Inchin: Endgame

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya to Jess

I'm beginning to think taking you on the morning range-shoot was a big mistake. Positively distracted you are!

[The Bindoner]

OOC

That's only partly true

And she's been quite discrete, only talking to Sgt Gaughan on her personal comm.

Perhaps I ought to do private chats in green, like you did, make it clear what's on team comm, what's not.

Wait 'til she finds out he strode out of her private office in front of Domici and the squad. There might be a less discrete use of Sergeant-Major voice.

[Leitz]

Jakob waved Chefsergeant Jørgen closer, when asked, and returned the man's salute professionally and respectfully. Words from his mentors strengthened him. "Success in interpersonal communications is easy. Smile when you talk, because they can hear it. Also, have a plan to kill everyone you meet." Grappling combat with an ACR is difficult, if you haven't trained in it. Shipboard Marines train in it as a matter of course.

"We'll have to belay that meal together, I'm in armor and don't have anything to share. If we can keep from killing each other for a while, consider it a plan for the near future," Jakob replied. He grinned. "Skip's a nice guy, but they don't let the famous ones out of the barracks. He gets the glory, I get the fun. It's a win for me."

He sighed, slightly, and straightened a little bit. "I don't know what you guys are looking for. We have our task, and as you've seen, we pursue our work with enthusiasm. Intentional or not, you have inflicted casualties on us when we were not actively engaging you. You might want to have your CO talk to ours; even if your Prime (1) doesn't want to talk to ours. Otherwise, I'm going to miss those sausages and have to bury an honorable soldier."


1. Prime, the one funding the contract.

[Tiglath]

Freya

With all the copter drones stationary, I'll take the moment to program the grav drone...out of the wrecked gun...5km straight up...1km due north, record for 20mins, reverse path home. Full stealth mode. If they have the technology to stop a tiny, stealthed target at 5km, our copter drones are toast at 600m. Total round trip 23mins. No intermediate transmissions.

Freya believes this might well work and can instruct her bot to do this but as an officer she is aware of the current command channel comms conversations regarding aerial ops and the temporary truce.

She will be aware that merc drones have been acquired and taken out at ~ 1km range by a sniper resident in Star Town and that Easy was nearly hit by shrapnel from one drone shot down immediately after launch from the Mansion roof.

She is also aware that a ceasefire is being negotiated and that, if compromised, this action may well put a "coach and horses" through the truce.

Although there may be other outcomes one possible result would be a brutal close range firefight between SEMC and whatever forces currently oppose them.

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya

With all the copter drones stationary, I'll take the moment to program the grav drone...out of the wrecked gun...5km straight up...1km due north, record for 20mins, reverse path home. Full stealth mode. If they have the technology to stop a tiny, stealthed target at 5km, our copter drones are toast at 600m. Total round trip 23mins. No intermediate transmissions.

Freya believes this might well work and can instruct her bot to do this but as an officer she is aware of the current command channel comms conversations regarding aerial ops and the temporary truce.

She will be aware that merc drones have been acquired and taken out at ~ 1km range by a sniper resident in Star Town and that Easy was nearly hit by shrapnel from one drone shot down immediately after launch from the Mansion roof.

She is also aware that a ceasefire is being negotiated and that, if compromised, this action may well put a "coach and horses" through the truce.

Although there may be other outcomes one possible result would be a brutal close range firefight between SEMC and whatever forces currently oppose them.

At the point this was mooted, the offer had not been accepted and the terms included free movement of drones. Are these not now the terms? but given this hint, i'll scratch

[shaidar]

our terms included the continued use of drones to monitor our troops, but we haven't reached an agreement yet

[Leitz]

our terms included the continued use of drones to monitor our troops, but we haven't reached an agreement yet

OOC: Jakob heard the command channel chatter, and kept things going for a couple of minutes so the drones could be put in place. I'm not sure if that was enough time for what you need, sorry. He also noted that the air assets had to stay on the rescue teams to make sure there were no surprises.

He isn't really into subterfuge, he's trying to get the wounded quickly because they need medical attention. He's trying to keep his team safe, and to prevent an accidental engagement during the rescue operation. He's not actually trying to trick the Chefsergeant, but to make sure things go smoothly.

[BackworldTraveller]

What is the effective visibility through the Inchin Dust? (2+km implied so far)

How far does the dust extend vertically?

[Tiglath]

(OOC: I flagged the use of the bot up as I could see it becoming a potential issue that needed a re-evaluation as the negotiations go on.

[There also seemed opportunity for a GMing "gotcha" which just isn't my bag! ]

Using it for photo reconnaissance is one option (with caveats as above). However, unless you are looking for AFVs, weapon emplcaements / new defences etc the potential return from the risk might not justify the operation.

If the "spy eye" has a metier though it's as a "snooper" short range mobile surveillance device).

[Tiglath]

What is the effective visibility through the Inchin Dust? (2+km implied so far)

How far does the dust extend vertically?

OOC: The dust is small, lightweight particles so probably extends in trace amounts everywhere on Inchin. It gives more of a ochre tinge/haze to all rather than a "fog".

It is carried by the surface winds and low gravity throughout the thin atmosphere but doesn't normally affect vision unless disturbed. If disturbed it has a relatively long hang time in the air. The PCs found that tipped "spoil" from an earthmover created a temporary smokescreen effect and dust disturbed by explosions would no doubt achieve the same result.

The mercs have observed the phenomenon of "Inchin ghosts" whereby dust (or "pink mist") thrown off gunshot victims by bullet impacts will hang in the air over the fallen body.

[joertexas]

The mercs have observed the phenomenon of "Inchin ghosts" whereby dust (or "pink mist") thrown off gunshot victims by bullet impacts will hang in the air over the fallen body.[/ooc]

Ew!

[Tiglath]

Jakob & All (via relay)

Jørgen’s eyes betray a genuine smile as he shrugs “I was asked to ask - it was in the briefing notes”.

He continues “You are indeed most enthusiastic bodyguards! Your close protection of diplomats extends all the way out into Star Town to rescue the Guard from their incompetent officers. As a good mercenary I’d hate to end up in a firefight with someone not being paid to be there”.

“Of course we differentiate between fellow mercenaries and Imperial auxiliaries. As to casualties I regret any you harm suffered. It was not done by my unit. We are ordered not to engage you - but you know how sub-contracting goes”.

“If it is any consolation your return fire killed one Guard deserter and one anti Imperial zealot. You also cured another of his fanaticism – apparently fighting real soldiers who shoot back is now beyond his ideology. I’d give him you too but I’ll not hand the Baron a victory”.

“If your Colonel is in agreement perhaps we could propose a more permanent ceasefire? We give him safe passage to come and negotiate himself”.

[Tiglath]

The mercs have observed the phenomenon of "Inchin ghosts" whereby dust (or "pink mist") thrown off gunshot victims by bullet impacts will hang in the air over the fallen body.[/ooc]

Ew!

Prerna realises that Baker having stencilled "GHOSTMAK" on his rifle is in part explained by this local phenomenon and in part by idiotic failure in forward planning...

[joertexas]

The mercs have observed the phenomenon of "Inchin ghosts" whereby dust (or "pink mist") thrown off gunshot victims by bullet impacts will hang in the air over the fallen body.[/ooc]

Ew!

Prerna realises that Baker having stencilled "GHOSTMAK" on his rifle is in part explained by this local phenomenon and in part by idiotic failure in forward planning...

She shakes off that line of thought, and focuses on her overwatch duties.

[shaidar]

Frank whistles

"Tempting, maybe that's the point. Tell him I need to speak to the politicos, I don't have that authority at the moment"

He brings the Deputy Minister up to speed "I'd need the authority to speak for the Baron and the guard"

Have I misunderstood what he means by a permanent ceasefire? I'm taking it to mean the entire situation, not just tonight. If I'm wrong just say and I'll edit my post

[Leitz]

"Our CSM has a penchant for acquiring decent drinks. I'll see your sausages and raise you a bottle," Jakob replied. He paused for a moment and said nothing; knowing Jørgen would recognize the posture of "receiving orders".

"My CO is up for the idea, he's going to raise it with the Prime. If we don't have an answer before this op is done, let's work out a contact method."

[Tiglath]

Have I misunderstood what he means by a permanent ceasefire? I'm taking it to mean the entire situation, not just tonight. If I'm wrong just say and I'll edit my post

OOC: He actually said "a more permanent ceasefire" so perhaps this suggests that the time frame appears to both be negotiable and to extend what you already have???

I've not used ooc red here because the italics and underline both come out BOLD with added font colour and it makes me look like I'm shouting when I'm trying for different emphasis!

[shaidar]

OK, but I guess I still need some kind of buy-in from Dep minister/baron/guard otherwise I can't promise anything on their behalf, but I could relay any demands.

[Tiglath]

Frank

In mulling over his options Frank is as sure as he can be that the Baron won't agree to "dealing with enemies of the state/him". However, militarily he's not sure the Guard have another "charge" left in them both in terms of fighting power and morale.

Frank reckons the Guard's current order of battle looks like:

HQ one G Carrier (comms, battlecomputer)
Three squadrons of four tanks and one APC with 12 infantry
One (Grav) Cavalry Squadron of four G Carriers (Colonel Perron)

Two space capable Dragonfly fighters (missile armed in the ship to ship interceptor role)

Of the above Perron and the cavalry are currently at Zinderneuf and show no sign of returning
One squadron has just taken 50% losses including its commander and infantry element (albeit some losses can be made good) [Second Star Town Ambush]
One squadron was effectively destroyed [First Star Town Attack/TDX charges]

The now dawning military reality is that the Baron needs infantry to support any operations in Star Town but he only has one unit of 12 men left.

These troops also provide security and the Baron's own close protection at the Mansion. Having lost it's anti-starship missile battery and point defence system the Mansion is now vulnerable to attack.

[shaidar]

I'm inferring the above post is Frank mulling over the situation as he heads over to the Dep Minister. Let me know if I'm wrong

Frank heads in the direction of the Deputy Minister. As the serious of the current situation resolves itself in his head ("shit creek" as his mother would say), he realises that both the Deputy Minster and the Baron are too hide bound to agree, and the Minster did give him Carte Blanche in military matters. He casually diverts his motion into his room where he divests himself of his weapons and slips a pack of cards and a pair of data wafers into his smalls drawer.

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"

He gets Dubbs to purge his comms unit of current cryto-keys and place him on a separate channel that can be linked into everyone else, but cut loose if needed. He'll disarm the Technical before flying it down to Star Town.