ISDII Challenge Report # 12 (2020-10-18)

This report was submitted by COM-TACA-FSE/HA Anahorn Dempsey/ISDII Challenge


 
ISD-II Challenge
Commodore HA Dempsey reporting
Report ID: H.AD.012
Report date: october 18th, 2020

 
Commodore's speech

This was it.

Firebird’s first combat mission, after endless simulator sessions and training exercises against the other squadrons of the Challenge, they were finally being given the opportunity to get to grips with the enemy. When the briefing had been conducted, the excitement among the pilots of Wing X had been evident even without being able to feel it through the Force; the pilots had had enough of always being on the defensive, they wanted to be the attackers rather than the attacked for once.

And Firebird had been given the opportunity to draw first blood.

Six X-wings and three Y-wings were the first ships to leave the Challenge's hangar, escorting a trio of TIE Reapers from Gust Squadron who were acting as electronic countermeasures craft. In the lead fighter, Stryker settled deeper into his ejection seat and adjusted his grip on his control stick and throttle.

'Okay boys and girls, looks like we've got a welcoming party coming out to meet us. Split into teams, just like training, and prepare to engage.'

The squadron split into three; two X-wings and a Y-wing each escorting one of the Reapers. It wasn't a by-the-book strategy, but it had worked in training and the development and refinement of dissimilar combat tactics had been one of Firebird's foremost mission goals.

[Beep!]

'I know we're outnumbered, but we've been in tighter spots than this; at least they’re not flying Defenders!'

The black and yellow R6 droid seemed to settle deeper into his socket, as if not sharing his pilot's confidence; three to one odds weren't the worst odds they had faced either as part of Red Squadron or on their own, but they also didn't fill his circuits with confidence. On the other hand, an X-wing with a skilled pilot/astromech team would outperform Z-95s any day.

'Challenge is launching reinforcements.'

Stryker shrugged as the flight controller's voice crackled in his headset; his people could probably have taken most of the Headhunters deploying ahead of them by themselves, they were better trained and their craft were superior in build quality and maintenance. However, that didn't mean they wouldn't get hurt and the Reapers were ponderous and slow when using their jammers; even a rookie in a Headhunter would be able to spot and hit one using their eyes.

'Firebird, you are weapons free.'

Finally! Bringing up his proton torpedo systems, Stryker aimed the crosshairs at the first Headhunter. Sparky beeped as the computer acquired a lock, his tone becoming shrill as he released the weapon at a range that the Headhunters would not be able to match unless they were similarly armed. Similar torpedo launches from his companions meant that a total of nine proton torpedoes lanced out towards the swarm approaching them head-on; they crossed the distance faster than any sublight vessel could travel, still accelerating to their maximum velocity even as they slammed home. The blasts engulfed several fighters per explosion, and no less than twelve fighters were sent spiralling out of control or destroyed outright in the initial volley.

'Flight leaders, pick your targets. Let's wrap this up before Inferno get in our way!'

Switching from torpedoes to lasers, Stryker linked them to fire in pairs; slightly reducing the overall rate of fire but increasing the damage per hit would be useful against shielded targets like Headhunters, which would require two or maybe even three direct hits before being put out of action. Taking a snapshot at the fighter that passed his nose, Stryker saw shields flare and fail, but the target was gone before his follow-up shot could finish it off - such was the turbulent rolling melee the fight had become even as the Challenge and her escorts moved towards the Golan platform that was their objective. Already the mighty Star Destroyer was raining heavy ordnance down on the platform, torpedoes and missiles battering at the reinforced shields as the Golan's crew struggled to accurately return fire. The pirates had found a mighty stronghold, but they lacked the training or the manpower to operate it effectively. Still, that didn't mean it wasn't still a dangerous foe.

'Firebird One, there's a bandit on your tail!'

Stryker swore loudly and diverted whatever discretionary power he had to the engines, increasing his speed by a further twenty percent as he raced away from the volley of laser blasts that would have done significant damage to his shields. The Headhunter, despite being slower, kept up its pursuit and the barrage of deadly energy that began to spark and hiss against the X-wing's rear shields. It didn't look like anyone was coming to help, Stryker realised as he saw the towers of the Golan looming before him, so he was going to have to get clever. Closing his S-foils, Stryker rolled inverted and passed through the Golan's failing shield bubble to enter the relative safety of the access tunnel that ran its length, launching a spread of flares in his wake to confuse the Headhunter's targeting. Racing through the tunnel, bare metres of clearance on all sides between him and his own fiery demise, Stryker breathed a small sigh of relief as he exited the other end, opened his S-foils again and looped back over the top of the station. The Headhunter was there, ripe for the taking, and Stryker patiently lined up his shot.

'Imperial craft; cease fire! We surrender!'

Stryker's finger moved away from the trigger as the Challenge ceased firing and the Golan's remaining batteries also fell silent. The few remaining Headhunters clustered together under the guns of EvilGrin's Inferno Squadron while the X-wings and Y-wings of Firebird squadron, some bearing fresh char marks, regrouped with the Reapers and escorted them back to the Challenge to collect boarding parties.

The party that night was... loud. Prior to its merger with the TIE Corps, the Infiltrator Wing had long had a reputation for flaunting Imperial regulations and throwing wild parties with alcohol, women and gambling, and the veterans of that organisation had ensured that the tradition continued. Stryker had shared a drink with his pilots, congratulated the newbies on their first combat kills, and watched as several cans of pink paint had been offloaded next to Lieutenant Turel's X-wing before departing. He knew they should conduct more thorough debriefings before alcohol ruined their memories, but left them to it. He wasn't 'one of the boys' anymore, so it would be better to just let the pilots have their fun, there was going to be more work to be done before the week was over.

Until then, he had a report to write...


Yes, we've won our first battle. As our techs are going over the Golan battle station to see what can be salvaged, things are returning back to normal on the mighty ISD-II Challenge. And it's been a good week. Once again, we've seen a large number of veterens return. The M/FRG Phoenix has already signalled us to stop recommissioning squadrons. Too many empty corridors over there.

Screw them, and keep it up!. Welcome back to ye all, COL Mell Kerrigan, LC Kadon Beir, GN Master and LT Lee Cartec, and also a warm welcome to LT Rhygaar who joins us fresh out of the Academy aboard the SSD Avenger.

This month's MSE is near complete as a good number of Imperial Security Medals and Silver Stars of the Empire have been awarded, with more still pending approval by the SOO Office. Congratulations to all recipients, and let's see what we can do next month.

As you might have guessed, the above introduction wasn't my own handiwork, we have COL Stryker to blame for it...

Last this week is the return of Kappa squadron to the halls of the Warrior. It will be their downfall!

There's also been some discussion going on about what should be in squadron or ship reports. I'm pondering what I'll do with that... For one, I'll refrain from listing all LoC and LoS awarded, there's the weekly mail to the mailing list for that.

It's nice to see the enormous increase in MP activity all accross this ship. The list of people who have at least 1 victory this month is double or more last month's list, mostly (of course) attributed to Star Wars Squadrons. Keep it up folks!

Lastly for this week, I'm happy to see CPT Hermann promoted to the rank of Major. His excellent showing in this year's RtF is largely to blame for this, and his patience has been tested as he has had to wait almost 18 years for this promotion. It's well earned!
 

 
News headlines this week

  • Kappa squadron recommissioned
  • MSEs done
  • CPT Hermann receives long awaited promotion
     
  •  
    Transfers, promotions and medals this week

    TRANSFERS

  • SL Rhygaar: SSD Avenger -> Tempest 3-2
  • LT Cartec: M/FRG Phoenix -> Firebird 3-2
  • LC Beir: M/FRG Phoenix -> Inferno 3-4
  • COL Kerrigan: M/FRG Phoenix -> Inferno 1-3
  • GN Master: M/FRG Phoenix -> Inferno 3-2

    RANK PROMOTIONS

  • SL Hackers: promoted to Lieutenant
  • SL Rhygaar: promoted to Lieutenant
  • CPT Hermann: promoted to Major

    FLEET COMMANDER'S HONOR GUARD ADVANCEMENTS

  • LCM Ny`Irfa: Legionnaire -> Aquilifer
  • LT Turel: none -> Grenadier

    COMBAT RATINGS ADVANCEMENTS

  • LT Angel: Marksman 3rd -> Marksman 2nd
  • LT Caelleigh: Trainee -> Certified
  • LT Dynamus: Certified -> Marksman 4th
  • LT Freddo Marksman 4th -> Marksman 3rd -> Marksman 2nd
  • LT Hackers: none -> Trainee
  • LT Kongo: none -> Trainee
  • LT Setroc: Certified -> Marksman 4th
  • LCM ERiSi: Marksman 4th -> Marksman 3rd
  • LCM TI-40026: Marksman 4th -> Marksman 3rd -> Marksman 2nd
  • CM EvilGrin: Officer 2nd -> Officer 1st
  • MAJ Jedgar: Marksman 2nd -> Marksman 1st
  • COL Stryker: Officer 2nd -> Officer 1st

    COOP/PvE RATINGS ADVANCEMENTS

  • LT Freddo: none -> Beginner
  • CM EvilGrin: Qualified -> Private 4th
  • MAJ Jedgar: none -> Beginner
  • LC Beir: none -> Beginner
  • COL Stryker: none -> Beginner

    MEDALS

  • LT Freddo: IS-SW (x2)
  • LT Skyward: ISM
  • LT Thinking: ISM
  • LCM Donir: ISM
  • LCM ERiSi: ISM
  • LCM Ny`Irfa: SS, IS-SR (x3), IS-BR (x3)
  • LCM TI-40026: IS-BR
  • CM Aval: ISM
  • CM EvilGrin: IS-BR
  • CPT Ryder: ISM
  • MAJ Shadowclaw: IS-BR
  • LC Sturm: SS, IS-SR, IS-BR (x4)
  • COL Blackheart: ISM
  • COL Naiilo: MoI
  • COL Stryker: SS, IS-BR (x2)
  • GN Berkana: BS
  • GN Polo: ISM
  •  
    Commodore activity report

  • communications: e-mail, Telegram, Discord
  • SP flying: none
  • MP flying: 145 sorties
  • other: not much

  • FCHG status: Imperator (4,546 pts = +0)
  • Combat rating: Tan (5,010 pts = +0)
  • COOP/PvE rating: Top Ace ranger (10,907 pts = +145)
     
  •  
    Competitions currently running

    Challenge ship-wide competitions:

  • Challenge Pilot of the month (SP/MP) (SP/MP flying)
  • Dempsey's Weekly Screenshots (trivia)
  • Trivia for the Challenged (trivia)
  • The First of Many (fiction)

    There's always competitions running at your squadron level, or TC wide. Check your Commander's weekly report or The Competitions Center at the TC website.
     

  •  
    Commodore's Competitions

    Dempsey's Weekly Screenshots

    Every week, the report will have a screenshot. Not necessaarily from a Star Wars movie. First Challenge pilot to send the correct answer to the mailing list wins. Each victory earns you an IS-BR. Unless it's a 5th victory, you then get a IS-SR. Unless it's a 10th victory, which gives you an IS-GR. A 25th victory will give you an IS-PR!
    Remember - your answer has to go to the list.

    Current screenshot:

    Last week's winner: CM EvilGrin

    Current standings: CPT Drake Starfire: 4pt, GN Berkana: 2pt, CM EvilGrin, MAJ Hermann, CPT Kalve Ryder, LC Phalk Sturm, COL Silwar Naiilo: 1pt

     
    Challenge Pilot of the Month

    One point per mission flown for the SP part of this competition, and 1 point per LoC/LoS for the MP parts of this competition. Stats will be taken from the killboards. As of this month, the PvP and PvE parts will be split.

    October SP standings:

  • LC Phalk Sturm: 85 missions
  • MAJ Hermann: 75 missions
  • LCM Marek Ny`Irfa: 42 missions
  • LT Dougal Caelleigh: 22 missions
  • MAJ Jedgar: 17 missions
  • LT Turel: 16 missions
  • COL Stryker: 12 missions
  • GN Master: 9 missions

    October PvP standings:

  • CM EvilGrin: 144 victories
  • LCM TI-40026: 87 victories
  • LT Freddo: 81 victories
  • COL Stryker: 76 victories
  • LT Angel: 67 victories
  • COL Silwar Naiilo: 61 victories
  • LCM ERiSi: 46 victories
  • LT Setroc: 40 victories
  • LT Turel: 31 victories
  • MAJ Talon Jade: 24 victories
  • LT Dynamus: 20 victories
  • LT Dougal Caelleigh: 20 victories
  • COL Horus Blackheart: 9 victories
  • MAJ Jedgar: 9 victories
  • LT Hackers: 5 victories
  • LC Kadon beir: 3 victories
  • LT Iam Thinking: 2 victories
  • LT Neko: 2 victories
  • LT Mo Kongo: 2 victories
  • LT Rhygaar: 2 victories
  • LT Ryan Hawkins: 2 victories
  • LT Lee Cartec: 1 victories
  • CPT Kalve Ryder: 1 victories

    October PvE standings:

  • HA Anahorn Dempsey: 170 victories
  • GN Dunta Polo: 14 victories
  • CM EvilGrin: 7 victories
  • CPT Kalve Ryder: 7 victories
  • LT Ryan Hawkins: 7 victories
  • LCM TI-40026: 6 victories
  • LT Turel: 5 victories
  • MAJ Jedgar: 3 victories
  • LT Setroc: 3 victories
  • COL Stryker: 3 victories
  • LT Freddo: 2 victories
  • LC Kadon Beir: 2 victories
  • LT Angel: 1 victory
  • LT Dougal Caelleigh: 1 victory
  • LCM ERiSi: 1 victory
     
  •  
    Wrapping up

    The weeks keep on getting better. Old friends have come back, including the one where I started off as a lowly SL back in the stone age. Let's make next week even better!

    COM-TACA-FSE/HA Anahorn Dempsey/ISDII Challenge, signing off


    MoH/OoR/ICx2/GOEx3/GSx20/SSx36/BSx38/PCx15/ISMx7/IS-12PW-184GW-441SW-408BW-4PR-18GR-20SR-88BR/MoI/MoT-51rh-52gh-9bh/LoC-PSx9-RSx2-CSx9
       LoS-PSx21-TS-IS-CSx5-Rx2/DFC-SW-Rx3/MoC-10doc-10poc-11goc-10soc-87boc/CoLx14/CoEx4/CoS/CoB/LoAx3/OV-13E [IMPR] [Tan] [TAR]
    {IWATS:MCBS-XAM-XMD-TM/1/2/TM/3-XTM/1-MP/2-AMP-XWAI-BFM-TT-XTT-SFT-CTW-AT-SU-CM2-MD1-DT3-ARTY1-VS4-ST-SC-SEA-SD-SZ-SR-AIR-CC-SFW-WPN-
        XWAC-ESET-ISET-TIE-SMA-AWAK-BWAK-XWAK-YWAK-SN4-SM/3/4}
    {IU:C/TC,C/DB,C/DIR,S,UL,CRD,EJE,TD,REP,WM,FT,IO,INST,MI,BTL,LDR,COE,WD,AIM,ICQ,MS1,TLN,ASP,BX,CSS,CBX,DW,FLA,LIN,GFX,IBX,JS,WIKI,PHP,VBS,XML,
        MAN1,MAN2,WKS,INO,HIST,INTEL,PRER,GR,SPW,HAD,GHA,THR,OSS,M/1/2,IIC/1/2/3,IA,CA,ARG/1,STM}

     

     


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