11-30-2025, 05:48 PM
==Combined CO and GM post to get us moving into the endgame.==
The sensor reset hadn't worked, and the Tusslebout was still ahead of them. How far ahead, Jenny did not know; it could be hundreds of kilometers, or they could be sitting right off the Yeager's bow and nobody would know until it was too late. Because of her uncertainty, she was uncharacteristically cautious when Jadaris' special beam had been completed and ready for deployment; they would need to know the distance and bearing of the Tusslebout to aim the beam, and manoeuvre around the ship when it was disabled - neither of which they currently knew.
Whoever is in charge over there sure knows how to throw the spanner into the works!
The sensors continued to crackle and fizz as the Tusselbout's fusillade continued, and Jenny gritted her teeth as the knowledge that losing the race without putting up a fight wasn't going to endear them diplomatically to the Wairara. On the other hand, it was entirely likely that shooting out the Tusslebout's engines would have a similarly negative effect. On the other hand, the pride of the crew and the Federation was at stake.
As dad would say..."don't fuck this up..."
When faced with the choice between upsetting their opponents by meekly letting themselves be trampled on, or by retaliating and actually showing some spine, there really wasn't much in the way of choice. Quickly making the calculations in her head was something of a challenge, but she had a rough idea of the distance and bearing of the Tusslebout; all she needed to do was factor in a margin of error given the beam's diameter was too small to simply aim in the general direction and fire.
"Aim the beam bearing zero three zero mark one-zero. We've only got one shot at this, so let's make it count."
Jenny could hear the tapping of fingers on consoles and the responding beeps as T'Lari and Qi worked together to set up the beam and plot the targeting solution. Much in the same way old Earth submariners would fire torpedoes, they didn't have time for Jenny to calculate a second bearing; they were going to have to shoot from the hip, so to speak.
"Fire."
The effect was nigh-instantaneous. The jamming ceased as the Tusslebout's engines, and therefore main power, was instantly disrupted. The viewscreen flared back to life and Jenny felt the engines surge as Chertstone dumped whatever power they had left into acceleration. The decking rumbled and Jenny knew that the pilot had pushed the engines well past the red line, but she knew the safety margins were always ultra-conservative, and was confident the ship could handle it.
With the Tusslebout now adrift, the Yeager raced past, managing to pass the Wairaran ship by less than half the saucer before the viewscreen lit up with strange gold letters and flashing lights, that resolved into [First Place] once the translator had adjusted. Multicolored flares burst around the Yeager as the rest of the ship crossed the finish line, and Jenny allowed herself to slip back into her chair and exhale a deep sigh.
"Good work everyone. Chertstone, you've just earned yourself a promotion and a week's leave; though I'd avoid any engineers for a while."
The sensor reset hadn't worked, and the Tusslebout was still ahead of them. How far ahead, Jenny did not know; it could be hundreds of kilometers, or they could be sitting right off the Yeager's bow and nobody would know until it was too late. Because of her uncertainty, she was uncharacteristically cautious when Jadaris' special beam had been completed and ready for deployment; they would need to know the distance and bearing of the Tusslebout to aim the beam, and manoeuvre around the ship when it was disabled - neither of which they currently knew.
Whoever is in charge over there sure knows how to throw the spanner into the works!
The sensors continued to crackle and fizz as the Tusselbout's fusillade continued, and Jenny gritted her teeth as the knowledge that losing the race without putting up a fight wasn't going to endear them diplomatically to the Wairara. On the other hand, it was entirely likely that shooting out the Tusslebout's engines would have a similarly negative effect. On the other hand, the pride of the crew and the Federation was at stake.
As dad would say..."don't fuck this up..."
When faced with the choice between upsetting their opponents by meekly letting themselves be trampled on, or by retaliating and actually showing some spine, there really wasn't much in the way of choice. Quickly making the calculations in her head was something of a challenge, but she had a rough idea of the distance and bearing of the Tusslebout; all she needed to do was factor in a margin of error given the beam's diameter was too small to simply aim in the general direction and fire.
"Aim the beam bearing zero three zero mark one-zero. We've only got one shot at this, so let's make it count."
Jenny could hear the tapping of fingers on consoles and the responding beeps as T'Lari and Qi worked together to set up the beam and plot the targeting solution. Much in the same way old Earth submariners would fire torpedoes, they didn't have time for Jenny to calculate a second bearing; they were going to have to shoot from the hip, so to speak.
"Fire."
The effect was nigh-instantaneous. The jamming ceased as the Tusslebout's engines, and therefore main power, was instantly disrupted. The viewscreen flared back to life and Jenny felt the engines surge as Chertstone dumped whatever power they had left into acceleration. The decking rumbled and Jenny knew that the pilot had pushed the engines well past the red line, but she knew the safety margins were always ultra-conservative, and was confident the ship could handle it.
With the Tusslebout now adrift, the Yeager raced past, managing to pass the Wairaran ship by less than half the saucer before the viewscreen lit up with strange gold letters and flashing lights, that resolved into [First Place] once the translator had adjusted. Multicolored flares burst around the Yeager as the rest of the ship crossed the finish line, and Jenny allowed herself to slip back into her chair and exhale a deep sigh.
"Good work everyone. Chertstone, you've just earned yourself a promotion and a week's leave; though I'd avoid any engineers for a while."