Stardate 2365.02.11 (Thursday - 42143.8 )
USS Peregrine; Shuttle Sierra One – 11:12

The shuttle sat in position, “The Coronado is still movin’ int’ attack position.” Megan nervously pointed out.”An’a that be straight down our throat.”

As they watched the Peregrine roared to life and the frigate rapidly closed the gap between itself and the menacing shape of the Coronado. 

 
Reid had opened the comm so the crew listened in to what was happening.

=/="Captain, the Coronado has locked on to a Kuldar vessel and is closing to optimal firing range." =/= The Ops officer's voice was understandably tight.

“That must be the one behind us, they probably don’t even see us here.” Reid mumbled.

Megan’s hand moved slowly as she slides the little craft’s shields to full. “It much but an’a shield is better than none.”

Drake’s voice came over the comm,  =/= "Lieutenant Berk, lock our phasers on the Coronado.  Are those calculations complete?" =/=

The TAC officer Berk=/="Aye, Captain.  Phasers are locked on.  Calculations are complete." =/=

=/="Captain, the Coronado is charging her phasers!" =/= Lasad interjected.

After a short pause, =/= "Mister Berk, fire." =/=

An orange-red beam leapt from the Peregrine and lit up the shields protecting the Coronado, and within seconds was joined by two more. The older Miranda class vessel's deflectors gamely tried their best, dissipating the energy around the surface of the shield bubble, but they were no match for the Saber class frigate's damage output.  The Peregrine kept the energy pouring out, and within a startlingly small window, the diplomatic ship's shields collapsed and she pitched to the side.

=/="Target shields are down, Captain," Berk spoke,  "Minor hull damage inflicted." =/=

The crew of small craft could only watch and wait. “Nice shooting.”John commented.

Lasad spoke.  =/="We are being hailed from the Coronado," =/=

 
Captain Jacobs spat, =/="You filthy piece of dog s…You treacherous bastard!" ……. "When this is over, I will hang you myself!" =/=

Lasad spoke up.  =/="Captain, the Coronado is changing course, she's coming around." =/=

Watching the large ship change course the young pilot let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Berk joined in, a note of panic in his voice.  =/="Captain, they have locked phasers on us... they are firing!" =/=

“Sweet Mother of Glory what do be think’n…they ain’t got no shields and Peregrine can rip up.”

An instant later, =/="Direct hit, sir!  Shields are holding." Lasad reported.  "No physical damage, shields at ninety-two percent." =/=

Berk spoke up again.  =/="Captain, the Coronado is charging for another shot..." =/=

Drake's voice cut through the chaos.  =/="Captain Jacobs, stop this madness at once,… This has gone far enough!" =/=

The shuttle watched as the deck pitched again. =/= "Another direct hit, sir," the OPS chief reported.  "Shields are holding, down to eighty-three percent." =/=

Over the comm they heard, Jacobs sneere.  =/="What a surprise.  The coward is not prepared to deal with the repercussions of his actions.  Did you honestly think that I would be bullied by the likes of you, mister Drake?" =/=

Once again, the deck pitched.  =/="Captain!" =/=The Risan OPS chief exclaimed.  =/="Sir, one of the shield generators has failed!  Backup coming online, overall shield capacity down to fifty-nine percent!" =/=

Reid started to feel that if continued to play out they just be the last Star Fleet vessel left in the area.

=/="Lieutenant Berk," Drake spoke calmly, "lock phasers on the Coronado.  Target their phaser bank.  On my mark, remove their offensive capabilities, please." =/=

=/="Phasers locked on, sir," Berk reported.  "Captain, you do know that with no defector shields, even localized phaser damage will likely cause loss of life aboard the Coronado." =/=

Once again the shuttle crew hung on the pause, they knew that their fate also hung on the next actions.



=/="Captain Joshua Jacobs," Silas spoke aloud in a measured, almost disinterested tone, "as lawful commander of this battle group, I hereby find you unfit for duty.  You are relieved of command of the USS Coronado, effective immediately.  Commander Bethany Farr will now assume command of your vessel.  My phasers are locked onto your own; if you do not comply, I will render your weapons useless.  If that is not sufficient incentive to ensure your acquiescence, I will move on from there to cripple your engines." =/=

The strain in Jacobs voice was telling.  =/="You wouldn't dare!" he shouted.  "Even your treason does not run this deep!  Our shields are down, thanks to you!  If you fire on this vessel, you will surely kill Starfleet personnel!" =/=

 =/="You are correct, Captain... and I will regret each and every one of their deaths for the short remainder of my own life.  But you leave me no choice.  I cannot allow you to harm my own personnel, nor can I allow you to kill innocent Kuldarians."  Drake’s voice deadly calm, he continued. "You have ten seconds to comply." =/=

Reid turned to crew, “Strap in…this may be go badly…..”

Jacobs sputtered in fury.  =/="I... I will do no such thing!  You are bluffing!  You will lose your commission, your freedom, your life!  For what?  Some ignorant, backwater sentients too stupid to take advantage of the dilithium under their noses?  Why, I will…"=/=

=/="Your time is up.  Mister Berk, fire on the Coronado pha..." =/=

=/="STOP!" =/= rang a feminine voice from the bridge of the Coronado.  =/="Captain Jacobs, I relieve you.  Please leave the bridge at once." =/= Commander Farr’s voice rang clear.

=/="Not now, Farr!" =/=Jacobs roared.  =/="I don't have time for your nonsense right now, I..." =/=

Commander Farr interrupted.  =/="Captain, I must insist.  …Ensign Phillips will escort you to your quarters, sir.  Please do not force us to stun you." =/=

Nurse Toriak raised an eye brow.

Jacobs gaped, =/="You will burn for this," =/=he spat.  =/="The both of you." =/=

Farr’s voice sounded tired, =/="Phasers off line, Lewis.  Helm, all stop."  "What are your orders, Captain Drake?" =/=

=/="Hold position for now.  Let's see if we can still salvage this thing.  Drake out." =/=

A momentary feeling of relief came over the shuttle….then…..

=/="Captain, several ships from both sides are moving to engage one another. =/=”  Lasad reported =/=Weapon systems are armed... it's about to become a full battle out there." =/=

“Oh crap………..” John blurted. “ Megan get us between those forces, keep the shields but expose our broadsides….we have to appear neutral…but be ready power up phasers.”

Sierra One banked sharply as Petty Officer Owen once again work her magic.   



=/="NOW HEAR THIS!" Drake bellowed.  "This is Captain Drake of the USS Peregrine.  All Rytain and Kuldar forces will stand down AT ONCE.  Power down your weapons systems and hold your positions!  This is a peace summit, and as God is my witness, there WILL be peace talks - terrorist attack or no!  If any vessel makes an aggressive move of any sort, I will cut through it like paper.  The delegations will proceed as planned to the rendezvous at the station, OR ELSE.  Drake out." =/=


=/="Captain, it worked!" Dio exclaimed. "all vessels have powered down their weapons." =/=

Silas sighed ever so slightly.  =/="Inform the Coronado to resume their original path to the station.  Offer the Rytain our assistance in their rescue and recovery efforts; we can dispatch another shuttle if they want our help.  Lieutenant Zai, lay in a course for the station; I want these diplomats off my ship." =/=

Reid chuckled at that last comment, he guess Capt’n Drake hadn’t interned for it to over the comm.

Clicking on Sierra’s comm, “Reid to Berk”.  A moment later, =/=Berk here. =/=

“Sir tell the Captain we are in position to aid….. we await orders…..by the way….nice shooting…Sir”

Got the post started from shuttle. Got pulled away but may get it yet tonight.

Olan the storey king is back.

If things go well tonight I'll add a little from the shuttle.

Reid seeing the two Star Fleet ships go at each other and wondering if their shuttle might be the last SF vessel left.

Seeing and hearing the stand down and Farr taking command he would position them between the two alien forces as they moved toward each other.

He'd expose a broadside to each force to maintain nutrality. Shield's up, hope washing away. He'd send a message to the Chief  and Berk to be sure all the recordings of actions had been sent to SF security as standard prodical. That would possible aid Drake as a review of facts when to time comes.

As the the aliens back off he will turn to move damaged vessal from the sneak attack to offer aid.

So Olan if I don't get my post up that is my take on Reid's POV if you want expand.

Cool...was wondering if Reid and the shuttle survived.

Alrighty then..... that took a turn for the better.

So I'll get some filler in too.

Ah...once again the mighty "Hatman" prevails...................

Post is up.

Now if Miss Stephanie can get Petrie stable they just might let her go,,and with Asher with her now it won't be easy to harm her.

So they might just be able to walk out and leave Petrie to Doc Amber, call back to the Roc to send someone to get them.

Of course there is always the option that Miss Stephanie can convience them to save Petrie let him come with them on Roc where she can treat him and bring him back later..........

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Doctor’s Office, 10:00 AM PT

Captain Hewlett delivered Ash to the Doctor’s office as quick as he could but by the time they got there Miss Stephanie had gott’n her patient moved into the Doctor’s office and the door was closed. Asher saw four men surrounding the building and more out front with Patience and Reverand. The Kid was figuring how he could get inside. He was worried for a moment but then the Governor called her four men over to talk to them. Taking the opportunity that presented itself, Asher swiftly moved into the building.

The waiting room was that same as any other out of the way doctor office that Asher had ever visited. He nearly expected to see Doc McGuire come walking to greet him. A very pretty young lady with brown hair was busy packing things into her purse, when she looked up at Asher. “Oh! You can’t see the doctor right now. You best be off, come by later. Even I have been told to go home.”

“Yes’um, I was just supposed to pick sumpthin up. Won’t take but a minute.”

“Well don’t be here when her Governship comes back. She’s already sore about the Lady Doctor taking over and talking down to her.  I’m going home now, you best do so too.” and with that she heads for the door in a hurry.

There are two doors in the room, one being open to an examining room and another being closed and from within Asher can hear Dr. Young chiding someone for not keeping up with the times in the medical practice.

There were sounds outside and footsteps on the steps outside. The men were coming back and at least two of them were heading into the office.

It wouldn’t go well to have them Governor’s lackies knowing Ash was here and it factually it would be better for Doc them thinking she was on her own. Following Stephanie’s voice Ash opened the door and quickly stepped in. Stephanie looked over, “I told you to get back to the boat and let Captain Sung know I’d be delayed. I don’t need a baby sitter, I need adequate medical facilities, if we could just get him my medical bay.”  Stephanie switched her glair to Doctor Amber. “Maybe you can talk some sence into them folks to transfer him to our boat to save this man's life. This going to be challenging enough in this prehistoric theater without…..

“Miss Stephanie”, Ash interrupted, “This ain’t no baby sitting, that woman‘s got this place covered with her thugs. There's two outside this door and four more around the building. They don’t care none that you are known to half the verse, if Patience says you’re dead, you’re dead. Doc Amber or no Doc Amber you would just disappear… I ain’t going to make it easy for them. …. Now I ain’t gonna get in your way none but I ain’t gonna git either.”

“Well then just stay over there by the door and try not to knock anything over,” Stephanie growled.

“Yes, Miss Stephanie.” The kid stepped back and started looking through the glass front case standing near the corner. He’d remember Doc McGuire had spent time showing him his stuff while he recovered from them shots in the back. Later Ash figured it was a way for Doc McGuire to keep a constant watch on him without let’n on how bad thing really was. There was sompthin he recalled that was used to put folks to sleep..cloro-sumpthin.. As he eyed the bottles he saw one reading Chloroform. When the Doc’s turned their backs to him he slipped the bottle and a small bunch cloth pads into his dusters pocket. “May be a way to take down a couple of them guards without having to shoot um”, he thought to himself.

Got a post started, should have it up tomorrow night.

Memorial Day 2018:

Again this year on Saturday morning we once again gathered at Western Reserve National Cemetery to honor and respect the final resting place for many of those that have served in this nation's Armed Forces. I am now one of only two people (the last volunteer) that have attended every memorial decoration ceremony since the cemetery was opened. I am blessed to still be able to attend and honor those who have served. This includes my father who had served in WWII and was interred here in 2003.

After the memorial service the group of several hundred volunteers made up of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and civic groups placed flags on about 40,000 grave sites. With that much support it took about 45 minutes.

I have been reminded by some that must remain correct that Memorial Day is to remeber those that died in combat. That Veteren's Day is for honoring all who served and that Armed Forces Day is for those currently active.

I believe that given the chance we owe showing our gratitude to all who serve or served on this national day of recognition, including those of other countries that stand with and by us in times of great need.

I hope many of you will take a moment to remember and say "Thank You" to those that served.



"Thank You."

Love it, love it love it.......

Another goodie for the peeps.......

Ok...so make up a dire fluffy bunny.........

So make it a young one.......

I guess I'm too use to playing in Albert and Randy's games....

They can always  RUN AWAY....

Did a search and I guess this is in the second 5.0 monster manual......

A U R U M V O R A X

Small beast, neutral

Lions and tigers and what the heck is that..............

Aurumvorax

CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate hills

FREQUENCY: Very rare

ORGANIZATION: Solitary

ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day

DIET: Carnivore (see below)

INTELLIGENCE: Animal (1)

TREASURE: Special

ALIGNMENT: Neutral

NO. APPEARING: 1

ARMOR CLASS: 0

MOVEMENT: 9, Br 3

HIT DICE: 12

THAC0: 9

NO. OF ATTACKS: 1

DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-8

SPECIAL ATTACKS: 2-8 claws for 2-8 each

SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil

SIZE: S (3' long)

MORALE: Fearless (19-20)

XP VALUE: 9,000

Despite being only the size of a large badger, the aurumvorax, or ``golden gorger,'' is an incredibly dangerous creature. The animal is covered with coarse golden hair and has small silver eyes with golden pupils. It has eight powerful legs that end in 3-inch-long copper claws. The aurumvorax's shoulders are massively muscled while its heavy jaw is full of coppery teeth.

The creature weighs over 500 pounds. This incredible density provides the animal with much of its natural protection. This, combined with its speed, power, and sheer viciousness, makes it one of the most dangerous species yet known.

Combat: The aurumvorax charges any creature that enters its territory, causing a -3 to opponents' surprise rolls if attacking from its den. A female of the species receives a +2 bonus to attack rolls when guarding her young.

The creature bites at its prey until it hits, clamping its massive jaws onto the victim and doing 2-8 hit points of damage. After it hits, the aurumvorax locks its jaws and hangs on, doing an additional 8 points of damage per round until either the aurumvorax or its enemy is dead. Only death will cause the aurumvorax to relax its grip.

Once its jaws lock, the golden gorger also rakes its victim with 2-8 of its legs, causing 2-8 hit points of damage per additional hit. An opponent who is held by an aurumvorax receives no dexterity adjustment to Armor Class.

Due to its incredibly dense hide and bones, the aurumvorax takes only half damage from blunt weapons. It is immune to the effects of small, normal fires and takes only half damage from magical fires. Neither poison nor gasses have any effect on the sturdy creature.

Habitat/Society: The aurumvorax makes its solitary home in light forests, hills, and at the timberline on mountainsides. An aurumvorax chooses a likely spot and then uses its powerfully clawed legs to create a burrow, sometimes into solid rock.

Due to their unusual dietary needs, aurumvorae make their lairs in spots that either contain rich veins of gold ore or are very near to an area where gold is readily available.

The aurumvorax is a solitary creature which jealously guards its territory, even from others of its kind. The only time adult aurumvorae willingly meet is during mating season, which occurs approximately every eight years.

The pair will stay together for a week or two before the male returns to his territory and the female prepares for the birth of her kits. A litter of 1d6+2 kits is born four months after mating.

For the first two weeks of life, the kits are blind and hairless. They must be fed both meat and precious ores, including gold, in order to survive. It is unusual for more than 1-2 of the strongest kits to survive. If a kit is found and ``adopted'' before its eyes are open, it can be tamed and trained.

Dwarves tend to dislike aurumvorae, though some communities have been known to raise one or more of the beasts for use in sniffing out veins of ore.

Ecology: In order to survive, the aurumvorax supplements its carnivorous diet with quantities of gold. The ability to digest and utilize gold and other ores makes it possible for the creature to develop the dense fur, hide, and bones that protect it so well.

If an aurumvorax is killed with a minimum of cutting damage to its hide, the hide may be turned into a garment of incredible strength and beauty worth 15,000-20,000 gold pieces. The garment will also protect its wearer as armor, the specific Armor Class depending on the size of the aurumvorax. A garment with AC 2 weighs 50 pounds, one with AC 3 weighs 40 pounds, and one with AC 4 weighs 30 pounds.

The wearer also receives a +4 bonus on saving throws vs. normal fires and a +2 bonus on saving throws vs. magical fire.

If an aurumvorax is burned in a forge, approximately 150-200 pounds of gold are left behind. This burning process is very difficult and usually takes between one and two weeks to perform. Of course, the hide may be removed before the creature is burned; if burned at the same time, the hide will provide an additional 21-40 (1d20+20) pounds of gold.

The aurumvorax's teeth and claws are also prized for decoration, and can bring up to 1 gp each on the open market.

Sorry it took a week to finally get it together enough to work the post.

Should have done it last Sunday morning while it was quiet around here.

Between work and home the week just got away from me.

Seems I'd sit and read some stuff on FB and the next thing it seemed the evening was gone.

Had board meeting at our plant during the week and our ISO management audit.

Sooooo....went for the POV rewrite. Nothing like stealing Roger's words and then editing.

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Church, 9:40 AM PT

Asher cleared the crowd to see Stephanie kneeling before Petrie who seemed to have collapsed. Stephanie had her hands on his arm and shoulder and her eyes seemed to be unfocused.

Reverend Tubbs pushed his way through the crowd, “What’s going on? Petrie! Get up boy!”

“He can’t.” the Doctor replied, “He has multiple external lacerations on his back and lower regions that have hemorrhaged internally. He has lost a lot of blood, he needs to get to a hospital.”

The kid made his way closer, he just had a feeling Miss Stephanie would need someone watching her back. Just then the Rev stepped up….

“Excuse me little lady, but my son just needs to man up a bit. Now leave him to…”

The Doc barely looked as she snapped back.

“Your son will be dead if you keep arguing with me, your a very stupid man. I am Dr. Stephanie Young and I am a medical doctor.”

As a murmur rustles through the crowd Asher hears more than a few recognize the name.

The Rev started to get uppity, “Now listen her …”

Miss Stephanie was opening up her doctor’s pack and pulling things out. She pointed at people in the crowd and barked orders.

Ash nodded as she spoke, he was getting used to being around strong woman.

 “You! Get me a board or something to slip under him, tabletop, whatever. You, I need fresh bandages, linens, sheets, whatever! You! I need as much ice as you can find,” people ran off in multiple directions. “Is there a medical facility near by?”

Someone called out. “Doctor Amber. Down the street.” “He ain’t no surgeon though.”

With an air of authority Miss Stephanie replied, “Well I am. Ariel Medical Board Certified, I just need to borrow Dr. Amber’s theatre.”

The kid scanned the crown as it seemed to part and a short ugly woman with a big hat pushed herself into the fray.

“Now hold on just a dang second Miss Young.  We don’t need outsiders coming in and telling us what to do with our own. You just mind your own and we’ll mind ours.” She said with a commanding air.

As if to emphasize her point Stephanie turned Petrie over and torn open his shirt, revealing a mass of lined stripe wounds on his back that had soaked through the bandage already. “Doctor Young if you please. I didn’t graduate top of my class to be talk down to by idiots and morons.”

The crowd gasped loudly.

“Do you know who I am!?!?” The woman stammered through clenched teeth. Four men with deputy badges moved up quickly beside her.

Asher was feeling twitchy…. then Doc’s raised voice drew him back to her.

“By Buddha!” Stephanie exclaimed as she sniffed the bandages, “Salt? Are you completely mad?” She glanced up at the woman and rolled her eyes dismissively, “Yes yes yes. Patience. Imogen. Governor or some such silliness. Listen, you want to have your flunkies shoot me while I am trying to save a man’s life in front of all these constituents of your, be my guest. But I need a mode of transport to get this man to the doctor’s……. now!!!…. And not a gorram horse!”

It was a war of wills and compared to Miss Stephanie the governor was unarmed.

Patience looked at Stephanie, then looked at the crowd watching. She made a swishing motion with her mouth and then said, “Huey, get the car out front quick.” One of the deputies took off at a run.

The ugly woman kneeled down. Stephanie was cleaning the wounds and using her dermal regenerator. Asher heard the woman growl,“When he is all stable, you and me gonna have a few words.”

Asher hadn’t got to know Doc Young much since she joined the crew but it was clear she belonged.

“Yes, you are very scary and intimidating.” Stephanie said distractedly with a dismissive wave of her hand as she applied ice to the wounds on the back gingerly. “You can have as many words as you want when I’m done, now out of my way or make yourself useful.”

This was a person deserving his protection.

A man showed up with a foldable table, “Is this good?”

Miss Stephanie nodded, “Okay, you gentlemen want to be useful or are you all playing with your guns?” The deputies stood there for a moment and then moved with a start to help lift the young man onto the table and move him to the door.

The men carefully placed the man on the board. The doctor quickly ran over, “Tell the Captain what’s happen. I’ll keep in touch as best I can.” She says with a tap to one ear. “My previous captain never let me leave home without it.”

Before he could reply she ran to the door and followed her patient out alongside Reverend Tubbs and Governor Imogen Patience, neither looking all that pleased.

Asher stood there for a moment wondering if he should follow behind or go tell the captain. He knew what those wounds meant, the young man had seen them before back on his home world. Waylend Gayner and Adelei Niska would have people who stood up to them tied to a post and whipped. Petrie had been whipped within an inch of his life and then made to wear bandages soaked in salt. Not a memory that Asher cared to relive.

A voice of a man spoke behind him, “Need a lift?”

He turned to see Hewlett Stewart standing there with a bemused grin, “Not far outta of my way if you be in a hurry.”

Ash looked, "Capt’n Stewart….I sure could, but not back to the Roc. That woman needs someone watch'n her back and that’s what I do. Can you drop me at that Doc Ambor’s place then go tell Capt’n Sung wat,cha see’d here and where we are?"

As they walked out Ash could hear the folk speak of Miss Stephanie.

“Wow!” She’s my new hero.”

“She already is a hero. Stephanie Young? She was in the war, wouldn't let either side tell her who was more important based on rank or side. Made a big stand on the Vids and the uppity ups had to back down.”

“Really? Still, her Governor-ship ain’t gonna let being made a fool of in front of a crowd go unpaid.”

It just reinforced his resolve to protect this lady…..besides if’n he didn’t Ma would thump him good.

I know that Adelei Niska is one of Asher's enemies but Hewlett Stewert was the Captian of the crew Asher just met.  You said Stewert and Niska had folks whipped. Was that a typo? I didn't think Asher knew Stewert from his past?

Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, ......3.....

Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, .............

Loved it.........

Welcome....

I don't remember if you already introduced yourself and I am repeting myself (happens to us old werebears), but welcome.

Here's a fluffy towel, keep in handy during your meet and greets.

How you enjoy lurking and hope you find a game you might join.

to celebrate your arrival have a big frosty tanard of "Good Old Froth-n-Slosh".

Cheers!!!

Odyson

Yes to world has gone mad....Tann and I are both in an online 5e game through Roll20. We meet once a month, 4 folks in California, 1 in Texas and 2 in Ohio.

The Curse of Strahd...........

Glad to see the comics come back. It was the comics that led me to the Inn.

Short post but it's a post.....slowly coming out of my recent fog.....hope story telling is coming back.......

I wasn't sure if the breakfast conversation was before leaving for church. If before then Ash could suggest to Wyatt, in private, that the Capt'n of the Morgan Creek might be able to help get Petrie off planet or help in a diversion.