Avastan: Planetfall

[shaidar]

Frank

"I think you're right there. I wonder if their female tech has any flight skills? We also need to consider bringing the Vargr in on this, offer them one of the ships as payment. There's going to be one hell of a tactical discussion when we all get back there. While we're away, see if Freya's team can get an idea of which building is most likely the command and control"

[Tiglath]

Jakob

As Jakob and Love left the berm's tunnel and moved north they angled to their left. The three or four metre high sheer walls of the berm towered above them starkly defining a patch of Avastan night sky. The massive bulk of the Fat Trader squatted centre stage within the confines of the berm's retaining rockcrete walls. Jakob could see a set of wheeled stairs set against the starboard (western) side of the trader and, oddly, a ladder set against the easternmost rear landing strut leading up into the landing gear well. The trader was set low to the ground necessitating a crouch to walk beneath its hull. Jakob understood that the landing gear could retract allowing the ship to sit higher or lower to facilitate cargo handling.

Various maintenance sheds occupied the northern side of the berm's wall and another was to the invaders' left/west. None of these areas showed any warmth or lights. Neither Jakob nor any of his team could see another exit at ground level although a metal staircase spiralled up the inside wall to the berm's top.

Jakob looked back to the mobile stair below the airlock to see two figures now standing at its foot. His mind raced - he had heard no movement or approach. They must have been lying on the stairs themselves! Well, that was surely neither romantic nor even comfortable...

The male figure stooped to pick up the distinctive shape of a locally produced "AK" from the stairs and began to zip up his vacc suit. The apparently unarmed female in sports attire stood to recover her tracksuit trousers just as the male turned to see Jakob and Love now about five metres away from him.

(OOC: Pirate Recon/Spotting:
Roll(2d6)+0:
4,1,+0
Total:5

Is there a proverb about the blind falling over the blind? Honours even on the Recon rolls - we'll call it a draw! )

[BackworldTraveller]

Frank

While we're away, see if Freya's team can get an idea of which building is most likely the command and control"

That will be hard. If they are sensible they will have the comms transmitters connected by fibre and away from their bunker. Our best bet would be long-term surveillance and watching for patterns in footfall. You usually visit the boss in uniform. Local contacts and cash may do just as well - and quicker.

[shaidar]

we don't have time for long term surveillance or the boots with the skills to do it. It might be hard, and maybe they won't be able to, but they are being asked to try.

[shaidar]

Frank opens a seperate channel to Voss and Dubbs

"Dubbs, can you patch me into the Fuernuzorg? I have some questions for them, and I hope they know the layout of the downport better than us."

[BackworldTraveller]

Dougal follows orders...



8 is a success if they are sloppy.

[Tiglath]

Kit Out on the Road

"Cheeki Breeki, boss!" Kit worries that Able might be possibly getting too much into local character as he swerves the local car into the inside lane and then undertakes to give Kit LOS on the grav car shadowing the saloon. Kit immediately sees that the saloon contains a group of pirates as does the escorting grav car. They wear the distinctive cut off denim "surcoats" with a silver eagle motif over slim fitting vacc suits. He recognises an Imperial driving song from his youth competing with the local hardbass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IkvZ3ePCIM

The pirates however seem to react negatively to Kit and his crew's presence and within the confines of the saloon start (awkwardly) drawing sidearms. Those in the grav car cotton on fast and produce an AK and what might be a snubcarbine.

From the back seat Baker mutters "Oh, Borrocks!" while Able exclaims "Blyaaat! Do yer fink it woz the masks?"

(OOC: Kit Recon/Spotting:
Roll(2d6)+1: 4,6,+1 Total:11
Pirate spyglass roll be:
Roll(2d6)+0: 3,5,+0 Total:8
Arrr, pieces of eight! )

[Tiglath]

Dougal follows orders...



8 is a success if they are sloppy.

There way too much radio traffic coming from the black square bunker in the top left of C7 for it not to be a comms centre.

This is further confirmed by Doughal who via his drone over the Starport spots a whole collection of aerials and antennae on the roof.

(OOC: Doughal is redeemed! )

[Tiglath]

Frank

Frank opens a seperate channel to Voss and Dubbs

"Dubbs, can you patch me into the Fuernuzorg? I have some questions for them, and I hope they know the layout of the downport better than us."

Frank and his team ride the G Carrier to the shadow of the Starport Admin block. No one challenges their disembarkation nor their crossing of the extrality fence. Startown slips by beneath your feet as the uneventful flight lands the ambush group in the vicinty of a small stand of scrub and the carcass of a crashed Stag attack helo within 100m of the main road.

Dubs informs Frank that the comm link is successful. Frank's ears are assaulted by "Pound" music which is then muted as a harsh vargr accent declares "Kurrnalll Kross you will speak with Dzenae Ungogz, Anuekhs An Gzoug - the Flame that Burns". A moment of feedback is immediately followed by another only lightly accented and very controlled voice "Greetings Colonel, I do hope Ms. East is in good health? You well know that I value the life of anyone who is paying me most highly. Fortunately my duties as Chief of the Auxiliary Police are, while taxing..." transmission is interrupted by a chorus of howled Vargr approval " ...are not too onerous. I must say that I approve of API's Imperial backed enlightened and inclusive hiring policy. So, how can the Teeth of the Kforuzeng aid our temporary allies? "

Frank immediately recognises the smooth tones of "Patch" a.k.a. Dzenae Ungogz, freedom fighter... or terrorist.

(OOC: Because reasons roll:
Roll(2d6)+0: 6,1,+0 Total:7 Fail
Bah, tish and fie! )

[Tiglath]

Thelma and Louise Jess and Prerna

With an easy addition of power Jess surges the luxury ground car up alongside the small convoy. Easy opens the sun(?) roof and uses it to gain LOS on the underside of the grav car escorting the saloon. The saloon's choice of Imperial music gives it away even before Jess and Co clock the pirate livery on those in both vehicles.

Prerna notes those in the grav car and saloon prepping weapons in response to Kit's crew on their right. Those in the grav car have military longarms. (NB See Kit's post for detail - you will have the info he has).

Jess notes the driver of the panel van ahead waving her on. He has gloves on but the sleeve above has the "wrong" profile. Instead of the usual bulk of Avastan cold weather gear he wears what must be a high tech vacc suit. And his watch is slow...

(OOC:
Jess spotting: Roll(2d6)+1: 6,6,+1 Total:13 FFS!
Prerna Recon: Roll(2d6)+2: 3,6,+2 Total:11

Hey, Jakob - I've found where all your good rolls went!!!! )

[joertexas]

Prerna notes those in the grav car and saloon prepping weapons in response to Kit's crew on their right. Those in the grav car have military longarms. (NB See Kit's post for detail - you will have the info he has).

"Kit, take the saloon. We have the grav car." With that, Prerna opens up on the grav car, shooting up through the front seats from below.

[Leitz]

Jakob

Jakob heard the bolt cycling on Love's ACR, and the heavy cough of her autofire as the man's body jerked from multiple impacts. Jakob's weapon was quieter and not nearly as dramatic, but the woman collapsed, still half dressed.

"Cover the hatch," Jakob said as he carefully moved forward and crouched by the female. He put a single tranq round into the man's throat. "Victor Two, we may have a way in. There is also a ladder leading into the rear section landing gear. Check that out after your loop."

"One down but not dead, maybe she's a pilot." Jakob picked up the woman's hands and looked for callouses or dirt under the fingernails. If there was a chance she could fly, she might prefer recruitment over death. "Uniform One, can you send someone to the stairs on the west for pickup? We're moving in."

Jakob pulled a mag from his thigh pocket, reloaded, and put the partially used mag back into the pocket, ready for use. He waited for Love to reload, and then carefully climbed up the steps, muzzle pointed at the hatch opening.

Jakob anagun rolls 6 (7: +1, -2) and 8 (9: +1, -2)
Love ACR rolls 13 and 9 ( rolls 11 and 7: +2 skill, -2 snap, +2 autof)
Love damage rolls 11, 14 (rolls 7, 10: +4 pen)

[The Bindoner]

Jess drops back slightly to clear the car giving Kit's team an open shot and allowing the girls to concentrate on the air/raft.

That van's a threat too. Be ready ter switch targets to that when yer've grounded the raft.

Jess keeps the car steady, with a plan to accelerate and ram the van if necessary. Assuming the drivers ahead are watching in their mirrors she keeps smiling and turning to "laugh with the girls" - until the guns come out.

[shaidar]

Frank

Frank has the men spread out and find an ambush spot each, close enough for Los to each other, but spread out enough to minimise the chance of a single area weapon taking out multiple men. As the target is grav capable he assigns each man an area to monitor that includes the road and beyond.

Comms to Patch:

"I was pleased to see the involvement of the Fuernuzorg after we landed. I thought it only fair that we let you know we are close to initiating our main operation. I also had a couple of questions. The first is quite simple, I was wondering if you might be able to confirm the location of the command and control centre at the downport, we want to make sure we get that one right. The second question is more interesting. Are are willing and able to assist us in the downport operation? Once successful we will be in the possession of a number of ships and we can send one of them your way as recompense for your help."

[Tiglath]

We are The Road Crew

"Kit, take the saloon. We have the grav car." With that, Prerna opens up on the grav car, shooting up through the front seats from below.

OOC: Looks like the team are going ballistic so I'll action this tonight!

Please make rolls To Hit (but check below).

I'll go with declared targets (as I understand them). e.g. Kit is shooting pirates but Prerna is shooting the vehicle not the occupants from below.

So, to compliment the hardbass a touch of Schräge Musik for the pirates!

If you want to make the rolls (no pressing need I'm happy to do so) roll to Hit as usual but +4 for the bottom of the grav car / the side of the saloon. NB The vehicles' body will give a light armour effect AV 4 vs Pen of ACR DS at 6, slug at 4, HE at 3.

If you Hit a vehicle roll a single further d6 for Penetration - and then another d6 for damage if you are feeling lucky...

The above also serves to explain the working shown from tonight's firefight - which otherwise might appear odd.

Welcome to the world of the Striker Vehicle Damage Tables!

[joertexas]

We are The Road Crew

"Kit, take the saloon. We have the grav car." With that, Prerna opens up on the grav car, shooting up through the front seats from below.

OOC: Looks like the team are going ballistic so I'll action this tonight!

Please make rolls To Hit (but check below).

I'll go with declared targets (as I understand them). e.g. Kit is shooting pirates but Prerna is shooting the vehicle not the occupants from below.

So, to compliment the hardbass a touch of Schräge Musik for the pirates!

If you want to make the rolls (no pressing need I'm happy to do so) roll to Hit as usual but +4 for the bottom of the grav car / the side of the saloon. NB The vehicles' body will give a light armour effect AV 4 vs Pen of ACR DS at 6, slug at 4, HE at 3.

If you Hit a vehicle roll a single further d6 for Penetration - and then another d6 for damage if you are feeling lucky...

The above also serves to explain the working shown from tonight's firefight - which otherwise might appear odd.

Welcome to the world of the Striker Vehicle Damage Tables!

You can make the rolls - the dice roller generally hates me...

[Tiglath]

The Road Crew

Kit brings his ACR to his shoulder and fires through the passenger window. He uses the battlefield optic to take aim at the head and shoulders of the grav car's pilot visible above the vehicle's side. The marine makes no mistake placing his shot and blood and brain matter spray onto the grav car windshield.

Able holds the car steady as Baker fires Jess' carbine from the rear seat engaging the rear seat passenger of the saloon who is pointing a handgun at him and Kit. The sniper elects to take a headshot and ruins the saloon's headlining and upholstery.

Prerna crouches on the carpeted floor of the ground car next to Easy who has hand loaded the last contents of her bra/noldier into her ACR. As the panoramic view sunroof locks open to reveal the underside/rear of the grav car hovering above. Both Master Sniper and Sniper open fire at a range from which it is impossible for them to miss.

Jess sees Sugar (who has wriggled into the front seat and partially out of the front passenger window) aiming her pistol forwards at the rear seat passenger of the saloon who is half out of the rear passenger window aiming a revolver at Jess. Sugar nails him in the centre mass and to everyone's surprise the autopistol round seems to go clean through his Vacc Suit. He drops his weapon and falls out onto the road surface.

Meanwhile Jess can see discarding sabot rounds punching through the grav car's floor above her. She can hear screams above the engine noise. Suddenly a grav module blows out and the grav car's power seems to fail as it begins to sink to the road surface. As it reaches ground level Jess sees that none in the vehicle are either moving or conscious. All appear to have been struck by ACR rounds.

Ahead of her the saloon jinks under fire but speeds on with its cargo of wounded shooters.

Further actions please!

(OOC:
Kit
To Hit: Roll(2d6)+6: 5,3,+6 Total:14 -4 for partial cover & angle to target = 10 Hit!
Damage: Roll(2d6)+4: 2,2,+4 Total:8 +2 Damage mod (hits concentrated in upper body) = 10 Serious Wound

Baker
To Hit: Roll(2d6)+4: 6,6,+4 Total:16 -4 for headshot = 12 Hit!
Damage: Roll(2d6)+3: 4,2,+3 Total:9 Serious Headwound

Prerna
To Hit: Roll(2d6)+7: 3,4,+7 Total:14
Pen Roll: DS ACR red Pen 6 vs AV 4 grav car chassis net +2. Roll(1d6)+2: 4,+2 Total:6
Result: Minor Penetration for KEAP round. 1-3 Bottom Hit 4-6 Rear Hit Roll(1d6)+0: 6,+0 Total:6 Rear Hit
Damage Roll: Roll(1d6)+0: 3,+0 Total:3
Effect: PC
Power Plant Disabled
Crew Hit (Unarmoured) Roll(2d6)+2: 3,6,+2 Total:11 Serious Wound

Easy
To Hit: Roll(2d6)+4: 4,3,+4 Total:11
Pen Roll: DS ACR red Pen 6 vs AV 4 grav car chassis net +2. Roll(1d6)+2: 6,+2 Total:8
Result: Minor Penetration for KEAP round. 1-3 Bottom Hit 4-6 Rear Hit Roll(1d6)+0: 3,+0 Total:3 Bottom Hit
Damage Roll: Roll(1d6)+0: 4,+0 Total:4
Effect: S2C
Suspension Hit (Grav Module destroyed)
2 Crew Hits
(Vacc Suit) Roll(2d6)-4: 4,5,-4 Total:5 Light Wound Roll(1d6)+0: 1,+0 Total:1 Knocked Out
(Unarmoured) Roll(2d6)+2: 5,4,+2 Total:11 Serious Wound

Sugar
To Hit: Roll(2d6)+1: 3,6,+1 Total:10 -2 Partial Cover = 8 Hit! Upper Torso armoured Vacc Suit AV6
Pen: Roll(2d6)-3: 6,6,-3 Total:9 Serious Wound

Pirates
No return fire all gunmen capable of shooting are SW or worse!!!

Drive Roll: Roll(2d6)+0: 6,5,+0 Total:11).

[gurusql]

Kit

With the grav driver removed from the equation, Kit directs the car towards the saloon target (when it next his action) and he will attempt to shoot at that driver as well.

Rifle Shot [_2d6+3]=(3+4)=7+3=10 (Rifle-2, A DEX)
Looks like there it another +3 I am missing and -4 for cover (or less in this case?)

Damage - [_2d6]=(4+6)=10+4 = 14

[Tiglath]

A Note on Situational To Hit mods:

For a straight headshot I apply -4.

For shooting at the head and shoulders of the grav car pilot I applied -3 (it's a bigger target) but then took another -1 off for the angle (shooting up from road level to grav car height say 4m up) further reducing the target picture (and effectively making it a headshot).

The DM for shooting at the head and shoulders of the ground car driver from your car (same level) will be -3.

This is the best option allowing PCs to both leverage their greater accuracy and then to inflict enhanced damage on the target. You could try to simply shoot through the car but unless you have better Pen than the car's AV (and a have following wind on Pen rolls like Prerna and Easy did) then you are more likely to just shoot bits off the outside of the car (surface hits in Striker) and/or allow the car's AV to protect the occupants.

You can claim +ve To Hit DMs for Skill and Autofire and Dex (both of these last factors vary per weapon). These factors are both arbitrary and archaic and therefore share similar qualities to the GM...

I'm happy to agree that autofire doesn't necessarily imply accuracy but the additional +ve mod RAW could actually be interpreted as a close range bonus. I want to keep mods the same so when we slide from AHL to Striker the transition is as seamless as possible.

Bottom line: roll the bones and I'll do the rest showing and explaining my working as best I can.

[joertexas]

The Road Crew

"One target down, engaging another," Prerna reports. She turns to watch behind them, anticipating the reported grav vehicle to be closing in soon.