Mercenary Dawn: Steel Phoenixes

[QuickSmasherEXE]

"Aight. I'm not a bombs or explosives expert. I'll leave that to those who know about it. I'm going to back up a bit from the location so if they past the entrance they'll fly into my stake."

"Your willingness to differ on the matter is greatly appreciated."

Abdul's voice crackled over the comm-link. He was still scanning the area from within his walker, trying to figure out what cover was available, what route the enemy was likely to take, how defensible the entrance to the canyon was, anything that would help the ground plot out their initial formation.

"If anyone else has knowledge of explosives they would like to contribute, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, it would be invaluable for you to keep watch." Abdul continued scanning the area, but took a brief moment to double check the appearance of Goliath before calling in to its pilot. "Excuse me. Dale, was it? Your walker seems to have a few missile launchers. Have you ever rewired missiles for alternate use?"

BigBadBlowfish

 

[BigBadBlowfish]

"What exactly did you have in mind? These missiles are designed to detonate under very specific parameters. With some modifications, I could probably get the warheads to detonate manually. Probably."

 

[QuickSmasherEXE]

"What exactly did you have in mind? These missiles are designed to detonate under very specific parameters. With some modifications, I could probably get the warheads to detonate manually. Probably."

"I'm sure you could manage- I've done such with Aurangzeb's missiles many times. If we set them up to detonate manually are strategic with our placement, we should be able to secure a significant advantage over our enemies."

 

[YsFanatic]

Before long the voice of the team's Analyst comes over the communication channel. "Gray to Wild Hunt, I have confirmation that the specialist is in the Maze and has engaged the enemy forces. Depending on how quickly they move it won't belong before they start appearing at your location. Whatever preparations you are going to make, do it soon."

 

[BigBadBlowfish]

"We'll need to act fast then. Abdul, if you have any tricks up your sleeve for quickly implementing your plan, now's the time. Otherwise, we should just prepare to hit them as soon as they come through."

 

[QuickSmasherEXE]

"Won't be long? Hm." Abdul tapped his foot against the cockpit floor. "That is very helpful to know, thank you."

"We'll need to act fast then. Abdul, if you have any tricks up your sleeve for quickly implementing your plan, now's the time. Otherwise, we should just prepare to hit them as soon as they come through."

"What should be possible is this. With a few slight tweaks, the missiles in Aurangzeb can be programmed for remote detonation. It's rudimentary but functional, and the missiles can still be fired. If they strike soft sand, they will embed themselves and act as mines. I suppose we won't have time to walk you through the process of that right now, but remind me and I shall be glad to demonstrate it to you after this mission. I will hurry as much as is safe, but in the event they arrive while I am working, please do provide me with some cover."

Spoiler: Rolls

Coming later.

 

[YsFanatic]

Abdul leaves the cockpit of his Walker and hastily gets to work trying to remove access panels on one of the machine's missile launchers so he could get access to some of the missiles themselves. The process takes several minutes, the lack of proper tools for suck work hampering his progress, and no sooner does he start tinkering with one of the missiles does Lana alert the group that enemy contact is likely imminent. As such the pilot of Aurangzeb is forced to undo what he started with all possible speed and clamber back into the cockpit.

He manages to seal the cockpit with barely a moment to spare as a number of vehicles and a single Walker appear on sensors shortly before they wander into view. At first glance the vehicles could be mistaken for tanks, but the weaker weapons and slightly more narrow and longer profile indicates they are instead Infantry Fighting Vehicles, all purpose combat units designed to be able to engage in multiple different battle situations while also carrying a unit of infantry. These particular IFVs looked rather beat up however, damage from different weapons systems marking their hulls and several of them appeared to have damaged systems, but the primary laser cannon of each vehicle was still intact and ready for use. The lone Walker wasn't much better off, the tall and slender machine was missing one of its arms and its armor marred by battle damage including what appeared to be a long gash on its side caused by some kind of blade. However, just like the vehicles it was escorting, the Merlin still had its weapons, a pair of lasers that were mounted on its torso. Furthermore, while its external sensor array was damaged, the barrel of the anti-missile system mounted on its shoulder was still twitching back and forth, clearly ready to intercept any missile fire against the Walker.

The group of Avalon units paused as they detected the forces of the Wild Hunt, but that only lasted for a brief moment as they abruptly accelerated to full speed. They didn't move into any fancy maneuvers or other tactics, but rather a blind rush for the area beyond the Maze and to home.

((Battle!
Objective: Keep enemy from escaping!
Aspects: Treacherous Rock Terrain, Enemy Desperate to Escape

Enemies:
IFV 4x
IFV 4x
Merlin))

 

[AldurSFC]

"Well then. I guess I'm off to see the wizard..."

Akir chuckles as Oberon speeds forwards, the extra speed from his booster hopefully closing the distance fairly quickly as he tries to finish the Merlin. He strikes quickly and brutally, the former playfulness of the simulations over. Either this was how Akir was in a real battle, or he just hated Avalon that much.

(staking Merlin. Dice roller ain't working. Hopefully getting the +2 for zone change.

0+3 melee weapons+2 for zone change hopefully. 5 total. Add in a fate point. Make it 7.

Evade: -1 +4 piloting for 3.)

 

[BigBadBlowfish]

"I'll focus on the vehicles for now, seeing as that Merlin's got AMS. Care to join me, Abdul?"

Collins felt the adrenaline starting to flow. It had been months since he'd experienced the thrill of actual combat. The prospect scared him almost as much as it exhilarated him. He trained Goliath's optic sensors on the vehicles, deftly entered a series of commands into the targeting computer, and launched his opening volley.

Spoiler: Roll

Dice Roll: 0 (-1 -1 1 1)

+4 Explosives skill
+1 Large Rocket Pod
+1 High-speed Optics
+1 Missile Fire Control System

Total: 7

 

[QuickSmasherEXE]

"I'll focus on the vehicles for now, seeing as that Merlin's got AMS. Care to join me, Abdul?"

"Of course. Momentarily."

With a heave and a grunt Abdul pulled back a lever that had refused to yield. After a sigh and a few more adjustments, everything was back to normal functioning order. Next time he'd simply keep some missiles pre-rigged. Flip a few switches, let the computer do its work- and watch as a barrage of missiles decimated the path in front of the IFV group which Collins had attacked.

Spoiler: Rolls

# 4
Details:[4d[1..1] (1 1 1 1)]

+2 from Explosive Weapons skill
+1 from Large Missile Pod
+1 from Missile Fire Control System

Total: 8

 

[DaxxyErin]

Wordlessly, Bloodspiller moved to engage the Merlin alongside Oberon, swinging it's large sword down onto it.

Spoiler

Melee roll: 3 (1 1 0 1) + 3 Melee = 6
Evade: 0 (-1 1 -1 1) + 1 Piloting = 1

 

[Omega Entity]

"I, uh... I guess I'll just... yeah," Sara stutters as she takes aim at a vehicle with her laser rifle and opens fire, clearly doing poorly at masking the nervousness in her voice as she attempts to predict where the apparently panicked vehicles will veer to avoid Abdul's shots.

((Aim for a vehicle evading Abdul's shot, using Energy Weapons to fire along a possible escape path.))

Spoiler

Attack: 0 (-1 -1 1 1) + 2 Energy Weapons = 2
Evade: 0 (1 1 -1 -1) + 3 Piloting = 3

 

[YsFanatic]

The group reacts swiftly and their barrage is well aimed, the salvo of explosives and laser beam ripping apart the hapless IFVs, pieces of shrapnel and debris flung all over the battlefield. The Merlin didn’t have time to appreciate this development however as Akir’s stake impaled it right through the torso. To make it worse, when the sharp metal instrument of destruction is removed, the giant sword wielded by the Bloodspiller slammed into its side, crumpling the Walker like so much cheap junk.

They would barely have a moment to take stock of this victory however before another group of enemy signatures emerged from the Maze. All four of the new arrivals were Walkers geared for combat, a single Mordred escorted by a trio of Viviennes and all of them bearing signs of combat damage. While some of it seemed to be from bullets and explosives, the majority of the visible damage was large rents in their armor caused by some kind of bladed weapon. There is a brief pause as they notice the carnage before the Avalon machines break out into a sprint, clearly intending on breaking through to freedom if at all possible.

((Battle!
Objective: Keep the enemy from escaping!
Aspects: Treacherous Rock Terrain, Enemy Desperate to Escape

Enemies:
3x Vivienne
1 Mordred))

 

[DaxxyErin]

Again, Bloodspiller moved without communication, closing the distance to impale the Mordred on it's sword, aiming for one of the blade wounds that had already been inflicted.

Spoiler

melee: 0 + 3 = 3 (+2 from Lone Wolf if it applies)
Evasion: 0 + 1 = 1

 

[BigBadBlowfish]

Collins was pleased with how easily the first wave fell. The team was capable, at least.

"Focusing fire on the Viviennes."

Spoiler: Attacking any of the Vivienne units

Dice Roll: -2 (-1 -1 0 0)

+4 Explosives skill
+1 Large Rocket Pod
+1 High-speed Optics
+1 Missile Fire Control System

Total: 5

Evasion: -1 (-2 + 1)

 

[QuickSmasherEXE]

Abdul peered at Morrigan's walker moving towards the Mordred. Seemed like they had that handled.

"Focusing fire on the Viviennes."

"A wise decision," he affirmed, and then fired his own volley of missiles at another Vivienne group.

Spoiler: Attacking any *other* Vivienne unit

# -1
Details:[4d[-1..1] (-1 0 -1 1)]

+2 from Explosive Weapons skill
+1 from Large Missile Pod
+1 from Missile Fire Control System

Total: 3

 

[AldurSFC]

Akir grins as more Fodder finds it's way into his sights, charging towards a lovely Vivienne with a solid metal stake ready to ruin it's day.

Spoiler: Murder Rolls

0+3 Melee+2 Ante up(if active)+2 Fate point why the heck not.

7

Evade 0

 

[YsFanatic]

As Morrigan charges forward with hostile intent towards the Mordred, her companions react to provide her with cover. Two of the Viviennes quickly move to take advantage of the rocky terrain for cover, but even with that advantage they are battered by the explosives launched by Abdul and Collins, leaving them even more damaged than they were moments ago. The last Vivienne attempts to also seek cover, but it wasn't fast enough to escape Akir, his Walker's stake punching through the previously weakened armor like so much paper. The Avalon machine collapses as the metal spike is removed from its guts, completely out of the fight.

((Vivi 1 and 2 each use a Fate point to invoke Treacherous Rocky Terrain to survive but they each take 1 stress of damage. Vivi 3 was destroyed without the need of a Fate point from Akir))

As the Bloodspiller quickly closed too close for the Mordred's main weapon, the Walker instead twisted its torso slightly to loose a hasty shot against the Oberon before moving to place a rocky obstruction between it and the sword wielding machine coming after it. The slug fired from the shoulder mounted railgun slams into Akir's armor, but the damage was not of immediate concern. The same could not be said for the Avalon pilot as it took every bit of desperate evasive moves and taking advantage of the rocks to avoid a fatal blow from the Bloodspiller's sword, but as it was another nasty gash was left in its hide.
((Mordred invoked Desperate to Escape and Treacherous Rocky Terrain to survive, but takes 1 stress of damage. Akir takes 2 stress of damage.))

The Walker Collins attacked recovered from the rocket impacts and raises it's rifle, a bright blue beam lancing out to melt a gash in his armor, but the attack failed to reach anything important.
((Collins takes 2 physical stress.))

The other remaining Vivienne, instead of lashing out against it's attacker it raised it's rifle as it moved for a clear shot against Bloodspiller. However, much to the annoyance of the Avalon pilot the reflective armor on the Wild Hunt Walker kept the damage to a minimal.
((Morrigan takes 1 physical stress))

"Pilots, the specialist will be entering the field momentarily, please confirm targets before firing." With her advice given, Lana's voice fades from the comms again.

((Battle!
Objective: Keep the enemy from escaping!

Aspects: Treacherous Rock Terrain, Enemy Desperate to Escape

Enemies:
2x Vivienne
1 Mordred))

 

[BigBadBlowfish]

"10-4. We'll be on the lookout." Collins said in response to Lana.

Goliath's armor was compromised from the energy blast but still intact. Another hit like that could be problematic.

"Now, I've got a score to settle. There won't be anything left to salvage when I'm done with this Vivienne."

Collins smirked. He felt an electric pulse emanate from the back of his skull as he launched his attack.

Spoiler: Attacking the Vivienne who attacked me

Attack roll: 0 Details:[4d[-1..1] (1 -1 1 -1)]

+4 Explosives Skill
+1 Large Rocket Pod
+1 High-speed Optics
+1 Missile Fire Control System
+2 Now I am Become Death

Total: 9

Evasion: 2 + 1 = 3

Collins takes 1 Mental Stress due to Now I am Become Death

 

[QuickSmasherEXE]

Abdul glanced at his speaker before Lana cut off. "Yes, of course," he replied. It was important to be polite even if no one was listening, to maintain the habit if nothing else.

As the pilot configured his aim settings, he witnessed the Goliath's assault against one group of Viviennes. This made deciding his next target quite a bit simpler, and so he soon enough used the targeting work he'd already done to release his missiles in the path of the other surviving group.

Spoiler

# -1
Details:[4d[-1..1] (0 1 -1 -1)]

+2 from Explosive Weapons skill
+1 from Large Missile Pod
+1 from Missile Fire Control System

Total: 3

 

[DaxxyErin]

The comms from Bloodspiller clicked once to indicate acknowledgement, but Morrigan said no words as she piloted Bloodspiller to chase the Mordred, and as it rounded the corner, it swung its sword wide, seemingly intent on bisecting the opposing mech.

Spoiler

melee attack: 1+3 (melee skill) +1 (artificial muscles, forgot those last time) = 5 + 2 (lone wolf if applicable)
Evasion: 3

 

[YsFanatic]

Not only did Collins start the fight against his chosen Vivienne target, he finished it. His barrage of explosives slammed into the machine with incredible force, ripping apart its torso and sending the once proud Walker hurtling to the ground as a ruined wreck.

Morrigan too finishes off her prey, the Bloodspiller’s large sword biting deep enough into the Mordred where it damaged the reactor, causing the activation of emergency safeguards that shut it down to prevent a deadly explosion.

The last Vivienne fairs better than its fellows, for a moment. While the missile fired by Abdul succeeds in destroying the Walker’s head, crippling the majority of its sensors, it remained on its feet and capable of battle. But that didn’t last as the other members of the group were able to swiftly remove it from battle.

Not long after that another, solitary signal would be detected as one more Walker emerges from the Maze, but this one pings as friendly. While this particular machine somewhat resembles the designs from the Pacifica Alliance in looks, those familiar with Old Earth designs would recognize that it most closely resembled the Walkers manufactured by Japan. In particular its aerodynamic design and ornamental decorations on the head may remind some of the ancient Samurai and Shinigami Walkers. However, unlike those machines, this one had a forward leaning gait to its walk and carried a Walker-sized katana in its right hand. The armor was painted primarily in red with white accents, and on its shoulder was an emblem of a Japanese katana set against an image of Old Earth.

As the Walker stopped its approach to survey the ruins of the Avalon Walker, Lana’s voice came over the comms, her voice quiet and full of awe. “That’s the Walker of Kata Aoki, the first pilot to be named Reaper. I had no idea that she was the specialist they had hired.”

((Mission Complete! Everyone gets 1 Gear point and 1 Skill point!

Currently the skill point could only be used to give your characters a new skill at +1))

Spoiler: Mentions and Interactions

] DaxxyErin AldurSFC QuickSmasherEXE BigBadBlowfish TheUnknownMarine Omega Entity Juju

 

[DaxxyErin]

Bloodspiller wrentched its sword from the disabled Mordred, and turned to face the new mech. For a moment, Bloodspiller looked ready to pounce, but it relaxed after a moment. After Lana spoke, Morrigan's was heard on an open channel.

"Reaper." Despite her usual cold demeanour, there was a hint of respect in her voice this time. "It has been some time."

 

[Juju]

While the others were busy fighting, Tanu was happily tearing apart the fallen mechs and harvesting their parts. Vampyr's specialzed 'claws' made quick work out of the outer armour and easily scooped out the high value inner technology for later. It was only after Vampyr's cargo capacity was full that she seemed to notice that the battle was over.

"Hey guys -- awkward time I know -- but can anyone help me carry some extra scraps? I'll bake you a cake later. Actually, I'm totally baking a cake after this anyway... but like, I'll be suuuuper greatful. Hey... I have enough stuff I could make you an upgrade or two~! What do ya say?"

 

[YsFanatic]

The head of Kata's Walker, ID'd by the IFF tag as Musashi, turned towards Bloodspiller before an accented, but understandable, female voice came over the open communications channel. "Ah, Morrigan, I'm surprised that you are on the field again so soon, and with a new unit no less." There is a brief pause as the Walker's head shifts to examine the others, pausing for a moment when looking at Akir and Irene. "Some interesting companions you have here, helps explain why a new unit was able to deal with this lot so quickly."

Spoiler: Interactions

DaxxyErin TheUnknownMarine AldurSFC