Robotech - Southern Cross Adventure

[Psychie]

By this point, all of you are feeling very drained. After all that flying, followed by the attack on the convoy and the hours of work spent by all of you in the various departments has taken a lot out of you, and sleep is the only thing that will make it all better. If you wait too much longer to get to your bunks, you'll fall asleep right there at the table. Stumbling to your rooms, you are able to slip into something more appropriate to sleep in, then you pass out hard.

Come morning, it is 0600, and it is once more time to rejoin the world of the living. A few more hours of sleep would be preferable to almost anything else, but the day waits for no one.

 

[Sherwood]

Deunan wakes up quickly, thanks to memories of Basic Training and what the Drill Sergeants would do to a private that lingered in bed. Sitting up, she swings her feet out and looks over at her three roomies. There are vague memories of the fourth woman staying here; some Corporal named Parker, she thinks. Plenty of time to get to know her better later on. Now, its time to bounce.

"C'mon, ladies. Time to roll out of those racks and enjoy another glorious day in the Green Machine. Every meal is a banquet, every formation a parade, every paycheck a fortune! I love the Corps!" She lets out a chuckle at the glares she is getting from the others. "Not a bunch of morning people? Fine. I don't know about you, but I am in some serious need of working out the aches of the day before with some PT. Uh, its Parker, right? Good to meet you, now that I'm awake enough to remember it! Deunan Conway." She offers her hand to the other woman with a pleasant smile.

 

[D. Rex]

Waking up early was normally never nice. But after so long it does become second nature. To the point of finding it hard to sleep in even if you wanted to.

Marlon wasnt quite there yet. But close enough that he was able to get up easily enough. It was a lot easier when he reminds himself he wasnt in the safety of the base anymore. Get what sleep you needed, and anything else was a luxury.

So he crawled out of bed, woken up by his internal clock. Took care of the three S's. And got in uniform. He didn't really pay much mind to Alan or the privates. (Heh privates). Aside from a "good morning" greeting, of course. Marlon found the best way to wake up was to just get up and go. Dawdling just made him start to get sleepy again.

"Gentlemen. I think it's about time for breakfast." He said as he headed to the door.

He paused just outside the doorway."Hey, Alan. Do you remember if they told Sarge anything about what we are doing today?" He asked. He couldn't remember if it was something he should remember or not.

 

[Psychie]

When Deunan offers her hand to your fellow roomie, she gladly takes your hand. "Welcome to Anton-17, Sergeant. I had a chance to look over those tanks of yours, and I am impressed with how tough they are. Nice and small; able to get into all the tight spaces. I like them." She gives Alissa and Neo a friendly shake, too, and then says, "I have to bounce, but I'm glad to have your team here! Good luck hunting down those Zeeks out there!" With that, she finishes getting dressed and heads for the door.


In with Alan and Marlon, the two privates with you are less bubbly, but they do give you a nod as they head for their morning PT.


Once all of you have gone through the normal morning routine of PT, clean-up and breakfast, your wristcomps buzz, indicating that you are all being summoned to the mecha hangar. Waiting for you there is 1st Sgt Antonia. She is standing by four small trailers. "Good morning. It is time for you to earn some of your pay. We have been requested to deliver some new water purification systems to three small towns in the area, and the Captain thought that it would be a good PR mission for your team to go out and touch base with some of the locals, all the while you are looking out for any signs of Zentraedi activity."

She points to the small trailer that she is standing next to. "What we've done is attached small tow hooks on your tanks to be able to haul these trailers with the water pumps in them. If you have to transform, they will automatically drop away to give you full maneuverability. Once you have completed your maneuvers, you'll have to recover the discarded trailer, which will only take a minute to hook back up to your tank."

"Now, the observant of you may notice that I said three water purifiers but there are four trailers here. There is one last stop you will be making. This last one is a mobile radar and motion sensor set that we want you to place on top of a small mountain, and will give us additional eyes in the area for any possible troop movements of the Malcontents. The setup of all these items are fairly simple and shouldn't take more than a half hour on the outside. This whole mission shouldn't take you more than twelve hours, depending on how long you stay and talk to the local townspeople. Or any enemy contact that you might get into. We will have you ready to leave in the next few minutes, and the local maps with navigation beacons have already been loaded into your computers. Any questions for me?"

 

[Rykon]

Earlier in the morning, Alan spoke through a series of yawns. "I certainly... dont remember any new... orders. Wouldn't be surprised if they were already coming down from command though."

In formation, Alan stayed silent for a time then eventually began his round of questioning. "First Sergeant, can you tell us about the current relationship Anton-17 has with these settlements? Are they expecting us? Do we have any record of malcontent activity in these areas within recent memory?" Alan inquired one by one, trying to ask direct and pertinent questions to the task at hand.

As established by his triumphs at the card table, Alan was a betting man, and running the odds was basic strategy. The ways things sounded from yesterday, even with Alissa's objections, he was betting on at least two ambushes over the course of this mission. That is, provided there was an intelligence leak, mole or otherwise. No enemy lets their opponent mount surveillance on this scale unmolested.

 

[Psychie]

The Zentraedi nods. "We have done our best to maintain good contact with the locals, and for the most part, we have succeeded. That being said, don't go pissing on the good works we have already done for them! It has taken a while to be able to break through the natural suspicions that these towns have for us, and it wouldn't take much to make them backslide. The three towns made the request of the UEG through us to get the water purifiers just over two weeks ago, and we did tell them that it would take until our next supply run before we could get them the equipment. They are expecting you, and to make sure that there is no misunderstandings, we have loaded your computers with radio codes to call ahead and inform them of your impending arrival. That way they won't think you are some new alien menace and start shooting at you."

"The level of Malcontent activity in the area has been low, mostly due to the fact that these towns have little to no strategic value to the Zentraedi. Especially since the townspeople are getting more and more willing to send out a call to us if they ever spot enemy activity in their area. That being said, don't drop your guard. The Zentraedi have already shown us their ability to slip a sizable force out of the center of the Zone, so it is possible that you could come across scouts. I doubt that there will be any sizable troop deployment in this area, but if there is, call it in."

"Sergeant Conway, in case of any trouble, you have friendly assets in the area you can call on. First, you have codes to call in artillery from Firebase Delta. They have four Monster Destroids and two Phalanx Destroids there, giving them a lot of reach. The second is to a squad of Logan Veritechs called the Black Cats. They are on Combat Air Patrol over the area, and can respond quickly to any air support call. Don't hesitate to use your lifelines if trouble comes knocking. We don't want you to buy it out there in the jungle."

 

[WlfSamurai]

Yesterday still has Alissa feeling the pang of unease. The work in the medical ward had filled her with doubt. Most of that had been evaporated with the evening's sleep. But something still bothers her. Something just out of her mind's ability to reach.

As Sergeant Antonia outlines the mission and the others ask their questions, Alissa does her best to clear her mind. She visualizes empty space with tranquil water. No ripples or disturbance. Any change to the flow she'd go with.

She lets the mission back into her thoughts, slowly. They objective sounds simple enough. There is always the chance for enemy contact and they probably wouldn't take kindly to the Southern Cross sticking a listening post on a nearby mountain. Still, the enemy would provide a sort of focus to last day's trials. Like all battle for her, she wouldn't have to think or decide. Just do. Instinct. Simple.

She waits for the moment when the questions had been answered and she can inspect her tank, mount up, and head out.

 

[Sherwood]

Deunan takes in the briefing with interest. A simple run for us, assuming that we don't get jumped by some more Malcontents out there. But even if we are, the 3rd Heavy Recon is up for it! Hoo-rah! "Understood, First Sergeant. We'll get the job done. I expect to be able to move out shortly." She waits for Antonia to give them the ok to go to their tanks before giving the nod to the others.

"Lets get these trailers hooked up, double check your ordnance payload, and get ready to hover. Keep your eyes peeled for trouble. If we do have a mole in the base, we can expect the radar site to be set up as a trap. Be ready."

Spoiler

On Foot:
Number of Attacks: 5
Strike: +7
Parry: +9 - +12 with Heavy Combat Shield
Dodge: +10
Roll: +6
Perception: +12
Initiative:
Damage: +2 from Ps

In the Hover Tank:
Number of Attacks: 6 - +1 attack per melee round at levels 1, 3, 6, 10, and 14
Strike: +9 with Cannons, +10 to HtH, +11 with EU-11 (+2)
Parry: +13 (+1)
Dodge: +13 (+1)
Roll: +9
Perception: +12
Initiative: +2 (+2)

APFSDS: 30
Plasma: 5
MPAT: 10
Smoke: 3

Left Shield: 500
Right Shield: 500
Main Body: 475

 

[D. Rex]

(I know Alan made sure they got reloaded. But were our tanks repaired?)

 

[Psychie]

(I know Alan made sure they got reloaded. But were our tanks repaired?)

Yes. All damage is fully repaired and all shells are reloaded with whatever mix you wish.

 

[Psychie]

As everyone is doing their checks as the trailers are being loaded on, Dr. Lawrence comes into the mecha bay with one of the nurses, and the two of them are pulling a pair of what look like suitcases. They stop and speak briefly with the 1st Sergeant, then the three come over to the tanks. In a voice loud enough to be heard over the din inside the bay, Antonia calls out, "Sgt. Conway? You have a couple of people on your team that have medical training, correct? The doc here would like it if you could take some medical supplies along with you on your run and offer up vaccinations to the townspeople while your mechanics are setting up the water purifiers. Capt. Shumer has given it his stamp of approval. Another thing that can be done to foster some good will."

Dr. Lawrence smiles up at Cpl. Kerensky and gives a slight wave. "These cases have enough flu vaccine for all three towns you are going to. It is simple enough to inject, so you can rope in some helpers to deliver the medicine to those that want it and help keep the locals safe and healthy."

The two cases are small enough to be able to fit into the trailers with ease, so there is no worries about having enough space to haul them along. Soon enough, all four trailers are attached to your squad mates' tanks and you are ready to head out. You do note that the trailers are wheeled, so over rough road you will have to slow down a bit to keep from rattling them loose from their tow hitches.

Setting out on your trip, the base control room turns off the AM-1 mines along the road for you to be able to pass along without risk of having them blow up. Taking the highway for the first part of your trip, you are able to get some good speed without risk to your cargo, but it is not long before your maps show you breaking off from the main road and taking much smaller dirt-paved trails, heading deeper into the countryside. The road is not nearly as well maintained or cleared as the main highway, with it being just wide enough to have two tanks able to travel side by side if you wish to.

Two hours into your drive, you are now approaching the first small town on your map.

 

[Psychie]

Forgot to add that the names of the three towns you are going to are Passo Fundo, Canoas, and Pelotas.

Spoiler

Just a quick disclaimer: I Googled names of towns in Brazil to get those, so if anyone is actually aware of the landscape and know where these three places are, I offer up an apology for me changing details around.

 

[Sherwood]

As the five of them drive along, Deunan will go ahead and take point on the road, keeping her eyes open and constantly scanning the radar and surrounding terrain for any signs of an ambush. As they travel, she calls Neo, "Keep an ear on the radio, and report any unusual signals right away. In the meantime, go ahead and call our first destination and give them a bit of warning that we are about to arrive. ETA ten minutes. I don't want any incidents of friendly fire to happen on this run."

Spoiler

Quick edit. I have a Perception of +12, not the +9 I put on the dice roller.

On Foot:
Number of Attacks: 5
Strike: +7
Parry: +9 - +12 with Heavy Combat Shield
Dodge: +10
Roll: +6
Perception: +12
Initiative:
Damage: +2 from Ps

In the Hover Tank:
Number of Attacks: 6 - +1 attack per melee round at levels 1, 3, 6, 10, and 14
Strike: +9 with Cannons, +10 to HtH, +11 with EU-11 (+2)
Parry: +13 (+1)
Dodge: +13 (+1)
Roll: +9
Perception: +12
Initiative: +2 (+2)

APFSDS: 30
Plasma: 5
MPAT: 10
Smoke: 3

Left Shield: 500
Right Shield: 500
Main Body: 475

 

[D. Rex]

Spoiler

MDC
Main Body: 475/
Cannon: 150/
Arm L: 150/
Arm R: 150/

Arm Shield L: 500/

Arm Shield R: 500/
Leg L: 260/
Leg R: 260/
Pilot Compartment: 150/




In the Hover Tank:
Number of Attacks: 6, +1 attack per melee round at levels 1, 3, 6, 10, and 14
Strike Cannon: +8 (+2 UC)
Strike EU-11: +10(+2 UC)
Strike MIW-20: +8(+2 UC)
Hth strike: +9(+2 UC), +12 damage
Parry: +10 (+1 UC)
Dodge: +9 (+1 UC)
Roll: +10
Perception: +9
Initiative: +2 (+1 UC)

105mm Shells
APFSDS: 15
Plasma: 15
MPAT: 15
HEAT: 0
Canister: 0
Smoke: 3


105mm Cannon, Damage
APFSDS: 3d6x10
Plasma: 2d8x10, 25ft AoE
MPAT: 2d6x10, 50ft AoE
HEAT: 2d6x10
Canister(half range): 1d8x10, 25ft AoE
Canister(full range): 1d4x10, 50ft Aoe
Smoke: n/a, 100ft AoE


Rate of Fire: Twice per melee round
Payload: 48 rounds
Note: Typical loadout for the Hover Tank is nine shells of each kind except for the smoke rounds. Those have three rounds, unless something different is required for the mission.

EU-11 Gunpod
Single blast: 1d8
Five shot burst: 1d4x10
Ammo(rechargeable): 140/140

MIW-20 Triple Barreled Ion Pulse (tank mode only)
Three round burst: 1d6x10
Ammo: N/A

After double checking his ordnance, Marlon would take a few extra minutes to grab some ask for some camoflauged netting to be put into the trailer of the radar system. After all, if it was going to be sitting there unguarded, it might as well have what advantage it it could have to last.

__

Head in a swivel formation. As good as any, in his book. Especially after the last ambush of a convoy.

It was a little odd that their first recon was mostly playing handyman and house calls. But he supposed the higher ups didn't want any more locals to turn against them. Marlon wasnt so sure. The encounter of the suicidal Zentraedi showed him how fervent the giant ladies (still couldn't remember her name) support was. While odds were he was one if the more radical members, the giantess was surely doing something of her own to inspire support. He didn't suspect that doing a little bit of aid was going to sway opinion much. Even if they were grateful, it was just as likely that threat of the malcontents had an equal effect on them. A likely threat to come should they sympathize with 'micronians'.

Still. Aid wasnt the priority of the mission. Just a pretense to get in unmolested. That was his guess. Cynical view, perhaps. It was entirely possible that that higher ups were looking to eventually offer protection. Marlon wondered how well that would go.

Didn't matter. Information was still what they were after, with good will being a bonus.

Marlon kept his eyes peeled. He was sure Neo was keeping an eye on the scanners, so kept his focus on the use of his own advanced optical lens. His eyes.

 

[Rykon]

During the trip, Alan kept glancing over the scanners. Even with his eyes sweeping the horizon, only so much could be seen before everything turned to densely wooded jungle. Given limited visibility, all he could really count on to extend his viewing range were all the bells and whistles of the Spartas Tank's optics and radars. Hopefully, any anomalous blips of enemy movement would be caught, but long trips like this left it hard for one to stay focused on everything at once for long periods.

 

[Psychie]

After double checking his ordnance, Marlon would take a few extra minutes to grab some ask for some camouflaged netting to be put into the trailer of the radar system. After all, if it was going to be sitting there unguarded, it might as well have what advantage it it could have to last.

Rooting around in the motorpool for a minute turns up a unclaimed camouflage net, and you are able to quickly stuff it into the trailer with the portable radar set.

Marlon kept his eyes peeled. He was sure Neo was keeping an eye on the scanners, so kept his focus on the use of his own advanced optical lens. His eyes.

Traveling along the smaller road, the five of you crest a small rise, giving you a long line of sight of the road up ahead. Marlon is the first to see several spots of what to your eyes looks like the camouflage netting that you had loaded up into the trailer earlier in the day. They are nearly three thousand feet out on both sides of the road. Marlon is the only one of you that sees these areas of camouflage from here.

Stopped at about the same point is what Deunan is able to see: a pair of older APCs forming a barricade across the road, with human scale figures walking about around the armored vehicles. At this distance it is hard to get a solid count on the number of people there, but it is at least a dozen.

According to your information feeds from the aerial units keeping watch on the Control Zone, these are not RDF or ASC vehicles and men. Both Deunan and Marlon are able to spot what appears to be military markings on the side of the APCs that resemble the local Brazilian Regular Army, and it is clear that they have seen you.

What do you do?

 

[Psychie]

Neo hits her radio, "Sergeant? I just got a radar return on multiple targets down the hill, range 3,100 feet. Sorry I didn't see them before; the mountainous terrain is playing havoc with my returns."

 

[Sherwood]

Driving along, Deunan can feel her level of awareness spike when they crest the rise and they can see the armored vehicles on the road ahead. "Heads up, everyone. We have company." She throttles back a bit, to give them more time to respond to the potential threat. "No worries, Neo. I didn't pick them up, either. Refresh my memory. What is our status with the local military forces and the RDF/ASC? I don't remember seeing anything that says that we have any conflicts with the Brazilian Regular Army."

Spoiler

On Foot:
Number of Attacks: 5
Strike: +7
Parry: +9 - +12 with Heavy Combat Shield
Dodge: +10
Roll: +6
Perception: +12
Initiative:
Damage: +2 from Ps

In the Hover Tank:
Number of Attacks: 6 - +1 attack per melee round at levels 1, 3, 6, 10, and 14
Strike: +9 with Cannons, +10 to HtH, +11 with EU-11 (+2)
Parry: +13 (+1)
Dodge: +13 (+1)
Roll: +9
Perception: +12
Initiative: +2 (+2)

APFSDS: 30
Plasma: 5
MPAT: 10
Smoke: 3

Left Shield: 500
Right Shield: 500
Main Body: 475

 

[D. Rex]

"Sergeant. Up ahead on the sides of the road. About three K feet ahead. Looks like some camoed nettings. Looks perfect to ambush with. Force a stop at the APC's, then flank with a hidden force." He advised. "Cant confirm hostile intent, but we should be wary of our flanks here. And should probably stop before that area, just in case they do have unpleasant things in mind." He said over the squad radio.

 

[Sherwood]

"Good eyes, Corporal." She takes a second, longer look out to either side of the two APCs, trying to spot the hidden force that Marlon picked up. (Do we have binoculars in the tanks at all?) Deunan taps her fingers against the console, her mind racing. Making a quick decision, she switches to one of the other frequencies listed on her computer.

"Black Cat Squadron, Black Cat Squadron, this is Sgt. Conway with the 3rd Heavy Recon. If you are in our neck of the woods, we would not object to having some friendlies in the airspace nearby us right now. We have a choke point up ahead with a pair of armored vehicles blocking the road, with some other possible targets on either side of the road under camo netting. They appear to have markings to indicate units from the Brazilian Regular Army. We are approaching their position, and hopefully all will be friendly between us."

"Team, lets play it cool. Alan, you come with me. Neo, Marlon and Alissa, hang back to keep whatever it is in the treeline from being able to flank all of us. Say, eight hundred feet. If these bozos decide to start shooting, I want to end it with a quickness."

Spoiler

On Foot:
Number of Attacks: 5
Strike: +7
Parry: +9 - +12 with Heavy Combat Shield
Dodge: +10
Roll: +6
Perception: +12
Initiative:
Damage: +2 from Ps

In the Hover Tank:
Number of Attacks: 6 - +1 attack per melee round at levels 1, 3, 6, 10, and 14
Strike: +9 with Cannons, +10 to HtH, +11 with EU-11 (+2)
Parry: +13 (+1)
Dodge: +13 (+1)
Roll: +9
Perception: +12
Initiative: +2 (+2)

APFSDS: 30
Plasma: 5
MPAT: 10
Smoke: 3

Left Shield: 500
Right Shield: 500
Main Body: 475

 

[D. Rex]

"Yes Sergeant." He said, bringing his Spartan to a stop at approximately 850 feet out.

He would remain in transport mode, to keep friendly appearances. Though he kept his finger on the variable switches should he need to quickly change. He would, however, prepare the shell selection to a plasma shell. End things quickly. He would be prepared to do so.

( Sherwood your command spartan should have a host of fancy sensory features)

 

[Rykon]

"Roger boss." Alan chimed in over the radio, gently throttling forward to match pace with Deunan. Until there was weapons fired or orders made, Alan left Freckles in transport mode.

(All of them do unless the sensors and abilities block only applies to the command variant, and I'm pretty sure all of us at least get headlights.)

 

[Psychie]

"Black Cat Squadron, Black Cat Squadron, this is Sgt. Conway with the 3rd Heavy Recon. If you are in our neck of the woods, we would not object to having some friendlies in the airspace nearby us right now. We have a choke point up ahead with a pair of armored vehicles blocking the road, with some other possible targets on either side of the road under camo netting. They appear to have markings to indicate units from the Brazilian Regular Army. We are approaching their position, and hopefully all will be friendly between us."

The radio response is quick. "Third Heavy, this is Lt. Maria Combs of the Black Cats, callsign Boomer. We are in the sector, and can swing overhead in approximately two minutes. Stand by."

After she clears the radio, Neo clicks in. "Sarge? I have no reports of any conflicts with the Regular Army forces in this sector. As far as i know, everyone out here is dealing with one another with good relations."

 

[Sherwood]

Deunan feels a bit of relief that the Black Cats replied so quickly. "My thanks, Boomer. I hope that I'm just being paranoid, but in any case, its good to have friends up high."

She then switches to the squad channel. "Good to know, Neo. Ok, lets not get into a shooting match if we can avoid it. Lets go, Alan. The rest of you, play it cool, but watch our backs."

Knowing that her armor will hold up under any initial assault, Deunan pulls forward at a slower pace with Alan at her side and Neo, Alissa and Marlon at her back.

 

[Rykon]

After hearing the status of the situation from Marlon and Neo, Alan opens communication with the regular army station both in radio and loudspeaker. The same words would be transmitted over the squad's band. "Brazilian Army, this is Corporal Samuel McGregor of the ASC. Requesting permission for our unit to pass through. Over."

Alan presumed the surveillance mission was classified unless they received specific authorization to permit an inspection. In general, life would be simpler the less he had to divulge to outside groups. The apparent level of information leaks was bad enough without having to suspect the Regular Army.

[Perhaps we should establish of the 4 trailers, who is hauling the surveillance gear, and who doesn't have a trailer being towed. I presume either Deunan or Alissa are trailer free and either Neo or Marlon have the mission-critical gear since they have the most expertise in setting that sort of thing up.]