STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- The Hunted

The sandtroopers are unable to hit Zane from beyond the arch of the entrance, but Kyle takes a hit for five damage as a bolt strikes the underbelly of the Last Laugh and rains down sparks and shrapnel.

The sandtroopers settle down behind crates for cover.

It takes an action for our valiant smuggler to reach the cockpit, fumbling in the dark, and discover that the power has been cut. Someone tampered with the engine shortly after landing. It will take two turns to get things up and running again, which I assume you'll do. The ship's power will be restored on frame 40.

Zane guns down two more stormtroopers while Eerin moves into position to threaten the men-in-white with his rocket launcher.

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THE DOCKING BAY SHOOT-OUT

Inside the Last Laugh

Kyle: 36/40

Entrance

Eerin: 0/34

Zane: 4/35 (cover: 2)

Sandtroopers x2: 0/34 (cover: 2)
Stormtroopers x15: 0/33

Stormtrooper Commander: 0/34

Street

Kara: 0/34

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The Imperial shuttle sets down facing the docking bay. The hatch lowers and stormtrooper reinforcements pour out. Unlike these sandtroopers pestering you, these are wearing crisp white armor and carrying heavy repeaters. They are led by a Commander.

Hmm... Eerin will get into cover as he launches a rocket, knowing that even with his naturally hardened exoskeleton, he is a sitting duck with that launcher. After that he will set down his rocket launcher and bring out the halberd again.

Strange findings, Kyle. It seems that someone sabotaged the engine so that power could not be generated, preventing the ship from taking off. Not a problem for you to fix now that you have figured it out, but you are starting to think that maybe the effect was not intended to prevent you from lift off... after all, it seems Rylis is alone.

Without Gun Tricks specific to heavy weaponry, Eerin, that is a difficult maneuver. It is a five frame action to launch a rocket while moving into cover in the archway opposite Zane, and you do so at a penalty. A 6 is a Near Hit, and you take down the remaining two sandtroopers. Zane puts one stormtrooper down while he takes a shot at the Commander, who dodges and is unhit.

The stormtroopers fire, split seven and seven between Eerin and Zane. Eerin is out of luck as they are firing before he switches to the halberd... but I will give him his cover. Regardless, he still takes 13 damage.

The Commander does not seem at all interested in the conflict and is heading away from the docking bay in the direction from which Kara is coming... but he pays her no mind. But Zane presses himself against the archway, remaining unscathed in this barrage.

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THE DOCKING BAY SHOOT-OUT

Inside the Last Laugh

Kyle: 36/40

Entrance

Eerin: 13/39 (cover: 2)

Zane: 4/38 (cover: 2)

Stormtroopers x14: 0/36

Street

Stormtrooper Commander: 0/38

Kara: 0/37

---

The shuttle seems to swiveling its twin-linked cannons in the direction of the docking bay.

Kara is an action distant.

Kyle work at a mad pace, splicing wires and re-terminating connections. IF he doesn't get the power on soon, show's over.

(If I get power, can I shoot the ship's gun from here? Or would that delay takeoff?)

I just need to hear what Eerin intends to do.

Eerin, assuming he notices that the shuttle is aiming itself at the docking bay, is going to move into thicker cover!

Eerin ducks away from the entrance just as the shuttle fires its main cannons... and just as Kyle jumpstarts Last Laugh, bringing all systems online, including the shields.

The cannonfire rips into the docking bay, striking the archway of the entrance and consuming it in a burst of flame. Eerin moved away just in time, but Kara, who was moving into the bay just as it fired, is hurled forcefully against the side of Last Laugh. Zane too is torched in the explosion. They take a significant amount of damage, but they remain alive.

Debris and flame bounce off the reflector shields, as does the continued blasterfire from the stormtroopers.

Kara ducks into the starfreighter and meets you as you dash out of the engine room toward the cockpit, Kyle.

"Where should I plug this in?" she asks, opening her satchel and revealing a firmly secured hyperdrive unit.

Meanwhile, Zane pulls himself up and lets off a few more shots at the stormtroopers. "Let's get out of here," he says to you, Eerin. "Nothing more we can do here."

Kyle points to the room he just left, "In there. Holler if you need a hand." He flys to the cockpit and drops in his chair. Working like a madman he turns all systems on, bypassing the customary warm-ups. Hopefully, nothing blows. Kyle hits the inner-ship comm, "All in?" As soon as all are on boards, he give the repulsorlifts full power and then hits thrusters and rockets away.

Eerin nods to Zane, ducking to avoid stormtrooper blasters as he heads into the starfreighter. Once Zane is in, Eerin slams the ramp shut with the controls and heads into the ship.

"[All aboard, Captain Kyle]," Eerin reports via comm. "[Let's get this thing into space]."

Kara disappears into the engine room, tossing down her blaster rifle as she pulls out the hyperdrive unit and a hydrospanner.

The Last Laugh, despite all it has been through this time, shakily lifts off. It seems that Rylis made some repairs when she stole it! Which makes you think you had better double-check those repairs, but... you don't have time for it. You have to go, and go fast. And it seems your ship is still up for the challenge as you climb into space...

Radar bleeping at you, Kyle.

Kyle says a silent that Rylis hasn't rigged the ship to blow. He hears the radar go off and doesn't have to look to know it's bad. He yells for someone to man the turret gun. THEN he looks at the screen to assess the situation.

Zane is up for the job. His only query is whether Eerin wants to be on top or on bottom.

The radar is indicating that yes, there is a Star Destroyer turing about to move in on your position and block your escape from the planet. There are also numerous TIE Fighters swarming in patrols over the area of space that you intend to go through.

You are being hailed by the Star Destroyer Blackguard.

You have to give them credit for hailing before killing you, even though they plan on killing you anyway. He flips the comm switch, "Sorry, I'm too busy to talk now. I'm being chased by a bunch of idiots." He really didn't know why he liked to taunt those trying to kill him, it will probably catch up with him one day, for now, it's kind of fun. "All hands, we have a Star Destroyer moving to intercept us. GET that Hyperdrive plugged in Now!"

(Is there another route Kyle can take to put both parties behind them? Other then back to the planet?)

Eerin will claim the top gun.

Is the ship in any condition to punch through those TIE Fighters?

The Imperial Captain does not even manage to get a word in with that response, Kyle. That must have him flustered. The TIE Fighters stop swarming and being roaring through space toward your beloved freighter...

The Last Laugh can take 60 damage due to its strong armor plating... but because of its previous crash and others damaging factors, it is starting at 15 damage.

Kyle, it is difficult to outrun these TIE Fighters at sublight speeds. But maneuvering away from the Star Destroyer seems the best option, unless you want to try something really daring.

(OOOhhhh, is that a challenge?)

OK! Full speed toward the Star Destroyer. I will dodge all fire madly. When we get to the SD, I'll hug it's hull. And I mena HUG, like NOE flight, but against the hull. That should make it damn hard for the turbolasers. Once we're past the SD, it's no threat, there are no rear facing turbolasers, and if we're not in hyperspace by the time that giant space sloth comes about, we're likely dead or captured already. Hopefully, few TIE's will fire at their own commander. If they do, great, that will make Kyle laugh watching the Imperials shoot themselves. And white ship flying against a white hull will make targeting trickier. Way I figure, the hard parts will be getting to the 'cover' of the Star Destroyer, and then getting into hyperspace before what little luck they have left runs out. If I may, in advance, I plan on dumping any fortune and luck I have into this gambit.

It could be! But though playing chicken with a Star Destroyer is both daring and foolhardy, there are still some things that Kyle has to consider when he performs this impressive feat of piloting.

The Last Laugh is a fast ship, but it is a big ship. It can baffle the slow-moving turbolasers with its speed... but it is not invulnerable against them. Sooner or later they are bound to hit! The turbolasers of the Blackguard will be represented as ten skill seven units that cannot reasonably be destroyed. They have no penalty to strike. I welcome ideas that will inhibit their attacks.

The TIE Fighters certainly will not expect such a bold maneuver (though whether you actually attack the Star Destroyer is up to you), so they will be in pursuit. Any action you take against the Star Destroyer (attacking or evading) will increase their chances of catching up. Also, as ever, TIE Fighters have a drastic Performance edge over the Last Laugh and are difficult targets. Furthermore, they will not be detered by potential friendly fire against the Blackguard. Star Destroyers have thick armor and powerful shields; TIE guns won't penetrate.

As mentioned, the Last Laugh is starting at 15 damage.

And last but not least, a reminder that unless you are flying in a straight line, turrets have a -2 penalty.

Here are the relevant stats:

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THE LAST LAUGH

Thrust: 1

Performance: 2

Armor: 60

Turrets: 2

Payload: 12

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TIE FIGHTERS

Thrust: 10

Performance: 11

Armor: 2/20

Special: Hard to Hit, -2 to hit

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To summarize, you are in a Chase-like situation with TIE Fighters but in a battle with the Blackguard's turbolaser batteries.

If you need to take a gander at the Piloting rules, they are on the first page of the game. Remember your Piloting tricks and consider how you're going to make it through this one alive...

(Let me have a bit to gather thoughts on this one. Eerin, Zane, Kara! Feel free to throw me some ideas. Heheh.)

Neither Zane nor Kara have any knowledge of piloting, though Zane asks you not to get blown up. Very helpful advice.

Eerin may add anything he feels should be considered or tried, but ultimately this is Kyle's decision. After all, he is the one with his hands on the controls.

Ok, we're going to run away from the TIE's, but dodge the turbolasers. I'm still looking for the rules, they aren't on the first page.