UEEF - The Shadow Chronicles - IC Thread

[jaydude]

Ian gave a shrug of his shoulders with regard to Victor's reasoning. "I guess that makes sense." he admitted. "Still, I didn't think it was anything besides coincidence, and I haven't yet met anyone on this ship who thinks differently. But now I have to wonder if some people will think the ship's captain has something to hide, if he felt the need to try and publicly head off one line of inquiry."

At this point however, he'd become bored of the subject - or at least not willing to have a long or serious debate about it. So he simply added "Never mind. Forget I said anything, sir."

 

[Psychie]

Motoko looks at the others and says, "Well, at least we have some answers about what is going on. I'm just looking forward to getting some of these Invid things in my radar lock. I just can't forget the way those people were packed in that transport like sardines. It was horrible, and I want to make a real difference in the universe, and taking back their planet for them is a good start."

 

[Sherwood]

With the coolant system for the fold space motor repaired, the MacArthur is ready to go back into fold to join the rest of the 3rd AED as they approach Tyrol. There is much debate as to exactly what role everyone onboard will play in this, and that continues well up to the point where the Mac and escorting ships finally enter the Fantoma system and begin to thrust towards the planet Tyrol.

At this point, the CAG calls the Veritech squads into the main briefing room to go over the upcoming mission. Cmdr. Reynolds steps up to the podium and calls out, "Take your seats! We are joining in the fight for this system a bit late, but we will sure as hell make up for it today, and you all will certainly be earning your paychecks. I expect and require nothing less than 100% from each and every one of you, and we'll need that in order to accomplish our goals. But first, time to know your enemy."

She hits a control on the podium, and begins to display several mecha on the main screen. "The Invid mecha come in two general categories: Organic and Inorganic. Each one brings different challenges that I will address here today."

"The two different classifications are made by the fact that the 'Organic' Invid contain a living operator that is biomechanically linked to their mecha, and the 'Inorganics' are more like an unmanned drone, without a living operator inside. We shall have the details of each kind of Invid in your data files, and I strongly suggest you look it over to 'know thy enemy'" [to be found in the Lore section shortly, once it is typed up!]

"What you need to know about the two kinds of Invid is that the Organics all have a critical weakness: the central sensor eye is very vulnerable to attack. A Called Shot aimed at the eye has the potential to penetrate into the pilot compartment and kill the operator with relatively little damage, making your gun pods very effective in killing these. The Inorganics do not share this weakness, making them much harder to take out. It is recommended by Command to rely upon your missiles to deal the damage needed to eliminate them, as our data shows that they are very well armored."

"Our mission that has been assigned to our wings is the direct assault on the Invid Stilt Hive located in the heart of the Tyrolian capitol city. The location of the Hive prohibits the use of orbital or area of effect weapons, so a more direct, conventional assault is required. Since it is a Silt Hive, our Destroid ground forces will not be capable of making the attack against the Hive, and will instead be tasked with hunting Inorganics on the ground while our Veritech squadrons make the attack against the Hive."

"But while it is important to eliminate the Hive, it is critical that all units be on the lookout for Scrim Inorganics. Their nerve gas globes are capable of killing hundreds of the unprotected civilians in the city, and that is a loss of life we are not going to sit by and allow. As our Veritech squads close in on the Hive, you will be in a position to see any Inorganics and provide rapid air strikes to them, along with supporting the ground forces as needed."

"Be aware that you will most likely be outnumbered on the order of 4 or 5 to one, possibly even more, and each of the Invid in front of you will do their best to take you out, one way or another. Do not try to negotiate. Do not waste time trying to surrender. The Invid do not follow the same rules of battle that we do, and will shoot to kill with every shot. Hit them hard, and don't hold back."

 

[Psychie]

Checking her data tablet, Motoko looks over the info on the two different kinds of Invid. She smiles, thinking of the fact that this is just the kind of mission that she's been training for. Looking over at the others, she says to Ursa Major, "Boss? We still going in with the same pairs?"

 

[jaydude]

Motoko looks at the others and says, "Well, at least we have some answers about what is going on. I'm just looking forward to getting some of these Invid things in my radar lock. I just can't forget the way those people were packed in that transport like sardines. It was horrible, and I want to make a real difference in the universe, and taking back their planet for them is a good start."

"Trust me, I can fully sympathize with you there." Ian assured his squadmate.

 

[Rykon]

Jake looks over the data he'd been transmitted, hoping there would be answers to rather fundamental questions. How do the Invid communicate? How are they ordered?

The label of hive reminded the young pilot of various insect species on earth. Many species were known for signaling through various chemicals and scents. Many followed rigid hierarchies and those in competing colonies or exposed to a foreign monarch would often get violent. Obviously, this hive was advanced enough to coordinate large numbers, construct and operate mecha on the ground, air, and the vastness of space. Scents and pheromones wouldn't lead them to be vicious ship to ship combatants. Radio-like signals perhaps? From there... could it be biologically produced, or entirely of tools of their own making?

With thoughts and questions along these lines, Lieutenant McGregor sat silently with a puzzling expression, waiting for the chance to voice some of his questions in the brief. Know your enemy indeed. If we are to reach 100%, we'll need more than just force. We'll need raw cunning to disrupt these pests. He thought to himself.

 

[Sherwood]

Since the combat with the Invid is going to be going up against a brand new foe, it is expected for everyone to plan for the worst and hope for the best. All the Beta fighters are going to be loaded with a full arsenal of bombs and wing mounted missiles, with the strong reminder that this is a fight in an urban area, and you are to do your best to avoid civilian casualties at all costs. Property damage is expected and can be repaired, but the loss of a life cannot be fixed.

Mirgris You with us still, bud?

 

[Psychie]

Considering the risks of starting fires in the midst of a large civilian population, Motoko will go ahead and elect to have her Alpha loaded with just HEAP missiles instead of the mixed load of HEAP/Plasma rounds that she carried earlier.

 

[Mirgris]

Following Mokoto's example, Andrew will also have his Alpha loaded without plasma.

"We can't win this way. We can't win just rushing out to meet them when outnumbered ten to one or even if we do our fighting strength will be destroyed and we simply lose next time. War's aren't won with big senseless battles they are won destroying objectives, taking supply lines, killing the chain of command. We have to do more than just shoot the people in front of us, those people dying doesn't matter that is why they are out in front" He shakes his head and sighs.

"I'll die protecting these people if I have to, I am not above my duty. However I really hope someone smarter than me has a plan beyond shoot the drones they send for us to shoot".

 

[jaydude]

Ian raised an eyebrow at Andrew's comment.

"Didn't you hear the commander?" he asked, keeping his voice quiet so that he could hear the rest of the speech, and also so that he wouldn't cause any disruption. "We're not just shooting drones; we're taking out the Stilt Hive that's been squatting in the city. By my reckoning, that's as perfect an example of destroying an objective as any."

He then returned his attention to the commander. Still though, the kid's right. We are going to be pretty outnumbered here. I'm going to be optimistic and assume that the Invid need such numbers to present a threat to us.

 

[Sherwood]

As the squad is preparing for battle, the flight deck of the MacArthur is a busy hive of activity as deck crews prep the various Veritechs for their pilots. At the moment, the team's Alpha and Beta fighters are linked together to make the entry into the atmosphere and hit the Invid in and around the Hive. Right now, Springer has his Beta's wing mounts loaded with six medium range missiles, and his bomb bay is also loaded with medium bombs, and he seems to be raring to go.

Ian's Beta is also set with his eight medium bombs in the bay and six medium multi-warhead missiles on his wings.

Mirgris What kind of missile loadout does Andrew want for his fighter?

 

[Rykon]

"I won't lie, staying linked for this engagement is probably the smart move. When we're outnumbered like this, having sustainable defense is going to be key to our success. Sadly, I haven't had much time and data to make any improvements to our machinery yet. So this might be as prepared as we can be... Any words for the squad before we launch sir?" Jake says as he reviews the loadouts for each of the Alphas and Betas.

 

[Sherwood]

With the squad's mecha all prepped up and ready to fly, Manticore squad is given the countdown to launch. The three pairs of fighters deploy out into space, and you then have a few minutes to wait for the rest of the attack wing from the MacArthur to get airborne and form up. Most of the Veritechs from the Command Cruiser are now on the move to hit the hive, with just a few left behind to act as ship defense from Invid counterattack.

Flying down, the attack wing starts to head for the planet's atmosphere. Multiple Clam Transports are flying up from the planet to try and stop you, but the space fighting is being left to other wings, letting the Mac's hive buster teams head forward and enter the upper atmosphere without delay.

Hitting high Mach speed, dozens of pairs of Alpha/Beta fighters are now racing through the air towards the capitol city of the Robotech Masters. Tall spires rise up from the city, along with many skyscrapers. But all of these buildings are eclipsed by the sheer size of the Stilt Hive that is sitting like a giant bug in the middle of the metropolis.

Swarms of Invid Armored Scouts and Shock Troopers fill the air in front of you, and at this point, the Command and Control guides from the MacArthur are designating targets for each squad, so that there is no overlapping fire and wasted shots. You can see on your screens that Manticore Squad is assigned to hit ten Armored Scouts and ten Shock Troopers before you are free to move forward towards the hive.

Time for initiative rolls!
Mirgris D. Rex jaydude Rykon Psychie


OOC When in combat, a linked Alpha/Beta pair has a few great advantages. One, each pilot can access the complete weapon loadout of both fighters at once, so even if there is no pilot in one of the Veritechs, the pilot in the other can use the gun pods and missiles at will. One weapon system that can be used effectively is the Beta's triple Eu-13 gun pods. Normally, when the Alpha is linked onto the Beta, the center gun pod cannot fire. But you can add the Alpha's gun pod into the mix to get the full 3d4x10 damage from a triple shot. The usual arrangement is for the Alpha pilot to do the flying and dodging while the Beta pilot uses the guns.

Next bonus is that when you are shot at, one pilot can use his/her actions to dodge, leaving the other pilot free to engage with the various weapon systems.

Also, any enemy fire that is going to hit will be randomly selected to target either Veritech, unless the enemy specifically targets one or the other.

A quick note about the Called Shot option. If you wish to try and destroy a Invid mecha by hitting it in the vulnerable eye piece, that can only be done with direct fire weapons since missiles will always target the main body, and the Called Shot uses up two action/attacks due to the time spent taking careful aim at a specific location.

 

[Psychie]

Roll for Bigs.
Initiative total of 20

Spoiler

In the Alpha
Number of Attacks: 5
Strike: +9 / +10 with Gun Pod
Parry: +13
Dodge: +13 on the Ground, +15 in Flight
Roll with Punch: +8
Initiative: +5

Main Body: 420
Missile Payload
Short Range HEAP: 60
Mini Fragmentation: 8

 

[D. Rex]

Rolling Initiative!
16

 

[jaydude]

Rolling Initiative. Don't know bonus off the top of my head.

 

[Sherwood]

Current Initiative Order
20 - Bigs
19 - Ian
16 - Ursa Major
15 - Jake

Holding on Mirgris to post his roll.

 

[Rykon]

Rolling Initiative for Jake...

 

[Mirgris]

Initiative is +2 so 18

 

[Sherwood]

The squad is approaching the Invid screening force still linked up, and currently flying at Mach 1, slowing to be able to engage the Invid. You are currently three miles out, but at your speed, you'll be in gun range quickly, especially with the Invid flying at you.

Psychie is up

Current Initiative Order
20 - Bigs <====
19 - Ian
18 - Andrew
17 - Shock Trooper 1-5
16 - Ursa Major
16 - Armored Scouts 1-5
15 - Jake
11 - Springer
12 - Shock Trooper 6-10
8 - Armored Scouts 6-10

 

[Psychie]

Bigs throttles back a bit to 400 miles per hour; more than enough to close in, but still fast enough to be able to boost out quickly if need be. With the range being what it is, she decides to try and hit one of these Invid from here. "I'm going with four missiles on Shock Trooper 1. Stand by. Ian, you have full access to my ordnance; just make the shots count. I'll keep us from getting toasted."

Spoiler

300 MDC against Shock Trooper 1

In the Alpha
Number of Attacks: 5
Strike: +9 / +10 with Gun Pod
Parry: +13
Dodge: +13 on the Ground, +15 in Flight
Roll with Punch: +8
Initiative: +5

Main Body: 420
Missile Payload
Short Range HEAP: 60 / 56
Mini Fragmentation: 8

 

[Sherwood]

The four missiles fly out without any trouble for Bigs this time, and slam into the Shock Trooper and blot it out of the sky in a single hit.

jaydude is up

Current Initiative Order
20 - Bigs [1]
19 - Ian <====
18 - Andrew
17 - Shock Trooper 2-5
16 - Ursa Major
16 - Armored Scouts 1-5
15 - Jake
11 - Springer
12 - Shock Trooper 6-10
8 - Armored Scouts 6-10

 

[jaydude]

"Acknowledged, Bigs! Aiming for Shock Trooper 2!" replied Ian, before launching a volley of four missiles at the target in question, much like Bigs had done earlier.

 

[Sherwood]

Which mecha are you launching the missiles from? Your Beta or Bigs' Alpha?

 

[Sherwood]

Missiles hit, so go ahead and roll your damage. 8d6x10.