Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
As mentioned prior, your radar is useless. How do you intend to collect the information you are requesting?
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Chapter Six: All Hands on Deck
- Thread starter Purr
- Start date
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Psychie
Princess Psychie
Does the Ajax have a telescopic gun camera that can zoom in and see what the targets are?
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
Why, yes it does!
By holding her Ajax as steady as she can (Professor Stein's weight helps, but don't tell him I said that!), Toph is able to spot six strange aircraft over the ports that she does not recognize.
They fly like crows over the dead and rusting city, circling and watching, but for what you cannot say.
By holding her Ajax as steady as she can (Professor Stein's weight helps, but don't tell him I said that!), Toph is able to spot six strange aircraft over the ports that she does not recognize.
They fly like crows over the dead and rusting city, circling and watching, but for what you cannot say.
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
These medium-sized unknowns, each roughly the size of the Ajax in jet mode, are between you and your target - the Chessel Machining Facility outpost #5. You can change your course and hope they do not spot you or you can fly by them to save time or use some other option you create. They do not appear to have noticed you.
What do you do?
What do you do?
Psychie
Princess Psychie
Toph calls out, "Tallyho! I have six aircraft of unknown configuration circling the ruins of the city ahead. They are all approximately the same size as an Ajax in jet mode, range [insert numbers here]. I have a feeling that they are a part of Chissel Machining's Defense network, and one way or another, we'll have to deal with them. What's the call, Mack?"
Kaerri
Dannigan's Lady
Elinor was also glad to hear that there weren't likely to be humans shooting at them. It simplified things, in her mind. After all, their overall mission was to protect humanity, even the ones they didn't like.
Maybe it was her pilot training. Maybe it was her engineering training. Maybe it was particularly her training in flying spacecraft, which Broadsword certainly was. Whatever the reason, Elinor had just about figured out which direction the Wild Cards were leaving the ship by the time the door beneath them opened and they fell into open air. Like Trouble, she grinned and enjoyed the sensation of it before her instincts kicked her (and her mecha) into jet mode, which was just as much fun to her way of thinking. She listened to the ensuing discussion but didn't speak up, feeling Shirley had done all the " 'splainin' " the situation needed. And made a fair point along the way, Elinor reminded herself. Complacency did kill.
Elinor moved up and took her position as Mack's wingman and watched as the others followed suit. Much as she loved being a test pilot, it tended to be a solo occupation (aside from the chase craft). It felt good to be part of a unit, and she took a moment to enjoy the feeling of "team" that flying formation like this reinforced.
"Well, we were told to expect drone aircraft, besides the AA guns," Elinor commented. "I'm guessing you're right, Muppet. And if they are, going around isn't an option -- they'll just move to intercept, unless whatever they're armed with reaches far enough to hit us without moving. Recommend we stay on course, but be ready for action."
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
At about 4 miles, Mack came over Fat Gandalf's polyphonic nexus. Mack communicated her words along with a sensation of calm caution. "Come down to 300 feet. Increase speed to 300 mph. Our target is on the far side of Veracruz. Someone get us more information on those bogies. We need to know who or what they are in case they turn into bandits."
"I know what they are," Fat Gandalf reported casually. "Those are Chessel Corporation Griffon-class multi-purpose drones. Yours was a good call to dodge them, Mack, for what they see, Chessel Corporation knows."
You reached an altitude 300 feet in mere seconds. As you understood it, you were very likely below the Griffons's radar as they had been with you. They continued to stay where they were, almost gliding like silent hunters waiting to spot prey. Cera kept her bare hands on the Stealth Logan's console and flew the ship that way. "Griffon drones, eh? What are they doing out there, circling like that?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, my dear Ura-Meltrandi. But if they are up there burning petrol, then they are burning it for a purpose."
Mack asked. "Gasoline? Does anything the Chessel Corporation use run on protoculture?"
"Absolutely nothing. And that is their point - to advance human technology as only that - human. That is why I believe they very well might be linked to our 'friends' who tried to kidnap Toph and who succeeded in kidnapping Reggie - the Anti-Unification League. That little force everyone seems to underestimate. Well, not me. If the Malcontents are your nemesis, Wild Cards, then the AUL is mine and Hitomi's. They want you all dead and if I were them, I would too."
You skirted around the huge city and in those long moments, you were able to see quite clearly that this was once a beautiful place for people to live, until it virtually ran out of people.
Barely on the outskirts of the city, you saw in the distance a well-fortified outpost. You were 2 miles away from Outpost #5 clocking 250 mph coming in from the northeast. Nothing moved as far as you could tell, but you were still some ways away. Mack supplied direction over the nexus.
This, except it's on dry land, mostly surrounded by light vegetation and lazy hillsides. Two gray highways meander out of the outpost, one pointing northwest toward Veracruz (where the Chessel machining facility likely was some 2 miles away), the other drifting westward and linking with other roads to other realms.
(Image credit: Pinterest.com)
(Image credit: Pinterest.com)
"Break out the lotion and grab your boards! It's time to go hot, Wild Cards. We're changing formation and splitting up into three groups. Bruce Leanne and myself but we're switching roles; I'm her wingman now. Mario, you're with Cera, Cera you cover him as his wingman. Toph, you're flying solo. We're looking for a single door, thick as a jock's skull, and probably facing toward Veracruz. But the outpost is probably tracking us right now. So find that door and call out hostiles when you see them."
"Yes, Leader Mack."
Your planes changed positions and flew toward Outpost #5 as three groups now. With the beautiful golden sun hanging high in the air above you, you had a gorgeous view of the well-armored outpost. But in missions like these, how often did beauty accompany life-threatening danger?
How would each of you like to go about trying to find the door from the air?
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Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Mario shifts his flight path to pair off with Cera in the other Stealth Logan, shifting into the fighter's Guardian mode for better maneuverability. At this point, he is doing his best to keep an eye out for not only any visual indications of the door, but any ground-based search radar being used as the targeting system for missiles or anti-aircraft guns. Keeping off his active radar to try and avoid broadcasting his location, he is hoping to be able to use his Sensory Systems skill with his communications training to detect other active emitters and warn the others.
In the meantime, Mario keeps his head on a swivel, looking for any signs of the door that they are searching for, using the Infrared camera to hopefully see an unusually hot or cold spot that stands out on the cameras.
In the meantime, Mario keeps his head on a swivel, looking for any signs of the door that they are searching for, using the Infrared camera to hopefully see an unusually hot or cold spot that stands out on the cameras.
Mario's Sensory Systems skill roll is 75%, and he has a +2 to his Perception roll.
Psychie
Princess Psychie
Toph slows Cookie Monster down to two hundred forty and engages the helicopter mode, feeling the familiar thrumming of the blades as the Ajax continues to fly along. Using the gunsight camera, she zooms in on the roads below while flying low, trying to get a good view of any possible landmarks or features that might give a hint on where the door might be.
Toph's Perception roll is +6, and my Sensory Equipment roll is 74%
Kaerri
Dannigan's Lady
"Roger that." Elinor shifted position to take the lead, letting Shirley fall back to the wingman position.
Like Mario, Elinor also thought to use infrared to search for a door-shaped disturbance in the heat patterns and keep an eye out in every direction (including up -- she didn't want any surprises). She also looked for roads, paths, or any sort of track that would indicate vehicular traffic. Unless everything was flown directly into and out of the facility, it would have to be trucked or hauled somehow, and that kind of regular traffic pattern ought to at least create a path of trodden-down grass. And if it was being flown directly (which seemed very odd to her farm-bred brain), then the door ought to have a cleared space in front of (or over) it big enough to allow for such flights. "Mechakitten, tell me if you see something that looks like it doesn't belong, OK?" The more eyes, the merrier, she figured.
Like Mario, Elinor also thought to use infrared to search for a door-shaped disturbance in the heat patterns and keep an eye out in every direction (including up -- she didn't want any surprises). She also looked for roads, paths, or any sort of track that would indicate vehicular traffic. Unless everything was flown directly into and out of the facility, it would have to be trucked or hauled somehow, and that kind of regular traffic pattern ought to at least create a path of trodden-down grass. And if it was being flown directly (which seemed very odd to her farm-bred brain), then the door ought to have a cleared space in front of (or over) it big enough to allow for such flights. "Mechakitten, tell me if you see something that looks like it doesn't belong, OK?" The more eyes, the merrier, she figured.
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
With little warning, the Cookie Monster shook hard. The veritech rattled from nose to tail as Toph transformed from jet-mode into helicopter-mode at one mile-per-hour under the helicopter's maximum flight speed. For about three very long seconds, the Ajax fought like a bucking bronco, but Toph having Traversed with the Ajax knew just how to keep her under control whereas other pilots might have failed and lost control. Toph possessed a sense of the Ajax she never had before - she knew this machine intimately in ways other Ajax pilots could only dream, at least until she Traversed with something else, and that understanding combined with her training and many flight hours gave her just what she needed to make this transformation into the maximum-speed of helicopter-mode without any serious issues.
Professor Stein, his large hands gripping his harness, sat back and said nothing, but Toph could see his faint grin in her viewscreen as he trusted Toph to keep them aloft. It was all over in a few moments with the low-flying Ajax's helicopter blades turning for all they were worth. The engines roared very loudly as Toph's eyes scanned the roads for landmarks.
"Rweeeewr!" "Okaaaaaay!" he replied from the back seat.
Then, in the Valkyrie's viewscreen, Elinor noticed MechaKitten doing something strange. He was walking up the inside of her cockpit to get at the window. His paws were adhering to the metal frame of the Super Valkyrie until he could get his little chin over the glass and see out. There, he remained perched, defying gravity, his four paws anchored as the engines of the Super Valkyrie thundered on. He was looking all-too-eagerly at the outpost, his desire to be useful growing by the moment. He may only be a kitten, but he was a Wild Card now and now he was trying to pull his (10 pound or so) weight as part of the squadron.
As you approached the base (1.5 miles out and closing quickly), all of you noticed there appeared to be no activity whatsoever at the dusty outpost. No people walking around. No vehicular movement. Nothing. The doors and windows were all closed up like a ghost town. All of you also quickly realized your infrared sensors were not granting much of an edge here as the outpost appeared to be mostly made up of concrete and hypercarbon (Mega-damage) materials. This meant that the light and heat of the blazing Mexico sun did not cause the temperature of the buildings to change as they would if they were made of S.D.C.-based materials.
Toph and Elinor watched the pattern of the roads inside the outpost and came to notice how they all met at a wide and vast intersection. At the base of this intersection was an ordinary-looking bunker-like building without any markings - and clamped down shut with a door that looked so thick and mighty as to keep anything but tanks and aircraft out of it. As the two T.A.S.C. pilots made this discovery, you heard Trouble over the polyphonic nexus followed by Mack.
"Watch ooouts! It's waking up!"
"Heads up! Their automated defenses just went live."
Each of you saw about half a dozen turrets rise up all over the outpost. Some had missile racks while others had multiple gun barrels and now they were all aiming in your direction.
Mack steadied her aim and ordered, "Take that Triple-A down. Call out your kills."
As all of this took place, Elinor (who rolled a nice low 33 on her Sensory Equipment roll while everyone else in the Wild Cards just rolled well into the 80s or above) found more unwelcome danger. Elinor's Test Pilot eyes caught something even more interesting than a wall-clinging MechaKitten as she noticed a very faint single blip of six bogies on her radar behind your team approaching from only 2 miles away. They had just ducked under and disappeared under the Nap of the Earth. But Elinor caught their mistake. Under the Rules of Engagement the ASC had trained under, those bogies (aircraft of undetermined nature) were now bandits (aircraft moving in a hostile fashion).
There was only one force it could be - it was the Chessel Corporation's Griffon drone squadron you had seen earlier. And Elinor alone now knew they were all headed straight toward you.
There was only one force it could be - it was the Chessel Corporation's Griffon drone squadron you had seen earlier. And Elinor alone now knew they were all headed straight toward you.
Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Mario calls out on the Nexus, "Copy that, Leader Mack! Taking on the AAA batteries! Moving into position now." At this point, Mario is quite glad to be in the small and nimble Super Logan, hoping that it will grant him an edge against these turrets as he flies into battle (not knowing about the six drones coming up from behind!). This is no different than a fight in your Spartas, Mario. Just remember to think in three dimensions, and you'll do just fine!
Psychie
Princess Psychie
Nodding more to herself, Toph sends out, "Muppet here in Cookie Monster. Getting ready to go to Battloid mode to engage at low altitude. Planning on looking for missile batteries first."
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
"Copy all," replied Mack. "Tell me when you see the big door. Take out the threats before nailing the door or they'll chop us to shreds when we try to land."
"Yes, Leader Mack." Cera replied cooly.
In the machining world, Chessel Corporation was not known for sitting around and letting the competition get the upper hand, and so it was with their outpost. The AA guns remained silent but within seconds, Mario and Mack both heard and saw missile warnings coming from directly ahead of them. Mario had no idea what specifically was heading at him, but it looked to him like one big missile. Closer and closer it screamed at him, but as Mario watched, he noticed the missile did not seem to be tracking him. It flew like an unguided rocket, zipped right past him, and kept going until it was gone. Mario had not needed to do a thing to defend himself against it and there was nothing inside his cockpit telling him why.
"Got a SAM on me." Mack being Elinor's wingman knew she had to handle her missile herself. "Evading. Be right back, Leanne." Mack peeled off, swerving her huge veritech in a wide arc. The tactic worked. The missile flew past. However..
"Oh crap," Mack sounded a little worried. "It's a long-range reflex missile."
Sure enough, the missile zoomed past her then turned itself around and was now following her. It would attack again in a few seconds.
Cera was serving as a wingman. Her wingman was not in trouble as Mack was. "Mario. I am engaging Leader Mack's missile," Cera said. Without moving her Stealth Logan's position from Mario, her veritech's EP-20 cannon turned and faced the missile. "Firing." A bright beam of laser energy rippled from the small veritech's cannon and at the missile. The SAM exploded in a fiery display as pieces of debris rained down on the Mexican rocks and sand.
It was Elinor's turn.
Kaerri
"Yes, Leader Mack." Cera replied cooly.
In the machining world, Chessel Corporation was not known for sitting around and letting the competition get the upper hand, and so it was with their outpost. The AA guns remained silent but within seconds, Mario and Mack both heard and saw missile warnings coming from directly ahead of them. Mario had no idea what specifically was heading at him, but it looked to him like one big missile. Closer and closer it screamed at him, but as Mario watched, he noticed the missile did not seem to be tracking him. It flew like an unguided rocket, zipped right past him, and kept going until it was gone. Mario had not needed to do a thing to defend himself against it and there was nothing inside his cockpit telling him why.
"Got a SAM on me." Mack being Elinor's wingman knew she had to handle her missile herself. "Evading. Be right back, Leanne." Mack peeled off, swerving her huge veritech in a wide arc. The tactic worked. The missile flew past. However..
"Oh crap," Mack sounded a little worried. "It's a long-range reflex missile."
Sure enough, the missile zoomed past her then turned itself around and was now following her. It would attack again in a few seconds.
Meaning on its next action.
Cera was serving as a wingman. Her wingman was not in trouble as Mack was. "Mario. I am engaging Leader Mack's missile," Cera said. Without moving her Stealth Logan's position from Mario, her veritech's EP-20 cannon turned and faced the missile. "Firing." A bright beam of laser energy rippled from the small veritech's cannon and at the missile. The SAM exploded in a fiery display as pieces of debris rained down on the Mexican rocks and sand.
It was Elinor's turn.
Kaerri
Kaerri
Dannigan's Lady
Elinor's character sheet
Action Points: 4/6
Bonus action point: 1
Action Points: 4/6
Bonus action point: 1
1. Travel to the port city of Veracruz to Chessel Corporation's machining base. About two miles from the base, there is a heavily-armed outpost ("Outpost 5") with a single large reinforced door.
2. Blow your way into the outpost. Expect opposition from the base's automated defenses in the form of drone aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. The outpost's reinforced door should take around 40 total short-range missiles to destroy. This will gain you access to the underground highway the outpost protects. Once in, opposition from the outpost should cease.
3. Park your aircraft just beyond the destroyed door to the outpost. Professor Stein will stay with the mecha and act as your intelligence officer while you are in the base via the polyphonic nexus. Albert has tangled with Chessel Corporation before and can help you. Hitomi will be feeding him information from the Broadsword's bridge via Captain Piper.
4. Detach your Rifleman Cyclones from the aeronautical veritechs and Traverse with them. The Sams loaded your Cyclone-based armament with the Cyclones. Hitomi says, your traversing with the Cyclones means losing your link with the veritechs, so expect that.
5. Use the Cyclones to drive your way through the outpost's underground highway until you reach the Broadsword's Recovery Team in the main base. And, troops, it's a big, big base. The team is trapped inside of the main section. Your Cyclones are fitted with the means to track down the team via their distress beacons.
6. Once you reach them, find a way to open the main door from the inside to free the team.
7. Escort the team to your veritechs, then once in your veritechs, provide escort the Recovery Team to the Broadsword waiting in the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Blow your way into the outpost. Expect opposition from the base's automated defenses in the form of drone aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. The outpost's reinforced door should take around 40 total short-range missiles to destroy. This will gain you access to the underground highway the outpost protects. Once in, opposition from the outpost should cease.
3. Park your aircraft just beyond the destroyed door to the outpost. Professor Stein will stay with the mecha and act as your intelligence officer while you are in the base via the polyphonic nexus. Albert has tangled with Chessel Corporation before and can help you. Hitomi will be feeding him information from the Broadsword's bridge via Captain Piper.
4. Detach your Rifleman Cyclones from the aeronautical veritechs and Traverse with them. The Sams loaded your Cyclone-based armament with the Cyclones. Hitomi says, your traversing with the Cyclones means losing your link with the veritechs, so expect that.
5. Use the Cyclones to drive your way through the outpost's underground highway until you reach the Broadsword's Recovery Team in the main base. And, troops, it's a big, big base. The team is trapped inside of the main section. Your Cyclones are fitted with the means to track down the team via their distress beacons.
6. Once you reach them, find a way to open the main door from the inside to free the team.
7. Escort the team to your veritechs, then once in your veritechs, provide escort the Recovery Team to the Broadsword waiting in the Gulf of Mexico.
Initiative: +4 = +1 JKD, +2 MECT, +1 Valkyrie
Number of Attacks: 6 (+4 JKD, +2 MECT)
Ranged Strike: +9 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems
Ranged Strike with GU-11 gun pod: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems, +1 GU-11
Missiles will have their own Strike which is generally 4 = +3 missile, +1 Weapon Systems
Melee Strike: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 MECT, +2 Valkyrie
Parry: +12 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic Parry (Jeet Kune Do)
Dodge: +15 while flying = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic dodge while flying
Auto dodge while flying in fighter mode: +16 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +4 Valkyrie
Roll with impact: +10 while flying = +1 Athletics, +2 Gymnastics, +3 Combat Flying, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
Disarm: +1 = +4 PP, +1 MECT
Pull punch: +6 = +4 PP, +2 MECT
M.D.C. by Location
*Sensor Head – 100
Arms (2) – 125 each
Hands (2) – 50 each
Utility Arms (3 in right forearm) – 10 each
Legs (2) – 150 each
Feet/Vectored Thrust Nozzles (2) – 100 each
**Wings (2) – 150 each
***Vertical Stabilizers (2) – 75 each
Head Weapons (1A has 1, 1J has 2, 1R has 3, 1S has 4) – 50 each
GU-11 Gun Pod – 150
Wing Hardpoints (2 each) – 20 each
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment – 175
****Main Body – 350/350 M.D.C.
Valkyrie munitions:
- GU-11 Gun Pod (25/25 bursts)
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Number of Attacks: 6 (+4 JKD, +2 MECT)
Ranged Strike: +9 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems
Ranged Strike with GU-11 gun pod: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems, +1 GU-11
Missiles will have their own Strike which is generally 4 = +3 missile, +1 Weapon Systems
Melee Strike: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 MECT, +2 Valkyrie
Parry: +12 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic Parry (Jeet Kune Do)
Dodge: +15 while flying = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic dodge while flying
Auto dodge while flying in fighter mode: +16 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +4 Valkyrie
Roll with impact: +10 while flying = +1 Athletics, +2 Gymnastics, +3 Combat Flying, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
Disarm: +1 = +4 PP, +1 MECT
Pull punch: +6 = +4 PP, +2 MECT
M.D.C. by Location
*Sensor Head – 100
Arms (2) – 125 each
Hands (2) – 50 each
Utility Arms (3 in right forearm) – 10 each
Legs (2) – 150 each
Feet/Vectored Thrust Nozzles (2) – 100 each
**Wings (2) – 150 each
***Vertical Stabilizers (2) – 75 each
Head Weapons (1A has 1, 1J has 2, 1R has 3, 1S has 4) – 50 each
GU-11 Gun Pod – 150
Wing Hardpoints (2 each) – 20 each
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment – 175
****Main Body – 350/350 M.D.C.
Valkyrie munitions:
- GU-11 Gun Pod (25/25 bursts)
-
"Thanks, Kitten!" Elinor could spare neither the time nor the hands for a pat on the head, but she hoped her words would do. Then she turned her thoughts to bigger things. "Heads up, friends, those six drones are on their way. They're flying nap-of-the-earth, so be wary." She reoriented her focus once more. "Firing on the SAMs." She sent three missiles at the SAM that had fired on Mack, then tried to assess the damage to see how many of her HEAPS would be needed to take it out.
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
Trouble grinned from the back seat. With great gouts of flame, Elinor's missile volley flew straight and true at the SAM that had attacked her leader... until they were roughly three-quarters of a mile away. Then all of you saw lights from Outpost #5. The lights of cannon-fire from all four anti-aircraft guns. One of the three missiles erupted in midair but Elinor's pair of missiles continued through the explosion that threatened to consume the entire volley. Then another missile was struck and it too exploded. Once again, the explosion did not detonate the final missile. Alone, it struck the SAM that fired on Mack. But after the smoke cleared, Elinor could see the armored SAM unit was still active.
"Son of a gun," Mack said. "The AA guns are covering each other. And now we've got those 6 bandits behind us and only two military eyes in each cockpit!"
Professor Stein chirped. "Chessel Corporation was never one to disappoint!"
Mack snarled. "Get ready for one hell of a furball, Wild Cards!"
Since she was out of her GU-11's range, Mack let loose a trio of her own missiles at the same SAM. "Fox Two on damaged SAM." Again, the quartet of AA guns blazed away at the incoming volley. Three out of the four guns missed outright while the fourth destroyed one of Mack's trio. Out of the flaming cloud came the rest of Mack's volley and those last two missiles struck the damaged SAM head-on. Still, there was no huge eruption of the SAM's ammunition; its armor smoked and fumed, but the SAM was still active.
It was time for Toph to act.
"Son of a gun," Mack said. "The AA guns are covering each other. And now we've got those 6 bandits behind us and only two military eyes in each cockpit!"
Professor Stein chirped. "Chessel Corporation was never one to disappoint!"
Mack snarled. "Get ready for one hell of a furball, Wild Cards!"
In my head, Shirley was on the fence about fighting all of these hostile elements at once, but I am taking into account the conversation we just had in Fat Gandalf's (link here for my benefit) and having Shirley decide to take the option you decided on (to stay at this altitude and fight).
Since she was out of her GU-11's range, Mack let loose a trio of her own missiles at the same SAM. "Fox Two on damaged SAM." Again, the quartet of AA guns blazed away at the incoming volley. Three out of the four guns missed outright while the fourth destroyed one of Mack's trio. Out of the flaming cloud came the rest of Mack's volley and those last two missiles struck the damaged SAM head-on. Still, there was no huge eruption of the SAM's ammunition; its armor smoked and fumed, but the SAM was still active.
It was time for Toph to act.
Psychie
Princess Psychie
Continuing to fly forward, Toph ducks her Ajax down lower to fly just over the rooftops of the buildings, and drops her speed to two hundred mph to give herself some more reaction time to evade a television antenna or other such obstruction that might try to ruin their day. Thinking to her passenger, she sends "Sorry for the bumpy ride, Professor, but if you like, just think of this as the best damn amusement park ride you'll ever go on and it should help!"
Popping up in Cookie Monster just long enough to get a radar lock on the damaged SAM site, she sends out, "If the guns keep covering each other from missile fire, it may very well keep them from being able to target us later on with their own direct fire attacks. Targeting the damaged SAM Site with three HEAPs! Missiles away!" She then squeezes off the trigger, sending her deadly payload downrange before ducking back down into the cover of the buildings.
Popping up in Cookie Monster just long enough to get a radar lock on the damaged SAM site, she sends out, "If the guns keep covering each other from missile fire, it may very well keep them from being able to target us later on with their own direct fire attacks. Targeting the damaged SAM Site with three HEAPs! Missiles away!" She then squeezes off the trigger, sending her deadly payload downrange before ducking back down into the cover of the buildings.
In the Ajax
Number of Attacks: 9
Strike: +14
Parry: +14
Dodge: +15/+19 to Auto Dodge While Flying
Roll: +7
Initiative: +5
Critical Strike on a Natural 18-20
Perception: +6
Action Points: 8
Bonus Action Points: 4/4
Cookie Monster MDC: 400
Chaff/Flares: 4
Missiles: 10 Short Range HEAP / 7
Number of Attacks: 9
Strike: +14
Parry: +14
Dodge: +15/+19 to Auto Dodge While Flying
Roll: +7
Initiative: +5
Critical Strike on a Natural 18-20
Perception: +6
Action Points: 8
Bonus Action Points: 4/4
Cookie Monster MDC: 400
Chaff/Flares: 4
Missiles: 10 Short Range HEAP / 7
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
"I cannot stand amusement parks and their bloody riiiiides!"
Professor Stein took a deep breath and suddenly he was limp in the seat, his entire body devoid of activity as though he had been drugged. Yet still, Toph heard his voice across the nexus!
"Now just forget I'm back here and fly in a way that makes your mother proud!"
The cluttered rows of empty homes and shuttered stores rushing beneath Toph's wings posed no threat to aircraft or pilot. Between the blasting guns, shrieking missiles, and uncaring drones, there was plenty of danger to go around.
When Toph pulled the throttle back, the Ajax's engines whined in a way that sounded like relief mixed with disappointment, for the Ajax was not the pretty pistol hanging on the wall of some foppish beaurecrat, but a warrior's weapon through and through.
Now something inside of every Wild Card's psyche began to feel odd sensations, distant but true, rising up from the machines that they had bonded with. It was as if the machines themselves were aware that you were outnumbered and outgunned and were eager to even the odds and then some.
This feeling persisted as Toph switched from guns to missiles, flipped off the safety, and saw the "MSL LOCK" blink on her HUD. Pulling the trigger, she sent the missiles away, and like burning hawks from some mythical legend, they fell from her wings and screamed like devils at the SAM site that was Toph's prey.
Professor Stein took a deep breath and suddenly he was limp in the seat, his entire body devoid of activity as though he had been drugged. Yet still, Toph heard his voice across the nexus!
"Now just forget I'm back here and fly in a way that makes your mother proud!"
The cluttered rows of empty homes and shuttered stores rushing beneath Toph's wings posed no threat to aircraft or pilot. Between the blasting guns, shrieking missiles, and uncaring drones, there was plenty of danger to go around.
When Toph pulled the throttle back, the Ajax's engines whined in a way that sounded like relief mixed with disappointment, for the Ajax was not the pretty pistol hanging on the wall of some foppish beaurecrat, but a warrior's weapon through and through.
Now something inside of every Wild Card's psyche began to feel odd sensations, distant but true, rising up from the machines that they had bonded with. It was as if the machines themselves were aware that you were outnumbered and outgunned and were eager to even the odds and then some.
This feeling persisted as Toph switched from guns to missiles, flipped off the safety, and saw the "MSL LOCK" blink on her HUD. Pulling the trigger, she sent the missiles away, and like burning hawks from some mythical legend, they fell from her wings and screamed like devils at the SAM site that was Toph's prey.
I'll determine the rest when I have some dice in front of me later tonight. I just wanted to get that little scene out of my head while I still had it. =)
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
Toph's volley of missiles erupted in a bright conflagration about 3,000 feet away from the outpost's walls as two of the anti-aircraft guns showered them in a hail of cannon-fire.
It became Mario's turn to take action.
It became Mario's turn to take action.
Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Mario sees the trouble that everyone is having with their missiles, and decides to go with his guns. "Going with the Tri-Cannon. Firing a burst! On the way." He then squeezes off a carefully aimed burst of the laser at the damaged SAM site, hoping to be able to take out the location before it has the chance to fire another missile at them.
Number of Attacks: 6
Strike: +8
Parry: +13
Dodge: +13
Roll With Punch: +5
Pull Punch: 0
Initiative: +1
Horror Factor: +3 to Save
Perception: +2
+4 to Maintain Balance
Critical Strike From Behind
Critical Strike on a natural 18-20
+3 to Hand to Hand Damage
Action Points: 8 / 7
Bonus Action Points: 2
Logan Main Body: 250
Missile Payload
16 Short Range HEAP
16 Short Range Plasma
Strike: +8
Parry: +13
Dodge: +13
Roll With Punch: +5
Pull Punch: 0
Initiative: +1
Horror Factor: +3 to Save
Perception: +2
+4 to Maintain Balance
Critical Strike From Behind
Critical Strike on a natural 18-20
+3 to Hand to Hand Damage
Action Points: 8 / 7
Bonus Action Points: 2
Logan Main Body: 250
Missile Payload
16 Short Range HEAP
16 Short Range Plasma
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
The tri-cannon's laser fire scored a direct hit on the SAM site. Great plumes of smoke and fire twirled into the sky as the site and its ammunition caught fire and were blown to smithereens!
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
The second SAM site was quick to respond. In just moments after the first was destroyed, it had a missile in the air streaking straight at your squadron. The big missile's smoke trail rose into the sky but none of your warning lights or sounds went off.
"It is on me," Cera declared in a very Ura-Meltrandi fashion. "Evading and baffling." Pulling away from Mario lest he get caught somehow, Cera moved the Stealth Logan up, around, and aside all in one swift motion. Toph alone recognized this maneuver; it was straight out of the Female Power Armor handbook (if indeed there was one). The sky all around Cera's craft lit up with shining flares and twinkling puffs of metallic chaff. The missile altered course for the countermeasures and exploded so powerfully that its fiery death-cloud seemed bigger than Cera's own aircraft. "Hah!" Cera laughed aloud. "Idiotic machine! You lack a warrior's spirit! How can you hope to compete against the Ura-Meltrandi?!"
"Don't get cocky, chick." It was Mack. "A machine doesn't need a soul to blast your tush out of the sky."
"Right. Yes ma'am." Cera quieted a moment. "Firing on SAM site. Fox Five." Attempting to use human terminology for the sake of her human squadmates, Cera loosed a wicked blast of laser fire from her tri-cannon at the offending SAM site. The laser beams scorched the SAM site's armor lightly.
Then there came a commotion from inside Elinor's cockpit. "Reeeeeeeeewr!" When she turned to glance, she saw MechaKitten upside-down and hanging from the metal edge of her canopy looking behind the roaring Super Valkyrie. "They're gettin' bigger!" he had said over the polyphonic nexus. Everyone with a military background immediately knew whom he meant (the six Griffon drones) and what he meant (they were getting closer because they were moving faster than your 250 miles per hour).
It was Elinor's turn to act.
"It is on me," Cera declared in a very Ura-Meltrandi fashion. "Evading and baffling." Pulling away from Mario lest he get caught somehow, Cera moved the Stealth Logan up, around, and aside all in one swift motion. Toph alone recognized this maneuver; it was straight out of the Female Power Armor handbook (if indeed there was one). The sky all around Cera's craft lit up with shining flares and twinkling puffs of metallic chaff. The missile altered course for the countermeasures and exploded so powerfully that its fiery death-cloud seemed bigger than Cera's own aircraft. "Hah!" Cera laughed aloud. "Idiotic machine! You lack a warrior's spirit! How can you hope to compete against the Ura-Meltrandi?!"
"Don't get cocky, chick." It was Mack. "A machine doesn't need a soul to blast your tush out of the sky."
"Right. Yes ma'am." Cera quieted a moment. "Firing on SAM site. Fox Five." Attempting to use human terminology for the sake of her human squadmates, Cera loosed a wicked blast of laser fire from her tri-cannon at the offending SAM site. The laser beams scorched the SAM site's armor lightly.
Then there came a commotion from inside Elinor's cockpit. "Reeeeeeeeewr!" When she turned to glance, she saw MechaKitten upside-down and hanging from the metal edge of her canopy looking behind the roaring Super Valkyrie. "They're gettin' bigger!" he had said over the polyphonic nexus. Everyone with a military background immediately knew whom he meant (the six Griffon drones) and what he meant (they were getting closer because they were moving faster than your 250 miles per hour).
It was Elinor's turn to act.
Kaerri
Dannigan's Lady
Elinor's character sheet
Action Points: 4/6
Bonus action point: 1
Action Points: 4/6
Bonus action point: 1
1. Travel to the port city of Veracruz to Chessel Corporation's machining base. About two miles from the base, there is a heavily-armed outpost ("Outpost 5") with a single large reinforced door.
2. Blow your way into the outpost. Expect opposition from the base's automated defenses in the form of drone aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. The outpost's reinforced door should take around 40 total short-range missiles to destroy. This will gain you access to the underground highway the outpost protects. Once in, opposition from the outpost should cease.
3. Park your aircraft just beyond the destroyed door to the outpost. Professor Stein will stay with the mecha and act as your intelligence officer while you are in the base via the polyphonic nexus. Albert has tangled with Chessel Corporation before and can help you. Hitomi will be feeding him information from the Broadsword's bridge via Captain Piper.
4. Detach your Rifleman Cyclones from the aeronautical veritechs and Traverse with them. The Sams loaded your Cyclone-based armament with the Cyclones. Hitomi says, your traversing with the Cyclones means losing your link with the veritechs, so expect that.
5. Use the Cyclones to drive your way through the outpost's underground highway until you reach the Broadsword's Recovery Team in the main base. And, troops, it's a big, big base. The team is trapped inside of the main section. Your Cyclones are fitted with the means to track down the team via their distress beacons.
6. Once you reach them, find a way to open the main door from the inside to free the team.
7. Escort the team to your veritechs, then once in your veritechs, provide escort the Recovery Team to the Broadsword waiting in the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Blow your way into the outpost. Expect opposition from the base's automated defenses in the form of drone aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. The outpost's reinforced door should take around 40 total short-range missiles to destroy. This will gain you access to the underground highway the outpost protects. Once in, opposition from the outpost should cease.
3. Park your aircraft just beyond the destroyed door to the outpost. Professor Stein will stay with the mecha and act as your intelligence officer while you are in the base via the polyphonic nexus. Albert has tangled with Chessel Corporation before and can help you. Hitomi will be feeding him information from the Broadsword's bridge via Captain Piper.
4. Detach your Rifleman Cyclones from the aeronautical veritechs and Traverse with them. The Sams loaded your Cyclone-based armament with the Cyclones. Hitomi says, your traversing with the Cyclones means losing your link with the veritechs, so expect that.
5. Use the Cyclones to drive your way through the outpost's underground highway until you reach the Broadsword's Recovery Team in the main base. And, troops, it's a big, big base. The team is trapped inside of the main section. Your Cyclones are fitted with the means to track down the team via their distress beacons.
6. Once you reach them, find a way to open the main door from the inside to free the team.
7. Escort the team to your veritechs, then once in your veritechs, provide escort the Recovery Team to the Broadsword waiting in the Gulf of Mexico.
Initiative: +4 = +1 JKD, +2 MECT, +1 Valkyrie
Number of Attacks: 6 (+4 JKD, +2 MECT)
Ranged Strike: +9 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems
Ranged Strike with GU-11 gun pod: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems, +1 GU-11
Missiles will have their own Strike which is generally 4 = +3 missile, +1 Weapon Systems
Melee Strike: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 MECT, +2 Valkyrie
Parry: +12 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic Parry (Jeet Kune Do)
Dodge: +15 while flying = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic dodge while flying
Auto dodge while flying in fighter mode: +16 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +4 Valkyrie
Roll with impact: +10 while flying = +1 Athletics, +2 Gymnastics, +3 Combat Flying, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
Disarm: +1 = +4 PP, +1 MECT
Pull punch: +6 = +4 PP, +2 MECT
M.D.C. by Location
*Sensor Head – 100
Arms (2) – 125 each
Hands (2) – 50 each
Utility Arms (3 in right forearm) – 10 each
Legs (2) – 150 each
Feet/Vectored Thrust Nozzles (2) – 100 each
**Wings (2) – 150 each
***Vertical Stabilizers (2) – 75 each
Head Weapons (1A has 1, 1J has 2, 1R has 3, 1S has 4) – 50 each
GU-11 Gun Pod – 150
Wing Hardpoints (2 each) – 20 each
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment – 175
****Main Body – 350/350 M.D.C.
Valkyrie munitions:
- GU-11 Gun Pod (25/25 bursts)
- 53/56 HEAP SRMs
Number of Attacks: 6 (+4 JKD, +2 MECT)
Ranged Strike: +9 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems
Ranged Strike with GU-11 gun pod: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems, +1 GU-11
Missiles will have their own Strike which is generally 4 = +3 missile, +1 Weapon Systems
Melee Strike: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 MECT, +2 Valkyrie
Parry: +12 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic Parry (Jeet Kune Do)
Dodge: +15 while flying = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic dodge while flying
Auto dodge while flying in fighter mode: +16 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +4 Valkyrie
Roll with impact: +10 while flying = +1 Athletics, +2 Gymnastics, +3 Combat Flying, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
Disarm: +1 = +4 PP, +1 MECT
Pull punch: +6 = +4 PP, +2 MECT
M.D.C. by Location
*Sensor Head – 100
Arms (2) – 125 each
Hands (2) – 50 each
Utility Arms (3 in right forearm) – 10 each
Legs (2) – 150 each
Feet/Vectored Thrust Nozzles (2) – 100 each
**Wings (2) – 150 each
***Vertical Stabilizers (2) – 75 each
Head Weapons (1A has 1, 1J has 2, 1R has 3, 1S has 4) – 50 each
GU-11 Gun Pod – 150
Wing Hardpoints (2 each) – 20 each
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment – 175
****Main Body – 350/350 M.D.C.
Valkyrie munitions:
- GU-11 Gun Pod (25/25 bursts)
- 53/56 HEAP SRMs
Elinor didn't want to waste missiles that were likely to get shot down. Not only would they need them on the door (though they should have more than enough for that even after this fight), but each one that didn't get wasted was one Broadsword didn't have to replace.
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
Such was the power of technopathy and the polyphonic nexus that Elinor could feel the frown in Mack's voice. "No. They're too fast. I'm thinking we should turn around and take care of those drones before we get in range of the AA guns. I don't think the drones are going to bug out if we close in on the outpost. What do you think?"
Kaerri
Dannigan's Lady
Elinor's character sheet
Action Points: 4/6
Bonus action point: 1
Action Points: 4/6
Bonus action point: 1
1. Travel to the port city of Veracruz to Chessel Corporation's machining base. About two miles from the base, there is a heavily-armed outpost ("Outpost 5") with a single large reinforced door.
2. Blow your way into the outpost. Expect opposition from the base's automated defenses in the form of drone aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. The outpost's reinforced door should take around 40 total short-range missiles to destroy. This will gain you access to the underground highway the outpost protects. Once in, opposition from the outpost should cease.
3. Park your aircraft just beyond the destroyed door to the outpost. Professor Stein will stay with the mecha and act as your intelligence officer while you are in the base via the polyphonic nexus. Albert has tangled with Chessel Corporation before and can help you. Hitomi will be feeding him information from the Broadsword's bridge via Captain Piper.
4. Detach your Rifleman Cyclones from the aeronautical veritechs and Traverse with them. The Sams loaded your Cyclone-based armament with the Cyclones. Hitomi says, your traversing with the Cyclones means losing your link with the veritechs, so expect that.
5. Use the Cyclones to drive your way through the outpost's underground highway until you reach the Broadsword's Recovery Team in the main base. And, troops, it's a big, big base. The team is trapped inside of the main section. Your Cyclones are fitted with the means to track down the team via their distress beacons.
6. Once you reach them, find a way to open the main door from the inside to free the team.
7. Escort the team to your veritechs, then once in your veritechs, provide escort the Recovery Team to the Broadsword waiting in the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Blow your way into the outpost. Expect opposition from the base's automated defenses in the form of drone aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. The outpost's reinforced door should take around 40 total short-range missiles to destroy. This will gain you access to the underground highway the outpost protects. Once in, opposition from the outpost should cease.
3. Park your aircraft just beyond the destroyed door to the outpost. Professor Stein will stay with the mecha and act as your intelligence officer while you are in the base via the polyphonic nexus. Albert has tangled with Chessel Corporation before and can help you. Hitomi will be feeding him information from the Broadsword's bridge via Captain Piper.
4. Detach your Rifleman Cyclones from the aeronautical veritechs and Traverse with them. The Sams loaded your Cyclone-based armament with the Cyclones. Hitomi says, your traversing with the Cyclones means losing your link with the veritechs, so expect that.
5. Use the Cyclones to drive your way through the outpost's underground highway until you reach the Broadsword's Recovery Team in the main base. And, troops, it's a big, big base. The team is trapped inside of the main section. Your Cyclones are fitted with the means to track down the team via their distress beacons.
6. Once you reach them, find a way to open the main door from the inside to free the team.
7. Escort the team to your veritechs, then once in your veritechs, provide escort the Recovery Team to the Broadsword waiting in the Gulf of Mexico.
Initiative: +4 = +1 JKD, +2 MECT, +1 Valkyrie
Number of Attacks: 6 (+4 JKD, +2 MECT)
Ranged Strike: +9 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems
Ranged Strike with GU-11 gun pod: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems, +1 GU-11
Missiles will have their own Strike which is generally 4 = +3 missile, +1 Weapon Systems
Melee Strike: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 MECT, +2 Valkyrie
Parry: +12 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic Parry (Jeet Kune Do)
Dodge: +15 while flying = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic dodge while flying
Auto dodge while flying in fighter mode: +16 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +4 Valkyrie
Roll with impact: +10 while flying = +1 Athletics, +2 Gymnastics, +3 Combat Flying, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
Disarm: +1 = +4 PP, +1 MECT
Pull punch: +6 = +4 PP, +2 MECT
M.D.C. by Location
*Sensor Head – 100
Arms (2) – 125 each
Hands (2) – 50 each
Utility Arms (3 in right forearm) – 10 each
Legs (2) – 150 each
Feet/Vectored Thrust Nozzles (2) – 100 each
**Wings (2) – 150 each
***Vertical Stabilizers (2) – 75 each
Head Weapons (1A has 1, 1J has 2, 1R has 3, 1S has 4) – 50 each
GU-11 Gun Pod – 150
Wing Hardpoints (2 each) – 20 each
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment – 175
****Main Body – 350/350 M.D.C.
Valkyrie munitions:
- GU-11 Gun Pod (25/25 bursts)
- 53/56 HEAP SRMs
Number of Attacks: 6 (+4 JKD, +2 MECT)
Ranged Strike: +9 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems
Ranged Strike with GU-11 gun pod: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems, +1 GU-11
Missiles will have their own Strike which is generally 4 = +3 missile, +1 Weapon Systems
Melee Strike: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 MECT, +2 Valkyrie
Parry: +12 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic Parry (Jeet Kune Do)
Dodge: +15 while flying = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic dodge while flying
Auto dodge while flying in fighter mode: +16 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +4 Valkyrie
Roll with impact: +10 while flying = +1 Athletics, +2 Gymnastics, +3 Combat Flying, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
Disarm: +1 = +4 PP, +1 MECT
Pull punch: +6 = +4 PP, +2 MECT
M.D.C. by Location
*Sensor Head – 100
Arms (2) – 125 each
Hands (2) – 50 each
Utility Arms (3 in right forearm) – 10 each
Legs (2) – 150 each
Feet/Vectored Thrust Nozzles (2) – 100 each
**Wings (2) – 150 each
***Vertical Stabilizers (2) – 75 each
Head Weapons (1A has 1, 1J has 2, 1R has 3, 1S has 4) – 50 each
GU-11 Gun Pod – 150
Wing Hardpoints (2 each) – 20 each
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment – 175
****Main Body – 350/350 M.D.C.
Valkyrie munitions:
- GU-11 Gun Pod (25/25 bursts)
- 53/56 HEAP SRMs
"Good point," Elinor acknowledged, mentally bowing to Mack's superior combat experience (as most of Elinor's combat time had been earned since their meeting on the Eglin tarmac a couple days ago). She swung her Valkyrie around and headed toward the drones, trusting that Mack would have her back as she did so. "Maybe that'll get us out of range of the AA missiles until we're ready to deal with them, too."
- Status