Blogs

9-27-2014 Mission Long Shot

Battlestar Ravens latest mission was planned by Captain Juan “Blindsword” Lopez with help and guidance from Colonel Keith “Leonidas” Ranson. No matter how much planning that goes into a mission like this, it doesn’t always go as planned. Some of the crew wasn’t able to be with us for one reason or another. That never stops the crew of the Ravens from having fun.

In the make believe BSG Universe, anything goes and usually the battles are one sided. Since I’ve performed many missions, I decided it was about time I had my Viper shot out from under me. I let some of the players know this ahead of time, but it was all add lib during the mission as to how and just what would happen to me. Read on to find out what happened and to see if I made it back to fight another day.

In the end, it’s all about having fun and letting your imagination take control. Feel free to join us on our next mission if you dare!!!!

Mission Objective:

“ATTENTION ON DECK” At Ease!

The Raven's Next Assignment Is One of Reclamation:

A Colonial Forward Operating Base on the frontier planet known as Delta Corinai was a crucial base for the Defense of Colonial Space during the first Cylon War. After the Armistice the Red Line was established 30 kilometers from Delta Corinia. The Colonial Garrison was dismantled in an attempt to preserve the fragile peace agreement held with the Cylons.

The base was abandoned in such haste that a large amount of usable military equipment including numerous Small Arms of all types,  Ordinance from small arms ammo to the most lethal bombs as well as short and long range missiles. The base also housed a manufacturing and repair facility for the Viper Mk-II, Mk-III and the Raptor Mk-I with a warehouse filled with spare parts.

It is imperative that this mission is successfully executed not only to reclaim the valuable munitions and equipment, but to keep it from falling into the hands of the Cylons to be used against us.

The Raven was chosen because we’re the best Battlestar in the Fleet. Any Questions?

Everyone to their action stations!!! The Raven is ready to Jump into Harms Way Once Again!!!

The Mission Begins:

"ATTENTION ALL HANDS” ACTION STATIONS! SET CONDITION ONE THROUGHOUT THE SHIP: PREPARE TO LAUNCH WING AS SOON AS JUMP IS COMPLETED; “BLACKTSTAR SQUADRON ON ALERT FIVE!"

SADDLE UP PEOPLE!!

(Pilots and Crews Racing To AIRCRAFT)

“PREPARE FOR JUMP IN FIVE........FOUR........THREE.........TWO........ONE.........JUMP!"

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

(Jump Completed)

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

CAG and CIC, Iceworm: MARDET Raptors ready to launch.

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Its pretty rock

• dradis is clear

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"CAG To Shooters, Launch As Soon As Ready"

• 9:51 PM
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"8614D To Raven, We Are In Position; Awaiting Go Ahead" "Roger, 8614,Hold Positions And Stand By"

• CAG Launching Now!

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MARDET SAPPERS and Security aboard assigned Shuttles.

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

FLIGHT; TACTICAL; ALL CLEAR GREEN LIGHT

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Roger MARDET, You Are Clear To Launch"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MARDET Raptors clear of the ship and enroute.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Spartan Section Two Clear"

• 9:55 PM
• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Lead Raptor, DRADIS clear.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

“Remaining Squadrons Are Clear To Launch; Blackstar on Alert Five"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Approaching Targets, scans and DRADIS no contact.

• Me

OK Tigers lets show them how it's done.....

• Launch when ready....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Raptor 316, Nothing On Surface"

• Me

We'll form our Finger Fours out side.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MARDET touched down, no contact, clearing targets.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"CAG to 99 Perseus, Clear To Ascend To Surface; Weapons Hot"

• Me

Reamer launching in 3, 2, 1.......whoosh.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Base Armory clear and secure.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Hammers Clear, And On Your Starboard, Spartans"

• Me

Form up everyone and look Sharpe.......the Cylons are out for Blood tonight I can feel it.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Perseus Nine, All Clear"

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Am i received

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

You Are Clear, Raven

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Parts storage clear and secure, heavy lift ground trucks and trailers available for move, piece of good luck

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Roger Captain

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

All clear to target, MARDET LEAD; secure fields

• Me

El Cid, Dutchman and Dredd get it together.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CGA To Cargo, You Are Clear To Descend To Surface 99 Minotaur’s, Assume Escort Formation. "Roger, CAG"

• Me

Roger that Capt.....we're all set....over...

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Ammunition Bunkers clear and secure, tractors and ammo dollies loaded already, like they knew we were coming. Pathfinder Beacons positioned and activated. You are clear to commence landings.

• Lt.Jg Grace "Bunny" Nonemaker

Perseus squadron let's go!

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"3397D To Raven, We Have Landed, And Ready To Receive Cargo"

• Me

OK Tigers lets keep our eyes open and secure our perimeter.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Team Alpha moving to HQ and CIC.

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

COPY GROUND

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"11`36M, We Are Outside Ammo Bunker":

• Me

Reamer to Hitman....Over....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Team Bravo moving to Assembly Buildings. No Contact.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Raptor 32, Picking up Something"

• Me

Roger Capt....Flight 2 in position.....Over....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Minotaur Lead to CAG; No Contact on North"

• Me

HotWire get your flight closer over....and stay alert....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"319, DRADIS Contact!

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Clear to load ammo bunkers, tractors fired up. Ground guide beacons directing to ammo, armory and parts areas.

• Me

Copy that Capt.....over.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"SPARROWS, 100 PLUS!"

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

L...: TAC. ATT....FEERENCE..WORKIN...CLEAR

• Lt.Jg Grace "Bunny" Nonemaker

Perseus squadron, stay alert!

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

'Spartan Six, Three On Two Six, Watch It!

• Me

Here they come....don't let any get near the transports.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

FLASH FLASH! Team Bravo tripped EOD in assembly building, warning trip devices set, need medecvac Dustoff for one wounded.

• Me

There’s a bunch of toasters at 3 O'clock.......

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Spartan Three, Got Two Heading Under, Moving To Match"

• Me

Turning to starboard......

• Weapons lock....2 missiles away...whoosh....
• Splash to chrome jobs....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

FLASH FLASH! Base CIC DRADIS shows multiple small and large contacts from planet far side.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"CAG To 332, MARDET Requesting EVAC' "Roger CAG, OTW"

• Me

El Cid there's one for ya.... I see him Capt....

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Captain Reamer watch out at your 11 o'clock

• Me

Guns blazing...Yeah Woohoo....splash one toaster....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"99 Hammers, Move Strike Raptors into Flanking Positions!

• Me

Thanks Stargazer I see them....

• Lt.Jg Grace "Bunny" Nonemaker

My viper is having communication malfunctions, I must return to the Raven

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MEDEVAC, WIA on NE point of LZ under coded beacon, ground guide there.

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

I got another one. Boom Bam

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG, Splash One!

• Me

Flight1....turn hard to port....

• Let’s get those Raiders....
• Roger that Capt.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Ammo on the way to transport. SAPPERS get that package underground and armed, we won't be here long.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Dump Truck to Bunny Will Escort; Wild Thing Take Lead"

• Me

Dutchman, watch your six....

• Whoosh.....Yeah FireFox saved me Capt....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG to 99 Minotaur’s, Prepare To Escort Cargos As Soon As The Have Left Surface

• Me

OK Dutchman watch it.....Copy that Capt....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Heavy raptor approaching North side of assembly building, we are engaged.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"1136M to Raven, Have Cleared"

• Me

There's a few more at 10 O'clock......Missile lock.....whoosh....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Loads all approaching ships. Need ten more mikes

• Me

Another one bites the dust.....I got one as well Capt....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Section Two, Eight High, Turn Starboard

• Me

Great shooting Dredd keep it up....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

WIA MEDEVAC is away and homeward bound.

• Ammo transport is away.
• Needs cover.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Minotaur Eight, Have MEDEVAC On Port, Escorting"

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Releasing missiles whoosh

• Me

There's another bunch of Raiders jumping in on our Six......

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Firing I got one

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Comms were down, ground wut ur location

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Minotaur Section Three, Have Ammo Ship Under Cover, Approaching Upper Atmosphere"

• Me

Execute manual FireFox.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"8814D, Hatches Secured, Taking Off"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Spare parts SAPPERS engaged, sending Tombstone to relieve.

• Me

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh....multiple missile launches......

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"HAMMER TWO, BASE STAR!"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Ammo dump. cleared of friendlies.

• Me

Woohoo......that will teach em to sneak up on us.......

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Copy that

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Parts storage emptied. Parts transport ready to depart.

• Me

I count at least 6 toasters destroyed.....

• FireFox to the rescue!!!!

• Capt. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Ground by pas housing go direct to HQ

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"6170D, About To Load Last Equipment, Stand By To Escort"

• Me

OK let’s regroup back into Finger Four Squadron configuration.....Over....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Last transport loaded with parts and weapons. Departing now.

• Me

Roger that Capt.....over....Flight 2,3,4,5 responding Sir....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"8614, Approaching Upper Atmosphere"

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Roger that Captain