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I'll update the main forum the next time it fancies working but this is the next part of the journey of the Sceptre.  I'll update the main timeline thread in the next couple of days

Nadir Point, WarShip Sceptre
Actium, Independent World
Periphery
12th May 3110

   Missiles, lasers and autocannon fire filed the space around the Sceptre as it emerged at the Nadir point of the Actium system they had expected an empty star system perhaps somewhere they could gain more food but not fight a battle.  “Detach the Konstantin, Lewis, have them head directly away from the fighting we will cover!”  Star Captain Gerry Harper commanded as the Sceptre was rocked by enemy fire “helm as soon as they are clear I want military thrust available immediately” he commanded Amanda Lankeneau as he looked at the sensors the Sceptre had jumped into the unclaimed system of Actium and found a Nova Cat supply convoy waiting at the jump point.  The five JumpShips were already fast charging their jump drives to escape while the two Carrack-class Military Tansport ships were turning to attack the far larger Sceptre her respected their dedication and bravery but the former-Raven Strike Cruiser was a more capable vessel than the two transport WarShips.  “Weapons target and destroy Chatham but disable Small Chance we need intelligence and hopefully some supplies.”  He ordered the Sceptre moved between the two Nova Cat WarShips and fired a pair of broadsides the salvo directed on Chatham did not hold back instead it ravaged the small transport vessel penetrating the armour from multiple actions shredding the vessel.  By comparison the assault on the Small Chance burned through the aft sections of the vessel destroying the engineering sections.

   â€œThe last JumpShip has cleared the system” Kimi reported from the sensor station “Catham is dead in space.  Small Chance is showing heavy damage to its engineering section.”

   â€œAmanda bring us into their aft arc and have our Elementals prepare for boarding action.”

   â€œKonstantin, reports they are ready to earn their keep” Lewis reported from the other side of the bridge as Nova Cat and Sceptre aerospace fighters continued to duel between the two WarShips.

   â€œThere are still active weapons arrays on that ship” Harper noted but even as he spoke the Konstantin was in motion rolling over the Carrack opening its main cargo bay door as it went deploying BattleMechs and Battle Armour units directly onto the hull.  The Konstantin took several laser and missile hits but none of the Small Chance’s capital guns struck the Overlord C as it dived away past the rear of the WarShip.

   On the hull of the Carrack the Star of BattleMechs went to work quickly targeting the active weapons arrays near them before Battle Armour troops breached the hull from two entry points.  “Pass to Stefan Banacek that we need survivors to interrogate.” Harper said glancing at Lewis as he watched the displays of the efficient boarding action Banacek’s personnel showing they were an asset to the Sceptre; a dangerous one.


Nearly three hours later the thirty-two Nova Cat survivors from the two WarShips and their aerospace fighters had been interrogated by the Sceptre’s crew.  It was very clear that the Raven Khan had cast them completely out of Clan society and that even being captured by another Clan would not repair the damage.  The Nova Cats also had more than thirty active WarShips operating inside their territory not to mention space habitats and individual aerospace fighter units.

   â€œWe cannot traverse the Nova Cat’s Den” Gerry Harper said looking over the data, he looked between Stefan Banacek and Quinn Shu neither seemed to disagree.  “Our only other options are we try to move through the periphery avoiding Clan Nova Cat’s claimed space and hope to find the supplies that will keep us operating.  Or we attempt to pass through the Federated Suns periphery region using uninhabited systems to avoid their navy.”

   â€œWe cannot live in hope in the periphery this crew would turn against itself.”  Shu noted

   â€œWe cannot hope to avoid the Federated Suns military for long it is extensive” Banakek noted “even using the battery we’ll encounter them eventually.”

   â€œClansmen don’t run from a fight” Harper noted looking at the former Adder bloodnamed warrior he wondered how much of Banacek’s fight had been taken with the fall of the Adders and the Serpents.

   â€œAff, but we are technically no longer Clansmen.  We cannot look at ourselves as such nor can we expect our enemies to treat us that way.  We are dark caste little more.”  He said glancing between the two Ravens “now my people can assist in gaining us supplies the Federated Suns periphery region but we need to pick our targets properly and we need to act like the pirates that they will see us as.”

   â€œWe still don’t have a final target.  This crew deserve to know where they are going.” Shu noted Harper glanced at her for her use of contractions wondering how quickly this crew would succumb to the dark caste’s ways.

   â€œWe need to supply the Sceptre with parts; fuel and food for this crew even with what we have taken here it will only go so far.  For now we allow the need to supply drive this crew.”

   â€œThat will only go so far” Banacek said producing a small memory drive from within his jacket “this is a list of the former Clan units I know are operational.”  He said seeing Harper’s surprise at this new revelation and wondering where the information had come from.  Banacek it seemed had already picked up on Harper’s curiosity “there are back doors into the Sea Fox Chatterweb you just need to know how to access them.  The dark caste in the homeworlds used them for years it didn’t take long for that to pass to the OZs the same practices continue under the Clan’s noses everyday.  Even as the Watch gets more effective so do we.”  He explained handing over the drive to Harper “perhaps we can find a group this crew will be comfortable with joining.”

   â€œWhy didn’t you DropShip attempt to make such an alliance?”  Shu asked looking from the drive back towards Banacek.   

   â€œBecause I didn’t have a seven hundred thousand ton WarShip at my back” Banacek admitted “you do not place your trust in anyone but those on your own crew.”

   â€œThen why trust us?”  Harper asked

   â€œSometimes you have to take a chance at making a better future.”

   â€œAff” Harper agreed “then we are going to take a chance and pass through the Federated Suns we will rely on our guns and our skill to see us through to one of these groups and forge an alliance that will see us prosper.”  He said raising the drive up a little they were placing their future in the data it contained and trusting that they had enough firepower to overwhelm anyone who disagreed with them.

Feel free to post in either I'll see it and answer

marauder - yes they didn't stand a chance but they had to try the warrior in them couldn't not do it.  I'll confirm one thing - no Blakist involvement

Minette New Service, HPG Broadcast
Minette PDZ, Crucis March
Federated Suns
4th July 3110

“In conclusion is there an unidentified WarShip moving through the Crucis March?  We do not know.  So far all we can confirm that JumpShips have seen shadows and radiation surges in places there should be nothing.  Neither MIIO or the Federated Suns Naval Command are willing to comment on rumours nor are they willing to confirm deployments of naval craft in the territories of the Federated Suns however everyone is advised to be wary and report anyting that they believe to be suspicious to the relevant authorities.”  The broadcaster said as the transmission ended Stefan Banacek glanced over at Star Captain Gerry Harper.

“See what I said to you this ship has not even engaged an AFFS unit and already there are rumours.”

“How are we supposed to avoid being cornered by them if already they talk about us?”  Harper wondered beginning to wonder if attempting to run through the periphery instead of the Federated Suns.

“This ship is like a technitians multi-tool” Banacek suggested but Harper didn’t seem to grasp the idea “you need to stop thinking like a Star Captain of Clan Snow Raven.  You need to think like a pirate” he said seeing Harper’s disgust “your ship is a jump capable tool which is able to travel through multiple systems with a full battery charge you don’t need to travel close to stars.”

“We still will need to engage JumpShips, DropShips or land on planets to gather resources to keep this WarShip operational.”

“Aff, but the Sceptre does not need to approach a system we could send land teams…”

“And again we need to rely on your forces?”  He asked irritated at the man over the last week twice Banacek had suggested his unit be used in action while the Sceptre remained out of contact with their enemies.

“Neg, given the AFFS interest in our whereabouts the appearance of an Overlord C-class DropShip on any planet will gain attention.”  He suggested to which Harper nodded “instead I suggest we jump into the outer reaches of a system and deploy small teams on small craft.  They head into a star system and land on a planet there they make small trades and act like traders while we remain silent in the outer reaches of the system.”  He said “that way we can gather intelligence without the AFFS knowing of our position or plans.”

“That can only go so far, we will have to engage them.”

“Aff, but at our time and our choosing.”

Nice story.