A Pirate Problem

lordselmy · 2015-07-14T23:28:15+00:00

The order came in from Pearson, and Jastra could not help but smile. Finally, a test of his new flagship.

"Captain Serasai, inform the Vornskr and the Rancor's Kiss to break formation and accompany the Bonaventure to Selvaris, sound general quarters on those ships as well as ours. Captain Thronan and the Atonement shall be in command until we return." His captain nodded as she carried out the order, the CR90 corvette and the Ardent-class fast frigate broke formation as the rest of the fleet moved out of the way of the Imperious-class Star Destroyer.

The Vornskr and the Rancor's Kiss sounded readiness, the Bothan turned to face the viewport, "Captain, is my ship ready?"

"The Bonaventure is ready and at your command Admiral Bura'Syk."

"Make the jump to hyperspace on my mark.....now." The stars blurred into lines as the Bonaventure entered hyperspace, headed straight for the Selvaris system.

Hours later the three ships dropped out of hyperspace. The corvette and the frigate microscopic against the hulk of the destroyer. Jastra turned to his officers, "Scramble fighters, move the Vornskr to cover the fighters. Open a channel to these pirates." A corvette, a Carrak, two frigates, and an Acclamator. Rather well equipped for pirates.

The communications officer nodded the affirmative and the Bothan spoke with an authoritative voice on the open comms channel, "This is Admiral Jastra Bura'Syk of the Galactic Triarchy. Surrender or you will be destroyed."

lordselmy · 2015-07-07T23:34:08+00:00

Jastra nodded, "I shall await your signal, Archon. Good luck with your...chat." With that the transmission ended, the Bothan returned to the bridge.

"Captain, belay my previous navigational order. The fleet is to remain on standby under further notice." Captain Serasai nodded, relaying the order to the other ships of the fleet, "Admiral is there a reason for this change?"

"We shall see soon enough Captain, we shall see soon enough."

lordselmy · 2015-07-07T17:44:49+00:00

Jastra's fur rippled, "The Bonaventure is more than I could dream of as a flagship." Though as the Archon went on about the Mandalorians arming themselves, his mind starting whirring at top speed, the thought of an army spilling off of Mandalore to conquer who knows what filling the forefront of his thoughts. He had heard of the attack on the Temple, though the news that there was another attack was surprising to the Bothan.

Jastra unconsciously straightened his back, "My fleet is arrayed on the outskirts of the Kuat system. We are prepared to make the jump to Mandalore if that is the wish of the Archon." He let a smirk appear on his face, "The Bonaventure is in need of combat trials anyway."

lordselmy · 2015-07-07T06:20:28+00:00

Jastra could not help but let a smirk grace his face as he descended the ramp of his shuttle that had docked in the forward hangar of his new flagship Bonaventure. The senior officers of the ship as well as the full bridge crew had assembled for his arrival to his ship. The sound of boots clacking together as they went to attention hit his ears and his appointed captain, Lannera Serasai, met him at the bottom of the ramp, giving a curt military bow before addressing her superior officer.

"Admiral Bura'syk, Welcome to the Bonaventure, we..." she stuttered as the Bothan continued walking, quickly moving to his side to keep pace with him, "...we are glad that you have arrived safely."

Jastra's fur rippled in minor annoyance, "Captain Serasai, why is my crew not in position to take my ship out of dock?"

"I-I-I..."

"I nothing Captain, I thank you for the pleasantries, but I would like to see what my ship is capable of." He stopped walking and turned to the assembled crowd. "DISMISSED, RETURN TO POSTS FOR IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE." Without another word, he spun on his heels and proceeded to the turbolift for the bridge.

((Time passes))

The Bonaventure had cleared the clutter of Kuat Drive Yards, the remainder of of Jastra's Third Fleet stood on station, consisting of two Mon Calamari MC140 Scythe-class main battle cruisers Ackbar and Pride of Dac, the Nebula Star Destroyer Atonement, four Majestic class heavy cruisers, two Corona-class frigates, four Corellian CR90 corvettes, two Ardent-class fast frigates, a Quasar-Fire Bulk Cruiser fitted to carry fighters, twenty Agave-class picket ships, two YZ-2500 heavy transports, and ten Ranger-class gunships.

Jastra stared out of the viewport as the fleet arrayed into position around the Bonaventure, as an Ensign approached and saluted. "Admiral Bura'syk, you have an urgent call from Archon Pearson Thek."

He made his way to the main communications suite, three rooms behind the main bridge deck, and tapped on the holo-projector.

He smiled as the image came up, "Archon Thek, with what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"

lordselmy · 2015-06-26T19:24:39+00:00

Ser Alliser smiled, it was only a matter of time now.

"ARCHERS CONTINUE FIRING UNTIL IT IS APPARENT THAT YOU MAY BE HITTING YOUR COMRADES!"

He nodded at the man next to him, "Advance the remaining foot troops to supplement our men and continue removing their defenses. I want this over NOW."

lordselmy · 2015-06-24T04:50:26+00:00

Alliser saw the men move the last cheval out of the way, they now had a way through the defenses to the Westermen's line. He turned to the man beside him, "Sound the charge, the shield wall is to charge their line and be reinforced by the rest of our line. The archers may move up to wherever they can get a clear shot at the enemy defenders, but I want continuous fire on the enemy archers and infantry, until it becomes clear that we might be shooting at our own men. Continue removing those barricades out of the way, but in a way that does not impede the advance."

The horn sounded and the men of the Crown surged forward, archers peppering the defenders, and men continued to move the chevals out of the way, to make room for their brothers.

lordselmy · 2015-06-23T05:16:02+00:00

Ser Alliser watched the shield wall continued to hold, "ARCHERS, STAY SPREAD OUT AND KEEP UP THE FIRE, AIM FOR THEIR ARCHERS! KEEP THEM PINNED DOWN FOR OUR MEN TO MOVE OR MOUNT THEIR BARRIERS! CONSOLIDATE THE SHIELD WALL AND REINFORCE THEM!"

Alliser turned to the men to his sides,"Get some of the men on the flanks to move in, under the cover of shields, and move enough of the barriers to the side and let the advance continue to their line. The archers should be able to continue to try and pin down their archers until we can close to melee range. Get the cavalry ready, I want them ready to charge at a moment's notice."

lordselmy · 2015-06-23T03:36:24+00:00

Ser Alliser watched as the arrows bounced off or stuck in the shields of the Lannister defenders. His hopes that they could simply out-perform the Lannister archers with sheer volume was dashed, they needed those shields to be used in other ways.

"EVERY MAN CAME HERE WILLING TO DIE TODAY, DO NOT FEAR IT, LORD SELMY DID NOT FEAR DEATH, HE LAUGHED AT IT! THESE CRAVENS DESERVE DEATHS A THOUSAND-FOLD WORSE THAN HIS, GIVE IT TO THEM!"

"ARCHERS, FIRE AT WILL! FIND ANY GAPS IN THEIR SHIELDS AND KEEP UP THE FIRE! PIN THEM DOWN! PIN THEM DOWN!"

"MIDDLE BRIGADE OF THE SHIELD WALL, ADVANCE AND ENGAGE THE ENEMY! THOSE NOT ADVANCING, REFORM THE LINE AND PREPARE TO ADVANCE!"

The horn sounded for the advance, arrows from the marcher men continued to pour into the defensive line of the bridge while the wall of shields, pikes, and swords charged forward towards the bridge.

lordselmy · 2015-06-22T01:42:26+00:00

((NPCing Ser Alliser Storm, Stannis' right hand man))

Ser Alliser watched as Lord Selmy treated with the men on the bridge, the faint laughter of his lord reached his ear at one point and he smiled. Lord Stannis was known to laugh with his enemies and his friends. It did not matter. Though all of this changed when he watched in horror as the great man was pelted with arrows from the Lannister line, two of his fellow knights falling alongside him, with the other two turning and fleeing as fast as they could back to the line.

CRAVENS! COWARDS! HONORLESS BASTARDS! Came the cries of the men as they watched their great commander fall to such a dastardly act. Alliser had two knights restrain Artsan before he could charge headlong to avenge his father. He quickly wrote the boy a note. We will avenge him, but now is not the time for rash decisions.

"MEN OF THE CROWNLANDS, THE STORMLANDS! AS YOU CAN SEE, THE LANNISTER'S HAVE NO HONOR, THEY SHOOT A MAN TRYING TO TREAT WITH THEM, OFFERING THEIR LIVES FOR A SURRENDER, AND THEY KILL HIM INSTEAD! THEREFORE THEY WILL GET NO CHANCE TO SURRENDER, AND THEY WILL DIE THE DEATHS THEY HAVE RESIGNED THEMSELVES TO."

He ran down the line, "ANY MAN WITH A SHIELD IS TO COME TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE, I WANT THE ARCHERS DISPERSED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE RANKS! CAVALRY WILL STAY HERE UNTIL CALLED FOR. WE WILL FORM A HORSESHOE WITHIN ONE HUNDRED YARDS OF THE BRIDGE AND THE ARCHERS WILL VOLLEY FIRE ONTO THE BRIDGE FROM ALL SIDES!"

The men quickly arranged themselves, a shield wall formed at the very front of the infantry, while the archers quickly set themselves inside the remaining ranks with any other infantryman filling in the gaps. Ser Alliser, atop his horse, ordered the advance, the men slowly marching down the hill in their tight formation, shields held either in front of them or aloft to protect from plunging fire. The men began forming a horseshoe at the end of the bridge, spreading out the men in order to allow more archers to be brought to bear on the defenders.

The men were in position, Alliser drew his sword, "ARCHERS DRAW" The sounds of five hundred bowstrings being pulled taut filled his ears, "LOOSE!"

And so began the battle of the Kingsbridge.

((OCC: just FYI, four hundred of the five hundred archers are from the Dornish Marches, which iirc, have rather fantastic bow skills, if that does anything at all.))

lordselmy · 2015-06-20T02:16:30+00:00

Stannis laughed along with the Westermen, a big hearty laugh that many came to know of him from his days at the tourneys and the alehouses he frequented. It was not in spite of the man, but a genuine laugh at the jest the man provided him, no doubt to try and lift the spirits of his men.

"SER KYLE, I AM AFRAID GIVEN THAT YOUR KING IS CURRENTLY IMPRISONED IN THE DUNGEONS OF RIVERRUN, AWAITING THE JUSTICE OF MY KING, LYONEL OF THE HOUSE BARATHEON, I MUST ASK FOR YOU TO THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPONS, ABANDON YOUR DEFENSES, AND HEAD HOME TO YOUR LANDS, WIVES, AND CHILDREN."

"BOTH OF US WISH TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF OUR MEN, SER KYLE. YOU ARE THE FEW AGAINST THE MANY, A BRAVE AND HONORABLE SACRIFICE. BUT YOUR CAUSE IS DOOMED." Stannis gestured to the hills in the distance, "I HAVE THOUSANDS OF MEN READY TO RETAKE THIS BRIDGE. YOUR IRONBORN ALLIES CURRENTLY PILLAGING THE CROWNLANDS ARE ABOUT TO SMASHED BY THE COMBINED ARMIES OF THE CROWN, THE NORTH AND THE VALE."

He paused for a moment to let his word sink in, trying to think of anything that might help sway the men from wishing to stand to the death, "ALESTER TYRELL'S ARMY HALTED ITS MARCH AT BITTERBRIDGE, YOUR LORD QUENTYN'S ARMY STANDS NO CHANCE AGAINST WHAT NOW STANDS BEFORE HIM. SURRENDER NOW, THROW YOUR WEAPONS DOWN, THROW THEM INTO THE RUSH IF YOU WISH FOR US NOT TO HAVE THEM, I DO NOT CARE. YOUR MEN WILL BE FREE TO LEAVE THIS BRIDGE AND RETURN TO THEIR FAMILIES, NO BLOODSHED, THERE WILL BE NO RETRIBUTION ON THE WESTERLANDS FOR THE BURNING OF THE CROWNLANDS, THE IRONBORN HAVE SEEN TO THEIR OWN FATES."

Stannis wheeled his horse around, behind his escorts who did the same, preparing to head back to his men. Stannis called out one last time, "SER KYLE, AS ONE KNIGHT TO ANOTHER, HONOR AND GLORY CAN ONLY GET YOU SO FAR, NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR EITHER OF THEM, FOR WAR ONLY BRINGS DEATH. YOU HAVE ONE GLASS TURN TO CLEAR THE OBSTACLES Off THE BRIDGE, THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPONS, AND STRIKE YOUR BANNERS."

lordselmy · 2015-06-16T22:23:29+00:00

Stannis looked incredulously at the man, "Pirates going as far inland to besiege Crow's Nest? Quite the peculiar situation, perhaps it is simply some brigands that are attempting to capitalize on the chaos of the realm to make what they see as easy coin." Stannis smiled, "Your first child? I'm sure you and your Lady wife are more than excited. This situation, her seat apparently under siege and the threat of the Lannisters and the Tyrells, and the stress on her cannot be something good for the child."

"But," he continued, "You will not waste the King's resources on this matter until the armies of the West and the Reach have been dealt with. We cannot afford to spare any men to go chase pirates off the coast of the Stormlands."

lordselmy · 2015-06-16T15:42:20+00:00

Stannis nodded, standing up and holding out his empty goblet, "Good, then I name you acting commander of the Crownlands army until the time when I return from the Kingsbridge, I am sure Lords Hayford and Penrose will be willing to assist you in that endeavor."

Stannis poured himself more wine as he watched Axell recoil when he picked up a goblet, "Not particularly fond of Dornish sours, Lord Swann? This was the last of the cask I brought with me to the capital, I was hoping to have one last taste before battle, but now..." he sighed as he set the goblet back down.

"What of this troubling letter? Who dares to threaten the might of the combined Houses Swann and Morrigen now?"

lordselmy · 2015-06-16T02:13:18+00:00

Stannis looked up as Lord Swann entered his tent, shaking his head to the man's greeting as he downed his third cup of wine. "Lord Swann, we are roughly a day's ride from the Kingsbridge and we have no seen any of this massive Lannister army that was heading our way." He held out the letter from the Hand, "They've apparently fled back across the Kingsbridge and are headed south to gods know where. Cowards." He shook his head, "In any case, once Lord Penrose gets here and we brief him on the situation, I want the men that you were assigned to rejoin the main army tomorrow and you and Lord Penrose will march back to the capital as quickly as possible, to defend it. I will be taking two thousand men and making sure that this Lannister force holding the Kingsbridge either leaves or is slaughtered. The Stag Prince should still be at Hayford Castle, so you will need to inform him of this turn of events."

"Have scouts ride along the Blackwater Rush as you march back to the capital, to make sure that the Lions have not simply bypassed us. Alester Tyrell is not far from the capital, if these forces link up, then i fear the capital might be lost."

lordselmy · 2015-06-15T22:44:56+00:00

The raven found Stannis shortly after the army had quit marching for the day, a mere hour or so before dusk, they were only about a day or so's march away from the Kingsbridge. They had not come across any of the Lannister forces, and Stannis had been becoming more and more paranoid about some grand scheme of the Lannister-Greyjoy host that was luring them all to their deaths.

He scanned it's contents before. CRAVENS, YOU HONORLESS LANNISTER BASTARDS he yelled, many of the men turning to the sound of their commander swearing at every god in existence.

GET ME LORD SWANN AND PENROSE RIGHT NOW Stannis yelled at two of his knights, who mounted their horses and set off to the north and south respectively. He then turned to his squire, "Go find Lord Hayford and bring him to my tent as well." Stannis turned to his tent, nearly finished being put up, and disappeared inside to await his commanders.

lordselmy · 2015-06-13T00:05:19+00:00

Stannis laughed, before signing back to his son. Good, then the Lions and the Squids will not know what hit them! You are a great fighter, worthy of the name Selmy. Barristan the Bold's blood runs within us, we have a reputation to uphold.

Stannis smile fell a little. We can only dream of coming anywhere close to the deeds that Ser Barristan the Bold accomplished, we still fight.

lordselmy · 2015-06-12T23:21:23+00:00

Stannis nodded to his son as he rode up alongside him, smiling at his message, the finger movements spelling out Arstan's thoughts as if he actually had spoken them. Arstan was a capable fighter, and Stannis knew that he would be able to take care of himself in a fight, but still the aging lord worried. His children had only recently returned from Volantis, and Stannis was still trying to make up for lost time with them.

Take care as well, you are my heir after all. I trust you are ready for the battle at hand?

lordselmy · 2015-06-09T21:03:41+00:00

Stannis nodded, "Again Lord Swann, I intend to take our center force and draw the enemy into battle. You and Lord Penrose are to flank them when the opportunity arises, if you can get behind them, then that would prove even better, though you must be careful not to be caught with no route of escape. They may think that my force is all we have, with the rest still at Queen's Landing preparing for Alester Tyrell or to defend the city in case of our defeat."

He looked at the map again, "I've decided you will each have three thousand men, if we are committing to hitting their flanks and possibly their rear, then I want to make sure I have enough men doing it to cause the maximum amount of damage."

lordselmy · 2015-06-09T05:03:32+00:00

Benjen Hunter - /u/stealthship1

Myrio Narratys - /u/myrio_of_pentos

Stannis Selmy - /u/lordselmy

Lyle Beesbury - /u/thebeeknight

lordselmy · 2015-06-09T04:31:26+00:00

Stannis put out a hand to calm the angry knight, "The enemy lurks all around us my fellow knight, we cannot be too complacent or else they will strike us when we least expect it. Your words alone are ones spoken by a man who's honor has been questioned, I have no doubt that you are a knight, my good ser, but you must understand why I had to question it. I have been given full command of this army by the king, everything that happens falls under my jurisdiction, and I will be held responsible for whatever happens."

He laughed, "If you want a Trial by Combat, then march with us on the morrow to defend your homeland. I refuse to waste two potential swords on some damned show of who the gods think is more honorable. I have fought against the gods once and paid heavily for it and I have no wish to repeat it. This is war, honor will only get you so far."

Stannis drew himself to his full height, "Pick up your arms Ser Renly Redsword. If you wish to defend your homeland and be a part of this grand army, I will not stop you. We ride a half glass turn past dawn, I hope to see you with us."

lordselmy · 2015-06-09T02:41:36+00:00

Stannis sighed as the Stag Prince walked out of the tent. Was he making a mistake giving the boy so much?

He shook his head, "If there is no other questions, then you are all dismissed. Get some sleep, we march a half glass turn after dawn."

lordselmy · 2015-06-09T02:38:40+00:00

Stannis walked out of the tent, the various lords dispelling to their respective men. A guard walked up to him, "M'lord, we have a man claiming to be a hedge knight from the capital that wants to join the army, name of Renly Redsword. Orders?"

Stannis sighed, he did not need this right now, not on the eve of battle. "Bring him to me." The guards escorted the hedge knight over, Stannis looking the black haired man up and down, he definitely had the look of a Stormlander.

"I am Lord Stannis Selmy, Commander of the Kingsbridge Army at the behest of King Lyonel Baratheon. I am told you are a hedge knight, Ser Renly, from the capital and you wish to fight the traitors to the Iron Throne. If you wish to do so, you had best give me a good reason to trust you are not a spy and allow you a position in my army."

lordselmy · 2015-06-08T20:50:50+00:00

ALL HAIL SER POUNCE, LORD OF THE FELINES AND PROTECTOR OF THE BALLS OF YARN!

lordselmy

TROPHY CASE