| Measure By Measure - CIC |
| Summary: | Waves of Cylon craft come out of FTL over the orbit of Solon II. Kharon is quickly overwhelmed and is forced to egress after an evacuation. |
| Date: | PHD #218 |
| Related Logs: | Measure by Measure - Air Wing |
| Players: |
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The stoic and indomitable Praxis Demitros (yeah, he's a strong guy, we get it) heads through the hatchway leading into the Combat Information Center. Ah, his domain. He started out here as a modest Tactical Officer at the rank of Lieutenant. Oh how he's grown since the commander got blown to smithereens. Yet his job now is strangely almost the same when he's in here. Regardless, he goes right to the plotting table, withdrawing the folders from underneath his arm and placing them on the table. Some observant fellow mentions that the XO is on deck. "Lieutenant, I am ready to relieve you. All hands, this is Captain Praxis Demitros, I have the conn." he announces formally before excusing the other officer, just settling in for a normal, quiet day. "Countermeasures, what's our status?"
Hadjara looks up, her expression rather serious, a far cry from the bright, even cheery one she wears when off-duty. "Everything's going as per normal, sir. No abnormal DRADIS readings and CAP seems to be going well." She proceeds to give the names of those currently on patrol, keeping the XO in the loop. Once information is relayed, she gives the Captain a quick smile before looking back down.
Once all due respects are shown to the XO — including a nod and brief but genuine smile — it's back to monitoring the airwaves, as far as Ensign Kavi is concerned.
Right after Hadjara gives her report, DRADIS pings. Once. Two seconds, then it pings again. A glance at the console would spot a red contact, origin unknown.
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "CIC, Dash, we read one bandit just flashed in at 643 carom 22-niner. Shadow, Poet, move forward to intercept. Requesting additional support, CIC, over."
"Sir! We have a single reading. Unknown origin." Jara looks up and then back down, hurriedly reading off range.
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Dash, Poet. Copy, visual on one bandit, moving to intercept."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Dash, Shadow. I don't see…oh, wait. There he is. I have visual confirmation as well. Moving in on your wing Poet."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Copy that CAP. Weapons free. I'm going to slack back for defensive posture. Exercise caution."
Ohdamn. Praxis hears the ping, eyes snapping to the display to the fore of the ship, eying the contact and starting to go to action. "Go to Condition One. Launch the alert fighters." Demitros says, that particular task falling to the Communications officer to get the word through. He keeps an eye on that contact and its current direction of travel. "Weapons, bring the batteries online in case we get into more trouble. Navigation, standoff behaviour - try to stay at current range."
[Intercom] A smooth, composed voice pages, "Attention all hands: set Condition One throughout the ship. Launch alert fighters."
<Intercom> Attention! Action Stations! Set Condition One throughout the ship.
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Flight, Poet. I've got its attention, it's tracking me. Leading it back your way now. Not…sure what it's doing."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Poet, Shadow. I'm going to see if I can't get around behind it if you're gonna lead it around by the nose."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Flight this is Dash, it looks like it's changing course towards planetside."
The Ensign prepares to go to Condition One - granted, she's already at the DRADIS console so she's not having to go anywhere but that doesn't mean she's any less having to prepare, this taking a rather different level of preparedness. "Seems like someone wants to dance," she mutters at herself before looking up, her brow knitted. "Sounds like Poet's got the bogey on his six, sir." Yeah, she's repeating what was just said but she eventually falls quiet, letting Comms do their job while she does hers.
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "CIC, Dash, do you read, over? What's the status on reserve launch. We've got activity."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Patrol Wing, Kharon. Contacts are spotted. The cavalry has been called, Please stand-by."
Praxis frowns over in the direction of Jara's station, shaking his head. "Bring up the jamming suite and attempt to disable the engine of the enemy contact." Demitros quickly orders. "Perhaps we can hamper the journey down to the planet surface."
Praxis also adds, "Alert our personnel down on the surface that they have incoming." The XO places his hands on the edge of the plotting table, drawing in a rather long breath of air and exhaling it slowly.
"Aye, sir," is Neha's reply, on it like a heartbeat.
Hadjara nods. "Yes, sir," she replies although she's about five seconds ahead of the Captain, perhaps anticipating his order before it was even given. The suite is currently powering up, coming to full operational power within moments. "Starting countermeasures," she announces while starting the sequence, it hopefully being enough to keep the sole blip at bay.
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Flight, Shadow. I got strikes on the wing but it looks like this guy is just toying with us. Dash I'd keep an eye out for any more arrivals."
[WIRELESS] Kai says, "Captain, this is the CAG. What's the situation?"
The blip of the contact on screen gets closer and closer, with the three friendlies closing in on it. Looks like it's buzzing the ship, but it doesn't quite come within range of Kharon's guns.
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Flight, Dash, that's exactly what I'm doing. I don't know what it's frakking around with but I'm calling a definite sierra-alpha on this one. CIC, Dash, this solo bandit's playing around out here. Be advised, might be a recon."
Demitros stands up straight and watches the action happen on the DRADIS, eyes narrowing slightly as the path of the contacts as well as our fighters take shape. Suddenly, the wireless phone on the plotting table begins to ring, and the XO reaches forward to yank the handset from the receiver and places it up against his ear, replying to whoever phoned him. His eyes narrow as voices immediately blare in his ear when he picks it up.
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Flight, Poet. Splash one and returning to your four, Shadow."
[Into the Wireless] Praxis says, "Captain, single enemy contact over the atmosphere. It's been destroyed."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Poet, Shadow. Nice shot. Roger returning to formation."
Ensign Sharifa notices the range the unknown vessel keeps, it causing her to raise a brow. "Sir, the unknown is staying just out of weapons' range." Her eyes are wide but her expression puzzled, Jara unable to figure out what's going on.
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Flight, Dash. Go Wide, Cap pattern Bravo-three. Stay out of launch tube airspace. Full cover and let's try to keep a visual on the dark side of the Kharon."
[TAC1] Neha says, "Surface Marine Contingent, this is Kharon. There was an enemy contact in your sky but it has been destroyed. Be prepared for further potential encounters."
[WIRELESS] Kai says, "Understood. You want me to scramble a few raptors down to the surface, recall anyone on leave just to be on the safe side?"
[Into the Wireless] Praxis says, "Do you believe that the defenses we have in place will be sufficient for protection without our personnel?"
[WIRELESS] Kai says, "That's the Major's call. But I do recommend we bring up anyone not on active duty down there, Captain."
[Into the Wireless] Praxis says, "Make it so, Captain Marek."
[WIRELESS] Kai says, "Will do. I'll keep the alert fighters prepped, just say the word. Marek out."
Hadjara takes a deep breath. "Potential bogey has been shot down," she says once the readout disappears. "No more readouts, sir." Her lower lip is trapped between her teeth, her brow still creased.
[TAC1] Ezra says, "Kharon, Cass. Copy that, Over."
Praxis places down the handset when the conversation is complete. "The situation is to be by no means considered over at this point in time, ladies and gentlemen. Communications, we're going to be launching Raptors - clear them as soon as they ask permission." Always expecting the very worst, eyes turn to glance about his domain. "Understood, Ensign Sharifa," comes the response from the executive officer. "Adjust the granularity of your scan and divert power to the sensors. I do not wish for any contacts to slip by unnoticed." A turn of his head later, and he's giving more orders. "Navigation, standard geosynchronous orbit above the Keros facility."
DRADIS suddenly lights up again. Three contacts, all unknown origin, from roughly the same coordinates as the first one appeared.
What power can be diverted is and the quality of the sensors' reading capabilities changed, Sharifa making sure that range and efficiency is not effected at the same time. "Sensors are…" Blips come onto the screen, causing the ECM to growl for a second. "Sir, three more contacts their entry vector roughly that of the first. Origins unknown." All these unknowns. She loathes 'unknowns'.
Wow. This is, to say the very least, hella intense. The kinds of insane turn-around times in broadcast media never had this amount of immediate, life and death pressure. To her credit, Ensign Kavi manages to keep her wits about her, even if she's not as smooth and certain as someone seasoned. Scanning her console, Neha soon finds herself prepped to start clearing Raptors. And then comes those blips, and further explanation from ECM. Frak.
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Flight, Shadow. I've got three more Raiders appearing on my DRADIS. Unknown course as of yet."
[STC] "Madman" Matto says, "Kharon, this is Madman, reporting Foxbat-4 green front and back for launch on shuttle service to Solon II."
Praxis is quick with his orders after further pings can be heard. He was expecting this. "Nav, establish blockade formation." This is in order to deter the Raiders from entering the Solon atmosphere. "Launch alert fighters, and inform the current flight they are to engage."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "CIC, Dash, Three more bandits at six-four-three carom two-two-nine. Sounds like we've got birds ready to launch. Flight, move to intercept. Let's keep them guessing while we get our backup in the air. Weapons free. Divide and intercept. Poet you get the one to starboard, Shadow to port. Break."
[Intercom] Neha says, "Attention: Additional contacts have been detected. Launch alert fighters."
[STC] Neha says, "Madman, Kharon. You are cleared to launch."
[STC] Neha says, "Black Cat, Rabbit, Mooner, this is Kharon. You are cleared to launch."
[STC] Neha says, "Spider, Kharon. You are cleared to launch."
[STC] "Madman" Matto says, "Kharon, Madman, reporting Foxbat-4 launched and proximity cleared. Switching to TAC3 for further communication."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Flight, Kharon. 5 friendlies en route. Over."
[STC] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Shepherd to Kharon, ready to launch."
[STC] "Rainbow" Mars says, "Make that six, CIC. Rainbow, ready to launch."
Hadjara watches as the fighters and Raptors start to take off. "Alert Vipers and Raptor are clearing the tubes." As each ship exit the Kharon's interior they come up as blips, each one identified by callsign along with which fighter or Raptor it is.
[STC] Neha says, "Shepherd, Rainbow, Kharon. Cleared."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Flight, Shadow. I think I need to fix up my aiming reticle when I get back. I keep shooting to the left. Ps. Splash one."
The enemy contacts remain out of range of Kharon's guns. It's like they're playing cat and mouse with the vipers.
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Spider, Black Cat. Taxi drivers in place and heading for LZ. Any idea how many passengers we're picking up?"
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "CIC, Dash, much obliged. Flight, be advised we have a Spider and a Rabbit in the house. Incoming on the launch bay, Flight, intercept, bring that son of a bitch d— interrupted by the sound of gunfire"
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Negative, Black Cat. Proceed to the landing pad at the following coordinates, and take your orders from Major Cass."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "All right, listen up: here are your wing assignments. Shadow and Dash, Rabbit and Mooner, Shepherd and Rainbow, and Poet's with me. Sandwich those bastards, and take them out, Vigilantes."
[TAC1] Neha says, "Surface troops, this is Kharon. Further enemy contacts have appeared. Set out the welcome wagon for our Raptors. Over."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Flight lead, Poet. Copy, breaking and forming with Spider."
[TAC3] "Madman" Matto says, "Kharon, Madman, reporting Foxbat-4 on ground at designated LZ."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Alright. Mooner's on your five, Rabbit. Let's rock n' roll."
Praxis narrows his eyes at the behaviour of the Raiders, there's something he doesn't like about this engagement. It is as if they are trying to draw the fighter complement away from the carrier, or creating a diversion for something. Teeth clamp down on his lip in deep thought while he ponders the situation and their next move. "Sharifa, focus your scans at the approach vector of those Raiders and try to extend the range of our sensors. Is there anything out there?"
[TAC3] "Rainbow" Mars says, "Shepherd, Rainbow, I've got your back."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Madman, Kharon. Noted. Groundpounders are expecting you."
TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Shepherd, Rainbow, give them hell out there since I've got your back as well."
[TAC1] Ezra says, "Kharon, Cass. Copy that, we'll be securing the LZ. Keep us apprized if anything gets past the Cavalry in the sky-over."
"Yes, sir." Her primary focus shifting for now, Jara begins to try and extend the range further out, the main focus being where the Raiders came in from and past. Whether it works or not, it's left up to anticipate but she does what she can, the ECM going by the book in every single aspect of this.
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Mooner, Rabbit. Copy that- let's pull in and given them a bit of the ol' in and out. make it quick."
[TAC1] Neha says, "Cass, Kharon. Roger that, sir."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Whoo. That's five. Drinks not on me tonight."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Spider, Dash, I'm reading four more bandits from six-four-three carom two-two-nine. Following pursuit of planetbound bandit……..Shadow, Dash, form on my wing and let's take this bastard down before it gives the locals hell."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Dash, Shadow. Roger that, following your lead."
"Two more contacts, sir! And two are heading to the planet." Ensign Sharifa makes the announcement calmly but her heart's racing, the younger woman excited but keeping herself held tightly in check.
Praxis watches as a couple of blips break the blockade and begin to head towards the atmosphere. "Warn the Raptors and the ground troops at once that they have two inbound contacts." he mentions to the comm officer immediately subsequent to Hadjara's report. "It would appear our Vipers are assisting."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Gods dammit, where are they all coming from…"
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, " Mooner, Rabbit. Don't know, bloody well don't care- right now- scrap em up. Follow my lead- an we'll pick em apart."
[TAC1] Neha says, "Ground troops, Raptors, this is Kharon. Looks like we have 2 party crashes. Get ready to bounce 'em."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Acknowledged, Dash. The rest of you, blow the shit out of his friends. Poet, break left on my mark."
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Spider, Black Cat. We've got 4 party crashers on high altitude pass of the surface. Can someone clear the door so we can get our people home?"
[TAC3] "Madman" Matto says, "Black Cat, Kharon, this is Madman; do we have an ETA on the folk who need a ride?"
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Err, if you look out your front windscreen, Madman, they're coming towards us. Unless someone else called for a taxi."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Acknowledged, Black Cat. Rabbit, Mooner, Shadow, Dash, break after this pass and engage the contacts heading for the surface."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Madman, Kharon. Negative."
[TAC3] "Madman" Matto says, "Oh, here they come, good good."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Spider, Birdman. I'm cleared to launch if you could use some extra Raptor support out there…"
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Rainbow, get my back, I want the metal deader than disco."
[TAC3] (from "Spider" Kai) Spider's comms crackle as he's hit. His voice comes over it in bursts: "..edged Birdman…proceed..surface…..caution."
[STC] Neha says, "Birdman, Kharon. Spread those wings."
[TAC3] "Rainbow" Mars says, "I see him, Shep. He's mine."
[STC] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Kharon, Birdman. I'll be sure to bring back beers. Launching."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Dash, Shadow. Taking hits here from somewhere. Going evasive. Think I'm mostly fine for now."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Shadow, Dash, status report. Son of a bitch they're covering the ground attack. Keep them the frak off us. Yeah, go evasive, I'll clear the way for you."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Lead, Mooner. I'm hit bad but not limping yet. Copy that, Spider."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, " Mooner, Rabbit. Copy-that. Run for me, an I'll try to keep him off your arse so we can bug for the Surface- you Copy?"
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Dash, Shadow. Controls are hit, but not fatally. Keep that Raider off me and we ought to be fine."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Copy that, Rabbit. Mooner, shaking tail feathers."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Spider, Poet. Coming on up the one tailing you."
[TAC1] Neha says, "Ground troops, Raptors, this is Kharon. More uninvited guests, it seems. Be sure to show them a bad time."
[TAC3] "Rainbow" Mars says, "Took care of that cling on problem you had there, Shepherd. What's next?"
Praxis rubs at his face in exasperation at the situation. All of the buzzing bees outside can be dizzying to anyone who hasn't been staring at the DRADIS for a better part of their career. "Persist attempts to jam the enemy Raiders in any way that is possible. Weapons, engines, I am not selective, Ensign Sharifa. Do your best to allow a helping hand for our planes." It's true that Demitros can get a little bit less eloquent when he's in the CIC, but sometimes it helps for clarity and brevity. "Keep holding position."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Shadow, Dash. Lag in behind this son of a bitch, I got him off your back and now he's on mine. I'll be breaking to port so fan the attack that way. Gonna try to get him on the flyby…."
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Shepherd to Rainbow, last one to kill a bad guy brings me beer so you better make sure I am the last one to kill a bad guy."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Dash, Shadow. Roger that, I'll clean him off ya."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Mooner, Rabbit. Sing out-You still golden there, mate?"
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Rabbit, Mooner. I'm frakked."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Spider, Poet. Do you read?"
[TAC3] (from "Spider" Kai) There's a crackle from Spider's comms that sounds vaguely like he's trying to get a message across, but it mostly comes out as static.
Hadjara nods. "Aye, sir." So, in other words, continue to do what she has been doing when not ordered to change the settings on the DRADIS. She can do that. The countermeasures are pretty much turned on so that there's a wide sweep of where the combat is taking place, hopefully covering enough of a swath for it to be effective.
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Dash, Shadow. We chasing after the Raiders heading for the planet?"
That crackling sound where Spider's voice should be? Not good. Comcaster Kavi tries to see if anything can be done about that. Final analysis: No. Frak. Not one to leave others in the dark, though…
[TAC3] Neha says, "Flight, Kharon. Spider's transmitter has been damaged to the point of distortion. It is not signal noise, which means I can't help. Sorry."
There's a slight sigh and Sharifa announces to the XO, "Auto-targeting systems temporarily taken out but I'm not sure for how long, sir." Hopefully long enough for it to make a difference.
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Alright. Vigilantes, Rabbit. Here's what we're going to Do. Dash, Poet, Shepherd I want you to try and make a beat for Surface side, and clean up what isn't shot to frak- Mooner, Shadow, you're on me as you're bloody crippled, Lets back em up. Keep their tails clean, over!"
[TAC3] "Rainbow" Mars says, "You owe me a beer, Shepherd."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Lead, Mooner requesting a return to base. I'm past limping and just short of dead in the water. Let me trade in this bird for one that hasn't had its wings clipped."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "99-Vigilantes, Dash. Spider's out of the fight. Shadow, get on the horn with CIC and try to arrange an SAR. RABBIT! No Joy on wireless from Spider, your wing to lead — Copy. Trade off Shadow. Poet, Shepherd, doubletime to surface on me."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Mooner, Rabbit. Affirmative- Hurry it."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Flight, Kharon. There is some good news. The Raiders' aim will be off-kilter for a wee bit. Birdman, one of those beers belongs to Ensign Sharifa."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Rabbit, Shadow. Forming on your wing. Or….no, forming on your wing Rabbit."
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Shepherd to Mars, roger that, I owe you something stronger I've got a bottle of hooch for you."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Dash, Poet. Right behind you."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Copy that, Rabbit. Mooner, returning to base."
[TAC1] "Dash" Martin says, "Ground this is Dash, three incoming Vipers for your Raiders. Repeat, do not shoot the ones that don't look like assholes. Check your fire, over."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Kharon, this is *crackle* -der, do you copy? Requesting a tow and *crackle* -new paintjob."
Praxis nods at the ECM station, at least slightly content that the Kharon has been able to assist with the conflict from afar. Demitros makes eye contact with the comm station, silently informing Neha that she would be wise to inform the flight of the deficiency in the Raider targeting system. Unfortunately, not all is good. Eyes narrow considerably at the news that Marek has been removed from combat. This is not good. Hands plant on the side of the plotting table. "Clear Mooner for landing. Also dispatch a search and rescue for Captain Marek. Let him know that we're coming for him."
[STC] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Kharon, Mooner. Coming in hot with jacked systems. Prepare the LSO to scrape my ass off the deck."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Spider, Kharon. Copy. Tow is en route. Mooner, you're cleared."
[TAC1] Ezra says, "Uh..Vipers, P-Smithicks- Roger that! Hurry up."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Shadow, Rabbit. Form up on me, and lets bloody end this one. Cover our boys-over."
"Yes, sir," is Neha's reply to the XO's order. One search and recover: initiated.
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Birdman, Black Cat. Get your ass in the air and haul Spider home. Try to avoid the uninvited guests."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Black Cat, Birdman. Roger that, going to bring in the laundry."
The effects of Hadjara's previous attempt to jam the Raiders that are currently entangled with the fighters starts to wear off; Another attempt at jamming the mother frakkers is made after a minor adjustment is made, the electric countermeasures powered up a bit more before doing so.
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Splash one. Shadow-stay on me, and we'll cover the Kharon, incase anyone tries to sneak up on our back door. How're you holding up, over?"
[Intercom] Neha says, "Attention Deck Crews: Report to the hangar bay. Fighters are coming in hot."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Rabbit, Shadow. Holding up fine, right now. Forming on your wing."
Enemy contacts begin vanishing from DRADIS as the viper contingent picks them out of the sky one by one. Several of the vipers split off and head for Solon II, marked by their green transponder blips on the screen. Three enemy contacts can still be spotted buzzing the planet.
Well, at least the word came in that Spider is still alive and kicking in whatever floating cockpit he's sitting in now. Standing up straight from the table and folding his hands behind his back, Praxis does what Command members do best: watch the action unfold. Too bad there isn't any popcorn around to chomp on. Demitros also ensures that everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing; nodding slightly at Jara's initiative to keep jamming the enemy. It would appear that the wing is winning the battle, but who knows if more contacts will just hop in or not.
There's a sigh of relief. A -small- one. "Sir," Sharifa addresses the Captain, "The Raiders are being taken out. Three enemy contacts are sticking close to the planet, though." Not being one who is good with tactics, she simply leaves it at that.
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "CIC, Dash, we've got two splashes on the ground, one to go, over. Can I get a sitrep on the status up there?"
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Shadow. Rabbit, we got two coming in. Split and Engage! Can't let them land a bloody finger on the Kharon."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Roger that Rabbit. You'd think Kharon's guns would take care of some of this for us…"
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Rabbit, Mooner. Inbound. And pissed."
"Leave them to our fighters." Praxis mentions when Jara comes in with her report, shifting the little playing cards around on the table when the combat situation changes. He ponders the plotting table for a while, then looking up to the DRADIS to see that the wing is leaving behind an escort to keep Kharon safe for the moment. Hearing something from the wing, Praxis frowns deeply and picks up the receiver. "Patch me through to the tactical channel." he murmurs. Once he is through, Demitros speaks.
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Shadow, Rabbit. Quit your bitching, We're the sword before Kharon's shield. If they get close enough to activate the Triple A, we're frakked. Mooner, Rabbit. Good- Form up where you can- Bloody kill the others."
And DRADIS lights up again. Two more enemy contacts, breaking away from the main group of vipers and headed not for the planet— but Kharon, herself.
Hadjara shakes her head. "Godsdamnit, where are you motherfrakkers coming from…." She blinks! "Gods…sir, two coming inbound for us. Repeat, we have two enemy contacts coming in on an approach vector, sir." Yeah. Leave it to the fighters? She thinks not. "Jamming…" A third attempt, this one hopefully enough to scramble the toasters' brains some.
[TAC3] "Knight" Praxis says, "Shadow, Kharon executive officer. Our batteries are online but the Raiders have been out of range thus far. I suggest you reserve your comments for the time being while you protect the carrier. Flak is online."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Kharon, Birdman. I've got Spider, heading home…"
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Gods' speed, Birdman."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Kharon, Rabbit. How much time do I have before My bandit hits the wall- Shit, I've got two on my arse here!"
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Rabbit, Mooner. I'm back on your tail feathers. Let me see if I can give you some relief. I have a score to settle."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Birdman, Kharon. Welcome home. Do you require Medical?"
[TAC3] (from "Spider" Kai) Spider's voice crackles over the comms, "No medical…quired, Kharon. I'm banged around, but fine. Just…in a new bird and let me….out there."
"Bring us about. Orient batteries to face the incoming craft. Do not fire unless you are able to strike a confident hit without destroying our pilots." Praxis growls, still kind of miffed at the pilot who complained about the action choice of the carrier. If he were a cruel, terrible man he'd have half a mind to withdraw ECM from them to prove a point. However, the XO remains relatively stoic even as the Raiders start coming towards the ship. He looks towards Jara and raises his brows for news on her jamming attempt.
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Shepherd to Kharon, we have taken care of the enemy, please advise?"
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Dash, Poet. Ones up above sound like they might need some backup."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Rabbit, Shadow. Taking hits again, going to try and catch one of them out."
Praxis looks to Ensign Kavi. "Inform the vipers in atmosphere that they are to return to Kharon space to assist, at once."
The ECM watches as the Cylon fighters move as if trying to intercept but they don't shoot, either because they can't due to the countermeasures being used against them or because they have no desire to, it striking Hadjara as very strange regardless of what it is. "Sir, the inbound Raiders are moving to intercept but it doesn't appear that they're going to shoot." She pauses and then adds in afterthought, "I am starting to feel like we're being herded or something."
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Shepherd, remain in orbit to escort the Vipers. The rest of the Vigilantes around Solon, thanks for the assist. Rabbit's got the big bad wolf on his tail, so please assist before he becomes dinner. Raptors launching as soon as loadout is finished."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Shadow, Rabbit. Roger that, I'm dealing with a problem of my own. You get hit, sing out- and I'll come a running."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Vipers, this is Kharon. Return to Kharon space, at once, to lend assistance."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Black Cat, Poet. Copy, returning up."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "CIC, Dash. Copy that, Heading back up."
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Shepherd to Black Cat, roger that fly in orbit and protect everyone, standard day, standard job."
[STC] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Kharon, Birdman. Coming in a bit heavy, might want to have some medical around, just in case. I think I bruised my arm when I launched. Can't be too careful."
[TAC3] (from "Fingers" Jupiter) A muttered string of curses finally comes over the comms, and Fingers calls out, "I'm stuck in the frakkin' tube still. Equipment malfunction can eat my —" And the rest is lost in a muttered string of profanity worthy of the finest backwater sailors ever to pass out drunk in a pool of their own vomit. "Frakkin' HADES." And then she goes quiet again, to rage inside her viper having been waved off a fourth launch.
Blip. Blip. Blip. The contacts are moving too quickly for Praxis to give the order to fire. Before the flak cannons can even come online, the ship shudders.. and shudders again. Alarms start going off, and one workstation — Hadjara's — goes up in a white hot shower of igniting electricity. The weapons technician screams as glass shatters from the proximity of the hits, sending a good quantity of the fragments into her face and neck. There's blood everywhere, and the smell of skin burning.
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Alright, Madman. On my mark. We're going straight home. No stops for cookies."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "CIC, Dash, the frak was that?"
[TAC3] "Madman" Matto says, "Yessir."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Rabbit, Birdman. Spider safe and tucked in, do you need further Raptor support?"
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Madman, Black Cat. Get your Marines back to base. Lift off now. See you in the barn. Birdman, if Rabbit's still engaged, I want you out there jamming. We're enroute to assist if need be."
[TAC3] "Madman" Matto says, "Black Cat, Madman, we're getting some wounded loaded up and stable, please hold that mark for launch, I'll cry out when we're green here."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Mooner, Rabbit. Thanks for dusting my tail there-Kharon- Rabbit. How are you holding?"
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Splash one. Mooner reporting one more live hostile on your ass, Rabbit. Engaging."
That totally sucked, and not just because Neha ends up falling off her chair. Good thing she has all that padding on her rear. "What the—?" And then there is electricity, smoke, flying glass and blood. By Zeus' wang! Clambering back to her feet, Ensign Kavi returns to her console, decidedly nervous that it will also explode. All the same, she has a job to do, and she musters the courage to get back to work.
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Acknowledged, Madman. I'll go up first and make sure the way's clear. Shepherd, I don't think you're going to have problems with straying sheep."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Birdman, Rabbit. We're good right now- though if you want to try and give us a blanket it would be much obliged."
Praxis braces himself as the ship was hit, eyes suddenly darting to the light display of the console going up in sparks, then the glass shattering then the - It's all too crazy to keep track of. Once Demitros steadies himself by holding onto the central table, he rips the phone off of the receiver again to call for help up to the CIC before slamming it down onto the hook. Knight suddenly runs towards the downed weapons technician, clearing the area of glass before he kneels down to assess her medical status. "Take evasive action!" Praxis bellows. "Kavi, find out what the hell just hit us. Hadjara, are you all right?" he asks over to the disabled countermeasures system. "ECM is offline." Obviously. Demitros looks up to see if the weapons console is still operable.
[STC] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Kharon, Black Cat. Two Raptors ready to lift off, one containing wounded. Madman's going to put her down on the deck as soon as we get out of here and I'm going to back up the Vigilantes."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Rabbit, Birdman. Blanket coming, nice and warm from the laundry. Now light this frakker up so we can go home…"
[Intercom] Praxis says, "Medical team and damage control to CIC at once! I say again, medical team and damage control to CIC!"
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Flight, Poet. Any word on what's happened on the Kharon?"
[Intercom] Sen says, "Captain Eos-Hale down in Engineering. Scramble Dee-Cee team Alpha to deck two, forward."
With the sparks going off in close approximation of Hadjara when the damn console blows, she gets showered with quite a few of them. Ouch, ouch, frak. "Yeah, I think so," she murmurs, the pain of the minor burns to her hands and face not sinking in yet thanks to a combination of shock and adrenaline. "DRADIS is frakked." With the light show the console just put on, that shouldn't be a surprise to Praxis. "Flying blind. Flying blind…" Murmuring, she gets her bearings before getting into a mental red-alert, mentally checklisting all of what needs to be done by her.
[TAC3] (from Neha) There is a bit of delay before Neha's velvety tone (a bit shakier than before) relays, "Flight, Kharon. CIC has been hit. Repeat: CIC has been hit. Please tell me you know the culprit."
One part of the medical team comes jogging up to CIC, double time. Doctors don't run, and that goes double for psyches. Yep, it seems that the best Medical could send right now is Mimieux. "Medical team reporting, Sir," she announces.
[TAC3] "Madman" Matto says, "Alright, Black Cat, we're away here."
The scene in CIC is not one in keeping with its usual sterile cleanliness. Whatever it was that hit the ship, it must have hit damned near the combat information centre, as there are computer consoles sparking, and a panel of glass separating the secondary weapons console from the raised platform holding the plotting table has shattered all over the poor weapons technician who was standing there. She's being assisted away from her station by a couple of other officers, and Hadjara's console appears to have blown, burning her hands but not injuring her too badly. DRADIS is still functional, but the countermeasures suite is offline.
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Copy Madman. Black Cat enroute."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Kharon, Rabbit. Copy that- Want me to give a pass over, see what I can see?"
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Rabbit, Shadow. Requesting permission to break and head back to the barn for a new ship if need be. I'm pretty shot up here."
[TAC3] "Madman" Matto says, "Kharon, Madman, Foxbat-4 incoming with multiple casualties in need of aid. Request expedited RTB clearance."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Bastards…CIC, Dash, what's out? DO WE HAVE FTL and DRADIS? Beautiful frakking war. Poet, Shepherd, stay on me and assume CAP just in case some more come down the pipe for the BOHICA. Kharon, my team's in position at 331 carom 764. We've got a corridor for em…"
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Shadow, Rabbit. Affirmative. Head back now- and get landed. Poet, Mooner, stay with me to keep watch till we get the call to RTB."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani raises an eyebrow at the double orders. "Rabbit, Dash, copy. Remaining in CAP formation, moving in on the Kharon."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Copy that Rabbit. Shepherd, you're with me. Proceed Poet."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Last splash, reading DRADIS clear. Forming up on Rabbit in standard CAP formation."
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Rabbit, Black Cat. Birdman and I will form up near Kharon to provide turn-down service. Birdman, Kharon six. Black Cat has Kharon twelve."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Fingers, Dash, what's your sitrep? ETA?"
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "On your six Dash, I want to make sure you get home, otherwise, your sister would kill me."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Black Cat, Birdman. Copy that, falling into formation on Kharon six. Too kind, boss, you know what a nice butt this bird has."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Dash, Rabbit. Keep her calm. Just maintain your CAP patrol- I'll call out if we need to change anything. DRADIS reads clear for me Vigilantes. Over."
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Shepherd, your nose better be up Madman's ass until that Raptor's down on the deck. Do you copy?"
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Kharon, Shadow. Requesting clearance to land. Not priority at the moment, but I got a dinged up bird here."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Rabbit, Dash, copy that. We're watching. Good hunting."
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Copy that Black Cat, watching Madman now."
Alyssa walks in, taking in the scene with a quick glance, medical bag at her side as she starts setting up Triage in her head. "Ok, folks, anyone hurt bad? I can start with them…"
[TAC3] (from "Fingers" Jupiter) An annoyed sounding Fingers comes over the comms, "Zero joy. This bitch will not fly tonight." One can practically hear her bouncing her bouncing around in her cockpit trying to coax the viper out of the tube, like a little kid whose toy car's battery died.
Praxis is currently kneeling over the bloody body of a weapons technician who has been subject to multiple shards of glass. She's being helped apparently, but is probably in dire need of medical assistance. "Doctor Mimieux, we have injured." the XO mentions, standing up and getting the hell out of the way so the good old doctor can do her job. And Demitros needs to do his. "Ensign Sharifa, you are relieved to acquire medical assistance. You're done here." The man in command is careful to step over the glass. "Inform the wing that we still have FTL online as well as DRADIS." Everyone here is kind of confused as to the situation since plenty of distraction has occurred. "Clear all inbound craft for touchdown, Ensign."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Flight, Kharon. All inbound craft cleared for landing."
[STC] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Kharon, Shadow. Requesting clearance to land."
Aly's first on scene, so she goes right to the injured weapons tech. "Lieutenant Odessyeon, If you can see to the Ensign's hands? They look bad," she calls. Her medical kit is dropped right next to the technician and she's hitting her knees, doing the assessment.
[TAC3] "Madman" Matto says, "Kharon, Madman, landing immediately."
Hadjara's still yet to realize she's hurt, the burns not so bad that the pain can't be ignored via shock and the rush the turn of events has given. She's helping others who are hurt worse than she is, using strip of her uniform’s jacket to bandage wounds if need to.
[TAC3] Neha says, "Shadow, Kharon. Welcome home."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Madman, Kharon. You, too."
A fatigues-clad technician shoulders her way across the room, clipboard under her arm, and neatly dodges the mess of blood and glass and weapons tech being tended to. She's headed on a beeline for Praxis, and addresses the XO after a hasty salute, "Sir, eight out of ten civilian shuttles report away from the surface and inbound. We've still got two raptors down there having mechanical difficulties. They'll be airborne in.." She checks her notes frantically. "..three minutes."
[STC] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Kharon, Shadow ready for relaunch."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Hekate's merciful grasp.. Kharon, Rabbit! I've got a visual on a Basestar. Orders?"
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Shepherd, pull around to those two incoming Raptors to provide cover in case they need it."
[TAC3] (from "Mooner" Eddie) ..Holy mother of Zeus…
Warning klaxons are still going off as damage control teams arrive, and start throwing open tool kits. And right as the technician gives her report, DRADIS bleeps again. A single contact, which remains ominously unidentified for several seconds before the name pops up beside the large red dot: BASESTAR.
[STC] Neha says, "Shadow, Kharon. Clear."
Hadjara had been trying to lend aid to those more grievously wounded than she is but when she's relieved her efforts are halted. "I…sir?" It's -now- that she looks at her hands and notices the slightly bacon-like burns to them, the fried flesh undoubtedly adding a bit to the reek of burned skin that lingers. "Oh," she concludes lamely before nodding, indicating her understanding. It's when she hears someone mention of a Basestar that she forgoes orders and rushes to the DRADIS, the blip getting her to gawk. "Sir…We have a Basestar on our DRADIS."
Tiera dashes in from her other post in Weapons, where she was doing some quick repair work on the controls. There is a bruise on her temple and some soot on one cheek, likely where she swiped it with her hand. She slides into her spot at the weapons control "Weapons on line and ready to fire sir"
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "Shepherd to Black Cat roger wilco consider the Raptors under my protection. Shepherd to Mooner, Zeus' Mom had nothing to do with this I'm going with evil robots for one thousand."
"Yes sir…" Alyssa says, moving towards Hadjara to start first aid before recognizing the word that had just been uttered. Her eyes fly to the DRADIS, and then she wisely steps back, no one needs her in their way at the moment…
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Rabbit, Black Cat. Thoughts? If those Raptors aren't off the ground, they might be better to stay down there while we RTB so Kharon can jump."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Rabbit, Dash. Permission to break off from Shepherd. Moving to overwatch position."
Praxis looks to the technician and watches her as she makes the report, and just as she finishes, his eyes turn towards the DRADIS to see the very last thing he wanted to see. Oh shit. "Estimated time for the Basestar's arrival?" the XO asks the officer that reports the contact on the sensors. It's decision time, and they don't have ECM at their disposal. Fingers curl around the handset and it's pressed up to his ear and he addresses all craft. Teeth grind together before he thinks of what he's going to say and do, and then he speaks.
[TAC3] Neha says, "Rabbit, Kharon. Stand-by for Command decision."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Dash. Rabbit. Granted. CAP, I want everyone moving into defensive positions if they come at us again with more Raiders. Black Cat. As far as I can tell they're still coming Too late to turn back. Order em to Jump out of here!"
[Intercom] Kitty says, "Medical, we need a team in Hangar Bay 1. Got injured personnel in need of urgent medical attention. I repeat, Medical to Hangar Bay 1."
And as Praxis is Command, that's where Neha's pleading eyes turn. WHAT DO I TELL THEM?
[STC] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Kharon, Black Cat. We've got less than a minute. Does Kharon have FTL? If so, I recommend recalling all units and jumping."
[TAC3] "Knight" Praxis says, "Black Cat, this is the Kharon XO. The remaining shuttles on the ground have roughly three minutes remaining until they are able to launch. We still have faster-than-light capabilities, however our jamming suite is inoperable."
[TAC3] "Fingers" Jupiter says, "Anybody got a spare crowbar? Seriously. I will get out and push."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Like bees from a hive…"
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Vigilantes, keep em from the Ship."
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Thea's quiet for a moment. "Sir, I would recommend we advise the civvies on the ground to disembark and find cover while we jump. There are too many Raiders and a Basestar out there. The Basestar will take Kharon out."
Tiera's fingers fly over her console ."Sir, Basestar ETA is 1 minute." She looks over her shoulder at Praxis, "All batteries online and operational, sir."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Ain't no thing, Vigilantes…ain't no thing. Someone lock down Fingers' bay, please. Time…to give…them hell. COME ON YOU SON OF A BITCH."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Fingers, you should be good to go. Ghostriders, RTB. Rabbit, lay down suppressing fire if those raiders get within spitting distance."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Flight, Shadow. Lookin for assignment here unless you want me back on Rabbit's wing."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Black Cat, Rabbit. Can't the Raptors jump on their own? Bloody- have em Jump, sir. Spider. Rabbit. Aye aye Sir. Alright, lets keep em busy."
Hadjara got beaten to the punch but Tiera and simply nods. "Less than one minute, sir."
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says, "We can't just leave people behind…that Basestar might launch more nukes for all we know."
Aly's working on the injured crewman, murmuring to the man as she works on getting the worst of the wounds stabilized.
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "Spider, Black Cat. Negative. Kharon has no ECM. I suggest two Raptors remain out to provide coverage and remain near Kharon."
[TAC3] "Knight" Praxis says, "This is the Kharon XO. We are leaving. Transmit rendezvous coordinates to the remaining civilian Raptors. All craft return to base, we are spooling."
[TAC3] "Black Cat" Legacy says, "On second thought, Spider, we're RTB. Birdman, you heard the CAG and XO. Get it on deck yesterday."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Vigilantes, you heard the XO, RTB. Everyone RTB."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Birdman, Black Cat Understood, Boss. RTB underway."
Praxis slams his fist down onto the plotting table. "Spin up the FTL drives." he says, grinding his teeth together, knowing that the escort carrier has no chance against the Cylon craft that's approaching. If the craft outside the ship don't return soon, they're all dead. Teeth grind together as all they can do is watch. "Petty Officer Reyn, if Raiders come within range, fire at will." comes the calm order from the XO. "How many civilian craft have yet to come aboard?"
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Lead, Mooner. Copy. Preparing for combat landing. They can suck our space dust."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Lead, Dash…copying."
Alyssa hears the intercom asking for help, then with another glance at Hadjara's wounds and then says, "Ensign, when you have a moment, get to medbay. I have worse hurt to deal with." Then she spins and heads for the Hangar Bay.
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Copy, Lead. RTB."
DRADIS continues to ping the Basestar every two seconds. And every two seconds, it draws inexorably closer. Radiological alarms begin going off on Tiera's console. Yes, they have nukes.
[TAC3] "Shepherd" Castor says in a grim voice, "Roger wilco, RTB."
"Both raptors are spooling FTL and preparing to rendezvous with the ship at backup coordinates, sir!" chirps the technician who'd given the original report on the civilians.
Tiera nods and issues the commands to her batteries. "Aye Aye, Sir." After a short moment, "All batteries tracking. Sir, they have Nukes." Her voice is calm, almost detached.
Hadjara looks over to Praxis a moment, looking worried, concern that she doesn't try to voice as not to worry the others. Not that the others don't know how frakked up everything is, but she's not going to add to it.
It takes a moment for the reality of the situation to hit Ensign Kavi, and when it finally does, she starts to tremble. They are leaving people behind, but if they stay, they're all as good as dead. Tightly, Neha closes her eyes and attempts to assume some measure of calm, contrasting her rapid heartbeat with forcibly controlled, deep breathing. There was some measure of improvement, too, until the announcement of nukes. It is then that the Communications officer, bolts upright, eyes wide like a deer.
Captain Demitros walks right up to the DRADIS display after the report from the technician, his eyes training on the word BASESTAR as it starts to creep towards the center of the screen. Praxis folds his hands behind his back and narrows his eyes as if he was staring directly at his arch-nemesis. The alerts and klaxons, as well as Tiera's report of nuclear weapons being armed does nothing to phase the executive officer as he remains there waiting for all of their planes to return. There is no vocal acknowledgement to anything anyone says, just a silent moment while the engine revs up to its full rotation speed. Inside, he's hoping to whatever gods exist that the Raptors in the air will make it to the rendezvous. "Jump." comes the word, as soon as the last plane in proximity gets aboard.
Just to make matters worse, DRADIS registers a cluster of enemy contacts deploying from the basestar. Twenty, perhaps? Fifty? They fan out in a sea of red on the scanners, and begin converging upon Kharon.
Tiera speaks softly into her mic, suddenly the ship begins to shudder as her guns begin to fire. The rumble of multiple batteries is muffled by the ships hull. "Opening fire sir" Is flung to Praxis before she focuses back on her guns "Fore and aft batteries focus on keeping those Raiders off the Vipers and Raptors as the land"
Hadjara swallows hard. "Multiple contacts just launched from the Basestar, sir." Undercurrent of emotion twinges at her voice, causing it to warble marginally.
Totally out of her element, Neha is trying her best not to panic. Her breathing is hurried, that golden-brown gaze of hers darting, and then she hears a single word that seemingly brings a pause to everything: Jump.
Kharon's gun turrets swivel into position, and pump rounds into the swarming raiders as fast as they can empty and reload. One or two of the enemy ships manage to slip through the flak ring, and impact the ship with jarring reports as the lights flicker and more glass shatters. Another warning klaxon goes off in the generator closet, just as Praxis gives the order to jump. The nav tech doesn't wait a moment more. She jams the key in, turns it, and the Kharon slips sideways and blinks out of orbit.
When she slides back into existence again, DRADIS is clear. No contacts. Coordinates are confirmed as those that were entered.
No, wait, make that one contact. Friendly. It's one of the civilian raptors.
When the jump is finished and the solitary green blip makes itself known, Jara smiles, the relief so great that her knees buckle a bit. "We have a friendly contact…it's one of the civilian Raptors, sir." That was not expected but hey, don't know about anyone else, but she's going to take good news when it can be found and cling to it for a bit.
Tiera scans her console her batteries tracking the Raptor for a moment, before resetting. "Weapons green, sir." Her voice hasn't risen or even sounded a bit excited.
The violent jarring of the vessel causes Praxis to grimace while he holds on to the nearest solid thing he can, the dissonance of the shattering of more glass eliciting teeth to grit before he checks to see if everyone is still okay subsequent to the distortion of time and space as they move through faster-than-light travel. On the other end, he watches a contact blink into existence. "Allow them to come aboard," says the XO as he starts walking towards his station, boots crunching with shattered glass underfoot. He stays there waiting and staring at the display wondering if the other one will ever come home. "Stand down to Condition Three. Dr. Mimieux, what is the status of my weapons technician?"
Aly helps the tech sit up, supporting the back. "Lacerations and no permanent damage, Sir," she answers Praxis, one hundred percent professionally.
The tech looks mostly ok. There's a lot of blood, but she's conscious and answering questions asked of her by a couple of other looming officers.
It appears that they made it through. Following orders without even thinking about it, Neha enacts Condition 3. And then she just kind of sits there, staring, listening to the faint sound of dead air.
Tiera leans back a bit and rubs her face, spreading more soot over it, she doesn't seem to notice. The bruise on her temple is turning a lovely shade of purple.
"Ensign Sharifa, report to sickbay." Praxis orders to the ECM officer who now has an inoperable station. It's now in this moment of silence he can actually ponder the damage he's sustained to his bridge, an exasperated sigh especially when his eyes grace over that of the injured Weaps tech. "Thank you, Doctor." he mentions to the psyche. "Ensign Kavi," the XO then addresses the Comms officer, "…please get on the line with Captain Eos in Engineering and tell her that I want a full damage report as soon as it is available. We've got a mess up here to clean, and the gods know where else."
Hadjara nods to Praxis. "Yes, sir." She bows her head respectfully before going, not sticking around now since her job is now truly done with no errant beep to distract her from obeying an order.
[Into the Wireless] A pleasant female voice is on the other end of the line. "Captain Sen, this is Ensign Kavi in CIC. The XO requires a full damage report as soon as it is available."
Tiera goes back her duties after a moment. "Sir, did all the Vipers RTB?"
Aly helps the tech up and gets her enroute to Sickbay. "Any other injuries, Sir," she asks quietly of Praxis.
Additional injuries? Just his pride. Despite any potential emotional issues with leaving some to die behind on the planet/everything going to hell, Demitros remains well-shielded. "No, Doctor Mimieux. I appreciate your assistance - I cannot say I was expecting flying glass shards to be a foe this evening. You are dismissed." Over to Reyn, Praxis settles his eyes. There's a brief nod in reply, but the same can't be said for one of the civvie raptors. He ensures that the countermeasures officer leaves to get treated for her burned hands, and the XO might just start complaining if someone doesn't come in here to sweep up the glass soon.
Quietly clearing her throat, Neha starts to convey, "Captain Demitros, sir, Captain Sen is reporting that the impact did not make a full breech, although the pressure readings are unstable, which she says suggests a slow leak. She's requesting a Raptor team to take some of her people for a closer look. Fire sensors are negative." A pause, then, eyes alighting on the XO, trying to muster a small, hopeful smile. "A control team should be here soon to check on the electrical."
Tiera scans her readouts. "Still nothing but us and the Raptor, sir. Weapons cycling to standby mode." She is sitting at her console then turns to look at Praxis.
Aly dips her head to Praxis, then moves to follow the folks out.
Praxis turns to actively listen with his eyes and ears when Kavi gives her report of the conversation between Captain Eos and the comm officer. "Allow the engineering team to embark on the repair mission, Ensign. External damage assessment would be prudent." He raises a brow at the fact that pressure readings are unstable…hopefully that pinhole, wherever it is, doesn't get any bigger than it is now.
"Yes, sir," aforementioned Ensign replies with a small nod.
Demitros then looks over to Tiera. "You are on DRADIS duty, Petty Officer, while the ECM officer is out getting treated."
Two Marines arrive on the bridge immediately following the departure of the injured. One of them approaches the Captain and the Comms officer, stands at attention and speaks. "Sir. Ensign Nikos is requesting a sitrep. The cameras are nonfunct."
[Into the Wireless] Neha says, "Captain Sen, this is Kavi. The XO has granted your request and looks forward to your report."
Tiera nods. "Aye, sir." She swivels so she can watch both the Dradis and her Weapons Console. Her fingers moving the controls quickly. "Dradis clear still, sir."
[Into the Wireless] Neha says, "Copy, Captain. Kavi out."
Demitros is suddenly distracted by the arrival of the two marines, the executive officer returns the salute when it comes to pass, then hands reconvene at his tailbone. At the mention that the camera is defunct, his head rotates upwards to stare at the position where an operable camera should be, squinting at it. Eyes then realign with the Marine. "We have suffered multiple hits. I am not surprised that some of the power fluctuations as a result have caused the feed to go offline. The situation in here is normal; nothing aside from a few injuries." There's an amused brow as Nikos sent a pair of troops instead of sending him a phone call, but there's just something he respects of the way she gets shit done.
Ping.
Ping.
Ping.
The swoop of DRADIS' scanners picks up a contact suddenly. Make that two- no, five.
They're definitely unfriendlies. Red red red.
Tiera goes alert. "Sir, two..no five contacts, no ID yet." She makes some adjustments then turns to weapons and the Batteries come alive under her touch. "Sir, those are not friendly!"
Ping. 'Is that one of ours?'
Ping. 'Please, be one of ours.'
Ping. 'Frak! It's not one of ours!’
And that pretty much is the play-by-play in Ensign Neha Kavi's mind.
Ping ping ping -ARGH. Praxis narrows his eyes at new contacts showing up. Go away, shoo! "Spool up the FTL drive again." he orders quickly to the navigation officer. "Weapons online, chart a retreat course. Set Condition one, get everyone to action stations again at once." He doesn't voice it, but how the hell did they manage to follow the Kharon? "Plot a firing solution." Depending on how long it took for the FTL to spool up again, would alter his decision whether or not he will launch fighters. "Recall the engineering team." Praxis gives the order to Kavi, "Launch alert fighters."
<Intercom> Attention! Action Stations! Set Condition One throughout the ship.
[Intercom] Neha says, "Attention: Everyone to action stations immediately. Repeat: everyone to action stations immediately. Launch alert fighters. Engineering is recalled to the ship. Repeat: launch all alert fighters. Engineering is recalled to the ship."
Tiera is already working on the weapons. "Sir, all batteries green and tracking incoming bogeys, permission to fire when in range?"
[STC] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Kharon CIC, Shadow. Greens across the board, ready for launch."
Here we go, again. Somehow, though, the numbness that creeps over Kavi manages to sharpen her focus.
[STC] "Dash" Martin says, "Kharon, Dash, reading refueled and ready to go."
[STC] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Flight, Rabbit. All green."
[STC] Neha says, "Shadow, Dash, Rabbit, this is CIC. Give 'em Hades."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Flight, Poet. Out of the tubes."
[STC] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Kharon, Birdman. Ready to launch if needed."
[STC] Neha says, "Birdman, CIC. Stand-by."
[Into the Wireless] Neha says, "Birdman, CIC. Stand-by."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Mooner, green for tubes."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Flight, Shadow. Out of the tubes and lookin to form up. Who's got lead?"
Praxis realizes that the Cylons might have been able to glean the rendezvous coordinates when he transmitted it to the remaining raptors on the ground. Good move, Demitros. A hand comes up to rub at his forehead. "Clear Mooner for launch. Sparro's bird is to remain ready in case our pilots require search and rescue." A glance to Tiera. "Fire at will."
[TAC3] (from "Fingers" Jupiter) Fingers mutters, "You better launch this time, viper." It happens to catch on comms.
[STC] "Spider" Kai says, "Kharon, Spider. Ready to launch on your mark."
[STC] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Shadow, Rabbit. Till someone higher comes out, I'll be running her. Form up on Dash. Poet, I want you on me- See if we can't get another round here going. Mooner, ON poet, an I. Don't let em catch us with our pants down."
[STC] Neha says, "Mooner, Spider, this is CIC. You are cleared for launch. Birdman, remain ready for possible SAR."
Tiera looks over at the Ensign giving her a smile, "We'll be ok, Ensign." Her voice is soothing, perhaps this isn't the first Ensign she's had to deal with. As she's given the order to fire she nods "Aye Aye sir" Turning she initiates the firing sequence and the ship shudders under her command as all batteries who have a firing plot open fire.
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Rabbit, Poet. Copy that, on your lead. Hopscotch with Mooner."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Rabbit, Mooner. Spider's right behind me. Let's roll out the welcome wagon."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Rabbit, Shadow. Roger that. Jesus, I keep gettin set up with you like this Dash people are gonna start talkin."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "All points, I have command. Rabbit, you're with Mooner. Shadow, Dash. Fingers and Poet, and I'll be running intercept. You all know the drill. Slash and frakking dash, and get your asses back to base when you're ordered or I will shoot you myself."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Well, then. Copy intercept duty, Spider."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Spider, Rabbit. Thank gods- was a afraid I'd be doing this all on me own. Copy that- Ready to be th' doorman."
It's sweet of Tiera to show such kindness, but Neha really isn't in a position to notice. She has finally found herself In The Zone. If it not coming over the channels or Praxis' mouth, it's not really registering.
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Rabbit, Mooner. Forming up on your fumes."
[STC] "Madman" Matto says, "Kharon, this is Madman. Foxbat-4 is reading green front and back for launch anytime you need us."
"Evasive action." Again. God, Command can be so goddamn hard sometimes. Especially now with a bridge full of broken glass, a missing ECM officer with an inoperable console, and the fact that Raiders had followed the escort carrier due to what possibly could be a mistake on Praxis' part. Is saving one Raptor really worth everyone dying? Oh heck no. "Ensign, acknowledge Madman's transmission but do not allow him to launch. Let the Vipers clean up the mess while he remains on standby." He pushes his glasses further up his nose.
[TAC3] Nemesis says, "Poet, long time no fly. Let's tear it up."
[STC] Neha says, "Madman, CIC. Remain on stand-by."
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "Fingers, Poet. Aren't you the Raider nemesis today. I'm on your tail."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Mooner, Rabbit. Copy that, I see one with our name on it. Lets see if I can bait that bloody bastard into a chase. You up for a run?"
[STC] "Madman" Matto says, "Kharon, Madman, standing by."
[STC] Neha says, "Madman, CIC. Copy."
With hands freshly slathered with ointment and wrapped in the rolled gauze bandages, Jara returns, cleared for duty. "What's going on," she asks while returning to her station, not one for sitting idly by while others are risking their lives.
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Shadow, Dash, break port towards 554 carom 117, you've got a bandit."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Dash, Shadow. Roger that."
Hah. Her station. Jara doesn't really have much of a station to return to. Praxis ignores the Ensign completely when she asks what's going on; it's not his job to provide her with a sitrep. Besides, she can see for herself - vipers fighting some Raiders on the DRADIS. The XO casually gazes in the direction of the Nav station to see if they are still working on getting the engine heated up, before he decides to oversee the electronic battle happening on the radar display.
Six minutes to FTL. The nav tech is working furiously at his calculations, checking and re-checking his numbers as he puts them through the plotter.
Tiera flashes a smile at Jara and slides over so she can help out on the Dradis so she can focus on the weapons and the approaching Raiders. Murmuring loud enough so she can hear "More Raiders, it looks like they might have followed us"
[TAC3] "Fingers" Jupiter says, "Blue skies, Poet. Blue skies."
[TAC3] "Knight" Praxis says, "Vigilantes, this is Kharon. You have six more minutes to go before you are to return for a landing."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Alright keep it goin Shadow, keep it goin."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Give him a five by five, gods dammit, Rabbit."
Hadjara didn't really expect a reply from the Captain or anyone else, it mostly asked rhetorically out of the need to say something before having to be professional. With the console fried, she takes to watching the same DRADIS Praxis is, her arms folded about herself in a manner that doesn't put any pressure on her hands.
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Spider, Rabbit.. Sorry-round in the cockpit…Gimmie a tick."
If she weren't so hyper-focused, the Comms Ensign might've noticed the EMC officer has returned. As it stands, she doesn't.
"Ensign," calls out the nav tech, "a little help over here? I.. I'm having trouble plotting this jump. If you could just write down the numbers as I read them off for you.." And Hadjara's getting a notepad and pen shoved at her, whether she's ready or not.
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Good hits, Poet and Fingers. Rabbit, get your ass back to the barn. Mooner, you're with me."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Copy that, Spider. Rabbit, safe skies home, brother."
[TAC3] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Aye Sir.. Gonna bloody try and land this thing with one eye open.. Or something..Can't see out the left."
Praxis remains stoic. "Have deck crews ready to receive Rabbit's viper. It also sounds as if he is injured." The command officer has always been ready to take care of the incoming and outgoing pilots even since he was tactical. Strangely, nothing has really changed since then other than his rank and the general place he stands in on the bridge. A glance and a nod is given to Hadjara when she's asked to help with the jump plotting should she seek confirmation.
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Mooner, break! Break! Fingers and Poet, sound off!"
[Intercom] Neha says, "Attention: Deck crews on the ready for incoming Viper. Medical prep for injured pilot."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "What's the ETA on that FTL, Knight? We're getting chewed up out here!"
[STC] "Rabbit" Hale says, "Kharon, Rabbit. Permission for combat landing. Can't see out of m' left eye, so tell the LSO to be careful- Oh yeah m' bird's limpin awful bad."
[TAC3] Nemesis says, "Poet, Fingers. Gimme a shout out. You ok in there?"
[TAC3] "Poet" Roubani says, "*static*"
Praxis quickly barks for the information on that estimated time to jump.
[STC] Neha says, "Rabbit, Kharon. Copy. Will inform LSO. Hop on in the hutch. Medical has been alerted."
Hadjara nods and the items are taken in hand and used, each number written down as the nav tech rattles them off.
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Copy that, forming back around on your four o'clock, Spider. Splash one."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Kharon, I need a tow on Poet. Possibly- *there's a growl of viper engines* -others, if this keeps up."
[Intercom] Neha says, "Attention: Incoming Viper is heavily damaged. Heads up, LSO. Pilot is confirmed injured. Medical requested."
[TAC3] "Knight" Praxis says, "Spider, this is Knight. You have three minutes. We're going to make our way to you. I'll have Kavi dispatch the SAR, and Tiera is going to provide some covering fire."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Shadow, Dash, we've got this bastard on the run but stay froggy, countdown's coming and keep that bird flying, you read?"
[Intercom] Alyssa says, "This is Medical, we are in position"
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Yes mother."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "I copy, Kharon. Vigilantes, pull back on my mark and let the big guns take care of the rest."
[STC] Neha says, "Birdman, CIC. SAR required for Poet. Hermes' speed be with you."
Tiera watches for a moment. "Batteries Alpha and Gamma, fire at will, target incoming Bogeys on vectors 243 and 164."
After Praxis gets off the phone, he nods towards Kavi to confirm that she's gotten his orders, and then one of the nav techs is regarded. "Bring us within firing range. Orient our heading to 243 carom 164." he orders. "Purchase some time for our fighter craft and search and retrieval. Petty Officer Reyn, your aim is essential. Heed caution."
Three more contacts show up on DRADIS, like flies swarming a fresh kill.
[TAC3] "Knight" Praxis says, "Vigilantes, this is Knight. It's time to go. As much as I would prefer to loiter in this sector, I believe we've overstayed our welcome. Fingers, can you confirm? Poet is in control of his craft?"
Tiera nods, "Aye sir, FoF is active on all batteries." Her hands move over her console as more batteries open fire. One of the Raiders explodes as one of her gunners makes contact.
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Knight, Birdman, whether he can move or not, my towline is about ready to go. I need thirty more seconds."
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Birdman, hook him up for a frakking tow. Vigilantes, we're done here. RTB, combat landings. Kharon, watch your flak ring, we're coming in hot."
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Nice shootin, Dash."
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Shadow, Dash, thanks, now you heard the man, Junior. Get your ass in your room. Splash one, Kharon."
[TAC3] "Mooner" Eddie says, "Copy that, Lead. Mooner, returning to the barn."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, "STC CIC, Birdman. I've got our wounded boy, coming in for a towed combat landing. Kindly clear the deck… this could get pretty messy."
[TAC3] "Fingers" Jupiter says, "You wanna dance, let's dance, asshole."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Spider, CIC. Copy about the heat."
Praxis looks to Kavi after he's done talking to his pilots on the wireless. "Let me know when we have all of our pilots on the flight deck." he mentions, hoping that everybody will get back safe. Demitros is understandably a little bit miffed at the situation, but he does fairly well in keeping that hidden from everyone else. "Good firing. Keep them off of us until we've jumped."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Sparro, CIC. Copy. Informing the deck."
Tiera nods. "Batteries Alpha and Gamma, go to standby, Delta and Epi track that other Raider, make sure he doesn't go after the landing Vipers."
[Intercom] Neha says, "Attention Hangar: Incoming tow. Clear the deck."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Sparro, CIC. Bring 'em home."
[TAC3] "Birdman" Sparro says, " Frak me… I'm hit! In the engine but it's not to bad… they missed Poet. FRAK… they got Fingers bad…"
[TAC3] "Dash" Martin says, "Shit, Fingers, sound the frak off!"
[TAC3] "Shadow" Absalom says, "Kharon, Shadow. Splash one. Took some hits on my ass though."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Shadow, CIC. Copy. Sparro, repeat: you are cleared to land."
[TAC3] (from "Fingers" Jupiter) There's a sharp intake of breath over coms, and Jupes' reply gets as far as, "Frak, Marty, I'm—"
[TAC3] "Spider" Kai says, "Kharon, this is Spider. All birds recovered."
[TAC3] Neha says, "Spider, this is CIC. Copy. Hurry on home."
Praxis signals the nav officer the moment Spider's report comes in. "Get us the frak out of here." the XO says, pointing in an arbitrary direction. Commence operation GTFO. Anywhere but here.
The paper Jara's been writing on is torn off and offered to the nav tech, held so they can take it if it's needed.
The nav tech grabs the paper from Hadjara, and finishes entering his coordinates lightning fast. At Praxis' order, he shoves the key in and turns it. Blink!
Once again, when the ship reappears, DRADIS is silent.
Hadjara looks at the Captain, her face a bit damp with sweat, it also slightly pale. "Hopefully we're rid of them for a while." The rest of what she would like to say isn't spoken, this neither the place nor the time.
The ship is once again back in the middle of space, Praxis turning towards Neha and telling her, "Stand down from Condition One, go to Two." before looking down at the mission table, reaching forward and gathering up all the cards and filing them into a deck. Finally turning around to look at Ensign Kavi again, she's given an approving nod, as well as Hadjara. Her words touch upon his ears, and the XO shrugs his shoulders helplessly. Exhausted from the conflict, Demitros begins to head towards the hatch, leaving whoever is the most superior officer in the room in charge of the deck. If the ship is in trouble again they can call him, but for now…he's done. However, he'd be back again in roughly 40 minutes…
Still feeling the blood buzzing in her veins, Neha faintly nods. "Aye, sir."
<Intercom> Attention! Set Condition Two throughout the ship.
