Army of the Southern Cross

[Sherwood]

No need to add speakers to your tanks. They already have external speakers that let you blast sound out at 150 or so decibels, more than enough to get your message across, be it verbal communication or a hard rock assault on your ears.

Each squads' mecha are loaded onto a separate assault shuttle and you are allowed one last check of your rigs before you have to button up and get ready to launch. As the timer goes down to zero, Eric makes the observation, "Y'know, this is the largest military mobilization since the Zentraedi War. I just hope that this goes well. If not, its a long walk home and these tanks don't fly too well."

Soon enough, there is a deep rumble from below as the ships boost up into orbit, pressing you into your seats. The assault is underway.

 

[Orikanyo]

"..Hey... remember when you lot were questioning why we would be called the "Winged" hussars. Well, we're flying now!" Heinrich smirked, feeling a tad bit mroe smug than he did a few minutes ago. Even if the tightness in his stomache from the worry of every single possible bad thing that can happen was flowing through his mind.

 

[AldarisLordOfLight]

Adrian couldn't help but roll his eyes at the bit of irony with the squad's name. "Brilliantly silly more like it. But strangely suitable for today's excursion." He was a bit disappointed that no additional speakers were placed on their gear; although now that he thought about it, to weaponize sound right now may not be such a good idea for their health, especially his.

Feeling the rumble of their ride broke him from his thoughts. An assault for the history books was about to begin and he needed to prepare. 'This is one hell of an op. I bloody hope Murphy's Law won't bite us all in the ass.'

 

[Sherwood]

The shuttles burn their way up into orbit on an intercept course with the alien fleet, escorting several larger ships loaded with scores of fighters and Veritechs. As you approach the intercept point, the shuttle pilot links his heads-up display to you inside the cargo bay so you can 'see' what is going on around you. In a crisp, dry tone, the pilot calls out, "Making our speed run in. Five minutes out. All units prepare to engage." In the holodisplay, you can see both sides begin to launch interceptors, racing ahead of the larger ships to help clear a path through to the enemy. Missiles ripple out of their launchers, and particle beams light up the sky.

Once more, the pilot calls out. "Two minutes. Open outer doors." The ship then shudders as several missiles impact on the port side as they slip past the missile defenses. "We are hit, losing power. Winged Hussars, we won't make it to our planned launch point in one piece. Launch sequence beginning, deploy in ten seconds. Good luck, and good hunting out there."

One by one, the launch rails that you are attached to kick you out into the vacuum of space. From outside the shuttle, you can see that one of the three main engines has been blown to pieces, marking you all as lucky to have lived through the impact.

It takes a moment to orient yourselves, but soon you can see the massive forms of several ships out there in front of you, all blasting away at the Earth defense forces. Your particular target of the Zentraedi Flagship is clearly seen, still a good hundred miles away from you. At this point, you have a few choices. You can use the standard thrusters to maneuver you across the space between you, but at only 220 mph, it will take some time. Or, you can go ahead and engage the boosters to put you up into Mach speed now and zip in a lot faster. Third, you can abort your infiltration mission and simply engage the surrounding Bioroids and Zentraedi mecha, both of which are in abundance around you. What is your call?

 

[Orikanyo]

"Hussars our target is the warship, we take their weapons down our buddies can mop up easily! They are counting on us, let's make our way through, destroy whatever gets in our way. We'll need these boosters for an escape if nessisary. Or if we need to get in faster."

The man engaged his thrusters and began moving forwards, gun pod ready to fire upon whatever is in their way.

 

[AldarisLordOfLight]

Within the void of space, Adrian seriously contemplated his life choices at the sight around them. With little time, he contacted the team. "Right! Engaging thrusters. Let's get this bloody show on the road!" With a quick push of a button, his Chimera's thrusters engaged. He readied his gun pod just in case things get serious.

 

[Sherwood]

The squad powers forward towards the Zentraedi ship. A few particle beam blasts come in your direction, but for the most part, there is little in the way of hostile fire aimed at you thanks to you being on the outer edge of the fighting. When you finally get to the outer hull of the Flagship, everyone is ready to get your feet back on the deck and out of the vacuum of space. But before you can get through any of the many airlocks, a group of seven Regult Battle Pods come arcing over the hull towards you with their guns blazing.

Remember, your main guns are available but without your normal combat bonuses to hit. The EU-11 gun pod is your best bet for accurate targeting, and the big guns can be used against targets that don't have a good dodge bonus.

Initiative rolls, please.

 

[AldarisLordOfLight]

"Looks like the welcoming committee's here to greet us!" Adrian said through squad comms as he aimed his gun pod at the approaching battle pods. "Annoying little buggers that's for sure, let's end this quickly as we can."

 

[Psychie]

Moira powers up her gun pod and prepares for action. "Nothing we haven't dealt with before. Lets do this by the numbers."

 

[Orikanyo]

"Let's gun em down! Get ready!" an engagement in space. Who would have thought?

He certainly wouldn't think he'd still be in a damn tank doing it though.

 

[Sherwood]

We are just waiting on Silanon and ViciousVip3R to post now

 

[ViciousVip3R]

"I agree, don't want to drag this out longer than necessary" said Marcus as he did the final checks and found all systems ready.

 

[Silanon]

"The longer we stay, the more show up - I'm all for getting things done fast!"

 

[Sherwood]

The unusual environment of space is enough to throw off some of you from your normal quick response time, leaving the first two Battle Pods open to fire on Fia. They cut loose with twin beams of superheated particles, and they will hit unless you dodge or parry the shots.

Silanon is up first

Initiative order
22 - Pods 1-2 [1]
18 - Fia <====
17 - Eric
16 - Pods 3-4
11 - Moira
10 - Adrian
9 - Pods 5-6
7 - Heinrich
6 - Pod 7
4 - Marcus

 

[Silanon]

The first hussar to get shot in outer space - an achievement she'd rather avoid if possible. "Drawing fire - bloody pods." Her adjustments to dodge are less precise than on Earth - it's like every little movement is just slightly off. Oh well - good enough for those few shots, right? She then raises her gun pod in response, opening fire at Pod 3.

 

[Sherwood]

Fia is able to evade the incoming fire, but so does the targeted Battle Pod. Both shots miss.

Eric accelerates forward and lines up a shot with his own gun pod at Regult #1. He scores a light hit against the armor of the Pod.

Regult Pods 3 and 4 both shoot at Eric, but only one manages to score a hit on the big tanker. He does manage to take his hit on the left arm shield, saving his body from the impact.

Psychie is up

Initiative order
22 - Pod 1 [1] damaged
22 - Pod 2 [1]
18 - Fia [2]
17 - Eric [2]
16 - Pods 3-4 [1]
11 - Moira <====
10 - Adrian
9 - Pods 5-6
7 - Heinrich
6 - Pod 7
4 - Marcus

 

[Psychie]

Moira feels at home in space from all the time she has spent in her old Glaug Officer's Pod. No time for fond memories, now its time for her to fight. She lines up a shot at the damaged Pod, hoping to be able to take it out of the fight.

 

[Sherwood]

Another shot aimed at the Pod, and again, it manages to dodge. The Zentraedi mecha are very nimble.

AldarisLordOfLight is up

Initiative order
22 - Pod 1 [1] damaged
22 - Pod 2 [1]
18 - Fia [2]
17 - Eric [2]
16 - Pods 3-4 [1]
11 - Moira [1]
10 - Adrian <====
9 - Pods 5-6
7 - Heinrich
6 - Pod 7
4 - Marcus

 

[AldarisLordOfLight]

Fighting in space is an unusual experience for Adrian. Everything feels a tad bit faster than normal, he thought as he aimed his gun pod at the damaged Zentraedi mecha...

 

[Sherwood]

This time, the attack hits, even if the shot is only a glancing blow. Still, every little bit of damage adds up.

Pods 5 and 6 target Adrian, but amazingly, both the mecha miss their target! A lucky break for the tanker.

Orikanyo is up

Initiative order
22 - Pod 1 [1] damaged
22 - Pod 2 [1]
18 - Fia [2]
17 - Eric [2]
16 - Pods 3-4 [1]
11 - Moira [1]
10 - Adrian [1]
9 - Pods 5-6 [1]
7 - Heinrich <====
6 - Pod 7
4 - Marcus

 

[Orikanyo]

"Focus fire! lets bust our way through!" heinrich rose his gunpod and fired a burst upon pod number 1.

 

[AldarisLordOfLight]

"Even the boys and girls from the other side are having some trouble fighting up here in space." Adrian said with a hint of relief seeing that some of enemy we're not at their best at the moment.

 

[Sherwood]

Critical Strike! The Pod is rocked hard, taking massive damage. While it is severely damaged, it is still in the fight.

ViciousVip3R is up

Initiative order
22 - Pod 1 [1] critically damaged
22 - Pod 2 [1]
18 - Fia [2]
17 - Eric [2]
16 - Pods 3-4 [1]
11 - Moira [1]
10 - Adrian [1]
9 - Pods 5-6 [1]
7 - Heinrich [1]
6 - Pod 7 [1]
4 - Marcus <====

 

[Sherwood]

Bumping for ViciousVip3R

 

[ViciousVip3R]

"I'll mop this one up" grunts Marcus as he lines up Pod 1 with his reticle.

(Huh, I already have a draft saved, it must have not sent, wifi has been spotty recently. Sorry!)