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Post by Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf on Apr 18, 2005 20:38:29 GMT -5
"Yeoman Hobson to all hands: We have made planetfall on Rochelle. Operation Moonshield II is commencing. All hands, man your battlestations."
Hitting the comm, I disengaged the docking clamps and strode out of Feral Wolf's berth, smiling as I saw the bay doors already nearly fully open, the techs knew we wanted to get out fast and had the doors opening even before we touched down. Checking to make sure the now open comm was set to the correct frequency I quickly relayed a few short orders
Alright Spectre lance, we're hitting the dirt. Form up on me, Spectre-3 I want you on my six, Spectre-4 and Spectre-5 take the flanks in V-formation. Let's move out.
Punching the throttle forward I sent my BattleMaster into flank speed before even leaving the 'mech bay, the heavily armoured chassis pounding down the loading ramp as I pulled up short near the end to pick my way through the displaced concrete runway. Making it through quickly and onto more level ground I brought the BattleMaster to a near stand still and waiting as the rest of Spectre lance quickly followed suit and formed up on my position. Toggling the comm once more, this time for the Free Worlds League frequency, I said,Free Worlds League firebase Scorpio, this is Captain Gunman of the Legionnaires. I have Spectre lance here ready and rarring to go, where do you want us?
There was a short delay and some static before a response finally came through
Spectre Lance, we need you to reinforce the far east flank, about 0.4 clicks out, they are meeting extremely heavy resistance and won't last much longer. Scorpio-1 over.
Copy that Scorpio-1, Spectre Lance is moving to intercept. Spectre-1 out.
Quickly toggling the comm over to Spectre Lance, I turn and start to throttle the BattleMaster up to flank speed again heading towards our designated position.
Spectre Lance, this is Spectre-1, from here on out we will refer to the base as Scorpio-1, we are to move and reinforce the right flank about 0.4 clicks out, that's the East side of the base if anyone gets disoriented. Expect extremely heavy fighting, as soon as we are in range you are weapons hot, Spectre-1 out.
Slamming the throttle forward even farther, I manage to squeeze another kilometer or two an hour out of the plodding brute and race towards the enemy location, knowing full well that the other 'mechs in my unit could easily outrun me, let alone keep up.
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Post by MechWarrior Sergei Zhukov on Apr 19, 2005 8:20:43 GMT -5
I exited my berth and exited the Thorin as quick as possible. I remember a saying that shooting mechs in their hangers is like shooting a really big fish in a really small barrel.
...and I don't feel like seafood today.
Alright Spectre lance, we're hitting the dirt. Form up on me, Spectre-3 I want you on my six, Spectre-4 and Spectre-5 take the flanks in V-formation. Let's move out.
I formed up on Captain Gunmans right flank at the tip of the V. I was nervous to be in front, but my combat experience quickly took over.
I scanned the immediate surrounding area and did a visual scan as well.
Spectre-4 to Spectre Lance, all clear on my scopes so far.
My Shadowcat Panther had no trouble keeping in formation with Captain Gunman's Battlemaster. It was funny that I was in front of a mech that could take more punishment.
Spectre Lance, this is Spectre-1, from here on out we will refer to the base as Scorpio-1, we are to move and reinforce the right flank about 0.4 clicks out, that's the East side of the base if anyone gets disoriented. Expect extremely heavy fighting, as soon as we are in range you are weapons hot, Spectre-1 out.
Spectre-4 to Spectre-1, understood.
While monitoring my scanners I punched in the coordinates of Scorpio-1 as a Nav point so that if I did get turned around, it was in my computer to remind me.
...Time to earn some C-Bills.
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on Apr 19, 2005 11:51:43 GMT -5
[glow=Green,2,300]- 1 hour from Planet Rochelle -[/glow]
Dropship Jinmu Tenno prepped and loaded sir.
Attention all hands. We are preparing to enter orbit the Planet Rochelle.
All mechwarriors report to your mechs and prepare for a Hot Drop insertion.
Those on standby, report to your mechs and await further orders.
Helmsman, upon arrival bring us into position to detach the Jinmu Tenno.
Once detached, I want you in close orbit in case we need reinforcements. The Tomoe Gozen and Hojo Tokimune are already loaded, they would jest need to be launched. Any more than that and you bring the Samurai's Destiny into low orbit and drop all the remaining mechs.
Aye aye sir.
With all due respect sir, why not send all 3 now?
One dropship is a smaller target and less noticeable. Furthermore, I don't see it necessary until I have a full assessment of the situation.
Understood sir. I'm sorry to have questioned you.
It's quite alright, after all I did request all 3 Dropships to be prepped. Just keep close to us and we'll be fine. You have the bridge.
Satisfied that my crew was more than capable of handling any situation that arises I made my way to board the Jinmu Tenno.
Let's just hope that the Legionnaires aren't too hard to locate...
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on Apr 19, 2005 15:53:23 GMT -5
I took my position in the V formation as ordered by the Captain. I licked my dry lips as excitement took over my emotions. The joy of combat was something the Kintaru family enjoyed. This didnt mean we were mercellus killers, on the contery; our clan only killed in defence. No, we enjoyed the thrill of the battle. I shoke my head. Common Keith, this isnt about the thrill of the fight!!! Im on a mission. There are people that need saving and civilians are involved. I breifly cast my mind back that horrific day... Hope these civies wont suffer like my family did...
And they wouldnt, i was going to see to that personally. I licked my lips again and mentally prepared myself as we exited through the bay doors. A nav point flickered on my screen, courtesy of the seargeant's navigation broadcast. Tou Chou's OS had picked it up and plotted it for me. I flicked on my communicator.
Spectre Lance, this is Spectre-4. Message received and understood. Ready to move to Scorpio-1 on your mark. I said, grasping the controllers and turning the saftey off.
Sink or swim, do or dieI said under my breath as we moved out in formation.
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Post by Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf on Apr 19, 2005 15:57:17 GMT -5
As the ambient sounds of heavy 'mech battle grew lounder and louder as we closed the distance to our target, I got a quick read on the general positions of the enemy units. As we rounded the crest of a small hill we could easily see the carnage that lay before us. The remnants of a long gone Cougar lay strewn about the battlefield before us, a Strider limping around behind his friends trying to fight against unbeatable odds, and swarms of enemy units, my radar lit up across half the board with red IFF signatures, this was about to get messy. Quickly scanning and calculating the enemy's general position and tactics, I formulated a plan and relayed the information to Spectre Lance.
Alright Spectre Lance, this is it. I want to drive a wedge between the enemy and the wounded friendlies. Pull into Echelon Right formation, I've got point. Spectre-3 your next, followed by Spectre-4 and Spectre-5. This will allow us all optimal firing arcs into the enemy ranks. We are weapons hot, I repeat weapons hot.
Toggling the comm over to the Free Worlds base I relayed that we had engaged the enemy.
Scorpio-1, this is Spectre-1 we have engaged the enemy, I repeat we have engaged the enemy. Charlie lance is badly wounded, Charlie-4 is down, Charlie-2 appears crippled, Charlie-1 and Charlie-3 are still fighting, over.
Roger that Spectre-1, please assist. Scorpio-1 out.
As Spectre lance fell into the new formation with my BattleMaster on point, we charged down the hill, gaining another few kilometers an hour from the momentum of the charge. I'm not sure what thoughts were running through the enemies mind at the moment, but I do know that they must have been taken aback, at least for a moment or two, at the sight of Spectre lance charged down the hill, tearing up tundra and sending clouds of dirt and debris as the 4 'mechs barrelled down on them. Spectre formed a perfect line at a 45 degree angle to the right of my BattleMaster, General Aegis' Mad Cat immediately to my right followed by Sargeant Zhukov's Shadow Cat and finally MechWarrior Keith's Catapult providing support from the rear. All of us had a direct line of sight into the enemy ranks, and all of us seemed to fire the first shot in tandem.
As the depleted uranium slug exited the barrel of the Gauss rifle at more than 10x the speed of sound, I could hear the burning crackling of the air as twin ER PPCs were let loose from the General's Mad Cat, followed by the resounded crack of another Gauss rifle firing, and finally a hail storm of 40 missiles slammed into the enemy ranks. My first round went a little wide from my intended target and wound up tearing the left arm clear off the Avatar. As the Gauss rifle cycled and reloaded, I witnessed the weapons fire from my comrades slamming into various other 'mechs nearly coring their armour in the first salvo.
My gauss rifle cycled just as I hit the front lines, with the rest of Spectre Lance holding formation with guns blazing, we were able to effectively drive a wedge between the unknown enemy units and the Free Worlds Guard's badly damaged units. Not wasting anytime with a friendly hello to friendly units I fire my Gauss rifle again at the Avatar, this time my aim much more accurate as the round cores into right torso armour. Suddenly my 'mech rocks violently to the right and back from the sudden impact of an LB20-X at close range, damage indicators showed orange across the left torso as the Avatar pilot let loose twin emerald beams from its center mounted medium lasers, as the beams scorched across my left torso, I returned fire with quad emerald beams of my own, 3 shots blasting into the already damaged right torso with the 4th going wide and scraping across the center torso. Keeping my sights on the right torso I fired a salvo of SRM missiles the moment I got a positive lock. The first two missiles merely destroyed what little armour was left on the bruised and beaten 'mech's torso before the final 4 missiles destroyed internal structures and set off an ammunition explosion which nearly blew out the case system that was installed. Toggling the comm for just a second I gave the order to engage at will.
Spectre Lance, this is Spectre-1, engage at will, I repeat break formation and engage at will.
As soon as I gave the order I broke formation myself and entered into a circle of death with the Avatar, continously moving to the right so I could stay to the left side of the 'mech and hopefully avoid the LB20-X in his right arm. Wanting to save my Gauss rounds, I continously fired my medium lasers in pairs alternating from the inside to the outside pair to avoid overheating. The emerald coloured beams lancing outwards and melting the heavy armour from the Avatar's frame, small rivlets of molten metal dripped down from each blast, as round by round I cored into his armour. With me keeping to the far side of the Avatar's primary weapon he couldnt return fire except for the pair of medium lasers in the center torso. Eventually the Avatars armour buckled beneath the continous rain of laser fire and a critical blow was struck when two of the emerald beams lanced into the gyro destroying the 'mechs stability and sending it toppling to the ground crippled. It's right arm smashing into the ground and preventing it from being fired.
Turning to find my next target I got a radio transmission from Scorpio-1 which took my attention from the battle only breifly.
Spectre-1 this is Scorpio-1, a second wave of enemy contacts have been identified and are heading towards the base. Alpha and Beta lances are reporting additional units moving on their position, they can't hold out. Can you assist? Over.
That's a negative Scorpio-1, Spectre Lance is fully engaged at the moment..**shhzz*** the sound of crackling energy cut out the comm for a moment as my 'mech was struck broadside by a PPC, turning to face my new adversary I fired a gauss round into the 'mechs hip actuator shattering vital components and gimping the leg as the Free Worlds' BlackHawk fired 6 ER Medium Lasers in tandem into the now damaged hip coring into the 'mech and destroying the reactor shielding, the flashing light on my console reminded me that I still had an open comm link. Returning to finishing my short discussion with Scorpio, the sounds of a reactor going critical could be heard across the comm amidst all the weapons fire. As I was saying, Spectre Lance is fully engaged. we cannot comply.
Copy that Spectre-1, as soon as possible move to assist Alpha lance.
Before I was able to respond the channel was cut short and a mere moment later another channel was opened
Spectre-1 this is Thorin Command, we have track on an unidentified dropship moving in fast on the base position. We can't get a lock on it and our comm system can't reach it in it's current state.
Copy that, keep me informed, we don't need any uninvited guests dropping in on us. Things are bad enough already.
After a breif confirmation from the Thorin I turned my full attention back to the battle at hand, and let loose a barrage of SRMs and Laser fire into the nearest enemy 'mech, at the same Feral Wolf was hit by a return salvo of LRMs across the left and center torsos. This was really turning into one hell of a fight.
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Post by MechWarrior Sergei Zhukov on Apr 19, 2005 17:59:51 GMT -5
That's a negative Scorpio-1, Spectre Lance is fully engaged at the moment..**shhzz***
The sounds of a reactor going critical could be heard across the comm amidst all the weapons fire.
As I was saying, Spectre Lance is fully engaged. we cannot comply.
The battle was raging and I was in the thick of it. I found it amusing that my first combat mission in a mech was in a battle that was as fierce as my first mission as a tanker.
An Uller had made it's way into the thick of the battle and was taking pot shots at Spectre-5's Catapult. He was busy jockeying for a firing position on some of the larger mechs so I decided that the Uller would pay dearly for attacking a fellow lancemate.
Spectre-5, be advised you have an Uller behind you and to the right, I'm going after it just so you know.
The Uller wasn't paying attention to me as I ran around to get a better firing arc. I decided to use the element of surprise to get off a well aimed Gauss Round.
Eat Gauss stravag!
The round slammed just to the left of the cockpit of the Uller, but it served it's purpose. The Uller turned it's attention to me and layed into my left arm with Autocannon fire. My Gauss Rifle cycled and I unleashed an Alpha Strike center mass. The hapless Uller staggered but did not fall.
...Gah! You annoying stravag. Just die already.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Apr 19, 2005 18:41:31 GMT -5
AeroTech fighters screamed overhead as the concussion of artillery shook the ground that my Stone Rhino thundered across, flanked by the wounded Free Worlds' League Mad Dog that limped quckly along, sped up by its Clan-based MASC technology. One hell of a battle must have been raging above our location, because the forces atop the canyon walls either didn't notice, or didn't care about our presence below. And so, we moved, largely uninhibited, down the winding corridors of the narrow entrenchment, occasionally coming up against the flaming hulks of tanks, VTOLs, and BattleMechs that had fallen in combat, and had plunged into the ravine, to be smashed against the rocks below.
We were making good time toward firebase Scorpio when my radar suddenly lit up, and threat indicators screamed as cross-sections of multiple hostiles plastered across my HUD. Target analysis showed two Ullers, an Anubis, a Razorback, and, most fearsome of all, a Linebacker, all bearing down on our position from the opposite end of the chasm.
These guys are relentless! Where in the hell did they get a Linebacker?
The Anubis fell first, the twin gauss rounds fired directly into its cockpit crushing its pilot instantly, and causing the 'Mech to topple to the ground like a rag doll. The Razorback stopped short as its pilot realized what he was up against, and darted behind the oncoming Linebacker for protection.
Over-aggressive...not afraid to use each other for shields...
And then I saw it.
Bearly recognizable due to its human size, and covered in dirt and grime, a small red handprint adorned the nose of the Linebacker.
The Hand of Blake.
In a millisecond, it all came together. The high technology...the suicidal tactics...the sudden, relentless push to overthrow a relatively meaningless planet that followed on the heels of the devastating attack on Outreach - these were Blakists we were fighting! The Word of Blake had made their move, and were sweeping across the Inner Sphere like a plague of locusts. And now - they were here!
Blakist bastards!
The sudden flash as the Ullers fired their Hammer missiles at my Stone Rhino in tandem brought me back to the present. The firey red plasma glows from the missiles' exhaust ports hinted at the crippling level of ordinance being carried by the warheads.
"Shit..." I muttered under my breath as I attempted to sidestep both dumb-fired missiles. I managed to avoid one, but the other found its mark on my Stone Rhino's right gauss rifle, and I flailed the 'Mech's arm in a futile attempt to dislodge the "sticky" bomb before it detonated.
Needless to say, I failed.
My Stone Rhino's arm was literally blown off as the high-powered missile exploded, throwing my 'Mech off-balance and fracturing the right side of my cockpit's ferroglass. As I regained my balance, I could see the twin Ullers dancing from side to side, plastering my BattleMech's torso with pulse laser fire, buying time while their weapons cycled and the Linebacker closed to firing range.
The crack of twin PPC cannons discharging, accompanied by the signature flash of brilliant white light, signalled that time had just run out. As the first bolts of energy collided with my 'Mech, shorting out circuits and disrupting my HUD, I whipped my crosshairs toward the Linebacker's stout body and opened fire, a relentless bombardment of autocannon fire spitting forth from my 'Mech's main gun, while gauss rounds lept forth from the one remaining rifle mounted on the Stone Rhino's left arm. Four emerald laser beams lanced out, coring into the oncoming BattleMech, as the twin Ullers continued their dance of death around me, occasionally getting caught in the crossfire of the two leviathans locked in their duel to the death. The Razorback lingered back, taking pot shots as it saw the opportunity, staying well away from the firey fray.
As it turned out, staying away was perhaps the wisest tactic. One of the circling Ullers, becoming slightly over-exuberant, circled between the main guns of the Linebacker and my Stone Rhino at the very moment that both 'Mechs exchanged an Alpha strike. The Uller was instantly consumed by fire, and staggered backward as its fusion reactor went critical. The Linebacker backpedaled wildly, trying to get away from the impending explosion, but collided with the Razorback that was huddled behind it. The Razorback toppled over, writhing to right itself and escape even as the front half of the Linebacker was disintegrated by the uncontrolled fusion reaction that erupted from the Uller's shattered remains.
As the Linebacker detonated, taking the Razorback with it, the remaining Uller ceased its circle of death, pausing for a moment as its pilot watched the chain reaction in disbelief. Then, realizing that my Stone Rhino had survived the onslaught, the scout 'Mech took off running, leaping into the air on its jump jets and disappearing from sight as it crossed the edge of the canyon wall.
Toggling my rear camera to ensure that the FWL Mad Dog was still with me, I throttled the Stone Rhino up once again, charging down the canyon toward the focal point of the attacks at firebase Scorpio.
I just hoped I wouldn't be too late.
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Post by General John "Aegis" Murlance on Apr 19, 2005 19:13:21 GMT -5
My PPCs cored into the rear armor of the Uller that had opened fire on Sergeant Zhukov's Shadow Cat. Hammering away with my machine guns as the PPCs cycled for another shot, I let fly a barrage of Javelin LRMs which ripped into the horribly outgunned scout 'Mech with a delicious series of crippling explosions.
My PPCs cycled to green, and I charged them for another shot, when an autocannon round hammered the side of my cockpit. Seeing that Zhukov had the situation with the now-smoldering Uller well under control, I whipped my torso sideways to face my attacker. An Atlas was bearing down on me, pounding away with its withering suite of assault weaponry. I grinned as the leviathan grew closer to me. This was a challenge!
I toggled my target jamming to active, and danced sideways as the Atlas attempted to dumb-fire its Swarm SRMs at my much nimbler Mad Cat. The shots flew wide, scattering blossoms of high explosive fire across the landscape. The enraged Atlas charged toward me as I nailed its center torso with dual PPC blasts, sending the Atlas into an unsteady stagger as the EMP effect from the particle blast dissapated. I laughed heartily as I let fly another volley of Javelin fire into the blistering wound scored on the center of the Atlas' chest, and could bearly control a further outburst of adrenaline-infused laughter as an internal ammo explosion began to be seen erupting from the heart of the wound.
A thunderous cacaphony suddenly sounded off above and to the left of my 'Mech, and the Mad Cat's torso gave a jolt as damage indicators informed me that my 'Mech's left missile rack had just been shorn completely off by a Thunderbolt missile. I grimaced as I realized that my long-range firepower had just been halved, but decided to ignore the attack and continue pounding the Atlas.
Another autocannon round slammed into my 'Mech, sending coolant fluid spraying from a fresh wound on my Mad Cat's torso. Yet another impact started a fire within the reactor casing, sending smoke and fire billowing from the ECM dome that rotated atop my cockpit. I ignored the damage, and continued to hammer away at the crater on the Atlas' hideous frame, digging deeper and deeper with my weaponry until at last, the polished steel skin of the assault 'Mech's fusion reactor could be seen.
"Say goodnight." I mumbled, hurling a final combination of PPC and Javelin fire at the hideous BattleMech, which toppled forward, plowing into the ground as the fusion reaction housed deep within its heart spilled outward, consuming the 'Mech from within. I muttered a few curses under my breath as the Atlas obliterated itself, then swung my guns around in search of another target. I had drawn a fair distance away from the rest of the lance, and found myself surrounded primarily by tanks and infantry from assorted organizations. A VTOL blazed past me bearing the emblem of the Northwind Highlanders, while a M.A.S.H. unit with the ComStar logo emblazoned on its roof sped past, its siren wailing.
Swinging my sights to the north, I saw yet another Uller pop up from a nearby canyon, chased by a gauss round and a blast of emerald light. It ran straight toward me, and I let off a PPC snap-shot that knocked the diminutive 'Mech on its side. As the 'Mech dragged itself back to its feet, I charged forward and ran across its still-outstretched legs, snapping both like twigs, and leaving the torso to flail about on the ground helplessly.
Who's next?
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on Apr 19, 2005 21:05:01 GMT -5
The area where the Jinmu Tenno touched down was a scene from hell. Craters from large artillery batteries were everywhere, black smoke poured out from several demolished gun emplacements and several fires burned uncontrollably from several tanks.
Free Worlds League firebase Scorpio, this is Ghost Lance, Looks like you could use some extra tonnage in your favor.
Ghost Lance, you are a welcome sight. What unit you from?
...I just hope we find the Legionnaires before they realized we weren't who I was about to say we were.
We are a detachment from the Legionnaires.
That's odd, I have you marked as dropped in already.
Crap...
Great, so they did make it. We got split up from all the AA batteries in the area. They were taking some nasty hits and we lost comms. Thought they went down.
Well, comms everywhere are sketchy. You'll probably have a better chance of using your own radios.
I copy that. So where to?
What's your unit makeup?
A Loki, Marauder IIc, Hunchback IIc and a Bushwacker. 255 tons in all.
Great. Link up with our Heavy Lance callsign Bulldog.
Roger that. We're on our way.
...that was close.
As we arrived we saw a chaotic battle ensuing. The heavy lance that we were assisting consisted of a Fenrir, Mad Cat, a Hunchback IIc and a Catapult. The Catapult was in serious trouble as the left missle rack had been torn off and it was taking a serious beating from a Thor. The Mad Cat was being tag teamed by two Ullers. The Hunchback IIc was guarding a downed Fenrir from an Annihilator.
Ghost Lance, engage at will. You are weapons free.
Bulldog Lance, this is the Ghost Lance of the Legionnaires. Looks like you could use some help.
Gre...*static*....we ne.de..th..re.infor..ents.*static*
Alright, let's bust some heads.
The Marauder IIc opened fire with all 3 of it's ER PPCs into the Annhiliator. I followed up with a Gauss round into it's right arm. The combined attack blew the arm off and the Annhiliator fell as it's pilot and gyro couldn't keep up with the loss of tonnage.
That allowed the Fenrir to get back up and unleash an Alpha Strike at point blank range into the now downed Annhiliator. The lack of movement signaled a pilot kill and one less hostile for the time being.
Nice kill. Ghost-2 on me, let's go play with the Ullers.
Ghost-2 to Ghost-1. I copy and am on your eight o'clock.
So far...so good.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Apr 20, 2005 10:23:29 GMT -5
A squadron of four AeroTech bombers screamed overhead as I exited the canyon, deploying cluster bombs against an unarmed friendly M.A.S.H. ambulance that had raced to the scene of a stricken mobile field base and its crew. Two Javelin missiles, coupled with angry bolts of PPC energy arced skyward to ravage the formation of aircraft, though they came too late to save the ground crews, who were consumed by fire at the moment of the bombs' impact.
A friendly Mad Cat, its left 'ear' wrought from its mounting and blown completely to pieces, stomped through the smoke to stand facing me. Under the soot and grime of prolonged combat, the Mad Cat's MRBC insignia and trademark black and silver paint scheme - modified slightly to coincide with the Legionnaires' battle colors - could still be made out. It was General Kleais.
"Good to see you again, Captain Maxwell. You look none the worse for the wear, all things considered. Have you come to join the party? I see you brought a guest."
The still-smoking FWL Mad Dog shifted uneasily, scanning its surroundings for the next wave of attackers.
"Yes, General...hope you left some targets for us...we were just getting warmed up. You'll be interested to know that these hostiles are..."
"...Blakists? Yes, I know. I knew before we got here that we'd be up against them."
My mind reeled.
"You mean to tell me that you KNEW about this all along and didn't SAY anything? How could you?"
"We weren't absolutely certain. So, as you put it, Captain Maxwell, how could I? We didn't have confirmation until this morning. All we had to go on was that a combat JumpShip had made an unauthorized jump to the Rochelle system, and that the Lyrian Commonwealth had suspicions that the ship might be transporting Blakists. But until we could verify this, there was no reason to alarm you or your crew unnecessarily. We had to know for sure."
I was furious.
"General Kleais - I would have preferred a false alarm to a rude awakening. I expect you to be more forthcoming with any future 'suspicions' that may adversely affect my crew."
"Captain Maxwell, you, of all people, should understand and appreciate the principles of the "need to know" doctrine, given your background with ComStar and your dealings with a Blakist saboteur during your last mission. Don't tell me you didn't keep that small detail from your crew."
I knew that the General was making reference to my contact within the Word of Blake who sabotaged a communications satellite for us during Operation Broken Arrow, and who took it upon himself to destroy the JumpShip Arrow to ensure there were no witnesses.
I grimaced at the memory.
"General, I'm willing to keep the fact that you knew about this ahead of time...quiet. I have a feeling that if the rest of the crew knew you were witholding information, it would cause a great deal of dissent and mistrust - two things we don't need right now. In exchange, I expect you to keep me in the loop concerning all future intelligence as it relates to this mission. If it affects us, I want to know about it. Agreed?"
There was a pause.
"Agreed."
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on Apr 20, 2005 11:08:51 GMT -5
.*Spectre Lance, this is Spectre-1, engage at will, I repeat break formation and engage at will.*.
“Rodger that Spectre Lance” I replied, firing my large pulse laser continuously at my target ahead. The Timbre Wolf I was firing was hobbling and struggling to take cover behind a large rock protruding from the ground. “Don’t think so…” I muttered as I fired my a full servo of Javelin LRM’s at the crippled mech. The LRM’s bent around the rock as the Timbre Wolf attempted to take cover behind it. At the angle I was at the missiles didn’t have that big of an ark to bend, and this showed as every missile hit my target. A flash of bright light indicated the target’s fusion reactor had gone critical and that the target was destroyed. No time for celebration.
I moved over to the right of the rock, using it for “pop tarting” at targets that were in the distance. Suddenly the rock exploded into tiny fragments. As the dust settled, a NightStar immerged, its heavy weapons recycling.
“Christ…” I said under my breath. I noticed my LRM’s had fully cycled. Without hesitation I fired every single Javelin Missile at the NightStar. A huge explosion erupted in front of me as every missile crashed into the mighty mech’s body. As the smoke cloud settled I was astonished to see the beast still up. It was hard to mutter any curse words, as my chin had hit my chest in shock. I pulled myself together and hit the button on the controller stick, igniting the three jet packs on my back. I lifted myself into the sky, taking the NightStar by surprise. The NightStar’s weapons were now aiming into the air. As the 'mech fired off a staggered Alpha Strike, the first two blasts of laser fire narrowly missed me. The extreme temperatures of the Heavy Lasers, even though they missed, managed to melt some of the paint on my mechs legs. The pilot, took out my left leg, clear off, with the PPC and twin Gauss rounds that followed. Tou Chou’s computer systems screamed out noises, indicated the damages. As we began our flaming decent I knew I was in it deep…
“Oh right you bastard! Lets see how you handle the taste of the Kintaru family’s acrobatic skills!!!” I screamed, grabbing Ryu and strapping a small arm computer I used to monitor Tou Chou on maintenance checks. I crouched onto the pilot’s seat and pulled on the emergency eject cord.
What happened next, the NightStar didn’t even see coming. As the ejection seat’s engines engaged, flinging me into the sky like a rock being fired from a trebuchet, I crouched waiting for the height of the flight. As the rockets on the seat dissipated and just before the chute opened, I leaped from the seat. Considering Tou Chou was high in the sky, I was far above the NightStar, who was concentrating his fire on the ejection seat and rather the crazed ninja who was flying down above him. Looking down directly above the NightStar, I fired a dart from the utility arm band attached my right arm that was tethered to me. I hit the head of the NightStar, penetrating. I unsheathed Ryu as I dived down. Looking back I saw the NightStar concentrate his fire on the ejection seat, which exploded a few seconds after I left it. As I flew down the back of the NightStar, I stabbed Ryu into it’s back, slowing my decent along with the tethered rope. I finally stopped at the interface panel located on the back of the NightStar. Still tethered by the rope, I unsheathed Ryu with my left hand and sliced the panel on the beast’s back. It fell of easily, and best of all the NightStar still had no idea as it continued fireing at my comrades. After removing the panel, I sheathed Ryu and opened up the small computer strapped to my left arm. I managed to plug a cable from the back of the computer, jammed it into the open network port and established a connection.
The NightStar stopped firing and stood still. I ran a hacking programming that would, if successful, force the pilot to eject and cause the rockets on the seat to over charge, causing an explosion. After a few short seconds the program ran and began the process. I looked up as the rear view lens of the NightStar focused. The pilot could see me. I simply smiled and did a little wave as the program carried on running. Suddenly the NightStar swung on its pivot wildly in an attempt to shake me off. I clutched tightly to the rope as the NightStar went wild with movement. A “jingle” noise indicated that the program had completed 70% of the operation. The NightStar stopped as the pilot desperately attempted to counter hack. It didn’t work. The cockpit of the beast blew open as the pilot was ejected at insane speeds. And like a firework on new years eve, he exploded in a mixture of green (from the rockets) and red (from the pilots blood). I retracted the tethered rope so I could stand on the head of the giant mech. I jumped down into the cockpit of the NightStar and started up the system. The monitor flicked up with Tou Chou’s OS. Not only had I forced the pilot to eject, I had also copied over Tou Chou’s computer systems.
“Spectre Lance, this is Spectre-5 I have successfully captured an enemy NightStar. Repeat, DO NOT fire at the NightStar." I said to the team proudly at my astonishing achievement, as I changed the IFF identity code over to the Legionnaires.
.*Go*--- --*d Kintaru! Nice **--*, **--ry on *--*-ur at*-*ck*.
“Sir? can you hear me?---“ I started to say. I stopped and saw something on the dash board of the cockpit that made my heart sink. A symbol of The Hand Of Blake glimoured in the lights of the cockpit.
I flicked on my comms to tell the team my find...
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Apr 20, 2005 14:45:57 GMT -5
...at the same moment that General Kleais, the FWL Mad Dog, and I charged back into the fray of battle, demolishing enemy entrenchments and crushing tanks with our gargantuan feet as we hurtled toward the scattered remnants of Spectre Lance.
"Spectre Lance, this is Spectre-2...do you copy? Spectre Lance, please respond."
Heavy static met my comm transmission, and I remodulated the channel's frequency before trying again.
"Spectre Lance, this Spectre-2, ident code Lima Charlie Oscar Zero One dash Zero Two...do you copy?"
A faint, tinny voice, just bearly audible over the static, could be heard coming across the comm.
"Spec-...-s Spec-...-our transmiss-...-munnications being...-ammed...-o ahead..."
The traffic was so garbled, I couldn't even make out the sender of the message. Keying the channel open, I yelled into the mic.
"Spectre Lance, this is Spectre-2! Urgent message: Exercise extreme caution when engaging hostiles. They have been identified as members of the Hand of Blake, a division of the Word of Blake. USE CAUTION. I repeat: USE CAUTION. These are Blakists. Spectre-3 and I are inbound with FWL friendly. Estimate two minutes to rendezvous. Do you copy?"
Static once again hissed in my headset. I could only hope that somebody would get the message.
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Post by Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf on Apr 20, 2005 15:26:41 GMT -5
"Spe***e L..... *shhhzzz*tre-2, ident ...... Charlie **car Zero On.... Z**o T*o...do ...... copy?"
My comm flickering to life with extremely heavy static I could barely make out the communication, but caught enough to figure it must be Maxwell on his way to meet up with us. Turning up the power to my comm channel in a breif respite from the current battle I responded.
"Spectre-1 to Spectre unit, our transmissions and all communications are being jammed, go ahead I'll get what I can." Wondering to myself just how much of that he managed to hear.
"Spectre Lance, ........... Urgent ..............extreme caution ........ engaging ................ident**** ............ Blake, ..........Word ......ake. ............. USE CAUTION. ............Blakists. ......... FWL friendly. .......two minutes ......... ........copy?"
The transmission was so garbled I was only to catch a few words, but the few that I did understand caused a lump to swell in my throat, and felt like my gut had just been wrenched inside out. If I had heard right, these guys were Blakists. Members of a defective faction from ComStar, meaning high level Star League Era tech, excellent combat training, and a religious zeal that made them on the verge of suicidal. This wasn't a good thing.
Hitting the comm I tried to respond but to no avail, whatever was jamming our comm channels, was now even closer and had us jammed so that we couldnt even communicate to each other. As the fighting intisified again, I swung my BattleMaster around and let loose a hail of fire into an already staggering NightStar, the sudden extra impact sent the Assault 'mech stumbling over its own footing and planting itself sorely on the ground, I quickly followed up with a second Alpha Strike as my Gauss rifle cycled. The heat and explosive force from the quad lasers and the streak missiles caused the Gauss rifle in his left arm to overload and explode, sheering the appendage clear off the rest of the 'mech. Once my Gauss rifle finished loading I fired a second round straight into the now exposed internals of the left torso. The round easily penetrated through the weakened internal structure puncturing several Gauss rifle ammo bins before blowing into the cockpit, as the cockpit exploded blowing out the ferro-glass, I turned to find another target.
.....
Shortly afterwards I spotted Captain Maxwell come barrelling through the smoking carcass of a 'mech that wasn't even recognizable anymore, followed up by the limping Mad Dog and the General's own Mad Cat. So that's where he ran off to....
Quickly running my 'mech over towards Ben's, I tried once againt to contact him but even at this short of distance our communications were being jammed, whatever was doing it must be damn powerful. I manoeveured my 'mech so that Captain Maxwell could easily see into my cockpit and I held my hand up in the same position as the Word of Blake symbol, using my other hand to trace the circle around it, hoping he understood what I meant, I then gave him a thumbs up to show that I copied his message, once again hoping that he knew what I was trying to say.
Turning my 'mech back around towards some fighting that broke out again, I noticed a small unit of light and medium 'mechs off on the ridge of a nearby hill, as well as the glisten of the sun off of something shiny and rotating slightly behind them. At first I didnt think much of it, but then it hit me that it was probably a jamming unit they were guarding. We HAD to take it out.
I tried to signal again to Ben, but it didnt look like he understood what I was doing with my pointing and everything, so I thought I'd try the C3 computer. At this close of range it should be able to reach each other, at least the two master C3s should be able to. Setting the unit to max power I targetted one of the medium 'mechs on the hill, pointing down to the console hoping Ben would take note of the targetting info he should be recieving. I sent the target info along with a simple 1 word message. "Jammer". A thumbs up sign from his cockpit signified he understood, and I throttled up and heading for the jamming 'mechs with Captain Maxwell's Stone Rhino in hot pursuit.
If we can take out the Jammers, we'll be on a more level playing field, it doesn't look like they have too many units left out here right now so we should be able to mop them up I hope.I thought to myself as I barelled down on the unsuspecting 'mechs, my sights set on the closest unit, a Chimera by the looks of it.
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on Apr 20, 2005 16:49:19 GMT -5
“SIR! WE ARE FIGHTING BLAKISTS!!!” I shouted into my mic, in hopes of someone to hear.
No good… shit. Just what do I do now?
I buried my head into my hands and wiped the sweet back off my brow.
Just what do I do—<br>Suddenly over the intercom system inside the mighty NightStar bellowed a hardened voice.
“All Blakist’s, it appears the enemy has established that we are using radio a jamming system. All light and medium mechs fall back to protect the dish. All heavy and assault mechs carry on with your attack. Megall! Put that damn NightStar into some use! May Blake be with you.” The comm. clicked off. I looked around the cockpit quickly to check their radios. They wasn’t using the VOX system we was using, they had speakers directly installed into the cockpit and a microphone protruding straight out of the computer systems. I carried on looking. Behind me was a small receiver in the form of a dish. These guys had made their own frequency level to communicate, a frequency our systems couldn’t attain. Clever bastards…
“Megall! Move in epsilon formation now dammit!” called another Blakist in a Star Adder directly infront of me.
Hmm…They haven’t realised I have high jacked this mech. Interesting…<br> “This is Megall, moving out into formation.” I said in a deep unnatural tone in a desperate attempted to cover my voice.
“OK big guy, your covering rear with me. In the name of Blake lets move!”
Phew… I’m a man of the sword, not a spy… I cant believe I pulled that off…<br> I moved out with the Star Adder into a group of heavy and assault mechs that had formed a line at the battlefront. I stayed far back. An Atlas stood at the front, his voice boomed over the intercom system.
“Blakists fire on my 1 … 3… 2… “Before he could finish I fired a full Alpha Strike point blanc at the Star Adder beside me. Every round struck the 'mech broadside, coring the armour, with several crushing the cockpit, killing the pilot instantly. The Star Adder toppled over, its core beginning to combust. I back peddled like mad as the 'mech fell, waiting for my weapons to cycle. The explosion that followed severely damaged a few of the other Blakist Assault 'mechs, the FWL Assault Lance, that had been standing off against the Blakists, opened fire into the disorganized unit, shredding their armour like paper with concentrated fire. As my weapons recycled I let loose another torrent of fire finishing off another 'mech and wounding the leader's Atlas. Through the debris of the freshly fallen mechs I fired my heavy lasers at the Blakist scum, He fell to the ground, face down, the Atlas was riddled with burning holes that had melted due to the shire heat of my lasers. I walked over the midsection of the mech, crushing the cockpit area, crushing the pilot inside. When the smoke cleared I could see the remainder of my team, looking very stunned as to why a “Blakist” had just taken out a his own lance of heavy and assault mechs. I could see their weapons just finishing their recycle. I instantly powered down the mech and opened the cockpit. I made a “mega phone” with my hands and shouted at the top of my lungs.
“Spectre Lance!!! DO NOT FIRE!!! Its me!! Kintaru!!!!!” I waved an unsheathed Ryu frantically into the air as I leaned out of the cockpit.
I hope to God they heard me… I DID NOT like Gauss cannon’s when fired at me…<br>
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Post by Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf on Apr 22, 2005 12:48:24 GMT -5
My BattleMaster ploughed through the tundra and various debris scattered about the battlefield as I headed towards the small unit of 'mechs on the hill top. As I closed to 500m the Chimera I was targetting realized I was charging towards them and turned to face me. Firing the large laser mounted on his left arm, the crimson beam arched out and struck my right torso, melting through several layers of armour, as the small rivlets of molten armour run down the torso I returned fire with quad emerald beams lancing out and striking across his left torso and arm, nearly coring the armour on both sections.
As soon as I was within range, the Chimera pilot opened up the hatch on his right torso and let loose a swarm of MRM-20 missiles, raising my shielded left arm as quickly as possible I took the brunt of the blast on the ferro-steel shield, with several of the missiles scattering to either side of me. Dropping the shield back down I raised the Gauss rifle in my right arm, took aim and fired the depleted uranium slug into the Chimeras torso, causing the medium 'mech to stagger backwards and start smoking from his hip joints, smiling to myself as I imagined the pilot cursing at the damage sirens inside the cockpit. As my weapons finished cycling, the Chimera took to the air on its Jump Jets, and then suddenly listed violently to his right as he was struck by a second gauss round and 2 ruby beams of energy as the large lasers and Clan gauss rifle on Captain Maxwell's Stone Rhino blew off excessive heat and reloaded. The poor Chimera's armour cracked and light up and by the time he hit the ground again he was just as smoking semi-radioactive pile of debris from the core explosion in mid-air.
At that moment 2 Razorbacks came up over the hill, the farthest left one firing its ER PPC into my 'mechs left leg, slowing me down incredibly as the electrical current arched through the actuators, as the EMP effect wore off the actuators returned to normal speed with the leg overall none the worse for wear, aside from some melted armour. The Razorback seemed to pause, if only for a moment, before circling to my left and firing off its medium lasers in pairs as the excess heat vented out the back. Leaving the other Razorback for Ben to deal with, I turned to my left and faced the small 'mech. As the Razorback closed in for a strafing run down my left side, I fired a salvo from the streak-6 mounted on my shoulder, the small agile missiles blazing towards him and arcing gently through the air to strike him across the right and center torso.
The diminuitive 'mech staggered slightly from the impact and I quickly cut my throttle back and was able to turn just enough to draw a bead on his cockpit with my lasers, squeezing the trigger I smiled in pleasure as the 4 beams shattered the ferro-glass canopy and vapourized whatever and whoever happened to be inside.
Once again turning my 'mech back towards the suspected Jammer's location, I crested the hill to see Maxwell's Stone Rhino engaged with several smaller 'mechs that were taking little pot shots at him. Twisting my torso to the right, I fired off a Gauss round crippling the Star League era Talon 'mech that was circling around looking for a shot. Figuring Captain Maxwell could handle the other two chicken 'mechs alright, I turned back to face the Jammer and instantly fired my quad medium lasers into its side. The heavy armour on the unit began to melt and run down the machine, collecting into pools at the ground. I let loose another swarm of SRM missiles straight into the holes I just melted, the explosions ripping through more of the armour until I could finally see some internal structures, after another round of lasers into the armour the whole was easily big enough for my gauss round to penetrate into the inner workings of the Jammer and rip through the electronics. Just for good measure I fired a final salvo of missiles from the streak-6 and watched as the Jammer was engulfed in flames.
Turning back towards Captain Maxwell's Stone Rhino I saw him finishing off a final 'mech as it lay on the ground, and chuckled while I hit the comm.
Spectre-1 to Spectre-2, do you copy?
This is Spectre-2, I copy you loud and clear, looks like we hit the jackpot huh?
Copy that, we sure did. I'll let the rest of the unit know, Spectre-2 can you try contacting the unknown unit that dropped in? I have a feeling that they are our "insurance policy".
Aff, Spectre-1, will do.
Toggling the comm to a base wide friendly only channel I proceeded to notify everyone that communications were back online.
This is Spectre-1 to all FWL and Legionnaires units, we have destroyed the Jammer and communications are all clear, have a nice day.
As I came back up over the hill, I saw a WoB NightStar kneeling down in the powered down position, with a pilot climbing back into the cockpit, the remains of the FWL Assault lance stood just a few meters away seemingly as though in a standoff. As the NightStar powered back up, the IFF indicator showed it as a friendly unit, in fact it read it as belonging to Spectre-5, Keith Kintaru. Toggling the comm once I again, this time to Spectre-5's frequency, I asked,Spectre-1 to Spectre-5, is that you in the WoB NightStar?
Aff, Spectre-1. It's me Kintaru.
Well I'll be... good job Spectre-5, let's mop up what's left of the Word and head back to the FWL firebase. It won't be long before more of them Blakist bastards arrive.
I began to turn my 'mech in a circle scanning my radar and visually along the horizon for any remaining WoB units.
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