Tarsus para bellum

[Tiglath]

Prerna

Prerna gathers T'Lia's armor and, after refastening her body sleeve, buttons her up again. "There. All ready to go. Do we have a ride, or are we using grav belts?"

T'lia muses "If the cavalry troop return then there will be enough IFVs to ferry us all back and forth. I'll call up a G carrier from the Kruger ranch to help. Which reminds me I have a Pilot Officer to chastise for "excessive interpretation of a brief". Her lips quirk into a smile "Imagine! Active fraternization with an ally in the field... so unprofessional!"

[joertexas]

Prerna

Prerna gathers T'Lia's armor and, after refastening her body sleeve, buttons her up again. "There. All ready to go. Do we have a ride, or are we using grav belts?"

T'lia muses "If the cavalry troop return then there will be enough IFVs to ferry us all back and forth. I'll call up a G carrier from the Kruger ranch to help. Which reminds me I have a Pilot Officer to chastise for "excessive interpretation of a brief". Her lips quirk into a smile "Imagine! Active fraternization with an ally in the field... so unprofessional!"

"We're supposed to be one, remember? Does that count as self-pleasure?" Prerna looks blandly at T'Lia.

[Tiglath]

Prerna

T'lia muses "If the cavalry troop return then there will be enough IFVs to ferry us all back and forth. I'll call up a G carrier from the Kruger ranch to help. Which reminds me I have a Pilot Officer to chastise for "excessive interpretation of a brief". Her lips quirk into a smile "Imagine! Active fraternization with an ally in the field... so unprofessional!"

"We're supposed to be one, remember? Does that count as self-pleasure?" Prerna looks blandly at T'Lia.

T'lia eyes Prerna deadpan "Prernanayaratl, I believe you are confusing fraternization in the field with frottage in a field..." the corner of her mouth twitches "... you minx".

Then she says "She is something akin to a "ward" of mine but entirely unused and untrained in dealing with men... specifically Imperials..." Then she just asks point blank "Is Captain Ankit Ghosal... a "gentleman"?"

[Tiglath]

Dzofin

Dzofin snaps his jaw in a Vargr equivalent of a human nod in response to T'lia... Over all this is a leather flight jacket emblazoned in yellow and black with a prominent badge bearing a black wolfs head on a yellow background. Otherwise he has tawny orange brown fur and green eyes with active ears and a prominent, feathered tail that is more orange than brown.

He looks admiringly upon the approach of the new troops. Dzofin wags his tail vigorously as the big sergeant approach him. "I am called Dzofin. I owe you a keg of beer for your assistance in my counterattack and your aid to my pack mates. Your accuracy is most impressive and deadly. I was protecting my men and our farmer refugee charges by distracting the enemy from their shelter. It was the only sensible thing to do at the time."

Gaughan grins "Well, anyone offering a keg of beer's a fine auld fellah by my reckoning but you did well by these people. Ask for the Rangers when we're back in barracks. Here!" He glances expertly about to ensure the officers are busy and then lobs a bottle Dzofin's way "That's the Boer good stuff. Don't drink anything you find on these insurgent lads unless you want to go blind. You might as well have a Tokarev. Sure I've already got two and I don't know what I'll do with them. Looks like SuSAG went shopping for these lads before setting them away at bad business".

Indicating Dzofin's colours as he hands over a holstered Avastan made 9mm autopistol he asks "Would ye be one of Mister Patch's lads, now? We fought with them at Avastan downport".

[joertexas]

Prerna

T'lia eyes Prerna deadpan "Prernanayaratl, I believe you are confusing fraternization in the field with frottage in a field..." the corner of her mouth twitches "... you minx".

Then she says "She is something akin to a "ward" of mine but entirely unused and untrained in dealing with men... specifically Imperials..." Then she just asks point blank "Is Captain Ankit Ghosal... a "gentleman"?"

Prerna grins, and then considers her question. "He seems to be, but I haven't known him that long."

[helvorn]

Dzofin

Dzofin snaps his jaw in a Vargr equivalent of a human nod in response to T'lia... Over all this is a leather flight jacket emblazoned in yellow and black with a prominent badge bearing a black wolfs head on a yellow background. Otherwise he has tawny orange brown fur and green eyes with active ears and a prominent, feathered tail that is more orange than brown.

He looks admiringly upon the approach of the new troops. Dzofin wags his tail vigorously as the big sergeant approach him. "I am called Dzofin. I owe you a keg of beer for your assistance in my counterattack and your aid to my pack mates. Your accuracy is most impressive and deadly. I was protecting my men and our farmer refugee charges by distracting the enemy from their shelter. It was the only sensible thing to do at the time."

Gaughan grins "Well, anyone offering a keg of beer's a fine auld fellah by my reckoning but you did well by these people. Ask for the Rangers when we're back in barracks. Here!" He glances expertly about to ensure the officers are busy and then lobs a bottle Dzofin's way "That's the Boer good stuff. Don't drink anything you find on these insurgent lads unless you want to go blind. You might as well have a Tokarev. Sure I've already got two and I don't know what I'll do with them. Looks like SuSAG went shopping for these lads before setting them away at bad business".

Indicating Dzofin's colours as he hands over a holstered Avastan made 9mm autopistol he asks "Would ye be one of Mister Patch's lads, now? We fought with them at Avastan downport".

Dzofin expertly catches the bottle and makes it quickly disappear amongst his pouches and loadbearing gear. "The Boer are solid and reliable humans. They are bit too serious for me but I did witness one of their dances and they certainly can sing and caper about it. I will savor this as a good memory of this day." His tail was wagging happily while his ears were perked up but not tense. Dzofin took the 9 mm auto pistol and gave it a quick safety check. "Nicely made, very good in close quarters. I will wear it with pride. Perhaps I can upgrade it with suitable pearl and ivory handgrips."

He snapped his jaws closed in agreement and eyed Gaughan at the mention of the Vargr corsairs. "Dzenae Ungogz is a distant cousin on my father's side. I work jobs for him and sometimes the larger group when they need something done quietly."

[Tiglath]

Prerna

Prerna grins, and then considers her question. "He seems to be, but I haven't known him that long."

T'lia replies "Well, at least in that time he hasn't done anything so degenerate that it would bring him to notice. I'm taking that as a comfort... although I'm hardly in any position to judge...".

[joertexas]

Prerna

Prerna grins, and then considers her question. "He seems to be, but I haven't known him that long."

T'lia replies "Well, at least in that time he hasn't done anything so degenerate that it would bring him to notice. I'm taking that as a comfort... although I'm hardly in any position to judge...".

Prerna makes one last adjustment to T'Lia's combat armor webbing, settling her pistol in place. "I think we've both seen enough degeneracy to be good judges indeed." She dons her helmet and calls up her internal display. "Let's see about a ride out of here."

[Tiglath]

All

All SEMC troops who need to be at the Kruger ranch are now there via grav transport.

The assault force composition is being finalized and loaded aboard the stolen/liberated Corporate shuttle (still notionally under the flight plan/control of Sgt Turner of the 1188th).

[Tiglath]

Repost for reference: NB Open image in new tab to see detail

Rond Interior.jpg (1.54 MiB) Viewed 311 times

By way of Legend: NB Open image in new tab to see detail

Very top row (top right hand end): Gun Gallery, Executive Gallery

Top Row (of "units" left to right): Twin Small Craft Bay, 200ton Docking Bay, Cargo Bay, Lab / Scientist Quarters, Executive Quarters.

Bottom Row: Fuel Refinery, Fighter Bay (launch tubes below), Station Command, Living Quarters, Horticulture Area, Corporate Command, Power Plant.

Link to pic of Fighter bay: viewtopic.php?p=718266#p718266

[joertexas]

Bottom Row: Fuel Refinery, Fighter Bay (launch tubes below), Station Command, Living Quarters, Horticulture Area, Corporate Command, Power Plant.

Prerna frowns as she looks over the base plan on her datapad. "So, they have to recover their fighters through the launch tubes? And, are the interior doors to the arboretum pressure-tight? What other doors in the facility are pressure-tight? Where do those escape pods go when they launch?"

[Tiglath]

Frank

Voss infoms "Sir, troops inbound from Spion Kop less those policing up the battlefield, which will more than cover our logistics bill, and a case of champagne has just arrived from General Piet Valls, Newland Defence Force addressed to "SEMC CAS Pilots". Shall I send it over to the far hanger where a pair of Zhodani Navy fighters appear to be on a post strike turn around?"

Ref: viewtopic.php?p=720108#p720108

[shaidar]

Frank

"Thank you Voss. I shall deliver that personally while the finishing touches are bring made to the shuttle preparations."

[Tiglath]

Prerna frowns as she looks over the base plan on her datapad. "So, they have to recover their fighters through the launch tubes?"

Yes, but to SEMC knowledge these and a shuttle were destroyed by allied assets (deep space/Navy fighters) while attempting to reinforce the insurgent attack on Spion Kop. Ms Pestis (who Prerna met only briefly) states she has access codes for the base and overrides for the bay doors and fighter lifts.

Prerna frowns as she looks over the base plan on her datapad. "And, are the interior doors to the arboretum pressure-tight? What other doors in the facility are pressure-tight?"

Yes/most likely. NB the outer arboretum "wall" is an armoured glassteel "window" (likewise between the gun batteries). Any "double door/two square door" will be sealable (likely with emergency "vacuum shutters"). This effectively means all the "bulkhead" doors between the component squares of the facility. Iris valves are also shown (and sealable). These two types will likely have the same Armour Value (much superior to standard "interior doors").

Prerna frowns as she looks over the base plan on her datapad. "Where do those escape pods go when they launch?"

They're "lifeboats" so notionally they go where initially autopiloted (likely programmed for the starport then defaulting to habitable planetary surface) but could be notionally overriden then flown to the limit of their enduance (days??) This last would take prep/time so unlikely in a straight evacuation scenario.

[dongriffiths]

Klaus:

Having receive the ok for deployment Klaus begins roughing out the infiltration plan

"Ms Pestis, we have a green light on making entry can you give me details of how you will get us through the launch tubes and what will we encounter as we exit into the complex?

We shall commence once some colleagues join us."

While waiting for her response he addresses the team. "This is an infiltration and kill mission into the base complex. We'll take the SMGs make sure your suppressors are fitted. Asels check how many flashbangs we can take. Naffo a breaching charge or two might come in handy, Venner give him a hand see what you can rustle up."

While going through that he also discretely informs them that data recovery is a priority in this base but be discrete. I don't trust Ms Pestis she could switch sides at any moment if she sees an advantage so be ready to end her if it comes to it

[Tiglath]

Frank

"Thank you Voss. I shall deliver that personally while the finishing touches are bring made to the shuttle preparations."

Frank drives over to the distant hanger and gains entry through the personnel door in the hangar door. Inside he sees two sleek black Zhodani ten ton fighter aircraft being serviced by a tech robot each and rearmed by a cargo handler variant. On entry he is noticed by two smallish round bots hovering above the craft. The 'bots move towards him but then reset to their stations.

Frank (mutally) recognizes the attractive pair of pilots (with their long on top short at the back hairstyles - flight helmets) who he met at the Ambassador's dinner at the Bartizan. They greet him with cheerful smiles and formal salutes as Pilot Officer Nsobiepr "Nsobi" (distinctive with her short argent hair) says "Colonel Frank Cross, you do us great honour by attending our brief visit here!" Frank schools himself not to look... well not look look. He recalled the "lissome leggage" of the pair of near six foot tall Zhodani flight officers and their very tailored high tech black vac suits but the effect was still stunning. The sable haired pilot giggles and says "Nsobi desperately wants to enquire after Captain Ghosal's wellbeing but is too shy to ask" Her silver haired comrade exclaims "Briakqraiepr, you are shameless!" then smiles at Frank "But I would dearly like to know if Kit is safe and well. There seemed a lot of insurgents".

Ref in and around here: viewtopic.php?p=644881#p644881

[joertexas]

Prerna frowns as she looks over the base plan on her datapad. "Where do those escape pods go when they launch?"

They're "lifeboats" so notionally they go where initially autopiloted (likely programmed for the starport then defaulting to habitable planetary surface) but could be notionally overriden then flown to the limit of their enduance (days??) This last would take prep/time so unlikely in a straight evacuation scenario.

"I mean, how to they get from their berths to the surface? I don't see any tunnels on the deck plan, but they must be there."

[joertexas]

Klaus:

Having receive the ok for deployment Klaus begins roughing out the infiltration plan

"Ms Pestis, we have a green light on making entry can you give me details of how you will get us through the launch tubes and what will we encounter as we exit into the complex?

We shall commence once some colleagues join us."

While waiting for her response he addresses the team. "This is an infiltration and kill mission into the base complex. We'll take the SMGs make sure your suppressors are fitted. Asels check how many flashbangs we can take. Naffo a breaching charge or two might come in handy, Venner give him a hand see what you can rustle up."

While going through that he also discretely informs them that data recovery is a priority in this base but be discrete. I don't trust Ms Pestis she could switch sides at any moment if she sees an advantage so be ready to end her if it comes to it

Prerna lifts a hand to get Klaus' attention. "How are we to approach the facility without being engaged by their defensive batteries?"

[Tiglath]

Klaus:

Having receive the ok for deployment Klaus begins roughing out the infiltration plan

"Ms Pestis, we have a green light on making entry can you give me details of how you will get us through the launch tubes and what will we encounter as we exit into the complex?

We shall commence once some colleagues join us."

Ms Pestis replies "SEMC operative designation "Klaus" you, I and your co-workers will perform Extra Vehicular Activity as the Corporate shuttle manoeuvres for docking at the Rond facility. We will access the fighter launch tubes using my Executive Outcomes Division override. We will then use personnel iris valve in the Fighter Lift access hatch to covertly enter the Flight Operations bay. I will infiltrate ahead of your team to secure that area and thereby avoid any early mission compromise. I suggest our colleagues make a maximized assault from the shuttle bay while we continue to infiltrate until we have isolated the bridge, sensors and power plant for optimized mission achievement. Securing the manufacturing facility's stock of pure Thongamonganite is a mission goal". Having finished speaking she issues Klaus with a motivational "corporate" smile.*

While waiting for her response he addresses the team. "This is an infiltration and kill mission into the base complex. We'll take the SMGs make sure your suppressors are fitted. Asels check how many flashbangs we can take. Naffo a breaching charge or two might come in handy, Venner give him a hand see what you can rustle up."

Assels reports (since the Battalion "tail" has come with) flashbangs are in abundant supply as is ammo.
Naffo likewise reports back "We have plenty breaching charges. While I was checking them over one of Mister Kruger's ranch hands offered some Imperial standard TDX to make more. He said they use it for felling all the trees round here... anyone else get the vibe that this place is just a bit more than a farm?"
Venner states he has a supply of "Emission masked" bags for data recovery.

* Maybe she has a "thing" for Klaus...

[Tiglath]

Prerna frowns as she looks over the base plan on her datapad. "Where do those escape pods go when they launch?"

They're "lifeboats" so notionally they go where initially autopiloted (likely programmed for the starport then defaulting to habitable planetary surface) but could be notionally overriden then flown to the limit of their enduance (days??) This last would take prep/time so unlikely in a straight evacuation scenario.

"I mean, how to they get from their berths to the surface? I don't see any tunnels on the deck plan, but they must be there."

Assels offers "Seen 'em on an old Colonial Cruiser they're like a one use torpedo. The tube's supposed to self seal behind the launch and they really need to be pointed at what they're supposed to hit so I guess there will be kinda launch tubes bored through the asteroid and likely pointed at Tarsus Prime. It's an Infil option for sure but a whole lot of very noticeable cutting and safety alarms to bridge over. I like boostin' in behind the lady with access a little better".