>The gestalt exhibits an apologetic tone of thought for it's late awakening. Preparations are underway for the void battle.
Previous Session Neural Archive: https://4archive.org/tg/thread/38863194
Establishing synaptic connections. Synapses are encouraged to review current status as of last convergence amongst ourselves whilst the gestalt disseminates sensory data.
>>38975632
We have awaited your return, Gestalt>tfw when I waited here just so I could say your late
Evening gestalt. Fellow synapses.
>>38975632
Hunger is eternal; mind is ephemeral. Thought has returned to us once more.
>>38975632You know that op pic look like a grab claw coming out of the planet.
>>38975632
No apologies needed, gestalt. The dispersal of information to synapses can be a complicated task, and as such may take more time than previously believed necessary.
That said, this synapse waits in anticipation for the feeding to commence...
Preparations still underway, taking somewhat longer than anticipated.
Request Preservation Synapse review current situation for the synaptic collective, as has previously demonstrated accurate situational awareness.
propossed Strategic formation:
1: We advance on the enemy fleet in tight formation, shielding our lesser vessels behind spore screening, while we begin long ranged, preliminary bombardment.
2: Once optimal engagement range has been reached, we begin opening the jaws. OHS-II, will begin a wide-arced flanking manouver, using its solar planes to get into position.ยจ
OHS-I will split off from the fleet, and begin drifting into a soft flank from where it can safely continue bombardment, our ranged capable stalkers will accompany it to provide protection. Bombardment will intensify as we close in on enemy formation, making sure to target the largest enemy vessels with our hullborers.
When we begin to reach close range, or in the case that our enemy decides to turn their focus fire on OHS-II, our claw-stalkers will rush forward and engage enemy vessels.
At this point, our course of action depends on how our enemy responds to our advance;
3A: our enemy fails to retain formation and loose focus fire, the jaws enclose completely, we advance into close range and we wipe their fleet.
3B: our enemy manages to remain in formation, and choose to focus fire the only target that wont result in an instant fleet wipe, our queen ship. We begin Turning sharply towards OHS-II, our spore screen will shield most of our queen ships body this way, and the manouvre will leave an open line of fire from OHS-I. As we reer, we should be entering perfect position to unload our broad-side pyro-acid batteries. Meanwhile OHS-II should be getting close enough to complete its flank, and engage with bio-plasma discharges.
The tactic takes advantage of the fact that our enemy would loose to us in any singular ship v ship scenario. As such focus fire is their only option, which we take away from them by bullrushing them, and initiating a double-sided flank. If any of the offsider ships pull off to defend themselves, their fleet as a whole looses the firepower needed to take down any one hive ship.
>>38975802
Excellent tactical debriefing.
Preparations are nearly complete. Enemy fleet approaching visual range.
>>38976163
What about the results of 'agressions gamble' ?
luring the two fleets into combat with one another?
>>38976163
Question: What was result of feigned retreat to attempt to force engagement between enemy fleets?
>>38976163
Who won the Orbital Battle, Demons or Imperials, What are there losses?
>>38976221
If all goes well, neither side will have decisively won and thus had a chance to regroup when we strike.
>>38976298
Or; one side won an incredibly pyrrhic victory, and what little scraps remain we can easily scoop up.
>>38976209
>>38976212
>>38976221
Vanguard Drone reports that immaterial predators won with moderate losses. Prey-fleet larger ships escaped, most or all of the escort vessels were destroyed.
The "immaterial mass" accompanying predator fleet was a space-born strain of those encountered on the prey-world. It was destroyed in the fighting but inflicted most of the losses on the opposing fleet.
Stand by for tactical overview.
>>38976453
excellent.
the amorphous blob was what worried this synapse the most.
Gestalt back to full consciousness. Enemy within sight.
The synaptic collective may begin issuing orders to our vessels!
Overview of weapon/biomorph armaments:
Queen Hive Ship (QHS)
+ Prow hullborer cysts
- Ripper tentacles
- Broadside thorax pyro-acid batteries
- Thorax spore cysts
- Reinforced carapace
Offspring Hive Ship I (OHS I)
+ Prow hullborer cysts
- Crushing claws
- Bio-plasmic discharge
- Enhanced regeneration
Offspring Hive Ship II (OHS II)
+ Bio-plasmic discharge
- Ripper tentacles
- Bio-plasma spit
- Extended solar vanes
Ramsmiter Kraken I
+ Prow ramming beak (heavy front armour, effective melee/boarding adaptation against equal-larger class vessels)
- Grasping claws and tendrils (function like weaker crushing claws and ripper tentacles, but they are rear-facing rather than at the fore, allowing it to drag grappled objects behind)
- Kraken adaptations (faster than other bioships, toughness equivalent to a ship of one size class larger)
Stalker Drone-Ship I
+ Crushing claws
- Prow bio-plasma spit
- Drone spore cysts
Stalker Drone-Ships II & III
+ Crushing claws
- Reinforced carapace
- Drone spore cysts
Stalker Drone-Ship IV
+ Prow pyro-acid
- Reinforced carapace
- Drone spore cysts>Again, apologies for the long delay!
>>38976681
are the little things infront of the queen ship supposed to be the spore screen?
in either case, we suggest beginning preliminary initiation of jaw manoeuvre.
>>38976749
Indeed, those are the spores.
Preservation Synapse suggests splitting off the flank now or remaining cohesive during advance?
Environmental map updated to reflect more accurate size comparisons.
>>38976681
>>38976749
This synapse would rather our fleet remain in close formation for now. Stay behind the spore screen.
>>38976681
What is the maneuverability and longevity of projectiles fired by our hullborer cysts?
Suggestion: If it is sufficient, recommend firing salvos to either side of the asteroid field then have them turn into the field to attack the enemy fleet. The enemy fleet is using the asteroids as a screen. Infesting it with boarding organisms will either flush out the enemy or allow us to partially evade their defenses.
Initial focus: Attempt to draw enemy fleet out of field.
>>38976815
We stay cohesive until we reach what could be called mid-range.
We split once we reach the asteroid field.
>>38976829
we are unsure how much the asteroid field affects us compared to enemy vessels. they would seem more clumsy than us.
>>38976829
>>38976815
Suggest using hullborer cysts as screen, and testing enemy defensive fire capability.
>>38976916
>>38976829
Combination: Fire wildly raking asteroid field back and forward. Then advance, firing forward give impression of ignorance prior to attack.
If Hulborers are capable of maneuver needed, we can present the enemy with initial impression of weakness, followed by assault by boarding organisms from all sides as we close to engage.
This will also reveal any enemy forces hiding in asteroid field.
>>38976829
>>38976870
>>38976916
Suggestions noted.
Clarification: Hullborers are highly maneuverable and can last for a moderate-long duration, but are not terribly fast.
Hullborer excretion underway.
Advancing the hive fleet.
Enemy battlecruiser has launched torpedoes.
Vanguard Drone standing by for orders in the Northeast quarter.
>>38977067
Correction. Gestalt erred in weapon morphology memory banks. Hullborers are possessed only by the Queen Hive Ship and Offpspring I. Map updated for accuracy.
>>38977067
Continue firing hullborer cysts, use vanguard drone to maintain observation of enemy fleet and help guide projectiles to target.
Turn queen hive ship to fire bio-acid on enemy ships as they advance out of the asteroid field.
>>38977067
The speed of the torpedos should make it easy to fling either hullborers or spores into them. Spores preferably, but if we believe the spores might be too slow, we can easily sacrifice a few hullborers
And is the enemy actually advancing on us?
they either possess a secret weapon of tremendous power that we do not know of, or they intend to make this easy for us.
Have a clutch of hullborers intercept their torpedoes. Continue birthing hullborers. Requesting knowledge of Weapon Morpholohy of Vanguard Drone.
>>38977205
Maneuvering the Queen Ship into broadside position now will hinder ability to progress forward and screen the remainder of the hive fleet. Consensus?
>>38977214
They seem to be advancing slowly into firing positions. The enemy torpedoes are also accelerating.
>>38977205
At this rate their puny escort vessels will get turned to shreds by our ripper tentacles and other potent close range weaponry without us even having to slow our advance. We believe the use of broadside batteries uneeded, for now.
>>38977275
Supported.
>>38977275
Vanguard drone possesses feeder tendrils, secondary crushing claws, tyrannocyte assault pods.
>>38977291
No broadside yet. We are not yet within effective range.
Vanguard Drone move towards enemy fleet, use Asteroids as cover to keep from being noticed. Slowly. We do not need to go extremely fast with it; we want it to arrive just a little bit before we do.
>>38977326
its currently in a perfect flanking position in the blindspot of our enemies' guns. Leave it unseen for now, once we initiate flanking we can have it rush in and disable the largest target from behind
>>38977214
> they either possess a secret weapon of tremendous power that we do not know of, or they intend to make this easy for us.
Query: Given our recent experience, which seems more likely?
>>38977302
Rationale: Use broadsides to force enemy advancing out of asteroid field to do through a screen of long range fire. Halt advance, turn back once enemy begins to close to bring close range weapons to bear.
>>38977423
Bio-Plasma is not a long-range weapon. All of our weapons are prow-oriented when they are long range; this is for a reason. We move towards the prey. We will use our Hullborers to ensure there are not surprises waiting for us in the rocks.
>>38977423
>Query: Given our recent experience, which seems more likely?
Conceded; however, enemy has seemingly ceased forward moment in defensive formation within asteroid field.
>>38977487
It is as agression synapse says.
>>38977487
greetings
>Perhaps we should launch boarding organisms. set up an ambush using the very asteroids they're using as cover
>>38977541
using mass biovore fire to bring down the shields.
>>38977487
Information from previous Gestalt: Queen hive ship- Broadside thorax pyro-acid batteries, "Pyro-acid batteries (long-range artillery, effective against slow-moving prey-vessels, useless against smaller faster craft)"
>>38977569
This synapse was looking at your communication here:
>>38977205
However, the point still stands. And, in fact, we are unlikely to be within pyro-acid battery range presently.
>>38977569
maybe the Gestalt...lied
Opening salvo initiated from the horned gun-cruisers. One clutch of hullborers and two spore clouds absorbed the fire, other shots missed.
Additional torpedoes incoming.
Stalker Drone IV possesses Prow Pyro-Acid battery, recommended target for return fire?
>>38977569
>>38977487
Bio-plasmic weapons and pyro-acid weapons are two different morphologies.
Bio-plasma is short range, anti-shielding, high damage. Comes in direct spit or indirect discharge spray with lower damage but area effect.
Pyro-acid is contained in vesicle shells launched in long-range barrages, capable of limited maneuvering.
>>38977678
the big one...all the big ones
>>38977678
Suggest return fire at the forward most of their ships, as a ranging volley. Primary focus is on closing the gap and releasing additional Hullborers, however.
>>38977829
Are we in boarding range?
>>38977829
we agree with this course of action.
our target should simply be whatever is most vulnrable at any given time.
our enemy relies on focus fire, every ship they loose is an impact to their ability to seriously threaten our hive ships.
>>38977829
If consensus is to close to melee range then agree with ranging fire.
>>38977932
Close to melee and then board the ships.
not make sure we're in range first.
>>38977678
Our Queen-Ship is bigger then there entire fleet.
Get within Melee Range.
>>38978001
our queen ship is a carrier thou. we should keep it away from the fighting.maybe take potshots every once in a while.
>>38978027
Our queen ship holds more offensive firepower than the rest of our fleet combined, is shielded by a spore screen, and we specifically evolved reinforced carapace for situations like this, there is no need to hold it back, and it would infact be tactically unsound.
>>38978027
This synapse feels that, perhaps, Competence Synapse's identifier was poorly chosen...and would like both other synapses and the Gestalt to keep such in mind when considering it's suggestions.
:3
>>38978133
Truly a masterful response
>>38978095
>>38978090
oh so the main ship of our "insanely weak"
hive fleet should be sent against predators...immaterial predators...alright I guess
>>38978133
We Unyuufex now
>>38977880
>>38977932
>>38977829
>>38978095
Responses noted.
Updated map.
>>38978200
This synapse would suggest refraining from the use of hyperbole or misquotation, and a deeper than cursory examination of the events stored in genetic memory, as well as a review of our capabilities as a Hive Fleet and attack force in general.
>>38978250
oh...we're not "weak" anymore?
let us not risk our kin to these predators and destroy them where they stand
>>38978247
they're abandoning their position,are we in range for bioplasma shots
>>38978247
good. Continue advance, if our enemy continues their own advance, we stay the formation and roll over them; if they hold back, we should begin the dual-flank soon.
>>38978247
For the moment, this synapse believe the best tactic would be the focus on production and expulsion of Hullborers, production of Spore Mines for shielding, and pyro-acid bombardment of smaller predator vessels. Reroute hullborers to intercept enemy torpedoes if necessary.
Vanguard Drone should begin moving into position to allow for precision targeting of enemy vessels. Remain stealthy, use asteroid field for cover for now.
>>38978327
This synapse believes flanking unnecessary; the drone and hullborer screen provided by the Queen Ship may be more beneficial to us in the interests of retaining biomatter. Victory may be more assured with flanking maneuvers, but it is also more costly, and the asteroid field makes it difficult to maneuver in such a way. This assessment may be incorrect, however.
>>38978247
when we're done,we should take a few asteroids with us for "Surprize" immaterial predators
>>38978363
we should keep the ambush fleet in position just in case
>>38978363
Suggestion; we stay the course and only use partial flanking; let OHS II flank wide,keep OHS I with the fleet, its mobility is top par because of its solar planes, its weaponry is neglible at this range, and this tactic holds the greatest chances of it getting close enough to use its main weaponry.
>>38978474
Agreed; OHS II has sufficient defense, as well, to strike out on it's own with minimal chance of loss.
>>38978247
This Synapse awakens. Apologies for the delays.
>>38978474
support this action. OHS II is given the chance to strike first blood.
Concern. Should we move Vanguard drone, as enemy ship approaches it?
>>38978544
the vanguard should be in the back of the fleet.
the predators are moving out the field.
>>38978544
This synapse believes that the predator ship is not truly approaching it; it is unlikely they would utilize a cruiser more dearly needed to combat our primary fleet to attack a secondary, minor concern. Nonetheless, this synapse would like it to be in a better position to move into range to strike at enemies when the chance is had.
>>38978646
>ship is not truly approaching it;
oh hivemind we're gonna die...all that biomass for nothing...Fear is a strange,and with it caution and planning
>>38978363
>>38978474
>>38978511
>>38978544
Welcome back Hunter Synapse.
Suggestions noted. Void battle map updated.
>>38978708
those small red dots? fighters yes?
>>38978734
Torpedoes. Opposing fleet has yet to exhibit fighter-entities.
>>38978762
can we catch the torpedoes and turn them around with graby graby
>>38978708
Suggestion: Bring Vanguard drone in to investigate the asteroid field and strike at the damaged vessel. The suggestion of a fleet at their rear may cause disorder in ranks of immaterial fleet, if they have reserves hidden in field, we should learn about it.
>>38978708
Suggest the Vanguard Drone begin closing with their rear-most cruiser; it is quite heavily damaged, and this is likely the reason they continue to keep it behind a screen of asteroids. The Vanguard Drone will also enable us to focus our weapons fire on it so it may tear apart the vessel more easily. In the meantime, focus our pyro-battery fire on their cruisers, but not the battlecruiser. Beyond that, continue on the current course. Once we have launched another few clutches of Hullborers, we can begin the true assault, with the distance sufficiently closed.
>>38978779
This synapse reiterates it's earlier point...
>>38978779
Probability for the success of such a maneuver is highly unlikely.
>>38978792
support this statement, with recommendation to increase OHS II speed. Either the enemy turns its fire on OHS II, and allows the hull borers to grow too close, or they focus on Hull Borers and let a killer in their ranks.
>>38978798
given our "Luck" we might succeed.
>>38978867
Propose ignoring Competence Synapse on grounds of consistently poor and actively detrimental contributions to the Hive Mind; what does not function must be pruned, recycled, and used anew to consume.
>>38978895
This synapse agrees with this conclusion and plan.
>>38978895
>Produced anew
lemme live . Maybe this warp dust will help,will return after it has tracked down and consumed
>>38978895
Agreement.
We have returned.
Apologies, we experienced a lapse in synaptic connection and had to reroute neural fillament.
Several torpedoes intercepted.
Stalker Droneship I sustained cannon hit.
Enemy destroyer craft hit with pyro-acid.
>>38979151
how damaged is the main cannon? This synapse assumes thats the Prow Bio Plasma?
>>38979151
If the enemy fleet continues to send their fire towards OHS II's strike party, they will leave their front wide-open.
if enemy behavior remains unchanged, increase primary fleet advance speed.
>>38979184
This synapse believes it was meant that it sustained fire from enemy cannons.
>>38979196
Aggression synapse is correct.
>>38979194
Noted.
>>38979196
ah. More understandable.
in that case, Droneship is performing intended construction. Keep course steady, and continue closing gap.
>>38979194
>>38979229
Suggested course of action agreed.
Hit inflicted on OHS II!
Ranks are closing.
>>38979847
activate solar planes, have OHS II attempt to enter their line of fire, correct main fleet tradjectory to collide with the ships currently engaging OHS II.
>>38979925
enter their blind spot*
that could have gone bad.
>>38979847
Recommend that once OHS II reaches firing distance, she hold position and allow her escorts to accelerate ahead.
>>38979847
Release Hullborers! Intercept those missiles! Release additional spore clouds!
OHS I, make all speed for enemy cruiser, discharge bio-plasma into it's escorts before engaging at close range with crushing claws. Hull Borers from OHS I are to continue screening, and board enemy escorts. Stalker III is to assist OHS I in dismantling enemy cruiser.
Kraken take up screening position in front of OHS II as they accelerate to full speed. Disperse spore clouds to screen, redirect hullborer cysts from Queen Ship to interfere with enemy firing lanes and impact their cruiser in that group. OHS II move to engage their escorts; discharge Bio-Plasma at escorts, and Spit bio-plasma at their cruiser. Kraken will ram and begin tearing apart their battlecruiser, Stalkers I and II will begin ripping at their cruiser, spitting Bio-Plasma as necessary and available.
Queen Hive Ship raise to full speed; be prepared to ram their battlecruiser at earliest opportunity. Until opportunity arises, however, enter position to fire with broadside batteries by flying between their fleets; particularly in such a way as to still aim at their battlecruiser with prow armaments. Stalker IV is to continue closing with enemy, but do not raise to full speed; focus on firing instead; aim for their cruiser.
>>38980064
Disagree; it is a very close range vessel in terms of armament; once that range has been reached, it is best to simply engage with ripper tentacles.
Warpdust has been procured.Were do you need me?
>>38980082
While I believe OHS II would be better placed using its main weapons, rather than its ripper tentacles, I will bow to your decision.
>>38980371
OHS II can discharge its main weapons while closing the distance, when close quarters combat has been reached ripper tentacles will likely prove more effective at dispatching larger enemy vessels.
>>38980371
It will be making use of all of it's weapons. At this stage, attempting to stand off and engage will end poorly for all of us.
Map updated.
One torpedo made it past interception organisms to strike the Queen Hive Ship. Damage minimal, but will reduce Hullborer excretion for a short time until it is regenerated.
>>38980490
synaptic feedback may just be playing games with this one, but does it seem that enemy vessels are moving disproportionally fast compared to our fleet?
>>38980490
Continue with stratagem. If OHS II is within range, begin launching Bio-Plasma. Other than that, continue with previously suggested stratagem.
>>38980532
Queen Ships are slow. Enemy vessels tend to be of a speed similar to our OHS, regardless of size. Likely utilize a different method of propulsion, possibly in connection to Immaterium.
>>38980490
OHS II group has closed in, suggest focus on Cruiser by drone ships and for OHS II to fire on largest ship as it reaches range.
While that is performed, OHS I can target stray vessels at top of battle map, while queen ship can close with enemy battle group. Escorts of Queen ship can be split, with drone IV supporting queen ship in targeting larger enemy battlegroup and drone III supporting OHS I.
That is this synapses current suggestion.
>>38980490
Turn queen hive ship to attack lower group, drive forward with all speed to engage lower group with close range weapons while raking upper group with pyro-acid fire from thorax batteries.
>>38980557
very well.
>>38980490
Stay the course, things should sway heavily once we make impact.
>>38980532
Enemy ships also exhibiting abnormal speed, possibly a result of Warp influence.
Lower tendril (Kraken and OHS II) is now accelerating for interception.
>>38980490
Query: Assuming prey attempts counter boarding, what creatures do we have for defense? Do we have sufficient psychic creatures to engage immaterial predators such as those encountered on the surface of the planet?
>>38980659
If the immaterial predators attempt to board...
They have already lost.
>>38980659
if memory serves this one right, we still hold between 30-40% of our maleceptor and zoanthrope populations.
>>38980659
The Queen Hive Ship possesses psychic strains.
The other ships will have to rely on sheer tenacity and internal immuno-defense systems.
Contact made with Ramsmiter Kraken.
>>38981079
Excellent. Continue with stratagem; all is going well, so far.
>>38981121
Agreed.
On a more general note, time is nearing that 7-8 o' clock here, and we are feeling the effects of fatigue on our productivity, perhaps finding a good place to take stop, and resume synaptic communion later tommorow(today technically)
>>38981079
the vomit green is bio plasma correct?
>>38981079
Greeting brothers, glad tidings to join with the hive in glorious unity
>>38981455
Correct.
>>38981173
Affirmative. Disseminating final map update and then we will resume tomorrow.Sorry it was so slow tonight, guys. Was trying something new with the map, but drawing it round by round seems to take too long to be worth the trouble. Tomorrow I'll make sure we get back to the old planetside business as usual.
>>38981593
a simple ms.paint map really would suffice gestalt.
we appreciate the effort you put into it, but a cheap paint map would relay all the same information at ten times the speed.
>>38981642
Sadly, agreed. While the detail provided was helpful, this synapse was not always able to receive and process such high resolution data; a vast majority of which, at least by this stage, was empty, as well.
It is saddening to see that Stalkers I and II died, but they can reclaimed and recycled for the Hive Mind. Redirect all hullborers to begin true hullboring. We no longer need an advance screen such as that.
>>38981593
Hmm. Worth noting that, while this maneuver worked well, we might want to deploy Krakens in larger numbers as support to OHS II.
Queen ship should turn full attention to southern battlegroup. Northern is in disarray and heavily weakened.
>>38981642
This is noted for future endeavours.
Such is the way of the Hive Mind, trial and error. The Gestalt takes solace in the fact that at least these higher quality maps will make for good observation in the neural archive.
Tomorrow's session will begin earlier to make up for tonight.
>>38981691
This synapse agrees, Krakens appear to be highly effective
