Flight of the Reroll Part Three

Captain Grognard was in the mess hall. Frank had challenged Jennix to a drinking contest and most of the crew had gathered to watch. The winner would get a bag full of credits and the loser would do something so anatomically disturbing that Grognard was sure it was illegal in this sector.

They both took a drink. Frank burped and Jennix farted. The crew laughed.

Captain Grognard smiled. The crew was happy. Most of them were wearing new clothes that had been looted off merchant ships. No one talked about finding a planet to hide on anymore. Granted, they didn’t talk much about staying pirates either but at least they weren’t daydreaming about becoming refugees on some dirtball planet.

It was time for another drink. Jennix downed her mug and let out a loud burp.

Frank raised his mug and missed his mouth. All of the rum fell down his shoulder. As he turned to look at the mess he made, he fell off his chair and collapsed to the ground.

“We have a winner!” Captain Grognard said.

The crew cheered. Jennix stood up and took a bow before collapsing onto the table.

“Attention all hands!” the intercom buzzed. “Battle Stations! The Ponzi Index is within range!”

Captain Gorgnard sighed. It had been less then twenty hours since they looted the Supply Side. He hoped today was another merchant. He made his way to the bridge; eager to see what adventures would be had today.


***

Welcome to part 3 of my first Space Pirates AAR. After destroying the Goldman’s Sack and looting the Supply Side, The Reroll went off looking for new targets. A few activation rolls later and we have a new PEF on the radar!

Exclusive actual scan from the Reroll's scanner thingy

The Reroll went for the closest PEF. This time it was another Class 5 Grand Freighter with a Rep of 3. We’ll call it The Ponzi Index. Those things are loaded with loot but the class 5 means you got to really wear them down.

Long Range scans gave the Merchants three success plus one for a total of four. The pirates manage a measly one success. Starting distance is 60 inches away.

Going with my previous decision, The Ponzi Index cannot call for help until actually fired upon. That means seven turns of The Reroll closing the gap and holding their fire until they get within missile range. I imagine the crew of The Ponzi Index spent this time calling their brokers and telling them to liquidate in case they need to pay a ransom.

On turn Seven, The Reroll closes to within 8 inches. They fire both missiles. The Ponzi Index tries to dodge and fails miserably.

One missile takes down a shield! Woot!
One missile hits the non-existent AA for no damage. Boo!

Image of the Encounter provided by Googley Spy Satellite #932

The Reroll opens fire with their guns. They hit twice which is reduced by the one shield left. Because the Freighter is a higher class of ship, the Pirates can only do one damage to the hull.

The Ponzi Index easily makes their received damage test. They do less well on their concentrated fire guns and do no damage.

They do call for help and get one success. Help is on the way!

***

“Thank you for contacting Star Navy Dispatch. Due to budget cuts in your sector, we are unable to answer your distress at this time. Please stay on the line and if under attack please attempt evasive maneuvers.”

***

On Turn 8, the Ponzi Index manages to get an amazing 25 inches away. They fire guns in a concentrated manner and fail to pierce The Reroll’s shields. They try calling for help but none is coming.

The Reroll goes. I am trying to slow down for a boarding action. I close the distance to 10 inches and open fire. They launch two missiles and both of them smack into the poorly evading Grand Freighter. One damages the hull for one point while the other missile collides with the non-existent missiles on the freighter.

Discouraged, The Reroll fires their guns. They get two successes vs the Grand Freighter’s last shield and hit the hull for one point of damage. It is like light rain on the hull compared the Grand Freighter’s 22 remaining hull points.

At least that is what the pirates think. The Ponzi Index fails their Received Damage test with zero successes. Apparently the crew is a bunch of investors not fighters. They drop down to a Rep of 2 and surrender! Hurrah! The pirates seize the ship and leave the crew drifting in life pods.

Captain Grognard sends over a skeleton crew. Instead of rolling for every cargo bay, out of sheer laziness, I make a single roll. I get Goods in each of the ten bays for a total of 150 CV.

I think in the future, I will come up with a way of deciding if a ship has different loot for each bay or is just hauling a bunch of one thing.

***

Captain Grognard sat back in the Captain’s chair. It was another good fight with no damage to The Reroll. Their first foray into pirating had been pretty profitable. There was one last blip on the scanner. Grognard smiled as he thought of the riches that may yet to be taken.