OK so on this page we get into exactly what is expected of you while you out there doing your thing.If you want to learn more about Fuel Rat ship loadouts and requirements, please head over to Ship Loadouts.
We cover general rescues, code red rescues and what to do when the griefers come knocking among other things. First lest show you what a typical rescue looks like when viewed in IRC.
This is what you might see on IRC during a ‘typical’ rescue. “Bot” is our IRC bot, currently <Mechasqueak[BOT]>. Names/Roles are marked in RED and additional information on what exactly is going on is marked in BLUE
<Client> Ratsignal Eravate PC (“Ratsignal” is a codeword that triggers an alarm in most of our IRC programs. Not all clients use it though.)
<Dispatch> Hello there client, are you on emergency oxygen, blue timer in the top right? <Client> No, just out of fuel and can’t jump. <Dispatch> !prep Client <BOT> <Client> Please drop from super cruise, come to a complete stop and disable all modules EXCEPT life support <Client> ok done <Rat1> 1j (1 jump away and available to rescue.) <Rat2> 3j (3 jumps away and available to rescue.) <Rat3> 15j (15 jumps away and available to rescue.) <Dispatch> go Rat1 Rat2! <Dispatch> stand down Rat3 <Rat1> rgr <Rat2> omw <Dispatch> !assign Client Rat1 Rat2 <BOT> Assigned Rat1 Rat2 to Client. <Dispatch> Client please send a friend request to Rat1 and Rat2. <Dispatch> !pcfr Client <BOT> Client: To send a friend request, go to the menu (Hit ESC), click friends and private groups, and click ADD FRIEND. <Rat1> in sys <Client> done <Rat2> fr+ 1j <Rat1> fr+ <Dispatch> <Client> now please send them a wing invite. <Dispatch> !pcwing Client <BOT> Client: To send a wing request, go to the comms panel (Default key 2), hit ESC to get out of the chat box, and move to the second panel (Default key E). Then select the CMDR you want to invite to your wing and select Invite to wing. <Rat2> in sys <Client> ok sent <Rat1> wr+ (Confirming that they’re in the wing. Like friend requests, WR- would indicate no wing request yet.) <Rat2> wr+ <Dispatch> Client now please drop your wing beacon. <Dispatch> !pcbeacon Client <BOT> Client: To drop a wing beacon, go to the right-side panel (Default key 4), navigate to the functions screen (Default key Q), select BEACON and set it to WING <Client> beacon set <Dispatch> Thanks Client <Rat1> bc+ (Confirming they can see the beacon and en route.) <Rat2> wb+ (Same as above; WB (Wing Beacon) is occasionally used instead of BC) <Dispatch> Ok Client can you tell me how far away from the star you are. You can do this by selecting it at the top of the Navigation tab on the left panel. <Client> 8,456ls <Dispatch> Thanks, if you see that blue timer pop up let me know right away. <Rat1> instance- <Dispatch> rgr Rat1 try a manual drop. <Rat2> visual on Client <Rat2> refueling <Dispatch> Great work guys, db&pw when ready. <Dispatch> !clear Client |
Code Red (CR) rescues are those when a client is on emergency oxygen, or a few other special cases at the discretion of the dispatcher.
In the case of a CR, we have the client logout to the main menu after telling us their location. This prevents the client from running down their oxygen timer. On CR cases multiple rats are always assigned if available. The client then stays in the main menu until all rats assigned to his case have arrived in the system he was reported to be in. Once the rats are in the system the client will login, and invite the rats to a wing. It’s generally a good idea for one of the rats to drop to normal space to verify distance to the beacon. If the client is close the other rat(s) attempt the rescue. If the client is far away, notify dispatch immediately and they will have the client logout again if enough time is available. If instancing issues arise during a CR then Dispatch will advise the rats and client which maneuver to try next.
It’s important to keep in mind that on CR cases every login/logout by the client reduces the remaining O2 timer by about 30 seconds. Each time a client logs out while on life support, they have a 15 second timer (similar to trying to log out while your ship is in danger/combat), and the timer loses about 10-15 seconds each time the client logs in. Managing the remaining O2 timer versus the time needed to travel to the client and initiate the rescue is key to a successful CR case.
To keep rescue channels clear, you’ll primarily be communicating with dispatch and NOT the client. Exceptions include the client debriefing.
Since Dispatch cannot see your status or anything about the client other than what is reported in channel, it’s important for you to act as dispatch’s eyes and ears. It’s also important to keep messages clear and concise.
It’s a good idea to include the client name (NOT system name) in all of your messages, particularly when multiple cases are ongoing.
Once you know a client’s (hopefully correct) system, if you are available to perform the rescue report the number of jumps to dispatch, along with any pertinent info. “5j”, “9j + scooping”, “docking + 4j” are all concise ways of doing this.
If you report jumps, it is implied that you are willing to perform the rescue and it’s good to assume you will be assigned (e.g. start jumping immediately) until you hear otherwise. Don’t call jumps if you don’t want the rescue.
It’s important to wait until dispatch has communicated with the client to confirm their oxygen status, location and platform (PC or Xbox) before calling jumps. This way the IRC channel doesn’t get clogged with communication that can potentially confuse the client who is unfamiliar with IRC or our procedures. It’s critical to quickly get information on Code Red clients so that they can log out and rats can be organized for the rescue.
It’s also a good idea to add the client’s IRC nickname after your call, such as “5j clientname” so that dispatch knows which client you’re calling jumps for. This is important when multiple cases are being run in the channel at the same time and multiple people are talking at the same time.
When you drop out of Supercruise at the client’s location, there’s two options to take based on whether you see the client or not. (Sometimes you won’t, because instancing issues):
It’s important to do these steps in this order, because a client may have only seconds of Emergency Oxygen left. Dispatch can wait.
When you actually reach a client, you begin a fuel transfer by making sure you’re in the correct firing group, targeting the client, and firing your fuel transfer limpet controller. Each limpet will consume 1t of your fuel and, after a short delay, will transfer it to the client. Note that the client does not actually have fuel until you receive the “Fuel Transfer Complete” message, which occurs after the “Transferring Fuel” message. It’s good practice to have the Fuel Transfer Limpets assigned to a fire group without weapons and to lower your landing gear so that you don’t accidentally boost and hit the client.
Xbox Note: Lowering landing gear is a careful undertaking on the Xbox where the boost button (B) is also used to lower the landing gear (B+down on the D-pad). It’s a good idea to hold the B button down until after the D-pad is pressed to prevent unwanted boosting. It’s also a good idea to make sure that you’re not pointed directly at the client.