Inchin: Endgame

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya Whispers to the Major

Major: Can we get someone working on the Missile Battery while they all talk? If we need light we could erect a couple of mattresses as a sight-screen - and it will hide IR too.

[joertexas]

Freya Whispers to the Major

Major: Can we get someone working on the Missile Battery while they all talk? If we need light we could erect a couple of mattresses as a sight-screen - and it will hide IR too.

"Yes, but you will have to keep up with the drones, too."

[joertexas]

Officer channel:
"OK everyone, I'm going to Star Town for the negotiation, but don't tell the Dip or any of the Barons lot. The truth is they won't agree and we're only getting this chance once. The mansion defences are fubarred and the Baron's forces are effectively almost non-existent, so this our chance to try and save lives on all sides. Major, if something happens to me then it's all yours"

"You have my most fervent prayers for long life, health, and success," Prerna deadpans.

[Tiglath]

Frank

Frank arrives at the "front" piloting himself and landing the "Technical" behind the busy ambulance.

(OOC: Is Frank electing for a solo or group "Take me to your Leader" experience?)

[shaidar]

lets go solo, keeps the suspense going for the others

[shaidar]

Frank heads to the 'front' of the group of vehicles in search of Jakob and the opposition officer.

ooc: Sorry, slight change of tack, I've decided it'll be useful to have Jakob come along too

[Tiglath]

Frank and Jakob

Frank and Jakob walk north up the moonlit Processional in company with Chefsergeant Jørgen. The darkened buildings here have the appearance of those found in any Starport save the dust proof wraps that evidence their emptiness. The irregular street lighting at intersections only serves to create and deepen shadows rather than banish them.

As they pass the first shadowed side street Frank sees a soldier lying prone covering the junction with what appears to be a squad support version of an ACR on a bipod. She wears the same civilian coat and desert camo CES as Jørgen who cheerfully states “Seniorsergent Vanja Torben” the soldier maintains her aim on the junction. On his side of the street Jakob noted a small slablike object about a handspan across set on a stand at ground level, embossed on the front are the words “Front mod fjende”.

Jørgen then steps through a section of wrap stirred by the night time breeze and then past fully functional dust proofing vents and into the interior of a fully appointed but deserted café - both men immediately note the fully functioning life support. As soon as they gratefully remove their filter masks they also note the smell of coffee.

Seated at the illuminated central table is a figure Frank knows and Jakob recognises from the Bartizan on Collace – the mercenary information broker Erica East. She is wearing a figure hugging matt black bodysuit, with belt kit and webbing supporting a holstered pistol. A black full face helmet sits next to her on the table. She re-introduces herself and then says “Well met gentlemen and thank you for coming. Please have some coffee - Rolf would you pour?” While Jørgen passes around coffee Erica continues “I am currently with Monoc Securities and hold Field Grade Rank. I am fully authorised to negotiate a continuance of the ceasefire between our units. The Guard will not negotiate which has brought them to where they are now. However, we have already facilitated the treatment of the wounded and will return our prisoners as a further goodwill gesture”.

[shaidar]

Frank raises an eyebrow on seeing Erica East

"Colonel East? You certainly do get around, the sector is not as big as it seems. That certainly explains why your unit knows so much about us" he takes a seat and accepts the offered coffee "I appreciate the goodwill gesture with respect to the guards, particularly after the way the locals have been treated." he pauses and takes a drink of coffee "As you say, the guard, and the Baron, are unwilling to negotiate, despite their recent poor tactical decisions. I'm surprised they haven't recalled thier cavalry, although perhaps there is a reason for that I don't know about?..." he leaves the question hanging for a few seconds before continuing "So, while I can certainly pass on a message to them, I am only authorised to act for my unit. My responsibility is the protection of the delegation from Collace, and as they are located at the Mansion, their safety is currently inherently linked to the guard and the Baron, unfortunately."

[Leitz]

Jakob safed his weapon and remove the mag, before accepting the coffee. He nodded his thanks.

OOC: In conversations like this, Jakob wouldn't say much unless asked. I'm good with that, so don't wait on me to provide input.

[Tiglath]

OOC: A query for Frank "Is this being relayed via comms on the command channel?" so other officers can share/react?

[shaidar]

if Erica is OK with relaying then yes, otherwise he'll just let them know they are fine and will keep them updated.

[Tiglath]

Erica is fine with being "on speaker / zoom".

[Tiglath]

Erica smiles at Frank “Good mercenaries are always in demand, Colonel. My rank, as an advisor, is actually Major and I have enough military knowledge to not get in Rolf’s way. As to information and secrets well that’s my trade - although I think you are quite accomplished in that field yourself Colonel. Will you pass on my regards to Major Nayar?”

She continues “I believe Lieutenant Colonel Perron is a much more liberal soul than the Baron and finds that he has much work for his men at the Zinderneuf outpost”.

“Whilst maintaining our client’s confidence I can state that Monoc Securities have fulfilled the terms of their contract. I can see no cause for conflict between our units and, if the Baron accepts military reality, for further conflict between Monoc and the Guard”.

[shaidar]

Frank

"I'm not sure the Baron and realiity have much in common. I'm glad there is no further need for conflict between our units. But there are other factions, the locals for one and we also noted those wearing the symbols of the Outworld Coalition amongst them. Are they also no longer a danger? Just because Monoc is no longer required does not mean that your client has finished with their plan. "

[Tiglath]

Frank & Jakob (and All via relay)

Erica replies “The Baron may soon discover that reality is a fickle creature - if ignored overmuch it bites”. She pours more coffee while adding archly “You are picking this game up very quickly Colonel Cross. The polarised factions indeed remain dangerous. I am attempting to mediate matters in Town but agree that my client must surely have more cards to play”.

[shaidar]

Frank

"It's no surprise that your client has a plan to complete, I'm just glad that Monoc won't be involved. Tell me Major, now your current contract is complete, what does Monoc charge as a daily rate for a protection detail?"

[Tiglath]

Frank

Erica replies "A contract fulfilled but not complete Colonel and Monoc's clients have a certain ... exclusivity. Who do you need protecting and, more interestingly, why?"

[shaidar]

Frank

"The locals have volatile elements, which is never good. They have enough numbers that they could still be a threat to the delegation, even if they may not be their direct target, so you can't have too many reliable troops. It seems I misunderstood the exact position of your contract, and I was only half serious. In principle I see no reason that we cannot agree to no action between our units. However, does that include support and training roles? For example, was it Monoc that paced the TDX on the tanks earlier today, or was that the locals with some training? This would also mean that, assuming the Baron doesn't see sense, that the SEMC would no longer be assisting in the recovery of any guards that their officers once again decide to throw into danger?"

[Tiglath]

Frank (et al)

Erica replies levelly “Colonel, I am entirely serious because peace negotiations demand that. My troops are very reliable and have, at current count, written off more than half of the Baron’s armoured strength for no loss. That would surely suggest that I have more than enough assets for the task in hand? However, in a meeting engagement with your troops and their elite officers I believe we would mutually inflict up to 50% casualties irrespective of any meaningless tactical victory. This would loose both of us vital control of the current volatile situation here - let alone irreplaceable assets”.

She continues somewhat evasively “I have zero range images taken on disposable comms of the front and rear transmission of the Guard MBTs – a child could have placed the charges. Their own lack of tactical awareness against the people they brutally oppress placed the ordnance on their tanks. In spite of this I hope you noticed that, once more, these strikes were directed against materiel while the crews were spared”.

She seems surprised “You want to discuss support and training? SEMC’s continual enlargement of their close protection brief to include direct intervention in Guard actions and active training of their personnel voids any further discussion. It is quite clear that in addition to your alleged “bodyguard” role you are both a Imperial sponsored Training Cadre and a Quick Reaction Force for the Guard”.

She seems to rein her emotions in and takes a sip of coffee before looking Frank in the eye and saying "Please explain how that's not exactly what you and your unit are doing right now!"

She then asks “Colonel don’t you feel that, with your ongoing pro Imperial support for a failing regime, you are playing into the Outworld Coalition’s hands? I mean if there was a chance of an Outworld rising here aren’t you actively contributing towards it?”

(OOC: It would appear Erica has a more than passing/advisory familiarity with military matters - or at least the strategics thereof).

[Leitz]

"Permission to speak, sir?" Jakob said to Frank.

If Frank gives permission:

Jakob is in his combat armor, BTW.

Jakob broke the seal on his helmet, removed it, and clipped it off. "Major East, thank you for the very good coffee. Chefsergeant Jørgen's professionalism is admirable. There, that's my 'say something nice before you get to the truth' bit. The reality is that your tactical assessment has issues."

He lifted his armored hand in a loose fist, and extended his thumb. "Eliminating the majority of the Guards firepower means someone outside the mansion is going to feel ballsy; they are going to attack. They have to be violent, the Baron isn't sane or sober enough to actually negotiate. Attacking the mansion while our Dips are there means we defend them. That'll get real bloody, real quick."

He extended a finger. "I concur, someone is playing a game. Maybe you know what it is, I sure don't. There has to be something here worth killing everyone for. The water supply is limited, and there's not enough star ship hold space to get everyone off the planet. Maybe I'm wrong, but an infrastructure breakdown will kill pretty much everyone, except the select few. So far as I can tell, neither your unit nor mine are going to come out the winners in whatever game is being played. We're just markers on the board."

Another finger. "Yes, we ran a joint op with the Guard. Mostly to reduce inter unit tension and get a feel for how they operate. Their on site command was happy to initiate a Blue on Blue event, even after being warned. It took a grenade snuggling up to his family jewels to pretty-please change his plan. Yes, we ran a joint up out at the fort. A barracks hero went off the reservation and we needed the Guard there to give us legal authority to shoot people."

Another finger. "I was in town trying to figure out what the heck was going on when the tanks got hit. By the way, if you put explosives near the ammo storage, you are a fool to think a secondary explosion won't skag the bodies inside. If you're serious about not building your body count then you put one on the front sprocket and one on the joint between the hull and the turret. Low mess, totally useless tank. It ain't that hard. So, BS on your 'we play nice and SEMC is supporting the guard'; you ruined a perfectly good date for me."

Another finger. "Contrary to popular opinion, I'm actually happy to have a quiet day where no one is shooting anyone else. Some dimwit thought taking tanks for a drive would accomplish something. Some other dimwit thought HE on a tripwire might not kill exposed tankers. Some other dimwit thought using a captured tank to fire on the mansion wouldn't upset anyone. Your tactical assessment needs to adjust for the sheer amount of stupidity all over the place. It's not one side versus another; there are too many players and too many stupid people to deal with this easily and reasonably. We're just trying to get the wounded out before someone tries to take the mansion."

He held his palm towards her. "I've run out of fingers. I could go to my other hand, but you're smarter than me. You get the point. There's something that has drawn a lot of players here. As an Imperial citizen, and indoctrinated Marine, I can assure you the Imperial assessment is 'what the #### are we doing here?' There's noting we know about worth the effort. SEMC's goal is simple; earn money to build up our unit. I personally hate seeing wasted lives, so I'll jump in and try to talk some sense into a scared out of his helmet tanker so he gets away before he decides unloading ordnance is a viable option."

He sipped his coffee. "Hmm, that really is nice. Thanks."