Idea for the Wheel

[Sanis Prent]

Kinda was thinking it would be nice to shake up the whole situation in the wheel by having them actually make contact with a semi-sizeable Imperial force, and have a roleplay where the fleet has to essentially make a desperate fighting retreat. Sort of like the Battle of Hoth, but all space-borne.

Anybody game for this? It would probably help to throw a lot of our characters into the crucible of conflict and see what happens.

[Pierce Tondry]

Sure. Would actually give me a chance to do things with both Hob and Pierce. :)

[Anj]

I'm in, simply because I haven't been doing anything lately.

[Bartleby Orem]

I'm down for this. I'd like to really get Bartleby back into the swing of things.

[Henry McDonnaught]

Great idea, yeah.

[Dasquian Belargic]

You know I'll find a way to get my peoples involved.

[Droo]

I'm not sure how Loki could contribute towards it but if think of something, I'll throw him into the mix. Having said that, presuming this is some time after Getting Things in Order, what condition will the Wheel be in with reference to defense and offensive capabilities? Considering they were in a pretty poor state at the beginning of the aforementioned thread.

[Kelly Perris]

An active squadron is a happy squadron. :) I'm game. And I speak for the other four characters I have on the Wheel, as well... and the entirety of Rogue Squadron. >D

[Charley]

Seems all we need now is a participating Imperial antagonist I think.

[Captain Untouchable]

What part of space are we in (roughly)? I can probably provide an antagonist if we're anywhere in the top right corner of the galaxy...

[Emelie Shadowstar]

Suppose I'll be in as Iyar on the Wheel end of things.

...I'd LIKE to get Cleo involved but I can't see what she (or really most of the actual Wheel Jedi characters) would be doing during a space battle aside from mildly panicking aboard whatever ship they are on and ...not really a lot you can do there that I can think of at the moment.

[Anj]

Maybe...make some coffee for the pilots? I heard Jedi are good for that kind of thing.

[Drin Kizael]

I've got a couple thread ideas in mind that will accomplish two key goals:

1. Get us a supply of lightsabre crystals
2. Get us another armed ship, and a carrier with a compliment of fighters so we have more than just ONE squadron defending us.

Since it's been established how pitiful The Wheel is right now in terms of defensive capabilities, I figure that the act of getting what we need to have a vaguely fighting chance should be played out.

To get that started, we could probably use one other Jedi (ideally a Knight) or Rebel for the crew... and 1 Sith or Imperial to make it into an adventure and not just us going through the motions.

[Dasquian Belargic]

I know the idea has been thrown around about perhaps having an all Jedi, or part Jedi, figher squadron.. perhaps this would be a good time to get that into swing - or at least have this encounter trigger discussion about it.

[Drin Kizael]

I know the idea has been thrown around about perhaps having an all Jedi, or part Jedi, figher squadron..

Way ahead of you. That was kinda the idea already. ;)

[Daria Nytherciria]

A possible location for this to take place http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Borderland_Regions - "During the Galactic Civil War, the area became known as the "Borderlands" due to its split loyalties between the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the remaining Galactic Empire."

[Tear]

A possible location for this to take place http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Borderland_Regions - "During the Galactic Civil War, the area became known as the "Borderlands" due to its split loyalties between the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the remaining Galactic Empire."

Just be mindful of the territories (http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p19/DirtyMongooze/Star-Wars-Galaxy-Map1.jpg). Independent forces won't be openly hostile to Rebels or Jedi.

[Captain Untouchable]

Couple of notes from me:

- The Valiant actually has two squadrons, for the record. ;) One is Rogue Squadron, obviously... I'm not sure whether the other is Valkyrie Squadron (A-Wings) or Dagger Squadron (B-Wings). I'll work that out with Kaman, and get back to you.

- The Whaledon is a big ship. Rather than complicating matters by sticking an extra combat ship / carrier in, why not just have any Jedi pilots launching from there? EU says that Action transports can be modified for that... and it helps keep the Rebel participation in the Wheel to a respectable minimum.

- A lot of the Jedi we have around are already trained fighter pilots; by virtue of being veterans of the Jedi Order, or from subsequent experience. In terms of a Jedi Squadron, the easiest starting point would be to compile a list of who has those kind skills. Once we know how many we have, where we stand, etc... then we can worry about if we're going with a "Squadron", or if we're just going to use Jedi Starfighters in the same way that medieval knights use horses, a la the movies.

- We have a lot of other ships with guns on already that are underused. Before we start adding more to the mix, would it be worth working on consolidating what we've already got first? The Layla and Knightfall are fairly well crewed. But are there any other ships out there that we can put people on? Do any of the Jedi want to volunteer as gunners (I'm sure they'd be pretty darn good at it) to involve them in this kind of space battle? Etc.

- Borderland Regions works: somewhere around the Perlemian Way, but outside of the ominous red blob? I can provide a moderate force of either Imperials (ie. a Star Destroyer), or I can get us some Corporate Sector ships instead (Separatist type stuff; maybe droid fighters) if you'd prefer a little variety. I guess we can work out what we're shooting at after we've worked out the who and how many of who is doing the shooting.

[Eluna Thals]

Something else to think about

In this thread (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20307), we're having Layla & company walk into an Imperial trap. We haven't really sprung what the trap might be, but it might be possible that the ruse is intended to steal Layla's nav logs and find previous coordinates and all pre-planned jump coordinates for the fleet. In that case, it would be a mad scramble to get back and put in some new escape vectors before the Empire pounces on the Wheel.

Thoughts on that?

[Arya Ravenwing]

You might consider doing a 33 from Battlestar Galactica. *waggles eyebrows nerdily*

[Taataani Meorrrei]

I haven't watched much if any of BSG, got any clarification?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Tracking device on board one of the ships in the fleet. A set amount of hours (33 on the show) after reaching a new location and the bad guys arrive. Jump to new location. Bad guys arrive. Flee again. Rinse, repeat, until source of bad guy intel is found.

The Layla could have a tracking device hidden craftily on it, or any other ship in the Wheel fleet that has contact with the outside galaxy.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

That's actually a clever idea. I do seem to remember that one actually.

[Captain Untouchable]

I like the 33 idea. And of course, we have the Episode II / Obi Wan & Jango chase as a precedent for the whole pursuit through Hyperspace.

There are some issues from a technical perspective, though. In Battlestar, an FTL jump is instantaneous. Presumably, it took the Cylons 33 minutes to detect the signal from the Olympic Carrier, and then they instantly jumped there. But in Star Wars, we have a precedent for immediate pursuit: Jango only had the amount of time it took for Obi Wan to get to his fighter as a head start. If the Imperial fleet has a tracking device on us, and we jump away, we'd need an excuse to explain why they aren't right on our tails.

One of the things that was implied in Battlestar was that there were Cylon agents aboard the Olympic Carrier. Would it be easier from a story perspective to have a flesh-and-blood spy in the Wheel, rather than a technological device? That way, we can have them transmit the coordinates of the Wheel whenever we revert from Hyperspace; then it takes the Imperials x amount of travel time to get to us: helps us to have the "take a breath" time after each attack.

That would allow us to make it a character-based issue as well: we can actually interrogate people as part of the story, incorporating the characters who aren't involved in the actual fighting as part of it. If it's actual technology, then all we can do is have a fairly dull search of the entire Wheel, which doesn't give many people much to do (or at least, not much that's worth writing about).

[Carré Inirial]

I'm all for it :)

Naturally, I'm flying with the Rogues, but I'll also throw my Jedi-ling Kala into the mix somehow, and Asha from Intel...and Mara, too :)

On the Imp side, I'll gladly have my little Imp Intel Ana'Sera be the agent aboard the Wheel. She's a Shi'ido...would be highly entertaining to have her being chased and constantly changing forms to stay one step ahead. But as she's new to Imp Intel and a relatively young shifter, she could make a mistake at the right moment to get caught.

[Drin Kizael]

Couple of notes from me:

- The Valiant actually has two squadrons, for the record. ;) One is Rogue Squadron, obviously... I'm not sure whether the other is Valkyrie Squadron (A-Wings) or Dagger Squadron (B-Wings). I'll work that out with Kaman, and get back to you.

A squaron of B-wings doesn't really sound right for that assignment



- The Whaledon is a big ship. Rather than complicating matters by sticking an extra combat ship / carrier in, why not just have any Jedi pilots launching from there?

That's the problem. There's this odd illusion that an Action IV is a big ship. By freighter standards it is, but for escort purposes It's NOT. The most it can hold inside is 1 or 2 small shuttles or A-wings. It's only good for cargo and passengers, which makes it a unique base of operations and I like that, but not suitable for defending the convoy.

I'm not talking about bringing in a huge ship with multiple squadrons. Just something big enough to carry one squadron and serve as a home for smaller ships that come and go so the Valiant isn't stuck doing everything.

Plus we do not want to try and claim ships for the Wheel that could be better served on the front lines for the Alliance. It makes more sense to play out the Jedi needing to be reourceful and just get their own.

[Captain Untouchable]

A squaron of B-wings doesn't really sound right for that assignment.

It's what was there already, so... *shrug*

On the contrary though, I think a squadron of fighters specifically designed to hold large ships at bay would be ideal for helping to defend the Wheel. It provides something to keep the cruisers and Star Destroyers occupied, while Rogue Squadron tackles the fighter compliments.

Sure, a dozen extra dogfighters would be more useful, but if we're adding in Jedi pilots, we'll have that.


That's the problem. There's this odd illusion that an Action IV is a big ship. By freighter standards it is, but for escort purposes It's NOT. The most it can hold inside is 1 or 2 small shuttles or A-wings. It's only good for cargo and passengers, which makes it a unique base of operations and I like that, but not suitable for defending the convoy.

I'm not talking about bringing in a huge ship with multiple squadrons. Just something big enough to carry one squadron and serve as a home for smaller ships that come and go so the Valiant isn't stuck doing everything.

Plus we do not want to try and claim ships for the Wheel that could be better served on the front lines for the Alliance. It makes more sense to play out the Jedi needing to be reourceful and just get their own.

Unfortunately, "small" ships like you're describing aren't all that common, especially if you want just one or two squadrons aboard. The Valiant only carries one or two, and that's fairly large. Heck, a Victory Star Destroyer is 900 metres long, and it only carries two. All I'm advocating is making use of something we already have - like an existing, but as yet unnamed freighter - rather than adding in another combat ship.

I still advocate my earlier suggestion: lets work out how many actual Jedi fighters we need to have first, by working out how many pilots we have. Then we can decide how big a ship we need to park them in.

[Cleo Némain]

I like the idea of a "33"esque situation with a spy, or at least a "suspected" spy. It DOES give the "non-fighter" characters something to play with and lets pretty much everyone aboard the convoy get involved at that point.

Also a bit of "constant" pursuit from an Imperial force would give everyone more options on what's going on, how they want to get involved, etc... rather than just one a one-time skirmish.

Just thought I'd toss in my "yes please!" on this idea. XD

[Drin Kizael]

A squaron of B-wings doesn't really sound right for that assignment.
Actually I take that back. Considering how hodge podge the Wheel is supposed to be, it's perfect.



I still advocate my earlier suggestion: lets work out how many actual Jedi fighters we need to have first, by working out how many pilots we have. Then we can decide how big a ship we need to park them in.

Answer: One squadron in a custom ship based loosely off a stock model, much smaller than a Star Destroyer, but bigger than a freighter so it can carry them.

I'm already on it. So far it's me and a padawan ready to roll. Just need a bad guy to make acquiring it a little more interesting, and maybe one Jedi/Rebel crewer along on the mission since we'll be flying a light freighter and we'll have room.

Hoping Tell Cho resurfaces to participate in this, too. There's a built in place for him in this if he's still around.

[Droo]

Problem with a spy in the fleet is why would they be sending co-ordinates and not sending a message such as "OMG THE JEDI ARE HERE! WIPE THEM OUT... ALL OF THEM!"

Unless we can think of a reason as to why the spy wouldn't reveal such a massive threat to the Empire, I'm not sure how it could work. In any case, I certainly don't think now is the time to out the Jedi to the Empire.

[Captain Untouchable]

Problem with a spy in the fleet is why would they be sending co-ordinates and not sending a message such as "OMG THE JEDI ARE HERE! WIPE THEM OUT... ALL OF THEM!"

Unless we can think of a reason as to why the spy wouldn't reveal such a massive threat to the Empire, I'm not sure how it could work. In any case, I certainly don't think now is the time to out the Jedi to the Empire.

With that argument though, I'm not sure how even a tracking device could work. If they don't know about the Wheel, why would they bother putting a beacon on one of the ships going there?

Or is it just sheer fluke that the ship they put a beacon on happened to go somewhere interesting?

[Drin Kizael]

Or is it just sheer fluke that the ship they put a beacon on happened to go somewhere interesting?
Any time anyone suggests the possibility of finding the Wheel simply by random chance, I can't help but cringe. If that were even possible, it would defeat the entire purpose of it. Anbira had Yoda guiding him. Anything short of that is just plain silly.

Unless the Empire thinks they are putting a beacon on just another Rebel ship. They learn of a super secret supply mission and want to find out where it's going.

FYI, my thread could possibly tip the Empire off to the fact that the Jedi are organizing. It could be happening in conjunction. Not suggesting anyone has to wait. Just sayin... and hoping for interest. Otherwise we'll have to go the fanfic route with it and make up our own baddies to face.

[Tear]

Perhaps something could be done along lines of rescuing Serena Laran from the Inquisitoriate?

A group of Jedi infiltrate the Citadel and rescue Serena then take off back to the wheel.

Obviously before anyone rejects the idea because of the obvious suicide implications let me elaborate:lol

It could be that Tear as a way of opening communications toward the Rebellion extends this olive branch of leaked information.

Serena Laran being held by the Inquisitoriate. Maybe something more accessible like a transport manifest of her being moved to a testing facility and not actually held within the Citadel itself.

The Rebellion passes this information along to the Jedi.

The Older style Jedi would probably take the information as it seems, "Well shes captured that's for certain. But its probably a trap. Even if we wanted to do something we cant risk it."

While the newer style Jedi itching for a fight might be more willing to risk it and take off on the mission to rescue one of their own.

Skip to Transport boarding, Scuffle and escape, the Jedi have Serena in hand and escape on one of their ships back to the Wheel.

Now it could be that along with tipping off the Rebellion, Tear also manipulated things to allow Serena to be rescued. Basically having one of his inside men (likely Rekoj) informed of what was happening and to prepare accordingly. Instead of trying to stop the Jedi they make a show of it but ultimately let Serena be rescued. Their real attention might be on putting a tracking device on the ship. In hopes of finding more Jedi.

The Jedi return to the wheel with Serena, celebration mixed with suspicion. Then panic and alarm when a fleet of Imperials suddenly jump on top of them.

Enter the idea 33 and the idea of a traitor, maybe Serena is suspected of being behind it?

Just an idea and obviously something more of Lilaena's choice as I don't know what she originally had planned for Serena's capture.

[Captain Untouchable]

Totally missed your Tell Cho comment, Drin. Is it specifically him as a closet Jedi you're after, or someone from the Corporate Sector? If it's the latter, I can probably conjure someone up, being the ExO, and all.

That plan sounds cool, Tear, but I think it'd take too long to set it up. I get the feeling that Charley's suggestion is as a "now" thing: something that we dive straight in with, and all that jazz. We can come up with a backstory - even write a backstory - for how the spy got aboard; but if it's something really long and involved like you're suggesting, we'll probably never get around to doing the chase / escape thing.

Something where we can definitely say "This is what is going on" is probably easier. And besides, if it's a big mystery, that makes it more fun for the Jedi trying to work out who the bad guy is. Maybe we can turn it into a parlour game, designate one person the "saboteur", and let everyone else try and work it out? :lol

[Drin Kizael]

I was of the understanding that Tell wanted to get his character out of the CSA. This could be his ticket.

[Captain Untouchable]

I was of the understanding that Tell wanted to get his character out of the CSA. This could be his ticket.

Yeah, but not for a very long time. There's a whole ton of stuff that needs to happen before that. ;)

[Drin Kizael]

Yeah well at the rate things move around here, that might not be a problem. LOL

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Just go with Charley's first idea -


Something else to think about

In this thread (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20307), we're having Layla & company walk into an Imperial trap. We haven't really sprung what the trap might be, but it might be possible that the ruse is intended to steal Layla's nav logs and find previous coordinates and all pre-planned jump coordinates for the fleet. In that case, it would be a mad scramble to get back and put in some new escape vectors before the Empire pounces on the Wheel.

Thoughts on that?

It is simplest and will probably work best. :)

[Hera]

I been thinking, Would this mean the end of the Wheel as we know it?

Do the Jedi's re-form once they make their escape?

[Captain Untouchable]

Just go with Charley's first idea -


Something else to think abouta

In this thread (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20307), we're having Layla & company walk into an Imperial trap. We haven't really sprung what the trap might be, but it might be possible that the ruse is intended to steal Layla's nav logs and find previous coordinates and all pre-planned jump coordinates for the fleet. In that case, it would be a mad scramble to get back and put in some new escape vectors before the Empire pounces on the Wheel.

Thoughts on that?

It is simplest and will probably work best. :)

Yeah, except that doesn't really satisfy the "why" question.

Why did they steal the logs from Layla specifically? Did they know she was heading back to the Wheel, and if so do they know what is there? Or are they specifically tracking the Layla herself; is stumbling across the Wheel sheer fluke? And if they are just after the Layla, what implications does that have: would they really send out enough ships to cause problems for the entire Wheel, Rogues, freighters and all, if they're just after one ship?

That's kinda what I was trying to get at earlier, before we got sidetracked.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

I been thinking, Would this mean the end of the Wheel as we know it?

Do the Jedi's re-form once they make their escape?

I don't think it would mean the end of anything (well, something, but only I and a few others know what ;)) but certainly I think the Wheel would continue on, just narrowly getting out of the jaws of death, so to speak.

[Sheree Lancaster]

Ah. Then I think the Imperials finding them should be a lucky accident of some sort, otherwise they would send a decent sized force against the Wheel to destroy them if they have a chance to really plan it out. A spy or tracking thing would give them that.

Perhaps one of the "ships" attached at the wheel blows up or something, causing an aberrant blip on some Imperial Starship's radar and they come to investigate. That way, the Imps can only react in the moment and gives the Jedi a decent chance to fight/flee.

[Harlequin]

Perhaps something could be done along lines of rescuing Serena Laran from the Inquisitoriate?

A group of Jedi infiltrate the Citadel and rescue Serena then take off back to the wheel.

Obviously before anyone rejects the idea because of the obvious suicide implications let me elaborate:lol

It could be that Tear as a way of opening communications toward the Rebellion extends this olive branch of leaked information.

Serena Laran being held by the Inquisitoriate. Maybe something more accessible like a transport manifest of her being moved to a testing facility and not actually held within the Citadel itself.

The Rebellion passes this information along to the Jedi.

The Older style Jedi would probably take the information as it seems, "Well shes captured that's for certain. But its probably a trap. Even if we wanted to do something we cant risk it."

While the newer style Jedi itching for a fight might be more willing to risk it and take off on the mission to rescue one of their own.

Skip to Transport boarding, Scuffle and escape, the Jedi have Serena in hand and escape on one of their ships back to the Wheel.

Now it could be that along with tipping off the Rebellion, Tear also manipulated things to allow Serena to be rescued. Basically having one of his inside men (likely Rekoj) informed of what was happening and to prepare accordingly. Instead of trying to stop the Jedi they make a show of it but ultimately let Serena be rescued. Their real attention might be on putting a tracking device on the ship. In hopes of finding more Jedi.

The Jedi return to the wheel with Serena, celebration mixed with suspicion. Then panic and alarm when a fleet of Imperials suddenly jump on top of them.

Enter the idea 33 and the idea of a traitor, maybe Serena is suspected of being behind it?

Just an idea and obviously something more of Lilaena's choice as I don't know what she originally had planned for Serena's capture.


Veering off on another story plot:

Tear I like your idea of an attempted rescue or atleast search party for Serena. It sounds like something Alex would jump into feet first, eyes wide shut. Maybe we should talk (and Serena)? Id love for Alex to drag a few other Jedi folk into this and see the fall out from it all. Hob, for one Im certain, would not be happy.

[Sheree Lancaster]

I don't think it would mean the end of anything (well, something, but only I and a few others know what ;))

ps)

?

:ohno

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

I don't think it would mean the end of anything (well, something, but only I and a few others know what ;))

ps)

?

:ohno

Someone is going to...DIE

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I'm up for Serena being rescued eventually. I'd like to get at least one interrogation thread completed first *coffcoff*

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

I'm up for Serena being rescued eventually. I'd like to get at least one interrogation thread completed first *coffcoff*

Tear's not going to stop until he's got every one of your characters frozen in time in a never-ending roleplay, like vacu-sealed plastic boxes of toy action figures on his wall.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

He is trying to get his hands on LD too, now that you mention it... :uhoh

[Tear]

That plan sounds cool, Tear, but I think it'd take too long to set it up. I get the feeling that Charley's suggestion is as a "now" thing: something that we dive straight in with, and all that jazz. We can come up with a backstory - even write a backstory - for how the spy got aboard; but if it's something really long and involved like you're suggesting, we'll probably never get around to doing the chase / escape thing.

Something where we can definitely say "This is what is going on" is probably easier. And besides, if it's a big mystery, that makes it more fun for the Jedi trying to work out who the bad guy is. Maybe we can turn it into a parlour game, designate one person the "saboteur", and let everyone else try and work it out? :lol

It could be an off camera sort of thing if that helps any? Have the Padawans landing in the cargo bay and coming out with Serena. Leaving the rest to be explained during breaks in the action. Anywho it was just an idea to try to get around the issues of how and when.


He is trying to get his hands on LD too, now that you mention it... :uhoh

Sassy, Ld, I've also got the pride mother. *counts off the names on his fingers*

I almost had Serena in the original attempt but Rossos has that one.



Tear's not going to stop until he's got every one of your characters frozen in time in a never-ending roleplay, like vacu-sealed plastic boxes of toy action figures on his wall.

Gotta catch em all.;)

[Anj]

So the idea would be like Serena is back! Flashback to Jedi going in, coming out! Ahhh Attack - Its the Empire. Then later visit how Serena's rescue all went down??

Personaly, if that is the idea (as I so randomly put it) I think its too good of one to pass up. It maintains mystery til after the attack, could be immediate enough to get this off the ground, and it'll hold plenty depth for the Jedi cast, whether they be the rescuing, or the suspicious Wheelers who believe Serena has become the spy.

Basically, this is my vote for Tear's idea.

[Captain Untouchable]

Don't get me wrong: I like the Serena idea, Tear. But if it is a good idea, then making it happen off-camera is a huge waste. It has the potential to be a decent thread that a lot of Wheel members can get involved with. Why not save it for later, when Holly is ready to have Serena rescued, and give us another roleplay that'll involve a lot of people?


Ah. Then I think the Imperials finding them should be a lucky accident of some sort, otherwise they would send a decent sized force against the Wheel to destroy them if they have a chance to really plan it out. A spy or tracking thing would give them that.

Yeah, that's kinda my plausibility concern.

Looking at the kind of ships that the Imperials might have casually on patrol in the area, many of them don't have any fighters aboard. In order to keep our X-Wings and B-Wings busy, we need at least two squadrons of TIE Fighters, and for a proper "Oh, shit!" reaction, we could do with a ship that's formidable enough in Starship combat to out-gun the Valiant.

Realistically, we'd be looking at a Victory Star Destroyer if we're looking at Imperial ships; or something like a Munificent Star Frigate if we want the Corporate Sector to stumble across the convoy instead. If we want a really panicked reaction, we'd probably want even more - maybe an Imperial Star Destroyer?

If the Imperials were going after the Wheel in total knowledge of what it was, they'd probably send in an Inderdictor to stop the convoy from running away, and enough starfighters to swamp the Rogues and give 'em an easy time picking off the convoy itself. No way we could plausibly face off against a planned attack by the Empire.

[Droo]

With that argument though, I'm not sure how even a tracking device could work. If they don't know about the Wheel, why would they bother putting a beacon on one of the ships going there?

Or is it just sheer fluke that the ship they put a beacon on happened to go somewhere interesting?

In Getting Things in Order, a brief skirmish with the Imperials ends and the fleet jumps away. Now, given the fact that they are identified as a Rebel fleet, as ragtag as it is let's not forget it is being defended by none other than Rogue Squadron, so let's say the Imps put some resources into tracking them down only to find... they couldn't! Suddenly questions arise about this small fleet's purpose, so more resources are put into finding it and nothing comes up. It's simply vanished off the radar, so...



Why did they steal the logs from Layla specifically? Did they know she was heading back to the Wheel, and if so do they know what is there? Or are they specifically tracking the Layla herself; is stumbling across the Wheel sheer fluke? And if they are just after the Layla, what implications does that have: would they really send out enough ships to cause problems for the entire Wheel, Rogues, freighters and all, if they're just after one ship?

That's kinda what I was trying to get at earlier, before we got sidetracked.

...to answer this question, in the thread Charley linked called Errand Boys, the Layla and crew are dispatched to investigate a distress signal. What they discover is that it's a trap and that the signal was sent out on old Rebel Alliance frequencies(in an effort to gain only their attention and not the attention of any random do-gooder). And while Sanis et al. are busy trying to rescue the crew of the downed ship, Imperial agents hack into the Layla's computer, accessing its flight recorder and can consequently assertain that the Layla was indeed at the co-ordinates on the date co-inciding with the skirmish in Getting Things in Order. Thus they deduce the Layla is indeed travelling with the Wheel and copy its flight plan. This gives them the co-ordinates of the Wheel's next jump(s) and a task force is dispatched to intercept.

I know that sounds long-winded but it's really simple, we just have to assume that Imperial Intelligence isn't run by a bunch of dimwits. :ohno

[Vega Van-Derveld]

^ I like this idea, Droo.

[Captain Untouchable]

That sounds reasonably plausible, Droo. But...


If the Imperials were going after the Wheel in total knowledge of what it was, they'd probably send in an Inderdictor to stop the convoy from running away, and enough starfighters to swamp the Rogues and give 'em an easy time picking off the convoy itself. No way we could plausibly face off against a planned attack by the Empire.

If they're making as big a deal out of the fleet as you suggest - going after Rogue Squadron, et al - then why is the force they send up against us insufficient to actually prevent us from getting away? If they know what ships we have available based on an earlier encounter, then they'd have to be stupid not to have sufficient ships available to outmatch us.

Which kinda thwarts the getting away thing.

If Drin's new carrier shows up, that'd make a teeny bit of difference: but if we're assuming that Imperials aren't dimwits like Droo says... how do we manage to survive?

[Ana'Sera Beliq]

We keep the dimwits where they can cause the least amount of harm...in stormtrooper armor, following orders. *nods*


Which kinda thwarts the getting away thing.

If Drin's new carrier shows up, that'd make a teeny bit of difference: but if we're assuming that Imperials aren't dimwits like Droo says... how do we manage to survive?It would be feasible enough that we would send a comparable fleet, with perhaps only a few extras to investigate after getting the data from Layla. Why use overkill when, for feasibility, we'd have to at least entertain the possibility that you'd have called in help or even split apart? Just because you don't see the enemy doesn't mean they're not there, after all.

Maybe when we corner you and we're not overwhelming you enough, we call in our own reinforcements and that turns the tide and forces the Wheel to escape again.

[Droo]

Well, hopefully, the Wheel will have something up its sleeve after the Jedi's discussion in Getting Things in Order. We have to assume together, the Rebels and Jedi have since then done something to prepare for another, and probably worse, encounter with the Empire. We just have to figure out what, I suppose. Which goes back to my original question in this thread:


...presuming this is some time after Getting Things in Order, what condition will the Wheel be in with reference to defense and offensive capabilities? Considering they were in a pretty poor state at the beginning of the aforementioned thread.

[Captain Untouchable]

I suppose one could argue that this carrier thing Drin is talking about counts as a change in the defences of the Wheel. But I think mostly, the only efforts we'd have taken would be to hide ourselves better: improved security measures, and the like. If there's a tracking device in play, that's more or less thwarted.

When we originally put the Valiant in there, there was a desire to keep the Rebel participation in the Wheel as minimal as possible. The only way to beef up our defences then would be through civilian-owned ships. Big ships like that would need big crews; I'm guessing that we don't have enough Jedi to crew something like that, and that everyone would be reluctant to bring in extra civilians, so we probably can't plausibly beef up in that sort of way.


It would be feasible enough that we would send a comparable fleet, with perhaps only a few extras to investigate after getting the data from Layla. Why use overkill when, for feasibility, we'd have to at least entertain the possibility that you'd have called in help or even split apart? Just because you don't see the enemy doesn't mean they're not there, after all.

Maybe when we corner you and we're not overwhelming you enough, we call in our own reinforcements and that turns the tide and forces the Wheel to escape again.

I disagree. I'm not even sure what you mean by the splitting up thing. It sounds like you're arguing that the Imperials would send a less formidable force, just in case we have reinforcements? :huh

Problem is, "comparable" isn't logical for the Empire. The Imperial equivalent of the Valiant would be a Strike Cruiser. That's the sort of thing we were attacked with before, and we escaped. In order to match against the Rogues, the Imperials would need more fighters, which means a much bigger ship. As I mentioned earlier, we'd be looking at something in the Star Destroyer size range.

If we play the "Sorry, there isn't an Interdictor available" excuse, then I have someone in the area who has an ISD; that's six squadrons of TIEs, and more than enough guns to make the Valiant want to run away and cry. Would people be happy using that?

[Dasquian Belargic]

Good lord this is a lot of talk, someone nudge me when the actual RPing is starting.

[Ana'Sera Beliq]

Yeah, I'm not so much with the making of sense when I've had no coffee & then Guinness for lunch. *sigh*

I just wanted to say that we don't have to go the traditional "OMG-REBELS-THROW-EVERYTHING-AT-THEM" route...what the hell would be the point of RPing it that way? Certainly wouldn't be any fun to write out.

*shrugs*

But that's just me. I'm not going to sit here and nitpick with people over every tiny detail. I just want to write.

[Dasquian Belargic]

But that's just me. I'm not going to sit here and nitpick with people over every tiny detail. I just want to write.

aaaamen to that.

[Captain Untouchable]

*shrug* Then go with whatever, take the initiative, and get something started? :mneh

[Lilaena De'Ville]

How about this:

Instead of the Imperials happening upon the Wheel fleet, the Wheel fleet accidentally jumps into a bunch of Imperials.

:p

Just trying to make things more complicated.

And I don't want people trying to rescue Serena yet. So stop it! :mneh Anyway, its a huge HUGE security risk to go into the maw of the Inquisitorate to get her. She'd be super mad if people took that chance and then managed to get followed back to home base.

Honestly I think having the Wheel attacked is a bad idea in the first place. The whole idea of being a mobile station is that we could avoid these complications. We don't want the Empire catching wind of the Jedi and suddenly trying to devote resources to finding it, because they will succeed and then we'll have to start all over trying to find a new place for the Jedi.

Just my two cents.

edit: For a relatively innocent reason for Imps to follow the Layla there IS a million credit bounty on Sanis Prent's head put there by the Empire. Or there was, anyway.

[Brody Chiltan]

Is there not anymore?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I imagine its still good, but no one ever updated the Empire's Most Wanted listing. v:)v

[Navaria Tarkin]

BUMP

cuz I am posting to getting things in order :ohno

[Dasquian Belargic]

Who's turn is it now? :ohno

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

I am so lost :(

[Sanis Prent]

Errand boys is nearly done, so we should have the big thread happening soon!

[Dasquian Belargic]

Big thread :ohno

[Lowrook]

Hey Guys,

Not to throw another wrench (or is it wench) in this thread. But what if we actually go on the offensive and attack the Imperials. I'm not saying to go after Coruscant, but what if we did go after a VSD, or a Nebulon B Frigate? That would require a battle action, starfighter action and boarding action that could involve the jedi.

My character is working on joining the Wheel and it would add another ship to the fleet - a small gunship, the Berserker.

Anyway, whatever is decided, my character Lowrook is definitely in.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Hmm, that's not a bad idea :) I can certainly see the Wheel getting large enough that they might decide they wish to get a larger flagship for themselves; maybe something down the line after the ambush?

[Dasquian Belargic]

I think it's a cool idea, but not something all of the Jedi would go along for... people like Navaria and Daria I can't see approving of it, but that doesn't mean others couldn't do it! I would like to see the conflict it caused :D

[Lowrook]

Let's Do This....

LEERRROOOYYY JJJEENNKKKIINNSS!!

[Sarah Lymia]

We will be watching you.....

[Lowrook]

I should really create a character named Leroy Jenkins who runs into ambushes that get his entire group killed. And then with my dying breath, say something about chicken.

Who's in?

[Baralai Lotus]

I don't know if you guys are still looking for someone to mess with The Wheel, but I've been wanting to do this since the whole TSO thing.

I think it would be neat to have a huge battle between the Jedi and the Sith. . .somewhere. Since the Sith are in the process of gaining a home planet, perhaps afterward The Wheel could be threatened later by The Sith, causing the Jedi to go on a hunt for a new home as well.

[Captain Untouchable]

We haven't even got the Wheel properly established yet, so it's probably a bit premature to be talking events that force us to look for a home, imo. :uhoh

[Dasquian Belargic]

I don't think the Wheel will be settling down for a while, but a couple of us have talked about setting up Jedi training outposts on solid ground. Daria in particular would like to found an actual academy somewhere.