Planetfall:

<GM to Players>: Your frigate lurks on the far side of Tirax II, hiding from the Tiraxian sensor nets. So far you seem to have remained undetected. Brief, garbled communications are intercepted, and at designated times, you move into position to intercept transmissions from the freedom fighters on Tirax IV...

Mindwave turns to the communications officer, "Anything specific to report on the content of the intercepted messages?"
The Communications officer looks up and shakes its head (The communications officer on this ship is quite alien... you're not sure if it's a he or she...)  It says, "Not really, Warlord. The messages we're receiving outside our normal communications windows are nothing more than fragments, and are garbled fragments at that. They appear to be directed to other resistance groups."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Good, perhaps we can coordinate a plan of action, with our fleet battling the Tiraxian fleet in space, the resistance might be able to make a move..."
The alien nods again, saying, "Possibly, Warlord. Possibly."  The ship's captain interjects at this point, saying, "But first we need to find out what they're capable of, and see if they actually have a chance of winning a fight if we show up with guns blazing."
Mindwave turns to the captain, "Very true...we do need more information on the resistance..."
The Captain nods and says, "The problem is so far they don't seem to be forthcoming with useful information. I don't think they quite trust us... with good reason, of course."
Mindwave says in Basic, "We need to meet with them, face-to-face...  but how to get to the planet without being detected..."
The Captain nods, saying, "That's going to be a trick.  We can't exactly go flying up to their planet and land a ship."
Mindwave says in Basic, "The best way would to stowaway aboard one of their ships..."
The Captain nods and says, "That has merit, but it might be tough contacting the resistance groups once you're down there."
Mindwave says in Basic, "If we have a frequency to contact them on, and a rough time, it can be done..."
Bruno says in Basic, "And how would we get aboard one of their ships without being detected...much less killed."

<OOC> Mindwave says, "we don't have the captured corvette with us, do we?"
<OOC> Empress says, "It's still at Earth"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "is there any ship traffic in our vicinity?"
<OOC> Empress says, "Nope. They don't seem to go any closer to the sun than the 3rd planet, with the exception of a very occasional patrol."

Mindwave says in Basic, "hmmm, perhaps we could lure a patrol craft toward us, capture it, and return on that..."
Bruno ehs, "Too risky... too comic-bookish. Things are never that easy.  They'll want security codes, etc.  We don't know their basic security protocols..."
Bruno says in Basic, "Honestly, our best bet, might be just to do like last time, but as the corvettes are streaking by the planet, dip into the atmosphere and jump for it."
Mindwave says in Basic, "I had thought of that, Doctor... it might be our only recourse."
The Captain says, "We stand a pretty good chance of losing a ship that way.  The only thing that protected our ships on that first run was their speed... and if you hit the atmosphere going that fast, not only are you going to skip off, but you're likely to destory the ship in the process."
Mindwave says in Basic, "A shuttlecraft, perhaps?"
The captain says, "Perhaps... maybe a military dropship.  Then you just have to worry about their fighters, but those dropships are pretty tough."
Mindwave says in Basic, "That sounds like a viable option...  Doctor, what do you think?"
Bruno shrugs, "Well...a dropship is considerably more vulnerable than a corvette is... you'll need a proportionally larger distraction... perhaps... perhaps... another "attack" out of system, have the corvettes make a BRIEF run... and when we have them going "HUH?" at both of those we make our run... We may be able to keep on using these tricks over and over and over and over again."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Doctor, calm yourself..."
Bruno blinks, "Er... what???"
Mindwave says in Basic, "We will have to coordinate this with the resistance... if there are no other suggestions?"
Mindwave looks around
The Captain says, "Hopefully the computer hasn't picked up on our little communications yet."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Captain, prepare the dropship.  Signal the fleet of what we are planning on doing."
The Captain says, "We will have to return to the fleet, this ship doesn't carry any dropships. If you like, we can get underway, though our communications window is coming up very soon now if you wish to inform the resistance leader of what our plan is."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Very well... I will send the message.  Then we will return to the fleet."

<OOC> Mindwave says, "what is the resistance leader's name?"
<OOC> Empress says, "He goes by Silas"

Mindwave turns to the communications officer, "Is the channel open?"
The communications officer says, "Recalibrating... channel open, Warlord."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Silas, this is Mindwave.  We are planning to mount another diversion in order for me to slip on to your planet unnoticed, so that we can meet face-to-face. We will contact you again to inform you of when and where this will happen.  Please acknowledge."
Silas' voice comes over the comlink, "Acknowledged, Mindwave.  We will be watching for you."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Mindwave out."
Mindwave signals to the communications officer to close the channel.
The communications officer says, "Channel is closed, Warlord."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Captain, get us underway."
The captain nods, saying to the helmsman, "Take us out of orbit.  Keep the planet between us and Tirax IV for as long as possible." And with the order, the friage breaks orbit and pushes toward deep space

A short time later, back at the fleet...

Mindwave meets with Commodore Tarna and Captain Brenna to discuss the plan with them.
Tarna looks at Mindwave for a moment and says, "You're planning to do what?"  He purses his lips for a moment, knowing that he probably just overstepped his authority, but says, "With all due respect, Warlord, it sounds like suicide to me."
Mindwave says in Basic, "We need to find out more about this resistance movement, and what their capabilities are. We cannot do that from deep space."
Tarna nods and says, "You are correct, of course.  But I still do not like it.  How do you plan to get out of there when the time comes?  You're not going to be able to just take off and fly away..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "We will have to find a way off on our own once we get there... steal a ship, if we have to."
Mindwave says in Basic, "We are going to have to go there eventually..."
Tarna nods once again. He says, "Very well, Warlord.  I will see to it that the preparations are made."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Captain Brenna, any recommendations on who should accompany me on this mission?"
Brenna says, "With an operation such as this, it would be best to keep the party as small as possible.  Perhaps yourself, Cheshire Cat, the Doctor, and myself.  Anyone else would just increase our chances of getting caught."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Mr. Strong will need to come with us as well."
Brenna nods and says, "Very well."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Fine, that is settled.  Fleet status?"
Commodore Tarna says, "All repairs are completed.  We are ready, Warlord."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Fine, let's get underway as soon as the team is ready.  Captain Brenna, let's get the team assembled and equipped."
Brenna nods and says, "Very well, Warlord."  She then stands up and says, "I'll go make the preparations."
Mindwave says in Basic, "I'll inform Chesire Cat and Mr. Strong."
Tarna stands up and says, "And I'll prepare the fleet for battle..."

<OOC> Empress says, "Any special preparations you guys are making?"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "special homing beacon I want on me, one that I can activate."
<OOC> Empress says, "OK, if you want one that will reach outside the system, it's going to be a little bulky... like about the size of a briefcase."
<OOC> Mindwave says, "oh, then forget it"
<OOC> Empress says, "You can get a smaller one, like button-sized, it just won't have as great a range. A button-sized beacon will reach high orbit"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "good, that is fine."
<OOC> Empress says, "OK, consider it done then"

Later, down in the shuttle bay of the dreadnought, Captain Brenna is finishing preparations on the dropship.  It's a fairly heavy looking ship, a little bigger than a standard shuttle.  It's hull is smooth and wedge-shaped, apparently designed for entering an atmosphere at fairly high speed.  Captain Brenna says, "I've got all of our gear stowed already, along with body armor and weapons for everyone and a portable transmitter."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Excellent.  Commodore Tarna, will it be possible to slip the frigate behind the second planet again?"
Tarna nods and says, "I don't think that will be a problem, Warlord.  It shouldn't have any trouble getting in while the action is taking place."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Good. Let's get going then..."

<OOC> Mindwave says, "oh, can we get a scuttle charge on the dropship?"
<OOC> Empress says, "Yeah, no problem."

Brenna nods and heads up the ramp of the dropship. She makes her way to the cockpit and preps the dropship for launch. Tarna nods as well and returns the Bridge.
Mindwave heads up the ramp of the dropship
Bruno has a thermos of coffee with him.
Mindwave motions for Chesire Cat to sit next to her.

Once everyone is aboard, the dropship lifts off the deck and flies out the atmospheric force field of the docking bay. Brenna takes the ship to a location just outside the system where the run to the planet will commence. Once in position, you stop and wait for word from the fleet. An hour passes by, but seems like an eternity.  Finally, you receive word from Commodore Tarna informing you that the fleet has engaged the enemy.  Upon receiving that word, the six corvettes streak into action...
Mindwave says in Basic, "Take us in..."
Brenna nods and the dropship begins its run as well.  Tucked in behind one of the Corvettes to help mask your approach, you dash toward Tirax IV.  Once near the planet, the defense stations begin firing on the corvettes and your dropship, but once again their weapons are scaled for larger craft.  Their fighers are much quicker to respond this time, however...
Brenna frowns as the batteries from the two battle stations fall silent.  She reports, "Warlord, I'm showing about two dozen fighters scrambling from the surface and heading our way..."
Mindwave orders, "Have the corvettes clear away some of those fighters."
Brenna nods and relays the order. The Corvettes begin firing on the fighters, spitting red laser beams from their point defense laser batteries. It doesn't take long before the swarm of enemy fighters reaches you and begins firing back, however.  Green bolts of tachyon energy fill the sky around you, some spattering off your shields, others missing by a narrow margin.
Mindwave says in Basic, "...just a little bit more...."
The Corvettes are taking a pounding from the enemy fighters. It's much more intense than the last time.  Brenna jerks the ship to the side as three balls of green-white energy slam into the corvette in front of you, vaporizing it.  Two others pass through the space your dropship was occupying just a moment before...
Mindwave says in Basic, "How far until we breakaway from the corvettes?"
The look on Brenna's face is one of ice cold concentration. She says, "We're starting our run now, but we seem to have picked up a couple of new friends..."
Mindwave looks at the tactical screen...
The Dropship dips then barrel rolls as several green energy bolts streak past the cockpit window. The tactical display shows two Tiraxian fighters directly behind the dropship.  The rear-firing laser spits red bolts at them, but they're agile fighters, and the rear weapon on the dropship is neither very accurate nor is it very powerful.  Brenna says, "If you have any bright ideas, now is the time..."
Bruno smirks, "What are we carrying for cargo?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "We do have the scuttle charge..."
Bruno nods, "Well... we could drop that with a 1 second delay on the explosion, that should be plenty of time for us to get away... I think... maybe two seconds?"
The ship jolts as several shots hit the rear of the ship. Alarms start going off, indicating the rear shield has been penetrated. Brenna calls back, "Whatever you're going to do, do it quick..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "if those ships are being controlled, we could try jamming their signals..."
Bruno shrugs and activates the forcefield and straps it to his belt loop. "Mindwave, use your TK to keep me more or less steady..."
Brenna calls, "We can't jam their signals from here, we don't have the equipment."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Very well, Doctor."

<OOC> Empress says, "OK, Mindwave, make an ego check (9 + EGO/5)"

Bruno smirks and looks around, "Now then...where you stow that charge on this tub?"
Mindwave reaches out with her mind to move Bruno, "Tell me where you wnat to go, Doctor..."
Bruno feels for some reason like he should be chomping on a stogey at the moment, but doesn't really have the time for it at the moment.

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 6 1 1
Body: 2
Stun: 8

<OOC> Mindwave says, "not a problem"
<OOC> Empress says, "And what's you're ego?"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "30...my Ego roll is 15-"
<OOC> Empress says, "OK. Bruno, make a DEX roll with a -7 bonus to your roll (Basically don't roll 17 or 18)"

Bruno rolls 3 dice and gets: 6 5 2
Body: 4
Stun: 13

Bruno is getting bounced around some, but with the Help of Mindwave's TK, he is able to reach the charge...
Bruno sighs, "Now then...where do we launch this bad boy from?"
Mindwave looks around for an airlock.
More shots hit the ship as it dips again.  The sound of metal screeching can be heard as a couple more shots glance off the armored hull of the ship... not a direct hit, fortunately.  There is an airlock in the rear of the ship that you can dump the charge out of.  It's not a huge device, only about the size of a medium suitcase.
Mindwave says in Basic, "There, Doctor, the airlock is there."
Mindwave points to the airlock...
Bruno ties himself to the door so that he doesn't go flying out.  He closes the inner door behind him and pushes the button to open the outer. "Let's see... power... on. There we go.  Here's one up yer knickers, boys."  He sets it for a 1.2 second delay after the button is pushed... then pushes the button and releases.
Mindwave says in Basic, "I hope this works..."
The ship jolts as another couple of tachyon beams hit.  This time they felt more direct.  Bruno overrides the airlock cycling and forces the airlock to open without depressurizing first.  The outter door of the airlock slides open and the whole airlock blows out, propelling the charge backward.  Bruno is also launched toward the opening, but his tether line stops him before he flies out the airlock. 1.2 seconds later, there is a massive explosion...
Bruno hehs and flips the bird in the general direction of the bogeys.
The two enemy fighters wink out of existance on the tactical display as they are engulfed in the explosion. Secondary explosions errupt as the Tiraxian fighters meet their doom.
Mindwave says in Basic, "Nice job, Bruno."
The outter airlock door closes and the airlock repressurizes.  After the explosion, Brenna says, "We may have a problem here... their last shots hit us pretty hard in the engines."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Will we have to abandon the craft before we land?"
The Dropship begins shaking as it nears the planet.  Brenna seems to be having a more difficult time keeping control of it. She answers, "I don't think that's going to be an option, Warlord... our braking thrusters aren't responding too well, this is going to be a bumpy reentry."
Brenna says as calmly as possible, "Reentry in twenty seconds... if you're not strapped in, I recommend you do so.
Mindwave says in Basic, "Doctor, you might want to take your seat again..."
Bruno nods and hurries back to the seat, not bothering to gloat.  He keeps the forcefield on, full power. "Heaven help us all..."
Mindwave activates her force field.
Brenna says, "Hold on..." and a moment later, you are thrown forward into your restraints as the ship hits the atmosphere. White-hot flames are the only thing visible out the viewport as the friction of the ship entering the atmosphere ignites the air itself around the ship...

<OOC> Empress says, "Brenna has a 13- combat piloting. Wanna roll it, Mindwave?"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "sure"

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 6 5 1
Body: 3
Stun: 12

<OOC> Mindwave says, "just barely"

Brenna manages to keep the ship from tumbling as it barrels through the atmosphere.  You are on what is possibly the roughest ride you've ever experienced.  Even through your forcefields, you're sure you're getting nasty bruises from your restraints as you're jostled around.  Your heads hit the headrests on your seats, jarring your necks and giving you one of the worst neck aches you can remember.  Brenna fights to maintain consciousness as the ship plummets toward the surface. She manages to level out the ship somewhat, and the flames outside the window die down as the ship decelerates...
Mindwave checks the tactical screen again...
Mindwave says in Basic, "We need to find a place to set down."
The ship punches through the cloud cover over one of the few nature preserves.  The tactical screen is dead, apparently damaged in the descent.  The ship continues toward the ground at a frightening rate as Brenna, barely conscious, manages to get the nose of the craft up, turning it from a catastrophic crash into a really ugly but survivable crash landing...

Empress rolls 12 dice and gets: 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 3 3 3 1
Body: 12
Stun: 50

<OOC> Mindwave says, "yikes"
<OOC> Empress says, "That's the damage from the crash. Your force fields do protect."
<OOC> Bruno says, "Well...I don't take any body at least, but OUCH..."
<OOC> Mindwave says, "yeah, no body taken here, but yowzers"
<OOC> Empress says, "Anybody go unconscious?"
<OOC> Empress says, "Brenna does"
<OOC> Bruno says, "Oh yeah...:)"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "I think I do, I'm checking my sheet"
<OOC> Empress imagines CC is going to go uncon from that too. Assume he is wearing 8/8 armor, as I don't think he has a force field
<OOC> Mindwave says, "my only defense is my force field and armor, I think...I have no PD"
<OOC> Empress says, "Yeah, you have to have a little PD... it's under your characteristics"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "2"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "yeah, I am unconsciouss..."
<OOC> Mindwave says, "Chesire Cat is still up"
<OOC> Mindwave says, "his PD is pretty good..."

Cutaway: A view from the ground looking up at the sky as a trail of smoke plummets out of the clouds. The ship hits the ground hard, then skips up, its nose pointing up into the air a little more, and a moment later, the engines hit the ground and are ripped off the hull. The rest of the craft pitches forward again then does an end-over-end roll and lands on its top as it slides for several hundred more yards before coming to a halt... all is quiet.  The camera zooms in on the remains of the dropship, through the broken viewport to show its five passengers hanging upside down from their seats...

To be continued...