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T'lia delivers a briefing for SEMC Command and Squad Leaders.

"Good Evening, this briefing is confidential and therefore any breach is subject to sanction by the interested parties I represent in this matter. There will be a null comms event during the briefing. Please do not make sudden or perceptively offensive motions that will cause a negative audience appreciation outcome"

She adds "That's a slightly amended standard SuSAG briefing intro just so no one forgets who we are up against. Please relax and take your ease. If anyone wants refreshment Roland has a selection of light beverages and snacks".

"We are about to commit to a standard covert insertion of the SEMC into a friendly and covert facility established on Tarsus. This asset is not to be compromised by the execution of this mission. The SEMC will be billeted in the vehicle sheds of a large ranching concern who are allied to our cause. The ranch, like most on Tarsus, has frequent landings by atmosphere capable traders. Thanks to the planetary government's relaxed approach to self defence, their own airspace and law enforcement airspace is broadly a free for all". She spares Frank a smile "That's what happens when you put farmers in charge of orbital traffic!"

"Tarsus is a democracy of farmers and while strategically dependent for its protection as a member of the Agric Combine has little to no interest in the greater politics of... well... anywhere else. Long ago Tarsans pragmatically decided that since votes had to have a value like hides, meat or grain - they should have a price". She reads with open disdain from a projected hand computer "Votes were to be centrally registered; they could be sold, given away, or, on the holder's death, a vote could be bequeathed (rules of inheritance governed in the event no will had been made). It is even permissible to vote in a certain way in return for money or other rewards". She venomously adds "After these founding imbecile farmers had sown the seeds of their own destruction they had some lawyers agree to monitor their already fatally corrupted system to give it the veneer of seeming security... and that's how SuSAG just bought the entire world. They control a majority of votes in planetary and local government - the only dissenting areas are Regiment and Stenden where The True Son of the Star gains enforced popularity among Pavabid ex pats and refugees".

"Geopolitics bites as we are infiltrating into a militarily active area on the border of Stenden and the Freelands of Nob Plain. We will be hosted by the Kruger family on their ranch and will conduct operations from there. I ask that every courtesy is offered to the family and their people while we are covertly billeted there. These people are under pressure from both SuSAG owned ranchers to the south and insurgents across the Groot Rivier from The True Son of the Star's expansionist fanatics. Here is a local map". Legend: The Kruger farm is the purple dot.

T'lia adds "We will soon shift on the McClellan Factors' flagship a 1000t Triad Class Merchant Vessel named Triskele. It's sensor and comms profile are almost an exact match to a vessel you previously encountered on Inchin referred to by the code name: Óðins vagn. That is an entire coincidence".

Frank smiles at the mention of Regiment.

"Go Regiment, that'll be our sword worlder heritage. Thinking about it the voting system is a little...um...naive. If SuSAG is that well embedded we'll need to maintain an absolute minimal profile while we are there, including insertion. This needs to be made absolutely clear to all the troops and we will be the absolute best guests our hosts could wish for."

*Flashback Scene*

#594 Post by dongriffiths » Wed Aug 09, 2023 3:49 pm
Klaus goes over to Jess.

"Sorry if I'm disrupting your system Quartermaster, I was led to believe that ship security would be a major part of my teams role and the SMGs are perfect for that, Low recoil, low velocity but packing a significant punch. All of the team will be competent with regular rifles as well. Is there any chance our armourer could work out what's different about these other rounds?"

He hands her a special magazine.

You’re right, those snub-subs are right up your lot’s alley.
Jess grins: ‘s why I gave yer the right form first time. I’ll even help yer fill it in. Just sign it, and Robert’s your mother’s brother.

Handling the magazine carefully, like a probably-dead rodent: Don’t need the armourer to tell me they’re a war-crime. The Boss got clipped by one, an’ his medkit went Panic Mode. Acid for AP, some sort of high-tech poison, who knows what else... Likely illegal wherever there's laws. I’ll issue ‘em on a “return to sender” basis. SuSAG only.

All

More from Frank and T'lia.

T'lia surprises no one in describing the local civilian wear as denim trousers and workshirts with sturdy boots and caps or brimmed hats for eye comfort.

Frank states that SEMC will supply "dusters" that can contain a ballisitic cloth armour weave. Civvy gear is issued to all ranks.

Local Weaponry: Tarsus is solidly mid tech and therefore civilian variants of the ACR (firing slug ammo) or more likely inferior lower tech analogues are going to be prevalent for "home defence". Shotguns as a cheaper option for more multi role work, smaller calibre "plinkers" may also be present but of limited military use and "everyday carry handguns" are common as personal protection weapons.

Tac Update: The local "military" wear (a bizarre mesh reflec armour combo) and roll out in small fireteams of five in a limited issue G Carriers with a bulky laser rifle as their (equally bizarre) squad support weapon). [A given Easy Military knowledge check for mercs: mid tech lasers are notoriously heavy and for the weight you could have a SAW or grenade launcher... or both...].

Tac Update: T'lia cautions that thee is an active an viable military threat from the insurgents over the river and that any and all Tarsan farm workers are considered targets by these forces (who much prefer to attack and commit crimes against civilians). The incursions over the river are opposed by local militia forces. She states that the militia have been given "some assistance" by off world intersts and although small in size are becoming more efficient. The "civilised" farms to the south offer a greater threat of military equivalent forces as they are known to hire mercenaries / hired guns as a solution to "boundary disputes".

Strategic Update: T'lia states that in her military appreciation should a "contact" occur between the Tarsan military and SEMC forces it will end so badly for them as to include terms like "catastrophic". She rates their officer corps as "amateur" and their command and control capacity as both "vulnerable" and "minimal". She ends her assessment with a reminder that a current mission aim is a "zero collateral" policy with respect to local security forces.

Please all post henceforth within and sashay over to a new thread (linked below): Tarsus para bellum.

https://www.unseenservant.us/forum/view ... hp?t=12860