Fleet Tournament: Rick Kaloo vs Sko'saht

[Jorus Merrill]

Spoiler

Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/4v1vW

[member="Rick Kaloo"] vs [member="Sko'saht"]

The tournament simulation is extremely detailed. Every element of your starship, all the void beyond, each gesture and comment of your crew - it all seems real. Your starfleet is drawn from historical designs, the kind that still see use here and there in the Outer Rim. You command:

• 1 x Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II (simplified loadout: 12 TIE Bombers, 24 TIE Interceptors, 36 TIE Fighters, assorted dropships/shuttles)
• 1 x Nebulon-B Frigate (24 TIE Fighters)
• 1 x Escort Carrier (simplified loadout: 12 TIE Bombers, 24 TIE Interceptors, 36 TIE Fighters, 6 shuttles)
• 2 x Lancer Frigate (2 shuttles each)

Your enemy has the exact same starship types. You've given all your ships their own names; naturally, they're better than the names your opponent chose for the enemy fleet.

The scenario is fairly straightforward. You will battle at the edge of an asteroid field, some distance from twin planets - one a waterworld, the other desolate. Most of the asteroids are quite small (damaging to capital ship shields; lethal to starfighters) but two larger ones orbit close together in unsteady equlibrium. For the most part, your field of battle is foreseen to be just the asteroids.

OOC/ The battle will last one week, or until one of you concedes, or longer if both of you agree. If one of you fails to post within the first two days, a new opponent will be subbed in. Rick will start at the left side; Sko'saht will start at the right side. You can assume that standard weapons range is about half the length of the image. Victory/defeat should be pretty straightforward for you to determine between yourselves; I'll pick a winner if both of you feel you've won.

 

[Rick Kaloo]

[member="Jorus Merrill"]

Shall I start the thread on this post?

 

[Sko'saht]

Sko'saht stood on the bridge of his ISD eyeing the tactical map before him. Even though this was only simulated he still wore his light armour. Clicking his mandibles together he considered the situation. His ships had started with the ISD in the rear, the carrier off to the left flank and the Nebulon B to his right. The Lancer frigates formed a pincer to the front.

It wasn't a bad formation and with an asteroid field between his fleet and his opponents there was risk of an immediate attack. This would be changing soon however. Tapping the display he began quickly reorganizing his fleet. Leaving the Lancers the front to provide anti-fighter support he ordered the carrier to take a new position underneath the rear of his ISD while the frigate made it's way to the left a little ways out. It was a vulnerable position not being covered by the fleet but it did allow more flexibility.

As the ships began maneuvering into their positions three squadrons of TIE fighters consisting of twelve TIEs each. One squadron cut to the left to escort the Nebulon B while the two others began to screen the right side of the fleet. One of the squadrons would fly a few hundred meters above the level of the ISD while the other would fly a few hundred meters below the level of the carrier.

Two squadrons consisting of eight TIE Interceptors would also be launched and begin making their way over and under the asteroid field in order to get better sensor data on the opposing fleet and relay it to the command ISD which Sko'saht was on. With the asteroid field between them they probably wouldn't be able to support each other very effectively however the speed would likely make up for that vulnerability.

Spoiler

Fleet:

• 1 x Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II 12 TIE Bombers, 24 TIE Interceptors, 36 TIE Fighters - In Hanger
• 1 x Nebulon-B Frigate (24 TIE Fighters) - In Hanger
• 1 x Escort Carrier (12 TIE Bombers, 6 shuttles) - Hanger (24x TIE Interceptors, 36x TIE Fighters) - Deployed
• 2 x Lancer Frigate (2 shuttles each)

Spoiler

Actions taken:
Fleet movement - Carrier positioned underneath the ISD, Nebulon-B Frigate positioned to the far left flank of the ISD, two Lancer Frigates positioned to the front of the ISD on either side of the nose.
Fighter movement - BARCAP established with three squadrons of TIE fighters, one squadron of TIE Interceptors sent over the asteroid field, one squadron of TIE Interceptors sent under the asteroid field.

[member="Rick Kaloo"] [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Rick Kaloo]

Rick was likely not as skilled in a starship as his opponent, but Rick could put up a good fight. On the bridge of his ISD (Canary), he examined the battlefield and began to focus on battle. Defense was the best offense, and starting in defense would give Rick some time to examine his attacker's form of assault. He ordered his escort carrier to go behind the Canary, have the two Lancers go about a kilometer to the left and right of the Destroyer, and have the Lupius about half a kilometer below the Star Destroyer.

While the fleet was slowly entering the formation, a squad (12 each) of TIE Interceptors and two squads of TIE Fighters emerged from the underbelly of the Canary. The Flonn also released a squad of Interceptors and two squads of Fighters. One of the Interceptor squads covered the Lupius, and one covered the Canary. One TIE Fighter squad covered the Lancers, one squad around the Nebulon, and another around the Star Destroyer. The fourth squad went forward near the asteroids to scout, as well as being the first line of defense. The other starfighters circled the craft they were escorting, preparing for an assault. The other half of the starfighters in the fleet would be saved for a particularly difficult defense.

On the capital ships, the Lancer crews started manning their guns, as well as the Nebulons. Even though the Destroyer's turbolasers and ion cannons couldn't accurately target starfighters, they were prepared just in case any of the larger ships came along.

Spoiler: Fleet

• 1 x Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II (Canary)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power
• Compliment: 12 TIE Bombers, 24 TIE Interceptors, 36 TIE Fighters - Two squads Fighters deployed, one squad Interceptors
• 1 x Nebulon-B Frigate (Lupius)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: Maneuvering (1/4 power)
• Compliment: 24 TIE Fighters - In Hangar
• 1 x Escort Carrier (Flonn)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: Maneuvering (1/4 power)
• Compliment: 12 TIE Bombers, 6 shuttles, 24x TIE Interceptors, 36x TIE Fighters - Two squads Fighters deployed, one squad Interceptors.
• 2 x Lancer Frigate
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: Maneuvering (1/4 power)
• Compliment: 2 shuttles each - In Hangar

Spoiler: Actions

Put fleet into formation
Grouped starfighters in escort or scouting positions

[member="Sko'saht"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Sko'saht]

Sko'saht's antennae twitched together as he watched the tactical screen. This was going to be interesting. His opponent seemed to be holding position and taking a more defensive stance. This wasn't ideal as the Verpine Woodhaven much preferred to see in which direction his opponent decided to take around the asteroids. There might be a way to force his opponents hand however.

Selecting the TIE Interceptor squadron that was going under the field and separated it. Now in two groups of four fighters each they split to be two kilometers away from each other. Vectoring them in he ordered the fighters to begin a low approach on the enemy fleet.

Spoiler

Fleet:

• 1 x Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II 12 TIE Bombers, 24 TIE Interceptors, 36 TIE Fighters - In Hanger
• 1 x Nebulon-B Frigate (24 TIE Fighters) - In Hanger
• 1 x Escort Carrier (12 TIE Bombers, 6 shuttles) - Hanger (24x TIE Interceptors, 36x TIE Fighters) - Deployed
• 2 x Lancer Frigate (2 shuttles each)

 

[Rick Kaloo]

Rick scanned his surroundings, looking for enemy activity. Suddenly, he noticed two groups of four enemy Interceptors flying toward his fleet. Rick sent the scouting party to engage, splitting it into two groups of six. The rest of the squads were to remain in defense in case a greater attack came. The fleet, having have finally maneuvered into their positions, stopped their forward momentum and slowly reversed to completely halt the ships.

(Sorry for the short post, there isn't much to start on)

Spoiler: Fleet

• 1 x Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II (Canary)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power (Reverse)
• Compliment: 12 TIE Bombers, 24 TIE Interceptors, 36 TIE Fighters - Two squads Fighters deployed, one squad Interceptors
• 1 x Nebulon-B Frigate (Lupius)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power (Reverse)
• Compliment: 24 TIE Fighters - In Hangar
• 1 x Escort Carrier (Flonn)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power (Reverse)
• Compliment: 12 TIE Bombers, 6 shuttles, 24x TIE Interceptors, 36x TIE Fighters - Two squads Fighters deployed, one squad Interceptors.
• 2 x Lancer Frigate
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power (Reverse)
• Compliment: 2 shuttles each - In Hangar

Spoiler: Actions

Put fleet into formation
Grouped starfighters in escort or scouting positions
Sent split scouting squad after enemy split Interceptor squad
Fleet sent into reverse to halt movements

[member="Sko'saht"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Sko'saht]

The Verpine clacked his mandibles in satisfaction, he now knew his enemy. His opponent kept his main force back in a defensive measure, however when confronted with a threat he did what any average commander who wasn't thinking far ahead into the engagement would. He had only sent forwards TIE fighter squadron to confront the TIE Interceptors. Ordering the small squadron of TIE Interceptors up they shot into the very edge of the asteroid field. Now the only safe way to approach them for the enemy fighters was from below and head on. Now he was left with a choice, keep the Interceptors in position to engage, pull back and keep the valuable Interceptors safe.

Going with the third option Sko turned the fighters around exposing their vulnerable six to the enemy fighters, as they turned the two groups began to separate as well. Going at only a quarter of their normal speed the enemy TIEs could easily catch them. With a six kilometers between them the fighter groups also wouldn't be able to support each other terribly effectively either. It was a very juicy target for any commander and likely would seem like a good choice to attack. If it was a trap then the losses would only be twelve TIE fighters at the most, if not then the potential to bag eight TIE Interceptors was quite the gain early on.

Meanwhile Sko began to plan ahead. He ordered all twelve of the bombers from the carrier to his Star Destroyer. At the same time he ordered the computer aboard his ISD to begin running the jump calculations for several micro jumps. If the enemy wasn't going to come to him he'd have to go to the enemy and concentrate his firepower. It wasn't ideal to be facing an enemy that had exactly the same strengths as you but it also meant he knew the enemies weaknesses.

Ordering his thirty-six launched TIE fighters together he began grouping them up at the front of his fleet. While they would take a minute to regroup and arrange into a proper formation as soon as they did they would begin making their way under the asteroid field. While such a large formation would be easy to pick up on scanners it would call attention and force the enemy to act. That many fighters was a threat to a fleet even if the fleet was protected by anti-fighter frigates like Lancer's.

Spoiler

Fleet:

• 1 x Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II (24 TIE Bombers, 24 TIE Interceptors, 36 TIE Fighters) - In Hanger
• 1 x Nebulon-B Frigate (24 TIE Fighters) - In Hanger
• 1 x Escort Carrier (6 shuttles) - Hanger (24x TIE Interceptors, 36x TIE Fighters) - Deployed
• 2 x Lancer Frigate (2 shuttles each)

[member="Rick Kaloo"] I [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Rick Kaloo]

Rick scanned his surroundings, looking for any enemy reactions. The Interceptors turned around and slowed down. It could be a trap, but six Interceptors destroyed was a good gain early on. As the squad of TIE Fighters flew over to meet the enemy Interceptors, Rick suddenly realized that there were thirty-six fighters heading in formation. "Scouting group, engage the Interceptors as quickly as possible! Then withdraw before the enemy main squads come!"

The scouting TIE Fighters zoomed downward, starting to lock targets and get closer and closer to firing range.This was going to be a fun fight.

Spoiler: Fleet

• 1 x Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II (Canary)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power (Reverse)
• Compliment: 12 TIE Bombers, 24 TIE Interceptors, 36 TIE Fighters - Two squads Fighters deployed, one squad Interceptors
• 1 x Nebulon-B Frigate (Lupius)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power (Reverse)
• Compliment: 24 TIE Fighters - In Hangar
• 1 x Escort Carrier (Flonn)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power (Reverse)
• Compliment: 12 TIE Bombers, 6 shuttles, 24x TIE Interceptors, 36x TIE Fighters - Two squads Fighters deployed, one squad Interceptors.
• 2 x Lancer Frigate (Keep and Heap)
• Shields: 100%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/8 power (Reverse)
• Compliment: 2 shuttles each - In Hangar

Spoiler: Actions

Put fleet into formation
Grouped starfighters in escort or scouting positions
Sent split scouting squad after enemy split Interceptor squad
Fleet sent into reverse to halt movements
Scouting squad told to retreat if main enemy starfighter force came

[member="Sko'saht"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Sko'saht]

As the TIE fighters closed on the Interceptors the Interceptors began to turn away from each other and begin to accelerate. Leading the fighters further and further apart from each other they became more and more vulnerable. If the fighters turned to flee from the incoming swarm of enemy TIEs the Interceptors would simply wheel about and get on their six. At the same time they wouldn't be able to catch the Interceptors thanks to lacking the speed the Interceptors enjoyed.

While this game was going on the computer finished processing the calculations for two micro jumps. One would take them to the edge of the system and the second would bring the Star Destroyer close to the rear of the enemy fleet. Confident that the initial stages of his plan were going well Sko passed the jump data to one of the Lancer frigates along with the updated orders to the rest of the fleet. While one Lancer would accompany the Star Destroyer as an escort the Nebulon-B and remaining Lancer would begin to approach the main enemy fleet. The swarm of TIEs would fly straight into the jaws of the enemy fleet concentrating on swarming the enemy fighters and straffing the Lancer frigates as they passed. With this done Sko gave the order to jump and watched the tunnel of hyperspace open before him.

[member="Rick Kaloo"] I [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Rick Kaloo]

As the Interceptors zoomed away, Rick realized this was a trap. Letting his first TIE squad simply fly out and engage the enemy, he had all the other deployed squads circle within range of the fleet's batteries, and then attack when the enemies were within range of those batteries. Within moments, the battlefield came to life. All of the Canary's guns started firing, followed by the Lupius and then the Keep and Heap all fired upon the enemy. Rick starfighters engaged the enemies, flak assisting his efforts.

As Rick watched the battle unfold in front of him, he started tracking the enemy fleet of capital ships too. They started to move forward, accelerate, and then the enemy ISD and Lancer were gone. Rick realized at once what was going to happen, a microjump out of the area and then flanking. However, Rick was familiar with this kind of strategy. "Move the fleet 90 degrees to the left! The enemy are going to flank!" he yelled out to his officers. The fleet went into maneuvering speed again, still returning fire onto the enemy starfighters.

Spoiler: Fleet

• 1 x Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II (Canary)
• Shields: 91%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/6 power (Maneuvering)
• Compliment: 12/12 TIE Bombers (In hangar), 6/6 shuttles (In hangar), 21/24 TIE Interceptors (overall), 9/12 TIE Interceptors (deployed), 22/36 TIE Fighters (overall), 10/24 TIE Fighters (deployed)
• 1 x Nebulon-B Frigate (Lupius)
• Shields: 93%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/6 power (Maneuvering)
• Compliment: 24/24 TIE Fighters (In Hangar)
• 1 x Escort Carrier (Flonn)
• Shields: 94%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/6 power (Maneuvering)
• Compliment: 12/12 TIE Bombers (In hangar), 6/6 shuttles (In hangar), 19/24 TIE Interceptors (overall), 7/12 TIE Interceptors (deployed), 23/36 TIE Fighters (overall), 11/24 TIE Fighters (deployed)
• 2 x Lancer Frigate (Keep and Heap)
• Keep Shields: 87%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/6 power (Maneuvering)
• Heap Shields: 93%, Armor: 100%, Engines: 1/6 power (Maneuvering)
• Compliment (Both combined): 4/4 shuttles (In hangar)

Spoiler: Actions

Put fleet into formation
Grouped starfighters in escort or scouting positions
Sent split scouting squad after enemy split Interceptor squad
Fleet sent into reverse to halt movements
Scouting squad told to retreat if main enemy starfighter force came
Scouting squad abandoned
Enemy force engaged by starfighters and capital ship weapons
Whole fleet moved 90 degrees left

[member="Sko'saht"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Sko'saht]

The Interceptors did a sudden sharp turn. Pilots pulling hard G they came back on their enemy and began firing from out of range. With 24 cannons laying down fire while still out of range they greatly encouraged the enemy TIE pilots to break off their head on. If they kept going straight they would find themselves in the middle of a stream of laser cannon fire but if they did break they would find Interceptors on their six. What didn't help was the 36 TIE fighters closing in as well. They wouldn't directly engage this small squadron but rather rush past to get into the middle of the enemy fleet. It was a near suicidal act if they hoped to prolong the engagement but once inside the enemy fleet the Lancers that would be shooting at their approach would suddenly find themselves being forced to fire into the paths of friendly ships and fighters.

Sko's small fleet meanwhile would have dropped out of hyperspace at the edge of the system. With the computer having already started making the calculations to get back it would only take a moment to wheel about and bring the nose pointed to the enemy fleet. The bombers in the hanger where being prepared with Proton Rockets. With 24 being TIE bombers being loaded with eight each it would be extremely hard to shoot down enough of the rockets before critical damage was done to the enemy SD. To complement them the full fighter complement left in the SD would also be launched to provide escort and interception of enemy fighters.

Finally the Nebulon-B and Lancer would be making their way under the asteroid field using it to shield them fro enemy fighters and sensors. They would be a fair ways behind the fighters racing ahead of them but would be in a position to flank once the main attack had started.

[member="Rick Kaloo"] I [member="Jorus Merrill"]