Subject: Random: Turn 3 tactics
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 14:36:32 -0400
From: Jim Bell (Valesh) to Past Glories

Valash to Past Glories

It looks like the Narn are coming for use and ignoring the Shadow ships! This is likely going to lead to there dead before they can reach effective range for either HB or EM. The Narn fighters on the other hand could become a major problem quickly.
I will send my fighters to your ship for additional cover but I think that Valash should vector toward the Earthers battle group. This will force the Narn to split their E-mines fire rather than getting both of us with a single blast if I close with the Past Glories. This also means the fighters will have to decide on a single target and go for it. Either that or we commit the fighters to attacking the Shadows, but that would require a coordinated attack with the human fighters and the damn Narn to be effective.
I think the odds of a coordinated fighter strike are slight to nil though, this could be one of the best tactics though. We could freeze one of the shadow ships for a turn that way.
Options?
Captain Kaloc

Captain Kaloc, I am waiting on a reply from EA Captain as to his success in showing the Narns the error of their ways - but I'm not holding my breath. I recommend rather than spending a few turns reversing course and heading for the EA ships, we continue to accelerate in an arc behind the shadows (so they're between us and the Narn - the Narn will have to guess where we're going and play catch up). If you try and head for the EA ships you'll still be threatened by the Narn fighters and warships so my suggestion to you is as follows:
You perform the move MD(6) RP(3) PS(3) and I'll perform PA(3) RP(3) MD(6) so that I finish within 6mu of you - that way our AFBs can be used to support each other (i.e. my 3 AFBs can be used to support you etc.). Also keep your fighters screening your ship and I'll order 1 of my fighter groups to go and screen you too. There's no point in splitting our forces. Lastly, we'll target Shadow 1 (my orders of last turn did specify shadow 2 as the target but I seem to hit shadow 1 anyway so may as well continue firing on that target now as we've damaged them) - it's important that we concentrate out fire.
I strongly suggest this course of action. Next turn we would continue heading behind the Shadows (put them between us and the Narn) but do so in a tight formation, able to protect each other. Eventually I would like to see the Shadows between us and the EA force, because even though the Shadow weapons are powerful they have a limited arc and so they'll have to choose between us and the Earth force - so one group will be able to fire on the Shadows free from the threat of return fire (hopefully us).
Reply ASAP with respect to intentions about carrying out these orders - as if you still intend on heading for the EA ships I can continue to accelerate and side step the Narn (and I still wouldn't be too trusting of the EA force just yet - their 3 ships could make short work of a Centauri light cruiser).
Centauri commander out.

Though being close enough to support each other with AFB is good against fighters, it also means that we are in the same arc with regard to all other weapons on the board. I will send my fighters with you as you go for the rear of the shadows, but I'm going to open the range between us. Keep your fighters and good hunting, it's time divide the group, maybe I can draw fire away from the Past Glories.
Captain Kaloc

Narn brothers. What are your intentions launching fighters so quickly toward the Centauri. I know they are your htaed enemy, but a much older and deadlier enemy is off your port bow. These creaturers MUST be your first targets. Remember the passages in your Holy book about their evil!

Strange things make my head hurt. My head is hurting very badly right now. As much as it grieves me to say it, the foe of my foe must be my friend. It would appear that the Centauri have thrown off the yoke of their former Shadow Masters. I propose that the Narn Ragime will stop its plan attacks against you and that we together remove the blot on the universe that is the Shadow empire.

Does this mean that we attempt a coordinated fighter strike, with the combined forces of the Glorious Centauri Empire and the Narn dogs against the Shadows. It will very hard to organize such an attack at this point. But with your forces advancing directly at the Empires ships how can be know for certain this offering is not false?
Your fighters may be upon my ship within moments if the maintain coarse and speed.
Captain Kaloc of the Valash

In coming transmission from the G'Quaneth.........
The Narns are quick to anger as you should well know. This offer is not false, as that last shot hurt. We will reroute all fighters to attack the Ei'Do'Lon. We will also direct all fire at that ship. Your forces well most likely come under attack from the Shadows. On the last turn you supprised them with you long range pulse fire. I would not count on that supprise to last.
G'Quaneth out....................

Dark Lords
The Alliance may be forming. I will be performing PP(3), RP(3), MD(6) to close with the Whitestar. I will not be firing unless I'm under 10 MU from the vessel. My fighters will likely be joining the fighters of Past Glories unless I wish to look suicidal and attack shadow2 firing to miss.
Captain Kaloc

Incoming transmission from the Valash....
I will add my fighters to the attack, but I can not speak for the Past Glories.
Captain Kaloc

Incoming signal from the Valash...
The Narn dogs seem to be willing to throw their fighters against the Shadows this turn, so they should be open. Maybe we should attempt to return the empire to its past glories by forming an alliance with the shadows. With that alliance we could return to our rightful place in the universe, as a major power. What do you say?
Captain Kaloc

Dark Lords,
It would seem that the Narn are going to attempt a full fighter assault on the Ei'Do'Lon, 7 fighter groups. Either that or their going to attack the Valash. In either case my fighters will be moving to engage one group of the Narn dogs. As this will likely alert all the other forces in the area of my alignment, the Valash will be firing all weapons possible at the Whitestar. If I can get shoots at any other targets not in the whitestar arc, they will also pay the price.
Captain Kaloc

From: Senior Centauri commander,
Please ignore my subordinates bad manners, the Centauri republic welcomes cooperation against the Shadows. Will send my fighters to attack the small Shadow vessel this turn and suggest you do the same (with your first wave at least). Will continue firing on the Ei'Do'Lon.
Victory to the bold.
Centauri commander out.

Incoming from Past Glories..
Since I just fired on the Shadows they may find it hard it to believe that I want to ally with them. We can afford to give the Narn one opportunity to prove themselves as their range is too extreme for effective weapon fire from them against us. Recommend you launch your fighters against the small Shadow vessel as I am this turn. I will continue with my original intention of swinging behind the Shadows - if you split off you'll halve our effectiveness and bring dishonour on your house. Are you Centauri or mouse?
Your commander out.

It appears the Narn are working on the "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" principle. I'm launching my fighters this turn against the smaller Shadow vessel. Suggest you do same.
Centauri commander out.

Incoming from Past Glories...
My second in command has spoken in haste and out of turn. I suggest you calm yourself, lest thoughts of future conquest jeopardise the fulfilment of current objectives.
Senior Centauri commander out.

They say that you humans are a pretty observant lot. The fighters have been launched to destroy the devious Centauri, but we warned you all. If anybody tries to stop us, they will be destroyed as well. We now have two enemies, humans, don't make us add your race to the list as well.

No, it does not mean anything. We will kill the shadows, then turn our efforts towards the destruction of your puny empire.

Narn Warleader. Understand this. My main goal is to see the Shadow ships destroyed before they destroy us all. I'm willing to stay out of your dispute with the Centauri, but without help destroying them the Shadow vessels will destroy us all. They MUST be a first target. The Centauri have shown their willingness to make the Shadows a priority target by firing on them first. Even with their ships vectoring towards you. Please, do not act rashly in this matter.

Incoming secure link message from Valash ....
I'll not trust these Narn dogs, the only Narn you can trust is a dead one.
Kaloc out.

In coming transmission from G'Quaneth.....................................
My second in command is brave, but rash. Pray that I survive the coming conflict so that boldness may be tempered by diplomacy. Until the blot of the Shadows is removed we remain committed to an alliance the works toward the end. We have exchanged no blows, so at the end of the current conflict, the way to peace is still open.
G'quaneth out..............................