*bump*

go for a Comstar Station and call for reenforcements!

So ends Commando Quest. Fun ride while it lasted.

Ends? Noes! I am too late?

But tarnation, these threads always, always start slowly. Or actually, they get pretty heavily ignored by everyone but us geriatric and slow-posting BattleGramps.

>>13796374
Assuming, it's still on, I suggest bringing the rebels in on the Star League cache. They might be able to provide us with a quick boost of both intel and manpower without the risk included in using HPG's.

Anything beats letting the Capellans get it though.

So, I have a question, assuming OP hasn't died.....

Are we absolutely sure that the village was destroyed? I mean, were these people really un-smart enough to stay in the village after what happened, instead of taking cover in the nearby mountains? It's been said at least once that these people are able to live off the land just fine, so it's not unthinkable, is it? I'm just saying, I think we need to, sooner or later, get some concrete evidence of what happened and if there were any survivors.

>>13801555
I've been thinking about that. Mei-Ling or whatshername was implying they were summarily wiped out, but we never pressed her for the actual details.

I suspect they might be dead to the last man though, since we're dealing with the Capellans. They're notoriously heavy-handedly incompetent when dealing with the moods of the civilian populace. But still, we ought to ask for more details, and send scouts to scour for survivors, if for nothing else than the morale of our own troops.

>>13801577
Yeah. Also, kicking myself for not having been here for part one and being able to suggest that we actively tell them to take to the hills for a week or two in case this happened. Ces't la vie. For now, we just gotta think about getting at that food cache.

>>13801597
Yeah.

But right now, I'm really kicking myself for not being here on time for the thread. I caught the first threads, but I had to wake up at roughly 6 AM for that. Hope Commander comes back at some point, and the thread resurrects.

was there not a meeting with the local resistance HQ ?
free capella ?

OP is off getting free booze again.

>>13802200
Damnit. Need free booze too!

Hm. Bumping. Just in the off-chance...

I wonder if this thread can be kept alive 'til tomorrow. Looks a little futile. Baw.

Bump
Please don't die on me, I liked CommandoQuest

Ah, ah, ah, ah, stayin' alive~

You know, that's one of the things Commando is really lousy at.

I wonder when I'll pass the limit between optimism and obnoxious badgering.

Ah, well. C'est la vie. I'll promote my interests without shame, from the security of anonymity.

Think the initial post just got lost in a rush of other ones and nobody noticed a new episode was starting.

OP might yet notice.

battlebump

Aw man, I didn't even know he was running this right now.
Or by looking at the timestamp, yesterday night.

As one anon mentioned, we could let Free Capella know about the Star League cache. It would give them something to bargain with the Federated Suns for support.
Of course, the Fed might just decide to land a couple Mech regiments and take the cache by force instead.

As for the idea of going to an HPG and ComStar to get a message off; do you really want to get ROM involved in this?
I mean, sure, our original mission outline was to cause chaos and destruction here, but ROM? Especially by painting a big target on us?
No thanks.

>>13810965
I don't think the decision was meant to be easy, best to pick the lesser o two evils

Please Op, more?

>>13811037
i think hes suffering from alcohol poisoning by now

>>13811031
By that, you mean to let Free Capella know about the Star League cache and hope that the FS doesn't feel like being dicks, right?

I'm guessing we should let it go for now, and wait for the next weekend. He seems to be at liberty to do the quest only then.

>my face when this thread is still here

The Commando refuses to die!

>>13815636
So, are you running it now, or will you run it later?

>>13815677
I've got nothing but time on my hands and an enormous thermos of coffee. Hit me with your best shot.

>>13815802
Awesome. So, I suggest we talk to Mei-Ling about having a more thorough search of the village enacted. I mean, unless they've already done so, no one really knows for sure whether everyone was killed. I realize it's probably over-optimistic to expect 90% of them to have survived, having left town for a few days after we left and thus avoided the Capellans, but there might be some who did.

>>13815802
Alright, here goes:
We need Free Capella to acquire the transporters to get the food out of the depot we're going to hit, and to set up the necessary escape routes.
We'll provide the distraction for them to get away.

Now, we also need to have a chat with Mei's father; I think that with the way we're playing this Ranger, and our need for continued support from Free Capella, we should tell him about the Star League Cache.
He may be able to use it to negotiate with the Federated Suns for military support.
This part, of course, will need consensus, considering how big of a deal it is.

Finally, let's talk with Clark, make sure that he's okay with sticking with us. He knew we were bullshitting through our teeth, but hopefully as a professional soldier he'll understand the need.


Oh, and what capabilities does our Mobile HQ have for us?

>>13815972
Benefits of having a Mobile HQ:
BETTER TACTICAL MAPS.
POWERFUL COMMUNICATIONS AND RADAR ARRAYS.
IMPROVED TARGETING FOR YOUR UNITS (+init, "x-ray" vision) THANKS TO REALTIME BATTLE MODELING AND VISUAL INTERCEPT MESHING.

You'll be able to see ASFs from a long way off. If you feel like turning on active radar, that is.

>>13815972
Personally I'm inclined to keep the Star League cache close to the vest. If we can get in communication with our superiors and tell them and have them send support, which they better and not give us some "Hmm, you deal with it" crap (I don't know too much Battletech fluff, but from what people have said Lostech definitely warrants aid).

Once support arrives, we can inform them. Once we've got more support and aren't effectively alone among people who could very well kill us to keep the info from getting out and keep it for themselves. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I don't completely trust Free Capella yet.

>>13816056
You bring up a good point.
Also, I remembered that the Free Capella movement IS patriotic; they just don't think the current leader of House Liao is the right Liao to be in charge.

But really, the only way we can get a message back to our superior is through the HPG; it'll be simple enough to do it, but it runs the risk of ROM getting wind of the cache.
If they do, then we're all fucked.

We'll keep the cache secret for now.
Let's see how Clark is holding up.

>>13816032
DOWNSIDES TO HAVING A MOBILE HQ WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE:
There isn't enough power to run every system at once. If the Mobile HQ is in operation, it has power to run ONE system at a time: Medium Laser defense turret, C3 gear, actual movement. Switching modes is instantaneous for the following combination:
C3 GEAR <---> MEDIUM LASER
C3 GEAR ---> ENGINE
MEDIUM LASER ---> ENGINE
Switching from the engine to something requiring more power takes a turn for the power amplifier to build up enough charge.

>>13816032
Does it have any jamming equipment? Last time we found out that we've got some MANPADs, and if we jam the sensors on the ASF's, it'll force them to come down to visual range, where we can target them.

Also, what's the status on our mechs?

>>13816097
>>13816032
I see. What is Intercept Meshing and ASF? Also, oh man, does this mean we're going to be using Megamek for combat, or will the action still be dependent on rolls, with Megamek just used for a good map?

>>13816143
....and I just realized that ASF=Aerospace Fighters. Ignore that.

>>13816125
No jamming. Time for some accounting:

MECH STATUS:
COM-5S COMMANDO (you): 100% - Back armor repaired.
WVR-6R WOLVERINE (Wolf): 100% - Armor and internal structure repaired in several locations, notably the replacement of the LEFT LEG. Unpainted armor.
JVN-10N JAVELIN (Zhao): 85% - Leg armor repaired. CAUTION: Heat sinks in LEFT LEG are inoperable.
UM-R60L URBANMECH (Sam): 90% - Armor and internal structure repaired. LEFT TORSO Machine Gun is missing. Provisional armor has been welded in its place.
VEHICLE STATUS:
MOBILE HQ - 80% operational (lacking a fusion engine)
BULLDOG MEDIUM TANK: 100% - Armor repaired on FRONT, a nice big unpainted block of metal to cover the LRM hit it took.
MAXIM HEAVY HOVER TRANSPORT: 100%
10x PACKRAT SCOUT VEHICLE: 100%
4x CIVILIAN PERSONNEL TRANSPORT (light, can carry up to 12 people each): 100%
1x: BRIGHT RED RENTAL CIVILIAN SURFACE TRANSPORT (high top speed, can carry 4 people): 100%

>>13816272
Last but not least is the SHD-2H SHADOW HAWK (Helios): 100%, armor repaired

>>13816143
I'm just using it for maps, don't worry. I'm handling all the other rolls in the background. Intercept meshing is LOST STAR LEAGUE TECHNOLOGY that allows the simultaneous processing of multiple sensor data feeds into one coherent image.

>>13816272
Can the HEAT SINKS on the JAVELIN be REPAIRED with the RESOURCES we CURRENTLY HAVE?

>>13816272
I think we looted a Medium Laser, and it could go to the Urbanmech. That way Sam could work on his aim without wasting ammo.

Here's the way I see things:
1. We hit the food depot to win hearts and minds.
2. We hit the Air Force Base, to lessen enemy air cover.
3. We hit another military supply depot, to get a fusion engine for our HQ, amongst other supplies.
4. Hit other soft targets to force the enemy to distribute his defenses and present weaknesses.

>>13816312
Oh wow, so we already have a piece of SL tech? Awesome! And, I take it the C3 functions as normal? Though, I don't think any of our mechs have a C3 Slave unit (assuming the HQ has a Master unit, and not a Slave one), so it's of no use to us as of yet.

>>13816316
Yes. The only reason it wasn't included on the original slate of repairs is the amount of time it will take the Techs to overhaul the entire leg, which will take a significant amount of time.

>>13816351
Hmm.... the only thing I don't like is hitting the air base second; I highly doubt we have enough forces to win that battle. I think that's more of a thing for Free Capella to work on; see if they can get an inside man to find some of the security codes and sabotage stuff from the inside; a frontal attack would be suicide with our current forces.

>>13816363
Something to keep in mind about the time period (3030): Though it might be the last of the Succession Wars, it was also the most brutal. The severe decline in knowledge over the previous three Succession Wars left most Mech fighting units begging, borrowing, or in most cases stealing what they needed from their enemies. In many cases units with specialized technology (like the Mobile HQ) have components which are either poorly understood or irreplaceable, or both.

just rape a small patrol out in the backlands or what ever to get the fusion reactor for the MHQ ... even a big mech reactor could plugged in but would unmobilze the HQ ... (i bet ... but than you can use the LASER and the C3 system at once)

about the other stuff, there was a davion divice that could send via morse code or some stuff like that ... like an very cheap and reduced copy of an HPG build from the NASI (german was NAWI) arg you now the new avlon tech guys that build all the nice stuff for the Davis ^^

>>13816385
So modify the schedule to be:
1, 4, 3, 2?
We get the food, then hit soft targets so that the Capellans have to defend everywhere, get Free Capella to identify a place that has a fusion engine for us to steal, then when FC get's someone inside the AFB to disable the minefield and frontal defenses, we destroy the runways and the hangars.

Sounds good to me.

>>13816434
You're talking about the "black boxes", the Davion fax machines developed by the New Avalon Science Institute?

Yeah, they're secure from ROM forces, except that a lone special forces operative going into enemy territory likely wouldn't be given one, considering the possibilities of capture.

>>13815932
You talk to Mei Lin about getting some assets back to see what the situation is in the small town occupying the mountain pass that leads to the other side of the continent. Feeling a little guilty you never bothered to learn the name of the town, you figure she's the one to breach this particularly embarrassing lapse of information gathering to. After staring at you from a moment, then putting her hand to her forehead and then just shaking it, she informs you that you would need to dispatch some of your own forces to make the trip to Yunnan: now some six hundred kilometers from your current position.

>>13816439
Indeed. By the time we get to 2 in that scheme, either Free Capella will have managed to sabotage the airbase themselves, or we'll have hopefully enough forces and their assets will be spread thin enough for a frontal assault to work.

>>13816545
"Why yes, we'll blame you for their loss. What? You think we should be the ones to go see if there are any survivors? Hell naw, go do it yourself, we're just using this as a way to guilt you anyway."

That's what *I* heard. Anyway, if we can spare 4 of our regulars to make a trek back in one of the Packrats, which I assume to be faster than the transports, then I say we do so.

>>13816625
If anyone goes back, they should use the civilian truck; it'll be less conspicuous that way than a military transport, which the Packrat is.

>>13816700
Ah, good point.

>>13816700

Yeah, good idea.

You arrange for a small team that knows the area to head out in a civilian vehicle (Tom all but twists your arm for the chance to go, as do several of the volunteers).You're deep in conversation with Mei Lin regarding plans for having Free Capellan transport and distribution networks set up for smuggling the food out from the warehouses (cargo haulers are planned to arrive after you sound the all clear) when Clark finds the two of you. He seems especially displeased to find you talking with the Capellan, but his expression is carefully diplomatic when he interrupts and expresses his desire to speak with you in private. He pulls a flashlight from his belt and leads you quite a bit deeper into the caves. He rests the flashlight on a rock outcropping and turns to face you, crossing his arms. He begins without preamble.
"I realize that we need allies in this, but did you really need to make a deal with the devil?"

Okay, so if we're going to send some of the men to check on the town, they use one of the civilian transports.
Choose those with first-responder training, such as firemen and EMT's. Tell them to be careful and to scout from a difference first; the CCAF may have left a contingent behind to watch for any survivors returning.
They're to contact us if anything important comes up via phone to a one-time-use cellphone number, which we will get rid of once used.

OH SHIT BROSEPH

THIS THREAD MADE A COMEBACK?

COMMANDO QUEST FUCK YEAR!

>>13816812
"Look, Clark, we're both soldiers. We know how CCAF normally operates. But whacking an entire town with air for a single attack on a base? That's overreaction that we can't handle alone."

Now, if we want to trust him with the info about the cache:
"Look, the CCAF thinks there's a Star League cache somewhere on this planet. All I got from their central computer was that they had started searching, but they don't want ANYONE to know about it. They're willing to wipe out an entire town on the off-chance that someone there MIGHT know about it."

>>13816812
"Hey now, they don't seem that bad. Besides, who do you really think is going to be the ones to free Larsha? They don't exactly have numbers, as our resistance grows you can bet that the ratio is quickly going to shift in favor of the Larshans (Or whatever people of Larsha call themselves). Was that all you wanted to talk to me about, or was there something else? I saw the look on your face earlier when I broke the news about *insert name of village here*."

>>13816869
>>13816871
"The Capellans only care about which Liao sits on the throne. If they can use us to influence that, all the better. You can bet that Chancellor Maximilian has standing orders to have everyone that even breathes about opposing him shot. The old man is clearly insane, and the rebels on Larsha want nothing to do with his madness. We may be two jumps from the border, but everyone here lives in terror of a Federation invasion. They want to secede and join the Concordat. It's a long shot, but if they can win free of the Confederation, these people might be able to lead something approaching a normal life instead of becoming slaves to the Capellan state."
You disguise your reaction. But your plans could accommodate this...

>>13816812
"Devil? Do you have history with the FC, Clark? Is there something I should know about their crew that I don't know?"

"If it's just them being just another flavor of Capellan though, I know what you mean. And I know it's stretching every Fed's imagination, but they aren't all loony shitsacks. The way I see it, the natives are the ones screwed worst in the current situation, and by a common enemy to boot. They might not be as enthusiastic about the 'fed, but they'll still fight for their homes. Especially against the kind of rulers they have now."

>>13817029
Hmmm.... and we're FROM the Federation, right? So, us bringing in forces could very well just scare them off, or even trigger them rebelling against them as well. Jesus, it never rains but it pours.

>>13817029
>>13817040
... arg. Me so slow.

But that's a very profitable proposition for us. We might have been tasked to take the planet for the Feds if possible, but pulling it in to the Taurian side would be an even better proposition. If we can get Larsha on the Concordat side, the inevitable Capellan reprisal would soak Taurian resources instead of Davion. And while we work for the FedSuns, we are a Vegan Ranger. We work for the people first, and the Houses far second. And the Taurians are far more sane and humane than any of the houses, as I see it.

Now, this conflicts with Free Capellan goals though, to a small extent. We could outright agree with Clark on the Taurian side, but if it gets out to the Capellans...

Hm. I say play for time for now, and keep the Star League disk close to heart as someone said. There's still time before we absolutely have to see, bet or fold.

>>13817113
Technically. We took MI6 training from the FedSuns, but originally we're a 12th Vegan Ranger, which is a lot more free-spirited lot than House armies. I think.

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/12th_Vegan_Rangers

>>13817029
"I understand Clark, but the Concordat isn't here now; Free Capella is.
"Look, we'll just side with them for now against our common enemy, the CCFA. If they turn out to be no better, then...well, ComStar doesn't care who pays the bill for their services, as long as they get paid."

Imply that if the relationship with Free Capella goes south, or when, we'll get a message to the Concordat out through the local HPG.

>>13817029
"Huh. The Taurians? I hadn't thought about them. Do you think we stand a realisitc chance at getting them to back us, if we manage to wreck the PDF? Frankly, that'd solve a whole number of problems, starting with the patriotic streak in Mei-Ling's crew."

And I can't help but asking, no matter how much we risk getting punched in the balls for it...

"One thing though... uh, Clark, did you have any people close to you in... er, Yunnan?"

>>13817164
Then I guess the real question is, who exactly are we working for right now? Free-spirited ranger or not, I'd think screwing over the person who hired us/we're working for without warning or anything would be very distasteful. Then again I don't know too much of the fluff behind Battletech.

>>13817452
Our job here was to cause a distraction for the CCFA, so that the Federated Suns could launch an invasion on another planet. They weren't really looking for us to actually overthrow the Capellan government here.
If this planet goes to the Concordat and causes the Capellans problems, then we could still technically claim mission success, though the Federated Suns would be annoyed that if the rebellion actually worked, the planet going to the Concordat rather than to them.

>>13817494
Ahhh. Then I have no personal qualms about them going over to the Concordat, can't believe I forgot that our mission was just diversion. So, the big change is that it means that if we tell someone about the SL cache, it'll be these Taurian folks instead of the Federation, yes?

>>13817541
>if we tell someone about the SL cache, it'll be these Taurian folks instead of the Federation, yes?
Well....no.
Because we can explain away the planet siding with the Concordat as "the local rebellion was already swinging that way".
But letting the Concordat get at the Lostech would be enough to get us a hitsquad from MI6 after us.

If we let this planet go to the Taurians, we have to keep the Star League cache for ourselves.

>>13817452
Well, one thing about BT Fluff - the Great Houses are all, without exception, completely Machiavellian. Any people on any planet matter nothing to them in their quest for world dominance. And the merc groups and smaller factions are almost as black. The only "sane" people really are the local planetary populations, and perhaps the small independent states. If you squint enough and in the right angle, the Taurian Concordant might be, if not good guys, then at least humane. The only other similar bunch I can think of off the bat is the Free Rasalhague Republic, which is on the other side of the sphere.

The one thing that hasn't been established is our character's true motivations - is it the same as for Mechwarriors everywhere, to gain glory in the name of a House and achieve planetary governorship for himself and his family for generations to come? Or are we a romantic lone ranger type who tells the high and mighty to go blow their own horn and sides with the weak and the meek?

I know it's suicidial, but I'd bloody damn well go with the latter.

"Good? Bad? I'm the man with the Commando."

>>13817283
>>13817330
Clark looks a little more calm after explaining the situation to you and hearing you give his opinions some weight. "I appreciate you being frank with me, Commander. With the Capellans, it's games within games. Everyone has multiple angles to play. People like Mei Lin turn out to be involved with conspiracies. She was the first person I met at the bar back in town, you know. I thought I could trust her." He grimaces. "It's good that you have a plan to deal with them. Just keep in mind that their technicians have had the chance to crawl all over our Mechs."
You resolve to have Kara give your lance a good going-over later. The list of actually trustworthy allies on this world was getting shorter by the minute.
"Hearing about the loss of the town is sad, but I barely knew anyone there outside the bar, if you catch my drift. Besides, you know just as well as I do that shit like this happens all the time in war. I just wish it didn't take experiencing it firsthand to teach it to the natives."
He reaches out with one of his folded arms, and clasps your arm with a hand. You reciprocate the gesture.
"I haven't been able to thank you for giving me another chance. You won't regret it." A fire burns in his eyes when you meet them, one that definitely appeals to you. Clark picks up his flashlight and motions at the way back. "Come on, we've got some rice to steal."

>>13817764
As we brofist Clark; "The Capellans ain't seen shit yet. We're just getting started. And by the time we're done, Warrior Houses will tell ghost stories 'bout us."

It seems that we're moving on to action, which is great. We really need to remember to keep up good relations to our allies. Even if we're giving the guys orders, they're still following us just because they think we're that cool.

Then again, it's hard to look not cool when you succesfully contest a planet with a freaking Commando.

>>13817627
Ahhhh. That IS big trouble. Well.... we could reveal it to the Larshans once the rebellion grows a bit, let THEM be the ones who find it.

>>13817710
Hmmm. Well darn. All I knew was that House Steiner has lots of awesome Assault mechs. This is.... troubling. Ah well, wouldn't be interesting if there was no conflict, and Battletech certainly has that in spades.

>>13817764
Well, seems we convinced Clark at any rate.

Alright, so we're ready for the op. There was some interest in an ambush strategy last week, what's the plan?

>>13817855
Hell, our first raid didn't even use the Commando, and we came away with 2 mechs and a heavy tank, using nothing more than a bunch of rednecks in a beat-up cargo hauler, printing out our forgeries at the local Kinko's equivalent.

>>13817916
House Steiner is the Lyran Commonwealth.
We're working for the Federated Suns.

Though I admit it's debatable now; the 4th Succession War sparked off so that the two nations could combine into the Federated Commonwealth.

so can someone give me a synopsis on what has happened?

>>13817946
Unless we single-handedly conquer the Capellan Confederate, and lead the timeline into derping headfirst into a reunited Star League.

Why play for pennies when you can take the whole pot?

>>13817918
Okay, my plan was this:

We sneak in on Packrats to get a good commanding view, and mark the locations of defense turrets and such.
The mechs will then go in and disable most of the defense grid; best if there's a power generator we can take out. Half of our mechs are Jump Jet capable, so they can jump over the wall into the base.
Packrats and mechs that can't jump attack the front gate.

As soon as it's clear, the transports come in and load up the food, as we try to secure any intel.

Then the mechs make a big mess running away as the transports sneak out of the area.
The CCFA may scramble ASF's, which will come after the mech's. Everyone else powers down and hides, while us in the Commando and a bunch of fires to simulate mech heat signatures lure the AFS to where the MANPADs can shoot them out of the sky.

Plan subject to change when we get recon data on depot defenses.

>>13817946
Yes. From what I heard from a friend who knows Battletech more than I do, the Federation is 1/2 Lyran, and iirc, Lyran is 1/2 Steiner. So, Federation is 1/4 Steiner, and that's good enough for me!

>>13817985
It's sometime in 3030.
We're a 12th Vegan Ranger, trained by MI6, and dropped on the Capellan world of Larsha with a Commando mech, to stir up trouble for the 5th Cavalry Regiment in preparation of an AFFS invasion of another planet.
Our orders were to stir up as much trouble as we can.

So we dropped, met some hick wannabe-revolutionaries in a local bar, along with Clark (a disgraced mechwarrior).
We hatched a plan to steal the local Capellan garrison's two mechs, which we succeeded in doing as well as stealing one of their Bulldogs.
We then staged a raid on a nearby military depot, where we defeated and salvaged 2 more mechs, parts, supplies, and came across information showing the Capellans are on the trail of a Star League cache somewhere on this planet.
We ran away as soon as we found that. None too soon, as the CCAF flattened the depot and the town we were based in immediately after.
We then escaped with our crew and equipment to a coastal resort town, where we found out on of our local revolutionaries is a member of Free Capella.
Seeing as we're fighting the same enemy for now, we've allied with them, and are currently planning on liberating some food at a food depot.

>>13817985
Sure thing. A week - or was it two? - ago, someone posted a question: "What would you do if you had to take over a planet with a single Commando battlemech"?

We answered. Our first operation was raising local malcontent hillbillies, and with their transport and some fake ID's, weaseled our way into the local PDF garrison. Planet was Larsha, and the opponent was the Capellans. So we caught the locals pants down, and managed to hijack an AC-20 Urbie variant in the secondary hangar, and with it disabled the local infantry while the dispossessed guy we met in the bar, Clark, led a suicide squad into the hangar that held the base's main defender, a Shadow Hawk, which he took with heavy losses. After that, we tagged a heavily defended supply base with the 'hawk, our Commando, the hijacked Urbie piloted by a logging mech jockey, and a Bulldog piloted by astechs, wherein we took a Wolverine, a Fire Javelin, a hoard of supplies, and as a bonus wild card: data hinting to the location of a Star League cache. After that, we bumbled into accidentially befriending the local Free Capella cell, and through it gained infantry support, techs and other assets. Currently we're planning on a raid on a food supply depot to further improve our reputation with the citizenry of the planet, trying hard to keep our spit, gum and duct-tape welded army together, as well as contemplating on the general strategy of who to serve and what to aim for.

As for ourselves, we're a Vegan Ranger sent by the Davions. I consider ourselves to be a man fighting for the people, even if it would propably be easier to get the FedSuns in. Year is 3030.

>>13817994
I agree with this mostly. We go in, disable defences, jack the food, and skeedaddle.

We should have a pre-set escape route for the convoy, along which we'd have the FC infantry with their AA elements set up ready to ambush the pursuing ASF's. If they don't take the fire bait, we'll just have to escort the convoy normally, hold on to our poopers, and hope they come in close enough for the combined infantry and carrier force to bloody their noses.

Also, if we can down some fighters here without losing too much of our mech force, we could have an easier time assaulting that airfield. Which we'll likely have to do sooner or later.

>>13818110
We should see if any of our mechwarriors are any good at targeting and hitting ASF's.

We'll need to put something in that Urbanmech, like a Medium Laser, to go along with its AC/20.

>>13818208
Yeah. With only the AC20, the urbie is pretty much an ambush machine. But then again, since Sam's piloting it, I doubt we really want to send it into the frontlines.

Actually, that gives me an idea. While the urbie needs a sidearm or two, it also makes an ideal trap in case of light, medium, or even heavy mech pursuit. Sit it down on the escape rout under camo netting, and let it point-blank blast someone when they come looking for us. The AC20 can one-shot lightweight pursuit mechs, and with a little luck, render heavier ones prone or crippled in one hit.

>>13818245
Seconded

>>13818245

Not a bad plan. Slap some cammo paint on that thing and have it sit under netting powered down.

Let's give the cappellans a taste of stealth.

Alright, so Sam will be stationed along the trailers' escape route, just in case they get a pursuer.

The rest of the mechs and the Bulldog come with the assault on the depot.
The Mobile HQ stays hidden, with 2 Packrats as escorts.

We wait until midnight, for most of the guards to be sleeping, and for military response to be sluggish. We first do a bit of recon, looking for anything we should hit early, such as a power generator that feeds any defense turrets, or a centralized command trailer, or big defense turrets mounting large lasers or big missile packs.

Agreed?

>>13818245
That is a good idea, though doesn't fit with this mission. Any other where we expect to be pursued by ground forces though......

>>13818346
Should we have the Urbie and Sam protecting the trailers, or part of the ambush for whoever goes after the mechs?

>>13818350
I mean, my biggest worry is that if he's in ambush, his engine will still be on and if he's still around where the air support arrives.....

>>13818314
... that "drunk" tag makes me wonder. I participated in the first two threads drunk. And rolled for the Bulldog, as ironic as it sounds. Commander passed on making threads 'til Sunday, due to being souped up. And now when I finally find another Commando Quest thread, I was finishing a 12-pack and about to head off to the local pub and make an ass out of myself.

Is there a strange, universal connection between BattleTech and alcoholism?

>my face when I finally get around to reading the AeroTech rules and read that ASF bombs can do a lot more than 20 damage each. Bomb damage can go up to 100 points each.

It'd help enormously if someone annotates the map with the plan so I know where to plot units.

>>13818367
We're gambling a lot to begin with. Sam's a nice kid, but... welcome to Vietnam.

Eh, my personal vote is, "stop worrying, and learn how to love the bomb". Let's go with >>13818346. I just want to see some explosions.

>>13818375
I think you may be on to something there my friend I have a 16oz right next to me

>>13818384
I think we're first waiting for someone to get there with a pair of binoculars to see where any defensive turrets, tanks, or mechs are located before we bring any mechs within range.

Do give sam some Infantry to cover her ass. It would suck if somebody snuck up and stole the machine from us, you know? And it's always nice to have some additional eyes around, especially since mechs can move over pretty much all terrain.

>>13818384
I suddenly hope I'd read the Aerotech rules beforehand.

Well, come hell or high water, here's my suggestion.

1 is Sam's Urbie, set to place discreetly during our assault. 2's are infantry locations. I made more than one since I wasn't sure how many units we have. Pick at your leisure.

This runs on the assumption that our 'mech force enters from a freely chosen direction, and our convoy enters from the east, and we all exit through the road south.

Right on. Constructing the map. Megamek is being a crybaby about deployment in a one-player game.

It is late at night when you creep up the road from the south, avoiding patrols. Wearing your best attempt at camo and leaving your vehicles on foot, you climb to the top of a tree at the crest of the hill and pull out your recon binoculars. Electronic and heat sensors began to record readings, giving you readouts on the units you can reliably identify as they stand guard over the two warehouses kept safe behind those walls. "Stepped up security" indeed. You wonder if they can afford to throw Mechs away like this on garrison duty.
-CDA-3C Cicada
-CDA-2B Cicada
-VND-1R Vindicator
You suck air between your teeth. They were geared up expecting some infantry, all right.
-Goblin Medium Tank
-J. Edgar Light Hover Tank x2
-4x AC/2 turrets
-H-7A Warrior Attack Helicopter

slow thread is slow

>>13818901
Damnit Free Capella, you guys suck royally at intel gathering.

Alright, assuming we're coming from the upper right, we, the Wolverine, the Maxim and the Bulldog come in as sneaky as over 100 tons of machinery can, and open fire from the trees. It's night, presumably they're lit up be security lights, we're in the dark in the trees. Advantage is ours. As they muster their forces to engage us, Shadow Hawk and Javelin have circled around to jump around and hit them in the rear. They are to make hit and run attacks as possible, every time letting the enemy follow. If they take the bait, they are to be led into Sam's ambush. If there are no takers, then the jump team continues hit and fade attacks.

>>13818992

Second this plan of attack. Also, to the troops before we begin, FOR LARSHA KILL THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>13819017
I've always been partial to "For Larsh, don't die needlessly!" As someone once said, any man can die for his country, a much loftier goal is to live for it.

Going with this deployment then.

>>13818901
>>13819035
Needlessly I shall enjoy watching this play out

>>13819158
everyones the same color? friendly fire accidents went up 100%

>>13819244
What this guy said

>>13819244
Just for you.

>>13819288
>>13819158
*cough* Not to be a bother, but I imagines the SH and Javelin to be a bit further to the left, in the corner. If it's not too much trouble.

>>13819288

Alright lets get this party stared plan as laid here
>>13818992

>>13819288
The colors! I can see forever!

>>13819288
>>13819309
Corner it is. Not going to save a third copy of the same map, but imagine them now in 0202 and 0302.

>>13819357
Time to drop the hammer OP

>>onlythedeadhaveseentheendofwar.jpg

Ok, I know CRAP abbout how this works but I say those towers need to be taken out. They likely punch well outside thier weight class and they can actually target us from here.

Gonna need some volunteers for rolling the d100s of the initial volley. That's Wolf (Wolverine), Rook (Javelin), Helios (Shadow Hawk), Commander (Commando), Archer (Bulldog), and the crew in the Maxim.

rolled 59 = 59

>>13819419

rolling for archer, lets blow that nearest turret appart.

dice gods be with us!

A spear of ruby light pierces the trees and stabs into the turret of the AC/2. Only seconds later do a ripple of SRM explosions register a direct hit. The turret is shredded to pieces, barrel flying back over the wall.

rolled 77 = 77

Wolf Firing

rolled 75 = 75

>>13819419
Oh, jeeze. I managed to run through three pubs between >>13818375 and >>13819419, and then wobble back home sober enough to post.

The Bulldog will advance to 1704 and open fire at the rear of what I assume to be the turret at 1409.

Kara will cuss fiercely at her crew and hope the results are better than they were the last time.

>>13819419
Im gonna do the least damage to our group by rawling for the maxim

rolled 20 = 20

>>13819508
total derpage

Mother of all gods. The disease is contagious. Now the dice hate all of us, and not only my poor Bulldog.

rolled 64 = 64

are we looking for high numbers or low numbers?

rolled 64 = 64

DICE FOR THE DICE GODS!

rolled 65 = 65

>>13819529
64's everywhere

>>13819435
>>13819491
>>13819496
>>13819515
>>13819526
And only one roll below 50.

We are fucking doomed.
>>13819529

>>13819491
>>13819515
Wolf's shots pelt the walls around the tank sitting beneath the turret, scattering rock and melting a crater in it with the hail of autocannon shells he directs beneath the beam of his medium laser. He curses and adjusts his aim.
The Maxim has better luck. Before the crew in the J. Edgar can respond, the flight of missiles from the hover transport punches straight through the vehicle's rear armor and destroys it in a bright blast that sends debris and shrapnel flying. Pieces rain down as the complex sounds the alarm.

rolled 46 = 46

>>13819567
dont cry yet, all these numbers have not been assigned.....I for one rolled for the maxim and got a 20, this roll is for Rook and it will be under 50 (I hope)

>>13819611
Zhao's aim, with the help of the computers back in your Mobile HQ, is true. He whispers a soft invocation over the comm before his thumbs grace the firing controls. Four beams of coherent green light converge on the nearest AC/2 turret, detonating its ammo reserve in a burst of secondary explosions that rip the turret apart from the inside.

rolled 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 = 25

Say, should we all start rolling 2d6's rather than 1d100's?

rolled 4 = 4

>>13819651
/tg/ dice are still a lil underpowered even in 2d6 mode.

This one is for the commander, come on baby!

>>13819651
Don't worry, I'm handling all the 2d6s behind the scenes. The 1d100 is just a general indication of how effective the roll will be for.
For future reference, please state who you are rolling for and exactly what they're doing--you can cover multiple actions with one roll, or split them among several. It's a gamble!

>>13819665
ok, this guy is the second coming of kerensky

>>13819665
You wait until just after Wolf's shots clear the air, the heat of their passage still visible in your thermal vision. You take a deep breath and show your teammates the skill of a MI6 operator. The Medium Laser lances deep into the rear armor of the J. Edgar closest to you, leaving a deep gash that you focus your Streak SRMs into. The focused detonations rip into the engine and fuel storage tank, detonating the flimsy hovertank like a cheap child's toy. The tank's remains begin to burn, illuminating that corner of the wall like a bonfire.

rolled 31 = 31

>>13819665

I love the commander.

>>13819667
Oh, yeah. This was an important thing the last time. People always remembered to roll, and how to roll, but never described who partakes of what action with that roll.

Which is pretty futile.

Ok guys I'm bailing for some free liqour, make sure we get home alive ok?

>>13819718
Sorry, man, but I have to pass on the responsibility. Well, mostly because I have to pass being conscious altogether, due to being too drunk to post properly. Someone take care of Kara for me. ;__;

Hey, our Mobile HQ is in the area, parked under a camo net, and providing us with bonuses from it's C3 suite, right? And escorted by 2 Packrats, right?

>>13819838
Right. Conveniently offscreen to the northeast.

rolled 34 = 34

Wolf tries to get another salvo off at the AC/2 Turret at Grid 0306.

>>13819924
That one's already gone. The only person who has a shot remaining is Clark, who could either gun for the turret in 0311 or jump and try to nail someone inside the walls.

rolled 47 = 47

>>13819946

Go for the turret. We want to all jump at once.

rolled 75 = 75

I return! what I miss my coeducation went dead

rolled 37 = 37

>>13819996
Clark leans back and looses a flight of LRMs before taking aim with the long barrel of his autocannon. A stream of tracers and shells washes over the turret, scattering armor shards as his medium laser punctuates the barrage and softens the armor yet further. The distant impact of his missiles leaves a smoking wreck where the turret used to be, a stream of smoke spiraling into the air. The initial barrage completed, the bases' defenders come roaring out to play.. starting with the Vindicator, which leaps out of the base on a pillar of flame as it kicks in its jump jets. It lands, searching for targets. The first Cicada out of the gate spots Kara's Bulldog, letting loose with a burst from its twin Medium Lasers...

rolled 73 = 73

>>13820086
...carving a deep channel into the Bulldog's thick front armor. The remaining turret on the wall speaks up and returns fire on the Maxim, while the helicopter trains its searchlight (and its weapons) in the direction of the Commander and his cohort.

rolled 38 = 38

>>13820101
Commander, take out that helicopter. We need to make sure to deny them air assets.

Also, what do people think about having Sam and his Urbie AC/20 the Vindicator in the back?

...shredding the cover between them, but doing little else with its autocannon and machinegun spilling shell casings onto the ground.

Time for new orders!

rolled 14 = 14

>>13820101

Archer will return fire on the cicarda.

rolled 63 = 63

Rook will blow the Vindicator to hell.

rolled 44 = 44

>>13820129
Too drunk to know whose what, so see that fucker in 1310 have the guy in 1802 I think shoot him.

rolled 21 = 21

Wolf will blast the Vindicator.

rolled 59 = 59

Have the Maxim crew finish off the turret at Grid 1210.

You push yourself forward to make range on the helicopter, rolling under another stream of autocannon fire and bringing your arms up for a withering retaliation. "Don't let them get you bracketed! MOVE, KARA!"
Loud cursing crosses the comm channel mixed with a burst of static. "We're hit, we're hit bad, Commander!" Kara curses some more. "Tracking... LIANG! NOW!" she yells, forgetting her mic was still on. A vicious blade of red light plays over the center of the Cicada's torso, melting a great swath of armor right off and staggering it backwards. "TAKE THAT YOU CAPELLAN BASTARD!" Kara screams, finally letting go of the comm button. The tank lurches forward, moving at speed.
Your Medium Laser lances out, catching the helicopter right through the middle, your SRMs impacting the rotor and engine and blossoming the Warrior into a fireball that rained debris onto the road below.
"Kara! Get back into cover!" you order in clipped tones, triggering your reloading mechanism to feed fresh ammunition into your missile launch tubes. "Damn! Wolf, cover her!"

rolled 61 = 61

Helios, finish off the Cicada that Archer damaged.

Wolf growls acknowledgement, kicking in his jets and soaring overhead to land forward. His LRMs and autocannon speak up as he nears landing. His oblique autocannon shots straight into a joint under the Vindicator's left arm, savaging the interior of the torso while the LRM missiles shake the Mech in the grip of their explosions. Rook and Clark both kick in their jets, soaring over the wall. Both fire at the mechs sheltered under of the cover of the opposite wall, kicking up dirt and concrete as a distraction.

This sounds like a good time for Sam to AC/20 the Vindicator or the Cicada in the back.
What does everyone else think? Or should he stay hidden?

rolled 84 = 84

The Cicada inside the base whirls around as new targets present themselves. While the Maxim's missile barrage impacts all over the exterior of the gate, the Cicada is charging up its deadly surprise: a PPC. The charged blue lightning crackles before discharging in a deadly bolt at Zhao's mech, ...

rolled 18 = 18

...splashing harmlessly against the wall and leaving a gaping crater of melted concrete, the still-glowing molten rock a victim of hasty aiming. The Goblin tank heels hard to the right, bringing its gun to bear on Zhao. The large barrel of its own Large Laser swings into place...

>>13820441
Looks like that air tower operator from earlier got assigned a mech.

>>13820478
FUCK!

rolled 52 = 52

>>13820478
Shoot before they do

rolled 31 = 31

...And a keenly aimed shot smashes into the right arm of Zhao's mech just above the elbow. The ruby light strips the armor away from the limb completely, exposing the vulnerable myomers and internal skeleton. The impact sends him reeling, smashing back against the wall.
The Cicada at the front of the complex tracks Wolf's new threat as he jumps between the tank and the Mech. It steps forward... triggering its flamer. It punctuates the long blast of flaming gas with two short bursts of its medium lasers...

rolled 84 = 84

>>13820547
Wolf has just enough time to recover from his landing before the two medium lasers bite into his torso, peeling off chunks of his thick armor but doing little else. The blast of flame elicits a roar of defiance from the MechWarrior, even as the Vindicator stomps forth, PPC raised and at maximum charge. The deadly blue beam leaps forth...

rolled 56 = 56

...and streaks harmlessly past the quick-thinking Mechwarrior as he pivots sharply to the right, getting an eyeful of the crackling blue beam as it lights up the night and shoots past the canopy of his Wolverine. The turret joins in, firing at the Maxim...

New orders!

>>13820639

Archer, blow that cicarda apart.

rolled 52 = 52

>>13820660

And...you know...roll.

rolled 36 = 36

>>13820617

Time for wolf to get some revenge.

rolled 84 = 84

>>13820639
Maxim crew, finish off that turret! We can't let it begin firing!

Also, I think now would be a good time to get rid of that Vindicator by using Sam. Anyone else with me?

rolled 55 = 55

>>13820703

Iam with you

rolled 91 = 91

>>13820639
Rook, take out that Goblin.

rolled 46 = 46

>>13820478

Zhou, get back up and take down that goblin. It's not that tough.

rolled 96 = 96

>>13820639
Alright! Sam, use that AC/20 and take out that Vindicator!

>>13820703
>>13820734
>>13820725
Oh goddamnit! Where hell did all of our luck go?!

rolled 48 = 48

>>13820639
Okay, Commander take out the Cicada in 1408

rolled 65 = 65

>>13820639
And Helios take out the Vindicator.

rolled 41 = 41

>>13820743
pic related

rolled 61 = 61

"Sam!" you bark into your mic, startling him. "The Vindicator! Shoot it!"
"Y-yes sir!" Sam replies, startled, firing off a shot. The report of his massive autocannon shakes the trees for tens of meters, and a big canyon of blasted-away canopy extends from where he stands under camouflage netting to his intended target. He misses completely.
Wolf stares into his targeting array and presses his firing controls, autocannon spitting shells at the Cicada along with his SRMs. Kara's Bulldog joins in, Large Laser blasting away, the tank now streaming heat as it began to build to noteworthy levels. The Cicada is struck multiple times, a huge crater appearing on its right side as Wolf's autocannon carves a gaping wound out of the armor there. The Bulldog's laser lances straight through the ensuing gap, tearing a hole in the side of the Mech right down to the reactor's savaged shielding. The ensuing explosions of the SRMs launched by both Kara and Wolf spin the Cicada to the side, the pilot barely maintaining control as the force of the explosions rips the right side of his Mech apart. He barely manages to eject as the Cicada is flung to the ground.
The Maxim's flights of missiles miss the turret once again, whilst Zhao struggles to retain control of his mech in the face of the enemy. He eventually rights himself, trying to put some cover between himself and the Goblin's laser.

The Cicada inside the base tracks Zhao, PPC firing up for another try...

rolled 29 = 29

...And barely missing, melting the corner off the warehouse with the heat of its passage and leaving another gaping crater in the wall of the complex. The Goblin turns its attention to the more immediate threat, firing its Large Laser at Clark's Shadow Hawk..

rolled 2 = 2

...Slamming into his torso and carving a huge gash in the painted side of his armor plate, half-molten gobbets of the metal spilling down to the ground. At least the ugliness will be even now. The Vindicator fires its weapons, glowing hot in the thermal displays as the crackling of its PPC discharge races towards Kara's Bulldog.

you guys really know how to fuck shit up, you need a good Lyran lancemate

rolled 32 = 32

In my defense I may or may not have been drinking too much

>>13820919
KARA!!! BAIL! BAIL!

>>13820919

...no...

>>13820941
enough with the negative waves man, Kra will be awright

rolled 6 = 6

>>13820951
What this dude said

love that Kara as much as the next commander, but shes a ground pounder, she knows what to do if and when shit hits the fan, we just need to rely on our training, waiting for OP to allow us to wreck the vidicators shit

rolled 24 = 24

>>13820958
Kara's driver knows what he's doing. He skews the tank to the left, thinking quickly to present undamaged armor to the enemy--and then there's no more time to think. The PPC and medium laser melt the armor on the right side of the tank, leaving it in a molten pool on the road. Only the small laser wins its way through to pierce the huge gouge in the front armor, working its way deeper towards the vulnerable crew members. The hull glows red in your thermal sensors. Once more the turret on the top of the gate fires at the Maxim...

rolled 2 = 2

>>13821001
And skips off the turret. "Crush that Vindicator, James."

New orders!

>>13820951
Have you forgotten Jacobs already? People die in battle. If a good hit from two Medium Lasers almost breached the front armor, what do you think a direct, excellent hit from a PPC will do?

rolled 64 = 64

>>13821037

Have Archer pulls back providing cover fire in the direction of the cicarda as she retreats.

rolled 25 = 25

>>13821037
Helios to jump behind the Cicada and wreck its shit from behind with weapons fire and, if possible, a kick or punch.

rolled 45 = 45

>>13821061
And the Javelin, move to 1106 and fire at the tank to keep it distracted and hopefully not shoot Clark in the back.

>>13821038
Yay, someone remembers Jacobs!

>>13821061

Cicarda is dead, amend to vindicator.

>>13821093
There are 2 Cicadas. One in the base, one outside. The one in the base is what I meant. Look at the picture.

rolled 55 = 55

Urbie moves and attacks turrent.

>>13821107

Oh...oops.

rolled 2 = 2

>>13821113
Yeah. And that damn Vindi is definitely proving its worth. Not very fast but all that extra weight saved from the engine's gone to its armor, it seems....

Let us more a little closer and fire our weapons at it.

rolled 14 = 14

>>13821130

I love you Commander.

Wolf into the vindicator.

>>13821061
>Sorry for the delay, couldn't believe what I rolled.
Helios doesn't think twice about kicking in his jets. The Shadow Hawk lifts off, staring down the Capellan Cicada as if daring it to shoot him. But it's just not in his nature to land right behind an enemy and deliver point blank shots. The enemy pilot in the Cicada is about to learn precisely why Clark has his callsign. The Mech's weapon raises, tracking him; the crackling blue energy of its PPC signifies charge... and he fires. But it is too late. The blue crackling beam passes harmlessly between Clark's legs.
>+++Death from Above Attack!+++
>Roll Cicada's to-hit: 96
>Roll Clark's Mech Punch hit location roll: 6 (Head)
>Damage: 55/10 = 5.5 x 3 = 16.5 (round up) = 17
>Head Location on Cicada has 9 armor and 3 internal structure points.
>Cicada's head is destroyed!
>Clark takes 55/5 = 11 damage to [5,6] Left Leg!
Clark's Shadow Hawk comes down swiftly. The Cicada's pilot has just enough time to realize what is happening before the 55-ton weight of Clark's battle machine comes crashing down with all the force gravity could muster, caving in the Cicada's cockpit and riding the stricken Mech all the way down to the ground in a shower of broken canopy and shattered armor.
Clark stands supreme.

>>13821211
All i gotta say.
Oh, and maybe the fucked up tank crew ought to git while the gittin's good. Don't want another Jacobs.

>>13821211
This makes me happy.

Zhao risks a shutdown and Alpha Strikes the Goblin. Payback is a bitch. The tank melts, the hull converted directly into slag under the relentless heat of all the lasers he could bring to bear. Maybe he keeps the lasers on a second longer than he should, but who's counting. Someone please roll piloting to keep his Mech active.

Your laser and SRMs smash into the front of the Vindicator, digging into a wound left behind by Wolf's autocannon. When the enemy mech is shaken by the attack, Wolf directs a withering hail of autocannon fire into its wounded torso. The beleaguered reactor finally engages its panic safety shutdown.

With its defenders defeated, the turret only gets off another shot before getting caught in a vicious crossfire and blown to pieces. The distribution center is yours.

rolled 79 = 79

>>13821313

Lets stay stable.

rolled 6, 3 = 9

>>13821313
Here you are.

I request all lancemates to sound off, with situation reports, call in the infantry and the urbs for much ado about looting

>>13821313
Huzzah! Sounds the all clear, get the trucks in here, and prep for the incoming ASF that's undoubtedly on its way. IIRC, we're going to head a ways off and be ready to star fires to simulate the other mechs to draw them close enough for the AA to get them.

Bring in the infantry and the transports; we don't have much time.

Get sitreps from all lancemates.

Have the MANPADs set up.

Finally, secure those downed mechs; we might be able to get that Vindicator.

Oh, I almost forgot.
Find the command building and raid it; shutdown the alarm, see if Mei Lin or any of the other FC guys and our Ranger can get on the radio and report an all-clear. While it'd be nice to shoot down some ASF's, I'd rather not have to fight at all.

>>13821348
A ragged cheer goes up from your command.
"Rook. Right arm took a beating, but I'm okay."
"Helios. Situation under control. Slight leg damage."
"Wolf here. Torso armor melted, two kills to paint on my cockpit."
"S-Sam here. Is everyone okay?"
There is a long pause before Kara's voice comes on over the comm. There is heavy static. "Archer here. We took heavy damage to our armor and there are some crew injuries. Get a medic."
The infantry you brought along begins to jog up the road behind Sam's Urbanmech.

do we even have medics?

pic related to how I feel

I'm pretty sure we, the commander, knows field triage, we should get our ass over to archer and give em a hand

>>13821390
>>13821438
The closest one to the tank, you walk your Mech over to it and power down. You pull a flaregun from the emergency compartment in your cockpit and give the all-clear signal, leaning out the hatch and firing a flare. Almost immediately after the starburst begins to descend from the heavens you can see the transports speeding down the road from the northeast.
"Point One," you say over the comm.
"Point One here," replies Jahl's voice.
"Plan Alpha is go. I need two squads to supervise in here."
You grab your dragline and leap for the ground, emergency kit in hand. You gingerly make your way up the left side of the tank, the rest of it still glowing cherry red and capable of burning you from a few feet away. You have to use your knife to pry open the hatch. Kara is first out as commander of the tank, with minor burns to the right side of her body that don't stop her from grabbing on to you with both arms, sobbing. You lift her clear, the other crewmen slowly making their way out.

>>13821399
Get a medic to the Bulldog.

>>13821503

Put an arm around her shoulders and give her some brief comfort. "Cheer up, we made it out alive didn't we? It'll take more than that."

(I'm assuming the rest of the crew made it out alive)

>>13821538
And if they didn't? That would be the absolute worst thing you could say.
Better to not say anything for now and see if anyone needs real emergency aid.

>>13821503
"Hush it's going to fine we here now , everything's going to ok "

>>13821503
The other two crewmen reach down and carefully pull the driver, Liang, from inside. He caught the worst of the heat, as evidenced by the burns covering a great deal of his body, the swelling already forcing one of his eyes closed. He still gives a fierce grin as his comrades pull him free, taking your emergency kit with them and cutting his melted uniform's legs off. The two infantry squads you brought with you crest the hill, a pair of medics already racing for the downed driver, deployed stretcher carried between then. You carry Kara off the tank and onto the ground, letting whatever had taken her run its course. "Relax Kara, we won. It's over."

>>13821554

Well he did say 'You lift her clear, the other crewmen slowly making their way out.'

So I'm assuming that they got out.

Now that sorted out time to get the shit and get out

>>13821562
war is hell

>>13821597
Agreed.
The infantry can take care of food and securing the mechs.
Let's get to the central administration building with Mei or Jahl, and see if we can send an all-clear to keep the CCAF away.

You wave the incoming transports through the gate of the complex, the drivers having to pick their way through the wreckage of the Warrior and weave past the tank. You hear some shouts as the infantry organize an orderly line and begin rapidly filling the trucks.
>>13821620
A sense of urgency grips you. There was no way you would be able to move the Mechs you had destroyed in time before the ASFs arrived. You radio Jahl. "Get a team. We need to take the administration building and cancel the alert."
"That wasn't part of the plan--"
"Just do it!" you bark into your radio.
Kara seems to have calmed down a bit and is looking back at her tank, metal ticking as it cooled, grim. "I totally lost it back there."

I must sleep now thanks for epic quest op

I vote for holding onto Kara until shes stopped sobbing, everyone needs a couple secs to recoup

>>13821677

give a roguish grin.

"It's fine. Everyone freaks out at times. Live and learn"

(What IS our characters personality? I'm sorta seeing him as an old white-hat cowboy.)

>>13821677
"You kept it together until after the battle, that's good enough. Now take a breather, then look for some fire extinguishers inside the depot to cool off the Bulldog."

"Jahl, we've got salvage and some wounded. I know cancelling the alert wasn't part of the plan, but if it works, we can take our time and not risk any of your men at all. We need to try it, at the very least."

>>13821677
Kara, you and your crew, came close to death back there. I'd say loosing yourself is warranted. Will you be alright?

>>13821699
If were an operative for the FedSuns, old white hat cowboy is the best personality to have

>>13821715
>>13821710
>>13821699
"Roger. I'm sending three platoons your way." Your radio goes quiet, the only sound the rumble of Sam slowly pacing and keeping perimeter security while everyone else gave their Mechs a chance to cool off.
"Is she going to be okay?" asks Sam after a minute.
"After I heard... about what happened to Yunnan... I wanted to..." Kara rubs her eyes after a fresh round of tears threaten to spill, and sniffs. The platoons you'd requested hustled from the jungle, headed your way. They stop, waiting for your orders.

>>13821771
Allright, sweethearts, you heard the man and you know the drill! Assholes and elbows!

Give Kara one more hug before we head off to the HQ. We tell her that we got her back.

>>13821771
"Alright ladies, let's get to work!"

Have Kara look for fire extinguishers to cool down the tank if possible.

As for the infantry and us, we rush the administration building and try to secure the communication gear and the codebook.

>>13821825
Kara curls her arms around her knees and sits there as you climb to your feet. Back to business. You borrow a handgun from one of the troopers and jog past the gate in your coolant vest and shorts, and very little else. The cool night air is very welcome against your skin as you reach the shadow of the administration building under the harsh glare of the lamps illuminating the complex. "We don't have much time," you tell your men. "Clear the building."
"What about survivors, sir?"
Your expression is grim. "No survivors."
"Understood. Squad Alpha, you're with me. Beta, take the stairs. Charlie, you're with the Commander."
They moved with purpose inside the building. There was the occasional staccato burst of gunfire whenever they met up with a hapless employee who was unfortunate enough to work the graveyard shift. You went straight to the top floor via the elevator, arranging your men. "You, you. On the floor. The rest of you, push against the walls. They're going to be waiting for us."
The other two platoons took position around the building, watching for any escapees.

>>13821771
"Don't worry, we'll make those bastards pay soon enough."

Turning to the squads, you say, "Okay men, our objective is to take the admin building and quickly. We have to cancel the alert before the local fly boys show up. If there's anyone among you that knows how to disable the alarm, split yourselves amongst the three platoons evenly. "

Also, have one of the packrats transport back the wounded tankers. Have the other packrats scout further out for early warning.

>>13821910
Ok. We do not want to be the first one through that door. I assume we're going to bust into the control room? The squad arrangement sounds good, now put ourself a few men back along one of the walls and give the go signal to breach and clear.

The elevator's doors *ding*'d and you braced, expecting a hail of bullets. Instead, you find a terrified security guard, cowering behind a table-barricade he'd erected in the opulent, wood-paneled hallway leading away from the elevators. He fires blindly at you as you calmly walk up to his barricade. "Drop the gun."
He hastens to comply. "Don't shoot! I just work here!"
You wave your subordinates onward, who take positions further down the corridor. "I thought you were expecting us. Where are the troops? Where is everybody?"
"Y-y-y-ou thought we were...? This was just the regular p-p-p-precautions," stammers the man.

>>13821956
"Regular precautions include 3 mechs and air support?"

>>13821964
He's trying to buy time. I say break his nose and see if he can cancel the alert.

>>13821964
Seconding this.
Maybe also radio the other teams, have them not be so ruthless?

>>13821983
You're right. We need to cancel the alert first.

>>13821964
"W-w-we've been attacked before. By the reb-b-bels," he offers, lamely. "Th-th-the Mechs were supposed to stop them one--once and for all."
"Come on, man." You grab him by the collar. "Speak a little more clearly. I don't have a lot of time. We want to cancel your alarm."
"You'll n-need the administrator codes. They're in the top drawer of his desk at the end of the hall. The control room is right next door."

>>13821984
Yeah the "no survivors" may have been a bit bloodthirsty. But I suspect it's a bit late now. Let's, uh, let's pretend the people they shot were all child abusers and such. For now, we need to get into the control room, which I assume is further ahead.

>>13822006
Well, we expected hardened CCAF combat vets, not a bunch of low-paid graveyard shift workers.

Now that we know, we can stop being so...efficient.

>>13822005
The security guard knows what drawer the administrator codes are in? Well isn't that convenient...

Nonetheless, have the squad secure this floor, get those codes into that computer. If the administrator or any other high-level staff happen to be around, I vote to have them brought together and tied up and left here.

While we're deactivating the code, I'd like to poke around in the system a bit and see if there may be anything else pertaining to the SL cache or other military secrets.

These guys probably aren't even CCAF. Let's give them the chance to surrender instead of slaughtering them all.
It's bad PR.

>>13822023
I'd rather not. The last thing we need is our description leaked to the Mask, if they don't know it already. I don't want to make the work easier for them nonetheless.

Also, this place has been attacked before? Might want to ask FC about that later on about "forgetting" that they've attacked it before.

>>13822025
"Thank you for being so cooperative." You shoot him in the head. You take comfort in the fact that if you had let him live the Capellan security forces would have done much, much worse to someone who had aided the enemy. "Let's move. Clear this floor. Secure the control room. Hold anyone you find."
They move in a rush, only slowing to stack up and deliberately clear each room, you note with professional approval. You walk down the corridor with your gun held securely in both hands and push open the door to the administrator's room. The office matches its extravagant surroundings, with large glass windows overlooking the complex and a large dark-stained desk. You notice Clark's Shadow Hawk standing on the remains of a Cicada's head. It lifts its hand at you, scanning the skies with its LRM rack.
Vince breaks over the radio. "Contacts at 500 km. You have three minutes. Maybe. I think I forgot to carry... I'll get back to you."
The top drawer is locked securely, but you have just the tool for that. You fish a special kit from a pocket inside your cooling vest and produce a small electronic pick, which you slide into the hardened steel lock. A few moments later the lock gives way with a click. You smile and replace your gear before pulling open the drawer.

>>13822088
Actually, I was going to suggest shooting him in the leg or shoulder, so that he could say that he tried to fight but was taken out of the action.

Oh well. Hopefully this won't reflect too negatively on the rebels.

>>13822088
Alright, so we have an unreliable ETA of 3 minutes. I'm guessing it's a bit late for a stand-down order to be effective. I really think our top priority here needs to be finding out whatever we can about the Star League tech and getting our asses out of here. Are the cargo haulers almost done? They're going to be sitting ducks if they're not under tree cover and moving away by the time that ASF support gets here.

>>13822088
Alright, let's get to the communication room and try to send an all clear.
But still send out to everyone to get ready to leave, with an ETA of 3 minutes.

Can Vince give us the number of contacts? With the LRMs on the Shadowhawk, and the targeting information from the Mobile HQ, Carl might be able to shoot it down if it's only 1 or 2 ASF's.

I need a dice roll.

rolled 47 = 47

>>13822187

here we go

rolled 13 = 13

Let's see if the fates smile upon us today.

>>13822205
Everyone else seems to have made their escape. The squads report from downstairs that there had only been civilians in the building. Low-level staff.
---
You snap open the plastic card-holders and read them to one of the troopers. "...Zhong Guo." The Capellan softly murmurs into a microphone sitting on top of the operator's office. The "Control Room" was anything but, a few windows overlooking the complex and a large panel of security cameras comprising most of the space. The lone terminal held an active communications program that you were currently using to try and talk to the airbase and a record of the cargo transfers to the capital. They were all listed as routed through the airbase.
"Recall. Recall." murmured the trooper, adding another code. "Stand down. We have dealt with the problem. Reports forthcoming." The trooper glanced at the terminal hesitantly, and then back at you. "They accepted the code," he explains as Chinese language chatters harshly through the speakers, then went silent.
"Vince," you murmur into your radio. "Vince, are they turning around?"
"No... Wait, yes. Yes, they are. Weird."
You breathe a sigh of relief.
"Salvage what you can. We need to be moving ASAP."

>>13822222
Alright, this gives us some breathing room.

Let's salvage what we can, especially the PPC from the one Cicada, and the Vindicator. See if the Vindie can still walk after the reactor cools down. We'll need to see if any of the infantry has logging or construction Mech piloting experience.

Also, now that we have the time, let's have ourselves look through the computer system, see if there's any mention of the Star League cache. Look for food shipments to remote locations, where the archeological teams might be.

Finally, let's see if there's anything else in this depot that might be valuable.

Hey guys, should we try to recruit some of these civilians? Or let them try to disappear?

>>13822253
Agree with most all of this, especially trying to take the PPC's. Neither of these mechs are substantial improvements on what we have, but I'd love to strap those big guns onto some of our boys.

I'm not sure these are really recruit material. Low-level staff may be more sympathetic to our plight, but I can't see them as having skillsets that will be of great use to use. A little propaganda might not go awry, but it may be a little late now that we've shot their buddies.

>>13822253
Well, we can strap the headless Cicada to something. I'm sure we can scrounge up a cockpit from somewhere, maybe the Urbie we're using for spare parts?. We need a salvage list.

>>13822253
>>13822277
>Emphasis on the past tense in "had been"
None of the entries in the computer that you can find have anything to do with the Star League or have any delivery point other than "Airbase A3."

Wolf and Rook look over the 'Mechs--with severe damage to the heads of the Cicadas, and the complete destruction of the shielding on the Vindicator's reactor core, none of the 'Mechs would be walking out of here and could only be used for spare parts. Save the missing head, however, the Cicada under Clark's left foot could probably be salvaged whole. Eventually Kara hazards they could field strip the components and stash them in the Maxim.

>>13822324
Lies.

Ok, then I suppose we better strip down what we can. Some more weapons and parts sounds like a good idea, especially since we're going to be facing bigger mechs at some point who may potentially put even more hurting on us than we've already seen.

>>13822344
Can we take the Vidicator head and jury-rig it to the Cicada later? I'm all for taking the Vind's head if so.

Field strip the other Cicada. It looks like the engine is probably too big for the Mobile HQ, though... Maybe we can sell it and buy a smaller one for the HQ.

>>13822324
Let's take the Vindicator and repair later.

Well, the Maxim can carry a cargo of 100 tons; we could take the Vindicator and broken Cicada.

With a minimum of effort you convince Kara to get to work stripping the two Cicadas for parts. The Vindicator looked like it could still be salvaged. You decide to lash it to a trailer you had towed behind the HQ for just that purpose. You receive some parts totaling 6 tons in the time you have available, as well as a fully-functioning PPC and pair of Machine guns, along with a Medium Laser.

The transport convoy quickly departs after loading is completed, not even looking twice at your salvaging operations. You get on the radio and tell Jahl of your success. "Pack it up."
He sounds disappointed, but professional about it. "Maybe next time."
Liang is being carried away, swathed in bandages, by the time you return. Sam is standing there, the Urbanmech bent slightly and watching Liang's progress as he disappears out of sight down the hill. Kara joins you. "The tank is cool enough to drive," she says, solemn. "I can make it back with just two crew as long as we don't have to fight anyone on the way."

>>13822412
Glancing back over the manifest from the first depot raid, we now have 3 Med lasers. link those together and weld them on to something and that could put some real hurt on.

>>13822447
>"I can make it back with just two crew as long as we don't have to fight anyone on the way."

Knocking on wood like a madman right now.

>>13822410
>>13822412
We could have had two 'mechs. oh well. Still not a total loss.

>>13822474
You could retcon that to a Vindicator and a headless Cicada along with a Medium Laser and 2 tons of parts if you want. Choice is yours.

>>13822447
Alright, let's load up and get going. Have everyone keep their heads on a swivel as we make our way back to base.

As for the civvies, I guess let them decide what to do. They can stay here, and explain to the CCAF what happened, disappear into the regular citizenry, or they can come with us. I suggest they just disappear; laser blast some areas of the walls to make it look like we lined them up and vaporized their bodies.

>>13822506
I'm with the retcon.
Mechs, even damaged ones, are still very expensive machines. Without the technological boost that the Clans will bring back, mech production is going to be pretty anemic.

>>13822506
Assuming the salvaged PPC that was listed is now inside the headless Cicada, that's fine with me, unless somebody objects.

>>13822447
Do we have anyone else who can drive that tank in Kara's place? That tank is wrecked, and we shouldn't risk..ahem..."Valuable personell" driving a near dead tank.

Otherwise, full crew, combat readiness.

>>13822539
I thought we killed them all. No survivors.

Since the Urbie is still missing the MG, can we strap a MLAS onto it once we get back? It kind of needs something else than just the AC/20 if it runs out of ammo.

>>13822589
We already strapped a Medium Laser to it; or at least, I think we did.
I know I was pushing hard for it.

---
Mission complete, returning to base.
---
To prevent any meddling, the rice is almost immediately distributed amongst the populace of the continent. To the extent of the populated western half, anyway. East, over the pass or down the coast, is another story... In any case, the people are with you, even if they don't have a name to call you. You hear rumors they're starting to call your lance the "Sudden Death" -- at least, that's what your own people tell you. Recruiting no longer seems difficult at all, despite the presence of the military: every day you see more and more people bustling around your erstwhile hidden base. Logistics and the command structure were only getting more complicated...
In any case, this seems like a good place to end this installment of the quest, which by this point has been running for nearly twelve hours. I thank all of you that stuck around to see it. Don't forget to tip your waitress. Good night!

>>13822617
Well, now that everyone knows about our Super Secret base, it's only a matter of time until a Mask shows up, if they're not already here. We are going to have to strike that damned airbase soon, then.

>>13822617
Hm alright. We're gonna need Mei Ling on overtime handling intelligence security with all these people around. Potential for betrayal: nearing inevitability. We may want to look into having a fallback plan at some point, or at the very least hidden defenses around our "secret base".

>>13822617
Great campaign so far, MechCommander. I'm surprised that our Commando is still working and not blown to bits by now.

>>13822617
Alright, the session's been archived on suptg.
Don't forget to vote!

Also, MechCommander, when do you plan on running this next?

>>13822696
Let me shake the magic 8 ball.
"Most likely," huh.
Most likely sometime tomorrow then. Probably around 7 pm GMT.

I propose we stop allowing new recruits from coming to the main camp, instead we should start setting up training camps in order to reduce the ammount of infiltrators

>>13822664
If we can fix the Vindicator and the Cicada, we'll be a pretty significant threat; especially if we also take out CCAF air support.

Goddammit I missed this.

Can I suggest a retcon that we download all the tactical data for the airbase? As well as analyse the parts they're getting and so on. If we can hijack a plane or something and use it to smuggle some troops or equipment onto the base at the same time as we launch our assault, we could close the distance with our main forces while not getting slagged. I assume they'd change any codes the forward base had, but we still might be able to use it as a lure somehow.

It'd be damn dangerous to whoever did it, but it's worth it if we can take out the airbase.

Hoowee. This here thing just keeps getting better.

Frankly, I'm quite surprised that Kara's still alive. That Bulldog needs to stay the hell away from the frontline. And it also needs to get someone else to do the rolls for it.

I mean, no offense, but damn man. That luck.

Yeah, that would be great, except that the depot didn't have any tactical data.
It's a food depot that used civilian guards; why would it have tactical military information?

>>13825145
Why would a food depo have a demi-lance of mechs and a demi-lance of combat vehicles?

>>13825169
Because they knew rebels with mechs were around and knew the food depot would be a likely target.

>>13825210
Rebel attacks? What rebel attacks? Why, the only people going around attacking Capellan bases is us!
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oh.

>>13825169
The security guard mentioned previous raid attempts. Plus I think food's one of the few resources the planet produces, seeing how the first threads mention the local base taking half of the town's produce and sending it offworld every month.

>>13827206
Chief exports of Larsha:
-Fine lumber and fine lumber products
-Bulk grain (wheat and rice)
-Low-grade gemstones
A trading outfit comes by from the Periphery every two months and picks up the maximum allowed quota of the above. The rest is shipped by the Capellan military to other worlds once the stores are full in the capital.

>>13827273
... huh. Lumber-hauling in space. Why is it that I'm thinking of old-ass tug ships in varying states of disrepair slowly lugging along huge space-train-esque lumber trailer caravans strapped to the brim with loose logs.

Actually, the whole idea gives me a decidedly Cowboy Bebop-esque feeling as well. Better add it to the list.

Future games to run: number 1 - civilian peacekeeping urbanmech squad RPG on a DC planet, based on Mobile Police Patlabor.

Number 2 - Space Cowboy style bounty-hunter campaign in the more Wild West-esque FWL backwaters.

>>13827273
Oh boy, it can has be Commando Quest time?

I say we talk to Mei about this news of previous raids. Also make it clear that in the future, we need better, or at least, more recent intelligence about our targets.