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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on May 16, 2005 15:58:24 GMT -5
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- Incoming Coded Message -- Command Instruction Follows - - Decode Sabre Protocol - GALxBravo 182nd: 2nd - - Disseminate by need only - ____________________________
Operation Codname: Landslide Type: Infiltration and Sabotage Planet: New Wessex Terrain: Glacial Ice Shelf Heat Efficiency: 100% Time: Day
NARRATIVE
Recent intel data suggests that the Word of Blake is building something on the southern continent of New Wessex. Judging by the amount of resources that have been sent there, a mech factory capable of constructing Assault Class Mechs is likely to be present or under construction. Obviously, this is not acceptable and whatever work is being done there, needs to be stopped and future operations there discouraged.
This mission is fairly straightforward. Infiltrate the base and uncover what exactly is going on here. Once that has been determined, we are to destroy the base and render it unsalvageable by any means. Once that has been accomplished, we are to dustoff before any sort of response can be made. With all of the tensions in the area between the Combine and Lyrian forces, there will be more than enough naval action to discourage any sort of retaliation at least right away.
New Wessex is lightly populated, but due to the high tensions in the area, we are going to be more or less considered as Combine forces should we be questioned, which isn't far from the truth.
Now, because this mission requires stealth, most of you are going to be on foot. Those that are selected as standby units will be stationed with your mechs should we require it. Once things start blowing up, you will probably want a mech, which if intel is right, there should be some sitting around to use and help you escape.
MISSION OBJECTIVES
Primary - Infiltrate the base undetected - Determine the base's purpose - Completely destroy the base and render it useless
Secondary - Acquire technology and equipment - Secure intelligence data for examination and future use
THREAT REPORT
Limited Data Available.
Blakist forces at least at company strength. Early recon data suggests that the base defenses aren't fully functional and so there will be gaps in their perimeter. Patrols are fairly light due to the small population and lack of exploration of the area.
FRIENDLY SUPPORT
- 2 Lances TBD (Gokusotsu only) - Additional support TBD
PLANETARY OVERVIEW
Lacking major resources, save a few common industrial metals and modest agricultural produce, New Wessex would likely have been spared the worst of the Age of War and the Succession Wars if it were not for its location on the border near the Lyran Commonwealth. In the First War, Lyran troops attempting to seize the planet launched a blitzkrieg spearheaded by a small fleet of light WarShips. Intending to launch a barrage at the major cities, in hopes of eliminating all opposition outright, the Lyran fleet was instead surprised by the arrival of a Combine naval force to intercept them. In the orbital battle that followed, one Lyran battleship, crippled by a devastating broadside attack, spun into the planet’s atmosphere, where its fusion reactors lost containment and exploded before the safeguards could engage, spilling toxic levels of radiation into the sky and raining flaming debris across the western coastline of Jarichosia, New Wessex’s northernmost continent. Though no Lyran forces landed on New Wessex that day, the aftermath of the assault was profound, and even today incidence of lung and skin cancer on this planet remain higher than the local average. Through the following centuries, New Wessex was raided several times by Lyran forces, but the biggest engagement fought on New Wessex in the wars that followed the Star league’s fall happened in 3021, when the famous Wolf’s Dragoons mercenary unit spearheaded a Lyran attack against Combine troops massing here for an impending assault on the Commonwealth. The massive battle, fought in and around Harlow’s Wood and the capital city of Hallanan on the southern continent, Lancombe, lasted only a week, but the legends around it remain in the hearts and minds of the native “Wessexans” today, and a cottage industry has grown around tourism based on that famous battle.
CALLSIGNS:
Lance assignments do not apply to this mission. Callsigns for this mission are as follows:
- Bishop-1: Commander LeatherNeck
- Bishop-2: Captain Benjamin Maxwell
- Bishop-3: Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf
- Bishop-4: General John "Aegis" Kleais
- Bishop-5: Commander Black Mamba
- Bishop-6: MechWarrior Keith "The Loon" Kintaru
- Bishop-7: Sergeant Holms Net
- Bishop-8: Sergeant Sergei Zhukov
- Bishop-9: Lieutenant Garrett Garland
COMMANDER'S NOTES
I know you all want a piece of the Blakists and you want to avenge those on Rochelle and Tau Ceti IV, but we cannot afford to let our emotions cloud our thinking.
Keep in mind that you aren't going out in your mechs and that your body can't take as much punishment. With that being said, I'd rather not add another person to the body count caused by the Word of Blake. I also just want to say, don't be afraid. They may be honorless foes, but they are human. No guts, no galaxy. Go get 'em MechWarriors.
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on May 16, 2005 16:16:08 GMT -5
The lights dimmed in the briefing room aboard the Samurai's Destiny. I walked to the podium and cleared my throat. I could see the anguish in the faces of my troops as well as those of the Legionnaires.
MechWarriors, as you are aware, the Word of Blake is presenting themselves to be a dangerous foe and rather ruthless in their tactics. However, they are still human and they make mistakes and have their weaknesses.
This commander has made a bold move to build a base on the souther continent of the planet New Wessex. As most of the Gokusotsu is aware, this is a highly contested area on our Combine's border that is shared by the Lyrians as well. This makes for an interesting political climate and a dangerous one as well. New Wessex is Combine space despite what those Lyrians might be thinking so we will conduct ourselves as such if confronted.
I turned on the projector and brought up the best photo we had of the area, which wasn't all that great. Mostly snow and ice, it was hard to tell what exactly was what and once we got planetside, it was going to be even harder to tell.
As you can see, this isn't the best terrain to be operating in which shows that this base isn't meant to be an open sign of aggression, but rather they don't want us to see what they are doing. Whatever it is, we don't like it and we intend to tell them.
The mission is simple. Infiltrate, extract and destroy. We sneak in, get what we want out of the place and then we wipe it out. Which means, with the exception of 2 Gokusotsu Lances on standby, we are gonna go by foot.
I turned the lights up and looked around the room. Some were nervous, most were fired up that we were going after the Blakists so fast and some looked no different as they have seen more than enough battle that it all becomes the same. However, this time, it was different. It was an army that exterminated a planet's population on a whim and used honorless tactics.
...and the blade of righteousness shall strike them down...
Captain Maxwell? Do you have anything to add before we open it up to questions?
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on May 16, 2005 16:39:00 GMT -5
I was nearly overcome with emotions as I stepped forward into the single circle of light which illuminated the podium in the center of the dimly-lit room. We had no home, the whereabouts of many of our closest friends and compatriots were unknown, and now, we were plotting against the very enemy which had literally wiped all that we stood for from the face of the galaxy.
I cleared my throat.
"MechWarriors...intelligence reports indicate that the Word of Blake may just be using the factory as a cover story. Contacts of mine close to ComStar have hinted at the possibility that the Blakists have uncovered an undocumented, and long-lost brian cache, which, as many of you know, is a repository of rare and LosTech dating back to before Kerensky's Exodus. There's no telling what could be down there - as many of you know, the Dragoons confiscated the remains of a 'Mech they're calling a Ragnarok from the hands of Blakists three months ago. This 'Mech was unearthed from another brian cache. Obviously, if these rumors hold true, there is untold potential for distaster.
"The bottom line is - don't take what you see on the planet's surface at face value. I want you all to be very careful. Sergeant Holms Net will be joining us in this Op - he's very fortunate to have been one of the few survivors they've plucked from the remains of Tau Ceti IV, and he has his stake in this opportunity as much as anyone else.
"Let's watch each others' backs out there - and make sure everyone comes out of this alive."
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Post by Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf on May 16, 2005 19:01:59 GMT -5
Sitting in the front row I listened carefully as Captain Dillenger laid out the breifing before us. The Samauri's Destiny breifing room was very similar to the one we have ... had on Tau Ceti IV. Nothing real fancy, but still with a few bells and whistles. I was more than a little excited at the prospect of getting back at the Blakists, at least in some way, for what they had done and what they will probably continue to do until someone stops them.
As I sat there I thought it was a little strange to be on this side of the breifing for once as Captain Maxwell stepped forth to say a few words. But as circumstances were the fine details of this OP were best left to Leatherneck and Maxwell and their various contacts. Once Captain Maxwell had finished what he had to say, it appeared that the floor was left open to questions, so I decided to raise a few myself.
After raising my arm and getting both Captain Dillenger's and Captain Maxwell's attention I asked, "You mentioned that we would be going in on foot. I'm assuming that means no Power Armour then? If so, with this environment, what means of transportation are we going to have to get to the general vicinity of the base. Do we have access to a civilian transport or other low priority unit?"
Relaxing back slightly in my chair I awaited either of the other Captain's response, wondering how exactly we planned on arriving there, thinking of how we wouldn't want to draw any extra attention to ourselves, but still need a reasonable way to pass through the rugged terrain to the general vicinity of the base. A slight smile spread across my face I realized I had been subconciously drumming my fingers very lightly against the butt of my MAG-18 Rifle still mounted in my hip holster where I habitually placed it before any OP.
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Post by Holms Net on May 16, 2005 20:05:11 GMT -5
I was sitting in the far back of the room aboard this new vessel. I had not seen my friends for quite some time, the only people around I remembered being the honorable Captains of the Legionnaires, and there was just something pulling at me about the Dilenger. It had been such a long time, I knew I had knew him from somewhere, but could not recall where.
After hearing Captain Gunman's question, I listened to the answer(I would of waited to post this, but there was no way I could remember it, and last time I waited I ended up missing the rest of the briefing since I had school, so, didn't want that to happen again ) given, and raised my hand, quickly getting presenting my question."So, sir, will this be more of a 'camp-out' with some fighting involved. I mean, it sounds to me like more walking than shooting the Blakists, not to mention it seems to me with the cool temperatures that seem to be around that location, we would be stuggling to survive if we were to have any power failures. You never know what kind of technology the idiot Blakists have. However stupid their Mechwarriors are, they have some decent scientists cooped up around, I'm sure." "Also, if we are going to get in the base and sabotage it, why not make use of it in our favor, instead? I realize we are attempting to get some useful information, but I bet they have alot of good stuff locked and hidden away somewhere; probably would take weeks to find. Why not just push the Blakists out of their own base, and use it for ourselves? IF this is some sort of 'Mech Production Depot, would not we be able to make use of these to make BattleMechs?"
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Post by General John "Aegis" Murlance on May 16, 2005 22:13:34 GMT -5
The Sergeant's questions made my mind reel. A good candidate for cannon fodder, this one was. I rose up out of my chair and turned to face him.
"Sergeant - this is hardly what I would call a 'camping trip.' We are going in with the barest of essentials needed to pull off an infiltration - if you were planning to rely on Battle Armor to see you through this Op - dismiss that notion immediately. We are aiming for zero radar detection - understood? That means no 'Mechs, no vehicles, no armor - nothing that would give off a signature whatsoever! This is not going to be a walk in the park - it will be difficult enough just getting in and blowing the damn thing to pieces, to say nothing of holding the base against extraordinarily pissed-off Blakists who would be arriving in short order to reclaim their property."
My eyes made passing contact with Captain Dillenger as I returned to my seat. I nodded an affirmation to him.
"Captain."
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on May 16, 2005 22:33:45 GMT -5
I stood in the corner of the briefing room in the shadows, listening first to Captain Dillenger, then to Captain Maxwell. I could tell Captain Maxwells emotions were strained. I fully understood this, myself having lost my family and friends to the Blakist dogs. The Blakists had no honor, and let nothing stop the carnage they spread over this sector of space. I wanted in on this Op very badly. There was nothing I would like better then to kill my share of the dogs responsible for the innocent beings they seemed to enjoy killing.
I wonder how the men are going to feel about a women joining their team
I slowly came out of the shadows, sitting in a seat as quickly as possible. Both Captains knew I wanted in on this. I wondered if they would say I would be joining the Op or just let it all fall into place. I knew from the discription of the planet, and the fact we would be without our Mechs, the guys would think I might not be up for the task, but Captain Maxwell and General Murlance knew me well, knew of my background and my training. They know I'm tough and can stand up to any condition anyone might throw at me.
Suddenly I seen General Murlance stand up, he looked in Sergeant Nets direction, addressing his question
"Sergeant - this is hardly what I would call a 'camping trip.' We are going in with the barest of essentials needed to pull off an infiltration - if you were planning to rely on Battle Armor to see you through this Op - dismiss that notion immediately. We are aiming for zero radar detection - understood? That means no 'Mechs, no vehicles, no armor - nothing that would give off a signature whatsoever! This is not going to be a walk in the park - it will be difficult enough just getting in and blowing the damn thing to pieces, to say nothing of holding the base against extraordinarily pissed-off Blakists who would be arriving in short order to reclaim their property."
This was deffinately going to be a long and hard task, but I was up for it and could hardly wait. I now raised my hand knowing this would bring attention to myself, but didnt care at that point.
My only question to you sirs is, how soon can we get started?
At that moment I felt as if the entire room looked in my direction. You're just nervous, no one is looking at you, just calm down
I sat very still, eyes straight ahead looking at the Captains, waiting to listen intently to the answers to the rest of the questions that had been submitted
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on May 17, 2005 8:11:22 GMT -5
The floor was opened up to questions, several being asked in succession. One, the General answered in a seemingly terse retort, but effective and concise nonetheless. Once I felt the floor was open again, I took the podium.
"You mentioned that we would be going in on foot. I'm assuming that means no Power Armour then? If so, with this environment, what means of transportation are we going to have to get to the general vicinity of the base. Do we have access to a civilian transport or other low priority unit?"
The General answered the first part of the question, so I'll just say in addition that Power Armor wouldn't help us in any regard due to the fact that we'd be easily outgunned anyhow and it's much easier to hide without one.
As for getting close to the base, we intend to be delivered close to a weather research station during a resupply run. The Blakists are most likely aware of the station, but don't consider it a threat as the supply craft have a pre-determined flight path due to the terrain and nobody ever leaves the stations perimeter. In addition, the supplies arrive at roughly the same time.
To answer when we will be going, we will head in with the next supply run. That is going to be rather soon, which means in 2 days.
Any other questions?
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on May 17, 2005 14:18:37 GMT -5
“Any other questions?” Captain Dillenger said, pausing for a slight moment. I wasn’t sitting like many of the others and had decided to stand towards the back of the briefing room, hiding in the shadows. Public appearances were not my specialty. Regardless, I took a step forward into the light and raised my hand.
“Ah! Kintaru. Nice of you to join us.” The Captain said smiling. Sarcasm wasn’t detected, I had failed to attend the previous briefing because of some important issues that needed to be addressed. I failed to smile at the joke; the memories of Tou Ceti IV still fresh in my mind. Even though Tou Ceti IV was not my home world, I had grown quite fond of it during my stay. Thank god the “Jade Map Stone” wasn’t on the planet at the time of the explosions… however I was hoping something was on the planet at the time. Or rather, someone. Before I decided to ask the one question that was on my mind, I decided to ask a question that would benefit those on the team. Personal questions could wait.
“Sir, I am more then up to the task of moving undetected and I am sure that my fellow team mates are also up to the task. The second task is also within our capabilities. However, there is one thing on my mind. By what means do we destroy the enemy base? Will we be given explosives? Or will we have to use what we find?”
I couldn’t resist, my anxiety took over. Before the Captain could answer my question, I ask one more.
“One more question sir… Do you know if General Ren of the MRBC survived the devastation on Tau Ceti IV?”<br> I stood tensely awaiting my answer.
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Post by Holms Net on May 17, 2005 15:01:32 GMT -5
"Sergeant - this is hardly what I would call a 'camping trip.' We are going in with the barest of essentials needed to pull off an infiltration - if you were planning to rely on Battle Armor to see you through this Op - dismiss that notion immediately. We are aiming for zero radar detection - understood? That means no 'Mechs, no vehicles, no armor - nothing that would give off a signature whatsoever! This is not going to be a walk in the park - it will be difficult enough just getting in and blowing the damn thing to pieces, to say nothing of holding the base against extraordinarily pissed-off Blakists who would be arriving in short order to reclaim their property."
After hearing the General speak up, I sat down for the moment. Although he had taken my question in a different way I intended, I didn't feel like speaking up for some time. After just having come back, I didn't feel like I was in a position quite enough to argue at the time. As more questions past, time went on. Many people were seemingly getting extremely nervous, or perhaps simply anxious, to get out there and kill the Blakist slime. I had never taken extreme fondness to going in to a huge battle on foot, but, I preferred going to an assault 'mech depot undetected as compared to a more indiscrete manner, blasting everything in sight. That would be the last people of the area needed.
As the newest question presented by this Kintaru guy, it had seemed that more people became tense, but it also seemed to confuse more than create stress. I tried my best to look knowledgeable, but it appeared not many people knew of what Kintaru spoke, so I simply decided to pay attention to what was answered, hopefully creating some image as to why this man asked the question.
It seemed that the Captain's looked through some files in some sort of computer, I guessed it was containing information about this General Ren character. Many of the Lengionnaires looked near saddened, or frustrated at the remembrance of the Tau Ceti situation. I didn't take very kindly to the Blakists in the first place, none the less now.
As the Captain's continued to search, I decided to think about what I could about this Keith Kintaru fellow. Fortunatly, I had a portable, kind of mini-computer, never really knowing what it was called, never really caring. I had kept a lot of information on it, as well as a direct link to information made public within the Legionnaires. It had seemed that from the Archives of Operation II, this fellow was quite the warrior. He seemed to be a bit mischeivous and mysterious, as well. There wasn't much I could find out, so I just put my device away and listened in to whatever the Captain's had to say.
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Post by Commander Garrett Garland on May 18, 2005 1:20:55 GMT -5
I scratched at the burn marks on my leg; it'd take years for them to finally go away. I could still remember the acrid taste of ash on the surface of Tau Ceti IV and the smell of vitrified desert. My mind focused back on the briefing as General Murlance spoke. Hmmm, an infiltration mission, something new indeed. I hoped that my injuries wouldn't hinder my performance in this OP, I'd definitely need all the strength that I could muster to get through this one.
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Post by General John "Aegis" Murlance on May 18, 2005 7:02:59 GMT -5
I mulled over the source of Kintaru's question before proceeding. I knew the purpose of the inquiry, and I suspected I knew the answer he wished to hear. But I was not prepared to give misinformation simply to convey a false sense of comfort.
"FORMER MRBC General Ryu was not listed amongst the victims rescued from Tau Ceti IV. However, a vessel manifest shows him leaving the system aboard the JumpShip Legacy several hours prior to the attack. His trail goes cold after that point."
I saw a brief flash of fear and concern cross Kintaru's face.
"Mister Kintaru...I wouldn't worry. I'm certain he'll be located soon enough."
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Nicholas Schuster
Regular
DECEASED
"Blakists are like a virus. And WE are the cure."
Posts: 139
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Post by Nicholas Schuster on May 18, 2005 9:02:12 GMT -5
Meanwhile...
New Wessex - Low Polar Orbit Disputed Territory February 18, 3068 - 22:37 GST
"Rebus, we have achieved stratospheric entry and are holding position. You are go for insertion."
"Copy that, Mystique. Initiating deployment."
"Viel glueck, Rebus."
I gave my thermal suit one last check, and switched my oxygen feeds to full as I stepped through the rapid-cycle airlock hatch. I felt my suit pressurize as the atmosphere cycled out of the vestibule, and the cog-shaped outer door rolled open. At this altitude, there were no clouds, and vast, uninterrupted expanses of starry sky stretched in all directions.
My GPS flickered to life on my goggles, and a lime-green nav point illuminated below and to the right of me. I swung out into the near-vaccum, standing on the airlock's step ladder and holding onto the drop shuttle's handrails, and oriented myself with the marker. Then, taking a short breath, I released my grip, and fell toward the planet's surface, arms outstretched as the ground raced into my embrace.
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on May 18, 2005 9:30:35 GMT -5
Sir, I am more then up to the task of moving undetected and I am sure that my fellow team mates are also up to the task. The second task is also within our capabilities. However, there is one thing on my mind. By what means do we destroy the enemy base? Will we be given explosives? Or will we have to use what we find?
I looked about the room and then proceeded to answer.
The intent is to use the base against them so to speak. Use their gear to level the base. However, if we find that the base is not what we expected, then we will simply call in the standby lances to sweep in and destroy the base.
I stepped back as the the General answered the other question on the floor. Convinced that there were no other questions I concluded the briefing.
MechWarriors and soldiers of the Legionnaires and the Gokusotsu, this briefing is now concluded. I want the next 12 hours to be a mandatory R and R session. After that, we are going on full alert and I want you to perform all gear checks and other necessary procedures before our insertion.
Standby lances, you're going to receive any additional information if need be via your datapads. When we go on alert, perform all necessary maintenence and hardware checks. The techs are already outfitting your mechs for cold weather operations and we will be using our snowfield pattern camo which is being applied as we speak.
Any further questions can be asked personally. I will most likely be on the bridge and the General and the 2 Captains could most likely be found either on the bridge as well or in their quarters.
Your 12 hours of mandatory R and R starts now. That is all. Dismissed.
The room stood at attention as the General, Captain Maxwell, Captain Gunman and myself filed out.
Gentleman, I shall excuse myself now. I wish to make sure all is well on the bridge before I take any sort of rest.
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Nicholas Schuster
Regular
DECEASED
"Blakists are like a virus. And WE are the cure."
Posts: 139
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Post by Nicholas Schuster on May 18, 2005 13:46:55 GMT -5
Meanwhile...
New Wessex - Southern Arctic Continent Disputed Territory February 18, 3068 - 22:39 GST
The snow hissed and steamed beneath my body, an indented crater being melted into the ice as my superheated thermal suit cooled. I quickly dropped into a belly-crawl as my drag chute collapsed onto the snow behind me. Hitting the quick-release, its lines were cut away from my pack, and it fluttered away in the breeze.
I pulled my helmet off, and stuffed it into my knapsack. Pulling a set of macro-binoculars from a side panel, I dragged myself to the edge of the escarpment I had landed on and peered down at the base. As the lime-green hues of the night vision lenses evened out, I surveyed my surroundings.
I had landed behind the base - something I was counting on, since the majority of the facility's defenses were situated in front of it. The designers obviously never planned for this base to be found - let alone assaulted - and the Blakists...well, enough said.
The main facility itself appeared to be nothing more than a snow-covered bunker set into the ground, with a few above-ground support bays and a makeshift DropShip gantry upon which a Hrothgar-class vessel now sat. There was also a large approach ramp leading down into the bunker that disappeared below eye level - I couldn't tell if it led inward, or if it was simply a well of some sort.
A string of automated gun turrets arced across the front of the base, and two Assault-class 'Mechs, a Daishi and an Atlas, stood watch over the base's entrance. There was also a myriad of infantry emplacements, and several anti-aircraft guns, flanked by multiple seige tanks, rounded out the fortification. There was no telling how many other assets hid within the belly of the Hrothgar.
A portable corrugated tunnel had been connected to the DropShip's main ramp, and led directly into the ground. Thermal scans indicated that there was a great deal of activity taking place within it - vehicles laden with cargo, technicians, the whole nine yards.
Probably looting the base... I thought. Smart move.
A series of motion, seismic, and laser sensors had also been blanketed across the base, an obvious sign that the Blakists were paranoid about anyone trying to get onto the site without permission. As I toggled my binoculars' infra-red filters, a splash of red gridlines spilled across my field of view. Everything directly above the base was being optically monitored.
This was about to get interesting.
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