Human Edge

Situation: The sensor technicians had been working on the Calico all day, trying to correct the false readings that had been injected into the system. After they finally made progress, they discovered a reading from roughly a mile away... several metal and magnetic signatures... It seemed that someone was spying on the camp. Long range observation determined that it appeared to be a light mech lance, powered down and waiting for something. Instead of waiting for them to have the chance to cause trouble, Nora consulted with the captain and ordered the two mechs on sentry to use a nearby valley to flank these strangers - hopefully catching them completely off guard.

Participants: Fire Support Demi-Lance, Felicity and Snorri Tycho.

Rules: This is a mech combat - the hostile force will attempt to flee - but initially are unaware of the allied force that is springing the ambush. They cannot move or shoot for the first 2 turns of combat as they do cold startup of their mechs.

Results:

Fortunate Ones hold the battlefield at end of combat.

If all four hostiles escape they claim a total victory.

If 2-3 hostiles escape they claim a partial victory.

if 0-1 hostiles escape, it is a Fortunate Ones victory.

Fortunate Ones Victory: The surprise attack swings momentum back after the difficult skirmish to the south - the Slate Eaters will withdraw south of the Gate to lick their wounds.

Slate Eaters Partial Victory: The Slate Eaters will pull back in surprise, but still send patrols intermittently to check on the north end of the Gate

Slate Eaters Victory: Emboldened by numerical advantage, the Slate Eaters continue to harass Fortunate Ones activities throughout Asphodel.

The sun was beginning to set, framing the scouting mechs as they tried to power up, staggering to their feet.

It was a golden opportunity to strike.


---- Situation ---
Phoenix - 0 damage - 0 heat
Hussar - 0 damage - 0 heat

---- Hostiles ---:
Quasit - moved 0 hexes - 0 penalty
Wasp - moved 0 hexes - 0 penalty
Locust 1M - moved 0 hexes - 0 penalty
Locust 1V - moved 0 hexes - 0 penalty

"They're unaware of us. I'll light up the two to the left. Take the one on the right and let's hit the other one together."

Felicity slowed her mech to aim a nice shot at the back of the Locust ahead.

"Don't take too many risks once they power up DJ."

Licking her lips, Felicity charged her PPC.

(Move in walk to 0311. Fire PPC at LCT-1M)

"See, this is what happens when you leave us behind." Snorri drawls as he adjusts his controls on the Hussar. "But hey, I'll take cleanup duty.

He flicks on the comms. "Fee, this is DJ. Confirming hostiles up ahead. I'll be the shock and you be the awe?"

Snorri kicks his Hussar into high gear, pushing it to high speed, charging to the Locust in the gap and going all out,, getting in close and trying to knock it out in one go with a combination of kick an Large laser blst.

____
Run at full speed to 1003 facing North (FFFFFF)-TURN TO FACE 908-FF-TURN TO FACE 1006, FORWARD TO 1003
Attack with LL and kick

The surprise attack was already paying dividends.

The mechs were powering online as the pair approached, but they hadn't gotten moving yet. The Hussar was able to close the gap with that astonishing top speed, and before anyone could react, Snorri squared his targeting reticle on the squat from of the locust... and drilled an azure blue beam into the center torso, gutting the mech and sending it toppling over, utterly ruined. (Hit CTR, 8 damage, mech destroyed)

Felicity's calm stride to the ridge was followed by a roaring energy discharge of her own, the PPC catching and ripping the right leg off the second locust in an explosion of ionized particles. (Glancing hit RL, 5 damage, leg destroyed. Mech falls, 2 damage LT, piloting roll to avoid injury success)

---- Situation ---
Phoenix - 0 damage - 0 heat
Hussar - 0 damage - 0 heat

---- Hostiles ---:
Quasit - moved 0 hexes - 0 penalty
Wasp - moved 0 hexes - 0 penalty
Locust 1M - moved 0 hexes - 0 penalty
Locust 1V - Destroyed

Try getting away now you little @$£%. Watching the explosion and fall was quite satisfying, but there were more targets. They'd be powered up soon.

"Locust crippled. Right leg's gone. Switching fire to the Wasp. Status?"

Felicity cool as a cucumber calls out into her radio. A moment later one of the energy readings vanished. The Hussar had already taken out the Locust.

Okay, not bad Snorri. Not bad.

Engaging her jump jets, Felicity closed the distance to where she could fire everything at the Wasp. Once it became mobile it would be a pain to bring down. Once her dear Kiara had her legs on solid ground she targeted the Wasp. Her short range missiles would be a moment behind.

(Jump to 0607 facing North. PPC then SRMs into the WSP-1A)

A voice crackled over the radio.

"This is Captain Herald, what's the situation?"

I don't need this right now. Felicity switched frequencies hurriedly. "4 enemy mechs powering up. 1 down. 1 legged. 2 viable." She paused for a moment before adding. "Requesting fire support on the lead mech." The Quasit was the one closest to the dropship. It was also the most threatening if this turned into a scrap.

Snorri is surprised at his shot being so accurate, wrecking the Locust in one go.

I guess that mandatory range time did something...also I fired at point blank range. The success was great, but he was now exposed.


It was time to retreat and reset.

There was noise in his radio.

"Affirmative on Fee's analysis. Support fire requested at 0901"

Snorri kicks the Hussar back into high gear, heading back to rejoin his wing. He climbed the hill and pivoted in a 180, firing off his laser again at the back of the Wasp


-----
Run to 0707
Fire at Wasp with LL

They were far outside the range of the dropship guns, so it wasn't entirely clear what help the Calico could provide...

The Hussar dug in it's heels, doing a quick turnabout and sprinting uphill to join up with the Phoenix, firing an azure beam at the wasp as it went, but the shot went wide, as the PPC from the Phoenix caught the Wasp squarely in the back, ripping apart the torso of the mech and sending it keeling over, the engine and gyro melted into a single blob, flames belching out of the hole. (hit CTR, 10 damage, mech destroyed)

The Quasit broke into a run, springing around the tall outcropping and breaking into the open, trying to get past the sudden danger behind it. The Locust, on the other hand, kicking pathetically, pushing itself slowly to try and see the pair of FO mechs.

Then the sensors blared an approach warning - a fusion engine approaching fast... really fast. And above the ground.

A second later, the comm crackled again, "Confirm target Quasit - beginning my attack run. Good hunting." From the East, a flying wing approached at high throttle, visible just above the hills and closing fast, massive blue-white flames shoving it through the sky.

---- Situation ---
Phoenix - 0 damage - 4 heat
Hussar - 0 damage - 0 heat
Shilone - 0 damage - 0 heat

---- Hostiles ---:
Quasit - moved 5 hexes - +3 penalty
Wasp - destroyed
Locust 1M - moved 0 hexes - 0 penalty
Locust 1V - Destroyed