey over the capital city via one ov the sky walkways, built so organic emissaries would not have to endure the choking dark green clouds below on their way to his Lord's palace. Though it made it easier for him, being half organic, growing up on Gerhart's sister world had prepared mind, heart and lungs to a degree no specialised training from Homeworld or any other system could ever amount to.
Something bugged the back of his mind, that bomb and that...language? It seemed more like heavily encrypted code, yet his audio circutry couldn't translate and he couldn't hear it with his organic ears. That would need reporting, even if this was one of Master's tests ensure to elict total devotion from all under his banner. Scorpion peeked sideways at Pertrabus, for every four of his own steps the mechataur kept pace with one, had he heard it too? If so then the brash and brutish commander had silenced his vocal processors.
"Pertrabus?" he ventured, attempting to begin what he was sure to become a long line of questions "Did your audio sensors pick up any encrypted code on our escape from..."
"You will hear my debrief the same as the Master, Scorpion." was all he recieved. Scorpion inwardly admitted he may hav hit a sore spot, saying they were not able to recover the Pride of Time.
The grand gates of the Time Nexus, the absolute centre of the Citadel of Time, soon loomed overhead, its massive titanium-copper doors sealed until all personnel had been accounted for. Stepping from the skyway, Scorpion and Pertrabus took up their positions outside the gates, a respectful and glorifying kneel as they waited for their allies.
First came the Mark 5 commander, Cragger, an upright model based on a pre-Gerhart species of lizard that could change its skin pigment to match its surroundings. The design was not as verbose in its origins as the rest of the commander models were, but the ability to render himself undetectable to even the most acute detection systems. Of all the commanders Clagger held the smallest force, barely one thousand troops, yet each of them were trained to the absolute peak of all subtefuge activities. Scorpion was sure that, even now, their was a crosshair trained over his head. He would leave them wanting.
The second to arrive was the Mark 3 commander, Steelwing. A feminine griffon built with lightness and maneuverability in mind, Steelwing and her Mark 3's were a much needed pushing factor when used alongside his own Mark 1's. The griffon nodded to her compatriots, proud and free yet loud aptly defined her soul cortex. Scorpion could not admit any feeling of anything other than professionalism towards the shapely commander, for that would be less than logical.
The final commander to arrive was Takner, a buffalo bodied mech in charge of the Mark 2 vehicle legion, everything from the Spider Tanks to the heavy seige weapons not employed by Pertrabus all the way up to the revered Legio Malificence, the pinnacle of any galactic scale assault and the rarest. In his lifetime Scorpion had only seen the monolithical titans march once, and that was a holoslate detailing the take over of the first Ares system the Empire called home. Takner was hardy and knew how to wage war on a vehicular front, but his own stubborness caused he and Pertrabus to often butt heads.
With the commanders assembled, the gates finally opened once all rites of passage had been completed, and the ynchpins of the Empire made their way inside.
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Post by Bane Emural on Mar 1, 2014 2:35:07 GMT
Rose stops working and writes her answer down on paper and gives it to Flame. He takes it and reads it out loud. "'The capabilities of the Longsword-Class Interceptor, besides what has been mentioned of its long flight distances and the capability to use a Slip Space drive. The Longsword can intercept incoming ships and use its missiles and machine guns or gauss weapons to devastate enemy fighters and dropships. It can also perform bombing runs on enemy ground troops, tactical targets, and other battleships using high explosive bombs. Despite the high fire power these Longswords can hold, they slower than the Pelican and less maneuverable. They are mostly used to protect Pelican dropships during drop-offs and pick-ups during battle, and protect battleships in a space battle against an enemy.' Wow, I guess being a Pelican crew chief has its perks. Wait, there is more in the back. 'And don't worry your flank about being shot down, Ole' Sunny will protect you.' Sunny?" Flame looks at Rose, but Stone answers for her. "She means that old Longsword pilot. He is one of the oldest personnel on board this ship besides the Sheriff. He probably knows the history behind this Pelican better than the rest of us here. Hey Yellow, have you ever seen the condition of the ship before Rose came aboard and is trying to restore it? I have a picture of it if you want to see. You will be amazed on how Rose has managed to fix this ship."
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Post by Wavelength on Mar 1, 2014 5:09:52 GMT
Yellow looked surprised to hear that the Longsword fighter was slower than the pelican, but she shook that off as Stone went on and took one look at the remaining damaged hull plates on the troop transport's front end. "No I haven't seen its previous condition, but I can imagine how bad it must have been. How much of this ship needed to be completely replaced?" she asked as she examined the other plates toward the rear of the craft to see if she could confirm the answer for herself. "Repairing stuff is a bit more creative than replacing," she giggled.
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Post by Bane Emural on Mar 2, 2014 3:41:57 GMT
Flame looks at Rose. "Wait, were you talking about the C709 or the C712?" Rose thinks for a moment and writes down the type of Longsword on a note and shows it. "GA-TL1 Longsword C709."
"Oh, okay. That clears things up." He looks at Yellow. "For your question, this was nothing more than a pile of junk. As in, this was all irreplaceable, or so says the engineers and mechanics. Until Rose arrived here as a Pelican crew chief. She wasn't assigned to a pilot yet so she wandered into the hangar one day and saw this laying around and wanted to fix it. Isn't that right Rose?" Rose nods and points to the busted armor piece that has the etched names on it. "There was some history behind this, and I believe she was intrigued after she had a good look at this thing and of course had a brief history lesson from Sunny. So she started to fix this ole bird up. Did I get all that right?" She nods again. "Now for a bit of clearing things up. What she mentioned was a part of the C709. Those especially made for space combat, and they are a little slower than the Pelicans. However, their firepower makes up for that. The C712 is made for atmospheric combat, where its speed is much faster than its space counterpart; however, it has less firepower than the C709. And most operations with Pelicans are done planetary unless its one of those secretive operation missions, then the Pelicans are used for space. You understand so far?"
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Post by Wavelength on Mar 3, 2014 3:38:10 GMT
Yellow Light looked confused, but quickly lost the confused look and nodded as Flame went on. "Oh, different Longsword variants." She waited for Flame to finish talking about the pelicans, nodding when he asked if she understood thus far. "Can the C712 a space plane that functions better in the atmosphere, or is it solely ground-based?" She knew she was here to fly a pelican, but she could take her mind off the massive, angular fighter-bomber. She also couldn't help but wonder... "Oh, and... are they both capable of VTOL? I'm just wondering if there's any reason you couldn't theoretically use a Longsword fighter as a dropship in times of need. It looks like it's got enough room..."
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Post by Bane Emural on Mar 4, 2014 22:32:34 GMT
Rose drops down from the Pelican's right wing and shows a paper with her writing. "The C712, C708, and C709 are nothing more than just modifications to the Longsword-Class Strike Fighter/Interceptor. No matter what modifications are used, they are still able to fly in a planet's atmosphere and in space. These certain modifications help them through certain situations and gives an advantage. The C709 has large amounts of firepower and can take down enemy fighter pilots during space combat, a good modification on providing cover for the Pelicans, fighters and bombers during space or space-to-planetary conflict. The C712, has less firepower but can still do a considerable amount of damage and is slightly faster than the C709. However, it will have a difficult time flying out of the range of a planet's atmosphere, unlike the C709. The C708 is the standard modification of both C712 and C709 but not commonly used. It is used when going from space to planetary and vice versa. As for a VTOL, the Longsword does not have that capability. Only the Pelican, Hornet, and Falcon can be used for VTOL use, mainly the Hornet and Falcon."
She flips the paper to its backside. "The Longsword, variation C708, can be used to carry a few more passengers than its usual crew members, but not as much as the Pelican. The Longsword can only be launched from a military base, a public hangar, or a military ship."
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Post by Wavelength on Mar 5, 2014 6:47:13 GMT
Yellow almost looked disappointed for a moment, but she swiftly tossed the expression aside. A fighter bomber for a troop transport? That's just magical thinking, she thought as she looked away from the longsword one last time. "Well, I suppose that's to be expected. Pretty heavy craft to use VTOL. All this talking must be pretty stressful for you, since you're practically writing an essay every time you say something to me... let's cut the chatter 'til later; I don't want to put this project behind schedule," she chuckled as she got back to work. "Hey, Flame, do you have any needle-nose pliers nearby? This piece didn't take much direct damage, but its connection joints are just slightly bent."
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Post by Bane Emural on Mar 7, 2014 2:25:58 GMT
Flame grabs one from Rose's toolbox and gives it to Yellow. Rose just nods and smiles. She goes back inside the Pelican to work on the cockpit some more. Stone just sits there. "Is there anything we can do to help or should the two of us go somewhere else and let you gals work? Because me and Flame can do whatever heavy-lifting job there is to be needed, that cannot be handled by a crane." Flame sits down next to Rose's toolbox in case any more tools are needed. "I wonder, will you have a co-pilot or will it just be you and Rose?"
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Post by Wavelength on Mar 7, 2014 8:12:13 GMT
Yellow paused for a moment. "Literally speaking, I haven't been assigned a craft yet, but tossing that aside... if I am assigned to this pelican, I'd be quite content with a strong silent type like Rose in the cockpit. I never did appreciate some of the unsavory terms other pilots in flight school tended to use." She turned to Stone. "Erm... I think most of the heavy lifting in aircraft repair is crane stuff... If you want to help me out personally, you could go see how the Admiral is handling the other recruits so that I know what to expect... or ask him when I'm getting called in." She tweaked some bent metal with the pliers for a moment as she thought. "Can't do it right now, of course, but I'd love to get a tour of the armory sometime, too. I'd love to see what kind of weapons you use around here!" Yellow tossed a glance over her shoulder. "Did you need anything lifted, Rose?" she called. "These two are startin' to feel like fifth wheels out here..." She paused for a moment with a both puzzled and amused expression. "...Even though there's two of 'em," she giggled.
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Post by Bane Emural on Mar 7, 2014 18:38:24 GMT
In the cockpit, Rose pops her head out from under the control panel and shakes head. She continues working under the control panel, fixing any wires or systems. Flame gets up and starts walking towards the bridge. "I'm gonna go see where exactly we are headed to. It will give us a good heads up on how much time we have left before you are called up for combat and weapons training." He leaves the Pelican bay. Stone just sits there hoping to be helpful in some way. "Well, if you have remembered something from either the recruiter or the Sheriff, you get to choose your own craft. So if you choose this one, you will get Rose as your crew chief. And from there on then, you can practice your piloting skills whenever Buckeye has time to practice with the other recruits." |
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Post by Wavelength on Mar 7, 2014 19:46:33 GMT
Yellow smiled. "Sounds good to me," she shrugged. "Wait, as a pilot, how much weapons training will I get?" she asked, puzzled. She didn't think pilots tended to get much more than a defensive sidearm, but then again, one more weapons specialist would be handy in a firefight if the transport went down. This also made her wonder when she'd be going through physical exercises to make her physically fit enough to be part of the Free Systems Military. She always liked the sore feeling after exercise in an odd way, even though bootcamp would undoubtedly be a stressful experience.
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Post by Bane Emural on Mar 9, 2014 18:25:41 GMT
Stone thinks for a moment and replies back to Yellow. "You would be trained to handle every weapon we have in the armory, even the high-powered laser, the Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle (aka, the Spartan Laser of Halo 3). It would be good experience, especially if there is handy weapon nearby than the usual sidearm most pilots and personnel carry. There is another weapon but I think that is reserved for the professional snipers and ODST. I could help you with identifying the weapons and how to handle them if you want, when it is your time to be trained."
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