A small fleet of ships burst over Star's End unannounced with a sizable ground force detachment.
"Warriors of the Ice Hellion Clan. For over two decades we have shared the same border. We have traded and trialed honorably, letting our warriors claw at each other so that they know how to what it is like to draw blood. But... one does not need to be the seers Nova Cats claim to be to know there are ominous times ahead for you.
For years, we have discussed the possibility of the Ice Hellions partaking in the solidarity that is the New Dominion. To create a true Arctic Alliance amongst those Clans the roamed the Frozen Tundra. However, there is little time left I am afraid. Despite your string of successes against the Lyran Falcons, you have taken losses and with the Adder fleet in pieces over Vorzel, you will soon find your skies crowded with ships that are not our and bear the mailed first of a House Lord. One that has absorbed the heart of the Falcon Warriors. I have come to offer you a choice to the Annihilation that awaits you should you refuse.
While the Lyran Falcons have made clear their claim to our territory in the name of their sovereign, and have proven their willingness to use a nuclear arsenal, the New Dominion has found its purpose and stands ready to repel the fallen. The Kerensky name shall no longer be defiled by his ungrateful children. I am Nakita Kerensky, saKhan of Clan Snow Raven. Accept this trial of Absorption and join with those that have not abandoned the spirit of the Great-father's dream."
"Dominion forces, it is true that in the past we have spoken of alliance. It is also true that the devil's alliance of Lyran and Falcon threatens us like few threats before. However, as with all the other efforts to fall upon us in our time of need, your trial of absorption is illegal and is denied. In memory of our past friendship, however, I offer you an alternative,
"We will accept a batchal for control of this star system. If you win, you have my solemn oath that I shall bring your proposal for an alliance to the warrior council for deliberation. However, as counterbid we demand that should the Hellions win, you will join with us to strike back against the Lyran agressors.
"If you accept this proposal, my warriors will bid for the honor of facing you in combat. If you decline, then all the forces at my disposal shall resist you."
"The declaration of such a trail beyond the walls of the Grand Council has more than one precedent so I say, it is not illegal. It does however count on someone accepting such a trail and it is within your right to deny it. As such and without your acceptance, I would not push forth with such a trial without the Grand Council's blessing.
Be advised that since you refuse an absorption, your might will be tested across the breadth of our border and it is in our best interest to keep these systems from falling into the hands of the Lyans and will not be bidding as lightly as we usually do. Still, it shall be with honor. I accept the batchall on your terms, with no commitments by either side to commit to merger. Let your warriors bid and let us begin."
On the bridge of the CSRS Ark Royal, Nakita turned to Star Admiral Evan Harper. "The bridge is yours. I go to make sure I am part of whatever bid is successful. I have a feeling, Galaxy Commander Sukhanov's units will fair the best in this bidding. Zeta needs to get some blood on their talons anyway."
Bump. Waiting for Ice Hellions to declare defenders.
"After intense bidding, elements of Beta Naval Star have won the right to defend Star's End. Stand by for codex transmission."
Beta Naval Star Cage's Pride II McKenna (Clan) LFB Mobile Regular 34.00 FP
Beta Naval Star Simmer of Trust Atreus Mobile Regular 11.75 FP
Beta Naval Star Vicious Attack Black Lion (SLDF) Mobile Regular 16.50 FP
62.25 FP total
The following warships have been bid down to Warship and Dropships only.
All fighters / dropships are being bid from the Gunzberg Eagles
CSRS Ark Royal (Conqueror), Elite / Fanatical, 25 FP
CSRS Ice Storm (Cameron), Elite / Fanatical, 14 FP
CSRS Storm Crow (Sovetskii Soyuz), Elite / Fanatical, 12.5 FP
Gunzberg Eagles – 1st Tactical Air Wing – Elite / Fanatical, 37.5
While the Ravens have a skill / BV Advantage, they are still most likely outgunned as they face off against 2 Battleships and a Battlecruiser with 3 Battlecruisers
CSR Bid 89 FP
On a quick review of the Hellion sheet, it looks like we will have to use the Vorzel Method for the fighter combat, since the Hellion tables are not in compliance with the game rules (there are a number of heavy fighters on the medium table, among other things) unless someone wants to go through and hand-fix the tables to match the BV with legal choices.
If you'd prefer to simple rez this one, that's OK with me, since that will reduce the need for a lot of rules paperwork headaches.
As I have no marines to take ships with, that works for me. I had 1 Aesir in there as well, :) I realize the ship is not playable in the current set up. :P Can't wait until the next one ;)
ND Combat Roll
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 6, 1, total 7[/blockquote]
CIH combat roll
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 1, 5, total 6[/blockquote]
Without a Critical, there's no way to reduce damage to the ships so I will put up the warship survival rolls now.
Conqueror
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 4, 3, total 7[/blockquote]
Cameron
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 6, 4, total 10[/blockquote]
Soyuz
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 3, 2, total 5[/blockquote]
Survival rolls, in order: Cage's Pride II, Simmer of Trust, Vicious Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 1, 2, total 3
Rolled 2d6 : 2, 1, total 3
Rolled 2d6 : 2, 3, total 5[/blockquote]
(the McKenna Curse strikes again!!!)
The following damage is needed to get direct-damage kills on the CIH ships:
Cage: 13
SOT: 11.75
VA: 16.5
Damage should be split between Cage and SOT first since they failed by the most, with any leftover damage going to VA.
By my count, ND inflicted 35.5 FP after rounding, so...
Cage's Pride II -- sunk
Simmer of Trust -- sunk
Vicious Attack -- survives
With the centerpiece of their fleet a burning wreck, Clan Ice Hellion begins preparations to evacuate the star system.
Scavenger crews check out the hull of the Storm Crow and the Battleships.
Salvagability Rolls
No Megamek: 10+ needed
Soyuz
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 3, 6, total 9[/blockquote]
McKenna
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 1, 6, total 7[/blockquote]
Atreus
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 1, 1, total 2[/blockquote]
OP1
ND: 89 FP
CIH: 62.25 FP
ND Rolls: 7 = 40%
CIH Rolls: 6 = 30%
No Crits
ND Deals 89 * .4 = 35.5 Damage to CIH
CIH Deals 62.25 * .3 = 18.75 Damage to ND
ND: 89 – 18.75 + 2 = 72.25
CIH: 62.25 – 35.5 + 3.5 = 30.25
CSRS Ark Royal (Conqueror), Elite / Fanatical, 25 – 2 + 2 = 25 FP
CSRS Ice Storm (Cameron), Elite / Fanatical, 14 – 1.25 = FP
CSRS Storm Crow (Sovetskii Soyuz), Elite / Fanatical, 12.5 – 12.5 - 0 FP Destroyed
Gunzberg Eagles – 1st Tactical Air Wing – Elite / Fanatical, 37.5 – 3 = 34.5 FP
CIHS Cage's Pride II (McKenna Clan), R/R, 34.00 – 18 = 16 FP (Survivors)
CIHS Simmer of Trust (Atreus), R/R, 11.75 – 11.75 = 0 FP Destroyed
CIHS Vicious Attack (Black Lion SLDF), R/R, 16.50 – 10.75 + 3.5 = 14.25 FP
The New Dominion grants Hegira for the Clan Ice Hellion forces in the trial.
The New Dominion grants Safcon for the Clan Ice Hellion forces of Star's End.
Salvage Pool is 54.25
Salvage Roll
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6+15 : 2, 2 + 15, total 19[/blockquote]
54.25 * .19 = 10.25
3 FP (30%) is applied to bring the Gunzberg Eagles back up to full. 7.25 is Banked.
"Warriors of the Ice Hellions. You have our ears regarding the offer to join the New Dominion. At this point, we are not concerned with the opinions of the Lyrans on accepting you into the New Dominion, or your lack of size. Unless the Grand Council decrees that you are to be absorbed, by my honor, we shall not bring up the subject again. Should you accept, there would be no need to abandon Star's End. Everyone needs a roost."
"Star Admiral, you fought with honor and skill this day and we salute that. However, your offer is a matter that shall be deliberated by our Warrior Council. In the absence of a final decision, honor demands that we leave your prize to you. One way or another, I promise you that we shall return."
"Seyla, until then. We grant you and yours Safcon. Know that the people of Star's End are in good hands."