RCS Hornet

BARD PAPER: DANI0930

Crew of the RCS Hornet

The Hornet and its crew were described in the two TNE Novels: Death of Wisdom and To Dream of Chaos by Paul Brunette. This is my best guess at their capabilities and character. They certainly have additional skills and abilities, so feel free to add what you think is appropriate. If in doubt consult the NPC templates in the TNE rulebook, in fact that is where Newton's skill assortment came from.

The RCS Hornet is an 80 year old Jayhawk Far Trader, rehabilitated by the Hiver Technical Academy as a class project. It is owned by the Hiver technical nest, but registered as an RCS auxiliary vessel. The standard Jayhawk is not very durable and the Hiver Technical Academy added a few features to the ship to increase its lifespan. A missile turret and a standard TL-14 Laser Turret have been added. There is also a single TL-14 MFD which the weapons share. Almost all the sensors, communicators and electronics have been replaced with TL-14 versions imported from the Hive Federation. Its cargo bay has been modified to include a 10-ton collapsible fuel bladder and a 20-ton standard module pod bay. On its second mission a Gatling gun and a 12 MJ plasma gun were added for fire support. The ship's motto is "Cave Aculem", which is ancient Latin for "Beware the Sting." This motto is emblazoned on the ship's crest, which shows the RC logo along with a Terran Hornet in flight, with the ship's name and tail number: 10161.

RCES Admiralty sees the Hornet as a backup to the other more capable ships in the fleet. Since RCES forces are stretched so thin, it often gets thrown into situations beyond what it was designed for.

Crew of the RCS Hornet

Couer "Red Sun" d'Esprit - Captain - Born on Terra in the Phoenix Arcology of Arizona in the year 1095, she grew up dreaming of the starships and in 1113 joined the Imperial Scout Service. During the Rebellion she continued to serve in the Imperial fleet, even when that transferred to Lucan's control. She served aboard the scout cruiser Alnitak, attached to the Navy. While on a mission to summon reinforcements, the ship was attacked and heavily damaged by elements of the Solomani Navy. With all the senior command crew killed, and faced with certain defeat she ordered the ship to jump, even though it was well within the gravity well of a gas giant. The ship misjumped and ended up in hex 0538 of Nicosia Subsector. Couer ordered the crew in to low berths. In 1198 they were rescued by the Dawn League ship the Ashtabula. Only she and three other crew members survived. She offered her services to the Dawn League and served as pilot of the DLS Lirgishkhunan. She then became an instructor at the Technical Academy. She enjoyed that, but still yearned for a shipboard duty. Finally she was offered command of the RCS Hornet. She got the taccode Red Sun from the Imperial starburst on the Scout uniform she was wearing when recovered from low berth. She is a tall woman (175cm) with shoulder length brown hair. Her biological age is 31. She doesn't think much of the former Imperium, it was based on conquest and killing and didn't respond tot he people. She strongly approves of the Coalitions goals, and that it is based on democratic principles.

Level Veteran
Combat Assets: Slug Pistol - 13
Non-Comabt Assets: Piloting - 18, Astrogation-12, Leadership - 12, Painting - 12, Instruction - 15

Dr Orit "Physic" Takagawa - Ship's Doctor - A native Aubaini she was Courer's roommate on Aubaine, before being selected to join the Hornet as the ship's doctor. Orit is a trained surgeon and xeno-pathologist. She is estranged from her husband August Deleparo, chairman of Novastar Inc. who was recently convicted of treason against the Coalition. A short dusky woman , with black eyes and a grown-out pageboy haircut, she is quite photogenic. She is a bit gabby, and will tend to fill any quiet spaces with meaningless chatter.

Level Novice
Combat Assets: Slug Pistol - 9
Non-Comabt Assets:Medical Surgery - 18 Xenobiology - 15 Biology - 15
Slug Pistol

Johanna "Gyro" Solomon - Laser Gunner/XO - Johanna possesses a strong stocky body with lively blue eyes and short blonde hair bleached almost white by Aubaine's sun. She was in Couer's last tactical class at the Technical Academy, where she impressed Couer with her abilities. She was the top rated gunner in the class of 1201. She has some engineering skills and often assists Crowbar (the engineer) with the jump engines. She is only 22, but was given the XO job anyway. The captain would have rather given the job to Crowbar or Deep Six, but Crowbar is too busy, and Deep Six has limited mobility with his wheelchair.

Level Novice
Combat Assets: Gunnery - 10
Non-Comabt Assets: Ship's Engineering - 8

Denise "Snapshot" Valencia - Missile Gunner - A native of Oriflamme where she excelled at her classes she transferred to Aubaine for her post-graduate studies. She was in Couer's last tactical classes at the Technical Academy, and was the second best gunner behind Johanna Solomon. She possess a short temper which often gets her into trouble. During her time at the academy she amassed a large number of demerits. She is quite sensitive about anti-Oriflamme remarks, often the only thing stopping arguments about Oriflamme politics from erupting is the Captain's prohibition against discussing politics aboard the ship. Her hair is short, wavy and red, which complements her brown eyes. She is 22 years old, and the Hornet is her first starship.

LevelNovice
Combat Assets: Gunnery - 9
Non-Comabt Assets:

Glaive "Crowbar" - Engineer - Crowbar as he is always called served as a Freelancer before enrolling in the Technical Academy. He is tall (188cm) and has a thick scraggly black beard. He is quite experienced and nows his way around Wilds worlds. Couer thought about making him her XO, but she figured he had enough work to do without the added responsibilities.

Level Experienced
Combat Assets:
Non-Comabt Assets: Ship's Engineering - 14, Ship's Architecture - 12, Mechanic - 12, Enviro Suit - 8

AkakEE "Deep Six" Siltriver - Astrogator - AkakEE is a deep water Schali native to Aubaini. He is fairly modest and doesn't speak up very much, except while drunk, then he grows even more melancholy than normal. His drink of choice is ee'kwat, fermented algae, though the captain has forbidden him to drink any of it while on board, after a drunken episode where he collapsed. He gets around in a Schalli wheelchair, which greatly limits his mobility. AkakEE is a non-native Anglic speaker, but he is trying to expand his use of Anglic slangs and idioms; this often comes across in slightly amusing ways.

Level Experienced
Combat Assets: None
Non-Comabt Assets: Astrogation - 15, Pilot - 12, Swimming - 12, Anglic-17

Cicero "Scissor" Hiver Advisor - Scissor died from Fologorex II, a Solomani created biological weapon, on the Hornet's first mission. It was an expert technician. It often engaged in petty manipulation, as is the want of Hivers everywhere.

LevelNovice
Combat Assets: None
Non-Comabt Assets: Robotics - 15 Electronics - 15 Ship's Engineering - 12

Newton Hiver Advisor - Replacement for Scissor.

LevelNovice
Combat Assets: None
Non-Comabt Assets: Computer 16, Language 18, Gravitics 16, Communications - 16,Electronics - 12, Mechanic - 12, Physics - 12

The Hornet often needs more than a standard crew for its missions, and a squad of Aubaini Marines has served aboard on several occasions. They work well with the crew, and are the first choice for ship board troops. They are armed with gauss rifles and Coalition Battle Dress.

Sgt Major Vin "Drop Kick" Escher Ranking Marine - Drop Kick is from Detachment A of the 3rd Marine Armored Battalion. Born on Aubaine he has served three terms in the Marines. A muscular man with a big frame, he barely fits in his Phyruss Grav Sled. He is not a very big fan of Oriflamme political policy. It is thus ironic that he has started to date the Oriflammi Snapshot.

Level Veteran
Combat Assets:Slug Rifle - 13, Heavy Weapons - 13
Non-Comabt Assets: Enviro Suit - 8

Corporal "Mercy"- Marine - Mercy is the best pilot/driver of all the marines on the Hornet. On occasion she has even piloted the Hornet.

Level Experienced
Combat Assets: Slug Rifle - 11
Non-Comabt Assets: Piloting - 8, Enviro Suit - 6

"Whiz Bang" - Marine - Whiz Bang is a fine gunner and mechanic. He is squat and dusty haired.

LevelExperienced
Combat Assets: Slug Rifle - 11, Heavy Weapons - 11
Non-Comabt Assets: Mechanic - 8, Enviro Suit - 7

"Bonzo" - Marine - Bonzo is the marine's electronic specialist and often repairs their vehicle's sensors and communicators.

LevelExperienced
Combat Assets: Slug Rifle - 11
Non-Comabt Assets: Electronics - 7, Communications - 6, Enviro Suit - 9