Episode 2.01: Brushfire!

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: Cloaking devices are notoriously difficult to penetrate, so the fact you folks already have an advantage on that regard, I'd say no to a second Advantage doing the same thing.

That said, I'd allow you to create an Advantage that reduces Difficulty on a single Helm maneuver or Attack that targets the Bird of Prey, but only after Sensor Operations successfully performs a Scan for Weakness task vs. Difficulty 3 against it. (Once the maneuver or attack is attempted, Sensor Ops must do another Scan for Weakness to trigger the benefit.)

Let me know if that works for you.

So far, Tobin hasn't detected any communications signal emanating from the Bird of Prey. Conceivably, they could've sent a tight beam transmission that he missed, but its range would be severely curtailed in atmosphere, so, unless there's another Klingon ship cloaked in orbit, it's unlikely. Best guess, if they do have friends in the system (or just outside), that call will come once they break atmo.

[Nolmir]

OOC: Yeah, I kinda figured that might be the case.

Just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly -- for the advantage you're suggesting, we'd have to Scan for Weakness to create it, and then do it again to activate it?

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: Scan for Weakness will trigger the Advantage. You'll be creating it now by spending 2 Momentum (or Threat), so, you'll have the Advantage available to you, but you can only use once it after successfully performing a Scan for Weakness vs. Difficulty 3.

[Nolmir]

OOC: OK, I follow now. Hmm ... what the hey, let's do it. It'll come in handy if it comes down to that.

[Davy, aka GM]

The Bird of Prey's vector changes sharply, a violent maneuver that causes Tobin and Maria to momentarily lose sight of the ship on sensors. A few heartbeats later, they reacquire their target, now on an intercept course with the Drake's orbit.

"Captain, target has changed course; it's heading right for us," Maria announces, a little less calmly than she wants.

Tobin can't get a reading on the Bird of Prey's disposition. Are they charging weapons and preparing to drop their cloak, or just making a run for it?

OOC: You folks get one collective action before the Bird of Prey is on you.

The Wounded
Cole - Injury/Stable (2 Complications)
Kowalski - Injury/Stable

Current
Momentum 2
Threat 0

Advantages & Complications
Well-Oiled Machine Advantage (when a PC or supporting character assists a PC on a shipboard task)
More Aggressive Strategy Advantage (Tyreen)
Educated Guess Advantage (when using ship's sensors to actively scan for cloaked ships)
Locked Onto Power Signature (reduces Difficulty on a single Helm maneuver or Attack that targets the Bird of Prey, but only after Sensor Operations successfully performs a Scan for Weakness task vs. Difficulty 3 against it; once the maneuver or attack is attempted, Sensor Ops must do another Scan for Weakness to trigger the benefit)
Trauma Shock Complication (Cole; Injury-related)
Massive Internal Injuries Complication (Cole; Injury-related)

[Renny]

OOC: We've already established that the Drake is at full tactical readiness, I think?

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: The Drake is at red alert, so, yes.

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: Regarding the legal status of Neural.

As a Federation protectorate, Neural is considered to be legally off-limits to outside interference. The prohibition extends to any unauthorized presence within the Zeta Bootis system.

That said, there are no treaties in place between the Federation and the Klingon Empire wherein the Klingons recognize such a status. Further, applicable Federation law doesn't make it an automatic act of war for agents of a foreign government to violate it.

So, no, the Klingons are not allowed to loiter planetside (let alone actively interfere with the civilization's progress) according to Federation law. So, it's solely up to the will of the government to enforce it (and you folks are the duly authorized representatives of the Federation in the system).

That said, the rules of engagement you were given only pertain to preserving the balance of power on Neural; however, you were also ordered, in the event of the loss of the Rostov, to remain on station until relieved. The briefing packet you received at the beginning of the episode includes all standing orders for a ship on station, and rules of engagement for what it calls "foreign violators of the protectorate zone."

In short, they are:
1. Use diplomacy to negotiate the foreign violator's departure from the protectorate zone.
2. If diplomatic efforts are not successful within 24 hours, or if the on-station commander determines that the foreign violator has taken an aggressive posture (which includes beaming agents planetside), the unit is authorized to issue an ultimatum of departure from the zone within one star hour, under threat of force.
3. If force is required, the unit is instructed to attempt to drive off the foreign violator with a minimum application of force; for foreign agents planetside, capture-only is proscribed (also with a minimum application of force).
4. The unit may only attempt to disable a foreign violator if the unit is under the imminent threat of attack; this applies to both planetside and ship-to-ship engagements.

And, just so it's clear, the fact that the Apellan attack force had three confirmed Klingons (and one is a known IKN officer, Lt. Maltz) means you're already at step 2.

[Patrick Goodman]

I will mentally compose an ultimatum....

[Patrick Goodman]

Is the weapons loadout for the Constellation class comparable to that of the Constitution class? I should like my ultimatum to be mathematically accurate. Also, given our current situation, can we get a weapons lock for dramatic effect?

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: If you're talking about a Constellation vs. a Constitution refit, then, yes, their weapons loadouts and capabilities are comparable. If anything, the Constellation is slightly more maneuverable in combat.

If you're comparing the Constellation against the original Constitution, the Constellation is clearly more capable.

[Patrick Goodman]

Yeah, I meant the refit. What about the "to prove a point" weapons lock? Can we do that?

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: Oops, sorry.

Yes, if you folks want to use your one collective action to lock weapons on target, you can lock onto the power signature you're tracking.

[Patrick Goodman]

How about it, guys?

[Renny]

OOC: Nothing says you're serious like a weapons lock so I say go for it.