A World Where No One Gets Mad, Even If You Suddenly Ram Your Dick Into The Pussy Of A Girl You Fancy...
Did you say something, sir?
N-nothing.
It's Not Adolescent Delusions But That Person is Scary...
You're seriously creeping me out, Captain.
Sorry. How much further until we get there?
Any moment now. Can't wait to meet your girl, sir?
Mmmm.. it's been a while. I haven't seen Ava since we were in high school. I doubt she even remembers me.
Who? The Commander? Psh, not her! I mean the Sunrider. The newest ship in the fleet! Here let me turn the ship around and give you a view.
She's a fine ship.
Aye, there, have a look at her. So advanced that the brass needed to train a new line of officers to fly her. Oh, here we are... have a nice flight, Captain.
Welcome aboard, captain. First Officer Ava Crescentia reporting for duty.
It's been a while, Ava.
Same to you, uh, captain.
The last time we saw each other was your graduation in high school. Never dreamed that I'd become your CO.
Neither did I.
It'll be just like old times again. Don't be too awkward around me, alright? I'll be counting on you from now on.
Understood captain.
Not sure you understand...
Understand what?
The whole calling me a captain thing -
I do believe that is the correct protocol for a first officer, is it not?
Ah, never mind lah. Report on the Sunrider's status.
We've been working for the past two weeks testing her systems. She's prepped to go on your word, sir.
Good. Sounds like High Command wants us out of here ASAP.
Tell me more about the Sunrider.
She's the newest ship in the fleet. Armed like a warship, but built like carrier. We can field up to twelve ryders and also provide capital ship support for them.
I see. Armaments?
Her biggest asset is the Vanguard Cannon. It's a battle-ship class gun, modified extensively just for our ship. It's cumbersome to fire, but it can rip holes through ships over twice as big as ours.
Sounds majestic.
Not only that, but the Sunrider can be flown with a crew of just 50 and has one of the most efficient warp drives in the fleet. We'll be able to jump across the galaxy in just days.
Gonna love this ship. I've heard of the orange alert on the way here. Can you shed some light on that?
Don't tell me you don't know. Rynar's surrendered to PACT just this morning.
Already? That's another neutral world that's been taken by PACT.
Not only that, but PACT's taken Minerva, Barona, and Geralrd in the past three months. One neutral after another. What do you think that means?
Encirclement. We're next.
Exactly. That is why High Command's not taking any risks. If any hostiles enter our gravity wells, we're to open fire and ask questions later.
That clarifies things. What now?
First, a tour of the ship.
We moved through the ship. Engineering Bay, the Mess Hall, the Bridge, the Hangar Bay and the R&D labs...
Nice! Looks like I moved up in life! This is probably the best apartment I ever lived in!
Please don't mess up your room too much, Captain.
Don't worry. I've already got some ideas on how to redecorate it.
Hmph. And that concludes our tour. Like I said, I'll be in the bridge most of the time, so you can come to me if you need help.
How about a meal at the Mess Hall?
I'm afraid we'll have to cut the formalities short, Captain. Like I said, Command wants us out of dry dock as soon as possible.
I see.
We are scheduled for our first live engine test. We'll be leaving port shortly and making one loop around the moon.
Fine with me. Let's head to the bridge.
Later...
Alright, crew - this is your Captain speaking.
We are to enter orange alert as soon as we clear port. Raise shields and scan for any possible hostiles. I know this is just a test, but keep your guard up. I want everyone to be on their feet in case we run into any problems.
Main reactor online, Captain. Power increasing.
Wake her up, Ava. Let's get out of here.
Aye sir. Helmsman, light the engine. Blast off in three.
Make it so.
Two.
*BLAMMMMM*
What the hell was that? Did something misfire? Report!
Then where's that blasted noise from?
Captain! Contact! PACT warp signatures detected!
What!
Missile boats! They jumped in right under our noses!
Red Alert! Cancel the engine test!
This is one hell of a maiden flight, Ava. Status report on our weapons.
Limited. The Vanguard is still offline. We have flak turrets, Saviors and a few shots of Hell Dart.
No ryders to scramble?
None. I've told you in the hangar, they're not scheduled to arrive-
Damn it. Prepare for engagement.
Captain... you're not seriously thinking of taking the Sunrider into battle, are you? We haven't even completed any of our engine tests, much less any munitions checks.
No time like the present. Get this ship operational, double time!
Aye sir! Helmsman, all power to engines! Warning! Enemy inbound!
What is it?!
Missile Frigate! Engaging us at maximum range! Incoming Missiles!
Uh...Ava?!
Evasive action, goddamit!
Engine is at full impulse!
TOO LATE!?!
Ice cold, Ava. You KNEW we were going to make it, didn't you?
Captain, enemy in range.
Ignoring me are you? Fine. Have it your way!
Got it. Target Missile Frigate - 02! Hell Dart!
Affirmative!
Fire missiles!
Report!
Direct Hit! Enemy Missile Frigate hull at 10% integrity!
Can we use assault cannons to finish the job?
Negative. It's too far away! I recommend the Trinity Array, Captain.
I concur.
I Can Love Her Even When She's Sleeping.
Captain?!
FIRE ALL TRINITIES ARRAY ON MF-02!
Trinities! Lock on and fire!
Target is going critical!
MF-01 is attacking! Missiles inbound!
Flak Guns intercept!
Negative on full interceptions! 88% barrage effectiveness upon impact!
Tsk... not good enough! Forward thrust at 30%!
30% EP invested! We are closing on target!
Fire Trinities - Target: MF-01
It's a hit. Enemy Hull at 51%! Counter-fire barrage incoming!
Flak it!
We have lost 15% Hull Integrity!
Damn it, being a lone ship sucks. Return fire with Trinity barrage!
Direct hit! Enemy hull at 1%!
Assault Cannon! Full Barrage!
Enemy reactor going critical!
That's the last target down!
Well done, Sunrider. Commence salvage operations.
But is it balanced?
