Open Play Week 2- Hunt mission - Who attacked the Chang Song?

--ALL CHANNEL DISTRESS SIGNAL--
This is CPT Teach of the Banks guild ship the Chang Song. We are being attacked by unknown forces. Our shadow drive has failed and we are fleeing using maneuvering thrusters. Please any one help us, they are closing quickly. My god they are firing...TRANSMISSION ENDED

Positioning data places the banking guild ship in contested territory in the polar expanse between the IR and Kasanthian Federation. The stars in the area have been highly active and are scrambling IFF decoders and most normal types of encrypted transmission.

The Chang Song's manifest (Available to all factions in good standing with the banknig guild) indicates it is carrying a load of fine art pieces bound for storage and restoration at banking guild facilities.

***

This mission is open to IR/IRLC/K-Fed/Free systems players and friends. Due to the need for alacrity and the risk of starting an international incident in the contested area fleet size is capped at 2 capital ships and 10 fighters.

Post your plan to this mission here on this thread only. First person to post gets a single extra repost later to launch secret attacks, ambushes etc. All other players get one post only. This thread will be locked at 11 pm E.S.T. on Friday September 16th.

Please be sure to state your intentions when heading to this location (Rescue/salvage, pillage, recon, etc)

Ven Daydor got the messages in quick succession. First the request for help. Second, an email from Maehl Holdings VP, Hari, asking if the hail they were getting was one of theirs. Ven quickly ran over to his console and checked the logs. Lo and behold, the ship did not belong to Maehl Holdings, despite being on official Banking Guild business. Strange, thought Ven.

A few moments later, while Su was sitting behind his desk on Esiroh 6, reviewing the most recent UMart figures, he recieved a message from Hari. Su, a Banking Guild ship just sent a distress signal from no-man's land between IR and K-Fed space. It's not one of ours. Su thought for a moment, realizing that while he could send a massive force between Maehl Holdings and IR ships, the political situation was a bit tricky.

"Hari, I'll send a message to both sides. In the meantime, send out a salvaging/rescue party. Keep it small. In fact, send a Starcruiser and some Sparrows. Keep me posted."

Hari was at her desk when, busy managing all the different strings that Su was pulling. There were official communiques to track, different channels to coordinate, and a legal team to oversee, ensuring that every action was properly coordinated between the different spheres of Su Maehl's influence. The fact that he requested she send out a party meant he wanted to make it an IRLC issue to handle. Perhaps it was best, as he didn't want to step on anyone's toes. She chuckled, realizing that Maehl Holdings, being the primary contractor for the Iron Republic, Kasanth, and the Banking Guild, gave it the best possible position with regards to verifying the damage to the ship and ensuring that tensions would not explode.

"Loss Prevention, send a Starcruiser and 8 Sparrows to the last known location of the Banking Guild distress signal. Be cautious. If you require assistance, please let us know. Be cautious, make all parties aware of your location. Salvage what you can, try to find survivors, and recover the cargo."

Hari then sent the following message:

"Dear Sector General,
There appears to be a downed merchant ship in your space, attacked by unknown sources. As it is a Banking Guild vessel, we are sending a salvage team to its last known location. The team consists of a Starcruiser and 8 Sparrows. Please be advised.

Signed,
VP Loss Prevention, Maehl Holdings"

This message was soon followed up by another message:
"Dear Admiral Layne Yr,
There appears to be a downed merchant ship in your space, attacked by unknown sources. As it is a Banking Guild vessel, we are sending a salvage team to its last known location. The team consists of a Starcruiser and 8 Sparrows. Please be advised.

Signed,
VP Loss Prevention, Maehl Holdings"

Hilo Fino, captain of Maehl Holdings' most powerful ship, the Starcruiser, and his compliment of 8 Sparrows embarked to the proper location. When entering IR space, he made the proper hails to the proper channels, advising the Iron Republic of his location and intentions. He also does the same when entering Kasanthian space. He sends the Sparrows to scout the specific region, with teams to board any vessel that is still around. They are armed with Grey Waveform pistols and medical kits. At the first sign of danger they hail K-Fed, IR, and Free Systems ships that are in the area, requesting assistance. Hilo knows not to be aggressive, and is authorized to use force only when directly threatened. Diplomacy, Maehl always said, is the key to victory, not force. However, if there are any unfriendly forces, especially if they outnumber his forces, the order was to run. No need to be a hero.

Hilo sighed heavily as his ship reached its destination.

His name was Malvilini and he was a captain in the Kasanthian Federation. He had seen his Admiral Yr and had a deep Passion for her that burned. But of course she had rebuffed him at every angle. She promised a cold and icy shoulder for him time and time again.

Believing the Chang Sung to be carrying Art Objects that would simply be wasted in a pirates vessel, Malvilini set forth with Five Yrs Starfighters to attack the Chang Sung, any pirates and any non TRILAT vessels.

Admiral Layne Yr kept a close eye on those little boys with crushes on her. Especially those in military uniforms. When Malvilini and his four wingmen left, she sent five Yrs Starfighters and two Kasanthian Missile ships to prevent the dumb male from sparking an intergalactic incident.

There were authorized to kill Malvilini if he attacks any allies of the Kasanthian Federation like the Banking Guild, Maehl Holdings and other ICs.

the clone of Lt. Palomedes leapt out of bed on the estate. He had been an attempt by the Sector General to assauge his greef over the loss of his son during the attack on the Warmonger Cult ships.

The clone had been sitting in bed eating a cranberry scone. the scone and the tray were now on the floor.
Palomedes couldn't believe the signal his comms picked up. He ran from the house, changing into his uniform as he ran. He called out to his father's Bulter, "Umber, get my Raptor prepped."

"But Sir, the master demanded you not leave," said the older gentleman.

"I know Umber," said Palomedes, "But people are in need of help. Captain Teach of the Chang Song sent out a distress signal and needs my aid. As father always said, Chivalry means nothing if you do not act in defense of the defenseless."

"Captain Teach Sir? Perhaps Edward Teach Sir, as in Blackbeard? Have you confirmed the manifest?" asked the Butler.

"I have no clue what you are referring to," said Palomedes, "But yes I did check the manifest and it checks out."

"Sir, may I recommend you keep an eye out for an ambush sir," said the Butler.

"Always do Umber," said Lt. Palomedes, feeling chills for a reason that he could not place.

When he flew off Umber the Butler put a message out to the father, his own master Sector General Palomedes. He recieved a message, send a wing of eight Raptors and a pair of Interplanetary Gunships to back him up.

Meanwhile Lt. Palomedes clone had prepared to reach the Chang Song, with an eye on killing anyone who threatened the vessel. Especially Estrain or the Kasanthian Federation. As far as the Clone was concerned, it was time to rock and roll!

He was even towing a group of five Brethren in a drop pod behind him just in case they needed to board. Brethren Betas, standard loadout, Lt Palomedes, Tankkiller Power Armor and plasma ejectors.

ooc: Defensive formations, plasma salvos, and plasma missiles.