Robotech - Expedition Under Fire

[Silanon]

Perhaps, it should concern the Praxian that taking care of one problem only reveals another threat - that said, this one will only matter longterms, and there's plenty of ammo to deal with it beforehand. Plus, if the expert's guess is decent, they won't even have to blast their way through the defenses, a couple of well-placed missiles will suffice. For now, that's just a theory - thus, it's almost scientific work to release a few missiles at one of the more complete ships underneath, targeting whatever seems to hold it in place.

"On it, Hydra - Missiles away."

 

[WlfSamurai]

Alyxis, your missiles rain down on one of the haydonite ships and docks. The ship explodes from the inside and each part is disintegrated in a the fireball. The docks cave in on top of it.

Aymeline, you hold steady well enough, but Nora fires a salvo of missiles that seem to wander in separate directions before striking inconsequential parts of the planet.

“Lieutenant!” Dorsky yells to you, Alyxis, from behind you. “I’ve sent a confirmation message to Command. Also, the planet has lit up. We’ve got capital ships—okay, you see that never mind—and Wraiths in all directions.”

Dorsky takes all the sensor data he has and feeds into the HUD of the whole squadron. You all can see the swarm of red enemy triangles. Some are converging on your position. Others are heading out of the atmosphere.

“Hydra 1,” says Eva as she appears again on your HUD screen, Alyxis. “We have your confirmation of reflex canon neutralization. Be advised, the Vanguard is moving into position for extraction. We’ll be within effective range in five minutes. Can you hold out?”

And then, all at once, the Wraiths are on you. More than before.

Roll initiative.

 

[Epiphany]

Aymeline prepares for the firefight to come...

 

[Sherwood]

Alyxis nods over at Dorsky, acknowledging his warning about the planet going nuts around them. "Copy that, Vanguard. Hydra Squad will do what we can to trash the place as we wait for extraction. So far, we are looking good, in the midst of a target rich environment. Just don't forget about us down here!"

Spoiler

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 / -60
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 / 0
Bomb Bay: 4 Reflex Heavy Smart Bombs 1d6x100 / 0

 

[Psychie]

L'n can feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest as the radar lights up with thousands of targets all around them. "Uh, Ghost? I'm not saying we can't pull this off, but this is about to get really ugly. I will do my best to keep us alive and well, but with so many bogies out here, we are going to be hit - a lot."

Spoiler

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

 

[Silanon]

The results of her shooting speak for themselves, there is little to add from her point of view - at least, she nods in agreement with L'n, because that's totally how microphones work. Apart from that: A muted prayer, just a few words to regain focus; because with all those incoming foes, very few missiles can miss from now on if they want to get out of there alive.

 

[WlfSamurai]

The Wraiths come in hard. From all sides.

The whole squadron is engaged and pushed to the limits from the outset. You’re immediately deep in back and forth dog-fights, fighting for your lives above an unforgiving planet.

You’re all still connected as Alpha/Beta pairs.

You haven’t heard from Dragon in some time.

Each turn, you may choose one skill-based roll to resolve a portion of the conflict:

• If you take evasive or defensive maneuvers to avoid harm, roll pilot, -20% for being outnumbered with Wraiths all over you.
• If you go on the offensive or fight to shoot down the enemy, roll to strike, no need for a damage roll.
• If you go low and try to run using the planet as cover, roll navigation, -20% for being outnumbered with Wraiths all over you.
• If there’s some other skill you’d like to roll, say what you’re doing and roll it, -20% for being outnumbered with Wraiths all over you.

Failure opens you up to a cost, tough choice, or taking hits.

Nora, you’re up first.

Initiative order:
17 … Nora <———
15 … Pixie
13 … Alyxis
12 … L’n
09 … Aymeline
05 … Tank

 

[Silanon]

There they come - perhaps too many of them, certainly more than she would have liked. Survival instincts tell her to run, to somehow escape from their superior numbers; but half of the training is to ignore those instincts, and do what the situation truly requires. Without a question, Aymeline is the better pilot amongst the two aboard; if someone can get them out of here, it's her, not Nora. That means that it's on her to buy the fellow pilot enough her time and space to work her magic. Both can be bought if they are kept on their toes, wary to make a move in fear of retaliation. And missiles are how mankind and its allies have earnt their respect thus far.

"Trying to keep them away from us." A volley of missiles leaves the delivery systems, aimed at whatever is nearby right now. "Are we staying or leaving, Lieutenant?"

 

[WlfSamurai]

Spoiler: Mood music

5:00 MINUTES

Nora, through the chaos that is exploding around you, you take aim, lock on, and fire a few volleys of missiles. Several of your missiles strike structures or explode in midair. But you blast two Wraiths out of the sky with one volley. They tumble out of the fight and become black streaks on the metallic planet below.

Pixie grits her teeth and grips her controls tighter. She weaves her and Tank under and through fire and the swarming enemy. She swears under her breath while she flies.

A plasma blast streaks across the starboard side of both her Alpha and Tank’s Beta. Smoke billows out of their mecha, but they’re still airborne and fighting.

“We’re hit!” Pixie reports. “But not out! I hope they get here soon!”

4:00 MINUTES

“Hydra, Hydra!” says Lieutenant Gray over the comm. “This is Dragon Lead. We have men down in the field. We’re pinned down at oh-two-niner-oh. Not going to make it to you. We’ll do what we can from here. God speed!”

The position he gives you is three klicks southwest of your current position.

Alyxis, you’re up.

Initiative order:
17 … Nora
15 … Pixie
13 … Alyxis <———
12 … L’n
09 … Aymeline
05 … Tank

 

[Sherwood]

With so many targets around, it was almost impossible to miss. Ghost takes the controls and starts to spray fire from her gun pods, trusting in Tigger's ability to keep them alive. "Hydra! Try to maneuver over towards the downed pilots of Dragon Squad and provide them with some cover fire!"

Spoiler

Using the gun pods on the Beta and Tigger's gun pod on her Alpha, I'm doing 3d4x10 damage.

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 / -60
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 / 0
Bomb Bay: 4 Reflex Heavy Smart Bombs 1d6x100 / 0

 

[WlfSamurai]

Boom! Ghost, you swivel your gunpod back and forth firing at targets. You paint the sky with their smoke trails and explosions, downing at least six.

3:00 MINUTES

L’n, Alyxis has opened a channel opportunity for you, giving you a ton of tactical options.

Initiative order:
17 … Nora
15 … Pixie
13 … Alyxis
12 … L’n <———
09 … Aymeline
05 … Tank

 

[Psychie]

"Good shooting, Ghost! Now, lets see if we can't give Dragon a bit air support! Hang on!" Tigger then throws the two Veritechs into a hard turn, pulling high G-forces, then boosts hard towards the location of the fallen pilots. Keeping to her orders, she focuses on going full defensive while Ghost does the shooting for the two of them.

Spoiler

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

 

[WlfSamurai]

L’n, you take a hard break and angle for defense. Your Veritech pair blasts over, under, and around plasma fire.

You don’t have a direct path, so it takes some time and keeping your head on a swivel before you can see Dragon. The squadron is pinned down in a structure on the surface. they’re in battloid mode, taking cover behind massive metallic pillars inside a building. They’re deep in a firefight with the Wraiths swarming above.

2:00 MINUTES

Aymeline, you’re back at the original strike zone, three klicks northeast of Dragon. L’n and Alyxis have taken a good portion of the Wraiths with them. It’s your turn.

Initiative order:
17 … Nora
15 … Pixie
13 … Alyxis
12 … L’n
09 … Aymeline <———
05 … Tank

 

[Epiphany]

The Lieutenant's orders to reinforce Dragon are clear. With Tigger peeling off to reinforce Dragon, Aymeline knew remaining here would be a death sentence anyway. With a twist and spin, she banked and burned on full engines in hard pursuit of her squad. If she lacked Tigger's natural grace, long arduous hours in the flight simulator as well as an intimate understanding of robotechnology made up much of the difference.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Aymeline, you roll and drop low, speeding your Veritech pair for Dragon. You weave and duck through the Wraiths and their attacks and cross the distance quickly. You can see Tigger and Ghost’s machines ahead. Below, Dragon fights from the cover of a surface structure, popping out and firing the their gunpods like giant robot versions of 20th-century infantry.

The Wraiths continue to circle and fire down on them. Pixie and Tank bring their pair of mecha up in the rear.

"We’re right behind you, Boss lady!" says Pixie over the comm.

1:00 MINUTE

The Wraits stop firing and break off. The a surface of the planet parts and a platform raises. Eight Haydonite Infiltrators line the platform. When it stops, the Infiltrators lunge forward in the direction of the structure Dragon squadron is holed up in.

Roll NEW initiative.

This will be our last scene for the session.

 

[Silanon]

Most missiles seem to miss the target, some do hit and help to clear a path through the Wraiths. Not the most impressive shooting, but for the moment good enough. Once more, they get to where they are needed, avoiding most of the incoming fire; mostly the Alpha pilot's doing - certainly good fortune to end up with Aymeline on that seat. "Got them in my sight, Lieutenant, right below - ready for fire support." Short, precise words by the medic, not much more to say; at this point, the task seems to be quite clear. Gun down those advancing foes, then cover the Dragons as they try to escape. Quite simple, really...

New ini:18

 

[Sherwood]

Ghost calls out, "Good flying, Tigger! Keep it up! Dragon! You have some clear airspace above you! We'll keep it that way, but you'd better haul ass out of there; ground targets are incoming."

Spoiler

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 / -60
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 / 0

 

[Psychie]

"Thanks, boss lady. I do try to avoid getting killed on most days." L'n chuckles, trying to ease the stress she's feeling.

Spoiler

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

 

[Epiphany]

Aymeline bobbed and wove her way through the crush of incoming enemy aircraft. She didn't have the time or attention span to spare for her 'passenger' or her shooting; it was hard enough to track and evade all the fire coming her way. Throwing the paired Veritech through a corkscrew to dodge a barrage of missiles and hostile ships, she signals Nora and says "I'm lining you up for fire support for Dragon. They'll be coming up so let's see what we can't bring down."

 

[WlfSamurai]

The infiltrators, though slow and lumbering, have the drop and press Dragon farther into the structure.

"Hydra," says Lt. Gray, "break off! We're trapped down here, we're not going anywhere! Get yourselves to extraction!"

Aymeline, you can see the infiltrators are squarely focused on Dragon and pressing in on them. Perhaps they haven't seen you yet.You're up first.

Initiative order:
22 ... Aymeline <------
20 ... Infiltrators 7&8
17 ... Infiltrators 1&2
18 ... Nora
17 ... L’n
15 ... Pixie
13 ... Infiltrators 3&4
09 ... Alyxis
07 ... Dragon
06 ... Tank
02 ... Infiltrators 5&6

 

[Epiphany]

Aymeline waits for their squad Lieutenant to change their orders, if she wants to. In the meantime, the Tirolian pilot concentrates on evading the numerous Wraiths, interceptors and stray surface fire coming her way. She jukes the twinned Veritechs while lining them up for bombing pass on those Infiltrators.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Aymeline, you roll your paired machines through the sky into the absolute perfect position. The attack angle is ideal for Nora to fire ordinance (+2 to hit on next attack).

Four of the infiltrators (1, 2, 7, 8) press forward into the structure, their auto-canons firing bursts of explosive rounds at the trapped Dragon squadron inside. They're now completely inside the structure.

Nora, you're up.

Initiative order:
22 ... Aymeline
20 ... Infiltrators 7&8
17 ... Infiltrators 1&2
18 ... Nora <------
17 ... L’n
15 ... Pixie
13 ... Infiltrators 3&4
09 ... Alyxis
07 ... Dragon
06 ... Tank
02 ... Infiltrators 5&6

 

[Sherwood]

Ghost calls out on the radio, "Any Hydra Beta, are there any of you with any of your heavy bombs that weren't dropped yet? Those Infiltrators would be a perfect target for them if anyone has them."

 

[Silanon]

"Understood, Lieutenant - Nora in perfect position, bombs on their way." No questions asked - this is certainly the moment to drop them, or they'll all be within the building's cover. It only takes a few more seconds, then the explosives begin their journey downwards - above them, the bomb bays of the Beta are shut, as there's nothing left where those two came from. "Good piloting, keep it up!

 

[WlfSamurai]

Nora, your bombs are dead on. Before the Infiltrators make it into the cover of the structure, a series of explosions engulf them. The fireballs from the heavy plasma bombs reach into the sky like greenish-blue tendrils trying to escape.

When the smoke and debris clears, only the ruined husks of the four Infiltrators remains.

L’n, it’s your turn.

Initiative order:
22 ... Aymeline
20 ... Infiltrators 7&8
17 ... Infiltrators 1&2
18 ... Nora
17 ... L’n <------
15 ... Pixie
13 ... Infiltrators 3&4
09 ... Alyxis
07 ... Dragon
06 ... Tank
02 ... Infiltrators 5&6

Psychie