Guess I'll ask...

[Nether Chic]

This may be irrelevant to this particular thread, but I like the mixed medium/effects this time around. I am not sure if you've done this before. The layering of computer graphics and your rendered work looks pretty cool !

[DeMatt]

...before I start shouting "The sky is falling!".<P>Who's attacking the Shogunate task force?<P>*hand hovers above GQ button*<P>------------------
Crewman: "Sir! An enemy ship is approaching! Can't scan its defenses!"
Captain: "Very well... ARM PHASE CANNON!"
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De enemies just ran roughshod over DeMatt...

[Cannonshop]

DeMatt, remember the two Cruisers the Mutineers siezed?
It took them less time to resupply after they left Kimura III than anyone expected.
(this means the Reich's task-force is closer than anyone thought...)
Keep readin'.
<P>------------------
<A HREF="http://galaxylegend.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://galaxylegend.keenspace.com</A> Darker, and more violent, guaranteed."

[Cannonshop]

Thanks, NC, actually, I have... generally I use the Computer stuff for things that I couldn't get right with the ol' Pen and Pencil technique. (the blast-flares, for instance, and backgrounds in space- it's easier to draw it as a "Negative image", then invert the coloration.) I use GIMP for this, (it's a "free" photoshop clone developed originally for Linux). I don't use as much for Interiors, or, for "ground" shots, but Space works perfectly for it.<P>------------------
<A HREF="http://galaxylegend.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://galaxylegend.keenspace.com</A> Darker, and more violent, guaranteed."

[DeMatt]

Okay.<P>I don't remember the part about seizing cruisers, but that's all right.<P>I guess my next question has to do with how come the Shogunates are getting their butts kicked? I should think the fight would be pretty even, considering that the Shogunates probably have more fighters and ships, while the mutineers have more powerful fighters and ships.<P>And I need a better word than "Shogunates"...<P>------------------
Crewman: "Sir! An enemy ship is approaching! Can't scan its defenses!"
Captain: "Very well... ARM PHASE CANNON!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
De enemies just ran roughshod over DeMatt...

[Cannonshop]

Part of the problem comes from a lack of experience. One of the reasons Lord Commander Toshiro was so keen to keep Catherine, (Once he'd gotten her) is because The Shogunate hasn't fought much of anyone for the last 80 years or so. They're badly inexperienced in live-fire combat. This wouldn't be nearly as much of a problem, if the Mutineers and their Reich allies weren't fielding better-than comparable equipment.
Or,if the Task-Force had more...seasoned... Personnel.<P>Oh, one more thing-
There is going to be a short bit on the Political/strategic situation on the 17th, which is a Sunday. It's text-only, but, I hope it will provide some answers on what's going on, and a little bit on why.
(Of course, it will probably open as many questions as it answers, but, since I can't seem to get some of this clear in the Comic itself...)<P>------------------
<A HREF="http://galaxylegend.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://galaxylegend.keenspace.com</A> Darker, and more violent, guaranteed."<p>[This message has been edited by Cannonshop (edited 02-12-2002).]

[DeMatt]

Well, there goes half the mutineer force.<P>I guess that leaves...<P>1x Heavy Cruiser (mutineer)
est. 10-20 Med. Fighter (mutineer)<P>1x Light/Med. Carrier (Shogunate)
est. 2-6 Frigate/Destroyer (Shogunate)
est. 10-40 Light/Med. Fighter (Shogunate)<P>...and this is what I guess is coming...
est. 1-2 Light/Med. Carrier (Reich)
est. 0-4 Med./Heavy Cruiser (Reich)
est. 4-12 Frigate/Destroyer (Reich)
est. 20-100 Fighter (Reich)<P>How far off are my force estimates? (I'm testing my tactical skill by guessing at the unit numbers.)<P>And as for experience, I should expect the resultant firefight to be VERY useful... for those that survive, that is... LC Toshiro better be prepared to run rather than face the Reich task force, given what the mutineers did to him so far. Even if he has to leave Catherine behind...<P>Still looking for a better word than "Shogunate"...<P>------------------
Crewman: "Sir! An enemy ship is approaching! Can't scan its defenses!"
Captain: "Very well... ARM PHASE CANNON!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
De enemies just ran roughshod over DeMatt...

[Cannonshop]

Good estimates, but I won't give hard numbers in here.
LC Toshiro is, of course, going to have to send for help, but, he won't have to run before Cathy gets there. Maybe immediately after, but, not before.<P>Incidentally, you're very close on Toshiro's battlegroup.
The Shogunate uses basically a single root design for their Major fleet vessels, with a modular setup to construct variants, The usual layout being that, in a battle group, there will be two "Pocket Dreadnoughts" (essentially heavy destroyers), two "Pocket Carriers", (He's lost one of those.) two "frigates", (Multipurpose vessels, both heavy weapons, and fighter complement), and a "Flagship" (basically a light carrier with additional C3 capabilities). Lighter vessels usually include 4-6 Corvettes per "Warship", with a variable number of fighters. Overall capability, when utilized properly, can take down a Dreadnought.
Toshiro's Sub-Captains weren't experienced enough to do this, thus, he lost 3 vessels piecemeal,(two Destroyers, one Light carrier.) mainly due to mistakes made early on. "Shogunate" fits only as the reference used commonly among Spacers and Outsiders. The Official term being "Loyal Servant Nation to the Emperial Legacy", which is a mouthful...<P>------------------
<A HREF="http://galaxylegend.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://galaxylegend.keenspace.com</A> Darker, and more violent, guaranteed."