White Star #23

In this rematch against our WS #10 opponents, Blue★Nation, we were eager to reclaim our honor after they exploited mechanical bugs in our previous match. This was a highly anticipated game.

Our roster included veterans Jim, Falkio, Tricky, Darrow, Drab, CaptainBarnacles, Stu, Cobr4, and two newer members, Venom and Thornball. The match began without firm communication on our objectives or initial tactics, but roles were quickly assigned, and a plan started to take shape.

Cobr4 and Venom set the tone by playing “Battle of the Valkyries” over loudspeakers as the match commenced.

The match opened with a coordinated operation by Stu, Tricky, Darrow, and Cobr4. Unfortunately, none of them managed to score hits. Stu led the effort to eliminate the Cerb Bomber harassing our starting sector, assisted by Darrow and Jim, who was supported by Falkio. This substitution of Jim for Darrow’s usual Bomber killer loadout was intended to save time on round trips and allow Darrow to position himself for hunting. However, this decision ultimately cost the Guardians valuable time in establishing a defensible area at our level 10 planet and proved very costly.

CaptainBarnacles, Venom, Cobr4, and Tricky moved northwest to claim our intended level 10 planet, followed closely by Drab and Thornball. Jim and Falkio joined them once the Bomber was destroyed. Stu went to change his loadout while Darrow headed northeast.

Meanwhile, enemies Svarog and the Blue★Nation president took on the role of Stakeholder, impulsing into both sets of level 10 planets uncontested.

This strategic misstep and lack of initial coordination hindered our efforts, setting the stage for a challenging match ahead.

Both enemies deployed the Barrier+Teleport+Chain Ray tactic, which proved devastating, leading to the destruction of both Tricky and Darrow. Since this tactic has no effective defense, there was little we could do to counter it.

Despite the setbacks, Tricky managed to create the first two relics at the level 1 planet. Soon after, another Blue★Nation battleship followed Svarog and implemented a Barrier, effectively preventing us from entering the hex for some time. Meanwhile, the northeast level 10 planet was swarming with enemy ships, with no presence from our team.

Svarog then used the Bond ability on Jim’s Miner before teleporting, dragging it away to be destroyed. Drab and Darrow each created one relic on the level 5 planet. Stu, with a new loadout, moved east to defend our weak side. Inspired by Dr. Q, Stu set up his Time Machine to implement the WTFrUdoingQ maneuver, bonding a Colossus into the enemy. Blue★Nation’s Crazycatz released a Rocket Drone and impulsed right behind a departing Stu, causing significant damage to our supports. The havoc wreaked by Crazycatz’s RD only stopped when the Flagship intervened, but not before it killed three more of our supports at the level 5 planet.

Stu was eventually halted by AaRCat’s Barrier and destroyed by a Chain Ray. RIP Stu.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the chaotic battlefield, Svarog was retreating from our forces, giving the Titans a chance to advance into the level 10 sector. Venom was engaged in battle with MrNeko but was stopped by a Barrier. Thornball used Teleport to assist Venom, but MrNeko timed his Destiny ability to activate 30 seconds after Thornball’s arrival, resulting in the destruction of both Venom and Thornball.

CaptainBarnacles rushed to intercept MrNeko to prevent him from swinging around the west side. He successfully EMP’d MrNeko, but the enemy then engaged Impulse, allowing MrNeko to stay in place and deal damage while CaptainBarnacles moved through him. CaptainBarnacles survived with just 332 HP and later joined forces with Jim and Darrow to finally take down MrNeko.

Falkio, Jim, Cobr4, and Drab managed to secure our intended level 10 planet. Cobr4 then mounted an offense against the retreating Svarog. However, Svarog, seemingly empowered with demonic abilities, impulsed Cobr4 to death. Tricky and Darrow attempted to breach the enemy’s level 10 sector, with Tricky warning Darrow not to go alone. But Darrow, determined to avenge Cobr4, impulsed ahead and was killed. Tricky survived the encounter.

Blue★Nation’s s1akr, using numbers as letters, teleported into our level 10, engaged Alpha, and unleashed Destiny, destroying our support. Thorn and Stu paired up to break the enemy’s lock on the eastern level 10 sectors. At this point, we were losing faith and needed extreme measures. Blue★Nation was producing too many relics, and we needed some Hail Marys.

Venom and Jim simultaneously attacked the enemy’s home port. Despite our efforts, we only managed to score the first three relics with 38 hours left on the clock. Our assaults on the enemy failed to diminish their ability to produce relics.

With 38 hours remaining, the score was 3-0. By 30 hours, it was 4-14, and at 24 hours left, it was 4-20. Despite being totally dispirited, we continued to fight. The enemy showed their true character by harassing our meager drones and transports returning home.

We did find out, though, that the devil-goat Svarog coupled with has an incurable and highly contagious STD, so there is that small consolation.