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Robotech - Expedition Under Fire

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“H-hang on,” says Dorsky. “I might have something else.” You hear the clattering of his keys as he’s reading his screen from his navigator’s seat in Alyxis’ Beta. “Yep. They missed something. I was just pouring over some of the data I pulled from the planet. The core of the weapon isn’t the power source. It generates the energy beam, but the power source is three clicks west in a surface power plant. If we knock out the power source, the weapon can’t fire.”
 
L'n wonders, "Should we try to target both? If we just destroy the power plant, how long will it be before they rebuild it, or reroute power from some other point? Let Dragon Squad take that while we hit the core of the Cannon with everything we have and at least cripple it."
 
"Dorsky, any ideas on the air defenses at either location?"
 
Humans and their tv shows - or, more precisely, Zentraedi and their human tv shows... The Praxian pilot stays mostly silent as plans are made and thoughts are shared. There is little point in mentioning the obvious risks of the venture, they've all seen the giant cannon in action - one can't allow them to fire a second blast. Doesn't mean she's happy about it though, last few minutes were already too close for her liking. Good to know that the team can be trusted; that's the bright side of flying right into this mess once more, she's got a capable team for once.

"Doubt either target is unprotected - they're certainly prepared for us, and the one thing you plan for above all other things are incoming veritech, I'd say."
 
"Classic movies..." Aymeline tries to remember if she's ever seen any.

She's had opportunities, of course. Ever since the UEEF came and liberated Tirol from the Invid, her surviving triplet Bryony and she had been members of the expedition. But where her sister had integrated well with the Terrans, even falling in love and marrying one of them, Aymeline hadn't been as successful in integrating. The Science Triumvariates were traditionally aloof from the other classes but her choice to join the military had cut her off from that traditional contact. And while she had the same rage many pilots in training had, the Tirolian had virtually nothing in common with her peers. Now that she thinks about it, she can remember 'movie nights' but she'd always found something else to do.

Understanding 'classic movies' is not an essential skill for serving in the Expeditionary Force Marines but, now that she's part of a team, Aymeline finds herself wistful that she doesn't know what to do with them beyond receiving and following orders.

Recognizing her mind is drifting, Aymeline focuses back on the mission plan. She squints as she studies the planetary information that Dorsky's pulled up, checking it against her own sensory systems...

"The power plant itself is probably well defended. Based on how Protoculture power production operates, there's not an easy way of disrupting the process. However, power transmission still runs on fairly straightforward principles. The power plant and the main gun are likely well defended, and will probably have embedded missile batteries. The main gun probably runs itself and all of its fixed defenses off of the power plant, though. So, if we target here..." And Aymeline transmits updated terrain maps with notes she's just made, "Judging by the logistical considerations in building out cables big enough to power that gun, as well as minimizing interference patterns from the other cables or supporting geology, this is probably where they ran their cables. They're probably no more than half a dozen feet down. A couple of missiles here should probably knock the main gun out. From there, we can either bang it up or mount an assault on the power plant, or both."

OOC: Rolled Protoculture Engineer, whose skill description appears to cover this kind of knowledge. With a 2, that's probably most everything. ;)
 
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Dorsky looks at Alyxis and shakes his head. "None. The only reason I have data on the power plant is the high-protoculture signature. Without longer surveillance profile, it'd be tough to pinpoint their defenses at either the canon itself or the power plant. Seems like a risk either way, though.

"I did pass the data package with the power plant profiles and location on to Command. They're aware, now."
 
Alyxis asks, "How big is this power plant? If it is powering a weapon with a two mile wide barrel, it's got to be big. Maybe too big for us to take down, even with everything we got. If I were to build this powerplant, I would armor the hell out of it."

"Aymeline, you may have the best idea so far. Even if they buried the power cables, there is a limit to just how deep they can be. But that still leaves the weapon itself there, ready to fire. I am torn between trying to destroy it outright, or making an attempt to kill the power supply, then go back in and finish it off with the full force of the fleet on our side. But the whole planet is mobilizing, and we may not get another chance at this."
 
“Give me a minute to see if I can even grab a general location for the conduit to the canon,” says Dorsky. “It might be a moot point if we don’t have that.”

The group can hear the clattering of Dorsky’s keyboard even above all the hangar noise and activity. While the electronics specialist works, Fisk moves to her Alpha and begins a visual inspection.

“We going to have the right kind of armaments to penetrate and hit that conduit or whatever it is?” Fisk asks as she moves around her Mecha.

Nodren snorts. “Doesn’t matter. We have three possible targets. Lots of us. And lots of weapons. We’ll find a way even if it’s ripping it apart by hand.” He flexes his fist open and closed.

“Jesus, you big dumb Zeek,” Fisk says. “We’re not going to have time for you to give them one of your signature hugs, we—“

“Got it!” interrupts Dorsky. “It took some analytics and modeling, but I have a ninety-seven percent match on the conduit. If my calculations are right, it’s buried, but not more than six feet down. I can’t get an exact read on the what the material of the planet’s surface is, but it’s some kind of alloy. Might take some extra to get through it. But, once we’re through, it’s an easy target that close to the surface.”

“Attention,” says a calm female voice over the PA system. “Five minutes to launch. All Veritech pilots to battle stations. Repeat—“

“What do you want to do, Boss?” asks Fisk looking at Alyxis.
 
Alyxis says, "We hit the cable, and if there is any ordnance left, we check out the air defenses around the gun barrel or the power plant. If we can breech their perimeter, we hit one or the other as hard as we can. Get ready to launch."
 
L'n gives off a fist-pump. "That's what I'm talking about! Lets smash some Haydonite ass! Hmm. Do they have an ass? Oh, what the hell. Let just go!"
 
Alyxis takes a moment to switch radio frequencies to get ahold of the squadron leader of the Dragons. "Dragon Lead, this is Ghost. We have a plan in the works to hit the conduit between the main power reactor and the weapon, and once that is out of commission, we can then spread the pain as far as we can. What is your status over there? Are you planning on a specific target, or are you going to just wing it?" She suddenly giggles. "Wing it? See what I did there? Ha! Seriously, what is your plans for engagement?"
 
Aymeline looks pleased that her squad leader's opted to go with her plan. But it's mostly because it has two advantages. The obvious being it has the greatest likelihood of success. But the second being that the Haydonites are probably not expecting this avenue of attack and, even if they were, that much distance between the plant and the gun means there's no way defenses can be as hardened as they'd be at either facility. In other words, the plan with the best odds of success also has the merit of being the plan they'll most likely survive.

Not that the Tirolian thinks of herself as a coward by any means. But the longer she lives outside of the cloistered Science Trimuvariates, the more...thrill she finds in life. The idea of dying before she has a chance to experience the fullness of existence seems a tragic waste.

Carmaline...I miss you...

Focusing, Aymeline concentrates on readying herself for the fight ahead. And staring in fascination as her squad leader, a Zentraedi, actually makes a joke!
 
Alyxis, all the coordinates and the mission plan are uploaded to your tactical computer in your Beta. At the same time, Dorksy, from your back seat, forwards his coordinates and readings for the power plant and conduit.

“Leiutenant,” says Dorsky, “I’ve sent my data to you. I’ll forward it to the rest of the squadron, too.”

Everyone recieves Dorksy’s data for the conduit and power plant locations and readings.

Alyxis, your screen comes to life with the grizzled face of 2nd Lieutenant Scott Gray, Dragon Squadron Commander. Even through his helmet, you can see calm and experience in his eyes. What little you know about him still amounts to bravery and hard-won battle. He has servered since he joined the Army of the Southern Cross in the Second Robotech War.

“Lieutenant Alyxis,” says Gray. “Glad to have your group along. Uh, we planned to follow the mission plan and hit the canon itself. Give me the skinny on your conduit plan.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the squadron is getting the okay signals from the ground crews. Everything is armed, armored, and ready for action. You all taxi to high-velocity tubes to prepare for launch.
 
"Lt. Grey. Our review of the scans show that there is a massive power plant for the weapon at these coordinates." She sends him all the data that they have on the targets. "Our tech-head gives a 95+% chance that the conduits that connect the plant to the weapon go along this path, and if we can hit that, it will at least delay the recharge rate on the weapon and give us more time to be able to bring the fleet in and smash that place to rubble. We will make our initial run against the conduits, and whatever ordnance we have left can be used to hit as many Haydonite targets as we can find."

She then switches over to the flight control channel. "This is Ghost in Hydra-1. We are all green to launch. Just give us the signal!" Alyxis grins wide as the upcoming glory of the battle fills her heart.
 
Alyxis, somewhere in the mix Lieutenant Gray sends you a message that he agrees with your plan. He and his team will back it. Dragon will provide fire support and cover.

All of your Veritechs are loaded into the high-velocity catapults each with your own tube for launch. In the tube, your mecha are encased in launch capsules and locked into the tube mechanism with a THUNK and several locking sounds.

Eva, the young communications officer on the bridge, speaks through your comm units. “Hydra, this is Command. Sixty seconds to launch. Standby.”

“Good hunting, Hydra,” says Lieutenant Gray to you all on the mission channel.

“Thirty seconds.”

You can hear the catapult whining as it spools up behind your ship. Electricity arcs down the tube as maximum power is reached.

“Fifteen seconds.”

A hum fills your cabin and increases. You can feel it in your lungs and brain.

“Ten.”

Three red bars fill your HUD as a “waiting for launch” signal.

“Five.”
“Four.”

The three bars signal yellow.

“Three.”
“Two.”
“Launch!” Three green bars.

The noise and vibration penetrates the deepest reaches of your bowels. You don’t have time to consider it as a half-second later you feel like a giant sits on your chest. The g-force strains every blood-vessel, bone, and structure in your body. You’re pressed into your seat so hard you can’t reach your controls.

Your capsule rockets through the tube and into space. And then you hear only your own straining breath.

A read-out on your HUD shows a countdown to reach the designated mission area. Next to it is the countdown to the canon recharge and eventual firing. You can also see the dots and trajectories for your wingmen and Dragon squadron.

The trip takes you thirty seconds. Outside cameras show the planet increasing in size at an alarming rate and all manner of reflex, slug, and missile weapons being fired at all of you.

There’s a breaking burn that slows your capsule and smashes you against your restrains. You slow to normal combat speed. Before you can prepare for it, a deafening explosion fills your capsule. It splits into three parts and rockets away behind you. And now, you’re flying on this hellscape of a planet.

The sky is violet with exhaust. The ground is a spider web of metallic structures and plated alloy. Silver spires and antennas reach for the sky. Munitions and ordinance are detonating all around you. Canons and batteries flash as they fire below.

Off your starboard side, close to the surface of the planet, three squadrons of Haydonite Wraiths race to meet you.

You’re five klicks from the reflex cannon, seven to ten klicks from where you can hit the conduit depending on how close to the canon you want to be, and eleven klicks from the power plant.

Tell me what you do, but don’t roll anything yet.

Sherwood Sherwood Psychie Psychie Silanon Silanon Epiphany Epiphany
 
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Alyxis calls out on the radio. "Hydra! Go in just like we talked about! Let your Alpha pilots steer your combined fighters, while the Betas provide the firepower. Go in at top speed, and have trust in your wingmen! Go go go!"

Using her missile payload, she will lay down a spray of firepower to keep the Haydonite fighters off of them.
In the Beta
Number of Attacks: 6
Strike: +8 /+2 with Gun Pods, +3 with Forearm Pulse Cannons
Parry: +10
Dodge: +10 / +12 while Flying
Roll: +6
Initiative: +3
Perception: +2

Beta Stats
Main Body: 515 MDC
Forearm Shields Left: 375
Forearm Shields Right: 375

MM-20 Missile Launchers (2): 40 Short HEAP 2d6x10 MD - 5 mile range
MM-16 Missile Launcher: 16 Short Plasma/Heat 2d6x10 MD - 3 mile range
Wing Hardpoints (6): 6 Medium Multi Warhead 5d6x10 - 80 mile range
Bomb Bay: 4 Reflex Heavy Smart Bombs 1d6x100
 
L'n nods to herself. "Going in full throttle. Hydra Squad, try and keep up!" In the meantime, she is flying full defensive, letting her gun pod and missile payload be used by Ghost to try and keep them alive long enough to drop their bombs.
Alpha Bonuses
Number of Attacks: 6
Strike: +7 - +10 to hit with EU-13
Parry: +9
Dodge: +10 / +12 when flying
Roll: +6
Initiative: +7
Perception: +3

Alpha Stats
Main Body: 420

Missile Payload
40 Short HEAP - 2d6x10 MD, 5 mile range
20 Short Plasmas - 2d6x10 MD, 3 mile range
8 Mini HEAP - 1d4x10, 1 mile range
 
And likewise, Aymeline concentrates on flying. The catapult acceleration nearly made her blackout, but she'd recovered and was now fully focused on the mission ahead. The three squadrons of interceptors is unfortunate, she thinks. But at least it's only interceptors.

The Tirolian accelerates and focuses on evading incoming fire, while trying not to skew the Beta's targeting accuracy to hell.
 
You all quickly get your bearings and do your best to take control of the situation. You blast at full speed toward the strike zone while the enemy bears down on you.

L’n and Aymeline, give me piloting rolls.

Alyxis and Nora, give me weapons systems rolls.
 
Barely enough time to take a deep breath and decide on a hastily improvised plan - then they're back in hell, and it's nothing like the little skirmish they just survived. The weight of the entire endeavour on Hydra's shoulders, and the haydonites likely had years to prepare in advance; plus, they need to do little more than keep the squad at bay for just a few more minutes. Success might end with a timely death, failure leads to casualties in the hundreds at least. Not much of a choice to make, to be honest, as long as you're raised to never back down.

As Aymeline keeps the combined mecha under control, Nora's eyes are on the weapon systems - not her expertise, that much is certain, so it's at least a relief that most of the piloting is done by the Tirolian to let her focus on one task at a time.
 
The sky on this mechanized planet is filled with explosions, battery fire, and streaking missiles. The 12 Wraiths burn hard behind you to get within firing range.

Off your port and high, the drop pods of the Dragon squadron complete their breaking burn and explode away. Their three Alpha/Beta combos spread out and angle for your group to cover you.

"We stirred the damn hornets' nest, Ghost," Lieutenant Gray says to you over the officer channel, Alyxis. "Bringing up your six. We got 'em." Dragon takes up position puts heavy fire on the Wraiths. Four of them break off to engage Dragon. The other eight keep up the chase.

Alyxis, you miss all your shots, but your fire is breaking up the Wraith formation which opens up opportunity for Nora to connect. A Wraith goes down, pulled by the planet's 0.8 g gravity, in a flaming ball of destruction.

With the Betas attached at full burn, getting into position will only take seconds. You leave the chasing Wraiths behind as their max burn is somewhere between Mach 2.4 and 5. Aymeline, you weave your Veritech pair through and around fire expertly. L'n, you follow suit, but just as you reach the strike zone, the body of Alyxis' Beta takes a direct hit from a ground pulse laser. [60 M.D.]

And now, you're at the strike zone. Below, you see a network of factories, raceways, and sheer alloy platforms. You know this is the position of the conduit. It runs east to the reflex canon--which even from here you can see the barrel lip of--and west to the power plant.

Roll initiative.
 
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