MD #134: Doorkicker - Air
MD #134: Doorkicker - Air
Summary: The fleet returns to Piraeus to get what's theirs. The Cylons provide support.
Date: Sun 20/Aug/2017 (OOC Date)
Related Logs: Doorkicker - Ground
Bennett Diaz Idris Inez 
Kent Luc Niko Scott 
In Piraeus Orbit
There's a Skath space station and a bunch of vessels in orbit.
Wed 07/Mar/2049 (IC Date)

The briefing given to the Wing was pretty straight to the point. Civilian ships and the two newly acquired Cylon Resurrection ships, are all being held back at a safe dead space point along with a cruiser and a few signal Raptors, while the entire rest of the Fleet is mobilizing for the attack. The objective today is to land the Fleet's transports on Piraeus and scramble to get everyone the Ys'rali have ready to go, and get off the planet. The Fleet and the Wing's job in this regard is to hit everything in orbit around P, hard, with everything they have to throw at them, and keep enemy air assets off of the transports as they leave, until they can jump. They have been warned that there will be Cylon basestars joining the fight, so look for the Cylon war paint and plz dont shoot, m'kay? The last recon Raptor came back to report that Piraeus had a full carrier group in orbit as well as the orbital station, so this is going to resemble the fight around Leonis in several ways. A Carrier, a couple of escorting cruisers, and maybe minor light cruisers, flak cruisers, and certainly a whole lotta raiders. As the phrasing goes, this will be a Target Rich Environment.

Niko doesn't have too much to add to the general briefing, other than the specific assignments to the air wing. The strike Raptors of the Gentleman Ghosts will be hitting the carrier with nukes, and the Lucky Strikes once again on primary escort duty. SAR and Electronic Warfare raptors are in support, while the other Viper squadrons are screening the fleet or in reserve. "Remember we may have company before all our transports are back off the planet," the CAG adds. "The Marines and the transports will be counting on us to keep the Skath busy. Try and keep your ship flyable and keep some ordnance in reserve, if possible. All right. Let's go out there and get our people to safety." And then it's down to the hangar to strap in and prep for launch. Niko slips on his helmet and goes through the pre-flight, making sure all the squadron leaders are set and ready.

A big battle, with the chance of not returning. Scott has heard those odds before. Silent as the briefing finishes, he stays quiet on the way down to the hangar deck. Once in the cockpit of his Viper, he checks everything one last time, to make sure he's ready for launch. "Good," he mutters to himself, as he straps himself in, taking a few deep breaths.

Suited up and having completed the pre-flight check list long enough ago that she's had time to do everything twice, and save for the instinct to kick the wheels and check for paint that needs to be touched up, Diaz is in her Viper and ready to roll. All across the deck she watches as flight crew and deck crew and marines of all sort are heading into mission designated vehicles, making what looks like chaos be - in reality - a highly organized flow of personnel and assets. The reminder that there are Cylon assets - genuine cylon not Skath - in the field has the Ten in an even more ebullient mood than typical.

Idris gets up, helmet in hand and lays a hand briefly on Diaz's shoulder, "Keep in mind that part about keeping your ship flyable. Any of us goes down on Piraeus today, we are liable to be left there." A glance to Scott, then a nod to Niko for the comment about conserving their missiles too. Captain Bloodfeather jogs on out with the rest of them and goes to his assigned viper. It doesn't take long at all to get through their flight checks before the Orion is kicking them out into space. Vogue double checks his DRADIS as soon as he's out and his HUD is scanning for positions and bogies.

Bennett is geared up and running through the very last of her systems checks. Working in perfect tandem with her backseater, the pair of aircrew call their checklist out with smooth precision until they hit the last item: ignition. There's a roar of the bus's twin engines firing in sequence, and a klaxxon goes off to signal hatch pressurization. "Boards are green, raptor two seven november ready for launch," intones the ECO over comms, with the faintest hint of nerves.

[Into the Wireless] Idris says, "Lucky Strikes, Vogue. Form up on me. When we are green to go, we'll make a hole for the Raptors. You heard the CAG. Keep at least two missiles in reserve. We have to make sure those transports get off the surface no matter what shows up. So use them sparingly, Over."

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Raptors, Nyx. Standard battle spread. Fall behind our viper screen, let them make a hole. Make your missiles count."

Luc is suited up and ready. Offering a smile and nod to those about before getting in and readying up for the take off. Going through all the systems before calling over the comms, "Crater ready."

Inez stood to the back, helmet in hand to listen. Her ponytail is smoother today, all of her hair drawn tightly back from her face and securely fastened. She heads towards the Raptor she's been assigned, walking around the outside of it, running her fingers along the hull to make a connection with it before she settles her helmet on her head, and sealing it. She boards her raptor, and walks to the pilot seat, running through her systems. Glancing over to the ECO when he gets settled, she tilts her head. "Cavanaugh, right?"

Kent he looks over at Inez as he enters and is addressed by the pilot he nods, "Yes ma'am. Cavanaugh. ECO, one each." He sits down at his station and starts to fire up the systems getting them ready to go.

The Orion Tactical officer counts down the jump clock and the familiar small lurch before the com announces, "Jump complete, we are in expected position. Colonel, you are clear to launch. Happy hunting." TAC3 is suddenly alive with fleet commands as the transports break formation and begin their descent and the Orion, the Norton, and the remainder of the attack Fleet begin the slow dance of bringing all of their guns to bear on the Skath ships and station.

There's about a 30 second delay and two additional jump flashes register visually and on DRADIS, along with a sight most probably havent seen: Friendly IFF for the word 'Cylon Basestar'. Two of them, relatively close to the Colonials' entry point, that pull up a flanking position and rapidly begin spewing Raiders towards the Skath.

The Skath. The orbital station is parked right where it is expected to be, about half the size of the Orion and bristling with umbilicals and equipment, and probably a few guns…I mean, this IS the Skath. The hulking mass of the Skath carrier looks like it just disengaged or was about to dock with the station, while its /three/ escorting cruisers hover close by, and, according to DRADIS, five smaller craft, probably flak and missile frigates. It would seem that surprise has at least been marginally achieved considering the low number of raiders out - perhaps the Skath's form of CAP? Either way, it means there's no swarm ready to immediately lay into them the second they get clear of the launch tubes. (Meaning you have another round of posing getting into position before we will start the shooting and dying)

[Into the Wireless] Inez says, "Nyx, Sawyer. Copy."

Being on the ready and as soon as they jump, Luc has a grin on his face. Finishing the jump and moving as he's been told. Talking a bit to himself in his cockpit, remembering not to actually say more than needs to be said, into the comms. Doing some of his usual fancy manuevers as he get into position.

After the rush down the launch tube, Niko settles in and gets down to business. A quick check of the Viper and then he's on the DRADIS, trying to size up the situation. There are the Skath, with more friends than they had before. At least the big ships are bunched up and the raiders are few. The CAG angles is Viper over to fall in behind the Lucky Strikes, leading from the front lines, as usual.

[Into the Wireless] Niko says, "Wing, Scythe. Looks like they've reinforced but weren't expecting our visit. Let's try and get the Carrier and the station together, if we can. I'll be with the Strikes. Vogue, Nyx — let's do this."

Well, that's quite the sight. Bennett catches herself gazing out into the black, at the form of a basestar warping into view and maneuvering its long arms into a firing position. She breathes, in and out. And then the signal is given from tactical, and the tow lines are unhooked, and it's go time. She pushes the throttles forward, and peels the raptor off the flight deck and into the fray. Air strikes are not her forte, but one must be flexible.

[Into the Wireless] Luc says, "Flight, Crater. In position."

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Scythe, Nyx. Would you prefer us to prioritize the carrier or the station?"

[Into the Wireless] Niko says, "Nyx, Scythe. Carrier."

Launching from the Orion with the rest of the wing, Wrecker guides her Viper into position alongside Vogue as soon as there's maneuvering room to make this happen. She looks left, then right, checks the HUD and DRADIS to confirm position of the rest of the wing then flexes both hands and feels a grin forming on her face. She hits the comm button for just a moment as she tips her head back to scan upwards as well while speaking.

[Into the Wireless] Diaz says, "Flight, Wrecker, copy that. Remember to look for the markings on the raiders, over."

Launching, and doing his customary spin to the side before he brings the Viper into formation with the other Vipers. Glancing both to the DRADIS and outside. "This will be interesting…" he offers to himself.

As more and more craft are ejected from the Orion, Idris takes a moment to study those Cylon basestars. He wasn't an active pilot in the first war and he's not seen a lot of them. Then his attention goes to studying the Skath ships a lot longer, soaking up details. Positions. A quick count to make sure all of his vipers are in position and the Raptors are forming up. Then Vogue begins to push his throttle forward as soon as Scythe gives the word to get moving.

[Into the Wireless] Idris says, "Scythe, Vogue copies. Heading for the Carrier now, Over."

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Nyx copies, Scythe."

Waiting for the ECO to give her the nod, Inez turns her attention to take off. As soon as she released, she throttles forward, finding Nyx and settling into position with her. She breathes out slowly as she cranes her neck looking around at the basestar, and then towards their target. Taking one last look around at the other wings forming up, she speaks into the controls.

[Into the Wireless] Inez says, "Flight, Sawyer. In position."

Capital ship cannons sail past the Wing as they advance, and radiological alarms chime their teltale 'SOMEONE HAS NUKES OUT' warning that was all but obligatory for something this size. And while they certainly weren't ready for a fight, the Skath ramp up with surprising speed, the carrier spewing raiders like a dog shedding fleas in summer, while the ones already out are leading the charge. The carrier just seems to KNOW that the Wing is here for it, as its compliment of Raiders make angry, straight lines towards the Orion and her fighters, while the Cylons spread out, dividing their attention into mostly engaging the enemy fighters, while the main guns from the basestar spines spew bursts of death at the station. A cloud of flak springs into life around the carrier, swinging it's figurative fly swatter at the small craft that dont get peeled off by the raiders. Several of those small craft do indeed vector in, diving towards the group of Vipers and Raptors, lighting things up with acquisition warnings and KEW fire.

Guiding her Viper toward the Carrier that is marked as the first target of choice, Diaz listens to the com chatter and the sound of her own breathing while the rest of the wing spreads out and angles toward the Skath defense's. She bounces the targeting system off of one of the incoming Skath raiders, changing up her weapons systems for this first brush to save the missiles for the next pass.

As things seem to be heating up Luc does laugh a bit to himself and keep position, "Seems like things will get fun." Trying to fly to target one of the raiders. Since a lot is going on he is focusing on his mobility rather than taking anyone out, especially before knowing where all the shots come from, and where they are aimed at.

<COMBAT> Bennett suppresses Raider1 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Bennett suppresses Raider2 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Bennett suppresses Raider3 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Scott attacks Raider4 with KEW - Light wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Raider4 attacks Luc with RAIDER KEW but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider1 attacks Idris with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Luc attacks Raider2 with KEW - Moderate wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider4 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider5 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider6 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Idris attacks Raider1 with KEW - Serious wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Diaz attacks Raider5 with KEW - Light wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Raider6 attacks Luc with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider5 attacks Diaz with RAIDER KEW but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider2 attacks Luc with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Niko uses a Missile AA!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Heavy Raider-1451d - Critical wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Heavy Raider-1451d - Serious wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Heavy Raider-1451d - ARMOR on Cabin stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Heavy Raider-1451d - ARMOR on Engine stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Heavy Raider-1451d - Critical wound to Cockpit.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Heavy Raider-1451d - ARMOR on Controls stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Heavy Raider-1451d - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> Raider3 attacks Inez with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider-3469a has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider1 has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Heavy Raider-1451d has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider6 has been KO'd!

Niko follows the Viper squadron into the merge with the leading Skath raiders. Being in trail, none of the bandits are targeting him and he gets a chance to study the line-up and spot the Heavy Raider in the mix. Flicking the thumb toggle to arm an AAM, Scythe settles the targeting diamond onto the heavy Skath and waits a second for a lock-on tone. "Fox one!" he calls, launching the missile. The contrail of frozen exhaust arcs off into the raider and … *boom* One down.

Luc does chew some on his cheek, moving with ease and laughing a bit to himself as the heavy raider is taken out. Speaking out into the coms as he continues to fly. Seeing those still following him, goading them to continue while the others can manage to aim at the enemies. "Come on, come on. Follow me. Good raiders." He murmurs to himself. Seeing the explosions around him as raiders die.

Kent glances up from his screen where he's set up to suppress some of the raiders, "Well then lets get us some. Suppressing targets let me know when or if we are going to switch to blowin 'em up."

All of that fire being traded, and finally some of it begins smacking home. Flames erupt across the orbital station as Colonial and Cylon cannons begin slamming into it, but at the same time, Skath rounds have a bit of aim guiding them as well, with one Light cruiser quickly claiming something about heavy damage and how they are turning their wounded side off to use Orion as partial cover. The carrier's air wing is continuing to deploy at high speed, with its raiders' engaging three packs of enemies all at once. Luc hears that acquisition warning for just a second, before Niko blows the heavy raider's engine off and it tumbles end over end before exploding in a fireball. Maybe they did catch the Skath off guard, because they sure as hell aren't shooting worth anything.

[Into the Wireless] Luc says, "Vipers, Crater. Nice shooting all! However, still some on my tail, anyone help scratching them off of me. Much appreciated."

While Niko goes after the Heavy Skath Raider, Idris gets busy with one bee-lining and firing at himself as they dive into the fray. Vogue knows Diaz is off his wing and keeps tabs on her as he opens up and begins hammering the oncoming Skath. It's only KEW fire but the Captain is calm and cool, adjusting his fire until his rounds rip that son of a tin can to pieces! Yes! Then he twists his viper away from the debris, does a quick glance to see how the rest of his wing is doing and veers to port to seek another target. Scythe's missile briefly lights up the starry blackness and gets a flicker of a grin out of Bloodfeather.

The countermeasures pods mounted on her bus's antennae begin flashing rapidly as Bennett's backseater furiously runs through convolutions of his jamming suite to trip up the skath firing mechanisms. Whatever he's doing, it seems to be working; not one of the skath ships manages to get off a clean shot. The raptors continue to lumber in, laden with a full spread of missiles just waiting to be deployed.

"We are after the carrier," Inez replies to Kent, but there's a half smile, as she concentrates on her flying, looking for the window in the raider screen towards their target. "Just keep jamming them until we're through, Cavanaugh."

Exchanging the initial volley of weapons fire with the enemy skath, Diaz does that quick glance around to confirm the status of the rest of the wing and grins as she sees the Skath heavy raider go off in a plume of fire and drifting cloud of debris. Another glance is sent sidelong toward Crater and the Skath still on his tail. She opens fire again on the Skath Raider that she's dancing with and keys the com.

Going for one of the Raiders heading for Luc, Scott frowns as he only hits it lightly. Twisting and turning to get into position to fire once more, he shakes his head as he glances around. Back to the front, and he fires again.

[Into the Wireless] Diaz says, "Crater, Wrecker. Adjust heading. Lead them back in this direction, I'll shift fire after this volley, over."

<COMBAT> Bennett suppresses Raider2 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Bennett suppresses Raider3 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Bennett suppresses Raider7 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Scott attacks Raider4 with KEW - Light wound to Cockpit.

<COMBAT> Raider2 attacks Luc with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Luc attacks Raider2 with KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider4 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider5 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider8 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Idris attacks Raider8 with KEW - Moderate wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Raider4 attacks Luc with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

[Into the Wireless] Luc says, "Wrecker, Crater. Roger that. I'm about to be leading them your way. Be ready."

<COMBAT> Raider3 attacks Inez with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Niko uses a Missile AA!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Raider-3550j - Critical wound to Body.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - NEAR MISS!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - NEAR MISS!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - Critical wound to Cockpit.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - Light wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - ARMOR on Engine stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - Moderate wound to Right Wing (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-3550j - Moderate wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> Diaz attacks Raider5 with KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider5 attacks Diaz with RAIDER KEW but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider-3550j has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider3 has been KO'd!

Now Niko has drawn some attention, and he breaks hard as one of the raiders locks him up. The bandit doesn't take the shot, and this leaves the CAG in the clear for a few precious seconds. Seeing a bandit trying to get at one of the Raptors, Scythe locks it up with a second missile and launches. "Fox One!" Missile away, he switches to KEW and continues closing, in case of a miss. It doesn't miss, and a second Skath goes boom. Checking six, Niko discovers he's gained a pair of bandits. Reversing his turn and hammering the throttle, he breaks hard again.

Muttering something under his breath as he doesn't get the Raider he was attacking, Scott switches to a missile, once more tracking down the Raider he was going for. He notices one of the Raiders is on his tail, waiting for a few moments, rather carefully, to give himself time to launch the missile, before trying to roll out of the way. Now let's see how well that goes…

As the dogfighting intensifies, the Orion slowly rolls onto it's side, where two of it's heavy cannot reorient themselves to point towards the surface, where they begin belching fire in rapid succession, a good half dozen rounds fired before pausing. Anyone that might catch JTAC traffic will catch ground fire requests on groups of Skath walkers and tanks, and then cuts back out after the Orion's guns start answering.

New raiders are beginning to join the leading edge of the fray, but at least for a moment, they just don't seem to be doing to do a very good job of it, since they havent landed a single significant hit yet, and while the Raptors are not unscathed, they don't seem to be prioritizing them over the Vipers. At one point, Inez caught a warning tht one of the Skath had launched in her direction, but as she sees the missile contrail speeding her direction, a war-painted cylon raider darted in front of her canopy just in time to get hit by the missile instead and explode into bright, shiny shrapnel.

Bennett notes, idly, that she's picked up a bandit on her tail. There might be a flicker of a smile, but it's ever so brief. "Taking evasive maneuvers," she informs her backseater calmly. "Please see what you can do to confuse its weapons while I try to shake it." Targeting sensors continue to ping a soft warning as she pushes up the throttles and engages in a little juking.

As he flies it seems Luc shakes the raiders, however with no one chasing him he is now on the attack. Spinning around and diving right for one of them. "Dodge this!" He offers, mainly to himself as he goes in for a kill.

Seeing that the Skath raiders that were chasing after Crater have re-targeted, Wrecker keeps angling after the same Raider she's been tangling with since the start of this dance. Seeing it veer away to re-target as well, the Viper pilot pours on the speed, angling toward it, trying to get her weapons fire in position to distract it to keep it away from the CAG.

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Flight, Nyx. I have eyes on the skath carrier at bearing two two seven mark niner, one mile downrange. Raptors, nuclear ordnance away when ready."

Kent continues working back on his station keeping the ECM working on the raiders, "You need me to work the nukes or you got 'em up there? Good smooth flyin by the way!"

[Into the Wireless] Scott says, "Scythe, Pollux. Trying to get rid of one of your followers there."

[Into the Wireless] Diaz says, "Scythe, Wrecker. Ditto with Pollux, angling in to assist, over."

It's a good start and Idris hits the Skath Raider he was chasing but fails to blow it up. So he dog fights, trying to stay tight as a tick on it's six to hammer away at it some more. Bloodfeather spares a quick glance at the others to keep tabs especially on their Raptors and not get so distracted that he might let anything slip through to get at them.

Ah hah! Good thing he checked too! Vogue sees a Raider trying to come at one of the Raptors. Idris peels off, letting the one he was chasing go so he can followup and lend cover to Bennett's lead.

Inez's eyes widen as she starts her evasive maneuver, knowing that she's too late and too frakked to even swear under her breath. Then, the cylon intercepts and explodes across her screen, and her head jerk reflexively at the sudden burst of light and shrapnel. "Lords and Ladies bless you," she murmurs to herself and to the cylon who just saved them.

Bennett lays on the throttles as they come within visual range of the carrier, lighting up the bus's two engines. She could take a more defensive posture and delay the mission objective.. or she could hope like hell the raider scoping her out has bad aim. Her gloved hand flips the MASTER ARM switch and hovers over the missile release while her ECO is neck deep in suppression routines.

<COMBAT> Niko attacks Raider8 with Kew - Serious wound to Right Wing.

<COMBAT> Bennett uses a Missile HE!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Pretty Close To Aa Battery-1055r - Moderate wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - ARMOR on Weapon stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - ARMOR on Controls stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> Raider2 attacks Bennett with RAIDER KEW but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Luc attacks Raider2 with KEW - Moderate wound to Cockpit.

<COMBAT> Idris attacks Raider2 with KEW - Moderate wound to Controls.

<COMBAT> Raider8 attacks Scott with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider4 attacks Niko with RAIDER KEW - Moderate wound to Right Wing (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider4 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider5 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider8 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Scott uses a Missile AA!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Raider-5590n - Critical wound to Body.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-5590n - Moderate wound to Left Wing (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-5590n - ARMOR on Right Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-5590n - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-5590n - Moderate wound to Left Wing (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-5590n - ARMOR on Controls stops the attack!

<COMBAT> Raider7 attacks Idris with RAIDER KEW - Moderate wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> Raider5 attacks Niko with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Inez uses a Missile HE!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Aa Battery-1055r - Critical wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - NEAR MISS!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - ARMOR on Weapon stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-1055r - ARMOR on Controls stops the attack!

<COMBAT> Diaz attacks Raider5 with KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Aa Battery-1055r has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Carrier has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider-2897c has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider2 has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider-6165t has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider8 has been KO'd!

As the Orion continues to adjust, the ground to air channel continues to squawk, "FDC, Charlie-Six-Six. Call for Fire, I need immediate fire on fast movers, Skath tanks moving along bearing one nine. Location for fire is Zulu Tango Five Niner Eight Two Two. Interdiction Fire. Fire when ready over." And again, the Battlestar starts spewing death down at a very specific point on the surface, while the rest of it's guns continue actively pounding their way towards the Skath ships, with several solid hits getting landed in return. One of the basestars slowly turns into the attack, a spire taking three square hits rapidly one after another, succeeding in severing that spire and sending it slowly tumbling away. More enemy raiders catch up with the fighting and bank into the struggle, seeming to replace their numbers even as the Wing keeps shooting them down.

Of course, all of that probably suffers a little distraction as the nuke flight makes its way through the fighter cover and interference, before smacking into the carrier's nose in a soft, heated bloom of nuclear energy fireball. The impact to the carrrier's hull shocks the frame of the ship and gives it a faint clockwise turn to its frame.

Managing to roll out of the way of the incoming attack, Scott curses as he sees the enemy didn't get blown out of the sky from that missile. Going back to the KEW again, he realizes there's a few Raiders heading for him. Switching to try getting away from any incoming shots, he fires at one of them while trying to get out of the way.

Idris is busy firing on the Skath raider that is going after Bennett's Raptor and Vogue manages to chew it up enough that it starts to break up and loose pieces. Before he can finish it off, his own Viper is suddenly taking hits from a Skath that has come up his six. Shots punch into the body of his air frame and the Captain is forced to break off his attack and try to deal with his attacker. Luckily Bloodfeather managed to tear up his own target enough that the Raider that was on Bennett belately breaks up and litters the sky with it's trail of debris! A very quick glance over his DRADIS and then his HUD to check positions and the status of his wing as Bloodfeather tries very hard to suddenly pop his flaps, then twist to the right to see if he can come around and gain on the Skath Raider that's behind him. Slip that bastard some lead, if he can!

Inez maintains her formation and breathes out as she finally has the carrier in view, and she arms the nukes. Following along as the firing zips by around her, she toggles the missile release, and veers to avoid some fast moving debris. She looks back to see if there's any success, and gives a quiet "yes" to herself as she lines up for the next run.

[Into the Wireless] Idris says, "Strikes, Vogue. I've got one chewing me up. Stay on the Raiders that are going after our Raptors! Keep'm clear, over!"

"Woo!" Luc calls out as he spins around and quickly finds a new target to dive towards. "Come here, don't hide." He offers as he flies in. Calling out to the comms as well.

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Vogue, Nyx. Much thanks for the help. I think another missile or two should do it; next priority target is that station."

[Into the Wireless] Luc says, "Air, Crater. Another one down. Vogue, Crater. Roger that, heading in that direction now."

Trying to keep up a scissoring turn with the pair of bandits chasing him, Niko manages a snap shot at one of the raiders as it crosses in front of his sights. His KEW fire tears into the Skath's wing and saws it off, sending it spiraling off out of control. There's no time to celebrate with all the raiders in the sky, and even less as enemy rounds blow holes in his Viper's wing. A quick tap on the display to try and compensate for the change in mass, and then he breaks back the other way to try and lose them. The nuclear flash of Inez's hit on the carrier is a welcome sight, but he knows it's going to take more than that to put it out of action.

<COMBAT> Inez uses a Missile HE!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Aa Battery-7966p - Critical wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Controls stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - NEAR MISS!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - NEAR MISS!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Weapon stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Weapon stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Weapon stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> Scott attacks Raider2 with Kew but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Niko attacks Raider5 with Kew - Moderate wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Idris attacks Raider7 with KEW but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Luc attacks Raider1 with KEW - Serious wound to Right Wing.

<COMBAT> Diaz uses a Missile AA!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Raider-4614s - Critical wound to Body.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-4614s - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-4614s - NEAR MISS!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-4614s - Serious wound to Cockpit.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-4614s - Serious wound to Cockpit.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-4614s - ARMOR on Right Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-4614s - Critical wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-4614s - Critical wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-4614s - Critical wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> Bennett uses a Missile HE!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Aa Battery-7966p - Critical wound to Body (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Weapon stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Weapon stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Aa Battery-7966p - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> Raider7 attacks Idris with RAIDER KEW - Critical wound to Controls (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> Raider5 attacks Niko with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider4 attacks Niko with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider3 attacks Scott with RAIDER KEW but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider2 attacks Scott with RAIDER KEW but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider1 attacks Bennett with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider4 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider5 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider7 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Aa Battery-7966p has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Carrier has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Viper-7650r has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Idris has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider-7488l has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider1 has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider-4614s has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider5 has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Idris spends a luck point to keep fighting!

The space between the Skath ships, the Battlestar group, and the Basestars grows thick with DRADIS dots and flying pieces of raider and viper, mostly raider, that cartwheel off into space. The remaining local raiders reform and come back after the viper pilots, changing their coverage pattern to try to catch a clean shot, with more KEW fire pounding on the side of Idris' Viper. The rest of the flight having shifted it's targets when the group reformed, like…resetting a program. Yes, that must be it.

The carrier is able to slowly turn on it's belly, showing it's roof into the brunt of the second nuke hit. Bright nuclear fire blooms into existence and when the flare of light begins to fade, the frame of the carrier refocuses into two distinct pieces, both drifting apart further from the point of impact. Its guns wind down and slowly go dead, as if the power linkages were severed.

His KEW is firing, trying to come around and catch that Raider but the Skath is just too hard on his tail as Idris tried to shake it and get onto it's tail. The Captain's trick didn't work and as another Skath Raider suddenly cuts across his nose, he has to pop flaps to break cut hard, loosing speed, then throttle back up. The loss of velocity is bad as the Machine Raider on his Six suddenly catches up and Idris has that all too familiar sound of enemy fire ripping into his viper! Any second now he expects to feel the shrapnel tearing through his own body and venting his cockpit to space, but instead his controls light up with sparks and a bright flash that momentarily blinds him! Betty gets to screaming and smoke erupts from the consule as his Head's up Display is suddenly lost. Bloodfeather wrenches his stick over to spin his viper down and away from the Raider, trying not to die.

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Scythe, Nyx. Target has been neutralised. Repeat, target has been neutralised. All raptors with available ordnance, aim up on the station."

[Into the Wireless] Diaz says, "Vogue, Wrecker. Status? Over."

[Into the Wireless] Luc says, "Air, Crater. Another one down. Sawyer, hold on. I'm coming in."

Scott manages to get out of the way of those incoming attacs, without hitting anything as well. Getting away from those Raiders, he realizes the one he's been firing at earlier seems to have him as a target. "Okay…" he mutters, moving straight for that Raider. It's like playing cards, not revealing your hand too soon. A few moments longer, and he fires off a burst of KEW fire, rolling to the side.

Finding another bandit ahead, Niko takes the opportunity to put a burst of KEW into its fuselage. Then he's forced to maneuver to try and avoid the pair of raiders that continue to dog his tail. Correction, make that one raider, as Diaz blows the second into scrap. A quick thank you when a glance over the display shows the Lucky Strikes squadron leader's status has gone red, but Wrecker is already checking in with Vogue, so Niko can manage over comms while he waits to hear his response.

The delighted sound that Diaz makes as she sees the missiles impact the target nicely is followed almost immediately by seeing Vogue's Viper taking a nasty hit. She guides her viper away from the drifting debris of the Skath Raider, flipping 180 to angle back toward his position, executing a loop around to shift angles again and lends cover fire from there.

[Into the Wireless] Niko says, "Wrecker, Scythe, thanks for that. Nyx — Roger. Nice shooting. Keep it up."

[Into the Wireless] Inez says, "Nyx, Sawyer, copy that, forming up with you."

Her head turns slightly back towards her ECO when she sees the carrier split in half to give a hurrah, not heard on the comms, then Inez is getting back to business as she pulls the Raptor around to find Bennet and get back into formation. In the process, she finds herself running right through the sights of a raider, and this time she does swear. "Hang on, Cavanaugh."

[Into the Wireless] Idris says, "Luck..zzzppptt gue** zzzpt. Controlzzz… tsstz - lost HUD, ovvzzt."

[Into the Wireless] Inez says, "Nyx, Sawyer, copy that, forming up with you."

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Vogue, Nyx. Do you require SAR?"

<COMBAT> Bennett suppresses Raider2 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Bennett suppresses Raider3 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Scott attacks Raider4 with Kew - Light wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Niko attacks Raider7 with Kew - Critical wound to Right Wing.

<COMBAT> Luc attacks Raider3 with KEW - Light wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Raider7 attacks Niko with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider4 attacks Scott with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider2 attacks Bennett with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider4 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider7 with Ecm. <unsuccessful>

<COMBAT> Diaz attacks Raider2 with KEW - Moderate wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Raider3 attacks Inez with RAIDER KEW but MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider-0955j has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider7 has been KO'd!

There is no further reply over his radio for at least a few seconds. Captain Bloodfeather is busy whacking the unholy frak out of his consule with a gloved fist, "Come back up you son of a bitch!" Nobody /ever/ hears the cool, calm Vogue cuss so it's just as well his radio isn't broadcasting. More flashes and smoke come out of his control board but the emergency fire retardant spray is triggered to put out the burning wiring. Thankfully his flight suit hasn't been breached and the air inside his helmet is good. The beating on his consule does NOT constitute making repairs but suddenly it seems to work as his HUD flickers back to life, a few flickers, then holds. "Shokran lak, Sidi Al'dieb." It is both a thank you and a prayer, uttered to himself. Bloodfeather manages to bring up nominal status on his board and keep his viper limping but it's clear it's badly damaged. He tries the radio again.

[Into the Wireless] Idris says, "Fli zzzpt, Vogue. My vi —- sst badly hit. I'm not *crackle* spzzzzt. I zzzt do not require SAR, O —cckztzz"

Scott stays on the same Raider for now, frowning a bit as he does. "Why won't you just die…" he mutters, as he twists and turns to get into the a good position now.

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Scythe, Nyx. Raptor two seven november is bingo on missiles. Anyone with ordnance to spare, weapons free on that station. Otherwise, fall back."

[Into the Wireless] Niko says, "Nyx, Scythe. Understood. Vipers, cover for the Raptors that are pulling out."

<COMBAT> Diaz attacks Raider2 with KEW - Light wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> Scott attacks Raider4 with Kew - Moderate wound to Body.

<COMBAT> Luc attacks Raider3 with KEW - Light wound to Controls.

<COMBAT> Raider4 attacks Scott with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Niko attacks Raider3 with Kew - Moderate wound to Engine.

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider4 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Idris uses a Missile AA!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Pretty Close To Raider-5896t - Critical wound to Body.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-5896t - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-5896t - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-5896t - Light wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> Raider3 attacks Inez with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider2 attacks Bennett with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Raider-5896t has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider2 has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider-3711h has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider3 has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider-5590n has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider4 has been KO'd!

The carrier suffering a fatal hit takes some of the sting out of the skath raider resistance - the flow of new fighters entering the mix rapidly drops until it does seem like the Colonials are getting the upper hand, and hey, Idris is still limping along so that's good, right? More than once, someone will see a Cylon raider plow into an incoming missile or get swatted out of space by one of the enemy frigates cannons that had been aiming for one of hte Orion's battlegroup, even when the hit pretty much destroys the craft.

Further shelling from the Orion and its accompanying cruisers are starting to make short work of the smaller craft. Could they be in danger of winning?

Idris gets the tone for a missile lock that he wasn't sure his viper could still do. His craft is ins bad shape and he's struggling with the controls to keep it moving, trying to make things work. He can't get Betty to stop bitching her alarms. The mute he slapped didn't shut it off so he tries to ignore the chaos. Thankfully the smoke in his cockpit is being filtered or mostly vented out into space since the integrity of his cockpit has been breached. The Captain throttles up, nothing wrong with his engines and he gets the missile away! Bloodfeather's DRADIS screen is cracked and it's flickering, on the fritz and not showing him targets very clearly. So the Captain turns his head this way and that to try and see where the Raptors are and what they are doing. He manages to pull his craft around, trying his best to keep Skath off of them but lagging.

Bennett yanks on the stick, and drags her bus around in a hard wingover as the attack run is concluded. It's no nimble viper, but with two less nukes overburdening the craft, it's a good sight easier to maneuver back into formation as the raptors begin their egress.

Niko tag teams with Luc to corner and destroy one of the last raiders. Now that the Vipers are getting the upper hand, the CAG takes a second to assess the situation. Their primary target is down and the station isn't going anywhere. It's really only now that he pays attention to what the Cylons are doing, and notices the destroyed basestar. There's a shake of his head, but he restrains himself from comment out aloud, let alone on the wireless.

Letting out a breath as the Raider he was attacking goes down, Scott switches to missiles again, moving for one of those remaining Raiders. Getting into position to launch the missile now.

[Into the Wireless] Scott says, "Crater, Pollux. Hang on, old man. Taking out that Raider going for you now…"

[Into the Wireless] Luc says, "Pollux, Crater. Thanks, just get him off if you can. Wrecker, I'm coming in to take the guy tailing you."

There's no more time for swearing as Inez 'dives' under a kamikaze raider coming towards them, and then pulls over as hard as she can to rejoin the raptor formation as it makes a bee line for the Orion. Once back up with Bennett, she glances over. "How you doing back there, Cavanaugh?"

As fire continues to get traded, the number of enemy craft continues to dwindle, with a couple more smaller fireballs signifying another small Skath ship meeting its end. Over the Tactical frequency, chatter confirms that the transports are loaded and finally leaving the surface of P within the next 10 minutes. Just a few more moments of cover and all of those kids and relatives will be safe. Its hard to tell how well things have gone on the ground, but no one sounds like they are panicking or screaming for escape. That's…a good sign, right??

<COMBAT> Luc attacks Raider1 with KEW - Moderate wound to Controls.

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider1 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Kent suppresses Raider2 with Ecm. <successful>

<COMBAT> Scott uses a Missile AA!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Pretty Close To Raider-2431r - Serious wound to Body.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-2431r - Moderate wound to Controls (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-2431r - ARMOR on Engine stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-2431r - Light wound to Left Wing (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-2431r - Light wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> Diaz uses a Missile AA!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Body.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Left Wing (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - NEAR MISS!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - ARMOR on Body stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - ARMOR on Right Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - NEAR MISS!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> Raider2 attacks Luc with RAIDER KEW - Moderate wound to Engine (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> Raider1 attacks Diaz with RAIDER KEW and MISSES!

<COMBAT> Idris uses a Missile AA!

<COMBAT> EXPLOSION! Right Next To Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Body.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Left Wing.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Serious wound to Cockpit.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - ARMOR on Engine stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - ARMOR on Left Wing stops the attack!

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Controls (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Cockpit.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Controls (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> SHRAPNEL! Raider-8626m - Critical wound to Weapon.

<COMBAT> Niko attacks Raider1 with Kew - Serious wound to Left Wing.

<COMBAT> Raider-2431r has been KO'd!

<COMBAT> Raider2 has been KO'd!

Niko gets in a KEW shot at one of the remaining raiders, but at this point the Skath are outnumbered and getting shredded by the Viper pilots. He banks clear as multiple AAMs streak through space to blow up bandits. No sense risking friendly fire in the feeding frenzy. Angling his Viper to circle the edge of the engagement, the CAG gets on the wireless.

[Into the Wireless] Niko says, "Wing, Scythe. Transports are lifting off. Vipers, shift cover the ships coming up from Piraeus. As soon as they are clear it's back to the barn."

[Into the Wireless] Bennett says, "Flight, Nyx. All raptors RTB and provide countermeasures support to retreating transports as your top priority."

It's a real bitch to get a tone lock but Idris is patient, tenacious, and determined. He pushes his limping craft to the limits of the damaged controls, fighting them, and somehow finally coaxes it to lock. Soon as he hears the tone, he fires the second missile and it's away. His craft may be in bad shape but he still has two missiles left. The Captain thinks nothing of risking his own life to push his luck and try to give the transports cover as the start lifting from the surface of Piraeus. Meditation is a thing and it's helpful, keeping his focus, dark eyes intense as the action continues. Skath Raider debris blasts past his viper as Idris presses on, taking another one out. Somehow they haven't killed him yet.

As the Wing is busy swatting the last few raiders out of the sky, the can see a few more jump flashes in the sky above P. 3 of them, 6, 10, maybe even 12 more, all showing Friendly IFF For 'Cylon Basestar'. The additional heavy craft make almost disturbngly quick work of the remaining frigates and slowly hammer the station into little broken pieces that start spiralling out of control towards a smaller body of water.

From the surface, the Wild Weasel flights that accompanied the transports down to the surface, call up at the wing that the transports are indeed in the air, and FTL are spooling up. After the Cylon's arrival, and hearing the call from the ground escorts, Orion's Tactical chimes in recalling the wing, "We got what we came here for, lets get out of here before the Skath come back, over."

[Into the Wireless] Inez says, "Nyx, Sawyer, on our way."

There's a brief pause as he moves out of the way of the blast from the missile exploding, and Scott smiles as the Raider is gone. Looking around, he moves with the others for now, still keeping himself ready for what might come.

[Into the Wireless] Scott says, "Crater, Pollux. Your stalker has disappeared in a shower of sparks."

Bennett is already Orion-bound. Smatters of radio traffic as she helps alert deck crew as to what to expect, but otherwise only a tense silence from her. Her children may.. hopefully will be aboard one of those rhinos, and it's about all she can think of at the moment, as she struggles to focus on landing her bus.

Idris spends 1 luck points on To not splatter myself all over the Orion like graffiti…

<FS3> Idris rolls Piloting-3: Success.

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