Human Edge

Situation: There has been a deal struck to finish off the treacherous lieutenant of the Slate Eaters, and now the job is simply to get it done. The Leopard dropship recently obtained by the Fortunate Ones was heavy enough to come in low and hot, setting down barely a mile away from the encampment, letting out four mechs to march in and finish the job - liberate the prisoners if they chose, and take custody of the equipment here. As the four mechs unload, the comm crackles and the freshly repainted Cyclops, to avoid any friendly fire, stomped out. The newly replaced armor was painted a much lighter white and blue check pattern, and Samuel sat in the back seat of the cockpit, having accepted her offer to ride-along and see justice done.

"Remember - this weasel will stab you in the back if you let him - so keep your eyes out for any tricks or reinforcements."

In the air, Alexei toggled a few controls on the sputtering Vulcan port engine. It was running hot, but steady, and he'd keep this mission clean - one bombing run and then back to Limbo.

Rule: This is a combat thread. Victory is achieved by neutralizing all hostiles. The Fortunate Ones may withdraw from their deployment edge in the event they wish to retreat.

Participants: Leonora Stone, 3 Volunteers

Maja's Warhammer stomps out of the dropship, arm cannons at the ready.

"We are getting this done, yes?"

"Seems that way First Sergeant. Comms check. Everyone reading this?" Felicity speaks over the unit communications, which hopefully now included the Cyclops and its pilot. She didn't know much about them other than the brief bits she'd heard about them being the pirate queen. That and having a local riding shotgun.

She exited the Leopard in her Griffin, checking the terrain. Wish I'd have time to switch camo.

"Right, don't trust the pirate, got it," Gillian snarked over the comms as her heavy mech stomped down the drop ship ramp to join the others. "Archer standing by."

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OOC: going to be AFK some Wednesday daytime for holiday stuff but will check on this thread when I can!

The mechs soon pushed forward and detected a facility up ahead. Apparently there was an admin complex where the pirates were set up at the northern end, while the remaining facilities were... massive.



The blasted terrain held the remnants of a once mighty industrial sector, still partially intact. Pipelines ran between structures, refineries and factories still connected by ancient linkages, soaring dozens of stories high above the barren ground. As they approached the administrative facility they saw the roads branch, large bridges reaching over uneven ground to give access from the Gate to the administrative section, and then winding away further into the myriad facilities to the south.

As they approached they detected defenses beginning to power up, mechs and vehicles beginning to move to defensive positions. The targeting computers beeped, and then spat out designations.

Firestarter FS9-A: Harassment and short range attack mech, heavily loaded with flamethrowers and short range weapons. Highly mobile.
Phoenix PX-3R: Mobile sniper, main weapon PPC, SRM backup.
EisenFaust EFT-4J: Mid range firing platform - slow, decent armor for size, moderate firepower.
Gladiator GLD-4R: Antique battleline mech. Moderate weapons and armor, relatively slow.

Striker Light Tank: Missile support vehicle, twin SRM and single LRM launcher.
Hunter Light Support Tank: LRM platform - lightly armored.

---- Situation ----

Cyclops --- No damage --- 0 Heat
Archer --- No damage --- 0 Heat
Warhammer --- No damage --- 0 heat
Griffin --- No damage --- 0 Heat

---- Hostile Status ----

Firestarter -- +3
Phoenix -- +3
EisenFaust -- +0
Gladiator -- +2
Hunter -- +0
Striker -- +2

Gillian’s mech turned to climb the slope, hoping the high ground would give her a vantage point to launch missiles from.

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Start 1001 facing S. Left, forward (upslope), forward (upslope), right. End 1202 facing S. Shoot LRMs at whatever I can see (not sure how the level 4 ridge interacts with LOS - I might not be able to see anything), preferring the easiest target. Don't bother shooting at things that need 11+ to hit.

Ghosting instructions: in future turns, move south to 1204 and stay there hiding behind the ridge, launching LRMs at bad guys, starting with the LRM turret, then other targets as they present themselves.

"Careful of that LRM turret."

Felicity ran her mech to a position closer to the enemy. She then opens up on what she can see. Her cockpit began to heat up...

(Run to 0905 facing SE. Fire all weapons at the LRM turret, or if the to hit vs the turret is 6+ or better, then ERPPC at the Hunter and SRMs at the turret)

The fight kicked off with a fierce exchange of fire. The defenses powering up and exchanging volleys with the oncoming attackers. Immediately, the Hunter light support tank belched a volley of 20 LRMs as the Cyclops as it climbed up from the valley, raining explosive impacts across the mech (hit RL+CT, 5+7 damage), with a wave of other fire roaring down from the Striker, Gladiator, and Eisenfaust all ricocheting off armor or striking the dry earth. The LRM turret pivoted, spotting the Warhammer and fired a volley of 15 missiles, catching the Warhammer, smashing the newly replaced spotlight, and shattering one of the internal engine containment seals, causing the cockpit to start warming beneath Maja's feet, but not doing much worse than that. (hit CT+LL, 5+4 damage, engine critical hit, heat gain increased)

The phoenix aimed at Felicity, but missed, and the Autocannon turret pivoted, firing a trio of shells at the distant Archer, scoring a pair of hits (Hit RL+RA, 2+2 damage) as it climbed the hillside. In turn, the Cyclops pivoted to the nearest bunker, perhaps realizing that there was a weapon system there, and unloading twin emerald beams and then a massive AC/20 rated explosive shell into the building, blasting away supports (30 damage), while the Archer took a long range shot at the Hunter Light Support tank, twin LRM 15 volleys bracketing and raining down, 9 missiles landing solidly across the nose of the tank (hit FR, 9 damage, sensors crit).

Felicty took ranging shots at the vehicle, but missed, while Maja sighted in on the LRM turret and fired, scoring twin PPC hits and a single laser into structural segments (25 damage), but her SRMs and second laser just blew out windows structurally unimportant segments.

As they pushed forward, the two remaining bunkers came online, weapons powering up and pivoting to face the attackers - these showing shorter ranged and far nastier looking guns.

Alexei leveled out on approach, trying to gauge his best bombing path as the enemy pushed forward to repel the assault.

---- Situation ----

Cyclops --- Minor damage --- 3 Heat
Archer --- Minor damage --- 0 Heat
Warhammer --- Minor damage --- 2 heat -- Engine Crit (+5 heat/turn)
Griffin --- No damage --- 0 Heat

---- Hostile Status ----

Firestarter -- +1
Phoenix -- +0
EisenFaust -- +1
Gladiator -- +1
Hunter -- +0
Striker -- +2

"More turrets on our right flank. Short range. Popping back to neutralise them from range."

Felicity ignited her thrusters to leap her mech back to what she hopped was a safer spot.

(Jump to 0402 facing South. Fire ERPPC and an SRM6 at the SRM4 turret)

The Archer advanced to higher ground and pivoted to bring its missiles to bear.


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Forward, forward, right. End 1403 facing south. Fire LRMs at the LRM turret. Ghosting: stay in 1403 and fire LRMs at whatever is easiest to hit.