tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78078407954320088602024-02-07T00:09:54.213-06:00The Tartarus RimIn the dark and distant future the Tartarus Rim can be just this side of hell . . .
Or the closest thing to salvation.The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-59046100652513394842022-08-29T16:23:00.003-05:002022-08-29T16:23:16.232-05:00Buildings and Posters<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> A while back I came into some old model railroad buildings. They're about the perfect size for 40K, but needed at least some paint and a little love. Here's the first results. There are still some issues, but . . . I think with appropriate set dressing they'll be fine. :) The first is a freight depot, which can serve as a small shack or warehouse on any remote world, I think. The paintjob was exceptionally quick and dirty. Basically, I washed everything with grimy black and then highlighted up a little with some drybrushing in different dirty colors. To the top of that I added some signs and posters from <a href="https://ramshacklegames.co.uk">Ramshackle Curtis's</a> latest patron special; a garage full of simian aliens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF-Uh8KborgcoKwqwSYqXr14Mfd-kEhhYBOi5Es9OmEnzTkLBKE3J0NcwEY20GrZr9sG6uHXOBtegkxUp8xDeMK0JyeQEOd_jTE1euwNRI5D3w9jK1e97Wb5tnhgEOWOl-kBOlBKYiMrllv9wlEFsUjDsdGcXPLC2JepDkZZJKXIfAcEWJ-Xm8bWO/s5344/WP_20220810_01_12_33_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF-Uh8KborgcoKwqwSYqXr14Mfd-kEhhYBOi5Es9OmEnzTkLBKE3J0NcwEY20GrZr9sG6uHXOBtegkxUp8xDeMK0JyeQEOd_jTE1euwNRI5D3w9jK1e97Wb5tnhgEOWOl-kBOlBKYiMrllv9wlEFsUjDsdGcXPLC2JepDkZZJKXIfAcEWJ-Xm8bWO/w640-h360/WP_20220810_01_12_33_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9ZgIscNAxUZcLk3i2IhuWyoNF8GTQqQ_kWwDAxI4OQ9j_6g9t8R44ZvfQunVgoG9WEY2NM7BIYE0Qnx69UFWLe_wFM2lSRv-Cs_P9FJpnv7PdBV-gPQrYLz8eJbPulW3KHPaZ2a-kNzs5_yHALiNCOndRustRcrcsSJIcYgD8AvDoeBDJQnqk56X/s3948/WP_20220810_01_10_19_Pro-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2124" data-original-width="3948" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9ZgIscNAxUZcLk3i2IhuWyoNF8GTQqQ_kWwDAxI4OQ9j_6g9t8R44ZvfQunVgoG9WEY2NM7BIYE0Qnx69UFWLe_wFM2lSRv-Cs_P9FJpnv7PdBV-gPQrYLz8eJbPulW3KHPaZ2a-kNzs5_yHALiNCOndRustRcrcsSJIcYgD8AvDoeBDJQnqk56X/w640-h344/WP_20220810_01_10_19_Pro-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> Next up was a quonset hut. It's hard to argue with a drain pipe building on a frontier world. I don't think you could ask for a building that gives a better sense of remote and temporary, but somewhat techy. Again, the paint was exceptionally quick and dirty. I painted the whole thing brown and then drybrushed silver on top. Glued on the signage and lightly drybrushed some dirt onto everything, especially the signs, to give them a slightly weathered look. (I think I might also have hit them with some brush cleaning water that I then wiped off to stain them a little.) I added some brown ink in a few places so suggest rust stains running down things a little. (Though not too much. I usually go for arid environments, and when it's dry things really don't rust as quickly.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtz3IZnUzoqBOILvKwVmZe-yz7BBuZxL5N1n0bSxanrSU1kMsNM6SSAfpOGc7Cw9WsNM0OuCbsc7NQz7BEbRT9Qdz7LlodC-GWoHKpxey_SoBMNN9vnnZZf160tQ-NqxFeaUW1vyKfeKF0KavTswHhJB4y8yIOFU_YGufh4Fm6tDbrfYOC265hfDd-/s5344/WP_20220810_01_09_58_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtz3IZnUzoqBOILvKwVmZe-yz7BBuZxL5N1n0bSxanrSU1kMsNM6SSAfpOGc7Cw9WsNM0OuCbsc7NQz7BEbRT9Qdz7LlodC-GWoHKpxey_SoBMNN9vnnZZf160tQ-NqxFeaUW1vyKfeKF0KavTswHhJB4y8yIOFU_YGufh4Fm6tDbrfYOC265hfDd-/w640-h360/WP_20220810_01_09_58_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xg4RBzq7LefdC7VAbx-W3ZeE1qEWojmWl-G-dDpWPT_MRVC64DM2MzQsNpvCQ4lnarxezD4_9x34GYavx3ApHXG8g2rirj_jyh5dXVEI-YSwpHoIx3vAasbkbn1Hxnu2nnbMPHpAJgQM5CFQM_gSKYzPnvD2Z6eE-zRQTtOa0AFKwmD0X6n8s349/s5344/WP_20220810_01_09_50_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xg4RBzq7LefdC7VAbx-W3ZeE1qEWojmWl-G-dDpWPT_MRVC64DM2MzQsNpvCQ4lnarxezD4_9x34GYavx3ApHXG8g2rirj_jyh5dXVEI-YSwpHoIx3vAasbkbn1Hxnu2nnbMPHpAJgQM5CFQM_gSKYzPnvD2Z6eE-zRQTtOa0AFKwmD0X6n8s349/w640-h360/WP_20220810_01_09_50_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, it's not perfect. They're snap together kits, and the gaps on the station are pretty brutal. I think I might go back and fill them. And of course there's no glass in the windows, but for a game that might be more feature than bug. (After all, you can't position a model to shoot through a window if you glue clear plastic into it.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, I think they're okay. More to come later. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-15742966404801513692022-07-15T03:58:00.002-05:002022-07-15T13:36:04.114-05:00The Sentinel Gate Affair, Episode VI: The Battle of Kerberos<div style="text-align: left;"> Continued from Episode V: <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/07/the-sentinel-gate-affair-episode-v.html">A Friend in Need</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Gaihomme felt reassured when the fleet dropped out of warpspace and back into the comfortable reality of stars and moons, planets and people. The protector's ships surrounded him like an invulnerable cloak, stronger by far than his hard armor. He heard the chiming of several alarms and turned toward Captain Mickelson, listening as he called out to his crew. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> "Hard to port and give me half thrust forward. The rebels are there at Kerberos, just as we expected."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbUXyUw5nFb0ya7aVU5_ukuPkT0Ayejl-ht0-_VVzVS6g_U2nRJr7kr_1MbR9NqJ0Skpprz6kp4GKrBWD4yfIrxLGREkHV3t2gBONdgGN8YSDY47d8XaDH51TMqfbG95eHozk1m-6SClzqrG4EyZlmSFRU-nwYDrb7gZonUMBoI9EnWYZMTYVqiND/s5000/WP_20220706_12_13_35_Pro%5BIMPAttackFormation%5D-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="5000" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbUXyUw5nFb0ya7aVU5_ukuPkT0Ayejl-ht0-_VVzVS6g_U2nRJr7kr_1MbR9NqJ0Skpprz6kp4GKrBWD4yfIrxLGREkHV3t2gBONdgGN8YSDY47d8XaDH51TMqfbG95eHozk1m-6SClzqrG4EyZlmSFRU-nwYDrb7gZonUMBoI9EnWYZMTYVqiND/w640-h448/WP_20220706_12_13_35_Pro%5BIMPAttackFormation%5D-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gaihomme glanced at the flimsy in his hand again:<br /><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Received 40.22.07.02 AIC</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">From Imperial Naval High Command, Terra</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">To the Lord Admiral of Imperial Armada 2406</div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Begin Transmission</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">You are instructed to escort the third company of 6th Marines
to the Kerberos system, where they will commence with an assault on the orbital
and ground military spaceport facilities of the planet pursuant to seizing same
as a forward operating base for operation Justice Hailstorm. The company is to
be embarked on four <i>Serpens</i> class galiots: <i>Aspis</i>, <i>Fulvius</i>,
<i>Crotalus</i>, and <i>Ophiophagus</i>. For escort you will have six
additional Serpens class galiots: <i>Piscivorus</i>, <i>Contortrix</i>, <i>Polyepis</i>,
<i>Oxyuranus</i>, <i>Bungarus</i>, and <i>Naja</i>, two <i>Comitatus </i>class
galleons: <i>Dirk</i> and <i>Sacrificium</i>, and four <i>Furious </i>class
great galleons: <i>Collegium</i>, <i>Magistratus</i>, <i>Legatus</i>, and <i>Praetor</i>.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Kerberos is believed to be a significant operating base for
the so-called Tartarus Rim Navy. As such, it is expected that you will
encounter combatant warpships. You are ordered to engage and destroy any foreign
military vessels you encounter. All are assumed to be either in open rebellion
against the Terran Imperium or aiding such rebellion. You are further ordered
to secure the nearspace areas in the system and to eliminate any such
facilities as you find it necessary to ensure Imperial victory during the
assault. In the event that you encounter an armada exceeding your own you are
instructed to transit west towards Fort des Chartres if able. If you are unable
to do either of these you are to fall back to the Memphian Sector and await
reinforcements.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">See attached catalog of assets, order forms, and star
charts.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Endtrans</div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmN4N77-h9DhJ2Ff2-D22CTk_iIHDCQN_5mNN94tmcLmKQJzh3lu110I_bAzSsaBDUpIIckkjRzZ1uASR0L-8GlAz-b3irfGUfmXH-hX6JAdmy8y4vb1QCSDzoQvQrOW2k_Jg0jUyQ5Iz6SnR3kCcdWcJze2o3d_drrOL_Epr4-Q1fUJb_E-Vqwkv/s1195/WP_20220706_12_13_57_Pro%5BImpBridgeComposite%5D-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1195" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmN4N77-h9DhJ2Ff2-D22CTk_iIHDCQN_5mNN94tmcLmKQJzh3lu110I_bAzSsaBDUpIIckkjRzZ1uASR0L-8GlAz-b3irfGUfmXH-hX6JAdmy8y4vb1QCSDzoQvQrOW2k_Jg0jUyQ5Iz6SnR3kCcdWcJze2o3d_drrOL_Epr4-Q1fUJb_E-Vqwkv/w640-h326/WP_20220706_12_13_57_Pro%5BImpBridgeComposite%5D-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Gaihomme glanced out the bridge window. Kerberos loomed giant before them, two of the three moons barely visible above it. Coming away from it at great speed were a few poncy ships and a half dozen stunties, one a massive galleon larger than any he had personally seen. But the Tartarus Rim's provincial ships were not visible. His own armada, six galleons and ten galiots strong, should more than suffice to deal with the issue. He eagerly awaited what would be yet another glorious victory for the forces of Holy Terra.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Action stations, everyone," said Mickelson casually. Almost immediately the klaxon began to sound and able spacers ran around the ship closing hatches and donning helmets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguG1dR1YvHYaGE-biK7wr-dwEFyqvfmt9GIsVUpBjiKD0dp_2IXoWNPnRSpSnvwHu968FvmaqA76fRTRbM6OJn8oQ-uNTE_vn1lxbXUe7BRjFyLkSAG3n5KuivEiYVYC-zX9p7DMyBB6Fqzli-qt6GS02A82U7OjVA17URLDGN_fPdQbXqngI6TcAh/s2480/WP_20220713_12_26_19_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="2480" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguG1dR1YvHYaGE-biK7wr-dwEFyqvfmt9GIsVUpBjiKD0dp_2IXoWNPnRSpSnvwHu968FvmaqA76fRTRbM6OJn8oQ-uNTE_vn1lxbXUe7BRjFyLkSAG3n5KuivEiYVYC-zX9p7DMyBB6Fqzli-qt6GS02A82U7OjVA17URLDGN_fPdQbXqngI6TcAh/w640-h428/WP_20220713_12_26_19_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVHQwOPXeKaxSnQxbXu5sPits0E-ccvZ8VTzmGYaEzdRi66W02EoIesdDc8osbvwBFGFiiW5VN8RY8MhIkX7_2F7W0gQs0iz3x2tTaCogIJvcRO6I4hnUOdtb7uXDOG3PpOpih1m1X1sZ1xmxEKT1DQdzLmIUL2S5H-V8Dw6Z0p0dEJoOLgLHSPFD/s2184/WP_20220714_03_10_49_Pro%5BBKNBridgeComposite%5D-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="2184" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVHQwOPXeKaxSnQxbXu5sPits0E-ccvZ8VTzmGYaEzdRi66W02EoIesdDc8osbvwBFGFiiW5VN8RY8MhIkX7_2F7W0gQs0iz3x2tTaCogIJvcRO6I4hnUOdtb7uXDOG3PpOpih1m1X1sZ1xmxEKT1DQdzLmIUL2S5H-V8Dw6Z0p0dEJoOLgLHSPFD/w640-h378/WP_20220714_03_10_49_Pro%5BBKNBridgeComposite%5D-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> On the opposite side of the field Sir Stanley looked out nervously from the Burkhan Kaldun flagship's bridge. In command, and seated in the captain's chair, was Progenitor Lucas Warmbier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "What do you make of our chances, Lucas?" he asked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Mm? Oh, excellent, I'd say. The Impies won't know what hit 'em," Warmbier replied with an almost casual lilt to his voice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Sir Stanley was a little surprised at his certainty. "How do you figure?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Well, we checked them out in a joint exercise on Thalia a while back. We've been doing quite a lot of that lately, just to check our records and update anything that's gotten out of date." At that Lucas paused a moment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> He took a pull on his pipe and continued. "It seems they've stagnated pretty badly back on mother earth, as they've gotten more religious about all this nonsense. They seem to have decided a ship should be handled a certain way, or a suit of armor. They think it's their god's word, or maybe a declaration from the Emperor. One or the other. Not that they necessarily recognize a difference there, what with their inquisitors and priests and warrior monks and so on."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Stanley nodded along at that. "I hope you're right. You're confident we can hold out until the TRN arrives?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "My boy, we don't even need them. It'll be quicker and less bloody with them, so I'm glad they're coming, but trust me, we can take this bunch all by ourselves. They'd be hard pressed to beat even just the Tahti if we were still off at Burkhan Kaldun."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> At that Sir Stanley was genuinely surprised. The Tahti force numbered only four ships. They were capable, but . . . four against sixteen? My word! Warmbier really was confident.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Ensign, sound general quarters," said Warmbier, standing and turning to Sir Stanley. "I think it's time we donned our vac-suits Stanley. When this all over and we can breathe again properly I'll share a pint with you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Stanley nodded and walked to the locker in Warmbier's day cabin as the bosun piped and the horn began to sound. That was an order he could agree with. "Nothing like a cold pint with Warmbier!" he chuckled to himself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> For a time, the two fleets closed on each other silently. And then, just as the dwarves and elves were almost within firing range of the Terrans a Tartarus Rim force dropped out of warp and began closing quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Blast! That will complicate things," Gaihomme cursed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "We're picking up two to four galleons and a number of escorts," piped up a junior officer buried behind a viewscreen of some kind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "That does away with our advantage in numbers. Maybe even puts us on the back foot," Gaihomme observed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "We should be able to beat them with quality if quantity won't suffice," Captain Mickelson said. "A bunch of untrained provincials and conscripts. Probably half of them are criminals serving out their time."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Just then the shields began to flare, even before Mickelson gave the order to fire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Why on earth aren't we firing yet when they are?" Gaihomme demanded.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "They're not in range! How on earth can they target us this far out?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> A few seconds later Mickelson gave the order to return fire, but the damage was done. The bridge was in a state of silent shock, only broken when the great galleon off their starboard bow began to vent explosively into space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCTXLGdsXbrZ-BgaNfBsC_MjnyERFA1ubDHIQ64DsA9boMh-9Y0gsACV11mQSnO9onJlMq_9wdzMEotb-VgR_N5V4KwTMe5qBe6fv0mf4Zkih-EmRvmhDDtkTPEL8fFM8s8QvtHI_qiSVSMD1-9IG0J8uvb3lrzY5jonksTtJbkruccjjzQRsFYEU/s5344/WP_20220703_15_26_21_Pro%5B1stBattleOfKerberos%5D-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCTXLGdsXbrZ-BgaNfBsC_MjnyERFA1ubDHIQ64DsA9boMh-9Y0gsACV11mQSnO9onJlMq_9wdzMEotb-VgR_N5V4KwTMe5qBe6fv0mf4Zkih-EmRvmhDDtkTPEL8fFM8s8QvtHI_qiSVSMD1-9IG0J8uvb3lrzY5jonksTtJbkruccjjzQRsFYEU/w640-h360/WP_20220703_15_26_21_Pro%5B1stBattleOfKerberos%5D-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "We've lost <i>Collegium</i> sir! And we're picking up a host of small contacts. It looks like they have fighters. Coming from the largest Tartarus galleon, a pair of smaller galleons on our right, and several small escorts on the left."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "Escorts?" Mickelson asked incredulously.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "Yes sir. And closing fast. They have at least 9TG acceleration."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "Sustained?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "Yes sir."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "How would the pilots survive . . . "</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> He didn't have time to finish the question, as the "fighters" began exploding around them. <i>Legatus</i> was one of the first ships to lose power as the hail of splinters began cutting through cable trunks and spacers alike.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9TjIJ19XUeeSN_HRQs2svgogWvBet4wgx6SQnNbVX3MMIJ8nA0pO_SCNLDqftbJOCm4gBuz8fJMFL3iSwc92aAK_B9ErUtyt9uUo8sIv7lyuwG6OOn9KuBWFdSOKGLWN69YXwHUaY8uHWevEHuJAkwzQB4_ZmXyllamnZcmQroOxfyAw_XpNNGGw/s4344/WP_20220705_15_18_33_Pro-37mos%5B1stBattleOfKerberos%5D-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2760" data-original-width="4344" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9TjIJ19XUeeSN_HRQs2svgogWvBet4wgx6SQnNbVX3MMIJ8nA0pO_SCNLDqftbJOCm4gBuz8fJMFL3iSwc92aAK_B9ErUtyt9uUo8sIv7lyuwG6OOn9KuBWFdSOKGLWN69YXwHUaY8uHWevEHuJAkwzQB4_ZmXyllamnZcmQroOxfyAw_XpNNGGw/w640-h406/WP_20220705_15_18_33_Pro-37mos%5B1stBattleOfKerberos%5D-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Abandon ship!" the captain screamed, before leaping from his chair and dashing down the hatchway to the nearest boat bay. Gaihomme and the poor ensign who'd been calling out all the dreadful news followed quickly after.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndoE-sRBqunkqaStK7F20qN6iqZz3eVtE_MMr6Ogw7JMbfQd2lof8UpSypDn5bvGsLu25fZgrAgydKh7efuPt80TXf9zzk6Tj_kvfgHmLU6X2448YxryL57IYk8Ds6IQ6D_bjvwflThyHSRUXCrIM4Mb2PYLpYYPJYmnn77_89Ott0fl_lOJPdE4P/s3087/WP_20220713_14_13_45_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="3087" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndoE-sRBqunkqaStK7F20qN6iqZz3eVtE_MMr6Ogw7JMbfQd2lof8UpSypDn5bvGsLu25fZgrAgydKh7efuPt80TXf9zzk6Tj_kvfgHmLU6X2448YxryL57IYk8Ds6IQ6D_bjvwflThyHSRUXCrIM4Mb2PYLpYYPJYmnn77_89Ott0fl_lOJPdE4P/w640-h334/WP_20220713_14_13_45_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> No sooner had the ensign cleared the hatchway from the bridge than it disappeared into a wall of plasma, venting from some broken line or other. Explosions rocked the ship. They might say that it was cold and silent in space, but war remained a hot and noisy affair, even if your screams would never reach enemy ears. He sincerely hoped brother Castrian fared better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKlYAWxLHpawS799VjPiNKWc7R6ZtsSIrLiUg3_ZPy74C7iALBuH7J4mOEiBBf4B_zhRLyJW8aZW586VLMRKrM1bJ2dbgmFndQ-CLW55GfGYNWsL75IcnKsvrUMSgR9rgf2CMEEViPWU9GaD5ja2y7NFDx57CYNPWFPOxqj90QezDZpkSu2mcDd4N/s3948/WP_20220713_14_33_02_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="3948" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKlYAWxLHpawS799VjPiNKWc7R6ZtsSIrLiUg3_ZPy74C7iALBuH7J4mOEiBBf4B_zhRLyJW8aZW586VLMRKrM1bJ2dbgmFndQ-CLW55GfGYNWsL75IcnKsvrUMSgR9rgf2CMEEViPWU9GaD5ja2y7NFDx57CYNPWFPOxqj90QezDZpkSu2mcDd4N/w640-h442/WP_20220713_14_33_02_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It was a false hope. <i>Aspis </i>was struck in the same hail of missiles that finished <i>Legatus</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79EdfOd5uTQ-6oH61Uw5Ed7OTXDByczguEpnbsbtgWswV9srE2FfcoJwWyxSE-ViamHCy_M1D0i96-driJG-fXKCc52tJSitnoPnHIzsBiShN0RMt-P-LMK-Wt84sWhyHju8o3P3D9uG0iCL9IjC31dVMeBB7mauMiiRAXcz_gbZomxFumxwqYWUu/s3507/WP_20220713_14_46_16_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2535" data-original-width="3507" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79EdfOd5uTQ-6oH61Uw5Ed7OTXDByczguEpnbsbtgWswV9srE2FfcoJwWyxSE-ViamHCy_M1D0i96-driJG-fXKCc52tJSitnoPnHIzsBiShN0RMt-P-LMK-Wt84sWhyHju8o3P3D9uG0iCL9IjC31dVMeBB7mauMiiRAXcz_gbZomxFumxwqYWUu/w640-h462/WP_20220713_14_46_16_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> Even though Castrian himself escaped, nearly a third of her crew and passengers were consumed by the flames and splinters radiating out from a dozen explosions, both from the missiles and from <i>Aspis</i> tearing herself apart. Of the great armada, only three galiots returned: <i>Piscivorus</i>, <i>Bungarus</i>, and <i>Naja</i>. Of the third company of the famed Sixth Marines, none could seek the solitude of their fortress monastery. Castrian himself, and the bulk of his compatriots, were eventually rescued, even if it was only to be questioned by the lords of Tartarus and sent to await their eventual fait on Erebus.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInwtuuPD8fYZiEMb2zlbWgdad3i0aCasxkdkQBSnFyCRV_-SKzohO2KRPJszE7zLFb3jTj8UWyXl_jIj1NZ2qvMGzSi-EJYvT1MhAla3dkh56RW4EFjDw5fU5XxTVQ7GlXixpiQMOw0M1aAQeWHjNYFhWtB4_lt6BrRf-M6-n2LyFFCw9yyluqiiw/s4828/WP_20220713_14_54_44_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="4828" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInwtuuPD8fYZiEMb2zlbWgdad3i0aCasxkdkQBSnFyCRV_-SKzohO2KRPJszE7zLFb3jTj8UWyXl_jIj1NZ2qvMGzSi-EJYvT1MhAla3dkh56RW4EFjDw5fU5XxTVQ7GlXixpiQMOw0M1aAQeWHjNYFhWtB4_lt6BrRf-M6-n2LyFFCw9yyluqiiw/w640-h348/WP_20220713_14_54_44_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Behind the Curtain</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div> This was, of course, a game. Several of my friends have been so kind as to run the factions, and several more willing victims helped to push miniatures around for the battle. Much has been left to chance. The resources of the Terran Imperium are vast, but her commitments are many, so luck plays the part of the fickle lords doling out warships in penny packets. Though you are permitted to count the cards battle is always a gamble. Even the best laid plans must face Dame Fortuna. The Tartarans are better prepared, but there is always wind and weather, even in space. And you just never quite know what the other player will do.<div> The first bit of luck was when the Tartarans arrived. They'd started four sectors away from the zone of engagement, but the Imperial fleet was sighted two sectors away, and the Tartarans know the territory and fly fast, so they were able to cover the ground in approximately the same time. The Terrans arrived first, but only by d6 turns. The . . . let's call it the Rim Alliance . .. since they were defending they started at the line of the planet. The Terrans were entering from the galactic south (or coreward in this case), which is to the right on the board. The defenders placed first and the Terrans placed in response to that. As a result, the allies decided to reshuffle their force on the fly. The rules of the game were a lightly modified version of Full Thrust. The usual order of things is writing commands for your ships and then moving according to them. Once everyone has moved, the fun begins. Fire is considered simultaneous, but for ease of play you fire in alternation, with the larger fleet going first. Damage doesn't really occur until after everyone has fired, but I didn't ask players to declare targets in advance or anything quite that fancy. At the end of a turn damaged ships might attempt repair. (And if they've dwarves aboard they might be pretty good at it.) The first turn, which you see below, was pretty quiet. Nobody had the range to shoot.</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JvOe_1NDd-V3b3THMkwf7WQ9keVX6V8RMISZln5PLXoN0EpeQsz6EHgJjCF5Kd0LdNWEUof10zL5SxJCiSvyNZC2WINDuig6XNTyZJfaxIeIKL19c_Q9hpied3yLGcDZNRiZm3e9NmwIw4pTnXxMSdA0RMlLMo14egIPB6yoVPTjn6TWmpa4lCva/s5344/Turn1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JvOe_1NDd-V3b3THMkwf7WQ9keVX6V8RMISZln5PLXoN0EpeQsz6EHgJjCF5Kd0LdNWEUof10zL5SxJCiSvyNZC2WINDuig6XNTyZJfaxIeIKL19c_Q9hpied3yLGcDZNRiZm3e9NmwIw4pTnXxMSdA0RMlLMo14egIPB6yoVPTjn6TWmpa4lCva/w640-h360/Turn1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As it happens, the Tartarans rolled a one on that d6, so they arrived on the second turn. And they were allowed to move as quickly as they wanted, so they absolutely booked. (And then immediately hit the brakes.) The Imperials simply marched forward steadily. And after all the moving was done . . . things were in engagement range.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-5sJv-3eGySLkZ5XLozC9_4N92sYbLzduCIuNDOs99ASJymM4HtA5EUbd9xIruNbdTHLdNCv9sDRsXwCbuxq2fw5s5T5Oq8K8RhA29kYFu6Sq1h30vRIJS38BsMlGyC6jbzU9_JqKSuSaPeeARAm8GF_xnU9PsjR96GILj16_1HgR-vRL4X3TDKj/s5344/Turn2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-5sJv-3eGySLkZ5XLozC9_4N92sYbLzduCIuNDOs99ASJymM4HtA5EUbd9xIruNbdTHLdNCv9sDRsXwCbuxq2fw5s5T5Oq8K8RhA29kYFu6Sq1h30vRIJS38BsMlGyC6jbzU9_JqKSuSaPeeARAm8GF_xnU9PsjR96GILj16_1HgR-vRL4X3TDKj/w640-h360/Turn2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The allies basically concentrated their fire on the leading Terran battleships (or great galleons). After the first one exploded the elves switched targets to a destroyer, but there weren't too many guns left so it survived the exchange. The Terrans were still at pretty extreme range for their weapons and they were unable to do much.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xC361wv651WnIbP-orGa7RFVxGyNBQGrG8FwQhE3rLAmn9qyOI05Vjv_hvuTwWrNrIrTHg_8w9nv9VRcAVpzcPJXOPHCBdtEempqH3dp2BHRulwMELHT3yrk9GovQPHAG57AIfEE45HP_nphZEo2ysA0ZzkdU0oDi6HLRHDF6C2r1ZcW-zHuccuF/s5344/Turn2Fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xC361wv651WnIbP-orGa7RFVxGyNBQGrG8FwQhE3rLAmn9qyOI05Vjv_hvuTwWrNrIrTHg_8w9nv9VRcAVpzcPJXOPHCBdtEempqH3dp2BHRulwMELHT3yrk9GovQPHAG57AIfEE45HP_nphZEo2ysA0ZzkdU0oDi6HLRHDF6C2r1ZcW-zHuccuF/w640-h360/Turn2Fire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> On turn three things got more . . . interesting. The allies launched . . . let's call them "contacts." The rule of thumb here is you plot your orders, but before moving you move these "contacts" quite quickly and according to specific rules, which movement you see below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrOr7saD4jjrbTjRwEfhyPcImkVm54BrFVvMOpGpl6_oHR_uao9Tzl7vZXvYfMGJq1rHp3-qtfTFs1T3abTnOBIxx7CZ4rHY55satAOPGItQwN4Enti-YfP9nin1GT9gAqGhyhuqBBcfhe-VNyG9CUc6oMgTrD4hR4BdbXoZZ17ElG4XX3862hEhf/s5344/Turn3MissileFire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrOr7saD4jjrbTjRwEfhyPcImkVm54BrFVvMOpGpl6_oHR_uao9Tzl7vZXvYfMGJq1rHp3-qtfTFs1T3abTnOBIxx7CZ4rHY55satAOPGItQwN4Enti-YfP9nin1GT9gAqGhyhuqBBcfhe-VNyG9CUc6oMgTrD4hR4BdbXoZZ17ElG4XX3862hEhf/w640-h360/Turn3MissileFire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Once that's done you move your ships according to their orders.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw8h8K-M_J1Hu6bq4y5Ikl55DUHBFdEvcjE741246fLHLc1vDEJvVszJxoozZ52pvqTzahI27WUS6lWPylz_5158Omq9vL3tTpJjuxzy2jLeVRRRr3875rJICG9OdW_19T0rb7MGsxSRYcCdVCJtkclvp8REkOnlaVmuIpw4luaidu6Mq42u_fsSx/s5344/Turn3Movement.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw8h8K-M_J1Hu6bq4y5Ikl55DUHBFdEvcjE741246fLHLc1vDEJvVszJxoozZ52pvqTzahI27WUS6lWPylz_5158Omq9vL3tTpJjuxzy2jLeVRRRr3875rJICG9OdW_19T0rb7MGsxSRYcCdVCJtkclvp8REkOnlaVmuIpw4luaidu6Mq42u_fsSx/w640-h360/Turn3Movement.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> After that's complete the "contacts" do their thing, which is attack. At this point they're NPCs (non-player contacts), attacking whatever target in front of them is closest. Which if you play your cards right is the other guy. And oh, but it was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDVX0Y9tcsBnazbEqtY-YEjdXgwobWjygJDbVvqLT1AJg6DWb0F0IhmDzvm8Gn3e9vMRZAKzDT4YuJ-9r-kunvmTh7babvzMOOnM3DF2PEW0mVOLtS52NHckj0WRj83wM0JzuQZjHOi-uGjHrififdxFfF2ry3k1u3gzp8l_9G8J7K8ext6XBAaSl/s5344/Turn3Result.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDVX0Y9tcsBnazbEqtY-YEjdXgwobWjygJDbVvqLT1AJg6DWb0F0IhmDzvm8Gn3e9vMRZAKzDT4YuJ-9r-kunvmTh7babvzMOOnM3DF2PEW0mVOLtS52NHckj0WRj83wM0JzuQZjHOi-uGjHrififdxFfF2ry3k1u3gzp8l_9G8J7K8ext6XBAaSl/w640-h360/Turn3Result.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> One battleship miraculously survived the onslaught, but two battleships, a cruiser, and four destroyers did not. And since this happens BEFORE the firing phase, those ships don't even get to shoot back. (They can and did engage the contacts, but . . . not effectively.) With the target selection greatly reduced the allies concentrated fire on what was left, thus eliminating the last two battleships, the cruiser, and another destroyer. The Terrans returned fire, of course, but at this point they were horribly outnumbered, so it wasn't very effective.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk09lsa9C122ggp_N5FEpvfIOsnYo6vIS0Wi9ddQPrVYQwDAzkDpd-8LyTvS_frFN1G8pjP84NDJX62C2SyhYtaOEBhAME63oL2F7yXFtJ3nLMDAeOPLU7_QQ1KMBeHYbAN2nk7uJnYsyOiSgDg_0fTyZWuPLxBrWUS_HuDt_TAJ4aAKFgeTy8ttw/s5344/Turn3ShipFire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk09lsa9C122ggp_N5FEpvfIOsnYo6vIS0Wi9ddQPrVYQwDAzkDpd-8LyTvS_frFN1G8pjP84NDJX62C2SyhYtaOEBhAME63oL2F7yXFtJ3nLMDAeOPLU7_QQ1KMBeHYbAN2nk7uJnYsyOiSgDg_0fTyZWuPLxBrWUS_HuDt_TAJ4aAKFgeTy8ttw/w640-h360/Turn3ShipFire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Quite reasonably, the Terrans attempted to retreat to the relative safety of warp space. The three destroyers on their left were able to break away. (They're surprisingly fast little snakies.) But the other two were surrounded and quite thoroughly cut off. They did their best, but there was nothing left to it but to be forcibly ventilated directly to space.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBR8kd7tpehIc5HLlhLCdsLU9rolOqbaGXyoKjNwJczZJF8Kn2iGBnGjJmneE0-tVrxo-kPGGPuYiHJTiwqvbO8ipH68FTKdGapiJFifIDoo3Bf-lWAb-FNCfKPe9eZFaHRQN9DSgsH31RVQyQ8BFlRJsyR5QUGPWFWxos7thUsLplHJmjUzsZ62z/s5344/Turn4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBR8kd7tpehIc5HLlhLCdsLU9rolOqbaGXyoKjNwJczZJF8Kn2iGBnGjJmneE0-tVrxo-kPGGPuYiHJTiwqvbO8ipH68FTKdGapiJFifIDoo3Bf-lWAb-FNCfKPe9eZFaHRQN9DSgsH31RVQyQ8BFlRJsyR5QUGPWFWxos7thUsLplHJmjUzsZ62z/w640-h360/Turn4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The three snakes as made it off the table took word back to Inquisitor Augustus, but the rest of the Terran fleet became scrap for the Tartarans to collect. And their occupants, if not in pieces, will find themselves interrogated and shipped off to a POW camp.(It could be worse. I doubt the Terran zealots would be so friendly.) And I, your humble game-master, have rolled up the results, who was killed and who captured. What can be salvaged, and so on. The Imperium will doubtless send more ships. Likely many more after this debacle. We shall see where the fighting leads us next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And that, as they say, is that. Thank you for joining me on this little adventure. Stay tuned. The war isn't over. Just the first battle. Many more will doubtless follow. Hopefully fairly quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The Composer</div></div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-68150903120613649082022-07-08T15:34:00.003-05:002022-07-14T23:21:48.119-05:00The Sentinel Gate Affair, Episode V: A Friend in Need<p>Continued from Episode IV: <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2021/02/the-sentinel-gate-affair-episode-iv.html">A Fine Day for a Parade</a></p><div style="text-align: left;"> Colorado fought to catch her breath as she walked up to the long table. Deep in the bowels of the executive mansion the room looked to be a hastily converted storeroom, dusty from disuse and still packed with crates and boxes that hadn't yet been moved aside. Several of her friends and co-conspirators had already arrived. Christos Commodus, Lord Whye, stood at the head of the table, immediately to her left, a small pile of papers in front of him. To her right his eminence Yaddish, the Padda ambassador, stood with the elaborate pot of office that contained a quantity of the liquid his people used to seal agreements and to season nearly everything they ate. (Their word for contract, deelsous, apparently translated to agreement juice, though she suspected he had it tonight more for savory reasons than seditious ones. The rebellion was already thoroughly agreed to.) To his right were Dame Astrid Shaam, the Propraetor Jus Tartarum, holding her charge, Lord Ali Khan XIV. Over her shoulder her husband Lord Bakker Shaam, the fourth Baron of Morgan, glowered. Perhaps he was worried he'd lose his place in the cursus. They all would, at the very least. More likely they'd be burned as heretics, but there was nothing else to it. Behind them all Inspector Nguyen took notes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-QcZAblv2ywTvq0MYuM8BllX_UYwFMiwyl4V4f6ysy9bbIlcZ4XIUsiWt100yvgJbmLeydxPymMG20bUY5CEYHiM74-UM2HXN49TEpzPYyq3r4T-CMTLCmHNbHywYVkXoYOGCEZV2h9fGm327oTQj6HLYHu0gCiuPYgt0dPxtoOMQyYFrJfCrMap/s5344/WP_20220707_03_28_18_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-QcZAblv2ywTvq0MYuM8BllX_UYwFMiwyl4V4f6ysy9bbIlcZ4XIUsiWt100yvgJbmLeydxPymMG20bUY5CEYHiM74-UM2HXN49TEpzPYyq3r4T-CMTLCmHNbHywYVkXoYOGCEZV2h9fGm327oTQj6HLYHu0gCiuPYgt0dPxtoOMQyYFrJfCrMap/w640-h360/WP_20220707_03_28_18_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div> "Let's begin," Christos said. "Time is short, so I'll be brief. You should each have a handout, and there's a map in the center of the table should you wish to consult it. The matter at hand is securing the aid of the Tahti and Burgkhan Kaldun. They've been reliable friends in the past, but we're going to need all the aid they can give when the cruisers start dropping out of warp."</div><div> "Do you have an idea of the Terran commitments?" asked Bakker.</div><div> "Not yet, but they'll doubtless be significant. Colorado, do you think Sir Stanley could meet with the Dwarves? He seems to have a knack for it."</div><div> "I think it's their mutual fondness for a good malt," Colorado replied. "Yes, I think he'd be willing. He's with the fleet at Hecate aboard <i>Proserpine</i>. Could she be spared for the journey?"</div><div> Commodus scratched his chin and thought a moment. "Yes, I think so. It'd be a good exercise for them anyway." He paused before turning to the Padda. "Ambassador Yaddish, do you think you could make our situation clear to the Tahti?"</div><div> The giant frog croaked slightly, deep in his throat, before answering. "Yes, I think I could. But my shuttle couldn't make the journey. I believe they're presently out in the void past the Moirai."</div><div> "We could make <i>Moab</i> available for you. Would she be suitable?" Christos responded.</div><div> "Yes, I believe she would," said Yaddish. "That will be perfect."</div><div> "I believe that's the crux of the matter. We need to begin mobilizing and preparing as quickly as possible. Astride, I'm counting on you to secure support in the Senate and the Camarata. The Propraetor Imperium can be a bit headstrong, but I think you can get him on board. And with him the rest of the legislature should follow."</div><div> "And if not," she said, "I'll arrest him."</div><div> "My word, what days we've come to, when judges might arrest senators." Commodus shook his head sadly. "The only way to get the world we want is to fight for the one we're given. I think that covers everything. Carry on and let's make the inquisition rue the day they set foot in our sector."</div><div> A general round of assent went up. "Hear hear!" "Indeed!" "Amen!" and something guttural and almost primal seeming from the amphibiod throat of the ambassador.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QMXLgXs_h6BgX47AUuSOF0RljbtC4-kPmDmpXmkAhatgA7wVcQ2e215GJdizB4-nsiGekmrQIJSTNdBhtuAsGJPnwkZVd-8XCXrNWXo2YTr3oki_GZ6XYA09Wcn7CfOwws79priUgzW91skJ8cXltMJ4t7peZkN0_VO5Ho4cbDu1c9zsnK8cxgsb/s5344/WP_20220706_01_54_58_Pro%5BTRNRendevousWithBKN%5D-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QMXLgXs_h6BgX47AUuSOF0RljbtC4-kPmDmpXmkAhatgA7wVcQ2e215GJdizB4-nsiGekmrQIJSTNdBhtuAsGJPnwkZVd-8XCXrNWXo2YTr3oki_GZ6XYA09Wcn7CfOwws79priUgzW91skJ8cXltMJ4t7peZkN0_VO5Ho4cbDu1c9zsnK8cxgsb/w640-h360/WP_20220706_01_54_58_Pro%5BTRNRendevousWithBKN%5D-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Sir Stanley Ursaline Drakemore stepped from his shuttle into the airlock of the <i>BKN Chinghis Khagan</i>. She was a truly massive ship, even bigger than <i>Proserpine</i>, quite probably the largest warship he had ever seen. He was surprised he'd been permitted to travel her corridors alone, but the bosun had given him clear instruction on where to go. He walked down the long hatchway to his right toward the blue door. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidADmWF7aZu11XQmUKitebc-yh8ao--poutSsH5x1i5b-UVGYxCC6Lh3EcdIFyytrTstPkGC3TDbAmkECcJrDaV8Vcv-X109ydQ2VgQU_HaVlSs8nVPQXghudTowapL5RdASN9tUdRDR5D1RaXrMYWXp0oSSdQZBQjzBgSoyGnD_ZZgJIqMUOvNvpm/s5344/WP_20220707_02_34_41_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidADmWF7aZu11XQmUKitebc-yh8ao--poutSsH5x1i5b-UVGYxCC6Lh3EcdIFyytrTstPkGC3TDbAmkECcJrDaV8Vcv-X109ydQ2VgQU_HaVlSs8nVPQXghudTowapL5RdASN9tUdRDR5D1RaXrMYWXp0oSSdQZBQjzBgSoyGnD_ZZgJIqMUOvNvpm/w640-h360/WP_20220707_02_34_41_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh3GgmzMOpNukyWJ5PHadjAU8nSmZK6jaiXpi8hkcB2gNApItSb8uCYPY4ZIae1EFeQVVd9hdMsxodxvY6eAjzmihZgx4KlJ0Lbz9Wn0wnjgbc0I68gmsJr1mE8TzjssFQvzqeACSgYJErEKDDhxkLFOMw93p543A2rFCUd0-wocGUCeA2zoguwn5/s5118/WP_20220707_02_39_33_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2885" data-original-width="5118" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh3GgmzMOpNukyWJ5PHadjAU8nSmZK6jaiXpi8hkcB2gNApItSb8uCYPY4ZIae1EFeQVVd9hdMsxodxvY6eAjzmihZgx4KlJ0Lbz9Wn0wnjgbc0I68gmsJr1mE8TzjssFQvzqeACSgYJErEKDDhxkLFOMw93p543A2rFCUd0-wocGUCeA2zoguwn5/w640-h360/WP_20220707_02_39_33_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And passing through he found the freehold's Archmechan Timochi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11u_ioYg2jutN74kPve6ymnq6Hg9Zcj_bc3INSPRR9IiPVdfCAK415hRZc7kRjlXAmeF2axXYjw1wf_IayBsZZLJzQLWZPjzhQlXUPQUPOCmL8eaIU79T4xDuLiSdDFujJZLF4UIiE0cprRGmE3reHawXRbRB5CStYhrQCd3XnZeVqJTWG6Q1GrRA/s5344/WP_20220707_02_50_33_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11u_ioYg2jutN74kPve6ymnq6Hg9Zcj_bc3INSPRR9IiPVdfCAK415hRZc7kRjlXAmeF2axXYjw1wf_IayBsZZLJzQLWZPjzhQlXUPQUPOCmL8eaIU79T4xDuLiSdDFujJZLF4UIiE0cprRGmE3reHawXRbRB5CStYhrQCd3XnZeVqJTWG6Q1GrRA/w640-h360/WP_20220707_02_50_33_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Your grace, Tartarus calls for aid. We have need of your assistance to protect the spacelanes from the Terran despot," he said.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> In a deeply sonorous voice the armored warrior priest replied "The dwarves of Burkhan Kaldun Freehold are ever loyal. And we know the evils Terra would perpetuate in their constant fear of the other. We will answer your call. Say but where."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "That will be a matter for the admirals, but I expect they will make for the gate first. Either way, they'll need to pass Kerberos. And we've a good fleet base there."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Then there shall we go."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Excellent!"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0kEd-c8Kf9MzYW01ym4aeA3KSR4rUKHbUvemsF4R6lu59gfOosFQ_ei6qVzRFiFEMiFPBEs2O8ltr-N3Goan3zc_urCWuZRIN8D3BbLKPAXXlok82z6Xw7ptCReFCJ4PoXLKenyG6QvauBtEKNnt5kvA6VH24pccMDLNvlaIPgX2O32ASUDG5jSi/s5344/WP_20220706_01_57_07_Pro%5BTRN-ElfRendevous%5D-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0kEd-c8Kf9MzYW01ym4aeA3KSR4rUKHbUvemsF4R6lu59gfOosFQ_ei6qVzRFiFEMiFPBEs2O8ltr-N3Goan3zc_urCWuZRIN8D3BbLKPAXXlok82z6Xw7ptCReFCJ4PoXLKenyG6QvauBtEKNnt5kvA6VH24pccMDLNvlaIPgX2O32ASUDG5jSi/w640-h360/WP_20220706_01_57_07_Pro%5BTRN-ElfRendevous%5D-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div> Meanwhile, in the far northern reaches of the rim, past the stars known as the Moirai, the froglike Padda ambassador made contact with a Tahti ship and thought about just what kind of "deelsous" he would strike that night to be sure of the elfin support.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2tgzszakeITY5W95GTTiH794DJUkOBLtsn_SXLwCrHhvrWzzE1qMMNLeuGHxk2hJ7J1muF8VYI4EgK7k6_lW_RC1fI296vjis3LofhfobpJ0fsDWxxaqzsk6cpYrf3DjHdXrtdEcnUrvrKLIi29BgF6XbeHpeAA84PD_Z6K-tfxYVJR6JP60BqbV/s5344/WP_20210206_00_29_16_Pro%5BDwarfAndElfMass%5D-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2tgzszakeITY5W95GTTiH794DJUkOBLtsn_SXLwCrHhvrWzzE1qMMNLeuGHxk2hJ7J1muF8VYI4EgK7k6_lW_RC1fI296vjis3LofhfobpJ0fsDWxxaqzsk6cpYrf3DjHdXrtdEcnUrvrKLIi29BgF6XbeHpeAA84PD_Z6K-tfxYVJR6JP60BqbV/w640-h360/WP_20210206_00_29_16_Pro%5BDwarfAndElfMass%5D-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> Barely a week later and fleets of the Tahti and Burgkhan Kaldun, the elves and dwarves as they were popularly known, were entering parking orbits at the sole planet of the star called Kerberos, just coreward of the Tartarus Gate, at the edge of the rim and sitting astride the only safe route from the Memphian sector.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Further south, toward the galactic core, Augustus beamed as he arrived at Neith II. The ships of the Emperor's navy had begun to rendezvous in orbit beyond the moon even before he arrived aboard <i>Armentarius</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIpUVS4X4SzOQqukCC4l4Ib5l6epgLgumsTgS8-rjRunmo5z0BHIDt_WxfbeDn669vKlALC5Kx9CPH3bsh_tG4_wyiobwBpmTZWuCfIbobHrN6URdiMFs_-_C6zQbE7sJEtkf8yrhAnsN0nxNpoAFbGlRRU_zZf5SbL8CRtoLwJqSItrcFGpvl3Wc/s4012/WP_20220708_10_54_02_Pro%5BImpieFleet%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2708" data-original-width="4012" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIpUVS4X4SzOQqukCC4l4Ib5l6epgLgumsTgS8-rjRunmo5z0BHIDt_WxfbeDn669vKlALC5Kx9CPH3bsh_tG4_wyiobwBpmTZWuCfIbobHrN6URdiMFs_-_C6zQbE7sJEtkf8yrhAnsN0nxNpoAFbGlRRU_zZf5SbL8CRtoLwJqSItrcFGpvl3Wc/w640-h432/WP_20220708_10_54_02_Pro%5BImpieFleet%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> He boarded a pinnance and transferred to <i>HIMS Legatus</i>, which was acting as the flagship of the force.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD3JB1uj51dsrrhpzMQCz-0D6nLwhj7lj5x2maiyWi7AccSnMVEEmcCBRIyQBk1WdEEkLf1s7Tyqv7lgXWEFrmYwrXYUgt_N9GH6iWJqwh7RGiHfJmi_L1ZYNlcd9jvjFqGKZgNdCwQjW4UgNR5A--3UpYUtU1bQ33Sv-3q--P2Q2YtukWIcMloaG/s3575/WP_20220708_11_31_49_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="3575" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD3JB1uj51dsrrhpzMQCz-0D6nLwhj7lj5x2maiyWi7AccSnMVEEmcCBRIyQBk1WdEEkLf1s7Tyqv7lgXWEFrmYwrXYUgt_N9GH6iWJqwh7RGiHfJmi_L1ZYNlcd9jvjFqGKZgNdCwQjW4UgNR5A--3UpYUtU1bQ33Sv-3q--P2Q2YtukWIcMloaG/w640-h360/WP_20220708_11_31_49_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> He met his brother inquisitor, Robert Gaihomme, at the first junction.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gSfkTLbn_E9-78LchQJ9RyBnPSpVMlEt7FPUjdeWJmnqKzUrZRSr18bN7QVREnPqjL8AomrereIBQFnJw1mn-nWqeDHZnJn1TSYfUorDMNGrp-IvjgNq1djkvg6Y221Qo94c5YVsWutgZkAs0XLg-_V2XV8tmqyjvxgjz-uukLAVkgfijUPNusve/s5344/WP_20220708_11_35_12_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gSfkTLbn_E9-78LchQJ9RyBnPSpVMlEt7FPUjdeWJmnqKzUrZRSr18bN7QVREnPqjL8AomrereIBQFnJw1mn-nWqeDHZnJn1TSYfUorDMNGrp-IvjgNq1djkvg6Y221Qo94c5YVsWutgZkAs0XLg-_V2XV8tmqyjvxgjz-uukLAVkgfijUPNusve/w640-h360/WP_20220708_11_35_12_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div> "Augustus, you were expected. May your arrival bring us many blessings."</div><div> "And you also, Robert," Augustus replied. "This fleet couldn't arrive too quickly, though I surely wish it were larger. What can you tell me of our forces?"</div><div> "You've probably already seen all the ships. We've been dispatched with a half dozen galleons and half again as many galiots. We've a company of the Sixth Marines' finest aboard the galiots <i>Aspis</i>, <i>Fulvius</i>, <i>Crotalus</i>, and <i>Ophiophagus</i>."</div><div> "Excellent!" said Augustus. "The sixth is a suitably ardent legion. They've no love of mutants and xenos in their ranks. We'll need that kind of dedication to cleanse this sector of heresy." He thought for a moment before continuing. "I presume that you'll accompany the fleet, correct?"</div><div> Gaihomme answered "Correct."</div><div> "And has any thought been given to spiritual support for the legions?"</div><div> Gaihomme gestured to his left down the adjoining corridor. "Inquisitor Marcos Castrian will accompany them," he said, as a third grey armoured warrior monk strode into view.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EbFhFPfBeQgTpQABLW5mIBPdE0wT8w6mwh48sqOVv-4mlBJgiGcP3VzZ1OYkGsU8vhg0XeQKNYi8ShtxD25RlkauISRSuBsBPzkw3M4IyO2tymN7-iNB-HGayZoigF4R0d7SGkgWlSWWeR_P1QF8Hwv3oMcu8irJ0--qxwWUc9K8hFUWQOwtwxsP/s2175/WP_20220708_11_43_45_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2175" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EbFhFPfBeQgTpQABLW5mIBPdE0wT8w6mwh48sqOVv-4mlBJgiGcP3VzZ1OYkGsU8vhg0XeQKNYi8ShtxD25RlkauISRSuBsBPzkw3M4IyO2tymN7-iNB-HGayZoigF4R0d7SGkgWlSWWeR_P1QF8Hwv3oMcu8irJ0--qxwWUc9K8hFUWQOwtwxsP/w640-h596/WP_20220708_11_43_45_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Father Augustus," he said. "I'm honored to meet you. I've heard great things about your ardor in the Terran cause; your zeal to find and remove heresy. I hear you've found a den of it," he said grinning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Augustus frowned. "Indeed Marcos. The Tartarans have taken to consorting with . . . elves. And orcs! I think I might have seen a floater. There were mutants beyond counting. There might have been ape people, the benighted frogs. It's beyond comprehension, I tell you."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "We'll sort it out and put them to the fire as lead the people down this path," Marcos said. "Don't you worry. "The Emperor's wolves will break their bones and rend their flesh ere another fortnight has passed."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "I pray you are correct," Augustus said quietly. "Organize your troops. You will take this rather modest armada and subdue Kerberos first, so that we can use it as a forward outpost from which to launch our attack into the heart of the Rim itself. May the Holy Terra's peace guard you and may you bring His Majesty swift victory."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Augustus took a step back. "I can't stay over long. I'll need to inspect our facilities on the surface to insure that the corruption hasn't spread this far. On the way out I sent word to a detachment of the 32nd Marines. They should be on planet now. I'll meet them. Send word after you secure Kerberos and I'll provide further instructions."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Yes father!" the two monks said in unison.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Augustus strode off, re-boarded his pinnance, and soon found himself back in the comfort of a roughly Terran gravity well. This would be a long and complicated process, but in the end, he rather relished the task. He'd never before encountered such heathens in need of the Emperor's justice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Thank you for reading along, friends. Stay tuned for the next edition of the Sentinel Gate Affair in Episode VI: The Battle of Kerberos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The Composer</div><br /><p></p></div></div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-84194432249787354762022-06-30T20:23:00.001-05:002022-06-30T21:46:17.251-05:00Jayne's Fighting Ships: Rim Fleets Part III - Abhuman, Xeno, and Merchant Ships<p style="text-align: left;">Continued from <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part-i.html">Part I - The Terran Empire</a> and <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part.html">Part II - The Tartarus Navy</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uYlS1ZNS9ftjorv8NdhYBRUtyo5IVgvl7kkPXC3nQlRWvCfv83yxF93oCvEOqwEapKGt3i6FLeI9ZguLMdFuIPmFhe6xRdyrueaCB2A2cdtbIswHdlGmLVoG7KxqwvQg7RfvBOOUPC_hzFg9Uz2GM4v4TuEwCDLCGahQbqUPLpjfZdPlDdcTlzsD/s5344/WP_20210206_00_29_16_Pro%5BEldarTF%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uYlS1ZNS9ftjorv8NdhYBRUtyo5IVgvl7kkPXC3nQlRWvCfv83yxF93oCvEOqwEapKGt3i6FLeI9ZguLMdFuIPmFhe6xRdyrueaCB2A2cdtbIswHdlGmLVoG7KxqwvQg7RfvBOOUPC_hzFg9Uz2GM4v4TuEwCDLCGahQbqUPLpjfZdPlDdcTlzsD/w640-h360/WP_20210206_00_29_16_Pro%5BEldarTF%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Space Elves</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"> The Tahtien Ihmiset, sometimes called the space elves, or simply the elves, pointies, or even poncies, thanks to the rather stiff and formal demeanor of their representatives among humans, are among the older space faring civilizations. Human contact has often been fraught, but the Tartarans seem to have struck some kind of peace with one or more of the Tahti tribes, so we will attempt to describe their capabilities to the extent we know them. Most are fairly similar, differing primarily in size. Their largest vessels, so vast they are sometimes called world craft, are comparable in size to all but the largest human sprawl cities. But their warships tend to range from galleon to roughly great galleon size. Most are powered by great photon collectors, sometimes incorrectly called sails. Their technology seems otherwise mostly comparable to Terran equipment, albeit generally lighter and quite finely crafted. Their primary weapons seem to be beam batteries of more or less standard capacities. They are also known to have torpedoes of different sorts, though their precise nature is unknown as so few of their ships have been captured intact, and none of the larger types. They have generally shown a preference for avoiding direct engagement save in those few cases where they appeared to be defending a site of some spiritual or religious importance to them, where they have proven devastatingly effective fighters.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Red Bee</i> class great galleon</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX216mO3LN_k_FN_WZL-u2UIJDdGrGZNldtCtcObJJns346inpTsAHqv4lXtnq3J8ePgIe1TpNf8EkL09QMxbJSthj35gXtWG14Edt9GPwaQtpB_une2qFn0qQ5lBdvQpJDPQo_i0hIFWnjALrWfN_9SXoDS45FSHTA7KGF1SS4oa4K4kJDHB1fO6/s7975/IAEldarBB2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3795" data-original-width="7975" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX216mO3LN_k_FN_WZL-u2UIJDdGrGZNldtCtcObJJns346inpTsAHqv4lXtnq3J8ePgIe1TpNf8EkL09QMxbJSthj35gXtWG14Edt9GPwaQtpB_une2qFn0qQ5lBdvQpJDPQo_i0hIFWnjALrWfN_9SXoDS45FSHTA7KGF1SS4oa4K4kJDHB1fO6/w355-h169/IAEldarBB2.png" width="355" /></a></div>Mass: about 70 KTons<br />Armament: numerous beam batteries approximately equal to B and lesser classes, possibly torpedoes<br />Protection: energy screens and possibly armor<br />Powerplant: 3-4TG of impulse acceleration<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> To call the <i>Red Bees</i> a class is a bit of a misnomer. Each ship's hull is built up in a manner closely approximating organic growth from an exceptionally durable material the elves are thought to find in warpspace itself. Their ships have proven to be fast, though their exact performance has ever been measured as none have been captured intact to date.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7TyZQoHxG5rZU6F5GBcRGNJHFRDBsShbRBccUL8CRS1VGifSP023CE6dlOsD12G6BlPSNXAE86FOde26yB-JClSm_jd7zf59zkZNqhQD7aM81JLg4MFJ2TMotEOjkt1M04DBmM7BRM-TrbTepT3AjZD3jyRVYxiKoxMkM97k5HyJdBgs8dg6mqmw/s5344/WP_20220630_14_54_19_Pro%5BElfDred%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7TyZQoHxG5rZU6F5GBcRGNJHFRDBsShbRBccUL8CRS1VGifSP023CE6dlOsD12G6BlPSNXAE86FOde26yB-JClSm_jd7zf59zkZNqhQD7aM81JLg4MFJ2TMotEOjkt1M04DBmM7BRM-TrbTepT3AjZD3jyRVYxiKoxMkM97k5HyJdBgs8dg6mqmw/w640-h360/WP_20220630_14_54_19_Pro%5BElfDred%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Starwind</i> class galleon</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiRPM-dkAALNQ23-AJo345Kl-MNMUieWlITJB1OQqhgIRSXczHG17TGua6o7ySS0PiMrmYUx0gxVmFbz4ZdEm_82sPNuR6Tfx90AZVnAGYOdt9qFh7wmRwIRa6hgvU5XS3cL3vaOFqSD3sZqqBT9VLFh0AjMZ_UjhjAKU79y5MDWgE0APNjxfHkKl/s6680/EldarCA-Outline.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4008" data-original-width="6680" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiRPM-dkAALNQ23-AJo345Kl-MNMUieWlITJB1OQqhgIRSXczHG17TGua6o7ySS0PiMrmYUx0gxVmFbz4ZdEm_82sPNuR6Tfx90AZVnAGYOdt9qFh7wmRwIRa6hgvU5XS3cL3vaOFqSD3sZqqBT9VLFh0AjMZ_UjhjAKU79y5MDWgE0APNjxfHkKl/w245-h147/EldarCA-Outline.png" width="245" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mass: about 35 KTons<br />Armament: beam batteries approximately equal to B and lesser classes, possibly torpedoes<br />Protection: energy screens<br />Powerplant: 3-4TG of impulse acceleration</p><p style="text-align: left;"> The <i>Starwinds</i> are generally similar to the <i>Red Bees</i>, save for their smaller size.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0bf14wjvHUI2ONMYtLVbTR2UIV87Ce8UC93uxqg8unfDAJenPUg_fwiy-v28C4TNTF5aZJqwLnnxjYN5i8RAWK-bYb-VvcmdCVn7UHXQX5jBq164bkS_wajA42yELJPJPxOSrmgp8jS2LIC-5SMBJH7ceVN-PD-po3y4JZmtZXQzOAGsy8vKwn7A/s1921/WP_20200519_13_40_35_Pro-1%5BCruisers%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1921" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0bf14wjvHUI2ONMYtLVbTR2UIV87Ce8UC93uxqg8unfDAJenPUg_fwiy-v28C4TNTF5aZJqwLnnxjYN5i8RAWK-bYb-VvcmdCVn7UHXQX5jBq164bkS_wajA42yELJPJPxOSrmgp8jS2LIC-5SMBJH7ceVN-PD-po3y4JZmtZXQzOAGsy8vKwn7A/w640-h360/WP_20200519_13_40_35_Pro-1%5BCruisers%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Dwarven Holds</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>At least one squat freehold is known to inhabit the general area of the Tartarus Rim: that of the Burkhan Kaldun guild. Like most dwarven guilds their technical skill is quite advanced and their ships should be assumed to be very capable, roughly equivalent to the best Terran classes.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Chinghis Khagan</i> class great galleon</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBThP_qni41UYlziX9_FWxaccms_GbTKZdgRCdPitMxV87ra-QCVLdkyLAX5A7XBwH_9pN_vqGfcvm23w_iqJshDSo5C5J0wvnNI4lxBV3ZvfwnGRO8eKzSgRY_xqeB4Fa779hZIDTAWJfi40mPFcHOOrMDcBPuGKqrRvBGWMG0082lzjNaE6Ap-DB/s10404/DwarfBBChinghisKhagan.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4496" data-original-width="10404" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBThP_qni41UYlziX9_FWxaccms_GbTKZdgRCdPitMxV87ra-QCVLdkyLAX5A7XBwH_9pN_vqGfcvm23w_iqJshDSo5C5J0wvnNI4lxBV3ZvfwnGRO8eKzSgRY_xqeB4Fa779hZIDTAWJfi40mPFcHOOrMDcBPuGKqrRvBGWMG0082lzjNaE6Ap-DB/w432-h186/DwarfBBChinghisKhagan.png" width="432" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mass: more than 100 KTons<br />Armament: many B class batteries and possibly additional armaments<br />Protection: energy screens and probably armor<br />Powerplant: 2-3TG of impulse acceleration</p><p style="text-align: left;"> The <i>Chinghis Khagan</i> is an exceptionally large warship from what we can estimate. As such it probably isn't terribly fast, but it ought to be remarkably survivable, particularly if it is screened, as dwarven technology would suggest. There are rumors of larger and experimental weapons coming from nearby systems, and it's certainly large enough to carry even something as cumbersome as the fusion bombard, though there is no external evidence of such a weapon. The weapons appear to be mounted primarily in broadsides, but this is simply an analysis of photographic data.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Uriankhai </i>class galleon</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScovu7Z5muE1N2shoOqB-XcUDYo0S-mGaky2B0wdVSU-yvCtf7daUlhVTvO7htyBMNqYyi201dp-NldjJpBCq8-u-D-60qN0zVZHXTLtNGcs3YSU_kyF_3JsfgL7jnZE_wv24EzvqHhYHwSJeB6JDfNRefFzygtncGQG9qlo1I6tEX8cROZpvNstq/s5188/DwarfCL.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2324" data-original-width="5188" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScovu7Z5muE1N2shoOqB-XcUDYo0S-mGaky2B0wdVSU-yvCtf7daUlhVTvO7htyBMNqYyi201dp-NldjJpBCq8-u-D-60qN0zVZHXTLtNGcs3YSU_kyF_3JsfgL7jnZE_wv24EzvqHhYHwSJeB6JDfNRefFzygtncGQG9qlo1I6tEX8cROZpvNstq/w227-h102/DwarfCL.png" width="227" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mass: around 30 KTons<br />Armament: B and lesser class beam batteries, possibly torpedoes, possibly an axially mounted bombard or improved beam weapon.<br />Protection: energy screens and probably armor<br />Powerplant: 2-4TG of impulse acceleration</p><p style="text-align: left;"> The <i>Uriankhai</i> class follows similar lines to the <i>Chinghis Khagan</i>, but on a much smaller scale, being quite small for a galleon. Photography suggests it has some kind of axially mounted weapon, but its precise nature isn't known.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Sleipnir</i> class galiot</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0Q9rwucHUA7e5Cd0yrKARJFMwZg2ry0zze1c_B48T-HnlVukkTLSHt91nhE6WuRs7IQHD7rl42yODjhN4I8jrzm2px2O1eizIH-PFl-kxK8PEJiacHGTZXceLkaIEvILgHu1lG41Vc15IsREVt-7RReksh83qvOGCV1cxAsQWC1KTFJMvJLE1rvr/s3992/DwarfDDSleipnir.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="3992" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0Q9rwucHUA7e5Cd0yrKARJFMwZg2ry0zze1c_B48T-HnlVukkTLSHt91nhE6WuRs7IQHD7rl42yODjhN4I8jrzm2px2O1eizIH-PFl-kxK8PEJiacHGTZXceLkaIEvILgHu1lG41Vc15IsREVt-7RReksh83qvOGCV1cxAsQWC1KTFJMvJLE1rvr/w138-h78/DwarfDDSleipnir.png" width="138" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mass: around 20 KTons<br />Armament: probably C class beam batteries and local defences<br />Protection: unknown, but probably light<br />Powerplant: probably at least 4 TG of impulse acceleration</p><p style="text-align: left;"> The<i> Slepnirs </i>are the smallest dwarven warships encountered so far. It seems quite likely that they will be faster. No visual evidence can be found of anything beyond beam weapons, but this shouldn't be taken as definitive.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRZZzWy7fLtmnGApdZA6JXjhEfMIKZAMvwzLkruIgHyNIkhUnDbAv9ZmBM1nmOjtH1zpVjrRDv8IDhJzII0ss2Qpl_Obexd9zH6OrXmyilUxBoz0GaLuPE42PSQod8u7Vdq_7HKa1osxODC_1I9sH1KgDQDrq0qRFs65OT21lvQDT7PYc7p1a1dOZ/s5344/WP_20220623_15_13_40_Pro%5BDwarfTF%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRZZzWy7fLtmnGApdZA6JXjhEfMIKZAMvwzLkruIgHyNIkhUnDbAv9ZmBM1nmOjtH1zpVjrRDv8IDhJzII0ss2Qpl_Obexd9zH6OrXmyilUxBoz0GaLuPE42PSQod8u7Vdq_7HKa1osxODC_1I9sH1KgDQDrq0qRFs65OT21lvQDT7PYc7p1a1dOZ/w640-h360/WP_20220623_15_13_40_Pro%5BDwarfTF%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Merchant shipping</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"> For the sake of completeness we're endeavoring to present several typical examples of merchant ships. This list is not remotely exhaustive, but the ships discussed represent some of the most common types.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Vacuum type tanker</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>The Deuterium Pressing Company of Proserpine is probably the largest gas mining concern in the Rim territories. They operate a fleet of fairly standard meta-stable metalized gas tankers to service their gas platforms. <i>DePCoPro 2</i>, seen below, is a fairly typical example. She has a registered mass of 84 KTons and can sustain 1TG of impulse for short periods.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnwJmUWM1hgtV00881MEPPhGRYlH2jEFBAZL6RiXHrHBd6_vL6UtAxpoVlV9BgT7XGhs6MU9y6yeO3FCWI9eJ2og8-i-OVkZxffkCjOzhgEaEffQ7ie_EU2IBJVucv-wTGa0SZELhBJjfzzcnLIw8ONEoxHXwx_9Ry84ckSVJn0c5w4f6S1FQpoSs/s2048/WP_20200503_17_07_33_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnwJmUWM1hgtV00881MEPPhGRYlH2jEFBAZL6RiXHrHBd6_vL6UtAxpoVlV9BgT7XGhs6MU9y6yeO3FCWI9eJ2og8-i-OVkZxffkCjOzhgEaEffQ7ie_EU2IBJVucv-wTGa0SZELhBJjfzzcnLIw8ONEoxHXwx_9Ry84ckSVJn0c5w4f6S1FQpoSs/w640-h360/WP_20200503_17_07_33_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Traveler</i> class liner</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>Small passenger liners are a more common sight along the north rim than in the more developed core and southern worlds closer to Terra. The example seen here <i>RACT Enhance</i> of the Rex-Avis Clan Line, is a fairly representative. She is registered to carry five hundred four passengers with a crew of fifty six on a mass of 41 KT. Because her design was sponsored by the territorial guard she can manage 4TG of acceleration, but would rarely if ever do so with passengers aboard. Such liners can also carry a considerable amount of mail and finished goods in their cargo holds.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG-zvPgHfu2ggj0mKOSn4UE0rCEVww-Y_Uo0i6sjx5xW-jJLw-1KhU7tHKtRVu1L7WL6_yiyR2qYYYkqxqa_9t4m19O2gplrRQVDIwMx9CFBNyqq2Jng-j33wgIZAj8W6BlgF6Boii5DupC_7YZYKvB2bK5xvlLa937DvBYKGOWc8T2iuh07rD84m/s2048/IMG_5151-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG-zvPgHfu2ggj0mKOSn4UE0rCEVww-Y_Uo0i6sjx5xW-jJLw-1KhU7tHKtRVu1L7WL6_yiyR2qYYYkqxqa_9t4m19O2gplrRQVDIwMx9CFBNyqq2Jng-j33wgIZAj8W6BlgF6Boii5DupC_7YZYKvB2bK5xvlLa937DvBYKGOWc8T2iuh07rD84m/w640-h480/IMG_5151-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Typical tramp spacer</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>Tramp spacers make up the bulk of the commercial tonnage along the rim, and come in an array of shapes and sizes, ranging from 10KT or less up to about 30KT. Most aren't terribly fast, managing perhaps 2TG of acceleration at best, and usually less. They carry every conceivable cargo, but particularly supplies and equipment for more isolated ports that the major lines don't serve regularly.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPoqHJUUedezXg-RsWZxieFISj3cSTK5BMkIvi826VUWf0w16tl7cmvccWHIiC4d8lmOsnbs9xswF-lkB4pT-sYB0cxPxY7p-pv3k83J641ncUrxTdMbZHfaXJeivUoEgH5JrqIHhGG7TsYHVnZG2cl5xFxcaumNvUSche8xBmM_K2fyS5SlOdn0_/s2048/IMG_5156-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPoqHJUUedezXg-RsWZxieFISj3cSTK5BMkIvi826VUWf0w16tl7cmvccWHIiC4d8lmOsnbs9xswF-lkB4pT-sYB0cxPxY7p-pv3k83J641ncUrxTdMbZHfaXJeivUoEgH5JrqIHhGG7TsYHVnZG2cl5xFxcaumNvUSche8xBmM_K2fyS5SlOdn0_/w640-h480/IMG_5156-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Tenders and auxiliaries</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>A number of different sorts of tenders and auxiliaries circulate the spacelanes of the northern galactic rim. Seen below is a deep-space buoy tender that has been converted to serve as a warpspace weather research vessel. Ships of the sort will generally have one or more shuttles and small boats they can launch and considerable stores for long missions. They're not usually more than about 30KT, and are frequently lighter. They rarely posses more than 2TG of acceleration.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0SXvaKGcJN7YXR86u9Vijl72zgkg08wZqGYRFHlp0paFF5RUls7snNIDN5XlnP3AXCXdPzFIXj6AKppaI_vkIVzUKJZrDsvCl0UqFMBlv0vAzF7yJCL0Uetyv73v8SlCPJE76i-Z_7ceRI-vw_mNoz2maQ8HaY7ZaaDwj7Kx3MUZww_AXDCeR5ED/s2048/IMG_5160-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0SXvaKGcJN7YXR86u9Vijl72zgkg08wZqGYRFHlp0paFF5RUls7snNIDN5XlnP3AXCXdPzFIXj6AKppaI_vkIVzUKJZrDsvCl0UqFMBlv0vAzF7yJCL0Uetyv73v8SlCPJE76i-Z_7ceRI-vw_mNoz2maQ8HaY7ZaaDwj7Kx3MUZww_AXDCeR5ED/w640-h480/IMG_5160-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Bulkers</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>The largest merchant ships likely to be encountered are the bulk freighters, or bulkers that move minerals and foodstuffs from system to system. These might even mass as much as 200KT or more, though they are never terribly fast, as their bulk cargo requires more steady than speedy shipment. Such a vessel with even 2TG of acceleration would be exceptionally rare.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEc48y1RVsAXMKk56LdaQa9kpUdmnXgp5RtfFCVDpjzn11NULokPAW3guMsxhlZxZbrEHTnYi_vBmgMrH_YoxCbjkR_tIV0b27ZuG0zSJRKUtBtRxpcW41AzgiahlPbh3wDij4xWGt-VcvID8JSGwVObdVSkBCUDi7okw1a841Vi_YN6mw0HoDBA2/s2426/WP_20210206_00_33_35_Pro-1%5BBulkFreighter%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="2426" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEc48y1RVsAXMKk56LdaQa9kpUdmnXgp5RtfFCVDpjzn11NULokPAW3guMsxhlZxZbrEHTnYi_vBmgMrH_YoxCbjkR_tIV0b27ZuG0zSJRKUtBtRxpcW41AzgiahlPbh3wDij4xWGt-VcvID8JSGwVObdVSkBCUDi7okw1a841Vi_YN6mw0HoDBA2/w640-h296/WP_20210206_00_33_35_Pro-1%5BBulkFreighter%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> This concludes our emergency crisis release on the ships of the Tartarus Rim. We would advise our subscribers to avoid the area for the foreseeable future.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Behind the curtain</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>While Citadel miniatures still figure prominently here for the elves and the tanker, the remaining ships come from other suppliers. For the dwarven fleet I used <a href="https://vanguardminiatures.co.uk" target="_blank">Vanguard Miniatures</a> offerings from the <a href="https://vanguardminiatures.co.uk/product-category/battlegroup-helios/helian-league-fleet/" target="_blank">Helian League</a> line. Most of the merchant ships are from <a href="http://www.rafm.com" target="_blank">RAFM's</a> old <a href="http://www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Traveller:_The_New_Era_%28RAFM%29" target="_blank">Traveler</a> line. (The only exceptions being the Citadel Goliath Factory Ship serving as a tanker and the <a href="https://www.veltd.net" target="_blank">Valliant Enterprises</a> <a href="https://www.veltd.net/collections/stardate-3000-space-ships/products/stardate-3000-kit-9075-atriedes-class-merchantmen" target="_blank">Atriedes</a> class freighter at the very end serving as the bulker.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> I found the Vanguard examples to be a little challenging to paint, as the resin doesn't take paint terribly well at all. (A good soaping down and a spray on primer of the sort I almost never use might help.) That said, the end result is quite effective, and they fit the GW setting very well indeed. (I should think they would pair quite well with modern Battlefleet Gothic.) I'm ultimately pretty happy with them. My one wish is that there were more ships of middling sorts of sizes. They have lots of very big ships that can serve as super-battleships, and plenty of small ones to serve as small cruisers and destroyers, but nothing that pairs well with a typical larger cruiser or battleship. To put it in Space Fleet terms everything is much bigger than the Gothic or smaller than the Firestorm. Everything in the Helian League line I used is either smaller than two inches or larger than four, and that seemed about typical. It makes for a big gap. Not the world's biggest problem, but I wish there was more in the middle.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> The RAFM stuff is lovely, but a little hard to find these days, as it's long out of print. There might be a company making some of the same designs in resin, but I won't spend any time discussing their quality as I've not had the pleasure of painting any. (That said, I'm thrilled to hear someone else's reviews.)</p><p style="text-align: left;"> But I failed to review the Valliant Enterprises Miniatures in my last post, so I'll correct that oversight here. These were . . . interesting. Fiddly. They're honestly fairly attractive miniatures that look pretty good when you're done with them. They take paint well enough and they have plenty of relief making them look great without much more than a black basecoat, some blocked in color, and some hastily drybrushed highlights. The details feel familiar, like they're bashed together from pieces I feel I know somehow like drywall anchors or model train parts. But I play similar games myself and the result is quite effective, so I find that to be more feature than bug. (After all, Battlestar Galactica was made with tank hulls and Saturn Vs. And the same can be said of a lot of Star Wars models. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!) The castings were a little rough in places, requiring some straightening in the thinner spots and quite a bit of cleaning. But all in all nothing out of the ordinary. Assembly wasn't always obvious, but they do have instructions for a reason. If you like the look of these little spaceships I highly recommend them. The prices are quite reasonable. They seem like a pretty darn good little company and I'm glad to support them.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> That brings this chapter to an end. I hope you will join me as we return to story related posts, and hopefully even a battle in the very near future.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Sincerely,<br />The Composer</div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-69365703899230137582022-06-30T01:27:00.005-05:002022-06-30T21:44:16.417-05:00Jayne's Fighting Ships: Rim Fleets Part II - The Tartarus Navy<div style="text-align: left;">Continued from <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part-i.html">Part I - The Terran Empire</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-yXxVDS4B0PAOaYdR9Xdsowp6DNpdVpRv-MhvpYWpQWH54F3GmALlE-zoTIOVfZ77ICmkcB2_nBkvcslUk4zctsB1VmO76__Fiipq_ZZ61TnT0RgLM8vQCv2AKs5JBP3wgbgbBUXDXZYYyls6A3s-yNC_PtQ8JkAIBs4ITyZzH5T-OjotPxXuLbI/s5296/WP_20210206_00_36_30_Pro%5BTRFleet%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2972" data-original-width="5296" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-yXxVDS4B0PAOaYdR9Xdsowp6DNpdVpRv-MhvpYWpQWH54F3GmALlE-zoTIOVfZ77ICmkcB2_nBkvcslUk4zctsB1VmO76__Fiipq_ZZ61TnT0RgLM8vQCv2AKs5JBP3wgbgbBUXDXZYYyls6A3s-yNC_PtQ8JkAIBs4ITyZzH5T-OjotPxXuLbI/w640-h360/WP_20210206_00_36_30_Pro%5BTRFleet%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Estimates of Tartaran Navy ships are of necessity much more vague, as their systems and shipyards are remote and their organization is comparatively young. Their earliest naval vessels appear to be hastily improvised, often converted from bulk freighters. Other ships bear considerable resemblance to farboat designs from the dark ages; designs predating even the Reconquista. It is possible that the Tartarans have rediscovered a pre-Imperial Republican shipyard, as settlement reached the general area, though names have changed and records have been lost, so their precise locations are unknown inside Terran space. If so, these likely constitute the most capable ships in their fleet, and we will proceed by basing our estimates off what is known from the few surviving Imperial examples. Still other designs are entirely new, possibly showing influence from one or more of the known abhuman and xenogamous species in the area, with whom it is believed the Tartarans have contact.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Moab</i> class cog of war</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74YJQnvT7jRnKciynzvLa5rYPu9pWNn0xwmsbeRM_23qx41zQs6NhRw7sk1y9owYdm2TzQSvctNkiuovUStuO9Ey-ji1KLvhjwT0pmnOdQqD7eeVEszvKK8ldORioyVZndwYB0T8tFw3jTjOBPJdLiwzlp2ooLtTjVJvoy3mFIY7wyeyhVT0_hrhi/s6848/TaratrusBBMoabS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="6848" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74YJQnvT7jRnKciynzvLa5rYPu9pWNn0xwmsbeRM_23qx41zQs6NhRw7sk1y9owYdm2TzQSvctNkiuovUStuO9Ey-ji1KLvhjwT0pmnOdQqD7eeVEszvKK8ldORioyVZndwYB0T8tFw3jTjOBPJdLiwzlp2ooLtTjVJvoy3mFIY7wyeyhVT0_hrhi/w427-h160/TaratrusBBMoabS.png" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mass: 40-60 KTons<br />Armament: likely several B class laser batteries, C class laser batteries, and point defence batteries<br />Protection: unknown, but might include light screens<br />Powerplant: probably civilian in type, not likely exceeding 1TG of impulse acceleration</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> We will begin by discussing the limited number of known Tartaran capital ships. First among them is a ship apparently called <i>TNS Moab</i>, of which we received reports after the first Colores incident.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFZPmDmMX8vg8rZM6SEUfMVBLV2xqZgooz1mx2HalfX5WLXIZhLp31-3U2pjT49IHOczNexE_-s9xVc9M4jcNx52nEHQHSu243A3u17HJBzEEdbNAdYA8O4O7AtEk6RGfbTPjaMbbVb6Ni0xydumkbpv_nc1POV7sMpgpqmpdLiAMwyJ2meT6kFMb/s922/IMG_5163-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="922" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFZPmDmMX8vg8rZM6SEUfMVBLV2xqZgooz1mx2HalfX5WLXIZhLp31-3U2pjT49IHOczNexE_-s9xVc9M4jcNx52nEHQHSu243A3u17HJBzEEdbNAdYA8O4O7AtEk6RGfbTPjaMbbVb6Ni0xydumkbpv_nc1POV7sMpgpqmpdLiAMwyJ2meT6kFMb/w640-h480/IMG_5163-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Moab appears to be a large, converted bulk hauler. Reports indicate that she is rather slow. Her armament and precise size are unknown, leaving us to estimate from the few clear photographs in our possession. We are classing her as a Cog of War, since that seems to best meet her description. Some of the first warships in the reconstituted Terran Imperial Navy were simple cogs hastily converted from available freighters of the local systemic sort sometimes called "belters." She is sufficiently massive that she should be able to support the largest B class laser batteries and probably some degree of shielding, though perhaps not much more effective than a typical galiot and almost certainly not up the standards of a true war galleon or even a carrack. While she probably isn't a terribly effective front-line warship she might be most adequate for systemic defence or training. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Proserpine</i> class carrack</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zb0PBBihC_fIhQ-pIAPUB74D33B8jMjPgl9beJyYjddEDSrCMt8troEXnkQTW66z-QKjXlNbpr92k3LELnAxPRq4Z2eY57ZZyuEd6K24c-i8TYtLIJS0VmQKm_KOTJk586VP0dZeiEmGvuGcl08RY7Pyt_r4Ch--kKdWAXpcycGshwf6iUhcJCQu/s7975/TaratrusBBProserpineS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3795" data-original-width="7975" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zb0PBBihC_fIhQ-pIAPUB74D33B8jMjPgl9beJyYjddEDSrCMt8troEXnkQTW66z-QKjXlNbpr92k3LELnAxPRq4Z2eY57ZZyuEd6K24c-i8TYtLIJS0VmQKm_KOTJk586VP0dZeiEmGvuGcl08RY7Pyt_r4Ch--kKdWAXpcycGshwf6iUhcJCQu/w433-h205/TaratrusBBProserpineS.png" width="433" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mass: possibly 60KTons or more<br />Armament: possibly numerous B class laser batteries, C class laser batteries, and point defence batteries<br />Protection: unknown, but probably includes screens<br />Powerplant: probably early military in type, probably reaching 2TG of impulse acceleration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The <i>Proserpine </i>class gives the appearance of a purpose built warship of substantial size and capability. In many ways she closely resembles an ancient farboat. A few such vessels survived in Terran space into the early days of the empire, though none quite so large are known. We have less information on<i> </i>this class, and none of it is direct, but we feel we can still make some estimates based on comparable known designs. Without knowing the powerplant, we cannot say a speed for sure, but it's likely to be both faster and better protected thanks to being purpose built for the task. The white domes on comparable ships house sensor equipment of various sorts, so it seems likely the ship has a fairly substantial sensor suite, and probably also astronunciation capabilities, though without access to the Imperial NavAid beacon they may not be of much value. (The north galactic rim is largely beyond the range of the beacon in any case, thus giving navigators and local navigational aids much greater importance.) On a ship of such size the armament is doubtless substantial and the screening probably closely equal to Imperial equivalents. <i>Proserpine </i>and her sisters are quite probably very effective warships.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4X2aABcL44dkNknTvODKakEPhsHpSYEkgbhFhfSU3lQU4YctGKs1HX7TPd4hm-lybfWK6HJlvZ5YlFskaFrtXPenx0L2u8pRFG-qM9smIb-ebhr2uFAU3rVAZuz95uiXG_XZtlBzxSd85P5cFRl7XeGWx5EZHlsXQjqve5NdXylwhDoQWWDiksuH/s2879/WP_20210206_00_37_40_Pro-1%5BProserpine%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="2879" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4X2aABcL44dkNknTvODKakEPhsHpSYEkgbhFhfSU3lQU4YctGKs1HX7TPd4hm-lybfWK6HJlvZ5YlFskaFrtXPenx0L2u8pRFG-qM9smIb-ebhr2uFAU3rVAZuz95uiXG_XZtlBzxSd85P5cFRl7XeGWx5EZHlsXQjqve5NdXylwhDoQWWDiksuH/w640-h460/WP_20210206_00_37_40_Pro-1%5BProserpine%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Hecate</i> class great galleon</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QuDWTUmq3BqztX6piCA5haZAlzC82cQADk4dZGqnk3tcpftlEMW9mivLI40_qsZj-A0yZlF_SQD6DmkkwC7HXrPYTijj9lVEuHP9KP3DvBNKIR7Ga1C_gECgHaJ5Ojz6hbQUVu6s2_moURqCGsZAOo7ft67BWI4niLLjMHuJEFfa9GHyxnzcsmAR/s7032/TaratrusBCHecateS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3256" data-original-width="7032" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QuDWTUmq3BqztX6piCA5haZAlzC82cQADk4dZGqnk3tcpftlEMW9mivLI40_qsZj-A0yZlF_SQD6DmkkwC7HXrPYTijj9lVEuHP9KP3DvBNKIR7Ga1C_gECgHaJ5Ojz6hbQUVu6s2_moURqCGsZAOo7ft67BWI4niLLjMHuJEFfa9GHyxnzcsmAR/w432-h200/TaratrusBCHecateS.png" width="432" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mass: probably more than 30KTons<br />Armament: probably B and C class laser batteries, and point defence batteries and possibly torpedoes of some sort<br />Protection: unknown, but probably includes screens<br />Powerplant: probably early military in type, probably reaching 2TG of impulse acceleration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Even less is known of the <i>Hecate. </i>Discovery of her existence is quite recent, and we have exactly one rather grainy picture of a fleet exercise, seen at top. She mostly likely represents a one-off, similar to the <i>Moab</i>, but her design appears much more advanced. Her size, from what we can learn, appears to be consistent with a great galleon, but we have no real idea as to her armament or capabilities. We do know that she is capable of operation with the fleet, so 2 to 3TG of acceleration or doesn't seem unlikely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Nyx</i> class caravel</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmSY_CTTP7tWVKkzTJmOLd2ghcfx2xOQYfA_-vbN7_FsdlAmQ3k6upnw89AAQ1SJJm6Uq6hAyUC6Ppkn1ik6xwidmbUYR8fXR99AJsQrxSjmreEZnqGP7YVcQvKYMob9KaMOVDQtPpI9ayyBg9xtWlsBkjBYy1nD9L9GgaBTkfkdOzCFhzKYrEF7I/s4988/TartarusCENyxS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2124" data-original-width="4988" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmSY_CTTP7tWVKkzTJmOLd2ghcfx2xOQYfA_-vbN7_FsdlAmQ3k6upnw89AAQ1SJJm6Uq6hAyUC6Ppkn1ik6xwidmbUYR8fXR99AJsQrxSjmreEZnqGP7YVcQvKYMob9KaMOVDQtPpI9ayyBg9xtWlsBkjBYy1nD9L9GgaBTkfkdOzCFhzKYrEF7I/s320/TartarusCENyxS.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mass: probably about 25KTons<br />Armament: probably C class laser batteries, and point defence batteries<br />Protection: unknown, but probably includes screens<br />Powerplant: probably early military in type, probably reaching 2-3TG of impulse acceleration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The <i>Nyx</i> is another design dating back to pre-Imperial days. It is in many ways a smaller <i>Proserpine</i>, but executed on a smaller scale. The many bulbous protrusions suggest a heavier than typical sensor or communications array for a ship of this scale. As a purpose built warship it's probably faster than improvised vessels like <i>Moab</i>, but probably less capable than a modern design. Several can be seen here in the company of <i>Moab</i> and several <i>Garland Sheppard</i> class dhows in the vicinity of Starship Rock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAP2e7ALlG1jWcJH0XZHn0IOT8-OYHFHEpwHaHlNAzXxeAgRyEQpc-8VNhtoFSxzJhPuhodGSHwHRWJ42w927hq5feyNIGsolFnSF9Kkyk2tuv26N8zaXbXyyZ_CXreUuXfRx6bdUawO_94B3dmqGUQ2hB_MVGu0BVxJVHu6a0jJNGaavMyZNm4en/s1919/WP_20200429_14_39_23_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1919" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAP2e7ALlG1jWcJH0XZHn0IOT8-OYHFHEpwHaHlNAzXxeAgRyEQpc-8VNhtoFSxzJhPuhodGSHwHRWJ42w927hq5feyNIGsolFnSF9Kkyk2tuv26N8zaXbXyyZ_CXreUuXfRx6bdUawO_94B3dmqGUQ2hB_MVGu0BVxJVHu6a0jJNGaavMyZNm4en/w640-h360/WP_20200429_14_39_23_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Czernobog </i>class caravel and <i>Garland Shepard</i> class dhow</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWThxqt6LeBuWBc2gTiCWbodY7AxuTCmRlloKHQKJO7FQS2UkGwawI3mGihuzZquJRcbHLAABf_1RJ4h602KYaqwhu86pRkY5e8fMvbJQHPXW0O1cQ331NzXc2qAye_FZS4baQoGUhklG9jQigyAoggw0XW8Xijv_MbdsO0V4y62BmpNt682l8SGe6/s4024/TartarusCGMCzernobogS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2168" data-original-width="4024" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWThxqt6LeBuWBc2gTiCWbodY7AxuTCmRlloKHQKJO7FQS2UkGwawI3mGihuzZquJRcbHLAABf_1RJ4h602KYaqwhu86pRkY5e8fMvbJQHPXW0O1cQ331NzXc2qAye_FZS4baQoGUhklG9jQigyAoggw0XW8Xijv_MbdsO0V4y62BmpNt682l8SGe6/s320/TartarusCGMCzernobogS.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mass: probably about 25KTons<br />Armament: possibly torpedoes, probably C class laser batteries, and point defence batteries<br />Protection: unknown, but mioght includes screens<br />Powerplant: probably early military in type, probably reaching 3-4TG of impulse acceleration</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TWDtz-1SMBD4ccmmhCoSk27rAvOIULsJ3wh3QW75nU5gCpSE7UG4Osp58825tUz9PvSYsYWTVXm5-0FdDbjnJYCa4tmbzQzczMAvdbJFxi9Yv38-Y1w86joHSyQ4nt19viQ655qB_K9x6WdaQVNk3hx6EEdAzRHEcOiPEHJxTDRHVpQSe488zVhx/s2846/TartarusDGMGarlandSheppardS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2846" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TWDtz-1SMBD4ccmmhCoSk27rAvOIULsJ3wh3QW75nU5gCpSE7UG4Osp58825tUz9PvSYsYWTVXm5-0FdDbjnJYCa4tmbzQzczMAvdbJFxi9Yv38-Y1w86joHSyQ4nt19viQ655qB_K9x6WdaQVNk3hx6EEdAzRHEcOiPEHJxTDRHVpQSe488zVhx/w208-h115/TartarusDGMGarlandSheppardS.png" width="208" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mass: probably about 15KTons<br />Armament: probably C class laser batteries, and point defence batteries<br />Protection: unknown, but probably light<br />Powerplant: probably early military in type, perhaps reaching 2TG of impulse acceleration and likely lacking warp transit capability</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The <i>Czernobog</i> and <i>Shepard</i> are further examples of what appear to be pre-imperial designs. The ships similar to <i>Czernobog </i>in Terran space are rather fast and well armed, but poorly protected. The <i>Shepard</i> class looks similar to early system defence escorts. The Tartaran examples appear to be new production, rather than rediscovered relics, making it likely they are produced with inferior materials and subsystems. Nevertheless, they may well be fairly capable ships for their size.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEoAzM2h6ESKe_UVRg-LESCYgDCsvLNdpdSmy8o8BODqc2xNv8AmlRxvZRi0lUc0CESLx-zB54dwyB-2gBMLBSvQdcDo4xUVZ293thcNWHn_RZGenAnHtxqLEcTAakch-Ju-8yHsTpNsF5939nEa5rvds_Kgm---yPXjvEoiENfwZ9a1-HuLK0_zQ/s2048/WP_20201210_19_12_21_Rich%5BThunderbolt%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="2048" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEoAzM2h6ESKe_UVRg-LESCYgDCsvLNdpdSmy8o8BODqc2xNv8AmlRxvZRi0lUc0CESLx-zB54dwyB-2gBMLBSvQdcDo4xUVZ293thcNWHn_RZGenAnHtxqLEcTAakch-Ju-8yHsTpNsF5939nEa5rvds_Kgm---yPXjvEoiENfwZ9a1-HuLK0_zQ/w640-h358/WP_20201210_19_12_21_Rich%5BThunderbolt%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Chouteau</i> and <i>Vide Poche </i>class galleons</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-f_HsEIeseDnx9P_loCICk45IyWwy9itDhd_EtHw0JgqL0-26DD7ddtChjuUi4Hn7plIjS4vximJ_Guxv9_voZVQJxWtCbCqyor1TXZvpOZF8DNEZK71gFxPbSSlPp1comcfLs0k1ZmJGqLxBZmEPPMRpavInxHjGNc0JhtAnyaZtvoUIak6w_DU/s6680/IATartarusCAChouteauSillhouette.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="6680" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-f_HsEIeseDnx9P_loCICk45IyWwy9itDhd_EtHw0JgqL0-26DD7ddtChjuUi4Hn7plIjS4vximJ_Guxv9_voZVQJxWtCbCqyor1TXZvpOZF8DNEZK71gFxPbSSlPp1comcfLs0k1ZmJGqLxBZmEPPMRpavInxHjGNc0JhtAnyaZtvoUIak6w_DU/w358-h161/IATartarusCAChouteauSillhouette.png" width="358" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mass: probably about 30KTons<br />Armament: probably C class laser batteries, and point defence batteries<br />Protection: unknown, but probably includes screens<br />Powerplant: probably early military in type, probably reaching 2-3TG of impulse acceleration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIbR70HXB1QKngqQnJ-yxPszP_viqEFXQzEnNrlLaXNIhJyYdg2BY1CuoZBFhvsJL3f6MlGAZzP3IhzFd31OTVFsECTMVjc2MJMhIaH_aS38gbDCI7hQ-DX21EeWiyWUeA1FPzK4rx0O75PU4Xk5pe8ETtVxqxOV_cys35nZij5lJoLovSZU-t_cG/s7304/IATartarusCLVidePocheSillhouette.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3252" data-original-width="7304" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIbR70HXB1QKngqQnJ-yxPszP_viqEFXQzEnNrlLaXNIhJyYdg2BY1CuoZBFhvsJL3f6MlGAZzP3IhzFd31OTVFsECTMVjc2MJMhIaH_aS38gbDCI7hQ-DX21EeWiyWUeA1FPzK4rx0O75PU4Xk5pe8ETtVxqxOV_cys35nZij5lJoLovSZU-t_cG/s320/IATartarusCLVidePocheSillhouette.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mass: probably about 25KTons<br />Armament: probably C class laser batteries, and point defence batteries<br />Protection: unknown, but probably includes screens<br />Powerplant: probably early military in type, probably reaching 2-3TG of impulse acceleration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Even less can be said for certain about the new-design galleons of the Tartaran navy. Their appearance is quite distinctive, but their massing overall doesn't seem out of keeping with the Imperium's own galleons, so we choose to class them as such. They appear to be purpose built warships of novel origin, and the best that we can guess is that their capabilities probably fall somewhere between that of a <i>Comitatus</i> class galleon and a <i>Furious</i> class great galleon. While these might be quite capable ships indeed their numbers aren't thought to be large, most probably not exceeding the three examples seen here escorting a TRS transport, which are believed to be <i>Chouteau</i>, <i>Vide Poche</i>, and <i>Blanding</i>.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Cz_VgoLeoROkVYvm6Jrl_gGAinTZdmHMnAmg1rxNlmAi04OszoBJg0qwrB45CDWP5litXPemA8YYrP7u4r8ZbLWs5eB6TkgcpIPL_IBz7G6CI5LPJGOg8n4r1-IqatIUStgKb7JIgLPf4ExAt6IBCBP4J2QkXtxYU3JsB-AVK6Nt0LexNNnPMwDl/s3525/WP_20210123_01_39_28_Pro-3%5BTREscortTransport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2530" data-original-width="3525" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Cz_VgoLeoROkVYvm6Jrl_gGAinTZdmHMnAmg1rxNlmAi04OszoBJg0qwrB45CDWP5litXPemA8YYrP7u4r8ZbLWs5eB6TkgcpIPL_IBz7G6CI5LPJGOg8n4r1-IqatIUStgKb7JIgLPf4ExAt6IBCBP4J2QkXtxYU3JsB-AVK6Nt0LexNNnPMwDl/w640-h460/WP_20210123_01_39_28_Pro-3%5BTREscortTransport.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We will share more as we learn it. <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part_30.html">Part III</a> details the abhumans, xenos, and merchant shipping found in the area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Behind the curtain</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As before, most of these ships are older Citadel castings, but there are a few noteworthy exceptions. <i>Chouteau</i>, <i>Vide Poche</i>, and <i>Blanding</i> are <a href="https://www.veltd.net/collections/stardate-3000-space-ships">Valiant Enterprises</a> castings from their Stardate 3000 range. <i>Moab</i> is a home build, mostly comprising a Little Boy model I had sitting around. And <i>Proserpine</i> is a rare example of a C44 star cruiser. If the early Space Fleet ships appear as though they were made by completely different companies for entirely different games there's a reason for this. They were, of course, made by completely different companies for entirely different games. The more conventionally "spacey" looking ships came from a range that Citadel bought, originally comprising two competing factions in an earlier space game from a company called QT Models. The ballsier ships, like the targeting ships and C44 cruiser I used for <i>Nyx </i>and <i>Proserpine </i>were one side (the non-earth republic, I think it was), and the more conventional looking Thunderbolts, shield ships, and Stalwart escorts were the other. (The earth empire, I believe.) But the Rim fleet, being a bit ragtag, is maybe well served by the crazy disparities in ships. (Besides, the ships I'm using for the Imperials are pretty dramatically different too, even if they were all legit Citadel designs.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Anyway, thanks for coming along. More will come soon. And Saturday we should be gaming out our first contact, so look for updates to fly thick and furious. And to get more story driven, for that matter. Continued in <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part_30.html">part III</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Composer</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-3836655605794946572022-06-26T17:26:00.006-05:002022-07-09T06:14:45.694-05:00Jayne's Fighting Ships: Rim Fleets Part I - The Terran Empire<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEMdCGQbip5rDTjHoavE99sy9TGz65hJOuGg0RzBq0LqS04-gLCfUYK3MNoXdYR4G2LSF4r6nKFHByYGU9-W56Pb_-n5exMjwcizHKhS45fZBlFqnH16ksG_09oBizUvOVIss2ojY5jK32fR2oDIZ0_YMRw40gCiKKDNy7wMqMtrRhPBvC-Qd7nf7/s1920/WP_20200513_16_23_23_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEMdCGQbip5rDTjHoavE99sy9TGz65hJOuGg0RzBq0LqS04-gLCfUYK3MNoXdYR4G2LSF4r6nKFHByYGU9-W56Pb_-n5exMjwcizHKhS45fZBlFqnH16ksG_09oBizUvOVIss2ojY5jK32fR2oDIZ0_YMRw40gCiKKDNy7wMqMtrRhPBvC-Qd7nf7/w640-h360/WP_20200513_16_23_23_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p> In light of the rising tensions on the Tartarus Rim <i>Jayne's Fighting Ships</i> has taken the opportunity to publish a special addition to our regular galactic annual. It should be emphasized that our estimates are derived only from publicly available information. This is not intelligence adequate for war planning and we neither endorse nor encourage such endeavors. But since this is now become a matter of severe public interest we release our estimates widely so that those who have the ability to sway public policy might do so with full knowledge of the terrible cost that any misstep might demand.</p><p> In light of the above preface we will proceed from the best known to the least. The Terran fleet is easily the largest and most potent in our galaxy at present, and possibly in the entire history of humanity. The backbone of the fleet comprises three classes produced in such large quantities as to be nearly universally known, even in the farthest reaches of space: The <i>Furious </i>class great galleons, <i>Comitatus</i> class galleons, and <i>Serpens</i> class galiots. These are the fastest and most efficient of Terra's many warships.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Furious </i>class great galleon</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-un6unzLkTbXdyJM3mO5GKpqtn55RgGInDDqAzkS6Wxfwc4gvxMaKagr1p9VEmtuuvrYK7428IK9QF-j4AnrHKLtf3wRgbElRCOcdBAHtq9plwZO2e3BjGf9Br1GcgwYsCajj6e8l6SyZHHBOrzEnDHQgXEM1A-Vt-EeMSCBoaRKWVV13i3VSp-JY/s2048/TerranBBGothicOutline.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="2048" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-un6unzLkTbXdyJM3mO5GKpqtn55RgGInDDqAzkS6Wxfwc4gvxMaKagr1p9VEmtuuvrYK7428IK9QF-j4AnrHKLtf3wRgbElRCOcdBAHtq9plwZO2e3BjGf9Br1GcgwYsCajj6e8l6SyZHHBOrzEnDHQgXEM1A-Vt-EeMSCBoaRKWVV13i3VSp-JY/s320/TerranBBGothicOutline.png" width="320" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;">Mass: 38Ktons, Cost: 282M
TI Marks<br />Armament: bow torpedo, 2 B class laser batteries, C class
laser battery, and 3 point defence batteries<br />Protection: 2 DesiLu type screen projectors and 19 armored
cells<br />Powerplant: 4 Mars type JJAJ reactors paired to 14 chambers
producing 152Ktons of thrust for 4TG of impulse power</div><p> The <i>Furious </i>design is thought to have originated in the Mars yards in the centuries immediately following the Wars of the Solar Succession. Visible below are three examples: from left to right <i>Cursus</i>, <i>Fidelis</i>, and <i>Lictor</i>. <i>Fidelis</i> belongs to the original design, but the remaining two represent the later <i>Collegium</i> subclass, which is distinguished by improved flag accommodations and a much enlarged astronunciation suite, sometimes even including one of the newer waveless sets.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZnDsZ-UKYLwZ-8eh6gcjNNA8S7PZzRtG2mUiXCnpeGHHfmojAAMSmvoREr3kUMByRLVKCm7q41RkHp4e95LFd65Y0XWaWuAElNj_Rn3aGZxwBLuIDsfwikw4G40HVNxJIBJzQj-M-ARD6O1xPdAOWGlemvnyOCE52a6cR9dHhT5Apgjgc17jMiBZ/s2553/WP_20210206_00_32_46_Pro-1%5BGothcis%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2092" data-original-width="2553" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZnDsZ-UKYLwZ-8eh6gcjNNA8S7PZzRtG2mUiXCnpeGHHfmojAAMSmvoREr3kUMByRLVKCm7q41RkHp4e95LFd65Y0XWaWuAElNj_Rn3aGZxwBLuIDsfwikw4G40HVNxJIBJzQj-M-ARD6O1xPdAOWGlemvnyOCE52a6cR9dHhT5Apgjgc17jMiBZ/w640-h524/WP_20210206_00_32_46_Pro-1%5BGothcis%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The greatest advantage of the ships is their tremendous speed. They are easily the fastest known capital ships, possessing a backbreaking 4TG of acceleration provided by four Mars type JJAJ reactors coupled to fourteen thrust chambers producing 152KTons of impulse energy. In spite of this exceptionally nimble performance, they boast two of the heaviest class B laser batteries, capable of bearing to each side of the ship, and a plasma torpedo tube firing through the bow. Additional armament includes a C class laser battery capable of tracking the fastest targets and thirty point defense beams mounted in three locally controlled batteries distributed around the ship. They are protected by two DesiLu type energy screen projectors of the most modern design. Compared to other capital ships they are quite light, weighing in at only 38,000 tons at standard load.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i style="text-align: left;">Comitatus </i><span style="text-align: left;">class galleon and </span><i style="text-align: left;">Serpens</i><span style="text-align: left;"> class galiot</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4qwAh-pA3sOlzP2tnXoirwRSWsRkVyTzaCB8SaK20Rqo37SfZqT8GrnYzR-HNm7K1U2uS3LDf12bebi111v1f6izZp3RpL54MbkdskBzsR9X3M9leJJDo7dgH_2EkdRXwc6TtT1TF-CEyU2axU5mPiVPucq_znq1NtIZnZc82xGpc-cKh09tiweX/s5312/TerranCAFirestorm.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2068" data-original-width="5312" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4qwAh-pA3sOlzP2tnXoirwRSWsRkVyTzaCB8SaK20Rqo37SfZqT8GrnYzR-HNm7K1U2uS3LDf12bebi111v1f6izZp3RpL54MbkdskBzsR9X3M9leJJDo7dgH_2EkdRXwc6TtT1TF-CEyU2axU5mPiVPucq_znq1NtIZnZc82xGpc-cKh09tiweX/s320/TerranCAFirestorm.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i>Comitatus</i><div><p class="MsoNormal">Mass: 26Ktons, Cost: 190M TI Marks<br />Armament: bow torpedo, B class laser battery, C class laser battery, 2 point defence batteries<br />Protection: 1 DesiLu type screen projectors and 13 armored cells<br />Powerplant: 2 Mars type JJAJ reactors paired to 10 chambers producing 52Ktons of thrust for 4TG of impulse power</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpi00E7Zn13cT0UZY0lfSDFSYY6dJlVSeUA9h3aAAC3h1qE3iIsCRqAkupkQ9W75JBLFZeqy5yiMu2v4CUQq9wfP1ZIshuRJTmih2AGC61udzYqjZHnE15P2dC5OR76uZuPyWnt7BDfXwpj4XXEL3p2JrjPyihTiFe3hHJmGYIMX__3riQzKh0SdA/s5344/TerranDDCobra.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpi00E7Zn13cT0UZY0lfSDFSYY6dJlVSeUA9h3aAAC3h1qE3iIsCRqAkupkQ9W75JBLFZeqy5yiMu2v4CUQq9wfP1ZIshuRJTmih2AGC61udzYqjZHnE15P2dC5OR76uZuPyWnt7BDfXwpj4XXEL3p2JrjPyihTiFe3hHJmGYIMX__3riQzKh0SdA/w278-h156/TerranDDCobra.png" width="278" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Serpens:</i></p><p class="MsoNormal">Mass: 14Ktons, Cost: 85M TI Marks<br />Armament: bow torpedo, C class laser battery, point defence battery<br />Protection: 7 armored cells<br />Powerplant: 1 Ceres type JJAJ reactors coupled to 9 chambers producing 21Ktons of thrust for 6TG of impulse power</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9Jj3ma47mnXKQ29FGHChrIp7w2Zs4CCliHhMfRKOx-qfWs9RGWKRsfT2ow7nQv8mgowpQSPrdAb4Sx4HcIODheInCJ8BESdGx6aCvP3nZJPJ52w_3ju1fxh375keyz6rf3w3hjpiSxUWcL25m2Jiq_PpkiuJnA9LNFs_HZsPEFI_Ly-znActgL1b/s2048/WP_20201210_19_10_20_Rich-1%5BImperialCruisers%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9Jj3ma47mnXKQ29FGHChrIp7w2Zs4CCliHhMfRKOx-qfWs9RGWKRsfT2ow7nQv8mgowpQSPrdAb4Sx4HcIODheInCJ8BESdGx6aCvP3nZJPJ52w_3ju1fxh375keyz6rf3w3hjpiSxUWcL25m2Jiq_PpkiuJnA9LNFs_HZsPEFI_Ly-znActgL1b/w640-h360/WP_20201210_19_10_20_Rich-1%5BImperialCruisers%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The <i>Serpens</i> and <i>Comitatus</i> classes are quite similar in general appearance, though much smaller. Seen above are <i>Crotalus</i>, <i>Armentarius</i>, and <i>Fulvius </i>sailing in line ahead. The <i>Comitatus</i> class is essentially a pocket <i>Furious, </i>possessing generally similar armament and performance, though on a smaller scale. The <i>Serpens</i> class, however, have an absolutely breathtaking 6TG of acceleration, which they are capable of providing for extended periods, necessitating specially trained crews. They are thought to be the smallest ships mounting a screen projector. Their small size allows the use of close formation flying permitting them to share energy screens. More than three projectors appears to provide no additional benefit, but three ships in close formation have protection equivalent to the largest capital ships.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Gladius </i>class great galleon</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm6uAVPyqbW3zGfSaoGXeXIeKcKHoL73IzYWQo0sFnJUzpzu239hWdScjYmIcmML3RT0Ek8wtSn6xjWKafzkW2Q8wn1LAYqQrrTTg1fjE2oOlnJAuGMEbE5UxerF4iFpxplgRSLEU_8Vyb1Evga-CVreDZMWz3sCmhmTMBxJtJ_LRAosTpSEdTaGx/s6466/TerranBBIronclad.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="6466" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm6uAVPyqbW3zGfSaoGXeXIeKcKHoL73IzYWQo0sFnJUzpzu239hWdScjYmIcmML3RT0Ek8wtSn6xjWKafzkW2Q8wn1LAYqQrrTTg1fjE2oOlnJAuGMEbE5UxerF4iFpxplgRSLEU_8Vyb1Evga-CVreDZMWz3sCmhmTMBxJtJ_LRAosTpSEdTaGx/s320/TerranBBIronclad.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mass: 60Ktons, Cost: 357M TI Marks<br />Armament: bow X-ray cannon, 6 B class laser batteries, 2 C class laser batteries, 3 point defence batteries<br />Protection: 10 double armored and 10 standard armored cells<br />Powerplant: 3 Echo type JJBA reactors coupled to 14 chambers producing 120Ktons of thrust for 2TG of impulse power</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4avGmi-qEa4d-nTUsCjszCO1lSm32LWmcUWHYk1xyFfI5ff2FFs4p98NCgQYAjuxxoi_xtQrCWDIN1ACzu6Lr5ZRJRDuSrUpm-TS1MmNUzVBdFIqivuswbX_AEYPXulpjc7WriqlLz8OzaPV2fXRqoMwm4Rth_X2mlOP3t87zl7q0p4f6WtcFhTtx/s1919/WP_20200503_17_07_18_Pro-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1919" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4avGmi-qEa4d-nTUsCjszCO1lSm32LWmcUWHYk1xyFfI5ff2FFs4p98NCgQYAjuxxoi_xtQrCWDIN1ACzu6Lr5ZRJRDuSrUpm-TS1MmNUzVBdFIqivuswbX_AEYPXulpjc7WriqlLz8OzaPV2fXRqoMwm4Rth_X2mlOP3t87zl7q0p4f6WtcFhTtx/w640-h360/WP_20200503_17_07_18_Pro-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> If the <i>Furious</i> class represents the backbone of the Terran fleet the <i>Gladius</i> class great galleons are its iron fist. Represented above by <i>Periastron</i>, these ironclad stalwarts of old predate the succession crisis. They stand out as the first modern galleons, and the oldest ships still in widespread use. In spite of this, they have some significant downsides. Their armament, while many times greater than their successors, gives a broadside only slightly heavier, thanks to less efficient earlier mounting schemes. (Though this does have the benefit of affording some degree of redundancy, albeit at an enormous expense in mass, and thus acceleration.) Second, their ancient hulls do not permit the use of energy screens, so they rely solely on their armored ceramite plates for a degree of protection. Instead of a bow tube they sport an enormous X-ray laser cannon with a range roughly twice that of the more typical B-class laser batteries, though on a very limited arc. The largest downside, however, is simply their anemic speed. In spite of a mass half again as great as the <i>Furious</i>, a <i>Gladius </i>can manage only 2TG of acceleration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Imperator</i>, <i>Helene</i>, and <i>Typhon</i> class carracks</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImeWH9U4EqbqrqC5kfGPx9YhO7ua0Hp0EkJ5J53Ewcr3TPBH3kggPgb934w-bfdahrEYKKUwrY3pkpYtTkxVUEhxS43j6wdSw3PP1fQkkWpJc7lUtnb8KTqOKkcMB9QSQGVup-sv5NDTG42uJPYchXs9nt-KG8gHUlbfxQkbvjVtN3OGNTlwP3ZkI/s8000/TerranBBEmperor.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="8000" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImeWH9U4EqbqrqC5kfGPx9YhO7ua0Hp0EkJ5J53Ewcr3TPBH3kggPgb934w-bfdahrEYKKUwrY3pkpYtTkxVUEhxS43j6wdSw3PP1fQkkWpJc7lUtnb8KTqOKkcMB9QSQGVup-sv5NDTG42uJPYchXs9nt-KG8gHUlbfxQkbvjVtN3OGNTlwP3ZkI/s320/TerranBBEmperor.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Imperator</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mass: 70Ktons, Cost: 558M TI Marks<br />Armament: 4 B class laser batteries, 3 area fleet batteries, 1 point defence battery<br />Protection: 35 armored cells, 3 DesiLus screen projectors<br />Powerplant: 3 Calisto type JJRP reactors coupled to 18 chambers producing 140Ktons of thrust for 2TG of impulse power</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzYBiV4JOJFPhO2-pRVhGo2hwYz7MDugOqSscoKK_I9S82gAexFqiI0W8beSz27VLjYREGGiMvFPsVs482a1eQAFapfNn7X5TqtHzWgmjB1QXZ8U6JXwTlUM2GS4QD7bqrPYIbmL6uAXRmeNaaldYdIhCwmoMIAFkjIxpru-4mAb9Y8BTp6mjSbiD/s6466/TerranBBTyrant.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="6466" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzYBiV4JOJFPhO2-pRVhGo2hwYz7MDugOqSscoKK_I9S82gAexFqiI0W8beSz27VLjYREGGiMvFPsVs482a1eQAFapfNn7X5TqtHzWgmjB1QXZ8U6JXwTlUM2GS4QD7bqrPYIbmL6uAXRmeNaaldYdIhCwmoMIAFkjIxpru-4mAb9Y8BTp6mjSbiD/s320/TerranBBTyrant.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Helene</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mass: 38Ktons, Cost: 286M TI Marks<br />Armament: 3 B class laser batteries, 2 area fleet batteries, 1 point defence battery<br />Protection: 19 armored cells and 2 DesiLu screen projectors<br />Powerplant: 2 Calisto type JJRP reactors coupled to 15 chambers producing 76Ktons of thrust for 2TG of impulse power</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQkKYGugLAqNOPoR05mSt7h-ftWPdMR7xxZYAmKJK7qaYdTBeWMLPVcQDfrjDh3OExjMa96x8GTwdcc6oIIWoZrJgSX4qW7U9TIv0A_YbDmGBoshSCgI6U3FsLOWgODO6uX-XYFRXnI34ktYHcp-V_T3FMlUzYDEDPPFrIyh3ZL17lFMFS9-0Pjqu/s6466/TerranBBDominator.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="6466" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQkKYGugLAqNOPoR05mSt7h-ftWPdMR7xxZYAmKJK7qaYdTBeWMLPVcQDfrjDh3OExjMa96x8GTwdcc6oIIWoZrJgSX4qW7U9TIv0A_YbDmGBoshSCgI6U3FsLOWgODO6uX-XYFRXnI34ktYHcp-V_T3FMlUzYDEDPPFrIyh3ZL17lFMFS9-0Pjqu/s320/TerranBBDominator.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Typhon</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mass: 50Ktons, Cost: 361M TI Marks<br />Armament: fusion bombard, B class laser battery, C class laser battery<br />Protection: 25 standard armored cells and 2 DesiLu projectors<br />Powerplant: 3 Europa type JJRP reactors coupled to 15 chambers producing 100Ktons of thrust for 2TG of impulse power</div></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLqC_rO3zRKa-VeUF0n3zjeSaR2FViaz-6hI6fne8diPK8Zi2DFchqwUWcnH0R1cg5C9VlMTfQ2OrGlcPzFpGA4CTjau9uQkaMbkB68CnGv2Otw5BtdKctWXVZaNP6XEz77k6gVrnEKEhsEYaXCSyoMLd0aggj4chSq8O6Hjzy2ljUYcfvXGxBJRZ/s2048/WP_20201210_19_11_45_Rich%5BSpaceGalleys%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLqC_rO3zRKa-VeUF0n3zjeSaR2FViaz-6hI6fne8diPK8Zi2DFchqwUWcnH0R1cg5C9VlMTfQ2OrGlcPzFpGA4CTjau9uQkaMbkB68CnGv2Otw5BtdKctWXVZaNP6XEz77k6gVrnEKEhsEYaXCSyoMLd0aggj4chSq8O6Hjzy2ljUYcfvXGxBJRZ/w640-h360/WP_20201210_19_11_45_Rich%5BSpaceGalleys%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> While the <i>Gladius</i> might be the oldest class still in wide use, even older vessels sometimes have a place in regular service. Above are three war carracks of three related, but distinct classes, from left to right <i>Imperator</i>, <i>Polis</i>, and <i>Elysium</i>. The <i>Imperator </i>is believed to be the lead ship of her class, though the records are no longer extant. She is said to date to the Reconquista and served as the Terran flagship in the battle of Jove during the second War of the Solar succession, where she was briefly captured by the rebellious third legion before being recaptured during the the siege of Terra. She is an enormous ship, currently massing some 70KT, possessed of tremendous firepower, with four full batteries of class B lasers capable of bearing to both broadsides. She is slow, having an older Calisto type JJRP reactor, but still capable of 2TG of acceleration. She is durable and well screened, with three DesiLu systems providing full coverage against all but the most concentrated of energy bursts. Despite her age, she is still a potent ship.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i>IMS Polis</i> is a <i>Helene</i> class carrack. These ships were the mainstay of the Terran fleet during the Reconquista and are still quite common, having served with distinction in every conflict since. They are generally quite similar to the <i>Imperator</i> class, albeit little more than half the mass. Finally <i>Elysium </i>belongs to the <i>Typhon </i>class. These ships are essentially a slightly heavier <i>Helene</i> trading most of their main battery for an enormous spinally mounted magnetic bombard which launches tactical fusion bombs to a predetermined distance in front of the ship. The ensuing ball of plasma consumes virtually everything in its path until it dissipates. While no longer common there are still a handful of these ancient carracks to be found. They are particularly devastating when used for orbital bombardment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This series will continue with a descriptions of the so called Tartarus Rim Republic in <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part.html">part II</a>, and possible Xeno allies, and merchant shipping to be found in the area in <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part_30.html">Part III</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Behind the Curtain</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> All the models you see in this edition are 1990s Citadel miniatures from their <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5465/space-fleet">Space Fleet</a> range. I've chosen to rename them to better fit the story I'm attempting to tell, but the capabilities are broadly in line with those internal to the original game, but converted over to use the first edition of <a href="https://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk">Ground Zero Games</a> fantastic<i> </i><a href="https://downloads.groundzerogames.co.uk/FullThrust.pdf">Full Thrust</a> rules. I treat the Ironclad's gun as a AA class battery, as described in <a href="http://downloads.groundzerogames.co.uk/mt.pdf">More Thrust</a> and the Dictator's as the wave gun from same. (Which is a particularly nasty weapon, I might add.) This is still a bit of a work in progress. I've not attempted to recreate <i>Space Fleet's</i> ramming rules, for instance. And as an exercise in asymmetric warfare ships unfamiliar to the Imperium might have capabilities exceeding what was found in 90s GW games. (It is, at least, a fair bet that Holy Terra's information on the Rim and her allies is incomplete.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Stick around and I should have more shortly. Ships are painted, photographs have been taken, and the ship sheets are ginned up and ready to use, so all that remains is playing the game. As always, thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy my little trip to the stars. And again, please do check out Parts <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part.html">II</a> and <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2022/06/jaynes-fighting-ships-rim-fleets-part_30.html">III</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Composer</div><p></p></div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-52856180615977597412022-06-12T23:30:00.000-05:002022-06-12T23:30:17.693-05:00Making Space for Adventure: Part I, Building "The Grid"Last fall my friend Jay Bobson convinced me to go all in on a kickstarter for some laser cut terrain. I was a little skeptical at first, for reasons I'll get to, but I'm glad I did. Jay was really excited about modular set called <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/legionsofsteel/the-grid-3d-modular-terrain-modern-future-set" target="_blank">The Grid</a> from a company called <a href="https://www.rayboxgames.com" target="_blank">Raybox Games</a>. There's quite a lot of similar systems available in other formats. You can cast them up from hyrdrocal, print them on card stock, or even 3D print them from STL files. (As a native of St. Louis I have to love that file extension.) I expect there's even other lasercut MDF offerings out there. But I'd always figured I'd just do it myself with cardstock and patience. Thing is . . . I never got around to it. So I'm glad Jay talked me into it. Even if the kickstarter isn't precisely what I had in mind, it's the bones to something really nice. It gives me a place to start, and it really would serve the purpose as is, with a bit of paint, for quite a lot of gamers at a price that's not at all unreasonable.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaZmt_T5U95P22v2223_KHs04A9p8HJbfXi6B0Hf7wb_W5NqMv1NejQPyd7p4qPVzyCn42ILYs2mN4WVo-IV2iJYD0x91qiBfZZHmBc--coYMs5n9jf-WNCJnt47Q2IgViS1VI5TJ3E0aM83a1x6kNdnPCvWcAkTRZiXrXxD_-1Etl5WvNEpJhhRg/s4788/WP_20220610_14_59_09_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2595" data-original-width="4788" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaZmt_T5U95P22v2223_KHs04A9p8HJbfXi6B0Hf7wb_W5NqMv1NejQPyd7p4qPVzyCn42ILYs2mN4WVo-IV2iJYD0x91qiBfZZHmBc--coYMs5n9jf-WNCJnt47Q2IgViS1VI5TJ3E0aM83a1x6kNdnPCvWcAkTRZiXrXxD_-1Etl5WvNEpJhhRg/w640-h346/WP_20220610_14_59_09_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a pretty decent set: nine rooms and fifteen corridors of assorted shapes and sizes with sufficient doors and connectors to make it all work. And a few barricades and boxes as scatter terrain. You can punch them out of the cards and build them up with more or less no tools or glue required, though tools make the process easier and the fits better, and glue makes the final product more solid.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZdGO_Hn_1Y6zggs-cddk5oCDiRqs-1eMHpc43xRBN5wKRpqVXgEE59lxEsPp7LuxJz-EZnJ4oqictjFdDZLPsvuf3RJr9bBrKn-ENBnB-hi7a5AcswH2zbdrz7_-Khl2px80FdcZG3T3v2k_lcX3e-Uwi-Q_dTIzU8TJ4czgjCNKACSc224ItCW-/s5344/WP_20220612_18_32_46_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZdGO_Hn_1Y6zggs-cddk5oCDiRqs-1eMHpc43xRBN5wKRpqVXgEE59lxEsPp7LuxJz-EZnJ4oqictjFdDZLPsvuf3RJr9bBrKn-ENBnB-hi7a5AcswH2zbdrz7_-Khl2px80FdcZG3T3v2k_lcX3e-Uwi-Q_dTIzU8TJ4czgjCNKACSc224ItCW-/w640-h360/WP_20220612_18_32_46_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And you know what? That's fine. You can play a game with that. But it's not me. I want a little more in my table. Paint is an obvious start, but there's something just a tad dissatisfying to me about this . . .</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlSEv5zuxPoRocNBH0mZb9RPW6xr9sEO9U4eooMFWbNUuUeyS8QSptCV9lLYrwAkrrjxDRmOlx65LqQkZW22c8ZxN0FbmjQIE0my8fTHXBxX5HkpuClovQ9v9IZ7TS9KGzAhcme6FHSsMWS-YiFk263eWDO9yiOlokooqI0Fdnyt8Gca0t0iCVPGx/s5344/WP_20220612_18_38_13_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlSEv5zuxPoRocNBH0mZb9RPW6xr9sEO9U4eooMFWbNUuUeyS8QSptCV9lLYrwAkrrjxDRmOlx65LqQkZW22c8ZxN0FbmjQIE0my8fTHXBxX5HkpuClovQ9v9IZ7TS9KGzAhcme6FHSsMWS-YiFk263eWDO9yiOlokooqI0Fdnyt8Gca0t0iCVPGx/w640-h360/WP_20220612_18_38_13_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's right ladies and gents: it has half-height walls. Which they regard as a selling point, oddly. Maybe some folks like the greater easer of reaching across the walls to move their miniatures, but to me half-height walls aren't really that much more convincing than no-height walls. My tiny little actors (who are still very much in need of makeup) are obviously on a set no matter what angle you choose. Not only is the fourth wall broken . . . they're all broken. There's a floor and some somewhat practical doorways, but that's it. Not much more than the set to Rosalie Wildest's <i>Our Station</i>. I hope you like post-modernist theatre! (Oh, fine. I do. Honest. I swear. I actually do.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wait, this is a game you say? What? Nonsense! It's a story. And stories need proper sets!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwMKSfNJ0ysa_LjOL6Lt7JSDs_veYGrTgg1cX3Xh3_ZjVGltEv3YUduySamhRZOFfOpv6XkZ64S19eamYxRyLthl5Ly52UoSavebostiN6imDDGBDgYAYwGIy739EaNrZAVwJoecFWtNQGpk5IHIrinMKE4yVyhqzNmSzRN5ZNmekuh-YTQg3xIFg/s5344/WP_20220610_15_04_21_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwMKSfNJ0ysa_LjOL6Lt7JSDs_veYGrTgg1cX3Xh3_ZjVGltEv3YUduySamhRZOFfOpv6XkZ64S19eamYxRyLthl5Ly52UoSavebostiN6imDDGBDgYAYwGIy739EaNrZAVwJoecFWtNQGpk5IHIrinMKE4yVyhqzNmSzRN5ZNmekuh-YTQg3xIFg/w640-h360/WP_20220610_15_04_21_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I began by adding simple cardstock constructions to complete the walls. And even without lighting, costumes, makeup, props, set dressing, or even paint I find the effect greatly improved. Not only can our tiny actors figure out their blocking, but the lighting designer and game-a-tographer can better see the sight lines and understand their roles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDvSU8W-_ziX88-0rfspDp-_nUWo6xcWolzz0Nt8A-q5in_ZXaiOfyM8IJSkujBtgbBuPIl6kfzpyiWnrCBzci27JPGz4WtTR5zFSkzJXq9A4p5VHqTjnk8YsQzChBiRPBNwc3bsGJ9DDDz8RMDGhYwyg5bXPxWy642MHExTFxU7QfnOqOzGFGfVz/s5344/WP_20220610_15_02_40_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDvSU8W-_ziX88-0rfspDp-_nUWo6xcWolzz0Nt8A-q5in_ZXaiOfyM8IJSkujBtgbBuPIl6kfzpyiWnrCBzci27JPGz4WtTR5zFSkzJXq9A4p5VHqTjnk8YsQzChBiRPBNwc3bsGJ9DDDz8RMDGhYwyg5bXPxWy642MHExTFxU7QfnOqOzGFGfVz/w640-h360/WP_20220610_15_02_40_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The next step is to begin to dress the emerging set: make it look lived in. Add some gee-gaws and gribblies; a cable here and a letterbox there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYePcU_0yMpdX76V8BMDrKS2sof70s8CgVEEdsRt66JbDBwM3knaIKdEslwzkXdzYHWPcP0RZFtNhV4gvpUMgkv5j9Kups8uPFdogAgvXMHnPVwOOOamHjEN1BJxrnWmPR9wjQRHw9MfM6DeavSOzRjkf-IwWY4iC-O5Yeu0sAfjZ6l26ZZPwqXlG4/s5344/WP_20220610_15_05_48_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYePcU_0yMpdX76V8BMDrKS2sof70s8CgVEEdsRt66JbDBwM3knaIKdEslwzkXdzYHWPcP0RZFtNhV4gvpUMgkv5j9Kups8uPFdogAgvXMHnPVwOOOamHjEN1BJxrnWmPR9wjQRHw9MfM6DeavSOzRjkf-IwWY4iC-O5Yeu0sAfjZ6l26ZZPwqXlG4/w640-h360/WP_20220610_15_05_48_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85UrQs_qo-4lijgXYtC6nyHNbCS183K45AhpLCWFpeQ-HfOy88NM17IjKGw4DaJBNzrOgGgr3bh3Yrg4k9vSgkFroGZnNPMghmGcZ4h1rafN0folR0TSoiwAPk10vrD6HStS3Td-U4tLJS2j5wmC5cQVK9Of0KnGHewJrANVvN7DVAXN4bMLxAmMS/s5344/WP_20220610_15_06_50_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85UrQs_qo-4lijgXYtC6nyHNbCS183K45AhpLCWFpeQ-HfOy88NM17IjKGw4DaJBNzrOgGgr3bh3Yrg4k9vSgkFroGZnNPMghmGcZ4h1rafN0folR0TSoiwAPk10vrD6HStS3Td-U4tLJS2j5wmC5cQVK9Of0KnGHewJrANVvN7DVAXN4bMLxAmMS/w640-h360/WP_20220610_15_06_50_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For this I took a dive into my bits box, of course. A growing array of broken headsets supply plenty of cable and interesting little cylindrical attachments that could be a communications junction, a power relay, or a CO2 scrubber. Curtis Fell of <a href="https://ramshacklegames.co.uk">Ramshackle Games</a> kindly provides an endless supply of extra bits with his shipments: structural elements and extra weapons or tools, for instance. Off cuts of sprue can provide quite interesting shapes to serve as buttons, speakers, or even a letterbox. (I think that was actually a leftover bit from a B-17 dorsal turret, but don't quote me on that.) And with that extra bit of detail I think we're really beginning to get somewhere! I can imagine our heroes exploring some mysterious space station, or derelict hulk floating forlorn in the void.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW6nVtSbbhnMiquFl10RaGRrKNxrGq9sDjwiB7PizeAkjESflIlcxMPVLPrLqM9c-5gIjyi7T2-1avZlKkMlyaOd_w_ihDrO9LmAGTjy9gRL69W8PlpdForpd4pXGeH8brB6kJGpAy1iT7NF_--icJkDWmLU5mMq5piaYQS3mdFb79OHLyT6DFHBS/s5344/WP_20220610_15_07_30_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW6nVtSbbhnMiquFl10RaGRrKNxrGq9sDjwiB7PizeAkjESflIlcxMPVLPrLqM9c-5gIjyi7T2-1avZlKkMlyaOd_w_ihDrO9LmAGTjy9gRL69W8PlpdForpd4pXGeH8brB6kJGpAy1iT7NF_--icJkDWmLU5mMq5piaYQS3mdFb79OHLyT6DFHBS/w640-h360/WP_20220610_15_07_30_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that most important of all shots, the Kubrickian corridor shot, actually looks like a corridor. (Especially when you improvise a ceiling by stacking other tiles on top.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0tXw8fRlVOzG9ZBWzCHSFP7M70Ma-3fUQfuyjx3KBySJrrYeg6ggKsIlSJmDte8iB9uOnRYHgXxgT9CbHJUWfxDTA_0OFzbkJ_ln5ZWKcpI7Lb957vApcVxGfuwfKNnr2gPjb0dG8p565_1o8ati-pFT9WVUX-GCRie-DISjH4qIq6Q65wLhsg-h/s5344/WP_20220612_19_36_56_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0tXw8fRlVOzG9ZBWzCHSFP7M70Ma-3fUQfuyjx3KBySJrrYeg6ggKsIlSJmDte8iB9uOnRYHgXxgT9CbHJUWfxDTA_0OFzbkJ_ln5ZWKcpI7Lb957vApcVxGfuwfKNnr2gPjb0dG8p565_1o8ati-pFT9WVUX-GCRie-DISjH4qIq6Q65wLhsg-h/w640-h360/WP_20220612_19_36_56_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This project obviously has a way to go yet, but I think it might be enough for a multi part series showing some "work in progress." I'll keep you posted as I get further in. As always, thanks for joining in on the ride.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Composer</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-23875786420321092172022-01-02T14:22:00.001-06:002022-01-02T14:22:17.540-06:002021 in Review or Where it All Went Sideways<p>It is that time of year when we look back on what happened as we swung around the local star. And I think the very best that can be said of my own hobbying was that it was a mixed bag. Gaming is a fairly social activity and I am a rather extroverted person, so the ongoing plague isolation did me no favors. And the fitful and at times perhaps foolhardy reopening of things meant I had to remember how to do those non-hobby endeavors too all of a sudden.<br /></p><p>2021 got off to such a decent enough start, miniatures wise, but went sideways fast and heavy and I never really quite got it back on track. I might have actually played more games than usual, but the modeling output was a record low. And I documented it unusually poorly. I managed to paint a handful of spacecraft early in the year and a few characters late. In the middle I got starts on a few other things, but they're not finished so we'll put them on 2022. First, here's the new toys:</p><p>1-4 were three Tartarus Rim cruisers and a merchant liner.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_chbAdZ2VIktGCwTw-uvoybzCXUhXCi1v8ldxWVqVCZRYyfy_m03G9nZZQbVzzUVTVu0u-CwthO_pBSl5RH46myV6j9vfTKajhdtUCDip78EFrwa2vPN46-yZ6d6XwAlL4o9GCm2rkPICIhnveExxt0eOTi9i2ZvY551RSTesH8JT1tBS6u_eWE5x=s3525" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="3525" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_chbAdZ2VIktGCwTw-uvoybzCXUhXCi1v8ldxWVqVCZRYyfy_m03G9nZZQbVzzUVTVu0u-CwthO_pBSl5RH46myV6j9vfTKajhdtUCDip78EFrwa2vPN46-yZ6d6XwAlL4o9GCm2rkPICIhnveExxt0eOTi9i2ZvY551RSTesH8JT1tBS6u_eWE5x=w640-h278" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>5-7 were pointy Terran Galleons.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5HZvsFpunRlADItPu2PhmX3B2vQq_2m09zA53hGlbn7SUVQ16eig3tPWFpBPHuuPTNppfrfbfKdOk16wwbq4TU_PmFLkMThNvdlQAT1z7m6-SJvABWbZEASkL0BKdVQaG6VoGTJ2GRsbYj2iWNiUQ6XXSrDp9knE60ZGx5PI-0SBqYNrKlZFaUxrg=s2553" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2092" data-original-width="2553" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5HZvsFpunRlADItPu2PhmX3B2vQq_2m09zA53hGlbn7SUVQ16eig3tPWFpBPHuuPTNppfrfbfKdOk16wwbq4TU_PmFLkMThNvdlQAT1z7m6-SJvABWbZEASkL0BKdVQaG6VoGTJ2GRsbYj2iWNiUQ6XXSrDp9knE60ZGx5PI-0SBqYNrKlZFaUxrg=w640-h524" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8 was a mining survey ship.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgParDd0LlZEFpZaGltbmzRR_Ua9nWHqAoomaYi8B3L2abzLx-nYG-O7uDYo5XuRf0iXzfP3bbq-U62xApVGKpIv4feorgyfu0FOScma-XjnFUKx3_kpsCi9m_dZON-4ZDWH6iNxZqne_WtN3iZPP1ibyC8op5qHH8UrunfsBheOwpVTMH_LcWKqXy_=s2426" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="2426" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgParDd0LlZEFpZaGltbmzRR_Ua9nWHqAoomaYi8B3L2abzLx-nYG-O7uDYo5XuRf0iXzfP3bbq-U62xApVGKpIv4feorgyfu0FOScma-XjnFUKx3_kpsCi9m_dZON-4ZDWH6iNxZqne_WtN3iZPP1ibyC8op5qHH8UrunfsBheOwpVTMH_LcWKqXy_=w640-h296" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>9 was a big honking Tartarn battleship with balls.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVCUwBWgToI94CFgRqLzy_qsQYU6MZJP-rG5APubmS9nA3k62mo3mQzoZLkzaGscTDeus7Gm091b3pCBJuQ6c3PMjTjQsydshPJmscS2aUmsbx9iU-SVQmGGvWEr_TQpkCDcjjeySh2_IvDm1nnOmclEA1ATpYm8ra2ZtXwwG41gAoK6R8EMCX5qFj=s2879" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="2879" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVCUwBWgToI94CFgRqLzy_qsQYU6MZJP-rG5APubmS9nA3k62mo3mQzoZLkzaGscTDeus7Gm091b3pCBJuQ6c3PMjTjQsydshPJmscS2aUmsbx9iU-SVQmGGvWEr_TQpkCDcjjeySh2_IvDm1nnOmclEA1ATpYm8ra2ZtXwwG41gAoK6R8EMCX5qFj=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10 and 11 were two kids who can hopefully stay mostly out of harm's way. . .</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh26PCu5a_n5-esns44k8m13QrafLt7ZuLyne7FvvTWE0tYFtLgnFiwU2Fxix91MTmCz5WGqWXUUOdeX2r-aUjXXv-VSXUXH2Fp2RqoWL3Odx_aI72KNWOcWxvFkKmW-t6C9iP7iKq8Q7BjmDJaIeGmlU9VPhCIzkAQ2-hAJbXn4cCulSoMmwuYKRKH=s3092" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3092" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh26PCu5a_n5-esns44k8m13QrafLt7ZuLyne7FvvTWE0tYFtLgnFiwU2Fxix91MTmCz5WGqWXUUOdeX2r-aUjXXv-VSXUXH2Fp2RqoWL3Odx_aI72KNWOcWxvFkKmW-t6C9iP7iKq8Q7BjmDJaIeGmlU9VPhCIzkAQ2-hAJbXn4cCulSoMmwuYKRKH=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And 12 was a Kev Adams zombie compliments of Brian Kirkell of Upstream Games House.<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtmovfv9UnJEzObz0W3MWAc_FTkhM4rz3Je7cOfSPMxgGAF4ug6cwPzXimKiENQiKkw7hFjPhSniCNS4_h41QkxXLE2U10onQr-VYjuIgdFx9lJKly6U71NnbHmjWuNUZoVwlUDeJ1c5gUZZ7tSKyEbFeBHDQVaFgmkEBFFqmhw6saa1KJxNuNk7Ub=s2220" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1811" data-original-width="2220" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtmovfv9UnJEzObz0W3MWAc_FTkhM4rz3Je7cOfSPMxgGAF4ug6cwPzXimKiENQiKkw7hFjPhSniCNS4_h41QkxXLE2U10onQr-VYjuIgdFx9lJKly6U71NnbHmjWuNUZoVwlUDeJ1c5gUZZ7tSKyEbFeBHDQVaFgmkEBFFqmhw6saa1KJxNuNk7Ub=w640-h522" width="640" /></a></p><p>And that's it. That's my year in miniatures. Wow was that a bummer of a year. I think that goes down as my most measly output in a decade. </p><p>Add to that a whole three posts, one of which was a review of the previous year. But I did say more dice were rolled than usual, even if I didn't write about it. We started with several games of Full Thrust testing a home-built adaptation to GW's Space Fleet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_2TJ3_i3ttYI1YYPggKTR97jPON4x9WUPPFlFMUhHn7xHfU5QxbSYqdFfYFO67BIVcD_rogBHM94iQVJUrjKdcxGIfRmWGoXf-PUyk2isRhnucNKQiuNHObp07y3margxHUayOU6dVfxUZunXd8OxUXTGzjQMdplf77ZHkXEy_WSHlkXglj_dEOmU=s5312" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="5312" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_2TJ3_i3ttYI1YYPggKTR97jPON4x9WUPPFlFMUhHn7xHfU5QxbSYqdFfYFO67BIVcD_rogBHM94iQVJUrjKdcxGIfRmWGoXf-PUyk2isRhnucNKQiuNHObp07y3margxHUayOU6dVfxUZunXd8OxUXTGzjQMdplf77ZHkXEy_WSHlkXglj_dEOmU=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_54Ged80nW6p0oENF8IChuAurHF522JOtSxzLTArgBUhT65yS5qkm9oW7_7uKFZjx-z-AH4TyqtCa_vgkEsbZyCGe6iHNYHr1g1AW8PL04OsNlLXjzQ14Er_Nsz0xne2xLXBl_opUJ_c2Uh7adm3iH7H_mc4IErpRmKV8MSX4J3ta5fQATttM2MH_=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_54Ged80nW6p0oENF8IChuAurHF522JOtSxzLTArgBUhT65yS5qkm9oW7_7uKFZjx-z-AH4TyqtCa_vgkEsbZyCGe6iHNYHr1g1AW8PL04OsNlLXjzQ14Er_Nsz0xne2xLXBl_opUJ_c2Uh7adm3iH7H_mc4IErpRmKV8MSX4J3ta5fQATttM2MH_=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Midyear I managed to get out of my house and game with some fine folks a few hours away. Played unfamiliar games with other people's toys and the whole nine yards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7FIOcx1Yw89AyoR_ePxFjfoaURH0vf7D8HmkhT5k3OSSojQ1Ksntv8KTtyUOUj-31JXwZkz6R0tDA4rTVvpRqIKQ_yaT0zDUS0mlZeVZhMjrmtn7wXfYfZ9S3ahwgcgWCU9FDj4BZTvbEownos5XZb6vr2hRBZ5YIiTPXKRSiPdl-Do5YVbAipf8T=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5344" data-original-width="3008" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7FIOcx1Yw89AyoR_ePxFjfoaURH0vf7D8HmkhT5k3OSSojQ1Ksntv8KTtyUOUj-31JXwZkz6R0tDA4rTVvpRqIKQ_yaT0zDUS0mlZeVZhMjrmtn7wXfYfZ9S3ahwgcgWCU9FDj4BZTvbEownos5XZb6vr2hRBZ5YIiTPXKRSiPdl-Do5YVbAipf8T=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhabORG_Gx5QweZxqLmpPHduUbLgpc3SpKUH5XkLVNltnqAXj-sjAzZJXBDDJiNFQ7ukaTWklDLSbwKVIWY5shpMgf1pwXqXZYbY6CYxFP3XssCtu5XT1d-tKgJmstCe2XQ5kYqcv7JPajcGmnrzDPaHHYaZrbmLzrp4aGdbN9vPTFY6oMLgb0z6GZO=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhabORG_Gx5QweZxqLmpPHduUbLgpc3SpKUH5XkLVNltnqAXj-sjAzZJXBDDJiNFQ7ukaTWklDLSbwKVIWY5shpMgf1pwXqXZYbY6CYxFP3XssCtu5XT1d-tKgJmstCe2XQ5kYqcv7JPajcGmnrzDPaHHYaZrbmLzrp4aGdbN9vPTFY6oMLgb0z6GZO=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiimNiaAfdgySIsaH9-XrVFiWnLMvbmTYkIMQcpjRFsFWYK5s2vdIctj7jdSDAoNdlikdUjzdBZsuZN9D2B4PovZX_M4rI-TAJiMDGtyAeuKaeJkaxP4l1jN6dAwnQcUTMJ40O5sba4oYBOpvrHn3YWte_RZhC1AIpoVoxUwKoHk7_Pj3u7aaa48xr5=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiimNiaAfdgySIsaH9-XrVFiWnLMvbmTYkIMQcpjRFsFWYK5s2vdIctj7jdSDAoNdlikdUjzdBZsuZN9D2B4PovZX_M4rI-TAJiMDGtyAeuKaeJkaxP4l1jN6dAwnQcUTMJ40O5sba4oYBOpvrHn3YWte_RZhC1AIpoVoxUwKoHk7_Pj3u7aaa48xr5=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL3SQzlhA4JV9TTQxohi8uS1-9NbUu2rxdcNXFC1equwZpwE0yCr8iQ9QpsT6QbV8wLliy88gx6tK86Vcb9qDkHmpkdVhw56N_Y-PtNXfn9M2oPIjRYKTusg7hEr1Whq3orXv8aMe4cAPwB9ijgyjImy3QCVO1sxxLzrwEKYI9fqUu0DpW3YB5PsEL=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL3SQzlhA4JV9TTQxohi8uS1-9NbUu2rxdcNXFC1equwZpwE0yCr8iQ9QpsT6QbV8wLliy88gx6tK86Vcb9qDkHmpkdVhw56N_Y-PtNXfn9M2oPIjRYKTusg7hEr1Whq3orXv8aMe4cAPwB9ijgyjImy3QCVO1sxxLzrwEKYI9fqUu0DpW3YB5PsEL=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In the fall I played mostly pickup games of Pulp Alley with friends:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHgkWfzyzq4zSIUevaKWThOU3GmuFSim5DBecXrT7ftbVHbjA0f7bx9q0niw2a1tsZcpJr4NksuO-SjcJof_0PEASYhlUjY2Jso_prVRT6fXsX68uxjHriV3n_MNDb_9cidUzxN7gffL6I7IJOxnSSDwbHF0R2jBVYvAMvPb9eLx1fSZ5K8MxltmXI=s4563" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2570" data-original-width="4563" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHgkWfzyzq4zSIUevaKWThOU3GmuFSim5DBecXrT7ftbVHbjA0f7bx9q0niw2a1tsZcpJr4NksuO-SjcJof_0PEASYhlUjY2Jso_prVRT6fXsX68uxjHriV3n_MNDb_9cidUzxN7gffL6I7IJOxnSSDwbHF0R2jBVYvAMvPb9eLx1fSZ5K8MxltmXI=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHK2On1du7Ny30r3MWJ921lMUeLUci3_pXn721aDOPVOVNK6xowtgTVealRB41m5DlmS1HsBpxZdzU7lA417XoVS-5UZWueVowalYeVocFv-n533irIYrTHIlFPeBwYRcTRK3SX_3z0kW4Yv0Ki5YA4h9SNjrywKV0TLrpQ9kcOH_A-SpAL4GtNboO=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHK2On1du7Ny30r3MWJ921lMUeLUci3_pXn721aDOPVOVNK6xowtgTVealRB41m5DlmS1HsBpxZdzU7lA417XoVS-5UZWueVowalYeVocFv-n533irIYrTHIlFPeBwYRcTRK3SX_3z0kW4Yv0Ki5YA4h9SNjrywKV0TLrpQ9kcOH_A-SpAL4GtNboO=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOy0EvhLIa-lqRYjU63HCaASgaawEJwq0y51PqtcGyRpTlo3EYKETrtBznHfGa9FG6iYWe1anvCB9bWqXsjsCAnfuaV77Sa6z64aeVVSu_05_kpWyVgiJ50hKT15_O57HPqZDxln4I1Bz22UxGGC_fghxQmUax7KPqR9q01oKKj-VvqbxgyGdwk4Uf=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOy0EvhLIa-lqRYjU63HCaASgaawEJwq0y51PqtcGyRpTlo3EYKETrtBznHfGa9FG6iYWe1anvCB9bWqXsjsCAnfuaV77Sa6z64aeVVSu_05_kpWyVgiJ50hKT15_O57HPqZDxln4I1Bz22UxGGC_fghxQmUax7KPqR9q01oKKj-VvqbxgyGdwk4Uf=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjU4aFyAqenQsmHDQv1LUFeXqsZnl2gbNKbIdQQROmdAJzA-IidgTh-aqsQQlKj_gKRKiZgDZDjgyAYPrkh2N-UjcfElj5-zqu6rN6z6g3zl9rFOqe9ehMKW5W29X-yk025dtLUbLB8pmujlFRYla98MQPmO96w-TiH9U5mtQh_ZL1ZmsGHZQ0j8g9c=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjU4aFyAqenQsmHDQv1LUFeXqsZnl2gbNKbIdQQROmdAJzA-IidgTh-aqsQQlKj_gKRKiZgDZDjgyAYPrkh2N-UjcfElj5-zqu6rN6z6g3zl9rFOqe9ehMKW5W29X-yk025dtLUbLB8pmujlFRYla98MQPmO96w-TiH9U5mtQh_ZL1ZmsGHZQ0j8g9c=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5gu06GyqfHXZ0Z6odEU_bjuSX8MjZP_O4FORzACvxTlyddFjFQU2uu2mllEobWXOBKOaZifbKGomrYnJiloxNEaNqjsgbeB_KKi5U14WCnrqMju83WgczMqkm1dLMjP8M7966lRkETQ7v48OXyufF8lS4Ltyi201nuG1XGHecA0MUw_A6Ua6iwF0o=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5gu06GyqfHXZ0Z6odEU_bjuSX8MjZP_O4FORzACvxTlyddFjFQU2uu2mllEobWXOBKOaZifbKGomrYnJiloxNEaNqjsgbeB_KKi5U14WCnrqMju83WgczMqkm1dLMjP8M7966lRkETQ7v48OXyufF8lS4Ltyi201nuG1XGHecA0MUw_A6Ua6iwF0o=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHxhbOhMzSbSYpG5yQ2yiGe6x9vGHA_xeTid3OMaRbeo33Ox7H8z2d-E1rWNATGuG1cncEG6a2HHwvECM6vLbqa3mSlGqd1NxeoJg3CmMF6byumOlVedWc1oY5kNdX2-u46hEGf2aaY1jsE4DeUUVKZsbToVte6xreZDskIyJCdsSZSOwZYaQo0fCf=s4533" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2246" data-original-width="4533" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHxhbOhMzSbSYpG5yQ2yiGe6x9vGHA_xeTid3OMaRbeo33Ox7H8z2d-E1rWNATGuG1cncEG6a2HHwvECM6vLbqa3mSlGqd1NxeoJg3CmMF6byumOlVedWc1oY5kNdX2-u46hEGf2aaY1jsE4DeUUVKZsbToVte6xreZDskIyJCdsSZSOwZYaQo0fCf=w640-h318" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhetCAaic5J-g4Os6RYO_2PLXjPxfLkF5iorH6K3sSZgULrDJbSIk_LUmhxJZjB85lHxLgSblRaUKiCYKDKP77feYbH1CODfgw50Ekpdh4FsQtH4tK6WMsSEYc8nUYBC5zQGZz0rh1qGZEAmaGD9A3dOEVaBcRMW1ewIQYj37xKrDj96nWA09DJJDkH=s878" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="878" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhetCAaic5J-g4Os6RYO_2PLXjPxfLkF5iorH6K3sSZgULrDJbSIk_LUmhxJZjB85lHxLgSblRaUKiCYKDKP77feYbH1CODfgw50Ekpdh4FsQtH4tK6WMsSEYc8nUYBC5zQGZz0rh1qGZEAmaGD9A3dOEVaBcRMW1ewIQYj37xKrDj96nWA09DJJDkH=w640-h466" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the end, I even ran a little birthday party micro-convention of my own:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisQ-edliGk_-sh5aQbLsDAEPIqSuo_lEnsg9Psu533-5ml6PXV-Pyz8xHosBkex5Cw9nzI5DrLkRjJ0X12Oo9ooos-GmJ-jdOHMJoyLoEHahwQG2TfZpi43fVhL1zNblY5tjNZp6DOylccmL_rTJhd6i_WweK6-q543L-R5GC6Hf-Kizm41G7OQTd0=s4810" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2330" data-original-width="4810" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisQ-edliGk_-sh5aQbLsDAEPIqSuo_lEnsg9Psu533-5ml6PXV-Pyz8xHosBkex5Cw9nzI5DrLkRjJ0X12Oo9ooos-GmJ-jdOHMJoyLoEHahwQG2TfZpi43fVhL1zNblY5tjNZp6DOylccmL_rTJhd6i_WweK6-q543L-R5GC6Hf-Kizm41G7OQTd0=w640-h310" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpZ6RoKSJMIr4DHgGwNu9oWvSAyO5Z1xxffYRZ5axFzkyDfgPX6mbR_Qk4cnRzZkNuDmamKbbGyviTVlQv6zK2k_5edv1vHpPBl1JWuAUQeBTeGfvtx4vH5DAs6narMM0F9xgViFj0CAvRMYFiK1vjbpdCTtEnrobcjcjLCQULCj-2Kkyt-TR2Vxcd=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpZ6RoKSJMIr4DHgGwNu9oWvSAyO5Z1xxffYRZ5axFzkyDfgPX6mbR_Qk4cnRzZkNuDmamKbbGyviTVlQv6zK2k_5edv1vHpPBl1JWuAUQeBTeGfvtx4vH5DAs6narMM0F9xgViFj0CAvRMYFiK1vjbpdCTtEnrobcjcjLCQULCj-2Kkyt-TR2Vxcd=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-5ZxDP_8xq9n_aee_mReYlAm6W564s2jQ7quB2B2ApT9jhcDWLLv6soOcknlD-XMQHFm_hFznSd1amyPRMOWhIne966DWjyMiLkTXWFyXud-H3vAlr8n_exn_D9PH1KFRGgMwqTwgD5syxn8rw14jEnuu554TFtVUGQLXCN880U8u7yFg1BaV9lUy=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: left;">We might also have played a few games with the folks below. Obviously, this isn't a picture of one of them, just of the toys. But we did use them. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0N9qR_60R3ElZL-XBsKcxC56f6iY5ptnyDR2702XXqvAI4wgM_dg5I_wyZy0eAH60dPJv85wrwykyRznS8TE5Z2hYptzhPOT4Jhw_RfLqfKNSLBcAophJBGJnfeAL74cJ1ACdFDFoJJa3CHF-1YwD8sH-YSCF3PvlcKhnt7fFSjGCTSH-SbaSi_zn=s5344" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="5344" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0N9qR_60R3ElZL-XBsKcxC56f6iY5ptnyDR2702XXqvAI4wgM_dg5I_wyZy0eAH60dPJv85wrwykyRznS8TE5Z2hYptzhPOT4Jhw_RfLqfKNSLBcAophJBGJnfeAL74cJ1ACdFDFoJJa3CHF-1YwD8sH-YSCF3PvlcKhnt7fFSjGCTSH-SbaSi_zn=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Honestly, in terms of rolling dice that wasn't too bad for me. Not perfect, but not bad. And as the old year fades in the rear view mirror I'm wrapping up the annual Oldhammer Forums miniature raffle. I think the gang is all here. Once I'm sure of that we'll pull a name out of the hat and send them to their lucky new owner. Which is always a good start to a new year. Someone gets an extra Christmas in January. :D</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHweZ_tqOp9wVSj_u6khATpL2ICUVyeV-Ey_ytcMi6T7o3rK9rSVXEEWj5QlwKMjpoCoOxtO0nV4czHxKzUT88WKhdzuhaDQ4dI7wnxJnGmZZ_uI-x33ipd4jRTyxl8lvPkq0LmSrqPmasW1XP4t1V7g9A3cpub_U0iNHLb1V2xGy5qzR9mpG9ME0c=s4004" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="4004" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHweZ_tqOp9wVSj_u6khATpL2ICUVyeV-Ey_ytcMi6T7o3rK9rSVXEEWj5QlwKMjpoCoOxtO0nV4czHxKzUT88WKhdzuhaDQ4dI7wnxJnGmZZ_uI-x33ipd4jRTyxl8lvPkq0LmSrqPmasW1XP4t1V7g9A3cpub_U0iNHLb1V2xGy5qzR9mpG9ME0c=w640-h374" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy new year, everyone! Here's to a more adventurous, but less dangerous and difficult 2022. Let's turn the difficulty setting back to casual and just have some fun! ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sincerely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Composer</div></div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-43818816630593384722021-02-03T16:48:00.005-06:002021-02-03T23:25:05.700-06:00The Sentinel Gate Affair, Episode IV: A Fine Day for a ParadeContinued from our last episode, <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2020/05/the-sentinel-gate-affair-episode-iii.html">Step Into My Parlor</a>.<div><br /></div><div> Elaine Lisa, The Duchess of Pain Court, walked silently through the warrens between the old starport and Proserpine's great eastern hub at New Chouteau. Her companion, the Terran Inquisitor Augustus, seemed as brooding as the quiet streets around her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu-cG5FS3oZaOec-uqEaH49espix8nPS7OfbYaTsA3W80OMJSYS4gq1f5iMC_kQGmQNGifgw1670xZYgEcdI-YhjJhyv0Dp9nNCigVQahIYrICpVGwaBljjsOYuK2jITOnbxmA0r33qY/s2535/WP_20210202_14_38_06_Pro-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="2535" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu-cG5FS3oZaOec-uqEaH49espix8nPS7OfbYaTsA3W80OMJSYS4gq1f5iMC_kQGmQNGifgw1670xZYgEcdI-YhjJhyv0Dp9nNCigVQahIYrICpVGwaBljjsOYuK2jITOnbxmA0r33qY/w640-h314/WP_20210202_14_38_06_Pro-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> Once the area had doubtless been a thriving commercial district. Back when places like Landing, Lesperance, and New Chouteau had been independent cities on a young world. But that was many centuries ago. Now Proserpine itself was the great metropolis of the Rim, and there were but two continuous smears of settlement engulfing nearly half the land area of the world; colloquially called the Eastern Sprawl and the Southern Sprawl. The western half of the larger and more temperate northern continent had been set aside as an agricultural preserve in an attempt to feed the massive population.</div><div> "If you're looking for information," Elaine said, "this is the place to find it. The Old Mud House, down the street, has a Spacer's Rest where there's nearly always a poker game or some such going on. The proprietor is a friend of mine. There's not a rumor he won't have heard."</div><div> "Really?" Augustus queried. He looked a touch skeptical. "The Council on Mother Terra requires information from a spacer named Frei. He's the only surviving witness to an event on Mars that cost a great many lives and many farthings from His Majesty's treasury. We should like to learn what's become of Frei and what he knows about the event."</div><div> Elaine smoothly answered "If Antoine can't find him then he's not here."</div><div> "We shall see," replied Augustus.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> A few minutes later they were standing in a warm, if dusty restaurant. The odor of baking bread and meat filled the air.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHozsPTEOFtyv6fcEQ8NzvYQGoZiqvcVHOnzMCwxTzpLAaXIupFGYzQXTcUoXm8tGmRr8zSqjy8Ohkodp_kv8Rv7wDtqU0aYZ3xNmGoxlsv3Rd5lzNUjojAcRbdtZrTmgkDljGQ7_tfrU/s2048/WP_20210202_17_19_06_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHozsPTEOFtyv6fcEQ8NzvYQGoZiqvcVHOnzMCwxTzpLAaXIupFGYzQXTcUoXm8tGmRr8zSqjy8Ohkodp_kv8Rv7wDtqU0aYZ3xNmGoxlsv3Rd5lzNUjojAcRbdtZrTmgkDljGQ7_tfrU/w640-h360/WP_20210202_17_19_06_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "You really should have a pie," Elaine said. "There's nothing else quite like it this side of Pain Court."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Pain Court is a place?" Asked Augustus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Of course it is. An old French colony. Well, creole, really. I suppose you Terrans wouldn't regard anything out this way as French. Not much left but names. Some places. A few of the older families, like mine. I won't pretend I speak much French, though a few folks out on the smaller moons still do. Kind of. And we've learned some new things living out here. Like Antoine's pie."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "So long as Antoine has the answers I want the rest is trivial to me."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Suit yourself," Elaine replied. "Your loss is my gain. Antoine, give me one with sausage, mushrooms, and anchovies if you please."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Coming right up, Duchess," Antoine said. "You and your friends want anything to drink?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "I'll take a pint of the brown. Get Augustus here one as well. Maxine, what would you like?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "I'll take a pint of the pale," the pink haired woman replied.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Got it!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Antoine began to turn when Augustus interrupted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Before you begin preparing food and pulling pints I require some information."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "What you want that's more important than filling your tank before you lift off?" Asked Antoine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "A man named Frei, a spacer, Gordon Frei, was reported to have passed this way."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Ain't heard none of him. He didn't pass this way."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Our agents tracked him to Moab," Augustus added.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Can't get there without passing here first," Antoine quipped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Our agent is a reliable fellow."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Hell he is, if he said anybody got to Moab and I ain't heard about it," Antoine growled. "'Been in the vac too long. Soaked up something he shouldn't have."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "And what of the xenos? Tales are spreading that xenos and mutants are welcome here."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "You got a problem with muties?" Antoine almost spat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This was not going well, Elaine thought to herself. It shouldn't really have surprised her that the man was a typically xenophobic southerner. So many Terrans were. Particularly those as took holy orders. But how on earth was she going to keep the fellow under control if he found out about the . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Come now. We'll be going."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Augustus spun on his heel and Elaine tripped slightly in an attempt to keep up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Max, would you apologize to Antoine for me and pay him? I really wanted that pie."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "No pro . . . "</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "There's no time for this at all! We need to lift off for Moab immediately!" Augustus barked, cutting Maxine off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "He's my contact and my friend," Elaine countered. "Even if you don't want it, I need the information he provides. I've no idea how your Frei could have gotten to Moab without passing Proserpine, but . . . there's really no other explanation." At this she paused a moment. "Maybe he came from the west. Red Route 1 is new enough Antoine forgets about it every now and then."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "I've heard rumors of that," said Augustus. "But we really must be going. If the information isn't here we'll have to find it where Takara left off. To Moab!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Elaine's blood ran suddenly cold. She hoped Augustus hadn't noticed the shiver. Good lord, it was the third anniversary of the treaty; Pax Day folks were calling it. Every mutant and xeno in the system was going to parade right down main street and this Terran wanted her to take him right to it. If Frei weren't the causus belli Commodus was worried about the Treaty of Proserpine surely would be. She had to get word to him somehow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As soon as they got back to the starport Elaine turned to Augustus and said "If you'll excuse me I need to get <i>Le Bonne Soiree</i> ready to lift off." Augustus nodded. "Maxine, would you show Augustus to the cantina? And pick up something hot for me. I'm famished. Frenchy, I'll need your help." Maxine and Augustus turned and walked down a hall as Frenchy and Elaine went ahead to the ship. They grabbed some forms from the operations shack and walked quickly across the apron to the <i>Soiree</i>. Elaine mounted the stairs first and opened the hatch. As soon as Frenchy was aboard she closed it and dogged it down firmly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Christ, I was worried that wouldn't work. Frenchy, you have got to get a message off to Commodus. Is he on planet?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "I think so. And Jackson's still in Landing getting supplies. As long as he checks his mail he should be able to do it discreetly. Maybe even get us a reply. What do you need me to say? I'll send it while I'm filing our flight plan."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Elaine thought for a moment. "Tell Commodus we have a problem. Augustus wants to see Moab and every gob and orc and frog and elf and, Christ, that idiot will probably believe the dwarves and ogres are mutants. They'll all be in the Pax Day parade and that will blow the gigue. He'll think it's last year's fish on Fat Tuesday. Tell him I'll feign mechanical trouble once we hit warp space and try to drop out in deep interstellar to delay things a bit, but he's going to have to move fast if he wants to keep this damned Imperial mole from digging up our tomatoes."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "You want me to quote you on that?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Yes. No. Damn it! Use your judgment. Just send it."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Done. And Elaine?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Yes Marc?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "I love you."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> She brightened up at this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Of course you do! And if I didn't love you too you'd still be scrubbing toilets on Starship Rock, so don't you ever forget it."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "No ma'am. I will not!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Frenchy turned at this, undogged the hatch, and walked back to the operations shack. Soon after he could be seen disappearing into its interior as Augustus and Maxine emerged from the terminal carrying bags and several steaming mugs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> A short time later Jackson arrived at the Proconsular villa gardens. Commodus was out enjoying a leisurely stroll.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnOYXBZYIxWrsQUcryhHA9XRtntl8GbVoccb9WC67a5uZELOfdWijWAMCbIeMGTXQVMNuhXwDyBnQWo6g3CCCxRAEdsQw0ts4DSb9YE0MzqdqjCzDx1ylk8Trc-a0M5mOIyaIi5v6zEY/s2048/WP_20210202_13_09_14_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnOYXBZYIxWrsQUcryhHA9XRtntl8GbVoccb9WC67a5uZELOfdWijWAMCbIeMGTXQVMNuhXwDyBnQWo6g3CCCxRAEdsQw0ts4DSb9YE0MzqdqjCzDx1ylk8Trc-a0M5mOIyaIi5v6zEY/w640-h360/WP_20210202_13_09_14_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> " . . . And she's worried Augustus will hurry back to earth and start that war you're worried about. The Terrans have always been . . . delicate."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Commodus pondered a moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Well, it can't be helped then."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Jackson stared blankly a moment and rubbed his chin. "Sir?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "I won't endanger the peace over some damned zealot fool still listening to the half mad gibberings of some ancient Terran messiah. I won't give up our peace just to prevent their war. If it's one or the other, we fight for what we have here and hope for the best. Hell, does anyone even really know what that fool said when he could still talk? Why are we still following someone dead since the reconquista? How long ago was that? Ten thousand years if it's been a day."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Looks to me like they're still flying warp riddled hulks from then, too."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Maybe, but they have quite a lot of them." Commodus thought a moment longer. "No, it won't matter. I think we have to just wait and see how they react. If they want war we just make sure it's too costly for them. They do rather have their hands tied up in other places. And their navy is large, but not infinite. I'll get a message out to our friends. See if we can count on them. De Bayamon, I think, is entirely reliable. Probably Ganbaatar as well. The elves are more of a mystery to me. And how Durgul Gutzlug will see this is anyone's guess, but I won't turn on him."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "So I tell Elaine to do nothing?" Jackson asked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "For now. Let him see what he sees on Moab. Let Elaine ingratiate herself to him. We're going to need eyes and ears on Earth if we're going to act fast enough to survive a civil war."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "All right," Jackson answered. "If we're going to admit heresy and treason we might as well do it with our eyes open."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "The emperor is an old man and the succession is in question. I'm not sure who has the clearest advantage on the High Council right now. But for this, I might have sat on the thing myself."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Commodus looked almost wistful at that last thought. Apparently even here the lure of the Umkarri Palace, the golden hall, and the Throne of Earth was strong. Jackson bowed ever so slightly, turned, and hurried back, to the ship. By the time he arrived two pushers were already secured alongside. Elaine ushered him aboard into a G-chair, the launch-back tipped the stack up, and they blasted off for the orbital fuel platform where the pushers would break away, they'd tank up, and transit to warp space for the trip to Moab. He'd have to brief Elaine in transfer orbit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The trip was short, and uneventful. After they dropped into atmo they flew for a short while on final to the shuttleport. Augustus glanced out a viewport and saw an impressive crowd gathered below on the capital city's main drag.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "What, may I ask is the occasion?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "It's a local holiday," Elaine answered. "There's to be a military parade."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Oh!" Augustus brightened up. "A most excellent use of resources. It is good to demonstrate the extent of His Majesty's Imperium to his citizens. Show the strength of his divine will. Isn't there a marine legion based here?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Elaine fought hard to retain her icy calm. "Yes, Father. The Crimson Dragons under Imperial Commander de Bayamon have made their camp out past the Moab wastes for several centuries now. No doubt they will be a part of the parade. Along with the Logansport First and contingents from Burgkhan Kaldun Prime and a variety of other local worlds."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Most interesting indeed!" Augustus grinned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This would not end well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5uF2Gdg2gicDzRRAjg-BdQVQ-owLzpx4yrBSYqr4D5jXi3oZ9rJyPSYL2A3y0vi_rGscbr0mfk9iNtYJG_VCN6_B_0OSXeeM4gI99BN0GrV2LqsA2OGVI_MtFQWper07-xVZG5u-CQY/s2048/WP_20200611_22_16_44_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5uF2Gdg2gicDzRRAjg-BdQVQ-owLzpx4yrBSYqr4D5jXi3oZ9rJyPSYL2A3y0vi_rGscbr0mfk9iNtYJG_VCN6_B_0OSXeeM4gI99BN0GrV2LqsA2OGVI_MtFQWper07-xVZG5u-CQY/w480-h640/WP_20200611_22_16_44_Pro-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The Master of Ceremonies was a local dwarf whom nearly everyone called Tambourine Tim. Augustus made no mention of his short stature. Perhaps the distance and the podium hid it. Or Augustus was unconcerned with mere dwarfism. Elaine could only hope. Next to the platform Antoine's brother Merkur had arrived and set up an outlet he was calling "Tony's Pie Palace." Numerous xenos were scattered through the crowd. Elaine saw several quite clearly just in the gang around the pizza table. But Augustus seemed untroubled. Perhaps he wasn't even aware they were locally afforded the status of people. Maybe it was easier for a zealot such as Augustus to simply not see things, situations or people of which or whom he disapproved, at all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Soon the parade itself pulled into view. Nepenthia Rex-Avis Wadsworth led the procession from astride her favorite tank. Odd that the Queen of Peace and Beauty should ride a tank and carry a gun, but it was an armed peace on a border world in an unquiet universe. A peace whose very existence might require militant re-enforcement from time to time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZeHZsmH1dE-32HJRAlOfLCYfVydl-yLzIFe0dDho0gF7rreP4GJr7C_WtXDV22l58OWfWyGbF_ZlWJLYwyhMEzAx40xiHzV_fjVdkyVnQLqvMy1eQBDw6e3POp1ImZ1wLSoG0UQYJ9k/s2048/DSC01760-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2048" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZeHZsmH1dE-32HJRAlOfLCYfVydl-yLzIFe0dDho0gF7rreP4GJr7C_WtXDV22l58OWfWyGbF_ZlWJLYwyhMEzAx40xiHzV_fjVdkyVnQLqvMy1eQBDw6e3POp1ImZ1wLSoG0UQYJ9k/w640-h382/DSC01760-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNPfLhxiPYHvxkjOwhGIbOvP60ImxF6ZCTbAPTZaz6V3D55HoUCINtDwDyAmvMGFuX6jmoo0RXyzuPmuNMV1eVR3Jm0yO1JPhjvUf8kaANYV2yFo9-a1DJcWs4AxWr2UwFjgHcnrmBJs/s2048/WP_20200615_21_35_02_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1763" data-original-width="2048" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNPfLhxiPYHvxkjOwhGIbOvP60ImxF6ZCTbAPTZaz6V3D55HoUCINtDwDyAmvMGFuX6jmoo0RXyzuPmuNMV1eVR3Jm0yO1JPhjvUf8kaANYV2yFo9-a1DJcWs4AxWr2UwFjgHcnrmBJs/w640-h550/WP_20200615_21_35_02_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> In the first car behind her were none other than Colorado Rex-Avis and her beau Sir Stanley. They wouldn't wish to be anywhere else on a day like this. While their part in engineering the peace had been fairly quiet, they nevertheless had a great deal of influence, at least on Moab III.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucJTJN6ZaX0YZmXL_SETsNi4algH5hJ6U5w6kWAu_a9TvfaTXGhNW8McTp1MOcVNGclOTFRaVVMgbNmryKmVmHOuBogXqkelOa-oFCQtmCLUw3gR2_glOU0nbgDV6PaWb7_NyqbWWpAo/s2048/WP_20200615_21_35_44_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucJTJN6ZaX0YZmXL_SETsNi4algH5hJ6U5w6kWAu_a9TvfaTXGhNW8McTp1MOcVNGclOTFRaVVMgbNmryKmVmHOuBogXqkelOa-oFCQtmCLUw3gR2_glOU0nbgDV6PaWb7_NyqbWWpAo/w640-h400/WP_20200615_21_35_44_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Behind them was Commodus himself. He must have taken a clipper or fastboat of some kind to beat them by enough to appear in the parade. Elaine had to admit, if you were going to court a war, it was best to make a solid statement.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMdTYPD4S_FCaCDj5BNcVU-AfHtuGzYkV5XhdxDItvsaqBh3G2mEfFHsb5_E1J_f_FsL2ZjmY1zJ7srNiSXVwAPH_G9GmYuZXbXhLZN-0XFdmeASxKojIibRMa5elCXRDENqe8gJtxZU/s2048/WP_20200615_21_35_32_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMdTYPD4S_FCaCDj5BNcVU-AfHtuGzYkV5XhdxDItvsaqBh3G2mEfFHsb5_E1J_f_FsL2ZjmY1zJ7srNiSXVwAPH_G9GmYuZXbXhLZN-0XFdmeASxKojIibRMa5elCXRDENqe8gJtxZU/w640-h360/WP_20200615_21_35_32_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Further visiting dignitaries rounded out the first element of the parade. Dame Astrid, Elaine believed it was. She hadn't met her personally, but she was a member of the same order as Sir Stanley; the Royal Order of the Flowering Lamp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8zGjUgVKVkfSPi0TZlP3AgLHLJ48ftIChunSm80LkGten1G9e6fmf_QJlhQot4qmC2_6Eyzeo8b4e5bipzRXo_FcAxDgkrdW1YDuDmntZdPUDN2nF7p0KTT53z6CNf49jIHW9FQeCo0/s2048/WP_20200708_12_24_53_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="2048" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8zGjUgVKVkfSPi0TZlP3AgLHLJ48ftIChunSm80LkGten1G9e6fmf_QJlhQot4qmC2_6Eyzeo8b4e5bipzRXo_FcAxDgkrdW1YDuDmntZdPUDN2nF7p0KTT53z6CNf49jIHW9FQeCo0/w640-h394/WP_20200708_12_24_53_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOuPNrDHxqmzFqkJCbaXI6Aw4ZGmPXbJqE_tAOi1fxb1iU72F0smC82Z2dkxw1xfKcYhzM5ttMyHAo2I84JRay31pEk5RiqVqYkZN26UI04IMeW3W1rMGQlgBjKsicUGWLpkSo9RYR3Q/s2048/WP_20200708_12_26_17_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="2048" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOuPNrDHxqmzFqkJCbaXI6Aw4ZGmPXbJqE_tAOi1fxb1iU72F0smC82Z2dkxw1xfKcYhzM5ttMyHAo2I84JRay31pEk5RiqVqYkZN26UI04IMeW3W1rMGQlgBjKsicUGWLpkSo9RYR3Q/w640-h432/WP_20200708_12_26_17_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSCDUheMKcgJPeCkzG3H7frqcnpoBE28X2Iwi0pPlZ9pM9FVLC-B9F8lHhqoHXrIHizHU7-_Q6V7VBF4bnIpzFInZ-3Cs5Zgltn_H1mFTOBkWLz044aRrdQb4PiGnUPwmp6tDjVsLeJE/s2048/WP_20200708_12_26_51_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSCDUheMKcgJPeCkzG3H7frqcnpoBE28X2Iwi0pPlZ9pM9FVLC-B9F8lHhqoHXrIHizHU7-_Q6V7VBF4bnIpzFInZ-3Cs5Zgltn_H1mFTOBkWLz044aRrdQb4PiGnUPwmp6tDjVsLeJE/w640-h360/WP_20200708_12_26_51_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> After the VIP section came the Logansport First As the senior unit on the planet they had the place of military honor.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33I5PaMliRsOMO3hMyNbft5ytxTlIJDLl74CkWCUQwXSweIoYG_jaBQ6kx641poCdViTIcqYUgHgKcv2hTNSBQpczwAvFL_U2yighKEKQdX_uP8RO3kVEd8wIYtEA44jzDjlrlri3dQs/s2048/WP_20200708_12_27_30_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="2048" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33I5PaMliRsOMO3hMyNbft5ytxTlIJDLl74CkWCUQwXSweIoYG_jaBQ6kx641poCdViTIcqYUgHgKcv2hTNSBQpczwAvFL_U2yighKEKQdX_uP8RO3kVEd8wIYtEA44jzDjlrlri3dQs/w640-h392/WP_20200708_12_27_30_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxhqcmHYFdfyxQaf1zc_QxYYoyg7Uof2NNo15jmzEOMpvA8sLcyEkcv9rBrsdRObkhaGPY1AEkcuj6FDjbi_v8FCOvzHQEDzgoUwdWzeNkJfQwFEarfzGEPkX-BnSg2ep4I1RrRq50n4/s2048/WP_20210202_22_01_16_Pro-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="2048" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxhqcmHYFdfyxQaf1zc_QxYYoyg7Uof2NNo15jmzEOMpvA8sLcyEkcv9rBrsdRObkhaGPY1AEkcuj6FDjbi_v8FCOvzHQEDzgoUwdWzeNkJfQwFEarfzGEPkX-BnSg2ep4I1RrRq50n4/w640-h352/WP_20210202_22_01_16_Pro-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> So far Augustus had taken everything very much in stride. But the elves and dwarves would be following along. And the frog-folk had sent an embassy, as she recalled. Even if he missed the elves he'd surely catch six foot tall amphibians with technicolor skin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmhljQ4t6BjeC4lS6SD0JyOuzQOFmGqXTBG49UrYeQwQ8s-4fP49GPHSx6R3MfhyphenhyphenHQi9yjmGFBPRDGPEJPYrUEGC-yHo7CnXckMDcPB8Dw7JpcShtQL5Sm2s-Q5LDN41Y9L35g8ilBdQ/s2048/WP_20210202_22_01_32_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="2048" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmhljQ4t6BjeC4lS6SD0JyOuzQOFmGqXTBG49UrYeQwQ8s-4fP49GPHSx6R3MfhyphenhyphenHQi9yjmGFBPRDGPEJPYrUEGC-yHo7CnXckMDcPB8Dw7JpcShtQL5Sm2s-Q5LDN41Y9L35g8ilBdQ/w640-h404/WP_20210202_22_01_32_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyiMZsqNqveHNULXRODxkZM4CRdi4B9Ff7MMaBWp8W6lxHSatnP8zd0wxMPIgDnRxQw25-Tiq6nahZ42dKcsXQgZNbfIhpRyUqKG94EEhFxhaIvig4QPiBu1PuCtNjC6Sui6ICv6Rw90/s2048/WP_20210203_12_18_11_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyiMZsqNqveHNULXRODxkZM4CRdi4B9Ff7MMaBWp8W6lxHSatnP8zd0wxMPIgDnRxQw25-Tiq6nahZ42dKcsXQgZNbfIhpRyUqKG94EEhFxhaIvig4QPiBu1PuCtNjC6Sui6ICv6Rw90/w640-h360/WP_20210203_12_18_11_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> At that Augustus began blinking rapidly. The stream of squat dwarf soldiers seemed only to shock him even more. Particularly when a band of privateers, looking for all the world like pirates followed on their heels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWDWHTkkIyEyZWwXBePBDMkkzNF36fMYJtidYRFLrDmYxoQOSmiDCOt7GzuWkJyUB6QqlSuV3la78XbcNWlbFAFK6c793Hdv6CA0qdZXuDwlbVLt8Ep8Qnw-BMItmxYtQdb3UmPxsIfY/s2048/WP_20210203_12_45_52_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1738" data-original-width="2048" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWDWHTkkIyEyZWwXBePBDMkkzNF36fMYJtidYRFLrDmYxoQOSmiDCOt7GzuWkJyUB6QqlSuV3la78XbcNWlbFAFK6c793Hdv6CA0qdZXuDwlbVLt8Ep8Qnw-BMItmxYtQdb3UmPxsIfY/w640-h544/WP_20210203_12_45_52_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XnfVYfIAr-THUJdYSzVh0j2ge1jrQu43HhmJtTKE56eVHSTEXSxFKhmBZq07ooRzssdr_PdFPfI8fK3Wyi1AnA6BjnGrEybrE0feCU-9gYTRsz0uPvk1QYfsDbvI31Ow87mlRMkExuo/s2048/WP_20210203_12_51_19_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="2048" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XnfVYfIAr-THUJdYSzVh0j2ge1jrQu43HhmJtTKE56eVHSTEXSxFKhmBZq07ooRzssdr_PdFPfI8fK3Wyi1AnA6BjnGrEybrE0feCU-9gYTRsz0uPvk1QYfsDbvI31Ow87mlRMkExuo/w640-h334/WP_20210203_12_51_19_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkIc1gKJ2bt6yVpWXKl0jcpVzmbLxKRiUtvgCaFQ-mwbcXeKBhzBUctgt_kPShrgp3c5F5bUcEwhEu0hJPCYA3b_WB4oz7BEZDLMU_TU_HpPH-g6sVuLGi0Ljt3Qwe1U5P3M1ZIMy9LI/s2048/WP_20210203_13_12_42_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="2048" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkIc1gKJ2bt6yVpWXKl0jcpVzmbLxKRiUtvgCaFQ-mwbcXeKBhzBUctgt_kPShrgp3c5F5bUcEwhEu0hJPCYA3b_WB4oz7BEZDLMU_TU_HpPH-g6sVuLGi0Ljt3Qwe1U5P3M1ZIMy9LI/w640-h346/WP_20210203_13_12_42_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> De Bayamon and the Crimson Dragons did little to settle his nerves, as their participation in the affair made their approval all too clear. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15uUxj121FE9hGOFKIQ-vfcFXZ5RQkCIku1mihsi_-7XJzTWRFL5u25ZbrS1MHeqtWjMkN4TGDwW2XP8It6DIU02AP3CxkNSy9w2JM2HUPYUUf9kuZUhf51CG_pmoe0qksnFst1hyGq0/s2048/WP_20210203_13_28_08_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15uUxj121FE9hGOFKIQ-vfcFXZ5RQkCIku1mihsi_-7XJzTWRFL5u25ZbrS1MHeqtWjMkN4TGDwW2XP8It6DIU02AP3CxkNSy9w2JM2HUPYUUf9kuZUhf51CG_pmoe0qksnFst1hyGq0/w640-h438/WP_20210203_13_28_08_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv8VH4gvCPJRLXuSxGs2_tqxHDQ1yVMpNMtWUYwwhc9Egdlb93pQU0GV-ENbpzMSIKxDwpicKoG9fgnAGaTnEtZmgwh_ssaVGG3Yrmh2YQPxuaJESfrY9_VCGZXJD3jYh9c8zM5EIagE/s2048/WP_20210203_13_29_21_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv8VH4gvCPJRLXuSxGs2_tqxHDQ1yVMpNMtWUYwwhc9Egdlb93pQU0GV-ENbpzMSIKxDwpicKoG9fgnAGaTnEtZmgwh_ssaVGG3Yrmh2YQPxuaJESfrY9_VCGZXJD3jYh9c8zM5EIagE/w640-h360/WP_20210203_13_29_21_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> When the first greenskin rounded the corner he very nearly had convulsions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "That's it! Get me off this accursed rock! I don't even care if Frei IS here! I'll be back, and I'll cleanse this sector if I need to bring ten legions with me!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Elaine silently thought "Only ten? The first emperor lead a thousand in the reconquista. And all the galaxy was little more than frontier moons and subsistence farms at the time. You might want to reconsider your available forces. Especially if you aim to get them past my ship." But she wisely kept her counsel to herself. For now she was a spy, not a grand admiral leading a wall of shielded cruisers to block the Terraist advances. Against her better judgment, but at the orders of Proconsul Commodus she took Augustus to the spaceport, loaded him aboard the <i>Soiree</i>, and took off for the Tartarus Gate where an Imperial fourth rate galleon and a pair of galiots waited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlA-pJoZuS9af1f87jsGEKCpWqzbfOnXBSNMpeCRsiSpXVeo6kPVcXRq4aBdPyieUPYL1vSWJjYtRpoy1jQLW1XneUciGP4t49OgsNphZxq9vrTVNmYOcXe_bUrQMX1FBNGVK0T1i2dhA/s2048/WP_20201210_19_10_20_Rich-1%255BImperialCruisers%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlA-pJoZuS9af1f87jsGEKCpWqzbfOnXBSNMpeCRsiSpXVeo6kPVcXRq4aBdPyieUPYL1vSWJjYtRpoy1jQLW1XneUciGP4t49OgsNphZxq9vrTVNmYOcXe_bUrQMX1FBNGVK0T1i2dhA/w640-h360/WP_20201210_19_10_20_Rich-1%255BImperialCruisers%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Augustus boarded the shuttle in disgust. These people were mad! It glided silently across the space to the <i>Armentarius</i>, which had apparently relieved <i>Periastron</i> while he was away. It looked less comfortable, but it would no doubt do, so long as it had the communication suite required. Shortly a dull thump announced davits securing the shuttle, which was quickly swallowed up inside the boat bay. Augustus hurried down the acom tube to be piped aboard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "You, there!" He pointed to an able spacer first class standing next to the airlock. "Can you take me to the coms suite?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "Of course sir," the young man said, leading him forward immediately.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Once he had the tightbeam officer to hand he began barking orders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> "I need you to get a beam to the nearest waveless station for immediate dispatch to Lord Simon of the Terran High Council. Tell him I will require an armada and ten legions. Twenty would be better if he can spare them. I'll need drop ships, bomb ships, and sufficient supply for an extended campaign. I'd guess at least six months, so plan for a year to be safe. Tell them I'll need all the intel on local strength they have. And tell him the Crimson Dragons have turned heretic and are to be condemned and excommunicated immediately. You can add Proconsul Commodus to that list. He should be ejected from the Great Cursus, apprehended, and publicly executed for treason and heresy."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiods1sWwXtGBG0Bu9dFvDIqmtDa5e7EBr6nYTjIBxLGBzKmWVSwtmu7GZHTf1iBQkCScJqkLf9mD6ry7_KuEOO0C43N2CcU_-uWF8f56Xke1-Al3hLu1SxsITfHXqhcsT_rUXoxBLDY6Q/s2048/WP_20201210_19_11_45_Rich%255BSpaceGalleys%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiods1sWwXtGBG0Bu9dFvDIqmtDa5e7EBr6nYTjIBxLGBzKmWVSwtmu7GZHTf1iBQkCScJqkLf9mD6ry7_KuEOO0C43N2CcU_-uWF8f56Xke1-Al3hLu1SxsITfHXqhcsT_rUXoxBLDY6Q/w640-h360/WP_20201210_19_11_45_Rich%255BSpaceGalleys%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Meanwhile off near Moab the erstwhile heretic Proconsul Commodus sent out his own messages aboard a galleon of the new style his forces were calling a shielded cruiser; <i>TSS Perun. </i>They were to contact the elven fleet in the west and seek their aid. Similar messages were in transit to the dwarves on Burgkhan Kaldun Prime. Since it seemed clear his official governorship would shortly be revoked (if it wasn't already) he dispensed with his formal title and simply signed with his own name and personal title: Lord Christoff Whye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViSWxVyaT-v9ozF-x4C-DED-qSeQCpOrwqftN75Ed4gQRTyGMzyI33qe62hgiuUxw3QJPLsfT1KQbdCjGKmWGa50gx1VBGfHRwDxVBzNq6V23bcOYofyOy15raJAJTxGxn8E1tPf3SzY/s2048/WP_20201210_19_12_21_Rich%255BThunderbolt%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="2048" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViSWxVyaT-v9ozF-x4C-DED-qSeQCpOrwqftN75Ed4gQRTyGMzyI33qe62hgiuUxw3QJPLsfT1KQbdCjGKmWGa50gx1VBGfHRwDxVBzNq6V23bcOYofyOy15raJAJTxGxn8E1tPf3SzY/w640-h358/WP_20201210_19_12_21_Rich%255BThunderbolt%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZuLU-sosa-RGM-eKKU3O1jSw0-WCx3KgzssfHqD9MdnABvR8ej81fAdDjxNfjamNxeQmbYybcgMQqntwB59yyn0WsC_X6Xg11xcPy7GxYMbVI339dpqO4hDg411ydZEoJiiQrY2Rilc/s1921/WP_20200519_13_40_35_Pro-1%255BCruisers%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1921" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZuLU-sosa-RGM-eKKU3O1jSw0-WCx3KgzssfHqD9MdnABvR8ej81fAdDjxNfjamNxeQmbYybcgMQqntwB59yyn0WsC_X6Xg11xcPy7GxYMbVI339dpqO4hDg411ydZEoJiiQrY2Rilc/w640-h360/WP_20200519_13_40_35_Pro-1%255BCruisers%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> In the vastness of space, even with the convenience of warp transit and waveless communication, it would take time for the Holy Terran Empire to react to the news and set their plans in motion. Christoff simply hoped it would be enough time to outwit them. He didn't need to beat them. He just needed to make conquering the Rim too expensive for them to afford the distraction from more pressing threats in the galactic south and east. The bugs had been beaten back to Alessi 5, but they'd held the Wishing Well Cluster unchallenged for centuries now. Surely that would limit the Terran commitment to war on a far distant frontier, even if the current emperor's connection to Earth was less personal than in centuries past. For now Christoff could only hope.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">. . . . . . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> This concludes another episode of the Sentinel Gate Affair. Until next time, dear readers. Thank you for joining me on our journey. To be continued!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Sincerely,</div><div style="text-align: left;"> The Composer</div><div><br /></div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-45112516340770579472021-01-14T03:49:00.041-06:002021-01-14T15:25:53.567-06:00Rogue Thrust<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Early on in the year of Papa Nurgle's (tm) Plague Rat Special I had the grand ideas of running a campaign. There has clearly been some tension between his High Holiness the Emperor of Space (or at least his closest advisors) and the provincial governments way out on the northern frontiers in and around the Tartarus Rim. And so the orbital shipyards here in Vide Poche set about the task of both creating and responding to this threat. (Always best when you can work both sides of an equation. At least until the Empress of Everything looks at the bottom line of not one, but two astral building programs.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> But it turns out that I am still somewhat of an extrovert. Summer has been the hard season for me for a good ten years now, but 2020 . . . well, it's been special. And extroverted musicians locked in their homes get even more melancholy than usual, which means they get even less done. Thankfully winter still provides some relief. There is light at the end of the tunnel. And in the meantime there are at least some spaceships that I got done in the Spring before I crashed and burned a little.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAGRLs1mkigGnsiIZxN94_5SJWwVy-plu5qMFOeVj_PEcRMSqL6ifpHs2NaZdeMYmifZS8HunoV6y6JJE8X8NMWcM-WJp8CslBRH-jsMboQed_G_lUoelga_K8dVe4rqsxy1tr318d70/s2048/WP_20200526_23_02_45_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Miniature Spaceships" border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAGRLs1mkigGnsiIZxN94_5SJWwVy-plu5qMFOeVj_PEcRMSqL6ifpHs2NaZdeMYmifZS8HunoV6y6JJE8X8NMWcM-WJp8CslBRH-jsMboQed_G_lUoelga_K8dVe4rqsxy1tr318d70/w640-h360/WP_20200526_23_02_45_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> So to get things rolling again I set about adapting all that loveliness to a nice set of fleet-scale space combat rules. Most of the miniatures above were, of course, either crafted for or adapted to GW's 90s space combat game <i>Space Fleet</i>. (The ships on the right actually owed their origin to an earlier company whose molds Citadel bought at some point. This wouldn't be their habit later on, but it's not uncommon for smaller miniatures companies even now.) But me, I like Ground Zero's <i>Full Thrust</i>. I've been playing it forever, albeit intermittently. And it's a pretty simple and elegant rules set. It plays fast and clean. So why learn a new one?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> *whisper whisper*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> What, you say? People expect Gothic Battleships and Ironclads to behave certain ways?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> *whisper whisper*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And to recreate that in another game you're going to have to at least minimally understand how the first one worked?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Well, shoot. Okay. I'll at least read the original ship data sheets and see what I can learn before I make my own cards for another system.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Thus did I set off on the long journey of learning at least a little about an ancient GW game I'd never once played in order to halfway knock it off in a different game system with a remarkably different philosophy of how things should work; to stitch the materials of a dark space comedy into a light space opera. Space Sondheim meets Space Mozart, if you will. It can be made to work, but not without effort, compromise, and some understanding of those original materials.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> First, I had to learn the Sondhei . . . I mean <i>Space Fleet</i>. And what I learned was weird and quirky. Everything is a different speed. Everything has weird abilities. I sketched things out, realized everything was wrong, read through everything again, sketched everything out again, and still screwed it up. What you see below is about the third draft . . . and it's still wrong. But it's at least a gameable wrong, so we have a start. With second draft stats I set about making first draft ship sheets. Which were of course wrong. And not very sexy. So I fixed them up and sexed them up and arrived at something almost usable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVcTHAFxyPlxl8hU-sk4kqiz2-rR6RiUS4T_ORBGdfbsIZ19zxnK-d1AbJ-hHj1aoXqTc5x4JZnfX3WQk3bjKtgfw1mxoOG3WzmRmpkv0t8lmU8kxDi5LWG4PD2BAussUoswXTxOFqgs/s2048/TerranBBIronclad.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="2048" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVcTHAFxyPlxl8hU-sk4kqiz2-rR6RiUS4T_ORBGdfbsIZ19zxnK-d1AbJ-hHj1aoXqTc5x4JZnfX3WQk3bjKtgfw1mxoOG3WzmRmpkv0t8lmU8kxDi5LWG4PD2BAussUoswXTxOFqgs/w640-h328/TerranBBIronclad.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> In the end I decided that sexy wasn't as important as legible for gaming purposes. Stark black silhouettes look great on a computer screen, but they don't work as well when you're crossing things off on a sheet of paper. So I went back to an outline version (albeit a somewhat improved outline) and arrived at the third/fourth draft you see below. It's still not perfect, but it works. It should make good sense to anyone familiar with <i>Full Thrust</i>. Further, it should incorporate some of the odd quirkiness of <i>Space Fleet</i>. (As much as I can preserve.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bRiDN7NXgoi_U-e7E4sN7upEc1EaaMIslMrCZhBQIqsF4aae9sUL7ThEKF-nBXNpIWjr395GiYZPwlA3aCvlpdNo2EUj1IJ9P6jydgwXXEpsGlqPFM8YGZA0OSAe7KNRq2QxrGcpgmU/s2048/TerranBBGothicOutline.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="2048" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bRiDN7NXgoi_U-e7E4sN7upEc1EaaMIslMrCZhBQIqsF4aae9sUL7ThEKF-nBXNpIWjr395GiYZPwlA3aCvlpdNo2EUj1IJ9P6jydgwXXEpsGlqPFM8YGZA0OSAe7KNRq2QxrGcpgmU/w640-h328/TerranBBGothicOutline.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The eventual goal is to pit an enormous, but ancient and ossified space empire against a bunch of upstart frontier rebels with new ways of thinking and possibly fighting, but with much more modest resources to project their ambitions of self-determination. (We will studiously avoid considering the process by which the upstart rebels become the ossified empire until an as yet unspecified future date. Wash, rinse, and repeat.) But first you have to have rules that work. And what better way to test them than pitting some related ships of known capability against one another? By that means we arrive at the tableau you see below. Actual dice were rolled. Ship data sheets were printed on real paper and marked up with real pencils as imagined laser fusilades were exchanged at decidedly sub-space distances.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And I got my tousche handed to me. How does that always happen? You might get the idea that I'm a lousy tactician, but I prefer to think I suck at dice. I'm going to chalk it up to my opponent having Old Ironsides front and center there. I drew Ye Olde Gothicke Novel. Didn't stand a chance. ;-)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOT8OBtzFYeiNMfVV5CSEcAxgNRtZlkVmDdiMiERwR0jYCIY9HCsxI2uHW4bsqHYokjw62bUCnKpmHbIKNgsVLKxBls_fMx0x_RIUM78lDdWum2wxdEUysK518WfnIMnP0lPtnQuNeX0/s2048/WP_20201210_20_04_51_Rich.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOT8OBtzFYeiNMfVV5CSEcAxgNRtZlkVmDdiMiERwR0jYCIY9HCsxI2uHW4bsqHYokjw62bUCnKpmHbIKNgsVLKxBls_fMx0x_RIUM78lDdWum2wxdEUysK518WfnIMnP0lPtnQuNeX0/w640-h360/WP_20201210_20_04_51_Rich.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I expect more will come later. Jay Bobson, my friend and erstwhile sparring partner, has bought some new spaceships. As have I, as it happens. And we hope to try out ideas for fun and mayhem as we are able. And maybe even game out that conflict between the Spaceish Armada and the Plucky Frontiersmen. Thank you for reading along. Until next time!</div><br /><p></p><div> Sincerely,</div><div> The Composer</div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-84256177007562901932021-01-07T02:19:00.001-06:002021-01-07T03:33:42.746-06:002020 In Review2020 has been . . . 2020. And may there never be another year quite like it. But in spite of all that (and I do mean in spite) I at least got a few things painted. Not so many as I might have in a normal year, but I am making no apologies for 2020.<div><br /></div><div>So here's the rundown beginning with 28mm vehicles:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1: The Half Jimmy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeloWnvk_Bw3fMh1aUsjQgug6MgNTYuYEuuyDNXO0GWe7oucC0okky7-_UZPwRf9H1uFZNKVx25zkBXFdQjAeoUQfC1RBz3fBrtEMtVHPnmYL8F7IVZLgNbWhhnIXSBKFGajpcnNfVv5I/s2048/WP_20200228_13_52_00_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeloWnvk_Bw3fMh1aUsjQgug6MgNTYuYEuuyDNXO0GWe7oucC0okky7-_UZPwRf9H1uFZNKVx25zkBXFdQjAeoUQfC1RBz3fBrtEMtVHPnmYL8F7IVZLgNbWhhnIXSBKFGajpcnNfVv5I/w640-h360/WP_20200228_13_52_00_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2: The Eldar Skimmer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPBHMwdIaltZ73LMugbZGDXw0YBu_1cr6Tz8xA3rguDFW3VV2mGBueG6AxWaqY7bhsGumGe3eBL_8o7H0jJSd5t8asX17C0wYoqCDewsFLqCGn1zlQQMpRuDIWNGZTOXYYSgwYQxlH4s/s2048/WP_20200405_18_53_25_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPBHMwdIaltZ73LMugbZGDXw0YBu_1cr6Tz8xA3rguDFW3VV2mGBueG6AxWaqY7bhsGumGe3eBL_8o7H0jJSd5t8asX17C0wYoqCDewsFLqCGn1zlQQMpRuDIWNGZTOXYYSgwYQxlH4s/w640-h360/WP_20200405_18_53_25_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2020 was in many ways the year of the farm animal on Moab 2. I painted up lots of 'em. (Probably more than anything else, save possibly scatter terrain. More on that later.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1-6: Noiffen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7A0vHLXNPON3JQNtnOf9hTpGpvtogSvSUK0mfxeFsYCXBZ6q9f_5RguEF8XnmqmWwC-8wMPvhD1BvEKrCWH4PuyfbLK9yLWWihXemHEnQVgE12oAkSILP9U_Jx0KCx1qYfRSN9kNYrY/s2048/WP_20200226_21_04_28_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7A0vHLXNPON3JQNtnOf9hTpGpvtogSvSUK0mfxeFsYCXBZ6q9f_5RguEF8XnmqmWwC-8wMPvhD1BvEKrCWH4PuyfbLK9yLWWihXemHEnQVgE12oAkSILP9U_Jx0KCx1qYfRSN9kNYrY/w640-h360/WP_20200226_21_04_28_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7 and 8: "Babe" Blue Oxen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcyxxyMKgKWXgrpsj9Ob-ZjsC_2yvriwwjyNIDJGvSQADuk1Bb5DnUTpOiusdqYyc6ouNPILSc8JxjxKf0WW5QEZ5bgjIlJo9bpzNraCa5n5XOUV_nCMvuvn9BQtCo8Ri2wlMrOt3Veo/s2048/WP_20200314_00_12_16_Pro-0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcyxxyMKgKWXgrpsj9Ob-ZjsC_2yvriwwjyNIDJGvSQADuk1Bb5DnUTpOiusdqYyc6ouNPILSc8JxjxKf0WW5QEZ5bgjIlJo9bpzNraCa5n5XOUV_nCMvuvn9BQtCo8Ri2wlMrOt3Veo/w640-h360/WP_20200314_00_12_16_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9-11: Terror Birds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez-Kg-wgdrqOWgeN_jWHxIYh4HjJa6WZV0u0FCI3C-a_PkvCJOWEvi0Uz6bidPFbAXiYzmmoYtSn_o2ikYytaDSkY1IQAxoQiRdygf5iAC4-C2GkbHQopJUrQOSqjAaxwtX9zI8stjz8/s2048/WP_20210107_02_24_19_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="2048" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez-Kg-wgdrqOWgeN_jWHxIYh4HjJa6WZV0u0FCI3C-a_PkvCJOWEvi0Uz6bidPFbAXiYzmmoYtSn_o2ikYytaDSkY1IQAxoQiRdygf5iAC4-C2GkbHQopJUrQOSqjAaxwtX9zI8stjz8/w640-h390/WP_20210107_02_24_19_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12: Mr. Donkey<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tSC77rFiIdterU3P5u46Ed0-6_gAikIn1gXzftV12nCfoLfJK9A8-3Q0mCiAZtPSRd12TuxFgwYKC3pdoSIJFho5kztFGq4ZG7CdE06HUvc4s24XY2whlSMwJp9Htx7iWJndLQx1_Qg/s2048/WP_20210107_02_23_26_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tSC77rFiIdterU3P5u46Ed0-6_gAikIn1gXzftV12nCfoLfJK9A8-3Q0mCiAZtPSRd12TuxFgwYKC3pdoSIJFho5kztFGq4ZG7CdE06HUvc4s24XY2whlSMwJp9Htx7iWJndLQx1_Qg/w640-h360/WP_20210107_02_23_26_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">13-20: Pigs in Space</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh-LfzOsb5ihQ8yAz_CcO75OKQrWDd2XD4OfOiU_JWZc9urjkqFViHXv5229oFIQMc-TTv8N6WYDOaWer432ZZaXjqv7iHOLfn69NrmEn4PeUYDLTqvOcrNx09gtd9uo9saIUFjTt3qI/s2048/WP_20200314_02_45_00_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh-LfzOsb5ihQ8yAz_CcO75OKQrWDd2XD4OfOiU_JWZc9urjkqFViHXv5229oFIQMc-TTv8N6WYDOaWer432ZZaXjqv7iHOLfn69NrmEn4PeUYDLTqvOcrNx09gtd9uo9saIUFjTt3qI/w640-h360/WP_20200314_02_45_00_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">21-23: Also goats in Space</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaBqgyeubxuEpTliRLi47u3HMHAvhOKhzVma4mrf0FhHYwtm6OJrmA05FHafJjJva5olGhbcN4JleleujqmjMRHVlPgGVo8zPsJ8uMuZotMkVD0kGYwZwkqgYWqQ87nFhPo8jH8x48Ck/s2048/WP_20200314_02_45_30_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="2048" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaBqgyeubxuEpTliRLi47u3HMHAvhOKhzVma4mrf0FhHYwtm6OJrmA05FHafJjJva5olGhbcN4JleleujqmjMRHVlPgGVo8zPsJ8uMuZotMkVD0kGYwZwkqgYWqQ87nFhPo8jH8x48Ck/w640-h346/WP_20200314_02_45_30_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did also get some people painted. Not tons, but enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1-4: The Duchess of Pain Court and her Boudoir Noire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhyphenhyphenmj5LzS_jQ8rSSV1re7YwOytb7V6JXemfYfBCudGxP6LnhJG0fRBRoV2sDz1R6QNC-CuRyaG1MVI7ykc5mPJoFXyC-LFqNx5Xp3MX-LgDookxKymVQDaiMYmuWR0wqO7khuqztOjEY/s2048/WP_20200501_14_02_47_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhyphenhyphenmj5LzS_jQ8rSSV1re7YwOytb7V6JXemfYfBCudGxP6LnhJG0fRBRoV2sDz1R6QNC-CuRyaG1MVI7ykc5mPJoFXyC-LFqNx5Xp3MX-LgDookxKymVQDaiMYmuWR0wqO7khuqztOjEY/w640-h360/WP_20200501_14_02_47_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5: The Pieman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1NbJ5gn_sEXTrePkz7pvLQN1F5AW9S85sFOC592mo0-L2naAB6i96cySks4qcpacP0if0dtksddcGbVbSJN83lLFmhl-jWKrMpSlwl5mq3XXAKju_cyrmIXTVAPyC_nf-Zi_bHyqnGk/s2048/WP_20200427_04_17_43_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1NbJ5gn_sEXTrePkz7pvLQN1F5AW9S85sFOC592mo0-L2naAB6i96cySks4qcpacP0if0dtksddcGbVbSJN83lLFmhl-jWKrMpSlwl5mq3XXAKju_cyrmIXTVAPyC_nf-Zi_bHyqnGk/w640-h360/WP_20200427_04_17_43_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6: The Ringmaster</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkNSKGYWQn0c68VXUqlCaJvvU7JOX5ObTasIjOS6hIyObArEC8ItvZR9rjRo_FacMWUyHybu7ZSI1grxUjNbyJdP38hBvCV5k62A4OcYnX4CwIIjj1gcaqtGdgU-4LanmzuKGVLhbRbI/s2048/WP_20200507_01_42_50_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkNSKGYWQn0c68VXUqlCaJvvU7JOX5ObTasIjOS6hIyObArEC8ItvZR9rjRo_FacMWUyHybu7ZSI1grxUjNbyJdP38hBvCV5k62A4OcYnX4CwIIjj1gcaqtGdgU-4LanmzuKGVLhbRbI/w640-h360/WP_20200507_01_42_50_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7-9: The Sushi seller, the pilot, and the honeymooners.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y7ivpXg1HO9w2dG53M_WMiMrshsY2wdGkuVrGPbGvEQDswqqGxoKbtGuvk2VFB-nV-EHFLKW6f8YvfLx40Zmz2qsv22xeFjy6krGxS8TCPkqE4SOIShi2acVlL_a1VtegF92VXbDt1Q/s2048/WP_20200506_07_27_55_Pro-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y7ivpXg1HO9w2dG53M_WMiMrshsY2wdGkuVrGPbGvEQDswqqGxoKbtGuvk2VFB-nV-EHFLKW6f8YvfLx40Zmz2qsv22xeFjy6krGxS8TCPkqE4SOIShi2acVlL_a1VtegF92VXbDt1Q/w640-h360/WP_20200506_07_27_55_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10: A Goat with a Gun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntsiogvZ2K5SUiDeBJL-HzysolxymTw6rEFLtGacRlR7NGzw1OxrqKmiXEyPcdxkmPPi-IYO6b-N3S4-2bZl-Dacli47dsUyGo5w2nPMaevavssHrynpIS1Ulb_bFu1ONJkL25FkjKlk/s2048/WP_20201214_23_57_11_Rich-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntsiogvZ2K5SUiDeBJL-HzysolxymTw6rEFLtGacRlR7NGzw1OxrqKmiXEyPcdxkmPPi-IYO6b-N3S4-2bZl-Dacli47dsUyGo5w2nPMaevavssHrynpIS1Ulb_bFu1ONJkL25FkjKlk/w640-h360/WP_20201214_23_57_11_Rich-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I'll leave you the little preview of 2021 as a teaser for what comes next.)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To this we can add a fair bit of scatter terrain, including the pizza kitchen seen with the pieman above, the carnival barkers platform, and . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ore bins, hazmat casks, 50 gallon drums, wheels, road cases, beer kegs (all local brews) and even a few wine casks. (I should really post about that. Meant to. Got distracted by plague.) All manner of loads and a couple of shipping pallets <br />(not pictured) to hold them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9o0La5sjRqE2i13wac7_jQmSa3Jqy23W7Qm9K3JhOBFaXJRjEnGn8E09FqAzEl_DaJfYerdoJE9Jt18K9i1qsnY4VYHz3-TwFCKXkGXwwyfmOmhnPIDlSgw3fJVu8owmrEH8r2YFlqog/s2048/WP_20200304_02_38_24_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9o0La5sjRqE2i13wac7_jQmSa3Jqy23W7Qm9K3JhOBFaXJRjEnGn8E09FqAzEl_DaJfYerdoJE9Jt18K9i1qsnY4VYHz3-TwFCKXkGXwwyfmOmhnPIDlSgw3fJVu8owmrEH8r2YFlqog/w640-h360/WP_20200304_02_38_24_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Last but not least I painted a whole new collection of spaceships, many of which have not as yet appeared elsewhere on the blog. And while these have o-fee-shul GW names I'm ignoring that in favor of fun:<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1-8: Space Swords (which are not cancelled)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLUbEemLKA756242KFTbiM_c_ueU9DyzJvlmoBx4Co6S-6UI1DwMudyyjGA1t3a1s4El0NMMkP1JFd9PGft2pLL1bQTzs9GJGLW5mGuiWUrEs20xGEU4dyVNYidzMY5jdPcLQOcyCWPI/s1920/WP_20200513_16_23_23_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLUbEemLKA756242KFTbiM_c_ueU9DyzJvlmoBx4Co6S-6UI1DwMudyyjGA1t3a1s4El0NMMkP1JFd9PGft2pLL1bQTzs9GJGLW5mGuiWUrEs20xGEU4dyVNYidzMY5jdPcLQOcyCWPI/w640-h360/WP_20200513_16_23_23_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">9: Space Galleon With Fun Gun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR4X1dCUR9mbfMdSOOLkGNZK8YTlTjBBggG0DgB_0PtvkA-BWEftx-5n52pogSk0EcibQPJUtYPpDtcxffZOx9N7COd2EJafecBBzl3fJFwn2XPtA2EjPyxeRCtRDHbOPOcCrUnWGJbw/s2048/WP_20201210_19_10_39_Rich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="2048" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR4X1dCUR9mbfMdSOOLkGNZK8YTlTjBBggG0DgB_0PtvkA-BWEftx-5n52pogSk0EcibQPJUtYPpDtcxffZOx9N7COd2EJafecBBzl3fJFwn2XPtA2EjPyxeRCtRDHbOPOcCrUnWGJbw/w640-h358/WP_20201210_19_10_39_Rich.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">10-11: Space Galleons with Pokers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNI3ydqOs4u2ZTg-9_RdZrR4pnA1Hg4M6auBhyBgu7zeK3jmw8Uk1awsXivUsSWQ_kiHpWYffB8HHyQdSk8BX-B5JTg6gGHBTQC-woyAudrtm-UicCsoc-H-k5Jd_VQRtC8gtsZF30Ho/s2048/WP_20201210_19_11_11_Rich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNI3ydqOs4u2ZTg-9_RdZrR4pnA1Hg4M6auBhyBgu7zeK3jmw8Uk1awsXivUsSWQ_kiHpWYffB8HHyQdSk8BX-B5JTg6gGHBTQC-woyAudrtm-UicCsoc-H-k5Jd_VQRtC8gtsZF30Ho/w640-h360/WP_20201210_19_11_11_Rich.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12-13: Poncy Elven Sailboats in Space</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjZx2-P9DVtAEDy8oyMiWhWdgJoGAzHT4CwUgJMzFMjfun2H-ZPRJIvHolWlnI4dOTN4Sxro_PXAqNc0W9W1zOvMESKKyqiSGV9RUgpalL4EVU7wRrY_3HMMhf2kIwC_Rje1ayAXffp8/s1921/WP_20200519_13_40_35_Pro-1%255BCruisers%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1921" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjZx2-P9DVtAEDy8oyMiWhWdgJoGAzHT4CwUgJMzFMjfun2H-ZPRJIvHolWlnI4dOTN4Sxro_PXAqNc0W9W1zOvMESKKyqiSGV9RUgpalL4EVU7wRrY_3HMMhf2kIwC_Rje1ayAXffp8/w640-h360/WP_20200519_13_40_35_Pro-1%255BCruisers%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Like nearly all great empires Games Workshop got their navy started with ships designed by and purchased from foreign builders. And since these would be those I'm going to utterly ignore what GW thinks these things are and make it up myself. After all, that's what the Caster of Nottingham did before me!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">14-20: Space Destroyers and Space Cruisers with Balls!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Ignore the home-build. Though maybe if I add balls . . . )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dYhIbtkS9fQGMtUlF2XRDgaw2X8-gsrNigHaXJpgonWH2AKYU1J_Z4KLke58oz0wde0dslBDBEyX3bwr7h1rRIS1oMhVChfT179EGWryeKR4MGKYjSzzNrhCeTPu4PC4_hPopf-hGg8/s1919/WP_20200429_14_39_23_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1919" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dYhIbtkS9fQGMtUlF2XRDgaw2X8-gsrNigHaXJpgonWH2AKYU1J_Z4KLke58oz0wde0dslBDBEyX3bwr7h1rRIS1oMhVChfT179EGWryeKR4MGKYjSzzNrhCeTPu4PC4_hPopf-hGg8/w640-h360/WP_20200429_14_39_23_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">21: Space Battleship with Balls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCnAI6Y8q4dYNjAp0nQYWbpyvmauv-ZUvm-W6vVQkydcUFtWrpLZZINWyFa2qOzXhw2AR-iVN8xFESIo-ylAvdt3fo5yHEMNMCG3FXklxfiFKJOyPgOLUTA33_boddM_38ZeEyWiKxQE/s2048/WP_20201210_19_13_17_Rich-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCnAI6Y8q4dYNjAp0nQYWbpyvmauv-ZUvm-W6vVQkydcUFtWrpLZZINWyFa2qOzXhw2AR-iVN8xFESIo-ylAvdt3fo5yHEMNMCG3FXklxfiFKJOyPgOLUTA33_boddM_38ZeEyWiKxQE/w640-h360/WP_20201210_19_13_17_Rich-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">22: Big Honking Freighter with More and Bigger Balls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHs3iLLUTuYzLb98qSgd6Bcmm_uYePmgFh_F5vcCFG6PufFM1dKXkX7PI1fXmhTtC5l5GDtZS_SfZp9OvC-suHx6lD3NRV9TJdAhH_Fa0NHakKKoZ8oF4Rf831VfAMTAfHwBH2Q0wyko/s2048/WP_20200503_17_07_33_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHs3iLLUTuYzLb98qSgd6Bcmm_uYePmgFh_F5vcCFG6PufFM1dKXkX7PI1fXmhTtC5l5GDtZS_SfZp9OvC-suHx6lD3NRV9TJdAhH_Fa0NHakKKoZ8oF4Rf831VfAMTAfHwBH2Q0wyko/w640-h360/WP_20200503_17_07_33_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It really was not a banner year. Adequate, but only because the first six months punched above their weight output-wise. But then . . . 2020. Oh boy! Will that ever mean the same thing again? Hindsight is surviving 2020 and looking back and saying "Nya nya! I'm out, you sneaky plague rat!" 2020.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the tally:</div><div>2 vehicles</div><div>23 heads of space livestock</div><div>10 people (It started so well!)</div><div>22 spaceships. (Might actually have been 23. I think there was a little atmospheric shuttle lost in there.)</div><div>A lot of scatter terrain. (Not going to count. It was all pretty quick. Though putting local brew labels ont things did take a little work. And I created my own space label logo. Maybe that'll come up when I do the scatter terrain catchup post.)</div><div><br /></div><div>It's not terrible. But not what I'd been hoping for. As to 2021? I make no promises. Let's survive what I hope is the tail end of the plague, find our mojo, and move forward.</div><div><br /></div><div>Congratulations living through all of this. May none of us ever again live in such interesting times. ;-)</div><div><br /></div><div>Sincerely,</div><div>The Composer</div><div><div><br /></div></div>The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-58926193528188585152020-05-16T12:08:00.005-05:002021-02-03T22:56:23.251-06:00The Sentinel Gate Affair, Episode III: Step Into My Parlor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
. . . Said the Master to the Spy.</div>
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Continued from our last episode, <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2017/08/the-sentinel-gate-affair-episode-ii.html">A Bounty on the Mutant</a>.</div>
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The bounty hunter Tommy Takara waited near the hulking guards in the catacombs beneath the palace for what seemed a dog's age before their subtle separation heralded the arrival of the two cardinals tasked with the inquisition into what they called the "Frei matter."</div>
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Takara was glad he was accustomed to industrial worlds, as the atmosphere was dank and acrid. In fact, the two high lords both wore masks and respirators so large their faces were either completely, or nearly completely obscured. Even in armor that was clearly ceremonial they looked surprisingly formidable. He was not eager to deliver disappointment to men such as these. While the first fellow stroked some kind of animal the second waved a greeting and began.</div>
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"I understand you have returned empty handed."</div>
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"Yes, your eminence. A team of local operatives found Frei and moved him into the hinterlands before I was able to secure him," Takara answered. "After that I quickly found my transit permits had disappeared."</div>
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The air hung silent for a long moment as Takara sweated over his fate. Eventually the first fellow, the taller one with the . . . cat Takara decided, spoke out almost inaudibly.</div>
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"Do you care to add anything before we dispatch you?"</div>
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The word hung in the air like an axe.</div>
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Takara swallowed before he replied. "No, your eminence. My failure is my own responsibility."</div>
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"I'm not seeking excuses," the cardinal continued. "Merely information. What else did you observe?"</div>
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Takara thought long about his reply. If his information was useful perhaps he would still have breath when this audience ended. Maybe even a career.</div>
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"There seem to be quite a few parties interested. There was a second bounty hunter. Some kind of orc. Or troll, maybe."</div>
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"And he was permitted to search freely?" the shorter cardinal interrupted.</div>
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"Yes your eminence. It appears there is some kind of peace between the local officials and a wide variety of xenos. Maybe not trust, but tolerance. Orcs were allowed access to the administrative seat. It wasn't even walled."</div>
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Takara paused for a moment. "Go on," prompted the quiet cardinal.</div>
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"The operatives who secured Frei are apparently a rather well known local group. They've done a lot of work for the Rex-Avis clan in the past. And Rex-Avis seems to have some association with the Proconsul."</div>
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"Anything else?" the shorter cardinal queried further. (Though the difference in height probably came down mostly to the size of their hats.)</div>
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"No your eminence. I think that's all."</div>
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The quiet man dismissed him with a nod and Takara was happy to take his leave of the place. And he made a note to himself not to accept any more jobs from the bloody cardinal electors if he could possibly help it.</div>
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A short time later the two prelates turned to welcome a gentleman with heavy grey armor and a data pad.</div>
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"Ah, Augustus. Thank you for coming," said the shorter cardinal, waving once again.</div>
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"It seems we have need of an inquest, and we would like to ask you to lead it."</div>
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"Absolutely, your grace," Augustus replied confidently and rather more familiarly. The two cardinals were old associates of the grizzled investigator, who was himself sworn to the service of Holy Terra; a priest inquisitor in the Imperial cult. "What do you require of me?"</div>
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"We need you to investigate rumors of apostasy in the north; in the Tartarus Rim. Perhaps the whole of it. The very highest levels of provincial government may not be keeping full faith with Terra. There are even rumors of peace with hostile xenogennimous races, which would be a most foul heresy if it were true."</div>
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Augustus merely nodded at this and tapped a few notes into his pad before the cardinal continued.</div>
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"We will dispatch a force to support you, should our fears be true and invasion necessary. We cannot immediately spare much more than a squadron; a few galleons and cruisers. But they should suffice to hold any local forces at bay until the Armada can be mustered."</div>
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Again Augustus nodded. "Do you wish me to await this force? Is it prepared?"</div>
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"We will send you aboard the flagship, <i>IMS Periastron</i>," the shorter cardinal continued. "You should probably approach in secret. Perhaps leave the squadron near, but outside the province. Lord Simon will provide you with a list of suitable contacts with ships that can carry you the last few parsecs. Most likely tramp traders, but reliable and known to us."</div>
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"Very good," Augustus said. "I pray all the fates and his Divine Majesty will smile upon you in my absence, and that they will grant this enterprise good fortune."</div>
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"Calm spaces and prosperous voyage my friend," the cardinal replied.</div>
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With that the three bowed slightly and made their individual ways to their appointed tasks.</div>
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When Augustus reached orbit, he found a small, but formidable force awaiting him. The <i>Periastron</i> was a little older, but she was still a powerful warship. With her he saw the <i>Furious</i> class great galleon <i>Sacrosanctus</i>, two <i>Comitatus</i> class cruisers, and several smaller escorts.</div>
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For the most part the journey was smooth. They encountered no serious storms in transit space, and much of the journey was within the boundaries of Imperial NavAid control. Only in the far galactic north was the skilled reckoning of a bound navigator required. With the aid of arcane half-alien implants in their brains, bound to them and passed down through families and guilds, navigators were able to sense the subtle metaspace currents travelers called "the warp." And indeed, Augustus found the act of looking out his porthole in transit space deeply unsettling. The other ships in the squadron seemed warped and distorted; almost monstrous. Barely recognizable as ships at all when they were visible. So he was glad when <i>Periastron </i>once again dropped into normal space. Ironically, it was there that his troubles began. Upon warping out the fleet found a soldified gas tanker, presumably servicing some automated mining platform.</div>
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The commodore immediately fired a warning, seized the vessel, and took the crew into custody. Neither EM nor gravitics had shown anything that looked like a transmission. Upon inspection, there was nothing in the tanker's memory banks, but those could be scrubbed easily enough. It probably wouldn't change much if the Rimmers knew there were a fleet nearby, but it would make investigation more . . . challenging.<br />
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Proconsul Commodus was deep in conversation with Marcus Camber when his chief of staff interrupted.</div>
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"This had better be good," Commodus muttered.</div>
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"Sir, we just got a waveless flash from a rim flagged tanker: DePCoPro Vacuum 2. It seems an imperial fleet has taken station on the border. Vac 2 shot out a coded tightbeam to a gas platform that they were servicing that had an automatic waveless reporting feature that mostly sent tech information back to corporate. The report came through buried in the regular data, but according to the timestamps it seems like this probably happened about six hours ago."</div>
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He handed the Proconsul a flimsy with the basic details. Commodus examined it for a moment and Camber observed silently.</div>
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The tall official pondered to himself. He wasn't prepared for open rebellion against the Terrans, but he also didn't care to sacrifice the tenuous peace he was building to political expediency in a far away and notoriously xenophobic court.</div>
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"What do you make of this, Alex?" he asked.</div>
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"Not much sir. There's really nothing in the report beyond the seizure itself and some probable ship IDs. Unless they were really paying attention to their EM and gravitics they may not have had any warning until the first coms came in and they popped up on visual. I doubt there was much time to react. I'm pretty impressed they got off what they did. Given everything I can't imagine the Terran intents are completely peaceful and above board. But what their aims and reasons might be . . . Your guess is as good as mine."</div>
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After a brief pause he added "Hell, your guess is probably a lot better. Have we done anything since Project Iowa that would set the council off?"</div>
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Commodus was honestly rather annoyed at the timing, but he tried not to let it show. "Clearly we have," he answered slowly and evenly. "Or they wouldn't be here. I have an idea, but I'd like to keep it close to my chest for now. I'll read you in later, Alex."</div>
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With a nod, he dismissed the aide and turned to Camber. "Marcus, we have a problem. And we're going to need eyes and ears. Who do we have?"</div>
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"That can operate in the south? Maybe the Duchess," he answered.</div>
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"Can you get word to her? Call her in?" Commodus asked.</div>
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"Not personally, no. But Rex-Avis might be able to."</div>
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"Dear lord, I'm getting tired of this. Do we have to run all our ops through her?" Commodus let his cool demeanor slip a bit at this last part.</div>
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Camber, who was personal friends with Colorado Rex-Avis thanks to his gibsonite ventures on Moab III, let the jab slide. "Well, she and Ursaline-Drakemore have built a hell of a network on their own dollar. We're deeply lucky she's on our side."</div>
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"I begin to think de Bayamon and the Dragons answer more to her than to me!" Commodus huffed.</div>
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"They're both on Moab, sir. While we're usually on Proserpine."</div>
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Commodus had to grant that point. "Very well. Send word. And by the way . . . Thank you. And Rex-Avis. I'd appreciate a more redundant operational structure. I hate relying on a system so apparently susceptible to a single-point failure. But I am truly grateful for your help."</div>
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Camber nodded at that. It was a small apology, but it was an apology. "Very good sir. By your leave . . . "</div>
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Commodus waved him off and Camber hurried below to the code shack to make a secure transmission. Soon after Sergeant Maxim Wether was on a Logansport terrace opposite Sir Stanley Ursaline-Drakemore.</div>
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Wether had arrived in Logansport in a great hurry. "Sir Stanley, I urgently need to speak with Rex-Avis."</div>
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Sir Stanley replied calmly "I'm afraid she's out of the system at present."</div>
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Wether looked a little surprised at this. "Oh?" he asked.</div>
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"She got an invitation to observe a fleet exercise near Starship Rock," Sir Stanley answered. "Not the sort of thing you turn down. She's not expected back until next week."</div>
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"Starship Rock is actually perfect. Commodus is hoping she can contact the Duchess," said Wether. "Do you have a secure line of communication with her? It's really quite pressing."</div>
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"Of course," Stanley replied. "Follow me."</div>
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Starship rock was three jumps and a good several parsecs distant, but the entangled particles of a secure waveless network made transmission nearly instantaneous, with the lag between repeaters being the only delay. Waveless required linked sets, and their use tended to produce localized high energy radiation that could be detected, but the sets were slowly catching on, making communication across galactic distances much simpler than it had been even just a few years ago.</div>
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And in barely any time at all, Rex-Avis and the notorious Duchess of Pain Court were face to face in an abandoned section of the starport terminal.</div>
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"Elaine," Colorado Rex-Avis began. "Thank you for coming."</div>
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"It's no trouble at all. I owe you one for sorting things out with Commodus and Snakeskin. I really had no idea Penny was his daughter."</div>
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"Water under the bridge," said Colorado. "And the official story was quite useful. I'd been trying to talk Commodus into peace for years, but without a lever he wasn't willing to go there."</div>
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"Well," replied the self styled Duchess, "I'm glad it worked out. It really was not what I envisioned. And getting bested by a gob doesn't really help your reputation any."</div>
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"Snakeskin is pretty special, even as gobblins go," Colorado replied. "Anyway, it was actually Commodus that wanted your help."</div>
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"Oh really?" Elaine replied. "I'm just glad not to be rotting in jail. I'm really genuinely surprised he's willing to speak to me."</div>
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"He's looking for a spy, not a friend."</div>
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At this Elaine grew more visibly interested. "That is not at all what I expected."</div>
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"There's a bunch of Terran warships gathering just south of the Rim," Colorado said.</div>
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"I know," Elaine replied flatly.</div>
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It was Colorado's turn to be caught flat footed. "How on earth would you have heard about that?"</div>
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"They called me."</div>
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"You can't be serious?" Colorado said, utterly shocked. "And who, precisely, are they?"</div>
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"An inquisitor named Augustus. He wants me to pick him up and play nanny for him while he's on Moab looking into something or other."</div>
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"Oh ho? Is that why they're here?" Colorado began to put the pieces together. Moab meant it was more likely related to Gordon Frei than Project Iowa. They really needed to slow the pace of diplomatic incidents. She was privately glad it wasn't Inquisitor Guimar this time. That man had been a complete boor. Though . . . this did mean the present fellow was more likely to be at least somewhat capable. Which would complicate matters.</div>
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Colorado spoke again. "Commodus is hoping you can ingratiate yourself to the Terrans. Maybe pretend you're still on the outs with the local Spacing Guild, smuggling and tramping as you are able. Your network is . . . formidable. Especially in the French sector."</div>
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Elaine could only agree with that. She nodded for Colorado to continue. "It's a pretty thin cover, really. But it sticks at least somewhat close to the truth, which makes it easier. And we're short on leads in that direction, and coming perilously close to conflict. It will be dangerous. Of course. You are welcome to use your judgment to feed them whatever information to which you are privy you feel is necessary to win their trust, just so long as it's short of causus belli."</div>
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"I'll do what I can," Elaine answered. "I should get back to the Boudoir," she said, as she turned. "If I'm to pick this Terran monk-spy up I'll need to get back warpside chop chop."</div>
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A few day's spacing later the Duchess of Pain Court and her Boudoir Noire were outside the Tartarus Gate meeting an imperial, by god, galleon. One of the big ones with the huge temples tacked on all antique style. A real first rate, by the look of it. Maybe even a bona-fide relic from the Terran Reconquista. (They kept ships that long, she'd heard. Maybe they'd plum forgotten how to build them and didn't care if hull plates rotted out from warp radiation. Or maybe they just plassed them over and pretended they were fine. Hell, maybe they really did make them better back then like the oldest spacers sometimes said. Though Elaine rather doubted the truth of that.) Anyway, there it was, right on time. Marked up with a big red V and a stripe. Probably squardon markings, she decided. One stripe for the commodore and two for the flag? Ah, who knew how the Terrans did things. Didn't really matter anyway. She wasn't fighting it, just meeting a launch to carry the contents a few jumps back into what passed for civilization so far north.</div>
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And just like that Inquisitor Augustus and the Duchess were planetside in yet another bland pre-fab starport terminal. What was it the princess had said in the classic play? "Aren't you a little short for a storm trooper?" Yes. That was it. She'd had the chance to play that part when she was a girl on Vide Poche. Fun little roll for a ten year old girl. She smiled at the memory.<br />
"So Augustus," she said. "Where can I take you first? I love a good mystery novel and I hope you will let me help you solve yours."<br />
"That, madame, is precisely what I'm hoping. We have so few reliable contacts this far north. And his majesty, may he live ten thousand years, informs me you have a solid network. We can, of course, make the matter worth your while."<br />
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"It will be my pleasure," Elaine smiled. It would, she realized. This should be the most exquisite fun.<br />
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Thank you dear readers for joining me on this adventure. It's shaping up to be a wild ride. Please do tune in next time for episode IV of the Sentinel Gate Affair: <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2021/02/the-sentinel-gate-affair-episode-iv.html">A Fine Day for a Parade</a>.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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The Composer</div>
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<br />The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-46500385847406036492020-05-07T13:42:00.003-05:002021-02-04T21:32:37.010-06:00Business is Picking UpWhile much of the rest of the galaxy is under quarantine, thanks to the spread of some alien disease, <div>
the Tartarus Rim has been relatively busy. Along with the usual stream of coreward tourists and itinerant workers seen at the shuttleport the infamous Duchess of Pain Court and her Boudoir Noire arrived from points unknown.</div>
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Meanwhile, business at Pie in the Sky remains steady as Longansport gears up for the district fair.<br />
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Stepping back from the table let me introduce the new arrivals. They're are a fun mixture of <a href="http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-category/colony-87/">Colony 87</a> (now available from Crooked Dice), assorted oldhammer fan commissions, and <a href="http://ramshacklegames.co.uk/">Ramshackle's</a> carnival barker from the pizza set Curtis Fell kindly sent out to his patrons. (Among whom I now count myself.)</div>
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Below are the first three of the rather extensive "third wave": the food vendor, the alien tourists, and the human pilot. I've really struggled with these. They look deceptively simple, but in reality the detail is incredibly fine, which makes them more of a challenge to paint. Break out the magnifying glass kiddos. In spite of all this, I love them and I'm glad to have them. Not much to say about the paint schemes here. I try to keep my NPCs varied. They are, after all, ordinary people from quite different backgrounds just out living their lives. While you might think I fell into a bit of a green and blue palette trap, I'm not too worried about it since the rest of the set has plenty of other hues already. (The blue for the pilot was a conscious decision, as my other two pilots are variously in khaki and green. I have a fourth I might paint in red and white.)</div>
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I've chosen to depict the food as sushi, which . . . seems not ideal. But hey, maybe that's a high tech tray. Hopefully it keeps it cold as the vendor walks his route and treats his customers to his favorite music.</div>
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The fan commissions are variously from Oldhammer in the New World and the Emporium of Rogue Dreams. "Psycho Sam", on the left, is by Mark Copplestone. "Max" and "Maddie," bracketing Mark Perry's legendary LE Chaos Amazon, are both by Drew Williams. Altogether, I think they make a fairly homogeneous and quite fantastic group, and I expect you will see more of them. Since they are supposed to be a gang I decided to go ahead and use that dreaded restricted palette. (Well, a little. I don't want to go too crazy.) I kept the colors mostly cooler, and leaned heavily on the black leather so prevalent in my memories of 80s glam punk and darker sci-fi. I did allow myself some "warm" colors as small touches here and there to break up the monotony. I am pretty darn happy with the overall effect.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosXmR-E42NHggffGqVLH5mQEZQp4-R-joCsLUyV_qexvQmvv62IOQQOiwaeNZh1hqwSehof9WxI6fNVOrOIU7FR_9Y5rBaZmAr-DVJ6ft0GH5f7CIF8dtop3k1dGXrFUu0V8DikC1Dwc/s1600/WP_20200501_14_02_47_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosXmR-E42NHggffGqVLH5mQEZQp4-R-joCsLUyV_qexvQmvv62IOQQOiwaeNZh1hqwSehof9WxI6fNVOrOIU7FR_9Y5rBaZmAr-DVJ6ft0GH5f7CIF8dtop3k1dGXrFUu0V8DikC1Dwc/s640/WP_20200501_14_02_47_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last but absolutely not least is our dimmunitive carnival barker by Curtis Fell of Ramshackle. I've chosen to give him a bright and eye catching outfit loosely based on Dick Van Dyke's Bert out of Mary Poppins. After all, he's trying to draw a crowd. Showmanship!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2XR3DXhclF2DAXa7K6DQn3cw3tAdmPGv9-DCTORn7OSo8yXJaHAiYjh7NUPgVuAA85sh6Fe-yglU8iDz1E0bm3fE7-RBRJ9NbP5Wxk6d70GL0BK61tWr6HB9dCFdQ7RT0qx3hfaIgFg/s1600/WP_20200507_01_42_50_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2XR3DXhclF2DAXa7K6DQn3cw3tAdmPGv9-DCTORn7OSo8yXJaHAiYjh7NUPgVuAA85sh6Fe-yglU8iDz1E0bm3fE7-RBRJ9NbP5Wxk6d70GL0BK61tWr6HB9dCFdQ7RT0qx3hfaIgFg/s640/WP_20200507_01_42_50_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While not perfect, I'm reasonably pleased with the effect. He's colorful and eye catching and looks good at table distance.</div>
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Thank you for coming along for the ride. Hope to see you at the fair!</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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The Composer</div>
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The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-46872688484362828992020-05-01T15:09:00.001-05:002021-02-04T21:33:17.633-06:00Pie in the SkyPizza pie, that is. Among the assorted artists out there sculpting retro-chic miniatures right now is one Curtis Fell of Ramshackle Games. Of course, making a living sculpting things is always a challenge, so Curtis, like many artists, has set up a Patreon account. "Buy me a coffee" he says. Well . . . I did.<br />
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(It was the least I could do. He's shared his coffee with me in the actual factual. And I know how important coffee is.)<br />
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And in return he has sent his patrons (including yours truly) delicious looking resin pizza pie served up by a hulking giant of a fellow out of battered and ancient looking ovens that could have sailed on the Titanic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45Zm0jO5W3xuJNGZiUWlLlUe7cMgT_fY2dfSNc_mtovrMAdNeTkGxkyDeCeYen2SHG_4E6ciuF6RkVmQNoZRE9mi_V5B0DvuRmpg_OOHRybaGi0B_ASnnFMtfEphd-srHcjy7RZy9uDE/s1600/WP_20200427_04_16_55_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45Zm0jO5W3xuJNGZiUWlLlUe7cMgT_fY2dfSNc_mtovrMAdNeTkGxkyDeCeYen2SHG_4E6ciuF6RkVmQNoZRE9mi_V5B0DvuRmpg_OOHRybaGi0B_ASnnFMtfEphd-srHcjy7RZy9uDE/s640/WP_20200427_04_16_55_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So now there's pizza on the Tartarus Rim. The locals seem pretty eager to give it a try . . . as soon as they're allowed to take off their masks, that is. (Must be some kind of space bug going around.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq16xuGZu1_RCk9BPb_rKxdDkUe2XZtG_CmgGS7787s85rMOjiCgkZiaoSUfVIjlieAbV0JWlwQT0ffv0ROuvHfJZufdUdgwKB6dpHr_EDHBGpmdnUE1TgJ-t0q_Q9g6dBnZAbmQwW8tY/s1600/WP_20200429_14_54_00_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq16xuGZu1_RCk9BPb_rKxdDkUe2XZtG_CmgGS7787s85rMOjiCgkZiaoSUfVIjlieAbV0JWlwQT0ffv0ROuvHfJZufdUdgwKB6dpHr_EDHBGpmdnUE1TgJ-t0q_Q9g6dBnZAbmQwW8tY/s640/WP_20200429_14_54_00_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Mayday everyone. And remember essential workers of the world; United we stand.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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The Composer</div>
The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-65807779113511069282020-04-07T02:23:00.000-05:002020-04-19T01:35:18.481-05:00The (Old) Spice Must Flow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are few things in the world of Rogue Trader that elicit so much controversy as the "Deodorant Stick Skimmer," sometimes also called the "grav attack." Many of us love them as bone-fide sci-fi skullduggery from a day when there weren't too many commercial kits available. Others think . . . "Gee whiz, ma, that things probably got some smelly old hippy's pit vipers stuck in the pintle! And it still looks like a deodorant stick with toy guns!" Well, love 'em or hate 'em the Old Space Tanks are as Oldhammer as they come.</div>
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Of course I have a genuine old one painted in dodgy enamels when I was, oh, fourteen or fifteen. Who doesn't?</div>
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But I had this odd belief I could do things a bit better now. Not sure why, really. It doesn't always bear out, but . . . maybe sometimes. That said, a trip down memory lane is always worth the price of admission. So I gathered up an empty tube of the Old Spice, an assortment of bits, some toy guns, and a plastic spoon. I wanted to use this as something of a proxy for a Falcon, since my eldar are rather shy on support. One of these days I'll come into an era appropriate resin Falcon or two, but until then . . . </div>
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The first part that really spoke to me was the shell from an automotive air freshener. It's got a nice swooshy feel to it that's just right for the space elves. And hey, that means a doubly deodorizing tank! The gun isn't anything particularly special. Just something off a friend's G. I. Joe toy I had lying around from some defunct 80s project. But it needed trimming to plausibly mate with a blister. I hacked it off at the most acute angle I could manage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmX9VEYs8CdkDw9GU27MyEW3l-2jqbiTgmL7Cj8udUXgiGIDJbkM95eJv3brFy-m44Fwc9hYV-ZFELcnJNcrpArqDCZPOAuf699JSNbu-2drAL_mHMKk_JdKVP3RDWlwm7f79tbrCuEE/s1600/WP_20200329_22_18_10_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmX9VEYs8CdkDw9GU27MyEW3l-2jqbiTgmL7Cj8udUXgiGIDJbkM95eJv3brFy-m44Fwc9hYV-ZFELcnJNcrpArqDCZPOAuf699JSNbu-2drAL_mHMKk_JdKVP3RDWlwm7f79tbrCuEE/s640/WP_20200329_22_18_10_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The air freshener, conveniently, comes apart into several equally interesting bits, so I'll save a couple for later.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSOWowtTRD3dWvulbeWeTMZsgRn7U1xH8ffZH8aQq_TBgMCwatlWHhoZE-aDWRBDPmhQuNEe6x0KuYeNfxlWHRd3EfubTuBrWyFwcNH4aaJtIm9OCjWwNXV8_bEgot1KUvzCTcs4Cjpc/s1600/WP_20200329_22_18_36_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSOWowtTRD3dWvulbeWeTMZsgRn7U1xH8ffZH8aQq_TBgMCwatlWHhoZE-aDWRBDPmhQuNEe6x0KuYeNfxlWHRd3EfubTuBrWyFwcNH4aaJtIm9OCjWwNXV8_bEgot1KUvzCTcs4Cjpc/s640/WP_20200329_22_18_36_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the spoon and air freshener shell glued to the deodorant tube a little spackle served to fill the gaps. I'll sand that down later and it'll work out nicely!<br />
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Add to this a few mysterious panels and the barrel and now we're getting somewhere!<br />
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Oh yes, and the pintle mounted laser is off a Zoid. (Even the rear portion, which was a gear from a Zoid motor.) Proper old school, that! Add some vents and a drop tank and now all that's needed is paint!<br />
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After a date in the painting bay The sweet smelling Falcon proxy comes out all primerized! And poses for a compare and contrast with the original skimmer. Maybe I'll take that old one and repaint it in eldar mercenary blue, since they do look suitably similar to be members of the same basic family of fighting vehicles. I can probably find a new pintle mount and a different driver. Not quite sure. It needs some love, but I haven't quite decided how to go about that yet.<br />
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At the end of the day we have a blue skimmer of questionable utility with some suitably alien looking lettering and sigils. (The characters are Georgian numerals, if you're curious. Used quite improperly. I think that says "one ten four," which I believe is actually nonsense, but hey, it looks okay. And we can pretend it's 104 in my decimal brain.)<br />
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Oh, one small aside: Jimmy got a light kit! You might recall I built a new utility truck out of some spare Ramshackle parts and assorted odds and ends. Well, I always thought it looked a bit odd without lights, but I hadn't been able to find something suitable. The lights below turned up in a scrounge through an old Revell Robotech Trigon kit I found lying about. I've used parts from it for decades, but I thought I had lost the bulk of it years ago. Turns out I was wrong! And the lights look nice if I do say so myself.</div>
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Anyway, thanks for following along on this little diversion. Hope to catch you next time.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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The Composer</div>
<br />The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-42026070700798996082020-03-22T21:37:00.002-05:002021-02-04T21:33:55.135-06:00Snakeskin and the DuchessIn the annals of the free goblin heroes of the Tartarus Rim none rise higher than Pliss Snakeskin.<br />
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His gang, the Veridian Boyz, are among the most renowned sneakers in the known galaxy, having quietly smuggled all manner of contraband and even people through their network of agents and unlisted shuttleports, extending to even some of the most secret facilities on the most heavily guarded planets. He himself can generally be recognized by his two most prized trophies: his eyepatch, won in a long ago fight with an orc who tried to enlist his involuntary assistance, and his lucky scarf, which the story says he found while escaping a prison on the old moon of Terra itself. As with all such rumors it is impossible to confirm it, but whatever the truth the original meaning of the design is long forgotten. For Snakeskin it apparently has a newer and more personal meaning: Freedom!<br />
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Perhaps his single most notorious exploit on the Rim involved rescuing Proconsul Christos Commodus from a carefully orchestrated kidnapping by none other than the notorious Duchess of Pain Court and her gang, the Boudoir Noir.<br />
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This event that was the single most key driver behind the current Treaty of Proserpine, which grants full rights to all goblinoid and orkoid inhabitants of the sector. (At least so long as the Terran Imperial Council remains unaware of this purely local situation.)</div>
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This particular duo is of interest since the second provided me with the name and background for the first, thus linking the two of them together. The second, a limited edition Citadel Chaos Warrior, often cheekily referred to as the "Kinky Chaosette," was my first personality of 2020. I was struggling with how to paint her when a friend posted a picture of a bit of fan art to his facebook page: The Duke's Limousine out of Escape from New York. The things was, for reasons of finance, not actually shot in New York. Instead, my hometown provided the setting. Which of course endears it to me and virtually everyone else in my part of flyover country. With that car firmly in mind The Duchess was born.<br />
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(Incidentally, Pain Court was apparently once a nickname for the town, back in the very early days of French colonization. Before some other French colony asserted the trademark on the the nick. And you know what? Given what we're infamous for these days . . . I want it back!)<br />
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The preceding green fellow was actualy the penultimate miniature of 2019, and one about which I quite forgot. I think I might even have finished him in "Orktober," though don't quite me on that. He is, in point of fact, a Demonblade "Blood Claw Frother" originally released by Grenadier as a part of their K-Force range. I'd already painted the gobbo with the missile launcher out of the same pack, but what to do with the large headscarf? Of cousre! A 'Murican Flag! Why a goblin on the far reaches of space should have a U.S. flag unceremoniously draped about his noggin I didn't know, but . . . where there's a will the imagination writes a way. And really, what's more American than being rebellious and freedom loving, like our little green guy. He's an American knockoff on an Anglo classic, after all. (Which is itself a knockoff on an American knockoff on an Anglo knockoff on a bunch of Euro classics all wrapped up in a copy of the Sunday Times and served with a side of mixed pickle.) Ordinarily this much copying is supposed to lead to a grey sheet of paper, but maybe that theory isn't entirely correct. To paraphrase another son of St. Louis, ideas stolen from creations sufficiently diverse in time and culture can lead to a remarkably convincing simulacrum of greatness. (Maybe the only true genius that's out there.)<br />
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Anyway, both of these are pretty straightfoward builds. My paint slapped on someone else's sculpt. The only bit of deviousness was using a shield from the <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1033967745/bizaza-guard-ancient-frog-people-from-the-future-i">Bizaza Guard</a>. The Duchess was supposed to have one of those generic plastic shields we all know and love. Strange as this may sound, I have so very very little fantasy in my leadpile that I have none. But I figure on converting the Bizaza gang over to outer space, so they didn't really need the shield especially. (I hope.) Eh, for better or worse . . . it's hers now!<br />
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Anyway, thank you for following along. Hope you enjoyed this little detour through the realms of imagination.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
The Composer</div>
The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-86704884142520210582020-03-14T19:25:00.002-05:002021-02-04T21:36:16.040-06:00Farming the Final Frontier Part II: Pigs in Space!. . . and goats, oxen, exotic foul, and a donkey.<br />
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It is sometimes said that diversity is the spice and the spice is the life. Even at the event horizon of cataclysm it pays to have more than one salable commodity. The original settlers of the Tartarus Rim long ago realized this truism and took efforts to diversify the local economy. In addition to the bovine noifen a number of other Terran and exotic species have been cultivated over the years.<br />
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Among the more prominent is the trusty pig. Compact, hardy, and delicious, pigs remain popular throughout human space, and particularly so in those areas heavily influenced by old Earth Asian cultures.<br />
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Another Terran transplant is the venerable goat. Independent animals requiring little tending make nearly optimal transplants in areas short on both advanced technology and skilled labor, thus goats can be found nearly everywhere along the Rim.</div>
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Somewhat less Terran is the local Tartaran "Bé Xanh" or "Blue Baby" hybrid of the Terran ox.</div>
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Exotic fauna have not escaped domestication. The Blanding Terror Bird, sometimes called Hell's Chicken, has become a profitable meat export. One world's monster becomes another's delicacy. Here we see both the Terror Birds and Noifen raised in the same enclosure. Thanks to their different ecological origins the two eat neither one another nor their opposite's feed.<br />
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Of course, all that livestock needs transportation, and local tramps are generally happy to provide it. Thus the ancient Terran two D program "Pigs in Space" comes to pass, albeit less happily for the pigs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2IpG4xPIgo-mrX4TYpuwJyliX0mZfN9uxDaF-fDy2014cQsD94Mpf7i9_YBtkQcBxtvTQsQDUdy-vbsfhyphenhyphenC_RyDe3iv9SbxB9FHKarE404rHjp-cbHAagHifhN_B5X8LYSSVM3APEy0/s1600/WP_20200311_17_29_59_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2IpG4xPIgo-mrX4TYpuwJyliX0mZfN9uxDaF-fDy2014cQsD94Mpf7i9_YBtkQcBxtvTQsQDUdy-vbsfhyphenhyphenC_RyDe3iv9SbxB9FHKarE404rHjp-cbHAagHifhN_B5X8LYSSVM3APEy0/s640/WP_20200311_17_29_59_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hey, I never said the pigs were flying the spaceship! Like lambs to the slaughter we go.<br />
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As in every era, resource extraction has lead the way to the far edges of the settled universe. The "Final Frontier" would be less of a frontier without mining, ranching, and indeed farming.</div>
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. . . . .</div>
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Meanwhile behind the curtain:<br />
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Last summer at BOYL I finally came face to face with <a href="https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/">Foundry's</a> products, and among other things they have quite a large line of assorted <a href="https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/baggage-animals-and-livestock">beasties</a>, so I was able to add more diversity to my miniature ecosystem. For space livestock I picked up a good half dozen packs of miniatures; some mundane, others fantastically monstrous. Below you can see about four packs worth getting the treatment: the "<a href="https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/baggage-animals-and-livestock/products/livestock-da134">livestock</a>" set and three "<a href="https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/baggage-animals-and-livestock/products/terror-bird">terror birds</a>." These last come one to a pack, but there are three different poses. (Maybe more.) So the premium gets you some large and distinctive animals. In addition to these I also picked up the "<a href="https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/baggage-animals-and-livestock/products/gpr014-wild-pigs">wild pigs</a>" who featured so prominently above.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bVcPwDT1xPH3JMAQ7WeHKNYaL_YQaZB4Z1_5J1FDfdGJHlAquE8-LI7FBSTEawZAoj4J5b9n5Jx6qRmoDZpdQ9MhicuDEiRP2_ekb00GjN49vmgQ3wmhGjhsqn10ctC3V0uOdk-T6wE/s1600/WP_20200313_03_01_39_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bVcPwDT1xPH3JMAQ7WeHKNYaL_YQaZB4Z1_5J1FDfdGJHlAquE8-LI7FBSTEawZAoj4J5b9n5Jx6qRmoDZpdQ9MhicuDEiRP2_ekb00GjN49vmgQ3wmhGjhsqn10ctC3V0uOdk-T6wE/s640/WP_20200313_03_01_39_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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There were quite a lot of other Foundry miniatures netted in the haul. Since I was already paying to ship myself I figured I'd make a proper adventure of it. But more on those later. For now, thanks for coming along on this little exploration of the Tartarus Rim. Hope to see you next time.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
The ComposerThe Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-21352081557442440292020-03-07T12:33:00.000-06:002020-03-07T12:33:07.597-06:00Farming the Final Frontier Part I: Blind Beggar BuffaloNothing says the edge of civilization quite like the fresh smell of non-human animals in close concentrations. And we all love seeing Mal avoiding the fertilizer aboard his spaceship turned cattle car. So the Tartarus Rim needed cattle. There are a number of makers that sell traditional human cattle, and I aim to add that to the mix as well, but heroic scaled space bison in the form of a herd of <a href="http://blindbeggarminiatures.co.uk/shop/products/61c00567-5927-49bd-9ec9-461a6f99be1f">Blind Beggar's Noif</a> seemed just the thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2MQOWKf5fIX-DOtD6-S4LzxdRMEXRERIyBxa0sXMFehUTzwTZHMaopfaB4hka8JlN7Pu6q-MNtKzbjtqZbmT8Gd3hOnS2kIipGgxMIj8Kd7qbmBlZiq-asYh-vTPXZa9IZJ-Q9kSUj4/s1600/WP_20200228_14_11_47_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2MQOWKf5fIX-DOtD6-S4LzxdRMEXRERIyBxa0sXMFehUTzwTZHMaopfaB4hka8JlN7Pu6q-MNtKzbjtqZbmT8Gd3hOnS2kIipGgxMIj8Kd7qbmBlZiq-asYh-vTPXZa9IZJ-Q9kSUj4/s640/WP_20200228_14_11_47_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After all, I already had the Noif Hoider. ;-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsep3ltz4_AVn-PXsveBDqH2Ptgx2qGhR-ThVIuImtmi2EVgoMjByAYpPJNwNlZNLUs08OiZeREcDeYvW4N__aZS-1d3AABwYS1X8n_VBqwWqB7kdTsNsHuJ22jk419RQ-9l_hwsIRvDs/s1600/WP_20180219_12_19_13_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsep3ltz4_AVn-PXsveBDqH2Ptgx2qGhR-ThVIuImtmi2EVgoMjByAYpPJNwNlZNLUs08OiZeREcDeYvW4N__aZS-1d3AABwYS1X8n_VBqwWqB7kdTsNsHuJ22jk419RQ-9l_hwsIRvDs/s640/WP_20180219_12_19_13_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(In the end, I think some of the People of the Sand make better herdsfolk, so they're who I'm actually using for the job, but Bobby, above, had that title when he was first released.) Anyway, back to the beasties . . .<br />
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The models themselves are mostly resin castings, but with metal heads. They're big and somewhat odd looking, and that works well with the heroic scale and sci-fi setting of my usual gaming. They suffer from the usual casting construction problems: be ready to use the greenstuff. But . . . that's literally every multi-part metal or resin casting I've ever worked with. Honestly, even the injection molded stuff benefits from careful work around the seams.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-qVFIklyiv-Fitos76N9QAWtnCdIw70jPSdcgLx2idvQNwWqsxKH8Yh-GQV7Ost1wNrtUDU6FjjlxmMbh4yvJSSW5Pbki0I4HKfXErg3Hj4Jg2G9oFau6U9rfax5kSt96Mmsm9ajd0Q/s1600/WP_20200225_20_20_02_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-qVFIklyiv-Fitos76N9QAWtnCdIw70jPSdcgLx2idvQNwWqsxKH8Yh-GQV7Ost1wNrtUDU6FjjlxmMbh4yvJSSW5Pbki0I4HKfXErg3Hj4Jg2G9oFau6U9rfax5kSt96Mmsm9ajd0Q/s640/WP_20200225_20_20_02_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But it's not really too difficult to clean up a seam. And once they're painted up the seem pretty much disappears.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6ccdBgRJU3rp303wslR9p0qhjblis5mitcKKWpa98d5tOYIodEQBjMeYdk14ToWr-XeUx-ywDhLRy6W8DsEEi6UwAOhKuBJFY_dpnuWxgrLzYY8DbozOEivFp8cOahXuddOxrF6UNf0/s1600/WP_20200226_21_04_28_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6ccdBgRJU3rp303wslR9p0qhjblis5mitcKKWpa98d5tOYIodEQBjMeYdk14ToWr-XeUx-ywDhLRy6W8DsEEi6UwAOhKuBJFY_dpnuWxgrLzYY8DbozOEivFp8cOahXuddOxrF6UNf0/s640/WP_20200226_21_04_28_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So there you have it: Noifs! Or Noifen? Is Noif its own plural? Ah, who knows. </div>
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Just the same, glad to have you along for the ride. Please pardon the smell. You get used to it after a while. And watch where you step.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
The ComposerThe Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-78651020824599453082020-02-29T02:24:00.001-06:002021-02-04T21:36:44.490-06:00The Half JimmyTransport is always a challenge on the many near roadless mining planets and agricultural moons of the Tartarus Rim. Improvised vehicles, salvaged from the wreckage of mishap and malice, are incredibly common. The Half Jimmy might once have been a class of commercial vehicles, but its origins have become gray with time and distance. Its utility, however, is beyond question. Driving wheels make operation simple and intuitive to anyone familiar with ordinary wheeled cars, but substantial tracks taking the heavier loads give it an ability to navigate all but the most utterly impassable of trails. It isn't fast, but it will get you there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7rH5IPVGjbL1mVHzD9iYz7c2CRXnyw8iUQqIWnRHfn_18ZH1NEP49TCptwb7FFUrqr759WiXHR6JqMG6hTZyTOqXIBBEnX9Pm3l9xnNBKzYKkkL48vbEO72AhZa0WHRsyMyfWwTy6i4/s1600/WP_20200228_13_52_00_Pro-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7rH5IPVGjbL1mVHzD9iYz7c2CRXnyw8iUQqIWnRHfn_18ZH1NEP49TCptwb7FFUrqr759WiXHR6JqMG6hTZyTOqXIBBEnX9Pm3l9xnNBKzYKkkL48vbEO72AhZa0WHRsyMyfWwTy6i4/s640/WP_20200228_13_52_00_Pro-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Better still, it will help you take friends. Or equipment. Or supplies. It's a fairly versatile little vehicle. Particularly useful are some aftermarket additions: a large winch and a solid communications suite.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefgb4mZUdtHi5MrIxGmmpPzPo6hljg_HvNgOQgF5y4jgFYMJr4Erz6jL5T8OKk8SU044YfoaqTlAzEkW5xbAV8dTa1XBUptXJkOQ2k-02yIlx5T_R2T89HSVEWmRkXRAq9BEQ5GhMc3s/s1600/WP_20200228_14_01_57_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefgb4mZUdtHi5MrIxGmmpPzPo6hljg_HvNgOQgF5y4jgFYMJr4Erz6jL5T8OKk8SU044YfoaqTlAzEkW5xbAV8dTa1XBUptXJkOQ2k-02yIlx5T_R2T89HSVEWmRkXRAq9BEQ5GhMc3s/s640/WP_20200228_14_01_57_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So where did this attractive model come from, I hear you ask? The answer requires a little telling, but it's not too complex in the end. Most of it came from the fine Curtis Fell of <a href="https://shop.ramshacklegames.co.uk/index.php">Ramshackle Games</a>. Better yet, it came free! No, he isn't really in the business of giving away toys. (And if you like the fact that there are new characterful models out there I highly recommend paying him.) But castings don't always come out just so. Sometimes . . . molds break. Or resin acts up. Or probably a dozen other things I as a mere painter and putty pusher don't fully comprehend. And if you're in his vicinity he's more than happy to give you his rejects. (Rumor has it he might even include some with an order if you ask. Kind of the prize in the crackerjack box.)<br />
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Me? I never met a truck so battered I didn't think it'd look absolutely spiff! Spiff I say! . . . On some dusty forgotten gaming table. (With suitable paint and some added jewelry, that is.) When I was in the UK last summer Curtis gave me just such a bunch of misfit toys. (Expect more to arrive in the story later.) I had a cab, a bed, and a couple of tracks. So I needed wheels and . . . stuff. So on to the jewelry!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBEHhW5Da0ogx_9Fnkgjp9kbo6e28hCJo6HYQmfwqdM9modwPI1Gz-yV2TQLFEIwZo_RX9LEf9Ga5b7TATWJzP6go1HuhZkEilZiCUkTF0cqmD6yMigWDtR6cKu6M1_W_QQRuFWN2m2w/s1600/WP_20200217_12_31_12_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBEHhW5Da0ogx_9Fnkgjp9kbo6e28hCJo6HYQmfwqdM9modwPI1Gz-yV2TQLFEIwZo_RX9LEf9Ga5b7TATWJzP6go1HuhZkEilZiCUkTF0cqmD6yMigWDtR6cKu6M1_W_QQRuFWN2m2w/s640/WP_20200217_12_31_12_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mr. Cerous Rhino was a bead I got from a friend. As such, he had holes where his mouth and a$$#0! should have been. (This kind of seems appropriate, but . . . they were a little large and round.) A bit of greenstuff carefully shoved where the sun wasn't shining just then solved the . . . um . . . problem. The next thing required was wheels. These came donated from a badly worn Monogram B-24. Fenders were compliments of the end of a half used tube of epoxy. The plow was a bomb bay door off the bomber. Mixed in were jewlery parts, a cover from an electrical connector, a cell-phone antenna, and some general bits box mysteries from long forgotten trucks and motorcycles. You know. The usual suspects.</div>
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Slap some paint on it and it doesn't look half bad if I do say so myself!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfj8CglmwrkEI-Th1nGwHU6fEEVYhq7c6Y-lOG0nTDDyhHqohzt-EDqfgvuhmhAa1syJo5B79oMuzos8kAdkUH1-BG2JNuboLvcodeRDBkca7x9ZnXxjDXN5Fr0M9oCcdQRNSo75AwCQ/s1600/WP_20200225_16_28_00_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfj8CglmwrkEI-Th1nGwHU6fEEVYhq7c6Y-lOG0nTDDyhHqohzt-EDqfgvuhmhAa1syJo5B79oMuzos8kAdkUH1-BG2JNuboLvcodeRDBkca7x9ZnXxjDXN5Fr0M9oCcdQRNSo75AwCQ/s640/WP_20200225_16_28_00_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This isn't absolutely the deepest dive into bashing up a truck, but hopefully you get at least a taste of how I dream this stuff into existence. In any case, thanks for joining me on the ride!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
The ComposerThe Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-16348208579682372822020-02-07T12:31:00.001-06:002020-02-29T02:32:26.471-06:002019 in Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not only is it that time of year . . . it is past that time of year. Even if you count the East Asian Lunar New Year. Which is a part of my excuse for why I'm running so dang late: I was in Vietnam for Tet with my wife and her family. Long story. Lovely trip. Lots of food and pictures. No models.</div>
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But now that we're firmly in the year of the rat . . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbFq-e3AG-oj_GlppglPRlkkhSPbt4_-LYfDaZ7r4Y6_UxhZKg4wZ3qcc4QP6VoanGKR5azo91Bi5IM4L37fblin71vDLFP04t4t6XdnGAy6pG0Qi04Ju_2etYONN5lzAD3iR4HUAGX4/s1600/IMG_4704-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1148" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbFq-e3AG-oj_GlppglPRlkkhSPbt4_-LYfDaZ7r4Y6_UxhZKg4wZ3qcc4QP6VoanGKR5azo91Bi5IM4L37fblin71vDLFP04t4t6XdnGAy6pG0Qi04Ju_2etYONN5lzAD3iR4HUAGX4/s400/IMG_4704-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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. . . Let us review the year of pig.</div>
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The year got off to a pretty solid start, actually. The first project of 2019 was this big pig: The Rainbow Connection. Absolutely one of my proudest models of recent memory. And one on the to-do list for an awfully long time. Scratch one off for the record books!</div>
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No. 2 was a paper shuttle. Interesting experiment. More durable than it looks. Not bad, really.<br />
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No. 3 was this fine avian looking fellow below. Rather villainous, if I do say so. The mayor of villainy!</div>
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No. 4 was this oddball steam walker I added to the Delightful Dreadlies.</div>
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No. 5 was a Jess Goodwin genstealer hybrid.</div>
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No. 6 was a big fuel truck only an ogre can love.<br />
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7 and 8 were two gobbos: one from Karkeel and the second from Demonblade.<br />
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No. 9 was a landspeeder with a sinister smile: a landshark, if you will.<br />
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No. 10 was a stinking grox angry at those who would hope to burgherize him.<br />
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No. 11 was a classic old-school Rhino.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs-3QjZtxfrLm_BMOHkNFowaUbQk9PZgt7hUA3hyphenhyphensJ0ZQputzmwx6lCUmQsDlLYgizRDFETOIC5kXWT6G2yWEK8Fo-wzgOyZne_nn600yXzaYIy2kE6z_Kl0xbLICYQonZF73mD3ycnE/s1600/WP_20190417_02_36_11_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs-3QjZtxfrLm_BMOHkNFowaUbQk9PZgt7hUA3hyphenhyphensJ0ZQputzmwx6lCUmQsDlLYgizRDFETOIC5kXWT6G2yWEK8Fo-wzgOyZne_nn600yXzaYIy2kE6z_Kl0xbLICYQonZF73mD3ycnE/s640/WP_20190417_02_36_11_Pro-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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No. 12 was a Whirlwind. Lucky 7! (Why is this twelve? Should be box cars, but . . . ah well.)<br />
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13 was a magical mystery dwarf. Yes, dwarves too can work magic. Honest!<br />
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14 stands sentinel with the Moab Militia.<br />
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15 was a medic for the unit.</div>
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16 is the brass for said.</div>
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17 and 18 is a pair of armored Bob Olley dwarves. It's all about the mechanical beards!</div>
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19 was a classic Olley space pirate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-a7nScut-H3LkSHCjCvBvHHa08yvQ1JL7keuUwTWYgYpEdCcsUOTdm0z0lajBoccrq_OHEh5z5tx4hlWebNVC6iWGJDaxQiaA66Pqzjy9213gRjkuKGC-hPGzmDk4hTGAw4VC9ZAJN8/s1600/WP_20190513_21_34_26_Pro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-a7nScut-H3LkSHCjCvBvHHa08yvQ1JL7keuUwTWYgYpEdCcsUOTdm0z0lajBoccrq_OHEh5z5tx4hlWebNVC6iWGJDaxQiaA66Pqzjy9213gRjkuKGC-hPGzmDk4hTGAw4VC9ZAJN8/s320/WP_20190513_21_34_26_Pro-1.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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All of this, equalling my entire 2018 output by numbers and vastly exceeding it by mass, was finished by June. And then in July I was whisked off to the UK for three solid months and I've been fighting to get back on my feet ever since. So . . . crickets.</div>
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At some point, nearly forgotten, I managed to paint a little Demonblade gobbo. I was struggling to decide how to paint his dew-rag, so . . . Freedom for the win! (Why an short orkoid is wearing a flag from some forgotten empire we may never know.)</div>
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No. 20: Pliss Snakeskin.</div>
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Last of the year, no. 21 was a Ramshackle chaos warrior for the Oldhammer Forum Miniature Exchange painted in the fading hours of late December.</div>
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This is what happens when you're proud of getting something done. Hubris has a price. I said "I suppose it's statistically unlikely there will be quite so many distractions competing for my attention." Boy was I wrong about that! Keep your mouth shut, David.</div>
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Still, it wasn't a bad year at all, really, even if short. Unlike 2018 I actually DID accomplish some of the goals I had set out previously: to wit, the gang now has a starship big enough to make story sense, but compact enough to fit on a table. And a quite delightful one, I think. And I got other ships done. (Well, other ship, really.) So there's now a modest collection of ships to grace a starport. Enough to make a place look almost busy. :)</div>
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So all that's left is to set out some goals for 2020. Dangerous, I know:</div>
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1. The gang STILL needs a hideout.</div>
2. It would be nice if all my spaceports didn't look quite so similar, so more spaceport accessories.<br />
3. More buildings would be nice. A temple and a bar in particular. Maybe a fancy house. (I'm having some ideas there.)<br />
4. Maybe a few more civilian vehicles to clog up city streets.<br />
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So let's maybe make 2020 a terrain year. Sure, I have a mountain of miniatures to paint. But no particular goals. We'll just let whimsy take its course there. But terrain, that'll be a good goal.<br />
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Anyway, thank you for following along. Sorry for the long silence. Hope with me I can actually spend more time at home than continents away for a while. (I love travel, but there's a limit.) Onward year of the rat!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
The Composer<br />
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<br />The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-50205837970059772622019-05-17T02:26:00.000-05:002019-05-17T02:26:08.724-05:00Rhino Conservation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In my quest to build a local military for the Tartarus Rim I found myself shopping the used tank market and acquired these two Jim Dandies. Both fairly low mileage. Probably no major battles, just a border skirmish or two. The first previously belonged to an Orkish band, if the dealer is to be believed. This one was in basic black and had all the original fittings, save for the headlights. Maybe orks don't fight at night. Or maybe \they understand that lights just attract fire and so they prefer to use passive sensors. Either way, local doctrine required at least one light be mounted for emergencies, so we'd have to come up with that somewhere, but otherwise evict the freebooters, change the locks, slap on a new coat of paint, and this sucker was ready for a new life.</div>
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(Photo courtesy of eBay used tank dealer game-sgt.)</div>
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The second is a rescue dog. (All the best dogs are rescues!) It had a few more miles and had clearly seen some action, but the tracks were good and the headlights worked. In fact, it had two. That's one problem solved! It didn't have all the fancy fittings, but the exhaust pipes hadn't rusted out, which was nice. Of cousre, it had a UK style right hand drive, which just wouldn't do, and someone had welded the top in place, so that would require fixing. But in general, this was modable. Fixable. Good material.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq5gEfRAOW8hSdWnmJ2FGZSITOA5xRz8d6o9XT4mH0t7YIEE_pLvURamkmw_AkZbihieBKMGiFLxOC-ygkf67zvCbLvq9PjJxBnnjhLYPXQw6_e53OGVo9B_prQqJPJQTOhyphenhyphen48sPOWeo/s1600/s-l1600+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq5gEfRAOW8hSdWnmJ2FGZSITOA5xRz8d6o9XT4mH0t7YIEE_pLvURamkmw_AkZbihieBKMGiFLxOC-ygkf67zvCbLvq9PjJxBnnjhLYPXQw6_e53OGVo9B_prQqJPJQTOhyphenhyphen48sPOWeo/s640/s-l1600+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Photo courtesy of eBay's ratman3022.)</div>
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The Cerous-Rhino was easier. With the headlight liberated from the wolf tank, a few sealed openings, and a fresh coat of paint the green wagon became a nice cozy pinky pusher.</div>
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Not too shabby if I do say so myself! Bringing the mighty wind back from the wolf time was a little more work, but it too was achievable. Below you can see it with the markings rubbed out, the drive moved to the left as it should be (and thus the boss man's perch moved to the right), and the top removed for repairs. To get all the hatches to work the rotating structure needed a little push aft and some shaving to port and starboard.</div>
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Here you can see how the new command perch works. The commander who will occupy the catbird seat can be seen to left above, also trimmed down considerably. There's really not much detail, since you won't be able to see much. The perch is the dorsal turret off a B-17, I believe it was. (Though B-24 and 25 models use the same or similar parts. The positions are similar enough looking in reality that I'd not be a bit surprised if they were all produced to the same plan.) Beyond that, I painted the interior a nice zinc-chromate color, so that if you see it, it will at least be green.</div>
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Once sealed back up she received a coat of paint, a unit ID, and some appropriate custom art.</div>
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Anyway, long story short, it was fun painting with the big brush for a little while.The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-58557150370078247032019-05-10T23:23:00.003-05:002019-05-10T23:23:51.184-05:00An Exorcise in Caution Part II: To Dance With the Devil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Previously on <a href="http://www.thetartarusrim.com/2019/05/an-exorcise-in-caution-part-i-etude.html">An Exorcise in Caution</a>, Lucas Warmbier, the ancient scion of the Burkhan Kaldun dwarven engineer's guild, was tasked with studying Terran equipment and tactics under the guise of a joint exercise without letting the Terrans learn too much in turn. We find Lucas sitting in his sidecar and watching the parade from the starport.</div>
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Lucas thought to himself and jotted down a few notes as he watched the troops roll onto the field. His task was ostensibly to serve as "blue team" defending the shuttleport against an alien incursion from "red team." With the one twist that "red team" was, in fact, a mixed company of Terran marines and army troopers. No matter how this came out, it ought to be interesting and educational, and the weather was lovely, so . . . Lucas was ready. If the other fellow would march his men up the hill Lucas would march his down again and see where that left everyone when all the smoke bombs and flashing lights cleared up.</div>
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The basic plan fell into the broad category called "Let the Wookie Win" by fans of old earth theatre. Hopefully in this case, since it was a contest of strength, it wouldn't prove too difficult to make that convincing.The real question was to see how strong the big hairy monster from humanity's ancient past really was, and whether that monster had half the tactical acumen to match its ancestor's be damned strength. Still, it paid to at least try to deploy well. Immediately outside the spaceport gate was a replica castle with enough mass and care to be genuinely useful. To approach the spaceport gates, which were themselves fortified with modern plascrete, the would be attacker would inevitably need to pass quite close to the castle. So Lucas put a strong force both within and without the fortress. To the east, on his right flank, he deployed the Bradislav brothers (a quartet of enormously tall ogres), a mobile rocket launcher, and a squadron of Burkhan Kaldun's finest petrocavalry, including the younger Ganbaatar. </div>
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The left he anchored with Moab's most veteran lifers, a squad of Burkhan Kaldun's most experienced, a small artillery battery, and a mobile reserve mounted in an APC.</div>
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Outside the castle that dominated the center Warmbier arrayed his hearthgard and a scout walker as further mobile reserve.</div>
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The fortress itself was defended by two squads from the Logansport 1st, one mounted on the battlements and at the firing slits below and a second held in reserve in the bailey, where they could easily deploy to either flank, should reinforcements be required.</div>
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And finally it was time to test the theory. Gaius Josephus had arrived with his troops in tow and they were indeed marching down the hill. The referees set off the first smoke pots and declared the opening salvos to have missed.</div>
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But the fighting was fast and thick. Before the dwarves could even bring it to bear their microwave cannon emplacement was declared disabled with suitable pyrotechnics for punctuation.</div>
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Luke's defenders finally gained a measure of retribution when the howitzers and SAWs began to score hits on the heavy suits.</div>
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On the right the mobile artillery was jusdged to have scored against further vac troopers.</div>
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But the cavalry charge was disrupted and one of Burkhan Kaldun's own vac suits was obliged to play the role of casualty.<br />
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Just as the mobile arty was itself removed from play the ogre brothers made a valiant charge at the Terran left.<br />
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At the end of the day the referees called the exercise a draw, but Warmbier was fairly certain Josephus had convincingly gotten the best of him. Those Terran Marines really were fairly fear inspiring units, particularly the chaps in the heaviest turtle suits and the gent wearing the walking tank. The pocket panzer was a force to be reckoned with, much more dangerous than a scout walker, even if there was a superficial resemblance. There was just no arguing with force shields without something along the lines of a microwave gun or a plasma projector; something with a good chance of overpowering them. They'd have to ask Captain de Bayamon for more intel. In any case, no matter the outcome, Luke hoped he and the other Rim officials had learned enough if push ever came to shove.</div>
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Meanwhile behind the curtain . . .</div>
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Jay Bobson and his brightly colorful Star Marines played the role of the Terrans. I, of course, played the Rim defenders. We mostly used Rogue Trader, but with a few tweaks. Since I was defending, I deployed first, and Jay reacted to that. His goal was to capture and hold the entrance to the spaceport. The graphic below gives an approximate view of the battlefield. The top is a low ridegeline with a rocky promontory at its center. on the right a road angles through the low spot in the ridge and down past the castle. The barrier walls at left guard the entrance to the starport, with the resort world's signature castle beside it. Some scattered woods and a few coral walls from a farmer's pasture land provide a bit of cover.</div>
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The one significant change we made was a turn sequence modification inspired by Bolt Action: we used a card draw to determine who would go next. Jay had red cards and I black for each of our units. Also included was one joker. Shuffle the deck and draw. Whatever comes up determines who can activate. The joker ends the turn and whoever has not already moved simply does nothing.</div>
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In theory this means you want to move your important units early, but I think we had too many cards. Not only did we include them for squads, but also for personalities in the cases where they moved separately. This meant there were lots of cards in the deck, so the joker wasn't particularly likely to come up in any particular draw. This dulled the "whammy" aspect of each draw and made the turns run longer.</div>
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For next time I think a better system would be to have every personality a member of a squad. If squad and personality satisfy unit cohesion rules, you may activate them together. If they are acting independently perhaps it should be one or the other. No reason you couldn't use a future card to activate the other part, but that would automatically mean you won't be moving everything, even if the joker comes up dead last. This creates a natural cost to detached operations. (The same could probably work for any detached element.) Sure, you can do more subtle stuff, but the more complex chain of command will slow you down. I think I can live with that. And with fewer cards the odds of the joker coming up increases dramatically. Winner winner!</div>
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Which brings up another thought: we both used snipers. Snipers could be the one exception to a couple of rules. They should probably be the only units allowed to target individual person-sized models. And they could perhaps all act on a single activation phase, unit cohesion or not. After all, snipers always act independently. That's just what they do. But one card should probably still suffice for all of them.</div>
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Anyway, I think we both had a good time, though long games and hard concrete floors aren't the friendliest on the tootsies. And obviously this will all work better as we get our stride back and settle on some major combat rules that satisfy both of us. In the end, I'd love to maybe shepherd a campaign through the distant stars, so we do need to find good rules.</div>
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As always, thank you for reading along. I hope you enjoyed the yarn as much as I.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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The Composer</div>
<br />The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-18433487247929581022019-05-05T01:40:00.000-05:002019-05-05T01:40:14.364-05:00Miniature RescueSo a while back I picked up a few assorted Citadel Imperial Guard to flesh out my Logansport 1st. Some of that was easy.<br />
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But some of it required significant work. The medic below, for instance, had no face.</div>
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And I'm suffering from a severe shortage of IG arms, soon to be corrected, thanks to a fantastic oldhamerer named VonKortez who blogs over at <a href="http://vanhaavasarointia.blogspot.com/">Vanhaa Vasarointia</a>, but in the meantime some sculpting was required.<br />
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I won't say that these are particularly elegant jobs, but they painted up okay. I'd consider the miniatures rescued. Project successful.</div>
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In addition to this, I also finally got my living ancestor and a couple of Olley armored space dwarves done. These aren't rescues. Not a thing wrong with them. In fact, everything about them is pretty much just right. :)</div>
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These are some of the later "not Squats" sci-fi dwarves Bob Olley sculpted for David Gravens of <a href="http://www.collecting-miniatures.com/olley/index.php/Fantastic_Miniatures">Fantastic Miniatures</a>, but . . . Olley is Olley. They look pretty flash alongside the old Egginators.<br />
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And since there were extra arms you can even mix and match with the classics. You get different weapons options, new models, the whole ball of wax. Good deal! Darn crying shame Gravens seems to have closed up shop. But you can find them every now and then on the bay if you keep your eyes open.</div>
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Anyway, that's about all for this update. Thank you for joining me, and have fun painting and gaming!</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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The Composer</div>
<br />The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-79319838865875047962019-05-05T00:49:00.000-05:002019-05-25T23:22:18.265-05:00An Exorcise in Caution Part I: Etude Tableau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Continuing from <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2019/04/oh-i-looked-over-jordan-soldiers-view.html">Oh, I look over Jordan: A Soldier's View of Paradise</a> . . .</div>
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Lucas Warmbier wished he hadn't forgotten his pipe as he fidgeted and stared at the sky on the ride. His escort, the elder Ganbaatar brother Galbadrakh, was a fine cyclist and machinist, but not much of a conversationalist. Far too stoic. But they were nearly at the castle and the air was warm and the day clear and cloudless. Soon he would learn what Colorado, the esteemed Rex-Avis matriarch, had up her sleeve this time.</div>
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And quick as that there they were. With Rex-Avis were her constant companion Sir Stanley Ursaline-Drakemore and the minuscule Kitty Luong, which meant Walker was about somewhere, and probably other's of Colorado's household. And of course Captain Temur was there as well, which implied this was bigger than just a trade meeting between the Burkhan Kaldun Prime guild and the Rex-Avis clan. It was beginning to look as though this might involve half the rim.</div>
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"Lucas!" Colorado chirped. "So glad to see you! I have news from the Proconsul himself."</div>
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Ganbaatar rumbled at that. "Comodus? He's involved in this?"</div>
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"Indeed. It's largely his idea. His and Lord Whye's. And they've entrusted us with carrying it out."</div>
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At this Luke's interest was piqued. "Oh? What does he have in mind?"</div>
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"Some months back," Colorado began, "we found ourselves on the wrong side of some agents in the employ of the Imperial Inquisition. They stole some very promising technology from our trade mission to the Kingdom of Colores."</div>
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"I heard a bit about that," Lucas replied. "But you retrieved it without further incident, correct?"</div>
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At this Sir Stanley interjected: "Not . . . exactly. We were able to secure it, but there was quite assuredly an incident. We manged to keep it controlled, and spun the worst of it in such a way the Terrans couldn't pin it directly to us. At least not easily. But there were probably suspicions. And lately they've been sending far too many embassies and trade missions for comfort. Most recently, they sent a Legate named Gaius Josephus."</div>
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"Oh?" said Captain Temur, looking up a touch startled.</div>
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"We're afraid much of it is spying in advance of a military expedition. Or possibly even a full scale re-invasion," Sir Stanley finished.</div>
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"To that end," continued Colorado "we must learn as much about their current military capacity as we can, even if we cannot afford to spend the sorts of resources Terra can. So Lord Whye suggested that we call for a joint exercise in the name of preparing for possible alien incursion."</div>
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"From whom?" Temur asked.</div>
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"Oh, possibly the gobs. Or maybe the gators," Colorado responded.</div>
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"But we've got peace with the gobbos for now!" Temur said in surprise.</div>
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"The Terrans don't know that," Sir Stanley interjected. "Nor do they particularly need to. And the centauroid gators could be a real threat. Where they go the hexapods usually seem to follow." </div>
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"The hexxies do seem to scare the pants off the Terrans, now that you mention it," Temur answered.<br />
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"So the idea is we present them with sufficient flashy distraction that they look towards that instead of straight at us. And while we're preparing alongside them we're carefully studying what they can do." Colorado seemed quite pleased with herself at this.<br />
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"If we can study them during an exercise you can be damned sure they can study us too," Lucas responded.<br />
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"So we have to make sure we don't let them see everything. Let them win." Colorado said flatly. "But don't let them know you let them win."<br />
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Everyone blinked a bit at this. "We don't have to tell them everything. No need to demonstrate the full alliance, for instance. We're not inviting the Crimson Dragons for the moment. As an example."<br />
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"So you want us to act. And to let them win," Ganbaatar said.<br />
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"Precisely," Colorado replied. "In the end, it's a game. No one dies. We all go home. And we all learn something. We just flash the lights right so the audience sees what we want them to see. And we make darn sure we're paying careful attention and looking in the right spot, else they pull the trick on us. Agreed?"<br />
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Lucas pondered this for a moment. "I can't speak for all the Lords, but you can count on our hearth, at least. I'll take the proposition back to Burkhan Kaldun and see where it goes."<br />
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"Very good," Colorado replied. "Can you deploy a trustworthy unit here in the next few weeks?"<br />
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"Absolutely," Ganbaatar answered. "We have my best company aboard the Chingis Khagan in orbit right now."<br />
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"That will do nicely," Sir Stanley said quietly. He was fairly certain Ganbaatar referred to a unit from the infamous "Flaming" Burkhan Kaldun Fifth. "Captain Temur has orders to bring the Logansport First. Between the two of you there should be enough hands to accomplish the task. But keep the important details close to the vest. There's too much riding on this."<br />
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Barely a day later elements of the <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2019/04/oh-i-looked-over-jordan-soldiers-view.html">Logansport 1st regiment were landing in the spaceport</a>, debarking into the fine spring weather, and marching to join their short, but stout cousins from Burkhan Kaldun. This should be interesting, Luke Warmbier thought to himself as he sat and watched.<br />
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So that's why Sgt. Angad Powell was on Thalia! Suddenly all that motion in <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2019/04/oh-i-looked-over-jordan-soldiers-view.html">A Soldier's View of Paradise</a> makes more sense. Stay tuned for the exciting next episode, An Exorcise in Caution Part II: Smoke and Mirrors.<br />
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As always, thank you for reading along.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
The ComposerThe Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7807840795432008860.post-42283020179301361602019-04-18T00:04:00.000-05:002019-05-25T23:20:28.799-05:00Oh, I Looked Over Jordan: A Soldier's View of Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They'd been on Hecate all of three days on their most recent R&R and already orders had come down to move. Excercises, Angad grumbled to himself. Probably the ass end of nowhere out on Blanding or something. "R&R. It's really Redeployment and Repositioning" he muttered. Nevertheless, he mustered his squad and marched them to the shuttle.</div>
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As he rounded the nose of the venerable Starlifter he noticed APCs and brother Arty trundling up. And in the distance some half-converted field tractor from some forgotten moon's excuse for a museum. "Damn curious to see so much armor on the move too," he thought. He hadn't even been aware they'd brought the wagons.</div>
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Starlifters were a little leggier than the more usual Thunderchickens and Dragonflies. (Probably owing to the utter lack of things that go boom in a useful manner. Or things that stop the other guy from knocking all your organs out.) That couldn't bode well. But at least they usually didn't smell too bad. At least there would be seats. Would beat the Pinzgauer humping the Hippo.<br />
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. . . Well, so be it. They loaded up and off they went. After a surprisingly short journey of precisely one jump the shuttles were burning through atmo again. "Well that was quick. Of course, from Hecate that could be about anywhere . . . "</div>
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The air was fresh as he stepped off the shuttle. The temperature was remarkably clement. And . . . spires rose over the concrete shuttleport walls. Castle spires. "The Kaerites stars? Thalia, most likely. Damn peculiar indeed." The landing strip was a positive hive of activity as several shuttles disgorged their cargo at once. "Must be the whole damn regiment." he thought.</div>
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The next installment of the story can be found in <a href="https://www.thetartarusrim.com/2019/05/an-exorcise-in-caution-part-i-etude.html">An Exorcise in Caution Part I: Etude Tableau</a>.</div>
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Meanwhile beyond the fourth wall . . .</div>
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Not a big piece of story here yet. Mostly just needed an excuse to show off some new acquisitions. The Logansport 1st has been building for a while, ever since PFC Bush found her way into the abandoned elf city in the dust on Moab. At first I acquired old IG in dribs and drabs along with other things. Recently I've gotten more systematic about it. I've been collecting this since Rhinos came three to a box, but I never managed to build my first until now. (I had a thing for Predators and Land Raiders. Don't ask. Both are lovely, but clearly I was a silly child.) Long story short: I'm finally building the IG army I should have built thirty years ago. And what better way to show it than a good old-fashioned deployment. The squad seen in the first few shots is new, as is the armor. In the last two photographs you can see them joining up with some of the previous unit members. There's probably a solid reinforced platoon now. Not a company yet, but a very strong platoon.</div>
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Anyway, thank you for reading along.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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The Composer</div>
The Composerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009448596738385017noreply@blogger.com14