Steampunk Air Ship RP (IC, Apply on OOC)

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

MAP: http://s1.postimg.org/gkoakq4bj/Steampunk.png

Tech: Black powder cartridge weapons eg Martini-Henry or Colt 1860 US Army, no automatic weapons. Ship guns are artillery pieces found on WW1 era ships. Balloons to lift ships can either be outside the ship like a zeppelin or inside with the ship wrapped around it like the pictures below.

This RP is based on the premise of a world in which islands of land are separated by air rather than by bodies of water. Conventional laws of physics do not apply here but the more realism the better as always.



There are three factions to set the stage, Empire, Republic and Independent:

The Empire is Orange and uses a senate to control civil sides and leaves the emperor in charge of military matters. They are not evil and are very liberal but the culture is extremely heavy on military and individual honour. 1% of the population is in the ruling class while 99% are reasonably wealthy in what we would consider "middle class", there is very little poverty but no chance to move into the ruling classes from the working classes. The Empire is locked in a cold war with the Republic.

The Republic is Blue which is effectively a Westminster system of government with a Prime Minister and assorted elected officials. This is more conservative and authoritarian and bans many drugs, activities and has a much stricter laws in general. Also not evil or good and put a large amount of effort towards the arms race against the Empire. They are currently having problems with separatists in Orinia. The Republic, despite not actually being a republic, also holds on to titles of nobility and grants land with them. Currently there are Dukes (2), Earls (4), Counts(6) and Barons(10). These make up the House of Lords in parliament.

The Independents are islands who prefer to govern themselves and broke off either forcefully or democratically. Recently it is becoming harder and harder for islands to leave their parent nations and thus armed rebellions become a real possibility. Orinia and Rufk represent these possibilities.

Inspiration: http://defwalls.com/wallpapers-n/clouds ... 305-27.jpg

https://slm-assets1.secondlife.com/asse ... 1277016373

You can apply for either an independent nation, a single ship captain, a fleet commander, a pirate (or pirate group), or whatever else you can think of. You cannot apply for the Empire or the Republic, they will be controlled by me.

OOC is here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=331733

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

The Republican Navy was constantly testing the airspace around Rufk and Werst as the Empire did the same to Oria and Orinia. Orinia and Rufk were major trade cities, they joined the two nations together when all other methods resulted in bloodshed. But now they wanted independence as their wealth stacked up and private security details turned into insurgents and pirates. The southern most tip of Orinia was controlled by rebels, there a small fleet of light ships and several hundred armed men declared their own nation just two days ago and the Empire publicly supported them. Yesterday Rufk was struck by attacks on the Governor's mansion in which twenty six people including three civilians and twelve Imperial Grenadiers were killed. The Republic openly supported the attack after a deceleration of independence by the "Republic of Rufk".

Courier ships have come into your respective ports and cities with urgent news reports. You pay their due and read what they have to say.

***Breaking News****

Today martial law has been imposed in both cities by their respective nations. Just a few hours ago an Imperial trade shipment was found smuggling arms and munitions into Orinia from Werst. The Republic declared that the Empire was supplying anarchists and terrorists in Orinia and demands that the Empire extradite the offenders to the Republic. The Empire is yet to respond but in recent hours many ships previously dormant have been mobilizing to Rufk. While by no stretch of the imagination is this a declaration of war it has certainly not helped the situation.

More news as it develops.

[Mundeo]

One of these Imperial trade shipments was heading towards Orinia when disaster struck, at least for them. An alarm was sounded as an unidentified ship came looming from the clouds. Once a clear view of the ship can be seen, one of the Imperial crew called, "It's the Crimson Valkyrie! Pirates!", but it was too late for them. Volley after volley of cannon-fire barraged the Imperial ship, damaging the hull and engines. Hooks fired from the Valkyrie and embedded themselves in in the deck. Then, pirates used the ropes to board the incapacitated ship, starting a bloody battle, ending in pirate victory. As the remaining crew, including the captain, were rounded up, the pirate cruiser drew closer and closer to the Imperial trade vessel, until it was just an arms reach from the deck. A hatch opened, and out stepped the most feared pirate in the skies, Bartholomew Hannock, once Imperial admiral turned ruthless cutthroat. He approached the captain as a dead silence enveloped the ship. The captain, with his wrists tied behind him, scolded, "What do you want, you damned traitor?". Hannock formed a wicked grin, and spoke in a calm, collected manner. "I think it's pretty obvious, isn't it? You know, all of the arms and munitions, and anything else you are carrying on your ship. I make a fairly simple offer, I keep the loot, you keep your lives". Not a word, just the whistling of the wind as it made the tails of Hannock's coat flutter in the gust. The captain snarled at the pirate captain. "You aren't taking anything that belongs to the Empire over my dead body". More silence, but it was broken by a light chuckle. "Now that's a rather convincing offer". In an instant, he pulled a flintlock from his coat and fired, the captain fell limp onto the deck. The rest of the Imperial crew shook and chattered. Hannock ordered to his crew, "Take every last piece of firearms you can find, and someone get me some damn explosives!". Hannock returned to the Valkyrie as the pirates rushed around the ship like sheep when scared by a herder. One after the other, each pirate returned to the Valkyrie with a crate in hand, until all returned. Then two more exited the pirate ship carrying a big sphere of mechanisms and clockwork, which they promptly dropped onto the deck and sprinted back into the Valkyrie. As the pirate ship departed, steam began to spout from the sphere. Once the Crimson Valkyrie was a safe distance away, the Imperial vessel burst into a sea of flame, quickly becoming enveloped as it fell from the skies.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

(I liked how the Imperial captain stuck to his personal honour to the end)

Commodore Jakob Hennsen tapped his foot nervously, the shipment had been caught, not that this was the first one to arrive however, it was the fifth he had personally escorted and now his neck was on the line. INTS (Imperial Navy Trade Ship) Merchant was missing and had been for the last two hours when a sudden windstorm had rushed in and the currents had swept the heavy, low power ship off course. Thirty minutes later they lost sight, and three Iron Clad Cutters (armour and the ship itself wrapped around the balloon) had been dispatched to find it. "Sir, we have a Morse code message from one of the Cutters!"
"Well read it." Hennsen demanded impatiently.
"It reads: Smoke spotted, Merchant is lost. Pursuing nearby ship. Suspected pirates."
"It was the single Cutter that returned to send the message?"
"Yes sir."
"Detach two cruisers and two frigates."
"Sir, that will leave you dangerously exposed in a clearly pirate infested region!" The Commodore's ship was INWS Magic, a Battle Cruiser and while not completely alone, the escort would be down on strength.
"That doesn't matter, if we don't get their heads then the Emperor will have mine."

The ships took off at emergency power to catch the pirates at all cost. There were still another twelve trade ships to make dock under the cover of the Battle Cruiser and two other Cruisers. The Cutters following the pirates were dodging behind clouds, covering themselves from being seen and moving out in pursuit only when the coast seemed clear. It was unlikely they had been seen but anything was possible. Now it was a race to see who would reach their destination first, the reinforcements to the pirate or the pirate to their home.

[Heraklea-]

Rear Admiral Nathan Alexander watched as the aeroplane made its return to the Aquila. Initially blending into the clouds it had emerged from, the small craft eventually grew large enough to be easily recognized a distinct object. With a curious grace, it made its final approach and landed on the large flat deck of the carrier ship. As the aeroplane slowed to a stop, Nathan strode out to the craft.

“Pirate base confirmed, sir,” shouted the pilot from the two-man crew as the gunner set about getting the aeroplane refueled. “Four cutters and two sloops in port. Three batteries defend.”

“Good work, Lieutenant,” Nathan shouted over the engine's roar. “I'll personally put you two in for decorations.”

“Thank you, sir!” yelled the gunner. Nathan turned and walked to the stairs that led to the next deck down, where the Aquila's Wing Commander awaited him.

“My superiors have already accepted the aeroplane's use as a reconnaissance craft. Today, we will prove it can be an effective weapon of war as well. Send a signal to the Falco. I want the aeroplanes to strike the pirate base before I bring the ships in range of their guns. The bombers are to focus on silencing the batteries, then disabling or destroying the warships. The First Fighter Squadron is to focus on suppressing the ships, the Second to focus on anti-personnel raking."

“Aye aye, sir.” With the orders given, Nathan crossed the gangway that connected the Aquila to his flagship, the Imperator. Once on the other side, the gangway segments were retracted to each ship, and the two moved away from each other to a safer distance again.

As Nathan took his seat on the flag bridge, the aeroplanes could be seen taking off from the decks of the two carrier ships.

---

The mood was celebratory. The pirates had just finished disposing of their ill-gotten gains, and the booze was flowing freely. Carousing and laughter were heard throughout the small base.

Then the sirens were sounded. The pirates came running out of the buildings to witness the columns of strange rigid wing machines bursting out of the clouds. The pirate batteries fired into the air, but the small crafts easily navigated out of the path of the fired shells before three lines of aeroplanes began their bombing runs. Time and again the batteries shook under the force of the bombs as the other aeroplanes flew over the docked airships or the base proper. The rear-seat gunners cranked their guns and used them to deadly purpose, tearing through flesh and light armor to wreak havoc on the pirates.

The batteries began to fall under the onslaught. First the supports at the base of the west battery gave out and the entire structure slumped down the hill. Then the east battery collapsed in on itself. A lucky strike on the final battery hit the ammo dump, sending the entire structure into the air before it fell back to the island in pieces. With the batteries gone, the bombers turned the remainder of their fury on the docked pirate ships.

---

Nathan sat sipping tea as he watched the flashes of the distant battle from his flag bridge and listened to the reports from the observers at the dreadnought's forecastle.

“By my count, they should be running out of bombs soon,” he stated. Sure enough, the spotters shortly called in the bombers returining to refuel and rearm before a second sortie. The engineering rates assigned to aeroplane support moved with practiced discipline to rapidly get the crafts back into the fight.

---

There was no hiding from the deadly machine gun fire from above. Only deep within the hulls of the pirate vessels was safe, and even that was not assured as a boiler blew under fire. The pier adjacent to it shook, twisted and collapsed, taking the two cutters tied to it into the freefall into the clouds below.

The bombers returned, bringing new strikes against the moored airships. Armored hulls warped and broke apart under the onslaught until finally piercing the balloons of several of them. Steam billowed from exhaust ports of one of the sloops and two cutters as the airships desperately tried to get underway. The aeroplane crews immediately concentrated their efforts on those ships. One of the cutters began to list horribly as it tried to flee, and careened into the pier. The armored hull collapsed in on itself as the ship steamed into the structure. The sloop was next to begin coming apart as the explosions hammered away until one of the main boilers exploded. The violent explosion of superheated vapors rocked the airship as the steam boiled the crews alive.

The crew of the sole remaining cutter couldn't believe their luck as the small, demonic vessels did not pursue the fleeing airship. Their elation was cut short as Nathan Alexander's battle group emerged from the clouds above the cutters plane of travel. The cutters disintegrated under the concentrated fire of almost three-hundred guns.

---

“I'd say this was a smashing success, sir,” said Nathan's flag lieutenant as the surviving pirates were rounded up and the remains of the base were dismantled. He looked at the young woman and nodded.

“Indeed it was, Lieutenant." Nathan turned to the commanding officer of the Imperator. “Captain, I want to set out as soon as possible. Once our marines have finished securing the prisoners in our brigs, signal the battle group to lay in a course for Rufk. We can fire parting shots against the base to finish it off if we haven't finished dismantling it by that point.”

"Aye aye, sir."

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

(They seemed really OP in the last post, maybe tone it down a bit in future posts, you don't need to edit it, this is the first ever use of aircraft... ever. Also the guns should be rear gunners like early WW1 fighters not late WW1/WW2 fighters. Also weight restrictions would mean planes can only carry a single gun OR two light bombs. Just for future reference, these should be like the very earliest models where airframes are weak, engines are pathetic and recon was the main role.)

One of the pirate ships had been late and only by the grace of whatever controlled the wind had they escaped the slaughter. It was a tiny sloop packed as heavily as they could with guns, her names was Empire's Bane and she had stood by in the high altitude cloud cover watching the small rigid flyers dart back and forth between the batteries. It was both spectacular and terrifying as the bombs lit up the sky with a split second bathing light and then all that was left was smoke. Empire's Bane didn't feel the need to see what would happen next and they ran to Inviss, a known pirate stronghold to the west but as they ran the light glinted just right and the look out for the massive Empire warship spotted her. While Empire's Bane's crew didn't know they had been spotted it didn't make much difference, the small ship was out of range of the rigid flyers and was much faster than the large battle ships. They would report the news immediately and ask for refuge. The man in charge was ruthless but he wasn't stupid, he wouldn't cast them out to the Empire, would he?

[Mundeo]

The Crimson Valkyrie returned victorious to Hannock's headquarters in Inviss, the pirate city on Trapaca. After docking and unloading all if the collected spoils, Hannock went to the lounge and thought carefully about today's raid. "I should've taken that ship, it was nice". Then, there was a buzz from the intercom. "It's the Empire's Bane, sir. A pirate ship from another fleet. We received a signal, they are requesting to dock here". Bart moaned with fatigue before saying, "Yeah, yeah, let them in. I'll... greet them myself". He went to the dock to see the Empire's Bane dock into the wharf. Out of the ship stepped a rather broody looking man. His face was sullen and cross. Bart greeted him with open arms. "Ah, captain Mordecai! It's rare to see you anywhere" He replied, his voice as gruff as his looks. "I can say the same about you, Hannock". Bart corrected him, "Captain Hannock, Mordecai. Remember you're in my territory. So! What brings you here to this sad, run down city?".

"The headquarters were bombed! By Imperials! My crew and I barely made it out in time, and we might be the only ones who survived". Bart doubled back from shock. "What? How did the Empire find it?". Mordecai shook his head. "Beats me, they're cracking down on piracy, especially involving those two islands... Orinia and Rufk" Bart shifted his view to where his ship was docked and said, "Just took one of those down, an Imperial trade ship en route to Orinia. On the plus side, for me, at least, you can now join my fleet, and be a part of our happy, impoverished community. How about that?" Mordecai accepted, and repairs and renovations were immediately made to the Empire's Bane, equipping some of the newly acquired weaponry. The rest of the weaponry was used to renovate other ships in Hannock's fleet, to build defences for Inviss, or melted into scrap.

Hannock told Mordecai, "So, how about we find that fleet that destroyed your base, eh? We have more firepower than ever, and they probably taken other pirates prisoner. The Empire was always a sucker for POWs" Mordecai nodded. "Good! We are dispatching, you, myself, and one frigate, one corvette, three sloops and five cutters. We cannot fail this mission, so be alert! We will depart on the hour".

[Arvenia]

Octovess was the capital of Octovania, a feudal kingdom that broke away from the Empire 30 years ago. The city was floorished with trade and meetings. King Lucius I, the man who founded Octovania at the time of the island's fight for freedom from the Empire, sat on his throne and drank blood from a few dead Imperials imprisoned and executed by the Octovanian guards. The unique executions in Octovania were decapitation, firing squad, burning, fall from the island, drowning, hanging, animal feeding and live burial. The king sat in his palace as young teenagers were trained by Octovanian guards in one of the kingdom's war academies. A guard came to the king's throne room.

Octovanian Guard: "Sir, the Orange Phoenix is soon finished."

King Lucius I: "Great, my guard."

The biggest Octovanian airship, the Orange Phoenix, was still in development for two months and is expected to be finished soon.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

(Mundeo I've taken some liberties on making you take off. If you don't want me doing that I can delete it, just tell me on OOC)

The Imperial Cutters had followed the dreaded pirate back to their hideout, the island of Trapaca. Of course it was, whenever an important ship went missing you get bet Inviss was responsible for it. Now they sat quietly in the sky, high above and as far into the distant clouds and the glaring sun as they could. Then the reinforcements came. There were two cruisers, two frigates and another cutter that came in extremely high against the sun. The Captain of the first Cutter had spied the goods getting loaded in and out of Inviss, clearly recognizing the stock of INTS Merchant. There was no doubt these were the bastards who were responsible but they had been too late, the attack fleet was too small to challenge the guns on the island. Their only chance would be to catch any ships going in or out. They saw the single Sloop come in hot at emergency power but the Morse code signal from the lead Cruiser INWS Senate's Sword told the rest of the fleet to hold fire. Their patience paid off as they saw the dreaded Crimson Valkyrie lift off with her escorts in a rough formation, it was surprising discipline for a pirate gang. But now these ragtags were up against the Imperial Navy, the greatest air fairing force the world over and they would regret their choices.

As the pirates left the island the 2 imperial cruisers and 2 frigates appeared ahead of the pirate fleet, dodging out behind their respective hiding places far off in the sky and opened fire. 70 guns (only one side can fire at a time) opened up on the unsuspecting pirate fleet but the ranges were long and the effect was less than brilliant. At the same time the cutters high above swept down and unloaded in a tactic known as "boom and zoom". The third and final cutter came in close from under neath firing a long range volley at the underside of the largest warship. Now the play had been made and surprise was gone, the Captain and acting admiral of INWS Senate's Sword had made a mistake of not letting them close in for a lethal volley but it was what it was. Now it was up to the pirates to return the play.

[Mundeo]

Hannock and his fleet here well off from Trapaca when they were ambushed by the Imperial fleet. "Imperials! It's an ambush" one of the pirates yelled. "Shit! I guess we're getting some new ships earlier than I thought. Battle stations!" By the time Hannock gave the order, the first volley from the cruisers and frigate already hit the fleet. Fortunately, the long range weakened the shot's accuracy, but minor damage was made to the cutters and sloops. The attack from the cutters, however, made more damage than hoped. The first two cutters caused cast amounts of damage to the sloops, critically damaging one, and light damage to the corvette. The last cutter made slight damages to the Valkyrie's hull, but another volley there might cause a bit worse. The first sloop began to listlessly drift away, smoking, it's too heavily damaged to save.

The shot that hit the Crimson Valkyrie sent vibrations through the ship, and Captain Hannock ordered to his ship, "Fire at that cutter!". The ship's fifty-five guns fired at once at the cutter that just passed below them, if it survived, it would end up right in the middle of Hannock's fleet. Over the fleetwide Morse network, he ordered, "Sloops and cutters, flank those Imperials, there's no point going for anything stealthy. Mordecai, you go with them. Everyone else, wih me and open fire!". Upon order, the sloops and corvettes began to maneuver themselves behind the bulk of the Imperial fleet. The Valkyrie and the other two ships with him opened fire with their 110 guns.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

The single cutter below zoomed and boomed the largest pirate ship to some effect and quickly dodged under the guns that came to face it. The return volley barely missed, grazing the hull with minor damage and shaking the crew around. The ships ahead of the pirate fleet fired a second volley before the pirates could turn their guns to face, the elite crews of the Empire could reload far faster than any pirates. As the enemy volley came in it was just as effective as the shots they had landed on them, the distance culling speed and the loss of speed ruining any penetration the guns might have had. One of the Imperial cutters was caught in a concentrated volley and nearly snapped in half, falling quickly through the air billowing out smoke. The crew managed to get her under control and at low altitude (Low compared to what I don't know) they started limping her away from the fight, the boiler cracking under strain.

[Heraklea-]

Nathan sat in his stateroom reading over the various reports submitted to him from throughout his battle group. He recognized the importance of them all, but that did not stop him from resenting the piles of papers that could probably be better used to feed the boilers. Still, it was his responsibility to review every one of the documents. He was interrupted from his thoughts by a knock on his door. Opening that hatch, he was greeted by a messenger.

“Sir, the Officer-of-the-Watch send his compliments and reports that the Advanced Patroler is signaling the flag ship. Your presence has been requested on the flag bridge.”

“Very well. I will be there shortly.” Nathan stood from his chair and donned the jacket of his uniform. After ensuring all elements were in place, he left the compartment, passing the two marines posted outside his stateroom, and made for the flag bridge. Upon arriving he demanded an immediate report from the OOW.

“Sir, we've received a report from the Advanced Patroler. The Patroller has signaled the presence of a number of warships in excess of the number home-ported in Rufk.”

“How long till we arrive in the port?”

“Fourty-five minutes, sir.”

“Hm. Have the Patroler keep us updated. Send another aeroplane to signal Headquarters and find out just what is going on.”

[Mundeo]

The second volley from the Imperials had a worst impact than before. One cutter was critically damaged, their boilers on the brink of exploding. Hannock sent a Morse code message to all of the captains in his fleet, "We cannot aford losing any of you, or the ships. If you think you are too heavily damaged to fight, flee at a low altitude". The ship heeded the warning, and immediately fled the battle scene, but the cutter was too heavily damaged, and exploded before they can get far away. "Dammit!" Hannock shouted. The Crimson Valkyrie received minor damage to the hull, and repairs were commenced immediately. Hannock's corvette and frigate, the Tartarus and the Livingston acquired more damage than the Valkyrie, and repairs would have to be swift to avoid permanent danage to the ships.

Fortunately, the rest of the cutters and sloops, along with the Empires Bane, reached their destination behind the Imperial fleet, and they opened fire along with the rest of the fleet at the front, now at a closer range to guarantee impact.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

The second volley from the Imperials had a worst impact than before. One cutter was critically damaged, their boilers on the brink of exploding. Hannock sent a Morse code message to all of the captains in his fleet, "We cannot aford losing any of you, or the ships. If you think you are too heavily damaged to fight, flee at a low altitude". The ship heeded the warning, and immediately fled the battle scene, but the cutter was too heavily damaged, and exploded before they can get far away. "Dammit!" Hannock shouted. The Crimson Valkyrie received minor damage to the hull, and repairs were commenced immediately. Hannock's corvette and frigate, the Tartarus and the Livingston acquired more damage than the Valkyrie, and repairs would have to be swift to avoid permanent danage to the ships.

Fortunately, the rest of the cutters and sloops, along with the Empires Bane, reached their destination behind the Imperial fleet, and they opened fire along with the rest of the fleet at the front, now at a closer range to guarantee impact.

The Imperial Cruisers and Frigates dived down low as the pirates came across their flanks. They dropped low, cutting heat from the boiler and diving at an astonishing rate. The few deck guns fired up to the hulls of the ships above them but it was more for show than anything else.

[Mundeo]

The volley had little effect on the hulls, but the pirates used this as a perfect opportunity. As the Imperial ships passed under the Livingston. Grappling hooks were fired down, embedding themselves into the hull and deck of two of the frigates, keeping them in place. As this happened, the ships on both sides of the fleet continued to fire.

[Heraklea-]

“Matial law?” asked Nathan. He could hardly believe it. “How has it been met?”

“There was some initial resistance,” replied his superior. “It has since been crushed. The people in the city have been obeying the curfew. Order is in place, but we dare not stand down yet. That unfortunately means your battle group is going to be one of the only two effective expeditionary forces West Fleet can field for the time being. Your people will be run rather ragged if Strassis can't assemble reinforcements.”

“My men are well trained. They can withstand the strain.”

“Glad to hear it. We already have a task for you. Another pirate. Somewhat more capable than the ones we last sent you against. Your... aeroplanes may get a more rigorous workout this time.”

“We shall meet the challenge head on, sir.”

---

The fleet had kissed the port just long enough to take on fresh supplies, and already it was on its way again. Nathan had new orders. New enemies of the Empire to destroy. New chance for glory.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

The volley had little effect on the hulls, but the pirates used this as a perfect opportunity. As the Imperial ships passed under the Livingston. Grappling hooks were fired down, embedding themselves into the hull and deck of two of the frigates, keeping them in place. As this happened, the ships on both sides of the fleet continued to fire.

The pirates tried to board the ships but they would find the resistance from an Imperial Warship to be much greater than any merchant. A dozen marines ran to positions on the deck and started firing at the oncoming boarding ship. As they crashed together a melee ensued with fierce resistance from the Sailors and Marines. Bayonets fixed on bolt action rifles proved potent and long and close range. The captain of the ship came running out of his quarters wielding akimbo revolvers and spraying wildly before discarding the empty weapons, pulling out a sabre and charging into the thick of it. The other frigate managed to free themselves from the grappling hook by bashing at the deck that was impaled and freeing the hook. The two cruisers came in across the pirate ship that was trying to board and broadsided the ship violently.

[Mundeo]

The volley had little effect on the hulls, but the pirates used this as a perfect opportunity. As the Imperial ships passed under the Livingston. Grappling hooks were fired down, embedding themselves into the hull and deck of two of the frigates, keeping them in place. As this happened, the ships on both sides of the fleet continued to fire.

The pirates tried to board the ships but they would find the resistance from an Imperial Warship to be much greater than any merchant. A dozen marines ran to positions on the deck and started firing at the oncoming boarding ship. As they crashed together a melee ensued with fierce resistance from the Sailors and Marines. Bayonets fixed on bolt action rifles proved potent and long and close range. The captain of the ship came running out of his quarters wielding akimbo revolvers and spraying wildly before discarding the empty weapons, pulling out a sabre and charging into the thick of it. The other frigate managed to free themselves from the grappling hook by bashing at the deck that was impaled and freeing the hook. The two cruisers came in across the pirate ship that was trying to board and broadsided the ship violently.

The first clash between pirates and imperials was brutal, and it looked like a losing fight for the pirates. The captain of the pirate ship ordered, "Fire the gattling guns! Our men need support!" Two pirates went two machine guns mounted on the edge of the deck, loaded the ammunition, and began to fire at the imperial marines. At the same time, pirates took aim with their own rifles and fired at any imperial they saw. The close quarters broadside pierced through the hull, and made major damages to the engines of the cruiser. But the men of the Livingston were some of the most trained pirates in the fleet, and were able to barely maintain stability as reparations were made. The Livingston fired their own broadside at the imperial cruiser.

The other ships used this as the chance to attack the other ships in the fleet. The captain of the Tartarus and Crimson Valkyrie both delivered the order to the rest of the fleet, "Prepare the incendiary rounds! Burn those bastards!". On command, all of the ships on both sides of the Imperial fleet broadsided with potent incendiary rounds, made not to pierce the hull, but to ignite it.