The Unseen Servant forums

All

A further day passes.

Prerna shadows Dwayne and Wayne to their meeting (and then escorts them back home from it).

Jess and her squad are able to complete their one day jaunt (the southwestern "long day" task) flying Prof Benson out to descend a fissure in the desert floor to collect data from the sensors he has had placed there.

The orange and yellow sulfur desert, with its stark white outcrops of rock and contrasting green pools of sulphuric acid is as impressive to fly over as it is lethal to folk without survival gear. The squad find their desert suits unpleasant to wear and the heat debilitating. They soon find that doing everything (non urgent) slowly is something of a "survival hack”.

Jess is set for her meet with the Union in the (relative) cool of Inchin’s dawn.

(OOC: Any special precautions / kit to go along?)

Meanwhile Frank contacts Colonel Pohlmann who rather distantly grants him a meeting with his deputy Colonel Pierre Perron. Col. Perron languidly agrees a joint Op at the earliest opportunity in the interests of mutual cooperation.

Tiglath wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:50 pm All

The orange and yellow sulfur desert, with its stark white outcrops of rock and contrasting green pools of sulphuric acid is as impressive to fly over as it is lethal to folk without survival gear. The squad find their desert suits unpleasant to wear and the heat debilitating. They soon find that doing everything (non urgent) slowly is something of a "survival hack”.

Prerna investigates the options to increase their CES's performance in the extreme conditions, including quietly checking into the Baronial Guard's operating preparations.

Prerna learns that the Baronial Guard have mastered the secret of desert survival: live in and operate from an air conditioned condo!

They suit up, roll out and patrol the startown / starport (or wherever else is deemed appropriate) and return to base.

Their cavalry unit operating a G carrier do the same but over longer distances (and from an aerial perspective).

Unit policy seems to be that, where possible, infantry elements do not dismount from their vehicles.

They mount a "punishment posting" outpost at "Fort Zinderneuf" guarding a geological survey on the "darkside" but thankfully that's stopping soon.

Jakob thanked Ensign Mallory for the briefing, as they walked down the hall. He grinned at the occasional cat call. "They've only been here a short while; wait until they really start missing the features of Collace."

He let her talk to Frank first; mostly to clear his own head. He went and checked on his team, and the mission status of the other teams. "Beau, on me! Quick Drill: You are detailed to get to one of the teams fast. Get everyone loaded onto one of our vehicles now." Jakob brought up his chrono and started the timer. "The clock is ticking; full team, full loadout. Move!"

Jakob will add encouraging words without giving directions. He's mainly interested in pushed the team to think about how they lay out their gear in the barracks. Setting up for a quick mission gives them time to double check and ready. He's not hammering them about what they don't know, but making sure they know what sorts of preparations are important.

He inspects their gear and readiness, adding suggestions where his own experience helps. "Okay, hot wash in half an hour. We'll talk about how to make ourselves better and faster."


In the interim, he'll find Frank. "A word, sir? In private?"

When they have a space, he'll simply ask. "Anything to talk about?"

Tiglath wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:37 pm Prerna learns that the Baronial Guard have mastered the secret of desert survival: live in and operate from an air conditioned condo!

They suit up, roll out and patrol the startown / starport (or wherever else is deemed appropriate) and return to base.

Their cavalry unit operating a G carrier do the same but over longer distances (and from an aerial perspective).

Unit policy seems to be that, where possible, infantry elements do not dismount from their vehicles.

They mount a "punishment posting" outpost at "Fort Zinderneuf" guarding a geological survey on the "darkside" but thankfully that's stopping soon.

Prerna and her team sits down and studies every map they can lay hands on. They begin with an overview of every place in the system they can run recon in, and then go in-depth, starting with their own location. The in-depth analysis includes likely targets, and attack points like the situation that occurred when they arrived.

Leitz wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:46 pm In the interim, he'll find Frank. "A word, sir? In private?"

When they have a space, he'll simply ask. "Anything to talk about?"

Frank

"You tell me lieutenant, is there? he pauses for a second before continuing "Ensign Mallory told me that you can help to add more to my picture of the 'auxiliaries''?. Also, I've arranged a joint op with the Baron's team, and I'd like to send your squad. We need to be careful here, it's useful to learn more about how they operate and develop a relationship, but we don't want the locals to view us in the same way as the guard"

Jess is set for her meet with the Union in the (relative) cool of Inchin’s dawn.

(OOC: Any special precautions / kit to go along?)

Prerna, Hun, yer Recon, wouldja do me a solid an' lead Charlie as backup? I'm goin' in alone, but I don't wanna stay that way. Just the two of yer, gauss pistols at most, no rifles.

Is it a shirtsleeve environment, apart from the breathing rig, obviously?

If heat is the only issue Jess will go unarmoured: black t-shirt, tan trousers, bright scarf around neck,"Mirage - Oasis of Relaxation" peaked cap. If a CES suit is needed to get between Palace and meeting place she'll make a point of opening it once indoors.

No gun. She'll be outnumbered, and if it comes to guns, one gun won't help.

She'll take whatever water she has managed to generate/save hidden in a backpack and/or shoulder bag, along with binoculars,notebook, comm, poncho and personal medkit. Sightseein' ain't I?

Commdots though, under hair and scarf, netted in to the unit's secure comms.

Frowning, Jakob looked at Frank. "All I heard was that the two of you were talking, and that there was some serious hugging involved."

Sadly, Jakob was in too good of a mood to keep a straight face for long. He grinned, and said "Her legend says she had a thing for Marines. I'll make sure she knows why we always beat the Army pukes."

OOC: Tiglath, I'm making some suppositions on what Liv told Jakob. Feel free to correct me if I'm off base. He may need to go back for clarification.

"From what I gather, she can trigger them and they can get here. Not in a hurry, but if things are building up I'd say we give them twenty four standard hours to deploy dirtside. Preparing a sensor readout packet and keeping our SITREPs updated might be a good idea." He looked around, and shrugged. "No idea what sort of bugs are here, but I don't think our friends are ship assault configured. They might just be that sensor blip."

He paused. "Liv can trigger them, though I don't know if the lead Dip is read in on things. I think she'll give you activation access, and I recommend that. However, once they activate it'll be an interesting time."

He nodded when Frank mentioned the Baronial guard. "My team is getting used to running through exercises; they are getting as good as any team I've been on. We can take my background as a training officer and expand that; just get the Guard to understand we're training, and want to learn their tips and tricks for doing things well. Then we show them how we do things. They'll get along with Beau, and it should go smoothly."

SITREP: Situation Report, a detailed but to the point actions to date, actions to be completed, issues, etc.

The Bindoner wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 12:12 pm

Jess is set for her meet with the Union in the (relative) cool of Inchin’s dawn.

Is it a shirtsleeve environment, apart from the breathing rig, obviously?

Not shirtsleeve - Inchin enjoys "'uncomfortably high surface temperatures" although there may be a brief period around dawn where it transitions through "shirtsleeve" to "oven". However, since you don't want to get caught in the day's heat without your CES (and its desert proof "liner") you'd surely wear it.

OOC:

Info Only for:

Frank and Jacob

Liv's take on the "auxiliaries" is that they are available and indeed may need some "lead time" to deploy especially if they are in system rather than in orbit.

However, it seems that the issue she has is that they are not "contracted mercs". This is both in the sense that the amount of command and control anyone can exert over them might well be very limited and also that they have very little internal military discipline. These might be very good reasons for them being deniable assets!

Assuming a conventional chain of command their activation and deployment (as a deniable Imperial asset) is likely not going to be the responsibility of a lowly Naval Ensign. It is likely that such a responsibility would be given to someone with the apparent specific military expertise.

[Although such "irregular" units are often under the control of an embedded Imperial Agent that doesn't appear to be the case here. Perhaps unsurprising due to the deniability issue and also due to being under "Avastan Portways" chain of command - whatever that may be].

Leitz wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 12:48 pm Frowning, Jakob looked at Frank. "All I heard was that the two of you were talking, and that there was some serious hugging involved."

Sadly, Jakob was in too good of a mood to keep a straight face for long. He grinned, and said "Her legend says she had a thing for Marines. I'll make sure she knows why we always beat the Army pukes."

OOC: Tiglath, I'm making some suppositions on what Liv told Jakob. Feel free to correct me if I'm off base. He may need to go back for clarification.

"From what I gather, she can trigger them and they can get here. Not in a hurry, but if things are building up I'd say we give them twenty four standard hours to deploy dirtside. Preparing a sensor readout packet and keeping our SITREPs updated might be a good idea." He looked around, and shrugged. "No idea what sort of bugs are here, but I don't think our friends are ship assault configured. They might just be that sensor blip."

He paused. "Liv can trigger them, though I don't know if the lead Dip is read in on things. I think she'll give you activation access, and I recommend that. However, once they activate it'll be an interesting time."

He nodded when Frank mentioned the Baronial guard. "My team is getting used to running through exercises; they are getting as good as any team I've been on. We can take my background as a training officer and expand that; just get the Guard to understand we're training, and want to learn their tips and tricks for doing things well. Then we show them how we do things. They'll get along with Beau, and it should go smoothly."

SITREP: Situation Report, a detailed but to the point actions to date, actions to be completed, issues, etc.

Frank smiles "Ah marines, why do they always need to talk about how good they are at something when everyone else just gets on with it. I can assure you that the hugging was not instigated by me, I'm still unsure what it was all about. Our conversation was brief, but somehow it does seem to have cleared the air between us. I will work with Dubbs to ensure that we have up-to-date SITREP we can send at short notice. I hope we don't have to press that button, but I still have the impression the Imperium has their own plan in action, quite outside the delegate negotiations. I guess we'll just have to let things play out and be prepared for almost anything. "

The Bindoner wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 12:12 pmPrerna, Hun, yer Recon, wouldja do me a solid an' lead Charlie as backup? I'm goin' in alone, but I don't wanna stay that way. Just the two of yer, gauss pistols at most, no rifles.

I'd like to use my own team. We can call it a training exercise if anyone challenges us. That means we can take our regular loadout, too. If I need to come in with you, I can leave most of my gear with my team, as to not spook anyone.

joertexas wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 3:34 pmI'd like to use my own team. We can call it a training exercise if anyone challenges us. That means we can take our regular loadout, too. If I need to come in with you, I can leave most of my gear with my team, as to not spook anyone.

OOC: I will assume you pre position (at night) so as to have one aspect of overwatch on the location for the meet.

Recon roll please (+Int) to find another position (to give you two total and the ability to cover back and front of the venue.

If Prerna (and any others attempting to blend in) wear combat armour that will be difficult to disguise even under "desert gear".

Please also state any provision your are making for additional kit / transport for the "overwatch" team).

Tiglath wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 6:17 pm

joertexas wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 3:34 pmI'd like to use my own team. We can call it a training exercise if anyone challenges us. That means we can take our regular loadout, too. If I need to come in with you, I can leave most of my gear with my team, as to not spook anyone.

OOC: I will assume you pre position (at night) so as to have one aspect of overwatch on the location for the meet.

Recon roll please (+Int) to find another position (to give you two total and the ability to cover back and front of the venue.

If Prerna (and any others attempting to blend in) wear combat armour that will be difficult to disguise even under "desert gear".

Please also state any provision your are making for additional kit / transport for the "overwatch" team).

Prerna will tell anyone who asks that she's running an exercise with her team, and Jess happens to be close by. As such, she makes no attempt to hide her armor or other gear. She bums a ride from whomever is available to drop her team in the right area.

Roll [2d6]=4 + Int-1 + Recon-1 = 6

Jess and Prerna

It's pre dawn and Prerna's team, in full gear, are set up in cover and concealment with eyes on the front of the warehouse in which the meet is scheduled to take place.

They scoped out another possible OP but there was a likely compromise from local traffic (a direct foot path worn across the starport grid) and so discarded it. Two OPs would be nice but you are in direct contact with Jess via radio. However, the fusion rollered starport grid is like a billiard table - the team are well aware that as soon as anyone move (or even just stands up) you'll likely be spotted.

Fortnautely there's hardly anyone about although works machinery can be heard kicking into life and also the buzz of some of the local dune buggies from over near startown. The team are outside the town and in the proposed starport proper.

(OOC: Check the starport map in the Inchin thread (you are at the "Warehousing Complex". It's about a 5km hike on the "roads" just over 2km cross country - Jess might need to set her alarm early!)).

Jess comes into view tabbing along the road, enjoying the coolness of Inchin's dawn. She soon reaches the front of the designated warehouse to discover the smaller access door in the main cargo loading door is ajar.

Actions please.

Posted from PM

Just before the hot wash, Jakob will pull Beau aside. "Watch what we do and how we do it. You've been with me on these, I'm going to expect you to start leading them. Especially when we start working with the locals."

Through the event, Jakob will encourage each person. When a mistake was discussed the question is 'How do we train to not make that mistake again'. Questions are open ended and each team member is prodded for input and critique.

When it's time for closing comments, Jakob will smile. "Glad you all enjoyed the training event. Groan now, there will be more of them. With the locals. We're going to be setting up a training op with the Guard, and the CO does not want to look like he's hired a bunch of raw cadets. I need you to be able to ask them questions just like you ask each other. Learn from them, and fake sincere humility if they ask your opinion. You're not perfect, but you are pretty good. Inspire them to want to grow up and be like you, if you ever grow up. Questions?"

Instruction-1, Int-C [2d6+3] = 7+3 = 10
Leader-2, Int-C [2d6+4] = 6+4 = 10
Tactics-2, Int-C [2d6+4] = 4+4 = 8

shaidar wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 3:28 pm
Frank smiles "Ah marines, why do they always need to talk about how good they are at something when everyone else just gets on with it. I can assure you that the hugging was not instigated by me, I'm still unsure what it was all about. Our conversation was brief, but somehow it does seem to have cleared the air between us. I will work with Dubbs to ensure that we have up-to-date SITREP we can send at short notice. I hope we don't have to press that button, but I still have the impression the Imperium has their own plan in action, quite outside the delegate negotiations. I guess we'll just have to let things play out and be prepared for almost anything. "

"'Cause we have to show you how it's done, and explain it with short words and crayons." Jakob grinned, and then got a little serious. "Liv's a good woman, and part of her plan was to evaluate you and the team. Not because Smitty or the Dip requested it, but because you know who she is. There are ways we can support each other, but my understanding of how the two of you were introduced could lead to distrust. She wanted to work through that, I think, and she feels you're a 'good guy'. That will work well all the way around."

OOC: Insert OOC thread conversation here.


"When do you want that joint op? I'll chat Smith up and see what I can gather, I just want to plan it a bit." He grinned again. "If I'm going to be hanging around her I may need to get better at that sort of thing."

Leitz wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:06 pm
"When do you want that joint op? I'll chat Smith up and see what I can gather, I just want to plan it a bit." He grinned again. "If I'm going to be hanging around her I may need to get better at that sort of thing."

Frank

"Well, Colonel Perron is Colonel Pohlmann's deputy. He was looking to get something set up at the earliest opportunity, so I think we should move quickly. Liaise with him directly if you're comfortable with that, or I can continue to take point in arranging it if you prefer. As for Smith, if he realises what is going on with you and Liv then you might find you have as much as a problem with him as I do"

Jakob nodded as Frank talked. "I'll go find Perron, it'll give me a chance to meet more of them. Let me do that now, and I'll let you know what comes of it."

When he and Frank were done, Jakob made sure his uniform was squared away and then meandered around the Baronial Guard area. Not intruding, but enjoying the Recon. When he has what he thinks he can get on his own, he'll ask around for Col Perron. Jakob will present himself as one of the unit trainers, and he'd appreciate the chance to learn from local expertise. His team is ready whenever the Col can fit them into his schedule.

Recon-1, Int-C [2d6+3] = 8+3 = 11

Jess strides along at fast pace,wishing she had a dune buggy. Got to build one.

She heads confidently across country to the meeting, occasionally stopping to snap a picture of an interesting feature/view ( sightseein', right? )

assuming that everyone is just here to talk Jess ID's the building, takes in the view ( checking for.. obvious watchers, like The Clown Patrol ), checks comms with a whispered If there's jammin' and I go off air, don't react. I'll make a fuss if they try to take me away though. Y'c'n jump then. walksover to the door and steps in with a conversational Door's open, guys. Good job I'm not a thief, eh?

The inquiry about shirtsleeves was to see how casually Jess can arrive. She's trying to look like the desert-rat she was rather than the Trooper she became. The tat on her right upper arm might help with that ( though most of the rest won't )