| Pages: [1] :: one page |
| Author |
Thread Statistics | Show CCP posts - 0 post(s) |
GanSho
Mystic Lion Hearts
Sev3rance
   |
Posted - 2010.03.17 19:33:00 -
[1]
Providence in Flames
*GanSho activates his broadcast from the Armageddon Class Battleship Poltava III*
As I'm writing this, the final preparations for an assault on a vast fleet of Atlas Alliance Battleships are made. As these are most likely the final minutes of this incarnation of GanSho, before finally being ascended to heaven, I will tell you the story of the Battles that -7- has so far put up in defense of their constellation, as I have no doubt that these are stories that deserve to be told and not forgotten.
The past weeks have seen many Systems of the Providence Holder Coalition being taken over by superior Forces of Against ALL Authorities, Atlas Alliance, Ushra'Khan and Systematic Chaos, assisted by Cult of War, Gentlemen's Club, En Garde and various smaller entities. The Sev3rance High Command was always aware of the fact that a large Nullsec Entity would be able to overrun our space pretty quickly, especially with the new Infrastructure System that was put up by CONCORD recently. So preparations were made to meet those new circumstances properly and focus on skirmish style warfare until the moment is right.
First steps
We got the first glimpse of what to come about two weeks ago, as Daisho Syndicate planted 5 Sovereignity Blockade Units in the Solar System B-WPLZ. Additionally, a Small Amarr and a heavily armed Large Minmatar Tower went up. With the help of Cold STEEL Alliance, Paxton Federation and CVA the undefended SBUs got removed pretty quickly, the Towers put into reinforced mode and along with some 60 Modules taken down after their strontium bays burned all their fuel.
Everybody in -7- was quite puzzled, as the enemy did not even make an attempt to defend their Structures with anything more than a couple of Stealthbombers, but it was also clear that this would hardly have been the last time we saw the enemy. And back they came indeed.
Setting the Scene
We always anticipated KBP7-G to be the logical initial target of any invasion force, however - in this we were mistaken.
Almost to the day a week ago Forward Elements led by Atlas Alliance and backed up by Sodalitas XX and Daisho Syndicate, deployed SBUs in the Solar System of XHQ-7V. We quickly scrambled a fleet to remove the hostiles, but without the cover of a Cynosural System Jammer reinforcments along with several (Super-) Capital ships quickly bridged in, managed to cripple our heavily outnumbered fleet, and put the Outpost and the Infrastructure HUB into reinforced mode.
We knew that this time the enemy would show up to finish the job at wich his subordinate Alliances have failed so blatantly. To quote a Pilot from Atlas Alliance:
[ 21:19:59 ] Vera Vagabond > we will blot the sky with zealots
An FC meeting with CVA was called in and we played through a couple of possibillities. Atlas was so far well known for fielding vast numbers of long range fitted Heavy Assault Cruisers, who have a handy speed advantage over Battleships, making them difficult to pin in place, but are also a lot weaker tanked than Battleships. We quickly concluded that the proper answer to that kind of fleet would be the feared amarrian "Pulsepoc", the infamous name for Apocalypse-class Battleships equipped with Megapulse Lasers, Scorch Lenses and modules that enheance their already huge range advantage over the inferior ships of other races.
However; Atlas would most likely not be alone, so we had to take into account that ships from Ushra'Khan, Against ALL Authorities and their friends would also form independant fleets of Sniper Battleships, wich easily outrange Pulsepocs at the cost of tracking. So the decission was made to mix individual Wings of Sniper Battleships with a single Wing of Pulsepocs, who would have independant commanders and target assignment.
Please re-size your signature to the maximum allowed of 400 x 120 pixels with a maximum file size of 24000 bytes. Zymurgist |
GanSho
Mystic Lion Hearts
Sev3rance
|
Posted - 2010.03.17 19:39:00 -
[2]
Edited by: GanSho on 17/03/2010 19:50:55
The Battle
The hours to the end of the reinforced mode of our Infrastructure Hub trickled down slowly, as we began to form our fleet. Scouts reported a large buildup of Atlas forces in Rahadalon, more than 200 Heavy Assault Cruisers, Battlecruisers and various support vessels were hanging in Jump Portal range of one of their Titans.
In the meantime our own fleet was moved into the System. 256 Pilots - the maximum supported number of Pilots - joined in eagerness of the upcoming battle.
As expected Against ALL Authorities and Ushra'Khan were quick to form a Fleet of about 100 Pilots - set up in Battleships along with long range HACs - to support Atlas, even The Star Fraction seized advantage of the moment to camp KBP with a smaller fleet without any thread of opposition. But there was nothing more for the brave Pilots of Providence Holders than to wait unti the enemy finally decides to enter XHQ. The timer trickled slowly.
5 minutes...
4 minutes...
3 minutes...
there!
multiple cynosural Beacons lighted in 100+ AU distance, enemy fleets are bridging in! The alignment order was given and our fleet begins the long warp to one of the cynos. Some more seconds to wait, some more heartbeates, and it would begin.
I don't remember if my prayer to the Lord was silent or spoken loudly in those last seconds, the next thing I do remember is, how my Pulsepoc landed in total carnaged. The cyno we warped to apparently was the cyno the .-A-./UK Fleet used to bridge in and my Optical targeting devices were close to a total breakdown as finally the 200 Atlas HACs warped into the scene.
I also remember one of my younger Crewmembers asking me if we should already warp our ship out to fight another day, as the intensity of targetting Systems, Laser Fire, Railgun Bullets and Artillery Shells was causing the space itself to get ripped in ways no physicist could ever have anticipated, and I have to admit that for a slight moment I hesitated with the answer I gave her:
No!
We stand and fight! Right here, right now! This was the moment we have waited for, this was the battle we have waited for, and nothing - not even the space itself - would stop us from fighting it to the end!
The fight lasted for over an hour. The names of hostile Battleship Pilots bellowed by the FC, the names of hostile HAC
Pilots silently broadcasted for the Pulsepoc Wing. Explosions left, right and center. I had absolutely no idea how our fleet was doing, but after some time that felt like ages, the enemies began to warp off. I switched to my Battleship Overview and there was nothing left. Immediately alignment Orders were given, to take out the now vulnerable Blockade Units while the enemy was licking his wounds. As soon as we began to shoot said structures our directional scanner went hot again, as the enemy warped back in at 100km distance. This time, no Orders at all were given by the FC, as all Wings knew wich target broadcasts to follow. No hostile Battleships were left, so all Wings focussed fire on individual Targets, whose hull almost melted alone with the number of targetting lasers being put onto them.
Then desaster struck. All my Monitors and controls went suddenly blank and I looked at one of my Crewmembers to tell me what just happened. Nothing was responding, but my chief engineer assured me that this problem would be fixed in an hour.
outrage!
I was supposed to be back with my brothers, fighting, not sitting on an emergency warpout spot without the possibillity to do anything! A single hostile stealthbomber with a probe launcher could scan my ship down and kill me without having to fear any countermeasures! Minutes went by, and finally the problem was found - a broken graphical adapter in the Combat Information Central of the ship let all displays go blank. I assisted my cheif mechanic with the replacement and sighted in relief when finally the controls of my ship went back alive.
|
GanSho
Mystic Lion Hearts
Sev3rance
|
Posted - 2010.03.17 19:44:00 -
[3]
But as soon as I ventured back to the scene of the fighting total amazement bewildered my mind: our fleet glided slowly through space while hundereds upon hundereds of wrecks and drones littered the space. It was literally possible to venture the 100 kilometer distance between the SBU and the gate with nothing more than magnetic boots attached.
A couple of hostile ships and pods managed to jump out of the System before Interdiction spheres were put up to intercept their last remaining ships. More than 100 Haevy Assault Crafts of the enemy were reduced to smoldering wrecks in that battle, along with over 30 Battleships and several dozens of support vessels, for only 35 losses of mostly cheap
Tacklers. Over 25 billion ISK in damage were inflicted, whole fleets of Haulers and Salvagers were organized to pick off the expensive cargo of the wrecks, the infrastructure HUB getting repaired in the night.
The Aftermath
We all knew that the enemy would come back soon, with more ships and Pilots and almost exactly two days later the System was flooded with almost 500 hostiles - hurt in their pride of having lost a battle wich they should have won - to again seize control of our System. Again we prepared a fleet, but being so heavily outnumbered we opted to leave the System after having destroyed some 80ish of the enemy ships for 80 losses.
The XHQ Station has since changed hands to Sodalitas XX Alliance, and after destroying one of their Territory Claim Units the System is almost permanently camped by large hostile Fleets. KBP is camped permanently by Atlas and Ushra'Khan who, in their rage of losing ships to our small Battlecruiser Gangs, have wardecced us to seek their luck versus unarmed Haulers in empire - with Star Fraction most likely following soon.
===========================
Back to the presence. All four remaining Systems of our Space got SBUed. Our FC just asked the final question of wich all Pilots answered without hesitation: "yes". So our Fleet of 25 Closerange Battleships initiated Warp to a Fleet of 100+ hostile Battleships. Once we come out of warp we will take out as much hostiles as we can before we go down in flames. My Mega Pulse Lasers are pre-Overheated, tactical Overviews sorted, Drones ready to be launched. There we go, may the Lord be with our Fleet and may he rain down death and destruction to our enemies! o7
|
Silas Vitalia
Khanid Provincial Vanguard
|
Posted - 2010.03.17 19:56:00 -
[4]
Well-written. May your crews fight and die honorably, should that be their fate.
Alternatively, consider a career in journalism, I found the writing quite good.
Silas Vitalia
CEO Khanid Provincial Vanguard
Open for Recruitment!
|
Gigis Nooj
Caldari
KINGS OF EDEN
Sev3rance
|
Posted - 2010.03.17 20:17:00 -
[5]
Fantastic account. Our ships are already lost. The question is how many of the enemy can we take with us?
|
Butter Dog
Gallente
The Littlest Hobos
Ushra'Khan
|
Posted - 2010.03.17 21:29:00 -
[6]
It's interesting... I can recall another recent battle where over 100 of a certain ship-type was destroyed in Providence.
----------
~bitter dog~
etc |
Namelessness
Amarr
KINGS OF EDEN
Sev3rance
|
Posted - 2010.03.17 21:50:00 -
[7]
To our opponents: congratulations!
To our brave and valiant pilots: a mighty 07, you honor us!
|
Eran Mintor
Minmatar
Valklear Guard
|
Posted - 2010.03.17 22:50:00 -
[8]
A very compelling story...
If all you say is true, then you are very noble warriors, and I commend you. It is unfortuante that there is no changing the Will of Allah; as you said, the outcome is clear. Though what chapter comes next is uncertain.
God bless, and peace be with you.
------------------------------------------------
|
Snakester
Caldari
IronPig
Sev3rance
|
Posted - 2010.03.17 23:41:00 -
[9]
 Originally by: Butter Dog
It's interesting... I can recall another recent battle where over 100 of a certain ship-type was destroyed in Providence.
Well dear Butters, write your account of said battle .... Gansho is primarily writing about the one battle where we out thought u and out fought u, he never denied theres been other battles where weve lost. I can Guarantee something tho dear Butters, the fights around steel/-7- const weve never outnumberd u.
Snake.
Sig removed, inappropriate link. ~Saint |
Lord Makk
Trust Doesn't Rust
Ushra'Khan
|
Posted - 2010.03.18 07:30:00 -
[10]
But trading stolen control towers to replace lost fleet ships is an advantage WE have Snakester 
|
zoolkhan
Minmatar
Mirkur Draug'Tyr
Ushra'Khan
|
Posted - 2010.03.18 08:04:00 -
[11]
good report. thank you.
and yes, even when fighting for the wrong reasons ... some tales deserve to be told.
o7
recruiting -forum
|
Icarus3
Gallente
DAEDALUS X
The Star Fraction
|
Posted - 2010.03.18 10:27:00 -
[12]
A pleasantly honest approach according to information I've obtained. I commend the bravery of you and your pilots. I also commend the recognition you have given to the Ushra'Khan and their allies. Too often providence residents are denying Ushra'Khan of their claim to glory.
|
Dogbeast
Minmatar
Darkwave Technologies
Blade.
|
Posted - 2010.03.19 04:56:00 -
[13]
Was a good read.
Could almost imagine myself there watching the fight occur. |
Xina Tutor
Amarr
Black Arrows
Sev3rance
|
Posted - 2010.03.19 05:07:00 -
[14]
Well.. I must admit it was an enjoyable fight, tho I fear that may make me seem somewhat bloodthirsty. As far as I am aware however, the majority of capsules escaped unharmed and if not I am comfident pilots are happy in their new clones.
Indeed, strange as it may seen, I have enjoyed myself far more over the past days than I have in some time.
And so I look forward to further exchanges... |
Tronjay the'3rd
Caldari
Endless Possibilities Inc.
Ushra'Khan
|
Posted - 2010.03.19 10:19:00 -
[15]
Well written and interesting read. Well done GanSho. |
Liteshow
Caldari
The Leather Knights
Opticon Alliance
|
Posted - 2010.03.19 22:38:00 -
[16]
I agree, this was very well written. Made me miss the days of AM's last stand vs. the same foe. Though the battle looks bleak and your allies are thinning, it's always more fun to charge in, guns blazing and missile ports burning until you wake up in a new clone than to try to run and hope to regroup.
Keep up the battle logs, it's good to hear news from the front lines, no matter who ends up taking the systems in the end... |
Daniel L'Siata
Gallente
|
Posted - 2010.03.20 10:24:00 -
[17]
Very well written, and I applaud your bravery. Reminds me of some fights back in the olden days when BoB and the Goons were superpowers. MC still existed and it was Carriers on gates that freaked people out...not Titans. |
Darveses
DAEDALUS X
The Star Fraction
|
Posted - 2010.03.20 10:43:00 -
[18]
Thank you for the report, GanSho.
It's good to see Sev3rance capable of more than just smack. |
A'xe
|
Posted - 2010.03.23 11:51:00 -
[19]
Simply amazing..!
|
Sinti Vailatti
Kuomi Logistics
|
Posted - 2010.03.23 15:17:00 -
[20]
Ya!
Nicely done chummer!
KUOMI LOGISTICS: The bright future, today!Ö |
Stratio
Minmatar
Mirkur Draug'Tyr
Ushra'Khan
|
Posted - 2010.03.24 13:03:00 -
[21]
Originally by: GanSho
We stand and fight! Right here, right now! This was the moment we have waited for, this was the battle we have waited for, and nothing - not even the space itself - would stop us from fighting it to the end!
Respect!
_____________________
For Tribe and Honour! |
Qing Jao
Caldari
Immortal Armada
Core Factor
|
Posted - 2010.03.28 07:39:00 -
[22]
Brilliantly written, mate.
Very entertaining, and at the same time encouraging. Its almost like "Remember the Alamo"... or, for AAA it would be "Remember Stalingrad" ... :)
But nonetheless, good reading, well worth my time.
Cheers!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Salvation Army. - Doing The Most Good |
DevilDog 11101775
|
Posted - 2010.03.30 10:04:00 -
[23]
Greay job. I could imagine the fight as I was reading. Just sad what these people are going to do to Providence. I hope the good guys get it back!
|
| |
|
| Pages: [1] :: one page |
| First page | Previous page | Next page | Last page |