Robotech - Tales of the RDF

[Kaerri]

Sergeant Eadric Braidwood, Field Scientist


"Wow!" Eadric whispers, watching Taniya's slick dodge. He shakes his head at the incredible sight, but can spare only a moment for admiration - there are still pods shooting at them, after all! He shifts his targeting to the nearest officer pod and tries the laser one more time.

Spoiler

One laser cannon being fired.[dice]19938[/dice]

 

[Sherwood]

Your shot lances out and vaporizes a chunk of armor of the pod.


@Beowulf is up next


15 - officer pod 1 [4] damaged


15 - officer pod 2 [4]


13 - Dorsey [5]


7 - Taniya [4]


7 - Eadric [5]


5 - Connor [6] <====

 

[Sherwood]

In the rear assembly area, corporal Eric Bell is currently elbow deep inside Zaile's new Battle Pod. Just before heading into the fight, her engine blew a seal that kept her from being able to deploy. Luckily for her, Eric is well versed in the new destroids and is working at top speed roti get her ready for the final push into the destroyer.

 

[Dano]

Eric Bell


It was at that particular moment when the wrench slipped and Eric smashed his hand against the interior of Zaile’s Pod. He was just finishing up repairing the seal in the engine and tightening the last bolt when it happened. Refraining from calling out profanities was something that took a lot of self restraint and something he tried to do often. Crawling out from the innards of the metallic war machine, Eric looked across the engineering bay where Zaile was standing.


“That should do it!” he called out as he wiped his greasy hands on a dirty rag that had been hanging in his rear pocket.


Moving over to the control panel for the bay, he punched a few buttons and the destroid was lifted high into the air and moved to the rear where some powerful jets or soap and water proceeded to clean Zaile’s Officer Pod to a perfect shine.


“Good thing you didn’t take off earlier, your Pod could have exploded mid air from the leak in the engine.” Eric said as he walked over to where she was waiting. He waved his arm in the direction of her baby, “She’s fully operational, clean and ready to blast any hostile in her way.” he chimed in with a wide grin on his face. “If you need anything else just let me know, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to enhancing these things.”

 

[Sherwood]

@Beowulf is up in the fight

 

[Epiphany]

Corporal Zaile Alencar


The blue-haired Zentraedi woman waits with all the seething, ungraceful fury of a caged tiger. Normally outgoing and (very) cheerful, battle brings out the Imperative in the alien woman. Being kept back from it brings an objection that's not only trained but intentionally genetic, for her people were bred to be warriors by the Robotech Masters.


"I should have kept my Tomahawk," she murmurs wistfully as she watches Corporal Bell work. At least until he disappeared inside the engine.


When he emerges, the sheer puppy-dog hopefulness on her face is almost pitiable, very much at odds with the reputation for pure aggression Zentraedi enjoyed. "Is she-"


And just then her new mecha is lifted up for cleaning while the other Corporal approaches her. Wiping her slightly damp palms on her fatigues, the pilot approaches the mechanic and beams at the good news before shaking his hand enthusiastically. "I can't wait to try her out!" Zaile's expression as her attention shifts back to the Officer's Pod becomes one of fond adoration. "Would you believe I never flew one of these before? I mean, I know how. I was born knowing how. But I only ever used our Quaedluun-Rau Powered Armor. This beautiful mech looks so...so...glorious!"


"Thank you, Corporal!" she says, turning her eyes at last back to Eric Bell and beaming at him. "I can't wait to rejoin the Red Pandas and mix it up in the fight! As for enhancements, maybe we'll talk more when I get back. I'd love to hear any ideas you have."


The instant the Officer's Pod is ready for her use, Corporal Zaile Alencar emits a highly undignified 'Eeeeeee!' of excitement before leaping in and throttling the engines to full. And then she's on her way to the Red Panda's last reported position.

 

[Soviet Panda]

"You lot focus on the other officer pod. I got this." Connor said confidently before firing his tungsten rounds at the damaged pod. If he was right, this blast should do it. Unless he missed, in that case he looked like an idiot.


[dice]19978[/dice]

 

[Dano]

Eric Bell


Standing on the edge of the giant open hanger, Eric stood and watched as Zaile hopped into her destroid and took off. Each time he created, repaired, or enhanced a machine and then seeing the reaction from the pilots those of excitement and glee for something he helped put together was something he cherished deeply and gave him a purpose in life. After the shining Officer Pod disappeared into the distance, Eric turned and walked to the back of the oversized work area where his prized possession stood covered by a canvas cover. Freeing it from its cloth prison, his UEEF Spartan that was nearly completed. He had a few more tweaks he needed to iron out with the navigation and targeting systems before it was ready to go so Eric climbed up inside.


After reprogramming the navigation system, Eric fired up the the Spartan and felt it come to life beneath him. Driving it out of the compound he tracked his movements around the perimeter just beyond the mine field. Everything was looking great and so now he knew the targeting system would be the final adjustments before it would be battle ready. Returning to the engineering bay, Eric jumped out and went over to his computer station and began pulling his most recent targeting data to analyze. Reworking the numbers he was able to make some slight adjustments and felt his targeting was on track and figured it was as good of time as any to go test it out. Pulling himself up and inside of the giant mech Eric once more piloted it beyond the perimeter to a small clearing that had a few stand alone trees. First on the test run was the Laser Cannons, pulling up and targeting on the first tree he pulled the trigger. The tree burst into thousands of splinters only a second later as the bright flash of the laser shot forth and nailed the target. “WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Eric could hardly contain himself as he could feel his destroid finally coming together as an operational unit. Next on the testing block was the Pulse Laser Turret, flipping a few switches the turret came to life and he targeted the small group of trees roughly 200 yards. Letting lose a duel pulse blast, once more the air was filled with the smell of burnt wood as shards flew through the air leaving nothing but jagged stumps in its wake. Lastly, Eric pushed a button on the side of the instrument panel revealing the Rocket Launchers just below the Laser Turret. The last tree was monstrous in size and once the two rockets left the destroid all Eric could do was watch as they landed with pin-point accuracy decimating their target. Strongly convinced of his calibrated targeting system, he brought the metal giant back to the engineering bay and went over to the control panel as he had done before and pressed the all familiar buttons for the power jets to do their work in making it shine. Eric went over to his bench and plopped himself down, the smile on his face was one of a satisfied operational destroid owner, as he fell into a deep sleep.

 

[Sherwood]

Connor's last shot this round goes wide, kicking up some dust but not doing any damage to the Zentraedi unit.


The two Officer Pods seem to see the writing on the wall, and together, they begin to back up towards the grounded destroyer, laying down suppressing fire with their cannons. They are much faster on the ground than any of you, even with the new UEEF designs at your disposal, and they are quickly leaving you behind.


Dorsey fires a blast from his head lasers at Pod 1, but the nimble mecha manages to dodge out of the way.


@Dannigan is up with Taniya


15 - officer pod 1 [5] damaged


15 - officer pod 2 [5]


13 - Dorsey [6]


7 - Taniya [4] <====


7 - Eadric [5]


5 - Connor [7]

 

[Sherwood]

Staff Sergeant Taniya
The Malcontent officers in those pods have had a fine enough time blasting at Tolson and me; let me see how well this Beast can return the favor. Taniya shifted her controls, blasting The Beast forward and after the officer's pods, using her altitude to advantage. Aligning her targeting reticule upon the damaged pod, her thumb clicked the stick to allow both of her main particle beam cannons to fire at once. With an expression full of focus and conviction, she squeezed the trigger.

Spoiler

[dice]20000[/dice]


[dice]20001[/dice]


Hey, that was dice roll #20,000! That'sa Lotta Dice! =)


Taniya thought if her pair of blasts missed, she would try for a different tactic. "Red Pandas, go for the legs on those retreating pods. Then go for the kill."


Without taking her eyes off of her screens, Taniya called back to the Red Panda sharing her cockpit. "Tolson, how fare the other squads?"


The twin blast catches the Officer Pod with a solid hit, leaving it's armor a smoking wreck but it is still running.


Barbara grabs her controls. "Oh no you don't! You aren't getting away that easily! Take that!" She has the rear turret pivot around and triggers a twin blast at the retreating pod. The laser doesn't do much damage, but the armor was so weak that Barbara's shot collapses the pod into a pile of smoldering metal.


"The advance is going well on all fronts! The Malcontents are pulling back to the destroyer. Also, I just got an update on Zaile's mecha. She will be joining us shortly, along with our tech, corporal Eric Bell. From what I'm hearing, we'll need all the help we can get, hunting down the last of the resistance."


@Kaerri is up


15 - officer pod 2 [5]


13 - Dorsey [6]


7 - Taniya [5]


7 - Eadric [5] <====


5 - Connor [7]

 

[Kaerri]

Sergeant Eadric Braidwood, Field Scientist


"Excellent news! And excellent shot, Barbara!" Eadric's grin is nearly audible over the radio as he targets the final officer pod. Lifting the reclaimed particle cannon once more, he fires.


[dice]20026[/dice]

 

[Sherwood]

The beam hits the fleeing pod with a solid hit, but it manages to keep running out of sight and into one of the many open airlocks.


Off in the distance, you can hear that there are still pockets of resistance, so you shouldn't let your guard down.


Moving out of combat time


With the initial push so successful, the call for the reserve troops to come forward is given, along with ammo carriers to give the destroids a quick reload of their ordnance. At this time is when Zaile and Eric both come running up in their respective mecha, closely followed by command variant Tomahawk. Over short range radio, Taniya gets a signal. "Sgt. Taniya, this is Lt Dan Preston. Since the Red Pandas have been given so many of our newest mecha designs, I want you to have corporal Bell here kept close by, under your wing. He is fully trained in the new models along with our older units, and will be invaluable to your team. I'll have your commanding officer at Anton-17 update your roster. Now, have him take a look at that damaged radio while the ground crews work to reload everyone that needs it."


The squad already knows Eric from his work on your mecha at Anton-17, and you know that while he considers himself a mechanic first, he is well trained on the Spartan.


As you watch, specialized ammo carriers and forklifts come over to top off any expended missiles or cannon shells you may have used. It looks like you are expected to have several minutes of downtime before making any move inside the damaged destroyer.

 

[Purr]

Staff Sergeant Taniya


Moments ago in combat time...


The Malcontent officers in those pods have had a fine enough time blasting at Tolson and me; let me see how well this Beast can return the favor. Taniya shifted her controls, blasting The Beast forward and after the officer's pods, using her altitude to advantage. Aligning her targeting reticule upon the damaged pod, her thumb clicked the stick to allow both of her main particle beam cannons to fire at once. With an expression full of focus and conviction, she squeezed the trigger.

Spoiler

[dice]20000[/dice]


[dice]20001[/dice]


Hey, that was dice roll #20,000! That'sa Lotta Dice! =)


Taniya thought if her pair of blasts missed, she would try for a different tactic. "Red Pandas, go for the legs on those retreating pods. Then go for the kill."


Without taking her eyes off of her screens, Taniya called back to the Red Panda sharing her cockpit. "Tolson, how fare the other squads?"

 

[Dano]

Eric Bell


Eric hadn't been asleep long when he heard the radio crackle and Lt. Preston’s voice came through loud and clear ordering him to grab his tools and Spartan and head to the front lines with the Red Pandas. Bell nearly fell off his bench as he jumped you attention and scurried around the bay collecting his most important equipment and depositing it a container the he had fashioned to the back of his Spartan (similar to a backpack). Once he was loaded, Eric climbed in and fired up the metal beast. Moments later he was exiting the compound and running off towards the Pandas Crew.


It didn't take long for Eric to locate the wreckage of the recent battle and Dorsey, Taniya, Eadric, and Connor. The destroids stood there, some obviously in need of repair, but it was great to see that everyone made it through the action. Upon arrival, Eric exited his mech and looked around for CWO Dorsey. Dorsey helped train him when he first started as a destroid mechanic. Eric had some natural mechanical skill and took to them rather quickly, however it was Dorsey that really helped him with the particulars when it came to the war machines.


After surveying the field he located Dorsey and trotted over. “Corporal Bell reporting for duty sir.” he stammered not use to being in on the action but certain something he was prepared for. Without waiting for acknowledgement, he turned and saw the damaged mechs. “Sir, what is the status of the destroids? Which is priority for repairs?” Eric was itching to get to work as he awaited orders.

 

[Purr]

Staff Sergeant Taniya

Barbara grabs her controls. "Oh no you don't! You aren't getting away that easily! Take that!" She has the rear turret pivot around and triggers a twin blast at the retreating pod. The laser doesn't do much damage, but the armor was so weak that Barbara's shot collapses the pod into a pile of smoldering metal.

Once the situation is safe enough for it, Taniya spins around in her cockpit chair and stares in surprise at the woman in the back seat.


This is the same near-pacifistic human who was struck with gripping terror at the idea of firing on another living thing? The same person who vomited directly behind me when she first did it and now she is finishing off targets on her own initiative without so much as a pointed finger from any of us?


She looks into the communication specialist's face as if she were speaking to a clone. "Just who in the galaxy are you and what have you done with Barbara Tolson?"

 

[Sherwood]

The excited smile on Barbara's face fades when Taniya turns and asks her question. "I thought... I didn't kill him, if that's what you mean. I aimed for the junction between the torso and the legs, sms it did enough to the already damaged equipment that it crippled the mecha. See?" She points over at a pair of Spartans pulling a very disgruntled Zentraedi out of the wreckage of the Officer Pod. "Even though I'm in the military and in the middle of a fight for my home, I want to preserve life as much as I can. I just didn't see a reason to kill him."

 

[Purr]

Staff Sergeant Taniya


"You mean..." Taniya looks out of the canopy and lo and behold, there are indeed two Spartan mecha pulling a Malcontent out of a pile of smoldering metal.


Taniya goes from shock to total astonishment. Tolson the communications specialist managed to not only take down a pod in a killing blow, but she managed to do it such a way that completely fooled her commanding officer that anyone was alive in the pod at all. As far as Taniya was concerned, the pilot was dead underneath the conflagration of his own destroyed pod and here Tolson had, with her second-ever combat action, not only took the pod out but managed to have captured a Malcontent officer in the process...


Taniya righted herself and shook her head in disbelief. Will I ever understand humans? "Tolson, any requests on your behalf to pilot an RDF mecha unit of your own in the near future will come with my fullest support. The Defender compliments you well." She wanted to add more, but found no other words to follow. She spoke no more about it unless Tolson herself decided to bring it up.


She turned her attention instead to replying to Lt. Preston. "Gratitude, sir. We could use some skilled and dedicated warriors to fill our ranks, especially ones we are already familiar with. Honor to you in the battle ahead."


"Braidwood, McKinley," she added, "keep an eye out with me for enemy movement with an ear to your radios." Taniya then positioned her team in a triangular formation that allowed for no friendly fire while their mecha were reloaded and repaired.


Taniya addressed Cpl. Bell over her loudspeaker. "Corporal Bell, when you are finished with Dorsey, present yourself to me. Dorsey, you will attend as well and tell me about Bell in your own words without embellishment. Afterward, Bell, do what you can with my unit's long range communications system. Time is short."


Then she turned to her fellow Zentraedi. "Zaile," she chided with a grin, "Your absence has cost you the opportunity of many a good kill and honor. You are expected to make up for this. I cannot be the only female Zentraedi in Brazil to pave a road of glory for those True Zentraedi in our wake, can I?"


She could not help but look long at Zaile. Of all present, only the cheerful and able Zaile knew Taniya with any depth. It was so good to have her back. Her next words were chosen with deliberate precision.


"Welcome back, jhiri trati dentalla..."

Spoiler

Jhiri = My


Trati = Noble


Dentalla = Friend

 

[Dano]

Eric Bell


After talking briefly with Dorsey, Eric heard another voice call out to him. It was Staff Sergeant Taniya and she was requesting his presence and that he get to work fixing her mech. Wanting to make a good impression, he leapt into action as he grabbed his tools and quickly quickly made his way back over to her. “Corporal Bell here to assist, I understand that you took a few hits in this last battle and need me to get you back to 100%” He said with a cheerful attitude and a smile across his face, “It will be done in no time, you can count on me!” Eric had run into Taniya on a few occasions when she had returned from missions and he needed upgrades, repairs or just a washing. Taniya had never really taken any interest in him, but she had always been pleasant when she dropped off or came to get her destroid. Truth be told, Taniya intimidated Eric since they were about the same height, but he knew she was a scrapper and was glad they were on the same side.

 

[Sherwood]

Those with damage to your main body get 40 points of spot repairs back; it isn't pretty, but it will help to keep you alive.


Eric is able to switch out the fried communication module in Taniya's Pod in short order, giving you full signal strength once more. Barbara runs a quick diagnostic and nods to herself. "Everything looks good to me. Thanks Eric! We are ready to rock again!"


Lt Preston comes up in his mecha along with a full sized Zentraedi male. "Red Pandas, this is Bron from the Bata Revo squad. Since the next step is to bring the fight into the heart of the destroyer, your two squads are taking point. No one else has the same level of experience inside a Zentraedi warship as your two teams. Our goal is to capture the High Lord, not to make a martyr of her. Now, from what we have seen, she has a cadre of elite troops around her at all times that will fight to the death to protect her. Don't hesitate to use lethal force to take down her escort. Any questions?"

 

[Epiphany]

Corporal Zaile Alencar


"Par Dessu, sir!"


Zaile in her new Officer's Pod draws up with the rest of the unit and slots herself into formation. Despite the formal response, the grin her voice is audible as is her excitement to be joined again in battle! ...Well, soon. This fighting was over, for the moment. And such glorious carnage too. Shattered, broken mechs littering the ground and none of them hers.


"I can't have you carry our whole race alone, now can I?" Zaile says, and the humor in her voice is unmistakable. "I guess I'll just have to kill double what everyone else has!"


At which point the Lieutenant fills them in on their orders. And the blue-haired Micronized Zentraedi woman purses her lips thoughtfully and adds "So, no missiles to avoid collateral killing of that hajoca. I'm up for the challenge, sir!"


Bron gets a somewhat wary look, scrutnizing and studying him for detail. Despite three years around Micronians, Zentraedi conditioning persisted and it still seemed...strange to be undertaking a mission with a male. A Zentraedi male, anyway. The Micronian men on Taniya's squad were allies, even friends, but Bron discomfited her slightly. It seemed wrong.


Then she smirked at the fact that she was more comfortable with Micronian males than she was with the men of her own species. It didn't really matter. They had a job to do.

 

[Purr]

Staff Sergeant Taniya

Lt Preston comes up in his mecha along with a full sized Zentraedi male. "Red Pandas, this is Bron from the Bata Revo squad. Since the next step is to bring the fight into the heart of the destroyer, your two squads are taking point. No one else has the same level of experience inside a Zentraedi warship as your two teams. Our goal is to capture the High Lord, not to make a martyr of her. Now, from what we have seen, she has a cadre of elite troops around her at all times that will fight to the death to protect her. Don't hesitate to use lethal force to take down her escort. Any questions?"

Taniya's voice is as sharp as her knife. "Lieutenant Preston... Major Lang has, in no uncertain terms, directed the Red Panda Squadron to kill the Malcontent commander. From whom did you receive your orders?"


The female Zentraedi ace could not help it; Taniya's blood was hot. In the RDF, such clashes of orders were not unknown, but in Zentraedi life, they were often followed with subterfuge and outright death-dealing between opposing squads, especially if their commanders were foes. Honor and glory were everything. Wary of trickery, something in Taniya told her to take her safeties off and level her guns at the human lieutenant, but then she remembered this was not Lord Breetai's Zentraedi fleet and this was a human she was at odds with.


As for Bron, she was proud of the idea to serve with what appeared to be a True Zentraedi, even a male. As for his squad name, she wondered if the humans present even knew what a Bata Revo was. It was tremendously and extremely unlikely....


...As were Taniya's chances of going against honored Major Lang's orders.

Eric is able to switch out the fried communication module in Taniya's Pod in short order, giving you full signal strength once more. Barbara runs a quick diagnostic and nods to herself. "Everything looks good to me. Thanks Eric! We are ready to rock again!"

"Well done, Bell," Taniya nods. "Return to your machine. Red Pandas, as you heard, Bell is with us now. We will make the time later to get to know him and he us." She glanced at the mechanic.


"Bell, understand this well. The Red Panda Squadron functions as a team, you will respect everyone here including yourself, we are here today to kill, and my word is law." Then something in her warrior's heart could not help but add, "Though opinions are welcome, I suffer no insubordination." Given her annoyed tone at the Lieutenant Preston, Taniya may as well have said, "I burned a hole through the chest of the last male Zentraedi to oppose me; do not follow his example."


"If this is clear to you, Bell, then I welcome you to the Red Panda Squadron."

"I can't have you carry our whole race alone, now can I?" Zaile says, and the humor in her voice is unmistakable. "I guess I'll just have to kill double what everyone else has!"

"Aye! That is the Zaile I have missed!'

 

[Kaerri]

Sergeant Eadric Braidwood, Field Scientist


Eadric listens quietly to the new lieutenant. Bata Revo...and he's Zentraedi. I wonder... For a few moments the scientist is lost in thought, searching his memory of Zentraedi lore.*


Taniya's sharp voice brings him back to the present, and once Bell is in his mech, Eadric toggles the squad-only radio. "Welcome to the Red Pandas, Eric! I look forward to working with you. I've some knowledge of engineering myself. Maybe we can compare notes later?"

Spoiler

Bah. And he only needed to get under 72![dice]20355[/dice]

 

[Sherwood]

Lt Preston gives Taniya a long look. "I don't know Major Lang, but I do know that I have been directed by the various Intel services to bring her in alive if at all possible. I do hope that you are able to follow your orders. Now, if there is nothing else? I have work to do."


After making sure that the outside comm line is off, Barbara Myers to Taniya, "I don't know about that lieutenant. Sounds like someone is trying to get a promotion out of our blood."

 

[Dano]

Eric Bell





Eric jumped down once he had finished the repairs and moved over to Staff Sergeant Taniya,

Staff Sergeant Taniya
"Well done, Bell," Taniya nods. "Return to your machine. Red Pandas, as you heard, Bell is with us now. We will make the time later to get to know him and he us." She glanced at the mechanic.

Looking straight into her eyes, as a sign of respect, he nodded and said "Yes ma’am.” Before he could head off to his mech she spoke up again and he stopped quickly, redirecting his gaze to her once more.

Staff Sergeant Taniya
"Bell, understand this well. The Red Panda Squadron functions as a team, you will respect everyone here including yourself, we are here today to kill, and my word is law." Then something in her warrior's heart could not help but add, "Though opinions are welcome, I suffer no insubordination." Given her annoyed tone at the Lieutenant Preston, Taniya may as well have said, "I burned a hole through the chest of the last male Zentraedi to oppose me; do not follow his example."


"If this is clear to you, Bell, then I welcome you to the Red Panda Squadron."

Bravely, he spoke up, “With all due respect Staff Sergeant, I am a team player and know how to take orders from my superiors. I’ve got your back as long as you’ve got mine.” a smile crept across his lips as he nodded once again and trotted off to his Spartan. Once he was back inside his mech he heard his radio crackle and come to life:

"Welcome to the Red Pandas, Eric! I look forward to working with you. I've some knowledge of engineering myself. Maybe we can compare notes later?"

Not knowing who exactly that was, Eric smiled to himself, “These guys are much more accepting of me than I had expected…” he thought. "Hey, not sure who this is, but thanks for the welcome and I'd love to talk shop at some point." Eric's voice was warm and friendly as he punched off the radio transmitter. “Time to prove that I can handle myself out here…” he said out loud as he flipped a few switches and his destroid came to life. Moving around he fell into the rear of the formation awaiting his next order.

 

[Kaerri]

Sergeant Eadric Braidwood, Field Scientist


"Whoops!" Eadric laughs at himself. "Sorry, this is Eadric - Sergeant Eadric Braidwood. I'm the team's scientist and medic."


The lieutenant's comment concerns him, but he decides to wait and see what Taniya says. After all, if this LT isn't in their direct chain, he can't really give them binding commands.