Tarsus para bellum

[shaidar]

Frank

Turning to Frank she states levelly "I'll be your top cover using a grav belt for position once Roland has given me a sight picture"** She then calmly and candidly confides "I have a somewhat recently inflicted inherent psychopathy towards SuSAG employees which I am managing through a personally therapeutic regime. However, as per tactical planning concerns and the personal safety issues of your ruse de guerre party you should assume that I will prioritize the elimination any possible threat with extreme prejudice. You should also assume that as per this particular role I am rated by Imperial qualification as a Master Sniper".

Frank nods at T'lia "Understood and appreciated. We will make it clear that if they surrender they will not be harmed, but if they resist them we will defend ourselves as needed. While it would be very useful for the shuttle to remain airworthy, ultimately we need the data from its systems."

Frank will dress himself in Turners armour and weapons. He'll familiarise himself with the weapons, checking their configuration and ammo load. If possible he will secrete one of his duelling gauss pistols on his person. Those of Klaus's team who are not part of the capture team he will suggest to the Lieutenant that they secrete themselves in the vicinity ready for a quick response if needed.

[joertexas]

Frank will dress himself in Turners armour and weapons. He'll familiarise himself with the weapons, checking their configuration and ammo load. If possible he will secrete one of his duelling gauss pistols on his person. Those of Klaus's team who are not part of the capture team he will suggest to the Lieutenant that they secrete themselves in the vicinity ready for a quick response if needed.

Prerna recoils from being struck, and she rapidly cycles through shock, rage, and understanding as her wife hugs her. "Well, that was a really good line shot to hell," she says through bloody lips. She shares an intense but brief look with her wife, and then she turns to Frank. "I'm ready."

[Tiglath]

Prerna (and Frank and Klaus)

Prerna recoils from being struck, and she rapidly cycles through shock, rage, and understanding as her wife hugs her. "Well, that was a really good line shot to hell," she says through bloody lips. She shares an intense but brief look with her wife, and then she turns to Frank. "I'm ready."

T'lia's gaze locks with Prerna's then she loses a little of the tension in her stance and gains something more in the way of predatory grace as she fastens the harness of her grav belt and hefts her rifle at the carry. Her lips twitch momentraily, just at the corners as she says demurely "I said I was sorry and, for what it's worth, I really don't think that line was wasted at all".

She links a HUD to her comm and states "I should be in position and have a sight picture in about fifty seconds. Don't take chances - any type of Corporate passenger could be on that diverted transport".

She takes flight keeping among the cover of the houses.

In about a minute she advises "Visual on an inbound shuttle approaching from the south. Standard Imperial build - boarding airlock on the port side, cargo loading hatches at the stern. Engineering and forward access on the top deck".

[Tiglath]

Shuttle Map:

Shuttle.png (84.81 KiB) Viewed 392 times

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya

Freya gets the rest of her team into protected positions at HQ and starts getting them to bring up the sensor net that was laid earlier...

Freya will be aware that the unit has recently purchased a pair (if memory serves ?) of Essor TL 13 recon drones. The term "drone" is in this case misleading - these are top spec recon sleds and full spec sensor platforms* - with a robot pilot (Grav Vehicle 4 Recon 4). With the onboard "passenger seat" occupied by a commander/sensor operator the "drone" becomes a fully autonomous platform. If that specialist has SEMC "officer spec" comms gear (with laser comms) the whole very much becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

Freya can you get some eyes on that fourth unit, that is sounding a lot like the enemies command and control. The Colonel will want information on them.

The drones, purchased but as yet not integrated into the SEMC battlespace, sit idle in the Kruger ranch vehicle shed...

(OOC: * Near or analogue to Imperial standard at battlefield/continental ranges

Freya is aware that SEMC standard AT missiles are Operator Guided with options for Homing attacks (on a GPS/grid ref) or may be Target Designated by a forward observer using a TD laser/comm.

Freya considers the two robot drones. 0.8MCr each. Might be useful as a decoy or if the opposition are proved to be poorly equipped. Anything else and they are sitting ducks - especially to orbiting craft with anti-ship lasers.

On the other hand, they make good comms relays and if hidden can act as a second pair of unarmed troopers. The lack of GL armed weapons drones is sorely felt.

We'll take the two Essor goliaths to head up on the right flank.

Dougal - use them for a ride to the 10km mark, then connect them to fibre spoolers and edge them forward laying cable as they go. If they aren't spotted, no issue. If they are, radio usage won't be their biggest problem. And make sure you have a way back that doesn't intersect with any of the leading combat groups.

Florence, you are at HQ on your own - watch for unusual comms and let me know when each group enters each new sensor obs zone- and make sure our transmitter aerials on-site aren't used unless you are already moving out. Primary is 10km out and secondary is 2km on a different angle.

Dylan, Freddy: Off we go. Drop us and out light-drones off with two ridges between us and group 4, on their left flank. I'll act as lead gun - you act as drone op. I'll carry the laser pointer.

And with that she and her team head out - each with their maps to hand to watch the HQ assessment of troop locations.

And hoping that the plan has some basis in reality, Freya unloads and edges in the direction of Group-4 trying to ensure that Dylan isn't rushing, noisy or sky-lined and that Freddy is out of the line of fire with our transport.

Eventually, she approaches a position from which an effective, covert view might be obtained! She tosses her own drone (the vislight camouflaged one) so it may use a tree as cover to get first look while signalling Dylan to ready his alternative (and less camouflaged) versions.

With her LOS only laser-comms she pings Freya in position to initiate obs. and looks at the line that Jess has strung across the line of advance not far ahead.

[shaidar]

Frank

Frank goes over to Klaus:

"Lieutenant, my plan was for the two of us to enter the cockpit under the need to urgently speak to Keening, while your man secures the major in the rear. I'm open to any suggestions. Now we know the shuttle size do you think we need an additional man to secure the passengers?"

One of Prerna's 'guards' is going to need an extra weapon for Prerna to grab.

[dongriffiths]

Klaus:

Klaus is gingerly walking around getting used to the limitations his wound will impose.

An extra man would be useful, we could use the stun grenades as we enter. If they have any sense they should surrender when they recover and realise how much shite they are in.

[shaidar]

Frank

"OK, have another man disguise themselves as best they can and join Prerna as a guard. Due to the size of the shuttle and the space in town, my guess would be that they are unlikely to touch down but have us board either via the rear hatch or the cargo ramp while they hover. In that case I'd rather have the cockpit secured before we make our move, or did you mean use the grenades once we have the cockpit secured?."

[dongriffiths]

Klaus:

Yes sir, I'll assign Asels to join with Prerna.

Once we hold the cockpit a few stun grenades should take out the passenger cabin with minimal risk of damage to the vessel.

[Tiglath]

Freya

Freya considers the two robot drones. 0.8MCr each. Might be useful as a decoy or if the opposition are proved to be poorly equipped. Anything else and they are sitting ducks - especially to orbiting craft with anti-ship lasers.

On the other hand, they make good comms relays and if hidden can act as a second pair of unarmed troopers. The lack of GL armed weapons drones is sorely felt.

We'll take the two Essor goliaths to head up on the right flank.

Dougal - use them for a ride to the 10km mark, then connect them to fibre spoolers and edge them forward laying cable as they go. If they aren't spotted, no issue. If they are, radio usage won't be their biggest problem. And make sure you have a way back that doesn't intersect with any of the leading combat groups.

Florence, you are at HQ on your own - watch for unusual comms and let me know when each group enters each new sensor obs zone- and make sure our transmitter aerials on-site aren't used unless you are already moving out. Primary is 10km out and secondary is 2km on a different angle.

And hoping that the plan has some basis in reality, Freya unloads and edges in the direction of Group-4 trying to ensure that Dylan isn't rushing, noisy or sky-lined and that Freddy is out of the line of fire with our transport.

Eventually, she approaches a position from which an effective, covert view might be obtained! She tosses her own drone (the vislight camouflaged one) so it may use a tree as cover to get first look while signalling Dylan to ready his alternative (and less camouflaged) versions.

With her LOS only laser-comms she pings Freya in position to initiate obs. and looks at the line that Jess has strung across the line of advance not far ahead.

OOC Options re the above: Your plan's feasible but the drones qualities aren't entirely as you surmise (possibly due to Striker rules "wrinkles"). They are fast and so get a defensive speed DM to be hit (vs ground fire but not the computing power of starships).

Almost any grav vehicle could be vulnerable to a starship or small craft parking itself in geostationary low orbit to "plink" at surface vehicles but this would have to be a very confident and rash starship in potentially contested airspace... However, a sensor operator aboard the Essor could attempt to break any target lock and thereby evade the ortillery. The Essor also has Electronic Masking (stealth tech) so is more difficult to acquire in the first instance.

The Essor's (very fixable) flaw is to go the extra mile and fit las comms / have the crew carry them. As to weapons I'm not so sure - unless it's purely for self defence (relying on the crewman might again be the answer). A veteran Recce commander once stated "the best missions were the ones which returned with clean guns".

Using the Essors as "grav belts" / cable layers is surely well within their abilities and certainly won't tax them but might use just a fraction of their value and potential. As to the scale of operations you can establish a hardwired sensor net out to 10km north from the farm but as per your ELINT operations seem to be evolving several hundred km away. If this turns out to be the case you'll need grav flight capable sensor platforms to monitor events / inbound threats.

Going for a tactical cautious hull down "look" at the long range of your sensors is very doable but will involve a flight north of some several hundred kilometers. This can be achieved either by the faster option of conventional flight at ~1000kph or nap of earth/hedge hopping at about 200kph. To pull this last option off you require lots of Recon and Grav Vehicle skill.

[gurusql]

Kit

Kit believes that there was an old quote from some planet in the Sword Worlds that was something like, "Trust but Verify"

"Sgt. Gaughan get the troops loaded up in the two G Carriers we will still be heading for that ambush spot we just just don't know the details of yet."

Kit will look for Sgt. Isselbacher, "I hear that you and your lads have your own G-Carriers, there are three groups that are heading for the farmer and we need to intercept them. (1) Where is the best place for an ambush of these nasties and (2) Do you want a piece of the action?"

Hoping that a plan will start to form, he will order his own unit to get ready to leave.

[Tiglath]

Kit

"Sgt. Gaughan get the troops loaded up in the two G Carriers we will still be heading for that ambush spot we just just don't know the details of yet."

Gaughan casts about the vehicle shed and takes charge "All units on this net. This is not a drill. We are stood to. Insurgent threat north. Captain Ghoshal is Sunray for this op. Intel update in the air. These bastards are about to encounter the best merc unit in the District. Let's show them what they can't afford!"

"Sgt. Caxton. 'Talion reserve per Mister Voss' discretion".

"Corporal Able sure those lads are a fine sight paraded like that but they'll not earn their ruddy combat bonus unless they're in the fekkin' IFV! Get them in and prep for take off. Contact ready. Nap of earth flying. RV coordinates to follow. Now, be sure you don't leave without Mister Ghoshal!"

"Mortar team trail my Carrier. Overload yours with ammo unit the grav modules threaten to burnout then follow on an' make youselves an ammo cache - I'll tell you where".

Watching the recon sniper group load aboard their own carrier Gaughan calls across "Corporal Baker will you do me a favour? If Sergeant Beau there gets all brave again an' decides to stand up an' not take cover like a Marine Officer will ye shoot him in the head a bit? Just 'til he stops bein' an arse an' drawin' fire?"
The competent ex Marine officer and the master sniper both laugh and wave their acknowledgement as, much to Gaughan's apparent satisfaction, Beau shoulders what must be a dozen LAW and hauls them aboard the "other" G Carrier "Lethe". (OOC: Named for blond twins of the unit's association - with their pin ups gaffer taped to the dashboards! (HR visit!!! ). Gaughan's warband are currently riding in the (non TO&E) upgunned "Styx").

Kit will look for Sgt. Isselbacher, "I hear that you and your lads have your own G-Carriers, there are three groups that are heading for the farmer and we need to intercept them. (1) Where is the best place for an ambush of these nasties and (2) Do you want a piece of the action?"

Sgt. Isselbacher salutes Kit and replies "Sir, we have grav horse transports and a personnel bus on route here but they're not as fast as your offworld vehicles and aren't designed for tactical use. Given the current situation I have performed a preliminary interview with our prisoners. The Son of the Star has apparently detected a "scent" on the solar winds and has therefore launched a regiment sized attack over the river from the "settlement lands" awarded to his people. This might amount to most of his current force. They are in three understrength and independent battalion sized battlegroups directed by the prophet's "vision". Each group will be mostly low quality militia infantry mounted in gathered or stolen local transport - mostly ground vehicles. They will be intent entirely on the destruction and plunder of our settlements. However, they may have access to grav vehicle types which they will use either for recon - or just more exploitative raiding".

Given a look at the HQ battle computer's projection an impressed Isselbacher states "We need to establish their lines of advance but also bear in mind that these might make no military sense. However, geographically there is a good place on what is likely their route, if we can lure them there. There's a valley that, assuming your grav mobility, we could easily enfilade which is closed by a false peaked ridge". He taps the holograph "Here, at Spion Kop".

Isselbacher bristles "As to a "piece of the action", sir. This is my land and the folk on the riverbank farms now being murdered due to a lunatic's religious imaginings are my people. My recce troop can't be beaten for bushcraft or fighting ability and if we can pin one of their columns our Light Infantry will finish them. There's a platoon coming up to stage out of the Kruger farm. Meneer Kruger had the foresight to put in an airstrip".

Hoping that a plan will start to form, he will order his own unit to get ready to leave.

Corporal Able calls on Kit's squad net "We're aboard, loaded and ready, sir".

Cheerfuly looking forward to gainful employment Gaughan approaches Kit "Battalion ready to move forward, sir. Maybe it wouldn't hurt if we "stirruped" Isselbacher's lads along with the recon/sniper group sir? At a minimum we give Beau's team the infantry they need to cover the ground but I have a feelin' from the cavalry troop's chatter an' my own eye that the Greys are so much better than that. It might be that we can deploy a whole infantry unit that the hostiles simply can't see while every commander the enemy promotes has an ever shortening career path. Now, that might be a challenge - even for folk driven by prophecy". He guilelessly asks "Now, sir, d'ye think they'd see that coming?"

Kit is aware that he's waiting on reports from the QSM's cavalry piquets and (possibly) the Tech/EW team (although Freya seems "hands on" - see below).

OOC: Unit organisation reference

Screenshot 2024-02-03 030415.png (58.1 KiB) Viewed 258 times

(OOC: As per a recent PM it's my sincere hope that The Bindoner is about to rejoin us with a post from everyone's favourite QSM! ).

[Tiglath]

Freya and Kit (by way of observation)

Freya tasks her team who are establishing a 10km deep hardwired sensor grid north of the farm on the relevant threat access. They have borrowed a farm "runabout" to do cabling duty. The net will link in to the SEMC Battle Computer with Voss at Battalion HQ and with forces or weapons able to interface with it will certainly fortify the Kruger ranch.

Shadowed by "Camp Freddy" she collects her high spec gaussrifle while her guardian totes his ACR and what looks like a hessian farm sack "goody bag" stuffed with spare mags, grenades and several LAW. She deftly powers up both Essor recon sleds and climbs aboard one bidding Freddy board the other. She slaps a sun visor/sticker inside the windshield of her ride which states "I'm not lost - I'm exploring" and exults "Scout Service!" Freddy observes "Er... there's a lot of controls on this thing". Freya replies "I'll help you with the buttons". Freddy purrs "The last time someone said that it led to a lost weekend and someone getting stiffed... with a very expensive... hotel bill". As Dylan busily acts as ground tech for both vehicles Freya instructs Freddy across the few meters between the craft "I have passively slaved your craft to mine so we can't get separated". Freddy replies drolly "So... both dominance and submission? Copy that". Ignoring Freddy's quip Freya then advises "We're both in the green for pre flight. In Mission Profile: Defensive Options select "Enable EMM". Then select auto pilot mode and... oh... add ons! Hmmm "Maveri" or "Franke". Freya's finger stabs the interface and her autopilot responds "I feel the need..." after Freya's baffled silence it ventures "Talk to me Goose" Freya reacts with "Oh, goulash, synaptic programming! Well, if it hasn't gone mad yet it probably won't... probably". Finger paused over one option Freddy chides her with "Grabby!" and defaults to the other. His autopilot basso growls "You want to make love to me because I drive the Monster and wear this costume". An apparently flustered Freddy theatrically adjusts his ascot and responds with "I think I might need a travel sweet... or a mint...".

Freya grins and logging in a course selects "Launch". Her autopilot intones "...for speed!" and Freya's Essor hurtles out of the vehicle bay accelerating to frightening velocity but only barely gaining height. Freddy manages "Oh shiii- ack!" before his craft catapults after Freya's.

(OOC: BackworldTraveller's been temporarily detained by RL but will be back with us soon.

Meanwhile I promised to look after Freya on his behalf...

Bwaaahahahahah!

And to save you all the price of a stamp for your "Answers on a Postcard" (apologies to those across the pond who might miss that reference) for quotes from films (and AI pilots!) with backseat drivers/co-pilots are of course Top Gun and... Death Race 2000 (1975).

What could possibly go wrong...? )

[Tiglath]

Frank, Prerna and Klaus

While the Huscarls take cover and citizens clear out of a potential combat zone Frank forms his "boarding party" at the rear of the stricken SuSAG G Carrier.

His borrowed comm crackles "Skybird 23 to Sergeant Major Turner 1188th we're coming up on a visual on your proposed LZ. Too much clutter for us to put down but we can load you at the hover through our rear cargo doors. Fortunately we have some comrades of yours aboard who can assist!"

Much to Frank's chagrin at this point his little sister Eydis appears in his peripheral vision engaged in a heated debate with a citizen wearing a First Aid Volunteer armband who appears to be trying to wrap the booted but still bare legged young woman in a thermal blanket over the borrowed quilted work jacket she's currently wearing. The brazen spitfire then not only knees the "good Samaritan" right in the cobblers (causing a sharp and collectively sympathetic intake of breath from all male observers) but then sprints out into the street whilst being almost "burlesquely negligent" (button discipline!!! ) with her borrowed attire. She runs straight into Klaus and, grabbing two handed purchase on his tac vest, states "Du reddede mig og gå nu tilbage i kamp. Tag det her for held og dræb vores fjender!" then reaching up on her booted toes plants a very uninhibited kiss on the SEMC Squad Leader.

Flanking Frank (like Klaus - and as one of his squad's premier shooters) Ambrose wears 1188th tiger stripe camo "sleeves" over his own CES. Having a front row seat for the exchange between his squad leader and the Colonel's sister the Marine veteran growls deadpan "Ooorah!" Meanwhile Asels, who has fashioned himself only bloodied and partial tiger stripe camo coverage, grips Prerna's bicep with an apologetic "Ma'am" and comments on Eydis' display with "Well, dang... ah... sir, ma'am".

All else is interrupted by the noisy arrival of Skybird 23 as the large orbital craft brings itself gently to a hover over the crossroads. Inexpertly (by military standards) the craft repositions as the rear cargo bay doors retract and a cargo net and a pair of winch cables with grab loops/stirrups are kicked over the threshold.

Taking his queue from SOP Asels transfers Prerna's (quick release) bonds from behind her back to the front (making something of a meal of it) but then, covering her, indicates she should grasp or step into a loop and get winched aboard. Ambrose slings his weapon and starts to climb the available cargo net.

Being the first aboard (by winch power) Prerna sees she is in the rear cargo bay of the shuttle (as per the deckplan above).

Others (no doubt shortly arriving) see the same as Prerna: a male in a SuSAG flight suit operating the winch who is accompanied by two tiger striped CES 1188th vets with ACRs (no helmets or ballistic plates with name tags Boyard and d'If) and a female Corporate "suit" rather unconvincingly holding a standard issue autopistol at the (not really) ready.

Prerna's arrival is heralded by a tiger striped camo arm hauling her upright off the winched cable by her bound wrists. The 1188th veteran sneers "Cuk me it's Major Nayar!" He laughs cruelly "Well, we'll save you a seat in the back. Might be a bumpy ride back to Rond, eh?" Still holding Prerna's hands above her head per his height advantage he reaches greedily for the front fastener of her CES.

Frank is nodded aboard by the other vet "Sarn't Major" who then scans out over the town using his ACR's scope. He breaks his attention to call down to the climbing Amrose "Is that you De Vries? You bin hit or you tryin' out a right handed rig?"

Over their las comm link all hear an unusually taut "Tango one, two and three "On". Unsighted on the Civ".

All are aboard the shuttle and free to act!

(OOC: I somehow suspect I may have earlier conflated Eydis (Frank's... ahem... now rather independent and grown up twentysomething and not so "little" sister) with her pal Freyja at some stage upthread. The two were of course confused by Turner.

And possibly later by me...

However, if needed, record set straight! )

[joertexas]

Frank, Prerna and Klaus

All are aboard the shuttle and free to act!

PM to GM out for Prerna...

[joertexas]

Frank, Prerna and Klaus

Prerna's arrival is heralded by a tiger striped camo arm hauling her upright off the winched cable by her bound wrists. The 1188th veteran sneers "Cuk me it's Major Nayar!" He laughs cruelly "Well, we'll save you a seat in the back. Might be a bumpy ride back to Rond, eh?" Still holding Prerna's hands above her head per his height advantage he reaches greedily for the front fastener of her CES.

Prerna focuses on her assailant's right eye, and telekinetically shoves the front of it as far backward as she can. She then jerks her hands down and drops her cuffs preparatory to drawing her pistol.

[Tiglath]

Frank, Prerna and Klaus Before anyone can react.

The 1188th vet nametag Boyard cries out in pain and lets go his grip on Prerna. Instinctively clapping a hand to his ruined eye he recoils screaming in pain "Dammit, I'm hit!" as he also rakes about offhanded (no doubt missing his usual tacvest rig) - possibly for his slung ACR.

The other vet d'If instinctively looks down at what might have been some minor "ground effect crap" impact on the chest of his CES but seeing no apparent damage ignores it. He then makes to raise his ACR again but then stares in apparent incomprehension at his spasming right arm. Lurching one failed step towards Frank and dropping his weapon he manages to force an inchoate grunt through a rictus smile before collapsing to the cargo bay deck - stone dead.

Frank's comm receives "Tango three "On". Unsighted on the Civ".

Then "Thank you, Roland - but a shoot through on the Colonel is a denied target option".

Please all now feel free to crack on actionwise!

[Tiglath]

Suttle Tac Map

Shuttle 2.jpg (26.16 KiB) Viewed 157 times

F = Frank
P = Prerna
K = Klaus
Am = Ambrose
As = Asels

SuSAG armed corporate (Suit) and loadmaster/steward (Crew) operating hand held winch control.

1188th vets: V1 is wounded and near Prerna V2 appears KIA

The hatch into the passenger area is closed.

There are a number of Imperial standard 1.5m cubed cargo crates stowed in the cargo hold which is under half full.

[shaidar]

Frank

Frank points Turners gun at the face of the man operating the winch.

"Stop the winch, and don't try anything stupid. If you do as you are told then you, and the rest of the crew, will walk away from this alive." he raises his voice: "The suit with the pistol, you have 10 seconds to slowly put it down, or you'll go the same way as the guy on the floor."

[gurusql]

Kit

With the battalion ready to move forward Kit will look at the battle map and quick compute how long it will take to get to the false peaked ridge of Spion Kop and estimate what he knows of the enemies position and make sure that he will have enough time to set-up be the enemy arrives. Assuming this is the case, he will say "Of course, we will need to revise the plan with more intel, but our initial plan is get to the kill spot of Spion Kop and we can plan to have the invisible Greys and get there and help in hiding our snipers. The Greys will have the job of guarding the snipers and being the reserve force if that is required. Have the two squads, one on each side of the road that we are expecting the enemy to come down and find a defensible position. This will be setting up a kill box for the lead part of the Son of the Star unit. We can then allow some our longer range weapons to be targeting the middle of the column. I want to keep the grav vehicles in reserve to be only used to handle the surprise /reserve attack from what I suspect is the 4th columns grav vehicles."

"Let us get started and get more intel!"