Avastan: Planetfall

[Tiglath]

Jess' Tactics roll: [2d6]=8 +1 Int, +1 Tactics = 10 (I'll bid for Sensors 1 and Fwd Obs 1 contributing, without expectation of success)

Success and One "advantage".

Sensors would count but you need two bonuses to add the extra additional level of success. On a quick scan neither Dash not Sugar can add any more DMs.

[BackworldTraveller]

All

Freya please roll To Hit with your Missile

Pressure free here due to the superior guidance/targeting systems on your MCr missile (don't tell the unit accountant!) I'm not sure you can actually miss - save for the dreaded "snake eyes". Gunnery, Ship Tactics/Tactics as +ve DMs.

As Freya is the pilot NOT the gunner, I'll leave the DMs up to you. I understand I have a weapons tech aboard as a gunner. I don't have tactics in any form.

[Tiglath]

As Freya is the pilot NOT the gunner, I'll leave the DMs up to you. I understand I have a weapons tech aboard as a gunner. I don't have tactics in any form.

(OOC: That's fine. Off the top of my head you are good. Striker has lots of DMs for tech level difference and guidance systems on missiles (and a ship to ship missile is going to be in the "all of the above" category there). You are effectively (but not quite) in the category of putting a Hellfire into a pick up! )

[Leitz]

Jakob sent out a flurry of comms as he quickly moved to the prisoners, specifically to the mercenary who had honorably surrendured.

Enroute:

"Sergeant Gaughan, you have three foot platoons stacked west to east on your south south east and armor to your north east. I'll see what I can do about the foot, can you take care of the vehicles? Remember, the Seargent Major would not be pleased if any of her prized hardware is damaged."

"Beau, look alive! There are two foot platoons just north of your berm and a couple of carrier based guns at 100 degrees of your position. Take the team and deal with the carriers first, pick off the people and the vehicles do nothing. No need to take any ammo home."

"SEMC in this berm and not attached, report. We need to get the auto grenade launcher and HMG to the top of the north side of the berm. Gaughan's people depend on it."

When Jakob got to the mercenary, he said simply, "Soldier." It was clear that he was an officer looking for an enlisted man's correct response. Assuming that happens "I am Captain Jakob Domici of the SEMC. If you can honorably accept a short term contract, I will pay you one month of our standard E-1 pay to stand guard over the prisoners. If you come under enemy fire and maintain your duty then you will get an additional month of pay. I expect this engagement to last no more than two days, but we can renegotiate if necessary. Do you accept?"

[Tiglath]

Frank

Dubs enters a call into Frank's comm feed “Incoming, sir. Range – atmospheric”.

Frank hears: “SE+C HQ fr+m Rog+es Ga+lery Si+ Act+al. Be ad+ised ass++lt wave a++ at+osph++ic. Shi++y com+s. E+A +++ mike+. A+vise you ++ld. Ho++ wh+t yo+'ve g+t. My Red T++m +s inbound. R+p++t, CAS in++++d”.

[shaidar]

Frank

"SEMC acknowledges, Rogues Gallery. Repeat ETA, repeat ETA."

[Tiglath]

Avastan Downport: The API Counterattack or Hell's coming to Breakfast (1 of ?)

Frank

"SEMC acknowledges, Rogues Gallery. Repeat ETA, repeat ETA."

Dubs says “Sir, tight beam relay from orbit” and patches another comm through to Frank.

Frank receives “SEMC HQ from Rogues Gallery Six. Assault wave atmospheric and inbound. We have a good lock on Hawkeye's beacon. We're in the pipe five by five. Now have you visual. ETA imminent. My Red Team are on route to prepare the DZ so update confirmation of your unit positions in real time. Be advised my lawyer said to call fifty mikes as absolute danger close but they can operate up to thirty five metres. You haven't been introduced yet... but dammit you're a professional man Colonel and you can cope with Aslan - just deal with their shit”.

Dubs announces “Inbound comm, 4DC handshake and source. Range now regional - closing at fek my old boots!!! Patching them through”.

A feminine voice with a challenging tone purrs across the comm link “Hi there, you're a priority customer of “DOA Airways”. I have SEMC positions and Pink Team locked. Honey, I'm doing three thousand kph inbound to your pos with an RP-B 13 strapped between my thighs. I've got the urge to unload and... wherever I put it... you know it's gonna hurt! Now, you tell me where you want it and I'll drop it like it's... well, I think you can guess... Oh, and you just might want to pick a safe word. I have danger close set as fifty metres and, as to any previous user experience, it's safe to assume we're the best you've ever had. Flight of three inbound. Illuminate and send target data. Light 'em up because, just like always baby, we're comin' in hot!”

While Frank wonders whether he has just accidentally selected an unfortunate and very difficult to explain harvest from the local data web Liv intones "I have active mil spec sensors inbound on that vector at 3K kph. Picking up active Imperial standard search and target acquisition sensors. Wait, make that standard plus! They just increased speed, broke formation and dropped to just above terrain avoidance flight annnd... then they went dark. I'm designating the trio of inbound jamming clouds as 4DC Red Team Strike package. Tight beam comms are stable. Colonel, pick your targets".

[shaidar]

Frank

Over the command channel

"All units hold your positions, air support arrival is imminent."

With advice from Liv and Voss, Frank allocates the three most suitable targets to red team. (as discussed in OOC)

[joertexas]

Prerna keys her team channel. "Friendly air coming in! Find a spot and take cover. Be prepared to relocate and engage the enemy as soon as the air attack clears." She sets a team position icon on everyone's display at the Deliverance berm's two-o'clock position.

[Tiglath]

Jakob

Jakob sent out a flurry of comms as he quickly moved to the prisoners, specifically to the mercenary who had honorably surrendured.

When Jakob got to the mercenary, he said simply, "Soldier." It was clear that he was an officer looking for an enlisted man's correct response. Assuming that happens "I am Captain Jakob Domici of the SEMC. If you can honorably accept a short term contract, I will pay you one month of our standard E-1 pay to stand guard over the prisoners. If you come under enemy fire and maintain your duty then you will get an additional month of pay. I expect this engagement to last no more than two days, but we can renegotiate if necessary. Do you accept?"

The Collace merc replies "Well, you're a gent an' no mistake, sir. I've called me Bond so I'm "horse decombat" aren't I? I'll sign wiv you sir on a 'andshake but beggin' your pardon, sir, I'll add a condition. It's me mucker, sir. You've fixed 'im up kushti so you 'ave - but I'll not leave 'im. So you can 'ave the pair of us at that rate or neither - wiv respect, sir. I'll cover 'is duties 'till 'e's up an abaht, sir".

[Leitz]

Jakob extended his hand to seal the deal. "Done. Load up, then make sure the prisoners have food and water. Someone will send a medic along to check everyone, once things quiet down a bit."

[Tiglath]

Prerna

"Do you see what I see?" Erica asks Prerna from her foxhole. It seems her robot is really good at digging foxholes - having arms like a JCB / actually being part JCB clearly helps...

(OOC: Recon 2d6 + 2: (2 + 6) + 2 = 10)

Prerna needs to allocate her four shooters (herself, Erica, Baker, Easy) to targets:

possible officer #1
possible officer #2
possible officer #3
launcher operator? #1
launcher operator #2
rifleman #1
rifleman #2
uncertain #1
uncertain #2
uncertain #3

NB The range is 1 klik so long range (10+) for standard gauss rifles (Baker, Easy) but they will get +2 autofire and +1 from aim and +1 from a spotter. Just in case you were considering it Headshots are -4.

[joertexas]

Prerna

Prerna needs to allocate her four shooters (herself, Erica, Baker, Easy) to targets:

Prerna - possible officer #1
Erica - launcher operator? #1 (and the weapon at the same time, please).
Baker- possible officer #3
Easy - possible officer #2

Prerna - launcher operator #2
Erica - rifleman #1
Baker - rifleman #2
Easy - uncertain #1

Prerna and Erica - targets of opportunity
Baker -uncertain #2
Easy - uncertain #3

[Tiglath]

Avastan Downport: The API Counterattack or Hell's Coming to Breakfast

(NB This is effectively "Zero of Several" but you are all owed at least one each - so stay frosty).

As the SEMC infantry settle into their hastily dug foxholes (a good number provided by Ms East's phenomenally strong robot) the rumble of engines and clatter of tracks carries through Avastan's wintery dawn. Under the QSM's steady command the SEMC armour waits at the hover entirely concealed within the berms and starport buildings while the unit's drones transmit real time images back to Colonel Cross at his HQ.

The API infantry come on at a truculently sluggish pace marshalled by their commanders and accompanied by their supporting vehicles.

It appears that they have no concern for their flanks or any military nuance save delivering an overwhelming mass of fighting strength to the thinly held fighting positions on the berms to the south. This brutally simple yet no doubt effective goal appears to absorb all the efforts of their command and control.

The only evidence of any military initiative is a lunge forward by the API grav sleds which overfly the merc snipers tasked to the enemy HQ. The snipers stay on mission. The SEMC infantry correctly identifying this as a sacrificial ploy to reveal their concealed positions to overwhelming firepower and therefore hunker down and keep their powder dry.

The API tank destroyer troop crawls forward in support of their footsloggers. The TDs now employed as assault guns fan out from manoeuvre column into a firing line and then come to a halt to overwatch the berms and shoot in the infantry assault on the SEMC positions.

Muffled reports from North East of the SEMC positions are almost immediately matched by Erica East's Gig firing its chin turret at max elevation - clearly in point defence mode. As the airspace above the Deliverance berm fills with detonations it seems the PD “dome” must be holding as nothing impacts within the Deliverance berm - as yet.

[Leitz]

Jakob keyed up the general comm. "ALLCON: Be advised that I have serious wedding party plans when we get back. The Mrs. will be seriously pissed if I have to dig your *** out of a grave and stuff you into a uniform. She ain't into the zombie look, so don't get yourself killed until after the party. Domici out."

[Tiglath]

Avastan Downport: The API Counterattack or Hell's Coming to Breakfast

Freya Round 1

In the SEMC “Gunship” Freya settles into the pilot's seat next to Garrison the merc pilot who claims that “if it has fuel and noise I can fly it”. Freddie settles himself in the back as door gunner and makes friends with the barrel bombs.

She taxis the gunship out of the trader's port side bay door and “drifts” its back end out to keep the nose on the Sec For AFV plotted as “Z”. The ship to ship missile system reports an immediate lock and Garrison disables all its minimum range arming protocols as soon as Freya confirms the target. She muses that the warhead is going to get a “bonus” of a load of missile fuel to its detonation. As soon as she sees the rear of the AFV she captures it on her HUD. Garrison sets up the shot and the “ready” missile reports “Optical Target Lock” then “Radar Lock”. Garrison then selects the “Fire” option calmly calling “Fox Three!” The 6G missile streaks across the starport tarmac leaving an eye searing wake and obliterates the Sec For (paramilitary) AFV and most of the building it was using as cover from the Vargr.

To her port side Freya sees the impact of a spread of missiles which must have been launched from orbit. They strike the API positions on the north face of the Drachenfels berm. Instinctively looking up for any more incoming ordnance she sees foreshortened contrails apparently angling directly towards SEMC lines. The origin points of these apparent vapour trails then suddenly flare with the light of chemical thrusters. Immediately afterwards six jump capsules crash land inside the Drachenfels' berm.

Directly in front of that berm Freya sees two API grav sleds mounting missile racks (Unit Red D). These amount to an immediate tactical threat. Confirmation of this comes as one launches a missile at the Gunship which fortunately misses. However, Freya has support at hand as she sees Jess' Command IFV lurking in cover behind a starport building (Unit Blue C).

(OOC: API Grav Sled Missile: 2d6: (1 + 3) = 4 Miss!)

[Tiglath]

Avastan Downport: The API Counterattack or Hell's Coming to Breakfast

Gaugahn Round 1

As the API Tank Destroyers come to the halt a volley of LAW rockets streak from the starport building on the tank destroyers' right flank. Eight missiles are fired - three at each of the more distant AFVs. All but one hit and those that do penetrate the vehicle's lighter side armour. The centre vehicle disappears in a catastrophic explosion of onboard ammunition while those to either side simply stop and begin to burn furiously. No one gets out.

Gaughan calls Jakob "There's your tin cans dealt with, sir!"

Immediately the AT ambush is executed automatic fire from the same building's lower floors scythes into the right rear of both advancing API infantry platoons. Greatcoated figures begin to pitch over into the snow.

(OOC:
Tactical 2d6 + 4: (6 + 5) + 4 = 15 Elects PoAs: Concealment, Cover, Ambush.
AT Ambush Roll of 2d6+4x8:
3, 2 (+4) = 9
1, 1 (+4) = 6 Miss!
5, 1 (+4) = 10
5, 2 (+4) = 11
3, 3 (+4) = 10
5, 3 (+4) = 12
3, 1 (+4) = 8
3, 4 (+4) = 11
All Major Pens! )

[Leitz]

Gaughan calls Jakob "There's your tin cans dealt with, sir!"

"Nice shooting, sergeant! Save some for the rest of us!" Jakob sent back.

[Tiglath]

Avastan Downport: The API Counterattack or Hell's Coming to Breakfast

Prerna Round 1

Overflown by API grav vehicles the sniper unit hunkers down in their foxholes and under their concealment. Prerna scopes out the unit's designated target and then identifies and allocates targets to her shooters.

Erica indicates she is “on” early with her “fancy/sports” Gauss LAG. Prerna picks out the guy with the lighter coloured ushanka and elects a bodyshot. Even with a concealed plate carrier and a 1 klik headstart being hit with the Gauss LAG anti materiel round puts him way behind in the survivability stakes. She sees the dawn wind toying with the snow flurries at the target she aims off a tad and relays her observation to her shooters. Baker reports “On, Ma'am” while Easy mutters “Stand still you fidgety fekker! Wait... wait.. on!” Focussed on her own target Prerna murmurs into her comm “Fire on three” and hits the “beeper”. On the third “ping” four fingers squeeze four triggers and both hyper and high velocity death races across the starport while nothing louder than the sigh of the winter wind betrays the existence of sniper hides.

On the roof of Starport Auxiliary Building Two the Regimental Commander nods to his deputy in satisfaction at the progress of the attack. It had been unreasonably hard to organise the reserve company and the HQ elements throughout the night but finally all was in place and could be put into action. The Tank Destroyers seemed slow to deploy. He would mention it to Sergei - it would serve to keep him nervous.

He raises his binoculars for another look at the off world merc positions when something hits him in the chest and takes his breath away. Just as he realises his ballistic front plate has shattered his heart and lungs cease functioning both due to immediate trauma and also to compounding damage from the shock wave that ripped through his torso and battered his other vital organs. He is effectively dead before he hits the ground and clinically so seconds after.

Just as the CO gives what sounds like a surprised grunt the operator of the tripod mounted AT missile system dies when the optical sighting system explodes into his face and casually demolishes most of his cranium in the process. The assistant operator standing behind him immediately doubles over clutching his groin but then goes still amidst a spreading pool of blood.

The assistant comm operator flinches as something that sounds like a cross between an angry insect and tearing paper whizzes past his head. He turns for advice from the Deputy Commander only to see that officer suffer a catastrophically fatal head injury.

“Snajperov!!!” The comm crew, the MANPADS guy and the HQ defence fire team abandon their gear and run from the roof - because they don't want to die.

(OOC:
Prerna - possible officer #1 [Commander]  2d6 + 7: (5 + 3) + 7 = 15 Hit (called location -3) 2d6 + 4: (6 + 3) + 4 = 13 KIA (vs AV 10 ballistic plate )
Erica - launcher operator? #1 (and the weapon at the same time, please). [AT system] 2d6 + 6: (3 + 3) + 6 = 12 Hit Headshot 2d6 + 12: (5 + 2) + 12 = 19 Very KIA. Second Target option:  2d6: (6 + 6) = 12 Greedy 2d6 + 6: (6 + 4) + 6 = 16 Biblical!
Baker- possible officer #3 [Comms bloke] 2d6 + 2: (2 + 2) + 2 = 6 Missed Headshot
Easy - possible officer #2 [Deputy Commander] 2d6 + 2: (6 + 5) + 2 = 13 Hit Headshot 2d6 + 4: (1 + 5) + 4 = 10 Serious Head Trauma / KIA
HQ unit morale test: 2d6: (2 + 6) = 8 Target is 8 (Regulars) (DMs: -1 Officer KIA, -4 Casualties) Fail by Five = Forced Back).

[joertexas]

Avastan Downport: The API Counterattack or Hell's Coming to Breakfast

Prerna Round 1

“Snajperov!!!” The comm crew, the MANPADS guy and the HQ defence fire team abandon their gear and run from the roof - because they don't want to die.

"Next targets," Prerna says over her team net, her voice almost dreamy as she focuses on her next target.