Iron Stars - Attar System Assault (CBSS)

(CBSS has chosen to attack Attar, and I will begin this shortly)

11:38 AM

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/attar-location

11:44 AM

The CBSS fleet spends several days traveling from Brizeno, discretely refueling at a planet between, before jumping into the system space of Attar at the edge of the system. The fleet officers begin opening channels to one another, and the mech carrier is kept safe behind a picket of lesser vessels, meant to screen it from attack. Sensors begin waking up, scanning the system, and looking for any Chimeran vessels that might have arrived here since last time the system had been surveyed. Across the fleet, polity agents are summoned to the bridge of their respective ships to conference.

Parsnips gives a nod to his comms team to patch him in. His armor has been freshly polished, and his helmet rests on his knee as he speaks. "Parsnips here. Ready to engage."

(just for detail I hit enter too soon on. We currently do not know if they have ships in space, or what conditions on the planet are like. We would need to achieve orbit to get a scan of the surface)

(got it. My post was more of a check-in than anything else)

Parsnips pulls up the tactical map, only to find that it's empty. "Ok, so it looks like we've got no idea what's out there. Best option from our array of bad options, by my thinking, is to send in a couple of scouts up ahead. Something small and quick that can get in, see what we've got, and get out. The rest of us need to stay put for now, and make sure our mech carrier is in one piece to land."

Vanon clicks in to the comms line from his ship. "Can we spare two ships?" He shakes his head as he looks over the situation report, scant as it is. "I suppose we don't have a choice. We can't fly in there blind. You have any recommendations from our fleet, comrade?"

(I don’t have a ship so I’m riding with Parsnips who has no choice in the matter

) Konya looks up from where she’s playing cards with Case. She’s been on edge since they left the staging area and playing, even with a suspected cheater, has helped a lot. “Do we have anything that can scout?”

( a program/int check can look for ships out there )

(I'll leave that to someone else, Konya will have a -1 modifier)

(I think we could have an npc do it since we’d have crew on our ships)

(Lol, duh. Also, I’ve got Case. Thanks, Konya for reminding me. Sorry Neko, I’m about to trip you on a weekend). Without even looking at the table, Parsnips slaps Case gently on the back of the head. “Stop cheating Konya out of whatever you’re betting on and go help out in comms.”

2

7:06 AM

!roll 2d6 +2

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [6, 5] Result: 13

!roll 2d6

Nekosmash Roll: [2, 1] Result: 3

(You detect ships I’ll tell you which )

Enemy ships are detected , three destroyers and what looks to be a naval courier they are escorting to the distant system jump point. Burning the engines hard, and combat ships in the formation may be able to catch up before the warning can be dispatched

“Fuck.” Parsnips’ pulse quickens as the threat board lights up with glowing red. He can feel his heartbeat against his rib cage and his stomach drop. The Shazis pack some punch, but weren’t really built for this type of engagement “Fuck.” He takes a deep, steadying breath. “Ok, we need to make a path for our mech carrier to get planetside. The Shazis have enough juice to keep these guys busy. I think we advance on them while the carrier arcs in, avoiding the fight. Thoughts?”

"Looks like they might be heading out of the system." Vanon says, looking over the new details on the system map display. "I say we let them. Top priority is getting planetside, and I'd hate to leave our carrier undefended on the way in."

(I think they might be heading toward us. I might be wrong on that though) (edited)

(They’re heading away from you to the far side of the system so the courier can jump to another system and sound the alarm. Your ships are faster so you’d have like four rounds worth of combat to try to shoot them down before they jump if you chase them, Or we could ignore them and assault the planet and deny the defenders an extra few hours to dig in, but we know there might be a relief fleet coming in a couple days if the courier escapes )

(I think we gotta go for it, try to take them down.)

(probably the smarter move! Vanon will stick with what he said, but defer to you as fleet commander)

(I agree, definitely should go after them. Focus on the courier first?)

(If we can, the destroyers are gonna hit at us pretty hard)

(just need ship initiatives if we're running them down)

!roll 2 1d8 !initiative roll for Shazis

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [5] Result: 5 [8] Result: 8 Reason: initiative roll for Shazis

!roll 3d8

Nekosmash Roll: [4, 3, 1] Result: 8

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [5] Result: 5

(Shazi 1, Shazi 2, courier, destroyer 1-3)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 6/6/2022 8:48 AM

(We have four rounds by time we reach the jump point)

8:50 AM

Burning engines hard, the unprepared CBSS fleet finds itself catching up to weapons range as the destroyers seek to screen the retreating courier. They come about, as the courier continues to flee, carrying warning of the incoming assault.

(who wants to run ships? I've gotten a chance to do space combat a couple of times, so if Vanon and Konya each want to take a Shazi, I am cool with that. Also happy to take one if there's not interest)

(I’d like a go. I’ll probably need a lot of help though)

(Definitely! I am happy to help if you've got questions)

(Konya will run with Shazi 1. Vanon, let me know if you want Shazi 2.)

(i'll give it a go! I haven't done space combat before though)

(All Good! I can help you out if you need/want it) (edited)

(enemy destroyers are speed 2, the courier is speed 3)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 6/6/2022 11:13 AM

(this should help us keep track. We won't know everything about the enemy ships, but it's a handy guide for what we've got: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MhZKxM5LEjLTs20EtXYC8Hss9Y9Qo18TjYOnGRHi7Bo/edit?usp=sharing)

CA ship combat tracker

Initiative Tracker Ship Name,Initiative Roll,Situational Modifier,Total Initiative,Speed,Ship Name,Initiative Roll,Situational Mod,Total Initiative,Speed,Paste Me! 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,, - 0,,0,

(Shazi 1 is up first)

(will get to it very soon, getting space-commie-space-combat lessons from parsnips!)

(No worries! Just got buried in all the book keeping)

Konya is feeling rather vulnerable in the Captain's chair. Being the centre of attention is the opposite of her usual MO, but she grits her teeth and starts checking in with all the ship's departments as they approach the Chimerean ships. She tries to inject some confidence in to her voice as she addresses the crew on the bridge and over comms, recounting their strategy. "The courier is the primary target. Gunnery, I'm relaying tactical data to you regarding the courier's movements." As soon as they're in weapons range she gives the order to fire, "Gunnery, fire all weapons." (Shazi 1 Support Department, fire all weapons - 1 CP (4/5 CP) Hit/damage 1: 9/- (AP10) Hit/damage 2: 18/12 (AP10) Fire one weapon - 2CP (2/5 CP) Hit/damage 1: 16/11 (AP10) Evasive maneuvers - 2CP (0/5 CP) Roll: (8) ) (edited)

“Aye, Cap!” Parsnips chirps back over comms, already directing his unit to pull up firing solutions

4:29 PM

!roll 2 1d20+8

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [1] Result: 9 [10] Result: 18

(Second shot is a hit)

!roll 3d6

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5, 5, 2] Result: 12

The courier is little more than a pleasure craft with fuel scoops and sensors in place of armor and weapons. The shot cuts into its amidship , shearing armor and starting a small fire as the destroyers scramble to screen their escort.

(no still got 4/5 CP)

4:35 PM

"Gunnery, Plasma beam 1 fire." Addressing the pilot on the bridge she calls for them to take evasive maneuvers. "Let's make it harder for those destroyers." (edited)

!roll 1d20+8

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [8] Result: 16

!roll 3d6! Damage if that hit

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5, 3, 3] Result: 11 Reason: Damage if that hit

Now gravely damaged from a second but the courier means to port as internal gravity is knocked offline and sends it lurching. The crew inside struggles to control the damage

!roll 2d6+2 ! evasive maneuvers

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [5, 1] Result: 8 Reason: evasive maneuvers

1

(that's all for Shazi 1 now)

(If we wanna roll the carrier we can now and see where we fall, before shazi 2 goes)

(Initiative roll?)

!roll 1d8! Mech carrier initiative

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [4] Result: 4 Reason: Mech carrier initiative

(Carrier is going to go after shazi 2 and the courier , but before the destroyers )

Vanon paces on the bridge, hands clasped behind his back to keep from fidgeting with his hands, as they approach into firing range right behind the Shazi 1. Seeing them attack the courier ship with their plasma beams, he gets to his chair and addresses the gunnery team. "Alright folks, just like we talked about, same target. Light 'em up. Let's show the Shazi 1 how it's done." Shazi 2 Support Department, fire all weapons -1CP (4/5 CP) Plasma Beam 1: 9/-- Plasma Beam 2: 16/12 (AP 10) Fire all weapons -3CP (1/5 CP) Plasma Beam 1: 22!/21 (AP 10) Plasma Beam 2: 4/-- (edited)

8:17 PM

!roll 4 1d20+3

Vanon Talenar Rolls: [7] Result: 10 [14] Result: 17 [20] Result: 23 [2] Result: 5

1

(should actually be 9, 16, 22, 4 with speed modifier. I'll go ahead and roll the 16 and 22 damages)

8:27 PM

!roll 3d6

Vanon Talenar Roll: [4, 4, 4] Result: 12

!roll 6d6 !crit damage

Vanon Talenar Roll: [5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 2] Result: 21 Reason: crit damage

2

The courier suffers the impact of more beams and at first it seems as though the shots had no effect. A moment later a rippling explosion through the drive section sends two of its engines spiraling away on burning contrails. Critically damaged the ship begins to lose speed , falling behind its faster escorts

5:36 AM

The courier begins its damage control protocols as engineering crews within struggle to get their ship under control.

5:36 AM

!roll 2d6+2

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 2] Result: 10

(Repaired 6hp)

5:37 AM

It’s remaining engines also flare , spending the last of its fuel to boost the speed and get back in formation with the ships that should be screening it

5:37 AM

!roll 2d6+2

Nekosmash Roll: [4, 3] Result: 9

(Speed boosted by 2 until next round. The carrier is up)

(If Giorgi and Magdalena get in mechs do they inherit the carrier’s initiative?)

(They’ll launch and act now. Someone is still responsible for the carriers actual turn though )

(I’ll handle the carrier)

(sounds good)

(mechs are up first though?)

(Carrier first)

10:48 AM

(A wing of mechs Mechs launch at the end of its turn

The carrier moves into position to launch a wave of mechs into the battle, the captain frantically barking orders to her various unit leaders to provide as much defensive cover as possible Mech Carrier Support Comms Department (0 CP) Crash Systems- Target: Destroyer 1 (-0 CP) Crash Systems- Target: Destroyer 2 (-2 CP) Crash Systems- Target: Destroyer 3 (-2 CP)

11:01 AM

!roll 3 2d6+2

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [5, 5] Result: 12 [5, 3] Result: 10 [2, 1] Result: 5

!roll 6d6+2

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2] Result: 22

(12, tie goes to you for D1, You are crashing D2, and with the +2, 6 v 5 for D3 so it is not harmed.) Inside the mech bay, @Viridian and @Robespierre ,along with three other pilots they did not have the chance to meet on the run up from the ready room to the flight deck finish connecting their suits and life support to that of the mech and its sealed environment. Five light mechs sit in launch cradles, and a countdown from ten seconds has begun. Once flying free of the carrier, three enemy warships outside are the target. Though the weapons carried by the mechs are not as powerful as starship grade weaponry, superior speed, agility, and numbers may carry the day against the otherwise heavily outgunned CBSS fleet. The fleet had not prepared for the eventuality of being split off from the main offensive, and the mechs will deploy in force to make up for the lack of friendly ships in the sky. Upon reaching 0 , the cradles launch forward, and the mag clamps release just before the mechs are hurled down their launch tubes and into open space. Void thrusters power up, stabilizing the spin and allowing the pilots to gain control.

(So to be clear, I'm in my mech that's flying, going after these ships?)

(yup)

3:45 PM

Giorgi's jaw clenches as his mech stabilizes, every muscle tense. "This was an awful idea," he mutters softly into the comms. He looks around at his companions. His eyes settle on Magdalena's mech. He reiterates, louder this time, "This was a terrible, -terrible- fucking idea." After a grunt, he checks his instruments and his visor before trying to figure out whether there's a way he could attack his target from an angle or in a manner it might not suspect.

You see far fewer point defense guns on the barnacled underside of the destroyers, and they've been careful to screen that facing from the oncoming CBSS fleet.

(Are we with the rest of the fleet or did we deploy separately?)

(you're with the fleet right now but you're way faster than any of the ships on the board right now, you're within range of the enemy)

Magdalena quirks a smile as she drives the mech. Bouncing with each of its movements, she shifts the controls, muscles flexing needlessly, as Giorgi's complaints echo through the comms. "Ah, smile, Giorgi," she says, her tone a mixture of tease and an attempt to comfort, "we are going to do great work today, yes? This," she says, grunting as she pulls a lever, "will clear any name you ever had."

(You can each make an attack on a destroyer if you wish. You’re the same speed so no special modifiers to keep track of )

(Does G-money have an opportunity to sneak in to the underside of a destroyer?)

1

(Did you just call your character G-money?)

(No it isn’t damaged or open to space in any way at the moment )

Viridian

(Did you just call your character G-money?)

(Yes, yes I did.)

11:27 AM

"Not sure, but I guess it's too late to back out now," Giorgi responds with a scowl. He releases a long breath and begins firing on the nearest destroyer.

(that'll be your normal to-hit roll for shoot, and then 3d8 for damage if you hit)

(To confirm, that's 1d20 + 1/2 levels (1) + shoot (1), right?)

(Attack bonus depends on your class but it’s often 1/2 char level yes - your sheet calculates it for you - it’s cell L13 iirc)

12:19 PM

(Everything else is

)

!roll 1d20+2

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [20] Result: 22

1

(And that is why he gets to be g-money)

(I forgot + Dex modifier if you have one)

(Oh gotcha! May I keep that roll and add my 1 dex modifier next attack?)

(That’s a crit, you can definitely keep that)

12:41 PM

(If you haven’t rolled a crit before, it’s your choice on either rolling the normal damage and doubling, or rolling x2 the damage dice.)

12:42 PM

(you just have to pick one thing and stick with it)

(Do I have any rough idea of how many HP this carrier has?)

(Not really. Enemy HP isn’t forward facing)

(Okay! I'll take the riskier choice and double the roll instead of the number of dice)

12:45 PM

!roll 3d8*2

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [8, 4, 2] Result: 28

(And I got the average anyway)

(You also add dex multiplier to your damage roll though don’t double it for a crit, just the damage)

(Oh! Then it's 29.) (edited)

3

The laser fires, sending a powerful beam into the side of the destroyer. Its armor seems to take some of the brunt of the damage, but you see smoking holes and a scar down the side of the vessel still glowing with the heat of your impact.

12:58 PM

(magdalena is next)

Magdalena's smile reeks of pride as Giorgi pivots in first. The beam cuts into the ship and she lets out a mighty howl of approval. "Thatta boy," she says before making a similar pivot in her mech. "My turn."

2:45 PM

!roll 1d20+1 ! My dex sucks

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [12] Result: 13 Reason: My dex sucks

(13 hits)

2:49 PM

(tied the AC)

(Oh no shit, check me out)

2:51 PM

!roll 3d8

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [8, 6, 4] Result: 18

The second beam follows up the first, plunging deeper into the hole on the side of the destroyer and something flammable inside must be touched off, judging by the sparks leaking out into space, just for the cold to snuff them like a storm of quick lived fireflies.

2:52 PM

!roll 3d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [10, 9, 6] Result: 28

The remaining mechs strafe the Destroyer, causing superficial damage as they streak by, while back on the carrier another flight of 5 is raised into position on the flight deck.

(destroyers going now)

3:09 PM

CA destroyer 1 is damaged, and begins firing its plasma beams into the darkness, attempting to swat the annoyance of the mechs poking at its hide.

3:09 PM

!roll 2d20-1

Nekosmash Roll: [8, 5] Result: 12

(miss and miss, boosting speed with my last 2 command points)

3:09 PM

!roll 2d6+2

Nekosmash Roll: [4, 4] Result: 10

(passes)

3:10 PM

CA 2 turns its own ponderous looking guns on Shazi 1, the twin cannons poised to send concentrated hot plasma into the darkness.

3:10 PM

!roll 2d20+1

Nekosmash Roll: [20, 4] Result: 25

!roll 3d6

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 5, 4] Result: 15

(20/15 AP 10 on Shazi 1, won't continue until you elect to take a crisis or not)

(just want to make sure I've got the math right here. Shazi's got 40 HP and and armor value of 10, so that 15 would do 5 total damage, leaving us with 35?)

(since AP and armor are tied, full damage goes through)

3:17 PM

AP: The weapon ignores this many points of a target’s armor. The Hardened Polyceramic Overlay defense upgrade may lessen the effectiveness of this quality. The most a weapon’s AP rating can do is reduce a target’s effective armor to zero. It cannot add additional damage to a hit.

(Thanks, sorry. HPO reduces AP by 5 though?)

(yes, so you'd soak 5 damage)

3:22 PM

(so you take 10)

(Got it. Thanks, working through numbers is scary. Konya, you are the captain so the choice on taking the 10 damage or rolling a crisis is up to you.)

(What's shazi 1?)

(One of the frigates in your fleet ) (edited)

(no crisis)

5:16 PM

Konya braces in her chair as the impact of the shot hits. "Damage report, all departments."

Several lines of red text begin overlaying your captain's chair display highlighting the superficial for now but threatening soon level of damage.

7:30 PM

Destroyer 3 disobeys commands to volley fire on the same target, seeking to block the path of the oncoming Shazi 2, its beam weapons all focused on the oncming planetary assault frigate.

7:30 PM

!roll 3d20+2

Nekosmash Roll: [19, 17, 8] Result: 46

!roll 3d6

Nekosmash Roll: [2, 1, 1] Result: 4

!roll 3d6

Nekosmash Roll: [5, 3, 2] Result: 10

(First hit, although hits, does not penetrate armor, second shot is 19/5 after armor reduction, bringing Shazi 2 to 35/40)

7:31 PM

(Shazi 1 is up)

(I think CA 2 went twice)

7:33 PM

https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/982321263257202729/984187620001206366

(ignore me, 3 is correct though)

7:34 PM

So vanon needs to figure out crisis or not, and Shazi 1 is still up_

(no crisis)

Konya scowls at the destroyer shooting at her ship, but breathes a little when she sees the armor is holding out. She addresses all departments, "Weapon target is still the courier, but let's try and dampen the destroyers a little. Mr Jackall, fire all weapons please. Comms, re-routing non-essential power to you. Target one of the destroyers and infiltrate their systems. (if the courier is out of commission after fire all weapons, fire one weapon should target destroyer that's damaged)

**Shazi 1**

*Support Department* (0 CP)

*Crash Systems* (0 CP)
7 v ?

*Fire all weapons* (3 CP)
Courier: Plasma 1 - miss (AP10)
Courier: Plasma 2 - 22/9 (AP10)

*Fire one weapon* (2 CP)
Courier: Plasma 1 - 17/11 (AP10)

(edited)

In what is becoming a personal tradition in space combat situations, Parsnips pulls out a cigar and nervously rolls it back and forth in his mouth, unlit. "You heard the captain! Eyes on the prize. I need firing solutions on that courier three weeks ago!"

7:46 AM

!roll 2 1d20+8

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [4] Result: 12 [14] Result: 22

(miss and a hit?)

(yep, the 22 hits, the 12 does not)

!roll 3d8+1

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [7, 5, 1] Result: 14

(Is it not 3d6 for plasma beams?)

(yes, yes it is. Sorry, out of sorts today. New roll incoming)

1

8:21 AM

!roll 3d6+1

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5, 2, 1] Result: 9

The courier slews violently to the left, breaking formation as further damage sends it closer and closer to destruction. It looks to be on its last legs, barely holding together as damage spreads within.

8:39 AM

(we'd need that final shot on it if we're intent on killing it now)

Seeing that the damn thing isn’t dead yet, Parsnips switches on his comms to the command bridge. “Hey, Captain, you want me to keep at that courier, or return fire at one of these destroyers?”

Konya curses. The destroyer that shot up her ship seems to be taunting her. She sighs, “Stay the course on the courier, Mr Jackall.”

Parsnips briefly pulls the cigar from his mouth and leans in to see the array of readied firing solutions. “Aye-aye.”

8:55 AM

!roll 1d20+8

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [9] Result: 17

2

!roll 3d6+1

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [6, 3, 1] Result: 11

The courier is riddled with explosive secondary detonations, and explodes, showering the destroyers in its formation with flaming pieces of debris, though none with enough force to punch through armor or damage them. With the courier down, the urgency of the fight is somewhat lessened.

(Just the contested prog/int vs 7 left for shazi 1 if you haven’t already none it Neko)

!roll 2d6+2

Nekosmash Roll: [5, 2] Result: 9

(passes)

2

10:29 AM

(Believe its Shazi 2 now)

Vanon just finishes giving the order for an additional volley on the courier when the ship explodes in front of them and the mechs continue to swarm around. "Hell, that was fast, cancel that gunnery. Engineering, put the engines into overdrive in case the rest of them run. Gunnery, return fire on number 3 and also see if we can open up number 2 for our assault team." (Going to attempt to target a airlock / cargo bay to open an entry point for our mechs, if something like that is possible!) Shazi 2 Support Department / Evasive Maneuvers (CP 0) 7 vs 9 (failure) Target Systems / Fire One Weapon (CP 3) on Destroyer 2 Plasma Beam: 16/5 (AP 10) Fire One Weapon (CP 2) on Destroyer 3 Plasma Beam: 22/17 (AP 10) (edited)

(I think we're at the same speed as the destroyers, so boosting engines would give you a speed differential penalty)

(ohhh i thought it was the faster ship gets a plus modifier and the slower get a minus modifier, maybe i'll do that at the end then)

(no, the speed differential is always a penalty, for both sides)

!roll 2d6+2 !evasive maneuvers

Vanon Talenar Roll: [3, 2] Result: 7 Reason: evasive maneuvers

!roll 1d20-1 !targeted attack on D2

Vanon Talenar Roll: [17] Result: 16 Reason: targeted attack on D2

!roll 1d20+3 !attack on D3

Vanon Talenar Roll: [19] Result: 22 Reason: attack on D3

!roll 3d6/2 !D2 damage halved for targeted attack

Vanon Talenar Roll: [6, 2, 2] Result: 5 Reason: D2 damage halved for targeted attack

!roll 3d6 !D3 damage

Vanon Talenar Roll: [6, 6, 5] Result: 17 Reason: D3 damage

2

1

Destroyer 2 is heavily damaged from the twin plasma hits, finally taking more damage than it is giving out. It begins rocking violently to the side as something burning within destabilizes the oblong craft

8:20 AM

(Carrier up, then th emechs)

With the next wave of mechs loaded and ready to go, the Carrier's captain directs her attention to the comms department, readying a volley of EWAR. Changing tactics, she decides to focus her attention, hopefully jamming up one ship enough to take it out of the fight for awhile rather than casting a wide net Mech Carrier Support Department-Comms (0 CP) Crash Systems x 3 on Destroyer 1 (-4 CP)

8:45 AM

!roll 3 2d6+2 !crash systems v Destroyer 1

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [5, 2] Result: 9 [4, 3] Result: 9 [4, 4] Result: 10 Reason: crash systems v Destroyer 1

!roll 6d6+2

Nekosmash Roll: [5, 5, 5, 4, 3, 3] Result: 27

(12 v 9 , 11 v 9, 8 v 10, so one goes through)

(mechs up?)

(Are we?)

(I reckon so)

(Thanks! So one destroyer left?)

(no, they're all still up, we've just hurt 2 of them but none of them are dead yet)

Giorgi's eyes bulge as the carriers and destroyers exchange fire. "Fuck, I think the only way out is through," he mutters. The diminutive man takes a deep breath and studies the first destroyer. He repositions his mech and fires while emitting a yawp that, sadly, is not very intimidating.

12:34 PM

!roll 1d20+3

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [5] Result: 8

2

(Oof)

(missing there) The beam goes wide into the darkness, the destroyers leaning hard to avoid the incoming fire from the nimble mechs.

12:36 PM

(mags is up)

The humor has long left Magdalena's eyes as the explosions and fire fill the air around her. She draws a soft breath and nods to Giorgi's words, even if he can't see it. She repositions the mech at an angle to Giorgi and she narrows her brows and eyes when she fires again.

11:01 AM

!roll 1d20+1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [1] Result: 2

3

(Yikes)

The shot goes wide as you power away from the destroyer. Powerful jump jets help stabilize you as the trio of destroyers prepare to fire.

8:03 PM

The first of the destroyers continues its bombardment of Shazi 1, firing it’s plasma beams just once due to the electronic interference

8:03 PM

!roll 2d20+1

Nekosmash Roll: [15, 6] Result: 22

!roll 3d6

Nekosmash Roll: [5, 2, 2] Result: 9

(15/9 on shazi 1, ap 10)

8:04 PM

(We will tally that and can decide on crisis or not and then ill@move on to the rest of the formation)

(Are we bringing @Gurk Samson | Glaikit | Gilbert in here to do some meching?)

(He can launch with the second wave that just went out. So we can get right into@it if he wants )

8:05 PM

(I’ll hold fire )

Glaikit - crammed tightly into his mech - is having the time of his life. He laughs wildly as he opens fire on the heavily damaged destroyer-2.

4:21 AM

!roll 1d20+3

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [20] Result: 23

3

!roll 3d8+1

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [6, 5, 2] Result: 14

(crit - 27 damage)

Destroyer 2 is heavily damaged. It’s armor is failing and fires rage inside the vessel as it’s guns continue tracking Shazi 2,the crew inside knowing this might be their last volley

6:53 AM

!roll 2d20+2

Nekosmash Roll: [20, 12] Result: 34

!roll 3d6

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 6, 3] Result: 15

(Crit /30 on shazi 2, Ap 10)

(is the 9 damage on Shazi 1 after AP/HPO)

(4 after HPO)

(thanks, no crisis for Shazi 1)

(going to go with crisis for Shazi 2)

(Roll a d10 vanon )

!roll 1d10

Vanon Talenar Roll: [8] Result: 8

System Damage: One of the ship’s systems has been cooked by the hit. The GM randomly picks a weapon, fitting, or engine; that system is disabled as if hit with a targeted shot, with drives suffering a 1 point drive level decrease. Disabled systems hit by this Crisis or drives reduced below drive-0 are destroyed and cannot be repaired during combat

7:51 PM

(rolling a dice for department, just going in order of how theyre laid out on the page)

7:51 PM

!roll d5

Nekosmash Roll: [3] Result: 3

(Reducing drive by 1 )

7:58 PM

The slaves on destroyer 3 begin rising up, and the vehicle begins accelerating, as the engineering team kills their overseer, and tries to get the vessel moving to escape combat

7:58 PM

(4cp, escape combat, not enough to shoot anything, so back to Shazi 1)

7:58 PM

!roll 2d6+3

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 5] Result: 14

(anyone trying to shave off that point of escape can test for free now, and try to beat a 14, and if failed can take the pursuit action on their turn if they wish. It needs 3 points of escape to flee the battle )

(guess I'll do it since I'm here and then I'll pursue if I fail)

2:28 AM

!roll 2d6+2+2

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [4, 3] Result: 11

Noticing the destroyer trying to pull away, Konya turns to her pilot. "I'm re-routing power to your station, don't let that destroyer get away." She flicks the internal comms button, "Mr Jackall, target that flaming destroyer with everything you've got."

Shazi 1

Support Department: Bridge (0 CP, 5/5 remaining)

Pursue Target (1 CP, 4/5 remaining)
15 v ?

Fire all weapons (3 CP 1/5 remaining)
Plasma 1: Destroyer 2: 26/12 (AP10)
Plasma 2: Destroyer 2: 27/11 (AP10)

(edited)

2:35 AM

!roll 2d6+2+2

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [6, 5] Result: 15

4

(The Pursue Target was v 14, so we win that one)

(i rolled an 11 v the 14)

Parsnips nods, forgetting for a second that Konya can’t see him. The firing solutions appear on his screen a moment later.

6:29 AM

!roll 2 1d20+9

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [17] Result: 26 [18] Result: 27

2

!roll 2 3d6+1

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [5, 5, 1] Result: 12 [4, 4, 2] Result: 11

Destroyer 2 is lit by internal fires as explosions begin to chain react. The vehicle begins breaking apart spilling metal and crew into the void of space

(is it dead or just super close?)

(Dead)

9:33 AM

(Failed th efix check, so it explodes and isn't a burning wreck)

(did destroyer 3* beat our 15 for pursue target?) (edited)

(nope it has no points of escape on your vessel)

9:37 AM

(I think Shazi 2 is up then)

Scrambling to his feet from the shot that rocked his ship, Vanon sees the engine alerts on his status board. He resists the urge to run back to engineering himself to look over the damage. "Engineering! Status report! That was a hell of a hit. Gunnery, fire on the closest ship before we lose range. And resume evasive maneuvers - they got in a lucky shot, let's not give them any more." Shazi 2 Support department / evasive maneuvers (CP 0) 8 vs 9 miss Fire all weapons (CP 3) Plasma beam: 6/-- Plasma beam: 12/14 Fire one weapon (CP 2) Plasma beam: 11/-- (edited)

5:47 PM

!roll 2d6+2

Vanon Talenar Roll: [4, 2] Result: 8

!roll 3 1d20+1 !3 shots on Destroyer 1

Vanon Talenar Rolls: [4] Result: 5 [10] Result: 11 [9] Result: 10 Reason: 3 shots on Destroyer 1

(Not sure it makes a huge difference, but I think you’re at +3, not +1)

6:08 PM

(Might push that middle one into hit territory)

(isn't it +2 default and then i'd have -1 from speed because of the drive hit?)

(+3 is the default, so you are probably at +2 if the drive hit impacts speed)

(ohh right +3 for hits, +2 for skills, so yeah i think +2 then giving me a 12 instead if that hits)

(The middle one hits )

8:57 PM

Destroyer 1 takes further damage pushing it from moderate to Heavy damage. Burning scraps of metal fall from its sides , along with venting gas and crew members.

8:57 PM

(Carrier and mechs )

By now the carrier’s comms team has come to anticipate their captain’s orders, already halfway through preparing the jamming signals when she calls for another array on the remaining destroyer Support Department- 0 CP Crash Systems x3 on Destroyer 1

9:21 PM

!roll 3 2d6+2

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [6, 2] Result: 10 [4, 1] Result: 7 [4, 2] Result: 8

!roll 6d6+2

Nekosmash Roll: [4, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1] Result: 20

(10 v 10, so tie goes to you, 9 v 7, and 5 v 8, so two go through, one fails)

7:27 AM

(mechs are up! ,destroyer 1 and 3 are still in the fight, though 3 is running due to a crew mutiny)

!roll 3d6 !Damage on Destroyer 1

Vanon Talenar Roll: [6, 5, 3] Result: 14 Reason: Damage on Destroyer 1

(We wouldn’t know about the mutiny, right? We’d just know it’s trying to run?)

(Correect, we just see it running, and also that it stopped firing)

Konya flicks on her fleet comms. "Should we give them a chance to surrender? One's badly damaged and one's attempting to flee."

"Couldn't hurt. At this point they've got to know how this is going to end up."

"You guys are in charge, but it sounds like a great idea," Giorgi responds in his comms right after releasing a short, hopeful breath.

(Neko told us in OOC that surrender is pretty much a nonstarter for them, so I think we can just proceed with the shooting)

(Cool! Mechs are up?)

(I believe so)

(mechs are indeed up)

Giorgi's eyes light up when he spots what he thinks is an opening on the fleeing destroyer. "Willing to surrender or not, I gotta take the sure thing," he mutters into his comms. He narrows his eyes slightly and takes the shot.

10:25 AM

!roll 1d20+3

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [18] Result: 21

3

(hits)

(Its 3d8 for damage)

(Oops! Right!)

8:27 PM

!roll 3d8

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [3, 3, 1] Result: 7

Heavily damaged by a further beam, the destroyer limps on as the mech forces swarm it like angry bees chasing off a bear come to raid their hive

8:27 PM

(magdalena is up!)

Magdalena firmly grips the controls from within the mech. Her new mechanical legs nearly move naturally and her fingers flex as she lifts her head to see the damaged destroyers. No retreat. A wounded animal finds a brush, a hole, a sewer, anything in order to recover to survive. Things that don't are those compelled by notions animals do not have: conviction. It drives beyond sense. "Fine," she says, dark brows narrowing above equally dark eyes. "Let's fulfill their death wish." She opens fire.

8:35 PM

!roll 1d20+1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [20] Result: 21

1

The death wish is fulfilled, as the skeletal hands of the reaper himself seem to reach out from the barrel of Magdalena's cannon. The piercing lance of white hot energy rips into the side of the vessel, tearing it open from bow to stern in one complete cut. Fire, venting gasses, and the bodies of breached crew spill from the wound like some kind of hideous bio-mechanical blood. The destroyer lists heavily as internal stabilization fails, a predator in its death throes as secondary explosions begin to touch off inside. It is a spectacular end for a mighty ship, and none of the crew are able to reach the life boats in time before it explodes.

(Oh no roll for damage? Or was it gonna die no matter what?)

(If we're letting the final destroyer run, we could end the space battle now, if we're running it down, Glaikit is up)

8:38 PM

(it was only 3hp from death so even if you entirely snakeeyed it, it was gonna die)

8:39 PM

(You also critted, so you were doing a minimum of six damage)

(Delicious!)

(Guess we’re probably anxious to get on with what we actually came to do but my vote would be to destroy the last ship. Don’t want to take any chance it might get reinforcements)

(also vote for blasting - wherever they're trying to go, they might get picked up and reveal everything anyway)

(That’s a fair point. Since we wouldn’t know about the slave revolt going on aboard, we’d probably think it was trying to finish what the courier started)

(If we're going after it, Glakit is up)

Glaikit continues to fire away at the fleeing ship.

1

7:17 AM

!roll 1d20+3

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [18] Result: 21

!roll 3d8+1

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [8, 7, 1] Result: 17

Destroyer 3 is heavily damaged by the sweeping assault as the rest of the mech squadron begins piling in, hornets chasing down the fleeing ship so its message cannot be delivered.

7:44 AM

!roll 8 d20+3

Nekosmash Rolls: [20] Result: 23 [7] Result: 10 [12] Result: 15 [7] Result: 10 [18] Result: 21 [20] Result: 23 [15] Result: 18 [16] Result: 19

!roll 5 3d8

Nekosmash Rolls: [6, 4, 3] Result: 13 [5, 4, 3] Result: 12 [8, 6, 2] Result: 16 [6, 4, 4] Result: 14 [8, 6, 2] Result: 16

The mechs punch several holes into the fleeing vessel, as both squadrons have now launched and continue their darting attacks at the enemy before darting away to avoid return fire. The concentrated beam weapons cause rippling explosions down the length of the ship, destroying it entirely and turning it into a drifting, powerless wreck, unable to flee local space or deliver its warning.

3

(end of combat)

Seeing the last light blink out on the gunnery's threatboard, Parsnips sinks down into his chair, the end of his unlit cigar now nearly chewed through. "That was something. Mech squad, you guys are absolute badasses. Was that as cool as it looked?"

"Do we get to keep them?" Glaikit seems genuinely curious.

Giorgi releases a long breath in relief as the ship explodes. Glaikit's question brings a slight smile. He decides to go for it. "I'm sure if we got to keep our mechs, we could train in our free time, and be even more effective fighters for the Brotherhood."

Magdalena's eyes narrowed at the ships until the explosion, and corpse bleeding, was absolute. After that, her expression melts in relief and she leans her head back. Labored breath comes and goes, as if she held it the entire time. She rolls out a chuckle after Gurk and Giorgi speak. "It would allow us more time for familiarity and weaponry, no? Even with the training we had already, it's not yet second nature," she adds. (edited)

Parsnips holds down the button on his fleet comm console until it turns green. "Hey guys? Maybe before we start divvying up polity equipment, we should finish up this mission we're on? Kinda in the middle of a war, here."

Landing lights on the side of the mech carrier begin signaling, indicating correct pathways for the mechs to take when returning for fuel and new battery packs for their weapons. After about half an hour, the mechs are recovered, and the fleet begins moving toward the planet.

12:22 PM

(I'll get a map together for us)

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/attar-location?preview=true

Attar

(Breaker guns on the surface would prevent landing within three hexes of any named sites)

Parsnips reviews the tactical overview map, his brow furrowing as he studies it. "My recommendation would be to land at the mountain range nearest the slave pens. If we can free the captives there, we may be able to pick up some allies as we march on the other positions."

"Helping slaves is good," Glaikit says. "What would we equip them with, though? Do we think they'll have enough training to be useful in a confrontation?"

"We should have enough surplus in our armories for at least a handful. As for training, who knows? But liberation is a pretty powerful motivator, and its usually better to have more people shooting at the enemy than less."

(emptying the combined armories on all of our ships could probably equip everyone who might be in the camp, but equipment won't be available for you guys to requisition unless the polity re-buys that fitting on all its ships, and waits untl next month for the supplies to come.

(oh, probably don't want to do that)

"The strategy of freeing the slaves first seems good to me," Glaikit says, "it's just the tactics I'm concerned with. I think freeing the slaves would cause immediate problems for enemy supply lines, and we might learn a lot about the planet - and other strongholds - that would help us with the rest of the assault. "But I don't think we could rely on them to form an effective battle group."

"That makes sense to me. Plus I wouldn't want any of the liberated workers to feel like we were conscripting them."

"I thought they'd probably be a good source of information too, especially if they're in any way organised. But mostly I'd like to free them and make sure the planetary leadership can't use them against us, either deploying them against us or threatening their lives unless we surrender." She pauses for a few moments, "I guess what I'm saying is the slave pens seem like a good first target to me."

Giorgi strokes a nonexistent beard as he looks over the map. After a moment, he comments, "It'll probably look really good if we free a bunch of slaves. It's always useful to look good back home."

"..and I suppose if a few stray copies of the Pelasgon People's Front Treatises end up in the hands of workers here, that can't be helped."

"Sounds like a solid plan to me as well. Though I imagine their leadership and any military assets of significance are not likely to be around there, so this could give them more opportunity to harden those sites while we free the slaves." Vanon shrugs. "We should still do it, just playing devil's advocate, I suppose."

(With breaker guns keeping us from making direct assaults on any of the targets , wherever we land we are going to be fighting an army in the field , so we will be running into prepared positions wherever we go)

“I think we worry about what to do with the slaves later,” Magdalena comments with tension, or maybe annoyance, in her tone. “They’re the reason we’re here, last I checked.” Her mouth curls in a smirk to Parsnips. “The war, as you called it. So let’s haul ass. What are the marching orders?”

Parsnips nods and points toward Magdalena. “You are right about that. They are the reason we’re here. Liberating the Mosk and Noctua under CA control is our priority. But fair enough, we should get moving. We’ll probably be outnumbered, but we can probably make up for it with our mech support, and the sheathed drop pods should give us a healthy surprise element.”

The carrier is going to be able to convert the mech forces to their ground attack model within the next day or so. For tonight , space is yours and you will each be commended in a short ceremony on the hangar deck

(Oh shit, meant to fix the landing light mechs. Still time?)

(Yes let’s do it)

(Thanks, gonna be a bit before I can hop on the builder)

(Actually, forgot I could do this on my phone. Will post in vehicle channel too:

(This works! Okay, anything we want to do before dropping? I also think you need just one or the other for drop sheath and grav chutes

3:37 PM

(If we want to swap one and fit something else )

(I thought the chutes let you drop and the sheathing conceals it)

(okay, all good, we will continue)

7:49 AM

The mechs are configured to their ground attack mode as the fleet begins the long process of drawing close to the planet, preparing to land outside the slave camp, some 600km away outside the range of its breaker guns and stinger batteries.

(Do we have a ground vehicle?)

(just the mechs )

8:52 AM

(all spare tonnage was given to the mechs, we don't have any ground vehicles other than the walkers)

There's an audible hiss and several clicks as Parsnips' helmet snaps into place. He waits until he finds Konya in the thrall of bodies moving into position to turn his external speakers on. "That was a helluva space fight out there, Cap. Thanks for keeping us alive through it. I think this next parts gonna get a little tricky. Even with the mechs, the fighting down there is gonna get thick. Hopefully we can beat a path to the pens quick enough to release the prisoners there before these fungus guys have much time to react."

In her newly requisitioned armor, her old battered laser rifle at her side, and as always, her trusty knife up her sleeve. Konya stands beside Parsnips, waiting to land. With a friendly shoulder bump, she acknowledges his thanks. "Right back at ya, that was some fine gunning." She nods at the thought of the task before them, "We've got a distance to travel to get the pens. Let's hope they assume their fleet was superior and ended us in space so we can catch them unprepared." She radios the others on the other ships. "Everyone ready to go?"

Something very loud blasts over the speaker. It's too distorted to convey any actual words, but Glaikit's tone suggests he is enthusiastic about heading off.

Giorgi swallows and his eyes dart around looking for an escape. Finding none, a bead of sweat starts crawling down his brown and he responds in a hoarse voice, "As ready as I'm gonna be."

From orbit, the mech bays begin opening, revealing the turning Arid planet below. A point on the surface is highlighted on your heads up display, keeping you oriented through the firey process of atmospheric entry. Drop sheathing will keep your light mechs safe from detection during the drop.

"Hell of a view." Vanon says, just a touch of a tremor in his voice. "Let's get this party started."

One by one, electromagnetic rails unceremoniously throw your drop pods out of the ship, and systems on board correct themselves to ensure you land feet first. Ablative coating burns away to assist with the heat of re-entry, and the bubble viewports turn from a beautiful azure blue to a dusky red, and then finally the yellow of the arid world rushing up to meet the pod. Retro thrusters and grav plates begin to fire, slowing the descent to something that is not going to shatter bones and pulp organs

!roll 1d6! Mech flaw

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [2] Result: 2 Reason: Mech flaw

Konya screams in pure ecstasy as she heads towards the surface. She's certain now that she is in fact an adrenaline junkie and briefly daydreams about all the different ways she can indulge this newfound passion. She's jolted to reality as the thrusters kick in. Shaking off the disappointment that it's over for now, she looks around their landing point to make sure the others made it safely.

Forgetting for a moment that his motions are duplicated by the metal behemoth he is riding, Parsnips rotates his head from side to side, satisfying pops crawling up his neck until the alerts sound, warning him to get back into bracing position just before metal abruptly meets soil.

Sandy plumes are kicked skyward as you descend, and the leafy pod doors open, revealing the mechs. Sunlight glints off red and black paint, the proud CBSS colors not allowing themselves to be marred by camouflage for their first engagement walking as a complete force. The technicians dan make allowances for things like tactical necessity later. The prison camp is a 600km walk east, with enemy forces soon gathering on the rim of the desert to oppose a push into more settled areas, for now, their need to rally troops is the time advantage you've been allowed.

(do we have the heavies with us too, or just the lights?)

(Lights are the first wave down , heavies are coming)

Vanon emerges from the pod and takes his mech through the series of range of motion exercises he remembered from his training. A grin grows on his face as he does so, gleeful to finally be able to control one of these out on the field. He nods to the rest of crew and begins to form up for their trip to the east.

Glaikit falls in with the rest, readying himself for the long walk ahead.

Parsnips takes a few practice steps, getting used to the way the mech responds to his movements, before joining in lockstep with the others. The rotating chambers of his heavy machine gun spin as he runs a dry-fire systems check

(Notice /wis)

(from each of us?)

(yes)

!roll 2d6+1! Snips Notice/Wisdom

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [4, 2] Result: 7 Reason: Snips Notice/Wisdom

Giorgi winces as his mech sets down. He looks down to make sure his hands are on the appropriate controls. His eyes dart up and rapidly around to scan for danger.

1:53 PM

!roll 2d6

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [6, 5] Result: 11

(How do I set a reason?)

(end the roll with another ! and put text after)

!roll 2d6 ! notice/wis

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [1, 1] Result: 2 Reason: notice/wis

3

(so far Giorgi passes, we'll see how @Vanon Talenar and @Viridian do, and then I'll put this all rogether)

2:07 PM

(oh and Glakit!)

(Work is out of control, I’ll post later today)

!roll 2d6+0 !Notice/WIS

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [6, 1] Result: 7 Reason: Notice/WIS

!roll 2d6+1 !Vanon Notice/Wis

Vanon Talenar Roll: [4, 1] Result: 6 Reason: Vanon Notice/Wis

!roll 2d6+1 ! Notice/wis. Alert foci

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [5, 3] Result: 9 Reason: Notice/wis. Alert foci

The walk proceeds for close to an hour, making headway toward the prison camp. Though the drop was sheathed from orbital scans, seismic sensors no doubt would have detected the legion of mechs making planetfall, though your position was not triangulated quickly. Against the bright sky, Mags and Giorgi are the only ones who notice the dark, detla winged shapes seemingly coming out of the sun. A flight of enemy bombers, coming in fast. It looks like there are two wings up there for a total of ten planes, closing in from 5 kilometers out.

(Would Giorgi have any clue whether a mech could fight a bomber or whether running is wiser?)

(your weapons can hurt them, they're regular vehicles, and since mechs have heavy weapons the bombers don't benefit from armor. Vehicles are also easy to hit, usually only needing a 10+ )

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 6/24/2022 11:49 AM

(A heavy machine gun is 500/2000, so you can hit them from 2km out, but suffer a -2 to hit until they get to within 500m, and we don't know what exactly the bombers are armed with, but if they want to glide bomb or level bomb you, they'd have to get relatively close) (edited)

Giorgi's eyes stop as he spots something. He squints to get a better look. His eyes widen. "It's...it's things! th...over there," he stammers. He gives up. "Fuck!" Giorgi fiddles with the controls and starts firing at the bombers.

Konya follows Giorgi's line of sight, and it takes her a few moments before she sees them. She reaches out to put a reassuring hand on Giorgi's shoulder, but holds back remembering she's in a mech. "Easy friend, they're not in range yet. Remember your training and you'll be fine." She flicks on the radio to the rest of the unit, reporting the position and vector of the bombers. "Suggest we spread out and wait for them to get in range."

"Copy that. I doubt they know what they're dealing with here. Let's hit them hard, see if we can take out the whole flight." Vanon keeps moving his mech forward to open up some distance between the rest of the group.

“We should spread out. It’ll make us harder to hit”

(Initiative )

!roll 1d8+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [8] Result: 9

!roll 1d8+1

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [3] Result: 4

!roll 1d8+1

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [7] Result: 8

!roll 1d8

Vanon Talenar Roll: [7] Result: 7

!roll 1d8+1

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [5] Result: 6

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [1] Result: 1

(Konya, Parsnips, Vanon, Giorgi, Glakit, bombers, and when mags gets a chance to catch up we'll slot them into the order)

7:12 AM

The bombers close, entering the long range of your machine guns, their bomb bay doors beginning to winch open for the glide bombing assault on your formation.

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 6/27/2022 8:34 AM

(-2 for this range, right?) (edit: normally I wouldn't roll damage if it's clearly a miss, but assuming we have to because of the jamming flaw) (edited)

8:41 AM

Konya moves her mech away from the rest of the group towards the most covered spot she can see. She raises her heavy machine gun and points it the closest bomber. She gently squeezes the trigger, just like she was taught, keeping the mech as stable as she can. (20/11, no jam - didn't want to spam you so I rolled in dice channel)

(Yeah long range is -2)

8:43 AM

(And you're right, still need the damage even if it might miss, vehicles generally don't have a high AC though, so doing the whole process is still a smart move)

1

8:44 AM

One of the bombers begins to bank gently as one if its engines is set on fire. The pilots clearly weren't expecting the mech forces to be sharp eyed enough to spot them coming out of the sun, and now the lead bomber's position is highlighted by the trail of thick smoke coming from its port engine.

8:44 AM

(Parsnips)

"Nice hit, Konya!" Parsnips' mech swivels toward the smoke, motions slightly exaggerated as he continues to adjust to mech operation. The machine gun's chambers once again begin rotating, this time opening fire and sending dozens of rounds toward the approaching bombers

9:10 AM

!roll 1d0+7! hmg to-hit

Please roll a dice value 2 or greater

!roll 1d0+7! hmg to-hit

Please roll a dice value 2 or greater

!roll 1d20+7! hmg to-hit

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [11] Result: 18 Reason: hmg to-hit

!roll 3d6+3

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [6, 5, 3] Result: 17

(no jam)

The second stream of fire from Parsnips strikes the same wounded bomber, this time blowing out an engine on the other side. The plane begins losing altitude, both wings aflame. Its pilots are falling out of formation and now look to be more concerned making a safe belly landing in the dunes than trying to get their payload out, as it will fall much short of your formation.

9:27 AM

(Vanon)

Vanon grins as his mech skids to a stop from its forward sprint and he successfully keeps it from toppling over. Seeing the nearest bomber already starting to fall out of the sky, he takes aim at another one and opens fire with his heavy machine gun.

10:12 AM

!roll 1d20+5-2 !HMG atk long range

Vanon Talenar Roll: [10] Result: 13 Reason: HMG atk long range

!roll 3d6+2 !HMG dmg

Vanon Talenar Roll: [5, 4, 1] Result: 12 Reason: HMG dmg

Shots streak through the sky, punching holes in the wings of a second bomber and it begins to wobble in the air.

10:18 AM

(giorgi)

(Is it still just dex plus shoot -2?)

(Also attack bonus)

!roll 1d20+3-2 !shooting wildly at bombers

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [5] Result: 6 Reason: shooting wildly at bombers

(Still need to roll damage to see if it jams)

(in the meantime, we can move on to Glakit)

(oh sorry!)

2:03 PM

!roll 3d6+2 !for jamming

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [6, 5, 3] Result: 16 Reason: for jamming

(no jam but the shot misses)

!roll 1d20+3-2

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [11] Result: 12

!roll 3d6+2 !HMG dmg

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [6, 3, 1] Result: 12 Reason: HMG dmg

Glaikit focuses fire on the damaged bomber, trying to bring it down before it can reach the mech group. (12/12, no jam) (edited)

The second bomber begins to wheel, heavily damaged. Although this one for the moment will not crash, it turns for home and you've taken it out of the fight

(Sorry guys, I fell massively behind. I can roll into this or wait until after)

2:49 PM

(Since initiative and combat already started, I’m totally fine to wait until after)

(now would be a good time to roll initiative, the bombers haven't gone yet)

(I was actually about to type lets let this hang for a bit so Mags has time to catch up, it's like you read my mind)

1

2

(Hahaha, lemme read back real quick and then roll initiative)

2:55 PM

!roll 1d8-1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [2] Result: 1

(Impressively bad)

2:57 PM

(But I think it’s still me? Roll to hit? I would have been last to go anyway)

(It's still you!)

!roll 1d20-1 ! Dmg. +1 naturally, -2 for distance

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [5] Result: 4 Reason: Dmg. +1 naturally, -2 for distance

(I’m assuming that’s a whiff)

(yeah...still roll damage though - 3d6)

(still have to do damage to see if the gun jams, but yeah the 4 is a miss)

(Oh wait. The roll to hit would have been 1d20+dex-2? I added the attack modifier and shouldn’t have it that’s the case)

(d20+attack bonus+dex mod if any+shoot level, and then a -2 penalty for shooting them at long range)

(Oh nm I did it right!)

Moving into their own long range, the bomb bay doors of the remaining eight bombers open, and you can see the weapon racks lowering the first set of glide bombs. They'll be ready for release in another handful of seconds as their crews make final adjustments to their approach and the arming fuses within the large cauldrons of high explosive and guidance microchips. (brings us back to Konya)

(Do I need to roll the damage? Sorry, very confused)

1

3:31 PM

!roll 3d6-1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [4, 2, 1] Result: 6

Blowing a bit of irritating hair out her face Konya focuses on the remaining bombers. She shouts some congratulations to the rest of the team on taking down the bombers so far, though she's not sure they hear. She again raises her gun, targeting one of the bombers. (15/11, no jam) (edited)

3:38 PM

!roll d20+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [14] Result: 15

!roll 3d6+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [6, 3, 1] Result: 11

A third in the formation takes damage, but is able to remain with its seven other fellows, their high explosive payload racking in its deployment clamps

8:12 PM

(Snips)

Parsnip’s gun starts spinning again as the mech’s internal targeting systems attempt to lock on to the damaged bomber

8:15 PM

!roll 1d20 +7

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [19] Result: 26

!roll 3d6+3

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5, 4, 3] Result: 15

The shots strike the flagging bomber as it continues its wide turn, igniting something within the bomb bay. It explodes, showering the desert with metal.

7:37 AM

(Vanon)

"We're not going to get them all, find some cover!" Vanon says as he starts to move across the field, attempting to throw off the bomber targeting. He locates the next bomber as he does so and opens fire.

7:56 AM

!roll 1d20+5-2 !HMG atk long range

Vanon Talenar Roll: [5] Result: 8 Reason: HMG atk long range

!roll 3d6+2 !HMG dmg

Vanon Talenar Roll: [4, 2, 1] Result: 9 Reason: HMG dmg

(How fast are they moving a round?)

(They're going to be releasing bombs on their turn but it;ll take a round or two for them to reach you)

1

(Just to confirm, I'm up right?)

(yes)

Giorgi clenches his jaw as his shot misses. When Vanon tells him they can't take out the bombers, Giorgi's eyes bulge. "Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit," he mutters over and over as he starts his mech running perpendicular to the bombers in hopes of finding cover while firing at them as best he can.

11:00 AM

!roll 1d20+3-2 !HMG at long range

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [13] Result: 14 Reason: HMG at long range

!roll 3d6+2 !HMG damage

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [6, 4, 3] Result: 15 Reason: HMG damage

Seven bombers remain as three have either crashed, or broken from the formation to come to emergency landings within the desert. Other echelons of the mech force in quick moving grav bikes or grav speeders are already moving to try to take them prisoner before they get a good distance from the wrecks.

12:12 PM

(Glakit is up!)

!roll 1d20+3-2

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [17] Result: 18

!roll 3d6+2 !HMG dmg

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [4, 2, 1] Result: 9 Reason: HMG dmg

Glaikit keeps firing away, trying to position himself to dodge any incoming bombardment. (18/9, no jam)

Another bomber has pieces of it broken from a wing, and it begins to wobble. It pulls left, ever so gently, breaking pace with the rest of the formation.

1:29 PM

(mags, when there's time. No rush!)

Cold, steel nerves generally run through her, but Magdalena had done a fine job of disappointing her harsh family line. She wasted a lot of time with heavy breathing, freezing in place, and, once her composure was regained, totally missing. They are bombers. This could be the day she died and for a brief moment, this was not the way she wanted to go. Voices invade the comms and her lack of focus brings on that panic. So she does only what she can: she aims to fire. (15/9, no jam) (edited)

1

2:17 PM

!roll 1d20-1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [16] Result: 15

!roll 3d6-1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [6, 3, 1] Result: 9

The previously stricken bomber looks to be jettisoning its payload to ensure a belly landing is safe, just as the heavy machine gun rounds strike the falling bomblets. The explosion rips the descending heavy aircraft apart. Back broken, the flaming pieces tumble to the sand dunes around you. Gliding in, the bombers release their glide bombs, the weapons themselves needing about ten seconds to make it to your position. Fins extend, and powerful rocket motors boost them away from the turning bombers, their crews now trying to bug out of the combat zone as quickly as possible.

2:34 PM

(Konya is up)

(How do glide bombs work? Are the remotely piloted or attracted to heat?)

(They’re given coordinates by the plane bombardier and once released they just home in on that pre programmed point. Mechanically when they impact there will be luck saves to avoid damage using the artillery rules from starvation cheap)

With no good ideas in the face of the bombs, and in the best cover she could see, Konya raises her gun once again and squeezes the trigger. "If anyone has any good ideas, now would be a great time to share!" (5/13, no jam) (Didn't want to slow things down asking loads of questions, so if she can shoot the bombs she will. Otherwise it's purely revenge shooting against the bombers) (edited)

4:19 AM

!roll d20+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [4] Result: 5

!roll 3d6+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [6, 5, 1] Result: 13

(Would we be able to try to target the approaching bombs, or are they too small and fast?)

(Their AC is high due to the high speed but you can )

6:45 AM

(Hitting them will be enough to detonate it, but we still need rolled damage to see if something jams. There are 14 missiles in the air and the bombers are turning around since they did their job )

Seeing the bombers turn offParsnips attempts to lock on to a cluster of bombs, hoping to set off a chain of premature detonations

7:01 AM

!roll 1d20+7

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5] Result: 12

!roll 3d6+3

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [4, 1, 1] Result: 9

Jam!

The glide bomb being targeted is missed, and a clunky sound of metal chewing on metal, followed by heat venting from the machine gun shows the gun is jammed. Your mech has a free hand, about as dexterous as a human one, and it looks as though it can be used to clear the deformed shell from the chamber given a few seconds of work.

(My bad. Vanon would be next )

Vanon experiences a brief moment of uncertainty as the bombers start to turn around, deciding what to target. He curses as self-preservation takes over and he joins the group in shooting at the bombs. (edited)

11:41 PM

!roll 1d20+5-2 !HMG atk long range

Vanon Talenar Roll: [3] Result: 6 Reason: HMG atk long range

!roll 3d6+2 !HMG dmg

Vanon Talenar Roll: [3, 2, 2] Result: 9 Reason: HMG dmg

(ugh, jam as well)

The bombs are missed and the high pressure shells are jammed in the barrel, needing to be unjammed manually before it can be fired again

7:26 AM

(Giorgi)

"Are these crazy assholes trying to shoot at the bombs," Giorgi wonders to himself, evidently forgetting his comms are still on. "Oh well. Looks like we're fucked anyway." With that, he narrows his eyes briefly while examining the path of one of the bombs and shoots away uncertainly.

9:20 AM

(Are the bombs long range still?)

(Yep, they haven't had a turn yet)

!roll 2d10+3-2 !HMG at long range

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [10, 5] Result: 16 Reason: HMG at long range

!roll 3d6+3 !HMG damage

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [5, 4, 1] Result: 13 Reason: HMG damage

(to hit is a d20)

(Sorry! Right!)

10:08 AM

!roll 1d20+3-2 !Need coffee, HMG at long range

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [10] Result: 11 Reason: Need coffee, HMG at long range

The bomb is missed, and their fins begin to extend as they slowly inch closer to combat range (edited)

11:41 AM

(Glakit)

!roll 1d20+3-2

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [10] Result: 11

!roll 3d6+2 !HMG dmg

Gurk Samson | Glaikit Roll: [6, 5, 2] Result: 15 Reason: HMG dmg

(11/15, no jam - if that's a miss Glaikit would like to turn it into a hit with his class ability, if he can)

(Its a miss yeah)

11:48 AM

One of the glide bombs is struck, and explodes. The shockwave from its explosion seems to either knock out, or cause drift in a few of the other rounds around it, as the glide bombs continue sailing in. They'll be half the distance to you in seconds

11:48 AM

(Mags up, whenever there is time, I know we;re about to roll into a weekend so no rush)

“Shit.” Magdalena remains in the cockpit, unmoving, as the volleys of her compatriots miss. Her hands squeeze the controls as one of the glide bombs explode. But it’s not enough. “I believe,” she says, her accent thick, “this is your shit creek.” To the rest on the comms, that may mean little. “But I never betray my word.” Every nerve, instinct, and compulsion tells her to run. But conviction has no sense, so she sends out her own volley. (10/10, no jam

️ ) (edited)

3:40 PM

!roll 1d20-3

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [13] Result: 10

!roll 3d6-1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [6, 3, 2] Result: 10

Fins extend from the glide bombs and rocket motors fire, propelling it forward towards you at high speed. Thus far, incoming fire has only managed to destroy a couple of them. (no more long range penalty, back to Konya)

Konya let’s out a long list of creative expletives as she raises her gun again. (10/6, jammed) (edited)

9:23 AM

!roll d20+3

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [7] Result: 10

1

!roll 3d6+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [2, 2, 1] Result: 6

2

(snips is up, and I think these have flamethrowers too, which should be in range now, or close enough to. I'll let you use them)

10:42 AM

(Kila if you want to roll that too you can, normally with mechs, you can fire all the weapons it has so long as you designate all your targets before you roll dice)

(Oh I didn’t realise mechs could do that, will roll the flame thrower too - watch me manage to jam that too lol)

10:44 AM

!roll d20+3

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [3] Result: 6

2

!roll 4d10+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [9, 9, 4, 2] Result: 25

1

(Omg. So another miss and a jam)

(Plasma cannons, not flamethrowers)

11:06 AM

(The heavies have flamethrowers)

Parsnips comms crackle in and out as the jammed barrel keeps trying to spin, grating sound of metal on metal resonating out. “…ucking things never fuc…work…told them a mil…times to slow down production…ing assholes!” Frustrated, he forgoes trying to clear the jam to fire hot plasma at the bombs

12:08 PM

!roll 1d20+9

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [1] Result: 10

3

!roll 4d10

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [7, 3, 2, 1] Result: 13

(The plasma thrower and plasma scythe always throw me off )

2:09 PM

The incoming fire does little to stop the incoming rounds as both mechs thus far fire all of their weapons

2:09 PM

(Vanon)

Vanon grimaces as he sees and hears the jams pile up on the team, adding to his own. He pulls up his plasma thrower and brings his mech to a halt, hoping to get some additional stability as he opens fire.

4:09 PM

!roll 1d20+5 !Plasma atk

Vanon Talenar Roll: [14] Result: 19 Reason: Plasma atk

!roll 4d10+2 !Plasma dmg

Vanon Talenar Roll: [9, 9, 6, 1] Result: 27 Reason: Plasma dmg

(jam!)

"What the hell is going on over there," Giorgi yells with panic into his comms. He stops his mech and does his best to identify which bomb is headed to him. "Here goes nothing," he mutters before trying to fire again.

4:16 PM

(No distance penalty now right?)

(Correct. No penalty and both weapons are in range )

(Are the plasma and the HMG functionally the same at this range at 3d6?)

(Plasma thrower is 4d10, HMG still the same) (edited)

(Oh! Awesome.)

5:14 PM

!roll 1s20+3 !Plasma cannon in range

5:15 PM

!roll 1d20+3 !plasma cannon in range

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [1] Result: 4 Reason: plasma cannon in range

2

(So what does a critical miss do?)

5:15 PM

!roll 4d10 !plasma jamming

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [9, 7, 2, 1] Result: 19 Reason: plasma jamming

(Nat 1 is just a miss, not crit failure or anything. Also remember you can fire the HMG too)

(Same turn?)

(Yep)

!roll 1d20+3 !HMG in range

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [1] Result: 4 Reason: HMG in range

(Dude)

5:17 PM

!roll 3d6+3 !HMG jamming

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [6, 4, 3] Result: 16 Reason: HMG jamming

A tremendous amount of firepower is unleashed skyward but the fast moving missiles nimbly evade. Vanon is able to down one and the shockwave sends another neighbor spiraling Into the dunes to prematurely detonate.

Magdalena’s nerves have no place in this, as rage bubbles up through her throat. Flicking a switch, she says into the comms, “Eat shit,” before she taps the panel to release fire from the plasma cannons. (15/10 plasma) (11/11 HMG, jam) (edited)

7:22 PM

!roll 1d20-1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [16] Result: 15

!roll 4d10+1 ! Plasma boom boom

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [5, 2, 1, 1] Result: 10 Reason: Plasma boom boom

(Oops that’s wrong)

7:24 PM

(Nope nm that’s right)

7:27 PM

!roll 1d20-1 ! HMG

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [12] Result: 11 Reason: HMG

!roll 3d6+1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [6, 2, 2] Result: 11

Glaikit braces the feet of his mech, and opens fire with both guns. (5/14 HMG, no jam 13/29 plasma, jam)

Magdalena manages to score a direct hit and the missile swarm is down to below half its strength as it closes in, followed up by another hit from Gurk that brings the remaining missiles down to a light bombardment.

7:54 PM

(Everyone takes one luck save , we got most of them despite the setbacks )

(fail)

(Fail)

(success!)

(how do I do a luck save?)

(D20 v 15- character level)

(oh cool. and do that in my character place?)

(Yes)

(big fail. and thanks for the help!)

(pass)

!roll 1d20 !luck v. 6

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [18] Result: 18 Reason: luck v. 6

(Pass)

!roll 3d10

Nekosmash Roll: [9, 4, 1] Result: 14

(No damage if passed, 14 if failed and it’s artillery damage so armor doesn’t apply )

Konya stumbles backwards as the force of the explosion hits her mech but she manages to regain her balance. She blows the stray hairs that have fallen over her face away. “That could have been worse. Everyone else OK?” (26/40 HP) (edited)

Glaikit and his mech are now upside down. (26/40 HP)

Konya guffaws at the mech legs sticking straight up in the air, but relents and heads over to help Glaikit upright himself.

The bombers look to be solidly turned around, their payload delivered to the effect it has, and smoke and sand fill the clearing

5:00 PM

)we've got the holiday so we'll give everyone some time to catch up. just happen to be between things right now)

1

Parsnips moves to assist Konya in getting Glaikit back on his feet. "Could have been a lot worse, all things considered. Everyone still alive inside these cans?"

Magdalena’s eyes had widened to see the missiles flying in. The training kicked in and, in her mech, she managed a roll out of the way. This wasn’t fun from the inside, with her head and neck smashing against the side of the cockpit. Still on her mechanical feet, she finds herself still standing, and none worse for wear. Trundling forward, she takes a moment to breathe before clicking on the comms. “Magdalena Yanovich,” she reports and then forgoes the rest of formality. “Alive.” She moves to see the upended Glaikit but doesn’t approach, since there’s plenty of help there. Instead, she clicks on the comms again, “Giorgi Mdvani,” she says, “did you make it, shortie?” (edited)

The explosion knocks Giorgi's mech to the ground. Giorgi frantically presses the available controls. In response to Magdalena, he shouts over the comms, "Fuck! How do you get this thing to stand up?" He stops moving and takes a deep breath. With slightly more calm, he gets his mech to rise. "I'm okay, but I think this thing is damaged. What are they trying to do? Kill us?" (26/40 HP)

Vanon takes a second to look at their assembled mechs as the dust settles, his own miraculously untouched except for a few dings of shrapnel. "Well, they didn't do a very good job, looks like we're all still standing. What was it, two...three, we got? I'd call that a win."

The hand on Parsnip's mech waves frantically as he once again forgets that the machine will mimic his movements. "whoa! shhh! Don't jinx it, we're not out of the woods yet! We've still got a slave pen to liberate and an army of imperialist fungus to deal with."

!roll d10

Nekosmash Roll: [2] Result: 2

(the next zone is open land, and then we hit the camp. If we need to prep anything we can do so now, or I can move us on)

(I'll defer to more experienced fighters)

A short and frustrated series of chitters and squawks comes over the mic for a moment before the Ashen One switches back into Common. <AO: "Poor engineering, exposed data cables..."> "Aderyn, operational and sounding off." Their mech straightens, whatever temporary malfunction that had disabled the mech fixed as they fall back into formation with the rest of the team. (I don't have anything applicable, I don't think.)

(Glaikit is happy to move on. Does the mech defect stay the same for the rest of the mission or will we roll again?)

(can we do any on the fly repairs? only if it's not going to delay us)

(I think we'd need someone with a pretty high fix level for that, especially since there's no workshop or anything like that out here)

(Yeah we'd need a high fix and spare parts, otherwise special facilities which will probably be constructed or landed at the camp once we free it, for now. The flaw remains for the entire mission, but anyone whos got jammed stuff and didn't clear it, it will be cleared now.

Parsnip's mech turns toward Aderyn's as they approach. "I see someone's fashionably late to the party! Don't worry about it, these things have a mind of their own. Most of them are fine, but I think some of them are literally held together with bureaucratic red tape." Parsnips chuckles at his own joke. "Well, looks like we're all here and, ummmm, mostly on our feet. Everyone ready to hit the bricks?"

(is the position we are assaulting heavily fortified? And do we have any friendly ground forces that could mortar in smoke to cover our advance to mitigate and range advantage the enemy may have?)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt pinned a message to this channel. 7/6/2022 4:02 PM

(we're moving on the slave pens first. We just dropped in with the help of a concealed orbital drop, so we're it right now. We'd have no way of really knowing how well fortified it is yet)

“Question,” Magdalena’s voice echoes dryly over the comms. Still in her mech, she turns and takes a single step forward. “Are we rescuing these people in these suits? If I were them, I might be a bit intimidated by the lack of, eh,” she paused to consider the right word, “personal touch.”

Phoebe the Phoenix

(is the position we are assaulting heavily fortified? And do we have any friendly ground forces that could mortar in smoke to cover our advance to mitigate and range advantage the enemy may have?)

(The mech carrier only has mechs in it. No room for other vehicles or follow on forces. )

"That's an excellent point, Magdalena. We'll need the firepower to breach the facility, but we'll need to find a way to communicate that won't send them running for the hills."

"They already know we are coming, if I had too guess they might have moved the slaves into a form of holding pen to keep them from escaping or working against them easily, or out into the open to be used as leverage against us." Aderyn shifts inside the shock mech, gears clicking against each other as it's shoulders roll. "Simply calling out on the mech's loudspeakers might work, if they are able to believe 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.'"

“Being slaves they might be scared but I guess they’re, uhm, trained to accept their current reality. More to the point, does anyone speak any other languages? Doesn’t matter what we say to them if we can’t translate.”

(I think I have a translator torc from a few missions ago. It's a penalty on talk checks but should get us through)

(yeah we do have the torc, that will do something for us at least)

Glaikit swings the arms of the mech up and down, checking for weak points caused by the damage. "They may not sit around and wait for us to liberate them," Glaikit says. "If they rise up we might be able to catch the Chimerans between us and some armed slaves."

“Mm,” Magdalena intones. “New one,” she says, gesturing to Aderyn, “has a point. It’s no surprise we’re here. I’m thinking a face would simply cause less panic that they already have.” A pause over the comms emerges before she continues to Konya, “I don’t, but don’t think it’s necessary. A gesture and a wave that we’re about to fuck out is enough.” She pivots her mech towards Parsnips. “I volunteer to get out of thing and walk to the pens to organize the escape — if we can be sure I won’t be shot in the back doing so.”

(I assume we can breathe on this planet outside our mechs?)

(Yes it is breathable)

Giorgi strokes a non-existent beard inside his mech. "I can go with you. I'm pretty good at getting to places unseen. It . . ." He pauses to search for some words. " . . . was helpful in my former line of work."

"Thanks for that, but we should probably see what the situation is before we start divvying out roles. Might not be a good idea for us to split up."

Aderyn nods, flicking their arm to side. The action cycling the HMG's autoloaders, a shell clicking into place. "'To reach port, we must sail.'" Aderyn agrees with Parsnips, the diminutive Ashen One ready to bring the light to oppressed people's.

The mechs continue moving through the terrain and you are crossing the dunes at a rapid pace lest more bombers find you and surely finish the job. Follow on forces will be looking for the downed pilots and flight crews, and without doubt those unlucky prisoners will vanish into the interrogation system. As evening begins to fall you can see the light of the camp over the horizon and orbital pictures begin coming in

2:27 PM

Glaikit studies the images as his mech stamps along. "Firstly, will we need to cross the river to reach the camp? That's a nasty looking chokepoint, if so. "Secondly, can we tell how sturdy the perimeter is yet? Looks like the north, east and south sides are more fragile - barbed wire perhaps? The west side looks tougher. If the camp is mostly built to keep the slaves in, breaking through from the north or east side might be easier. Of course, that would put us right in the middle of all the slaves from the looks of it." (can mechs wade through deep water?)

"Bridge also good location to force retreat, throttles how many can escape at once. Someone with their back to a wall is dangerous, though." Aderyn manipulates the map with her haptics, giving a few bird like sounds as she ponders. (They have sealed atmospheres iirc, so I believe it depends if the water has any toxins/etc that would get past those.)

(I think we landed on the other side from the water, so we’d be approaching from land unless we wanted to come in from the water

(Approaching from the west as it stands now, if we want to come from a different way we'd have to spend some time doing so, it might be dawn or day depending on how big of a flank we make)

Giorgi strokes his chin again while looking down at the map. "Think we would benefit from some recon before going on the attack?" He pauses for a while to think some more. "I guess it depends on timing. If we wait to scout, and the other side knows of our movements, we might be better off attacking before they can reinforce."

(Glaikit would prefer not to attack from the direction of the river - either from the west or north would be his preferred options)

“Given how quick those bombers were on us, I don’t think we have time for recon. I think we come in from the west, blow as many holes in the wall on that side as we can, get in and try to form a protective gauntlet to get as many of the enslaved out as we can, and wreck everything in our way on our way out”

(I’m terrible at military strategy so I’ll go with whatever you guys think is best)

(if we have to pick, which is number one objective? Stop as many hostiles as possible or get as many slaves out as possible?)

(We picked this as our landing zone to save slaves and possibly start a resistance movement)

It’s a good thing that Magdalena is in the suit, still; the likelihood of anyone seeing just how hard she rolled her eyes would likely go unnoticed. “Blasting through is likely to get our inventory killed,” she comments, “but any recon won’t work. We should do a smash and grab.” That said, she offers no better solutions as she awaits orders.

"Well aimed plasmas at the outer walls are probably our most precise way in. Otherwise we're smashing through, kool-aid man style. That might end up doing more collateral damage."

"Agreed," Glaikit says. "If we attacked near the gate and killed or drove off the guards, we could get the entire camp out the main door. "If we attacked elsewhere looks like there would be slave quarters right behind the walls, and the defenders would be shooting through them."

"Would put defenders in the south-western area stuck between us and slaves if they were to mobilize. Flanked from both sides." Aderyn voices her approval at the plan, tilting the 'head" of the mech towards the others.

“Sounds like we’ve got a plan. Once we get in, and we make it clear that the big metal killing machines are on their side, at least some of the enslaved should join in. Let's all make sure those Torcs are hooked into our speaker systems” (edited)

“Alright.” Pleased to be ready to get into action, she loads up the Torc, whatever that is, inspects her weapons to ensure they’re jam free and adopts what she thinks is a ready for action pose.

(The translator torc is like a necklace type thing that fits around your throat so your words are translated, sometimes inaccurately, but you can communicate without actually knowing the language)

(Mechanically, it lets you communicate when you don’t know the language, at a -2 penalty for talk checks) (edited)

(Alright. Let’s light this candle $

(Hell yeah! How tho?)

(Nobody really picked a direction to approach from. Still ambiguous on my end about guns blasting or saying something first )

6:50 AM

(Many plans were floated. None were decided on)

(Glaikit's suggestion was attack from the west, near but not at the gate, hopefully flanking the hostiles inside. Still happy with this if others are)

(I agree with that. And I think we say something right before we blast in, maybe get some uprising going off the jump)

(How close to the camp do we want to get before we open fire so I can figure out who sees who)

(200m sound good?)

(I vote 200m if we can't be surprised from the direction we're firing on.)

(200m Works as well, I can distribute my Main/move actions to help reposition people if needed.)

(agree with this)

Moving towards the camp, you are spotted at about 500m as the formation of mechs moves at the vanguard of the CBSS mech company approaching the western side of the camp. You can see heavy machine guns and something that looks like a hedgehog styled hydra array in the towers at the corner of the wall sections, and an armored gatehouse where Chimeran security and a handful of local collaborators are mustering to defend the camp. Their defense is impromptu and your mechs will bulldoze the camp in some manner or another, but they have the capacity to take a great many of you with them if the opening moves of the liberation are not well planned.

(what sort of material are the walls/gatehouse made of? E.g. metal/stone/wood?)

(mud brick exterior, we don't know what;s underneath, but thats the outer layer)

Parsnips quickly flips his comms to a private channel, broadcasting only to the other mechs in formation. "From the looks of it, we shouldn't have too much trouble getting through those walls. The welcome party they're assembling though is a little more concerning. Much as I hate to say it, if we want to kick off the revolution down here, I think we're going to need to draw fire toward us and away from the camp. Those heavies will tear right through a throng of unarmed and unarmored. I think we spread out as best we can and start laying down some rounds at those towers, concentrating on the Hydra to start. Once we take enough of them out we can start broadcasting our intentions, and try get things going inside. Anyone have any other thoughts?"

"So you want us to be bait," Giorgi asks. "No thoughts you're gonna like." With a grimace and muttering soft obscenities into his comms, the diminutive man makes his way to a good fighting position outside of a blast range of other mechs.

(There is a tower in each wall corner. It basically has two floors, a mid floor with machine gun slits, and the hydra array is the roof)

3:28 PM

(Light mechs are immune to small arms, and heavy weapons are subtracted by your armor value. So you've got some protection here, if you prioritize targets)

"Best able to support when within twenty metres to form the... Symbiosis. Able to maintain link throughout three hundred metres, but limits versatility." Aderyn chitters and analyzes, begining to spread out from the others slowly.

(How much cover do the towers give them? Wondering if a couple of us could use suppressive fire to stop them getting organised and limit what they can do?)

(The towers can be targeted. The soldiers inside might take damage if they fail their evasion saves but since it’s hard cover they won’t take any if they pass them)

(That’s a pretty good plan, then! Target the towers with suppressive fire and plasma shots, and once we take out a few of them we can try to give inspiring speeches to rouse some rabble?) (edited)

(sounds good to me)

(happy to try it)

(sounds good, lets get initiative)

!roll 1d8+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [7] Result: 8

(4)

!roll 1d8 +1

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [3] Result: 4

(5)

!roll 1d8+1

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [5] Result: 6

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [3] Result: 3

!roll 1d8-1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [4] Result: 3

(Konya, Giorgi, Aderyn, Parsnips, Glakit, Magdalena, Chimeran Towers, and if Vanon catches up we can slot him in)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 7/13/2022 11:58 AM

Konya takes aim at the northmost tower with her heavy machine gun, letting off a burst of suppressing fire. She targets the south tower hydra array with the plasma thrower. (wasn't sure if we needed hit rolls or not for suppression or hitting big targets but here you go: HMG: 6/11, jam, edit: ammo 8/10 PT: 9/20, no jam) (edited)

(Just damage rolls, the buildings are auto hit)

(that's good!)

The tower looks to be cracking gently at the first salvo of heavy weapons fire. Other mechs are coming behind your echelon and will be here soon, but it means little if you are all dead. (Giorgi)

(Sorry for the delay! Posting now)

10:11 AM

"That's smart," Giorgi mutters to himself softly. He copies Kila's strategy, laying down suppressing fire at the northern Tower while using his plasma against the southern one. "Please don't shoot back. Please don't shoot back.," emits from the comms over and over again.

10:13 AM

!roll 4d10+1 !plamsa

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [9, 5, 4, 2] Result: 21 Reason: plamsa

(You can shoot the machine gun too, the only stipulation is you have to declare all your attacks at the beginning of the turn. You can split fire, but everything is rolled at once, so if there's some kind of overkill on a target we can't go back and split fire)

!roll 3d6+3 !HMG

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [5, 5, 4] Result: 17 Reason: HMG

(Thanks! Had to look up HMG again.)

10:17 AM

(And that jammed right?)

(yes, that's a jam on the hmg)

The heavy machine gun and plasma gun each rake the fortifications here, and several cracks and falling bricks reward the weapon impacts.

12:36 PM

(Aderyn)

Fortification structural integrity failing. Focus fire on load bearing internal structures. 

Feeding targeting solutions...

Slaving mental capacity....

Fire when ready.

A message from Aderyn pings on Parsnips HUD as the Nexus interfaces her SANIS implant with both Parsnips and his Mech. Team feels to slow and secondary mech functions are handled automatically as the two are linked symbiotically. (Distributing my Main action to Parsnips, not sure of the distance between each of us, but then if possible moving towards Giorgi.)

(You've still got your move, so that is all fine. We never really set a distance apart from one another since everyone's weapons are in range of both towers, it just wasn't important)

12:53 PM

(Parsnips )

Parsnips feels an indescribable surge of power surging through his body. He knows Aderyn has done...something, but MES is still such a mystery to him. "Whoa" is all he manages to choke out. "uhhhh, Thanks! I'll, uhhh, I'll try to make the most of it." Parsnips first targets the Northern tower with both plasma and suppressive fire

1:06 PM

!roll 3d6+3 !HMG suppressive fire

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [4, 3, 1] Result: 11 Reason: HMG suppressive fire

!roll 4d10+3 !Plasma

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [7, 7, 3, 2] Result: 22 Reason: Plasma

(no jam on hmg, jam on Plasma)

1:10 PM

a string of curses blare out over comms as Parsnips notices the jam. It's a risk to try clearing it now, but he knows that firepower will be essential to bringing the fight to a close (using the second main to clear the jam)

1:10 PM

!roll 2d6! fix/int to clear jam

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [4, 2] Result: 6 Reason: fix/int to clear jam

(cleared!)

2:01 PM

The northern tower looks to be worse off of the two immediately in front of you now. The gunners aboard are none the less standing your posts and you can see tarps being pulled from the Hydra array launchers, their missile racks gleaming as they catch the setting sun, staining the normally shining chrome like metal a blood red.

2:01 PM

(Glakit)

Glaikit focuses his efforts on bringing down the north tower as quickly as possible.

2:33 PM

(HMG 12/no jam Plasma 26/no jam) (edited)

The northern tower looks to be in quite bad shape, armor sloughing off from the superheated, magnetically contained energy fire, and the HMG knocking more of the brickwork away. You see two burning Chimerans fall from one of the gun slits, ammunition from their machine gun cooking off in the heat.

2:45 PM

(Mag!)

(Might be delayed but I’ll post by this evening!)

(no rush!)

!roll 4d10+1 ! Plasma

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [8, 7, 5, 4] Result: 25 Reason: Plasma

!roll 3d6+1 ! HMG

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [6, 1, 1] Result: 9 Reason: HMG

“Focus fire,” Magdalena agrees as the tower remains standing. Her eyes flicker about as she notates them structure to ensure her volley isn’t going to go too far off. She chuckles at Giorgi’s chanting before firing off both weapons. (25 plasma, 9 HMG, HMG jam)

The north tower is destroyed under a volley of superheated plasma. The rock begins to tumble and the launcher on its roof crashed to the ground and falls to pieces. The debris crunches a hole in the wall and it does not look like any of the enemy is near.

1

7:30 AM

The remaining south tower that can see you primes its weapons , preparing to fire.

7:31 AM

(Hydra array is going to shoot one of its three rockets at Parsnips, Glakit and Giorgi, and then I’ll do the two HMG’s after that )

7:31 AM

!roll 3 d20+4

Nekosmash Rolls: [2] Result: 6 [14] Result: 18 [12] Result: 16

(Glakit and Giorgi are hit. Damage incoming )

7:34 AM

!roll 3d6

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 2, 1] Result: 9

(Each mech takes 9 damage)

7:35 AM

The heavy machine guns focus on Aderyn and Magdalena, who had been ignored by the missile crew

7:35 AM

!roll 2 d20+4

Nekosmash Rolls: [7] Result: 11 [16] Result: 20

!roll 3d6

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 2, 2] Result: 10

(Mags takes 10, aderyn is missed. Back up to Konya)

Konya looks at her jammed HMG and shakes it trying to free the jam to no avail. With one tower down she figures laying down as much damage to take out the second hydra is probably better. She raises her plasma gun. (19, jam) (edited)

7:40 AM

!roll 4d10+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [9, 5, 2, 2] Result: 19

The second tower is damaged and more cracks appear on its outsides as the battle raged on

(can I unjam a gun and shoot or do i need to spend the entire turn unjamming a gun?)

(fix takes a main action so it's only fire or fix, can't do both) (edited)

(That. It’s a main action so that’s all you can do

Giorgi lets out a small cheer as the first tower goes down. He starts to move to unjam his machine gun but when Konya fires, he shrugs inside his mech. Guess she's probably done this a lot more than me. Giorgi fires his plasma gun at the remaining tower. (edited)

5:09 PM

!roll 4d10+1

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [10, 9, 7, 1] Result: 28

Damage spreads cross the tower. Somewhere inside, ammunition begins cooking off but the outer structure looks to still be standing.

7:28 PM

(aderyn)

Ducking as best they can in a mech, Aderyn gives off a few panicked squaks as HMG rounds plink around them. Standing to return fire, energy cells spark and overload as a superheated bolt of plasma flies into the tower. She thumbs the trigger for the HMG, but a shell quickly gets stuck within the barrel. One of the arms shake as the heat wash from the plasma cannon reaches inside the cockpit. "Faulty engineering... Subpar manufacturing... Ach!" (24+8 damage, both jammed.)

The tower begins to crack with large spiderwebbing veins running up its sides. The gun emplacement on the roof is falling away and it looks like the path into the camp from here is free

8:18 AM

(We will keep the same combat order and will just pick up with Snips next time we run into something )

After spending a few moments to clear the HMG's chamber and restart whatever system failed on the Projector, Aderyn looks up. "Outside guns are down.. probably don't have many heavy guns inside, but other towers might be able to shoot at us."

“Alright, then, folks. Praxis time!” Parsnips’ mech turns toward the smoldering ruin of the tower and pushes through into the camp. Once inside, he engages the translator torc and flips on the mech’s external speakers. “Friends! For too long you have toiled to keep the Chimerean imperial war machine running. Toiled for spoils you never got to see. But, friends, that ends now, but only if you fight for it! Liberation only comes to those who demand it! If you stand now, we will fight alongside you, until all of your families are freed! Will you fight?”

3

(talk/cha)

!roll 4d6 d2 +5 -2! Rabble Rousing

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [6, 4, 3, 1] Result: 13 Reason: Rabble Rousing

Some of the slaves begin to move toward the wreckage , using rocks and fists to kill any stunned Chimerans in the wreckage. What few weapons survived the tower collapses are passed out but other sections of the camp are more heavily locked down and riots there have not her taken route.

Parsnips switches off his external speaker, toggling back to internal comms, broadcasting only to the mech network. "Ok, looks like the candle is lit. I think we push forward, mechs in front to lead the charge and absorb the hits. We'll pick up more friends as we bring down more towers."

(To confirm, I can unjam my weapon as I move forward right?)

(Yes, we're out of combat for the moment so everyone's weapons are no longer jammed, as time is less of a factor for the immediate moment)

Giorgi laughs heartily. "Hey, it actually worked. Good job!" His mouth tightens as he tries to manipulate his mech to unjam his heavy machine gun. A spent shell casing flips out of the weapon, and he releases his breath. Giorgi's mech jogs a bit to catch up with the rest and follow Parsnips's orders. The diminutive man releases a small grunt. Not sure what I think of this 'absorb the hits' business.

"Out of fear, we kept running, tried to hide away." Aderyn kicks up her pace to return to formation, sticking close to Parsnips as the lance prepares to walk into the fray. "Can you hear? War is coming, beckoning our fate. This is the day we stand up! This is the day we fight! Well take our place, we won't give in, our victory's in sight!"

(Is that internally or externally, and if external through speakers ? Not sure if there’s some reaction that’s supposed to happen with this)

(Sorry meant to specify, was interrupted by the small people, External through loudspeakers although not necessarily full blast if that makes sense.)

The slaves don’t seem anymore prone to rise up given the number of heavy weapons bearing down on all of you.

Glaikit looks approvingly at the former slaves as they deal with the Chimerans. Then, he looks ahead and tries to identify where the next volley of gunfire and missiles is likely to come from.

The towers in the northeast and southeast look to be standing still. Chimeran defenders near the heart of the camp are also rallying.

Parsnips takes a quick moment to observe the situation. “I think we need to focus our firepower on those towers for now. If we take their heavy weapons out of the fight, it’s over.” (Are we in range to hit the towers?)

(can we approach to tackle one tower at a time? might help limit incoming fire)

(The hydra array has a super long range. We can try to use the buildings but it would be tough )

(we could also divide and conquer, each focusing on a different tower with maybe one of us getting a head start on the gathering fungus clowns)

(It took us a turn to take down a tower though so maybe we're better off having only one towers be able to fire at us for two turns instead of two.)

(they can both fire at us either way, we're in range of the hydras)

(Think he’s saying if we focus fire we might take out 1 tower before it can fire. If we split fire then both towers will be shooting at us for probably at least two turns. Since we’re keeping the initiative order and starting with parsnips though I don’t think we’ll take one out before it can fire)

2

(we can always just start shooting and see how it goes) "Let's get this over with!" Parsnips turns his guns toward the southeast tower

10:27 AM

!roll 2 1d20+9

Parsnips Jackall Rolls: [12] Result: 21 [8] Result: 17

!roll 4d10+3 !plasma

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [9, 7, 3, 1] Result: 23 Reason: plasma

(no jam)

10:28 AM

!roll 3d6+3 !hmg

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [6, 6, 5] Result: 20 Reason: hmg

(jam)

The southeast gunners are surprised, not yet having completed loading their weapons. Damage spreads across the front of the stone edifice, and you can see toward the center of the camp, Chimeran ground troops beginning to spread out among the work shelters though most of their weapons don'tt seem capable of harming you.

12:14 PM

(Glakit )

Glaikit focuses fire on the damaged tower, trying to bring it down before the gunners get their act together. As he fires, an ominous clattering noise signifies something is wrong with one of his guns. (plasma 15/no jam HMG 15/jam)

Damage continues striking the tower and some of the gunners are no doubt killed or too stunned to fight back given the intense amount of incoming fore

2:47 PM

(Mags is up. I know you're on vacation, there's no rush!)

!roll 4d10+1 | boom boom

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [6, 4, 2, 1] Result: 14

!roll 3d6+1 | rattatat

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [5, 3, 1] Result: 10

"Suffer not their war machine," Magdalena says quietly, almost as if she's reciting some holy text, in a voice lowering its timber to a cold, undying rage. The slaves cannot hear her, nor were they ever meant to. Her hands grip steel within the mech, not to make it operate, but to control the torrents of temper. Her eyes narrow, begging to see a single capture that she could turn into paste, but the tower would have to do. Both sets of weapons fire, nearly at the same time. (15, 14, no jam)

The same tower looks to be heavily damaged and you can see one of the hyrda array loaders tumbling off the roof, with the empty casing from one of the loaded rockets heading back down towards the ground.

7:51 AM

The two arrays look to be swiveling over, tracking each of you here with a missile.

7:51 AM

!roll 6 d20+2

Nekosmash Rolls: [19] Result: 21 [8] Result: 10 [20] Result: 22 [11] Result: 13 [10] Result: 12 [13] Result: 15

(Hit on Konya and Crit on Aderyn, damage incoming)

7:52 AM

!roll 3d6

Nekosmash Roll: [5, 4, 4] Result: 13

!roll 6d6

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 6, 4, 3, 1, 1] Result: 21

(13 damage on Konya, 21 on Aderyn, and back up to Konya)!

(7+19 HP)

(ouch!) "Bastard!" Konya raises both guns at the damaged tower. She's damn well going to make sure at least one of these things is gone. (13/40 HP HMG: 16, no jam Plasma: 16, jam) (edited)

9:07 AM

!roll 3d6+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [6, 5, 4] Result: 16

!roll 4d10+1

Kila Stosk | Konya Roll: [7, 4, 2, 2] Result: 16

Rolling fires begin gutting the southeast tower. If anyone is still alive in there they'll be abandoning it in moments, and it is clearly out of the fight.

(I think Giorgi is up next)

(indeed they are)

"Oh thank the AI," Giorgi emits with a low tone as Konya takes down the southeast tower. He aims both weapons at the remaining tower and begins firing. Over the hail of ordinance fire, he shouts, "Konya, Aderyn, you still with us?"

10:20 AM

!roll 3d6+3 !HMG

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [3, 2, 2] Result: 10 Reason: HMG

!roll 4d10+1 !plasma

10:21 AM

!roll 4d10+1 !Dice Maiden don't jam my plasma

(dice maiden was doing this to me last night on my server, give it a few minutes and it should work again)

(I knew it was working for the enemy.)

1

(or not, it's just gone offline aaaaand it's back... lol) (edited)

!roll 4d10+1 !cmon plasma

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [7, 6, 6, 1] Result: 21 Reason: cmon plasma

1

(And it jammed me. Traitor.)

2

The tower is damaged, superheated plasma energy making rock run molten as though scooped from the heart of a volcano.

Aderyn gives a few panicked squawks as missiles impact the mech. Lights flicker and and armour plating sloughs off but Aderyn raised each arm and thumbs the trigger for each weapon. The plasma projector sends it's superheated Munition once more into the tower while the HMG clatters shells towards the Chimeran Ground forces to support the slaves. Only secondary systems damaged, I will live. She messages back while the Projector recycles charge, the HMG autoloader's jammed from repeated. "Only a sword in hand, but we enter the Lion's den. We're not waiting for a war, we bring the war to them!" (24 damage to the tower, 7.5 damage with suppression fire to Chimeran Ground forces and a jam on the HMG.)

(There’s no half damage in swn so it would be 7)

1

9:47 PM

Damage continues piling onto the tower and the Chimeran unit rallying near the center of camp is pushed into cover as rounds begin heading their way

9:48 PM

(Parsnips)

The now familiar stream of obscenity resumes its broadcast from Parsnips’ mech, as a mechanical hand attempts to extract the malformed round from the machine gun’s chamber

9:55 PM

!roll 2d6 !unjam attempt

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5, 3] Result: 8 Reason: unjam attempt

1

(Cleared!)

7:23 AM

(were both weapons jammed?)

7:23 AM

(Also, Glakit is up)

Glaikit unloads with the plasma weapon, as the HMG hangs uselessly at his side. There's more crunching - both weapons are now jammed. (plasma 33/jam HMG not fired/jammed)

The tower begins to burn as the shot strikes it, and it looks like towards the middle of the camp a previously unseen suit mech piloted by @Moebius is preparing to get the slaves into action, now that the heavy weapons staring them down have been removed

Nekosmash

(were both weapons jammed?)

(Just the hmg)

(slotting Mobius in at the end of initiative?, also welcome back Mobius!)

1

(Initiative is done for the moment, the towers are all gone and I was waiting to see how the slave uprising goes with our intervention , as it might not come to violence)

(cool, thanks! Didn't realize we killed both towers)

(If you folks have things you want to do within the scene we can do that too, its been 24 hours so we don't have to keep waiting)

Parsnips watches as the last tower burns. "Well, that went better than anticipated. Great, work everyone. Let's do what we can to get these folks armed and ready to take back their planet."

Konya’s voice crackles through the internal comms system. “Good job indeed! So what do we think, surround the Chimerans ground troops and try and force their surrender? I’m a little worried they’ll start firing in to the crowds if we corner them.” (edited)

"I heard Aderyn saying some strange shit. Is she concussed," Giorgi asks. He scans the scene. "I think we need to take the enemy out as soon as possible. If we perish trying to save some slaves, we won't save any of them."

“Good thinking, Konya. They’ll probably be more persuaded to let their captives go when surrounded by meta giants bearing heavy weapons down on them. Let’s do that.”

“Remember there are collaborators,” Glaikit says. “It won’t necessarily be just Chimerans shooting us.”

Aderyn chitters something in AO at the concussed comment, limping their damaged mech towards the others. "I am fine. An animal is most dangerous when backed into a corner, they know they can't hurt us with small arms and they have something we want. Should we try and negotiate surrender with them?"

"They might prefer our custody to being beaten to death with rocks," Glaikit says, "but stopping the slaves from taking their revenge will be a challenge in itself."

“We can try to convince them that a continuing and organized liberation movement is a better revenge against their captors than immediate vengeance, but if they want to beat a few to death now, I’m certainly not standing in their way.” Parsnips pauses for a second. “Which is probably our best leverage at the moment. The Chimerians and collaborators can either quietly lay down their arms and come with us now, or face the throng of their newly liberated captives.” (edited)

Nekosmash

The tower begins to burn as the shot strikes it, and it looks like towards the middle of the camp a previously unseen suit mech piloted by @Moebius is preparing to get the slaves into action, now that the heavy weapons staring them down have been removed

The comparatively small suit mech approaches the group, "Hello again everyone! Might sound harsh, maybe could work as plan b, but hear me out:" He says as if he was just been 15min away "... if we ask the enslaved to point out who are the worst of the Chimerians (and collaborators) for us to remove them from their group, that could cut the head of the snake and appease the injusticed"

7:43 PM

"I'm not even suggesting executions, but public or at least harsher actions taken against them"

(We'd only have a minute or so to feel this out, the Chimeran enemies in the center of the camp are organizing some type of fight back, doomed as it might be)

Parsnips notices that the Chimerians are rallying. “We might be putting the cart before the horse, here. Fight’s not over. For now let’s focus on getting several hundred tons of steel and heavy weapons between them and our new friends.” With that, he takes off toward the rallying enemy, his machine gun chambers spinning and ready to fire

Konya mutters to herself about the, "damn Chimerans!" as she stomps after Parsnips to take up a defensive line between the soldiers and their former slaves.

Mobius makes some angry mosk noises and follow his comrades to battle, aiming at staying between the enslaved and the slavers (edited)

“Is this not overkill,” Magdalena mutters through the comms as she pivots the mech. She turns her head to Parsnips, even if the gesture would be lost in the machine. “This kind of attack is going to lead to collateral damage. These slavers must know their fight is lost.”

"It is worth it if it frees those who have been kept under the boot of others, the Chimeran's will either see reason or fight to the bitter end out of some form of honour." Aderyn does the best equivalent of a shrug within the mech, some of their zeal lost from the heavy impacts of the Hydra Array. "If they do so, we should be wary that we do not walk into a trap, they no longer have stationary heavy guns but it doesn't mean they dont have something stached away to spite us."

The debate has gone on for what looks to be a bit too long, and as the first of your mechs approach the central blockhouse, the Chimeran are beginning to fire on the slaves.

(initiative?)

(if we're shooting back)

(I think we are)

(We can keep the same, leading off with Konya)

(How likely are we to hit the slaves?)

(the slaves are scattering, I don't think there's a way to entirely prevent collateral damage if we're shooting)

2

!roll 1d8-1

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [7] Result: 6

Trying to avoid the slaves as much as possible, Konya raises both her guns firing a suppressive round at a group of Chimerans and aiming the plasma at another. (Again, not sure if hit rolls required, but just in case: HMG: crit/13 - dmg 27 halved for suppressive fire, ?jam Plasma: 6/27, no jam) (Question about jamming on crits - rolled 6d6 for HMG crit because I always just double the dice and obviously that's almost 100% chance to jam, is it still a jam?)

(We do need hits in this case since our targets are now man sized and not big buildings)

12:41 PM

(and no, we won't worry about it on a crit)

1

(can I join as the last of initiative? I'd like to just have mobius teleport as many he can out of harm's way in those 10 or meters jumps that don't cost effort)

(It’s still your main action to do it so you’d only be getting one teleport in per round)

1

The shots from Konya rip into the slavers and the surrounding thin skin buildings. The camp is a maze, and its impossible to walk without crushing something this close to the heart of the facility.

7:15 AM

(Giorgi )

(Cool! I'm going to be a few hours because I have to drive.)

(No worries!)

"I guess we're just doing this." Giorgi tightens his jaw, his eyes bulge a bit, and he begins firing away with both his plasma cannon and his heavy machine gun, prioritizing taking out the enemy more than avoiding the slaves.

4:09 PM

!roll 1d20+3 !to hit HMG

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [5] Result: 8 Reason: to hit HMG

!roll 1d20+3 !to hit plasma

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [7] Result: 10 Reason: to hit plasma

!roll 3d6+3 !don't jam HMG

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [6, 4, 1] Result: 14 Reason: don't jam HMG

!roll 4d10+1 !don't jam plasma

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [7, 5, 2, 1] Result: 16 Reason: don't jam plasma

(I’m very impressed to see that the dice are listening)

The enemy position closest to you vanishes in a haze of plasma fire. You're not sure who might have been in the ramshackle building to the left of them that collapses.

5:15 PM

(Aderyn)

(8/14 and 4/21 for HMG and the PP, neither jammed.) Aderyn takes aim with their mech's weaponry towards the Chimeran ground forces, however their aim is thrown off by both damage to their mech and the shift in size of targets.

The area around your targets evaporates in a hail of heavy weapons fire.

7:13 AM

(snips)

"Fewer warcrimes would be better, people! Let's try not killing so many of our friends moving forward" Parsnips aims his machine gun as best he can at the center of the mass of remaining Chimerians, laying down suppressive fire to try to break their formation and hopefully end their resistance before any more of their captives are killed in the crossfire. Seeing the destructive power that the errant beams of burning energy have wrought, he forgoes the plasma beam

7:33 AM

!roll 1d20+9

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [9] Result: 18

!roll 3d6+3

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [6, 5, 4] Result: 18

A white flare is launched from the Chimeran position, the heavy weapons killing a score of them.

(combat over?)

(Yes)

Mobius is speechless, and teleports to the entrance of that ramshackle building that collapsed, beaming his full suite of sensors looking for survivors (edited)

There are two survivors inside, and close to a dozen dead mosks and noctua. It is hard to tell exactly how many due to the number of pieces, and somewhat buried nature of the corpses.

"Help!" He unnecessarily screams over comms while carefully pulling debris away (edited)

Seeing the white flare go up, Parsnips stops firing, positions his mech as best he can in between the surrendering guards and their captives, and with his translator torc in place switches on his external speakers. "We know that in the course of this battle, many of you were harmed. We presented ourselves as allies and liberators but our recklessness wrought as much turmoil and destruction as your former captors. For that, we can only sincerely apologize, knowing that an apology won't suffice. There will be time to deal with rebuilding and reparations soon. But now we'll do what we can to help the wounded and secure your ability to end your people's captivity." With that, he engages the release mechanism on his mech's latches, grabs the medpaks from the mech's emergency supply, climbs down from his mech, and rushes to help Mobius in the rescue (edited)

(Exert/con, both of you. Mobius is assisted with his suit mechs' strength so can take a +2 on that)

!roll 2d6 -1

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [4, 1] Result: 4

!roll 2d6 +1

Mobius Roll: [6, 3] Result: 10

THe both of you together are able to move enough aside to get to the wounded, and the dead within.

Glaikit exits his mech - making sure to lock the machine down behind him - and follows them in.

Other mech forces are beginning to catch up, and it looks like they'll be responsible for handling security here. Currently there is no leadership, and no one on either side is sure of what to be doing now.

Mobius cries, touched by the preventable loss of life of those who were about to secure their freedom. He switches channels and (again unnecessarily) loudly orients mech forces: "I need a squad leading securing and containment of remaining hostiles! Field medics with me, now!" (edited)

(Glaikit can try to get the other mechs to stop the slaves running into danger if everyone else wants to help the wounded)

1

With the debris lifted, Parsnips works on getting anyone stable enough to move out of the ruined structure, handing out medpaks and doing his best to explain how they work through his torc

Glaikit is a soldier, and used to taking orders from commanders and relaying them to the troops. Projecting all the leadership he can muster - and aided by his incredibly loud voice - he moves up and down the gathering mechs. Some will form a perimeter, keeping the civilians away from danger. Others will move in to support delivering medical treatment and moving heavy debris. None of the slaves will understand a word being said, but he hopes the activity of the mech pilots looks professional and competent enough to reassure the slaves and prevent any of them rushing in.

(Lead/cha Glakit)

(4)

(not enough to chop through the general chaos)

Seeing the chaos continue to swirl and crash around the smoldering camp, Parsnips tries a different approach. Checking to make sure the torc is working, he looks out for a mosk who seems to be taking on a leadership role in the chaos. "Look, I know we fucked up here, real bad. I know you've got no reason to trust or listen to us, but more people are going to get hurt and die if we can't get some sort of order here. The shooting is done. We need triage the wounded. We've got supplies for that, and the worst off we can get to a medbay. After that, we can get you whatever you need, but right now we need to get this immediate situation stable. Do you think you can help us with that?"

(we can say this gives +2 to Glakit, so things will start to calm down)

Mobius, too affected to elaborate any rally or plea, gets out of his suit mech, symbolically revealing how he's also a mosk. And continues working coordinating triage, first aid and more. (edited)

(Can I start help clear rubble and help designate places for people to go and etc?9

Phoebe the Phoenix

(Can I start help clear rubble and help designate places for people to go and etc?9

(makeshift prison, makeshift landing pad, and a makeshift distribution center (for food, water and meds) are things that come into mind)

(I think you’d only be able to immediately do one of those two things Aderyn) (edited)

(so lemme know which of those things you want to focus on, and we'll see what the others do)

(Sorry, just woke up, let's start clearing out debris and potentially fish out anyone still stuck underneath.)

Aderyn begins helping to shift some of the larger pieces of wreckage, while the others try to find something else they can do to assist the situation

Giorgi bites his inner lip. We're apologizing to them for saving them? He shrugs in his mech and starts manipulating the controls to clear spots for a landing pad and distribution place. Over the comms, he announces, "I'll start setting areas up to get supplies in and deal with the survivors."

Some organization begins to return to the camp. If a Chimeran counterattack is coming it won’t be tonight , but it will be soon.

Parsnips sends a message back to the ship with their coordinates embedded Urgent: Need immediate medical evac for multiple wounded. No official count yet, but at least a dozen

(are we turning this camp into something of a base of operations?)

(I think that makes sense, what's everyone else thinking?)

(If the slaves produced food here they should also have a decent water supply and we know they have some form of housing. Seems like the best possible base under the circumstances! Might need some work to meet our needs though…)

(It would, but that can be done, also gives us a place to repair our mechs)

(That works, we scraped all their heavy fortifications but perhaps we can get some of the working again)

Mobius regains composure and starts an attempt to reach out any enslaved leadership, he'd start passing the word to mosks passing by how CBSS wants to help and earn their trust (edited)

Magdalena narrows her eyes within the mech. It could have gone much worse but it didn’t go great. There were injured, and could that have been avoided? “Probably not,” she resigns. She settles her mech into powering down and she reaches a hand behind her to massage the tension out of the back of her neck. “I can try to help with the repairs,” she offers over the comms. “I’m not an expert but it’s something.” (edited)

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

3:13 PM

All of you working together manage to get the ruins of the camp under some kind of control. The former slavemasters are placed into the holding pens their slaves once occupied and mechs begin stacking the debris from the ruined towers into large mounds at the corners of the compound to deny easy entry to the camp. Technicians and tools are sent down from the mech carrier and the long process of repairing those who were damaged during the desert march and the fighting begins, with extra attention paid to the sub standard ammunition and power packs you'd been issued.

(We can figure out where we're advancing to from here, or what we want to do)

(If we have captured the agri pens do we think there are significant hostile forces left on this land mass? Can we get off the landmass by boat or are we going to need spaceships to pick us up and ferry us to another area?)

(We dont have IC answers to either of those questions. We have no boats available at the moment, we don't have intel on where any might be, but we do know we have space assets to get us elsewhere)

(Glaikit would vote to secure this landmass before moving on in that case to reduce likelihood of retaliation against the slaves. Finding a source of transportation that might allow us to transport the mechs without risking the spaceships would also be handy. Maybe the food travels from here by sea? We could look into it)

1

(Parsnips would agree with that. Lock down where we are, take any and all resources we've secured and distribute to the freed slaves, scout out the borders to see where we've got the best opportunity to advance. We can talk to the freed slaves first, some of them probably have a decent understanding of the surrounding areas from being used for labor all over the place) (edited)

(Really struggling to get any discord connection rn, hopefully broadband live tomorrow so will be active then. Also support securing this landmass)

(Let's go IC with this discussion so we give Neko something to work with for the next phase) Parsnips nods in agreement at Glaikit's suggestion to secure the landmass before moving on. "Let's get as much intel on what might be out there as we can from the Attar Liberation Army (calling the freed slaves that so we don't have to keep calling them the slaves) and then send out some patrols. The Chimerians must have some way of transporting resources over these waters, and hopefully some of these folks know how to find it. Any weapons we can salvage from caches, armories, or dead chimerians should find their way into ALA hands. "

(Just to confirm, I need a translator to speak with the freed peeps right?)

(you have a translator torc, so it will translate most things you say with no errors, and back, but isn't perfect)

Giorgi raises his hand. "I've been known to make people comfortable enough to part with information, and that's information they weren't supposed to give me. Should be easy enough for me to work with some of these . . . Attars to see what they know."

Glaikit sticks his hand up. “I’ll strip the dead,” he says, cheerfully. “I can check the quality of the kit too but a real technician might be useful for that part. “Did we bring in any collaborators alive? Leaning on them might provide us with some good information on how the food got moved and where weapons might be stashed.”

"I can communicate telepathically to any of them who are willing to do so, should help ease the language barrier if needed. I can help with technical sides of things as well, but most of my knowledge is on slicing apart starships." Aderyn thinks for a moment, resting their head onto their fist. "If the rest of the world depended on this for food, then as it stands this is a war of attrition that we win in the long term."

(They'd be jailed with their former slavemasters Glaikit)

“Lean on them metaphorically to start with,” Glaikit suggests, “then literally if they don’t help. Some more guns may turn up.”

(did we want to interrogate some as a group?)

2

(I'm down)

(cracks knuckles)

(yes!)

Five collaborators look to be in the most stable position to talk right now. Two are human , one is Piggen, one is Noctua, and one is a Mosk. There are many other collaborators and Chimeran here, but most require medical attention before being worth anything. Translator torc have been issued to each of you and you should be able to discern enough to get your questions answered.

Mobius laggardly joins the chore for focusing on one landmass at a time. But remain eerily silent about interrogation, sticking around with the group anyway

Before heading into the makeshift jail, Parsnips looks around at the team. “Ok, how’s this for a plan? Mobius and I try our luck at good-cop. If that doesn’t work, maybe Glaikit can be bad cop? And Giorgi, now, don’t take this the wrong way but maybe you play the dirty cop? And meanwhile, Aderyn can try poking around to see if there’s anyone willing to do that, uhhh, creepy head-talking thing but won’t talk out loud? Go team?”

He nods satisfied "What if you go first Parsnips? Then Glaikit and I can step in as bad and good cop, and if that doesn't work it'd could be you and Giorgi. Nice too meet you both by the way comrades."

Glaikit gives the thumbs up.

"Ok, then. Go team! Wish me luck." Parsnips turns and continues into the jail, making sure his torc is firmly in place as he walks. "Hello, everyone. My name is Parsnips, I'm here to make sure we're complying with interstellar laws of how prisoners of war are treated. If anyone feels they've been abused or neglected, please let me know. That's, of course, not the only reason I'm here. Let's be honest. The regime here is going to fall, that's not a question anymore. The only thing up for debate is how long it takes and how bloody it gets. You can help bring this conflict to a close, and restore peace to Attar. Any information you can share with us will help bring that peace, along with freedom for the enslaved, even those who were forced or coerced into collaboration. Supply lines, weapons and materials caches, regime soldier encampments, all of that will help end the conflict. If you don't want to talk openly, we have someone here with us that, if you are willing, you can share the information with telepathically. I don't really understand how that stuff works, but I know that it does. Just let us know when you're ready to talk, or not-talk, and we'll take care of you." (spiel got too long, part II coming in a second post. Sorry!)

8:24 AM

Parsnips begins to leave, but turns back. "Listen, I understand what many of you are going through. This isn't my first revolution. The planet I came from, we had a ruling class too. And they were vicious. Just like here, they worked people to death to feed their insatiable appetite for more. More wealth, more power. Anyone who didn't want to die for their greed ended up dead anyway. Either found with a hole in their head, or supplies of air and water just stopped coming. As more people took a stand for a fairer deal, they got more and more rabid. Most of the folks who collaborated back home, they weren't the sniveling weasels we thought they were at the time. The regime had guns to their families, either metaphorically or actual. We know that's probably the case for a lot of you, and we can help protect them and you, but only if you help bring those fuckers down."

(ooh, talk/cha at +2, then you can ask three questions)

!roll 4d6d2 +5! talk/cha roll at +2

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [6, 4, 2, 1] Result: 15 Reason: talk/cha roll at +2

2

(okay, ask away!)

(want all 3 at once or 1 at a time?)

(one at a time is probably betteR)

"Are there any other encampments or facilities on this landmass, and if so where are they?"

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/attar-location?preview=true There is nothing else on this landmass but Greenhold Heights and Sunspire are within easy range from air and sea.

Attar

"How, where, and when are materials moved between landmasses? Where do they keep the vehicles they use for material transports?"

The vehicles that normally bring supplies here are large bulk air transports. They are not stored here, just land, deposit their goods, and leave. Most of the goods are left on the tarmac and are brought in by slave work crews.

9:36 AM

The camp was a prison and does not have anything aside from a few tractors.

(would a follow-up to that count as one of my three?)

(yeS)

(thanks) "Where do the air transports come from?"

They come from Greenhold Heights primarily, though sometimes one from Sunspire will come with replacement guards or more security type equipment for them.

"Thank you, you've been very helpful. We'll remember that once this is over." (that's my three!)

Giorgi grins widely at Parsnip's suggestion he plays dirty cop and offers a nod in response. When Parsnips starts asking, he leans against the wall in back, listening intently while twisting his pinky ring.

(if someone wants to try something different, we might get more questions)

(I figure Giorgi would come at the end, in private, bc he's going to pretend to be corrupt to see if he can get anything more)

(alright, anyone not Giorgi wanna try something?)

Glaikit looks at each of the collaborators in turn, looming large. “Some people ruin the first chance they get in life. Take up for the wrong cause, or a losing cause. “Not everyone gets a second chance. The former slaves who suffered here aren’t keen on you getting a second chance. “If you are useful enough, if you can prove yourself, you might get that second chance. Help them help themselves now: any information on guns, ammo dumps, storage caches, places on the map only the slave masters would visit - all of these would help your case now. And would keep the former slaves from venting their anger on you instead.”

(you get three questions, they're not going to give you all this just because, but we can focus on the most important)

“Are there any armories or military stores nearby the defenders weren’t able to access before the fighting started?”

Sunspire seems to be the source of most of the military equipment on the planet. The guards depended on it as a lifeline for ammunition.

Mobius remains silent, watching and listening carefully. He takes mental notes about what to do with this Sunspire.

Glaikit changes tack. “There is going to be more fighting on this planet: our mechs against their soldiers. You were in the battle and saw their attempts to stop us. “Did you see any weaknesses in their tactics or equipment we can exploit to keep our mechs safe in future battles?”

You already overpowered the guards here significantly, they haven't been to any of the other cities in a long time and are not sure what has changed.

Glaikit nods. “I assume you haven’t been to Sunspire. But can you tell us anything important about the place from things you’ve been told by the security guards, or that you have overheard?”

(This is our last question) They only remember the supplies coming in from there were getting better in quality over time. The last batch of combat armor was some of the most effective that had ever been delivered to the compound here.

“Thank you,” Glaikit says, and means it. He steps back to let the others speak.

(I think that's all we're getting out of them, so we can move to figuring out what to do next)

(There might be more but we've reached what we can do with good cop)

1:49 PM

(that might be all we can get depending on how far you want to push it)

Konya fixes her piercing blue eyes on the most nervous looking prisoner, twirling her knife in one hand, a small smirk playing on her lips. She flicks her eyes between the blade and her target a few times as they watch her but she’s content to sit back and draw out the tension for now. (edited)

Giorgi strokes a non-existent beard when he sees Konya play with her knife. He slinks over to her and whispers, cupping her ear, "If you go that route - and I like it - do it separately. That way the weakest won't be worried about betraying their fellows, and I've got an idea for the bravest when you're done."

(Sorry for the delays, but this is not Mag’s forte anyway so she would’ve just observed)

5:15 PM

Magdalena’s brows raise and… is that a smile on her mouth? She maintains the rest of her otherwise stoic expression when Giorgi whispers and merely offers a raising of her hand, where she slowly, procedurally, cracks each knuckle of her right hand, one at a time. She then tilts her neck to crack it, her biceps just faintly flexing through her suit. “Not very good at talking,” she offers. “Very good at beating, though.”

"I say throw them into a cell and have them fight on whatever shitty rations we can spare for the prisoners, then come back in few days and see if any of them are hungry or tired of being beaten enough to talk." Aderyn does her best to sound bored, as if there was much better things the team could be doing with their time.

Parsnips leans in toward Konya and whispers, but loud enough for the prisoner she is menacing to overhear. “That one knows more than their saying, I believe that’s your area of expertise.” He then turns and leaves the jail, so the prisoners know the one who promised protection and obedience to interstellar laws is no longer watching.

Everyone files out, leaving those of you more willing to make things painful and difficult for the collaborators behind

Konya nods as Parsnips leaves and looks at Giorgi, raising an eyebrow in question, “ready to get your hands dirty?” she says in a low voice, though her victim was clearly meant to hear.

(Go ahead and do your worst)

Konya saunters over to the prisoner she has been eyeing up and steps behind her, caressing the flat of her knife across the prisoner's hand, up their arm and as she reaches their shoulder, she grabs their hair, exposing their neck. With a flick of her knife she covers their pulse point, pressing hard enough to draw a drop of blood. "Answer our questions and you won't find out just how much damage such a small knife can do. Your choice. So what will it be? Drawn out, agonizing pain, or the protection our friend offered you in return for your full cooperation?" (edited)

1

3

"I'll cooperate...I...I will!" it says, in its strange alien tongue,. "Please! Don't do this!"

(Oops sorry! Yesterday was hectic.)

1:02 PM

(Are all the prisoners in the same room?)

(for now but we can separate them if we'd like to)

Giorgi leans against the wall and observes the prisoners for a second, twisting his pinky ring. He walks over to Konya and whispers, "If we separate this one, maybe we can use the fact everyone else doesn't know what it gave up to our advantage."

Konya nods to Giorgi. She hisses in to the prisoner’s ear, “good choice, let’s have a private chat.” She switches the knife to its back and gives them a little shove towards to door indicating they should follow Giorgi to a private room.

Giorgi escorts the target prisoner to a separate room. "You're gonna wanna talk. Otherwise, death won't be the worst thing that happens to you," he tells them as he escorts them by an appendage. Giorgi glances back over his shoulder to gauge the reaction of the two remaining prisoners.

"What do you want to know? " he asks, likely having more information than the other stooges you intimidated already

"I'll tell you anything, just don't let her get anywhere near me with that knife!"

Konya smirks cruelly at him, twirling her knife through her fingers for effect. "Interesting, let's put that to the test. I know you were holding back, I suggest you don't this time." She draws his attention to her knife again before asking, "When is the next shipment from Sunspire due to arrive, and what will be in it?"

'We got messages out, they know the camp fell. If someone comes it's going to be a counter attack, but they won't be sending anymroe supplies"

(does it seem like sunspire was the direction the bombers came from or went to?) (edited)

(I think they told us earlier that Sunspire is their military outpost and Greengold is their main supply)

(Yep, just making sure the info they've given checks out, bombers would likely come from Sunspire right?) (omg so many typos) (edited)

(thats likely where they'll be taking off from, once airborne their attack could come from anywhere, a more circular route is just longer flight time)

(I'm getting a weird message that there's no one in the thread? Did I accidentally butt-delete people? Sorry if I'm just getting paranoid for no good reason)

( i see that too, I don't think you did it but it might just be discord)

(as long as we can all still see the channel, and as long as I didn't do it

)

(Voting for how to proceed is now open: https://discord.com/channels/941002406181883914/983432619800789044/1006917799790256289)

"Good." Konya strokes his hand gently with the flat of her knife. "What else do you know about Sunspire? Layouts, access codes, resources; everything you know."

He doesnt seem to have any access codes since he is currently not assigned there, and is working for the camp instead. There is no opsec reason for him to have them so he cannot produce something from nothing. You get the impression this is true after several more rounds of threats that get progressively worse and closer to home. He does know there is a large military airport north of the city that is heavily defended from land and air attack, and that the air force there numbers about fifty planes split between fighters and bombers. There is also a helicopter squadron there with gunships capable of offensive operations and air transport.

(that's probably all we're going to get I think, good enough) Konya nods, slightly relieved that she didn't have to actually mutilate him but also secretly pleased that she scared him so much. She chuckles a little and studies him, "alright, I think that's enough to go on. Let's get you back to your cell, shall we?" She makes a show of putting her knife away, then escorts him back to his cell.

Giorgi lifts a quick finger. "If we've got time for one more..." He turns his gaze to the prisoner. "And just tell me something about...Greenhold Heights is it?"

This particular prisoner was not stationed there but he knows the city is being used heavily for recruitment of collaborator forces

“I’ve heard enough.” Parsnips grabs a stick he finds on the ground and walks toward a dirt patch. We don’t have much time before we’ve got a substantial Air Force bearing down on us, several times bigger than the wing of bombers that already almost took us out. Our one advantage is we know their prepping now. We have to hit first.” Based on what the prisoner told them, he draws a rough map of sunspire in the ground. “We can’t go right in guns blazing. Even with the mechs that’s suicide. We’ll need an advance team to take out their defenses first, then run the mechs in to clean house.” Parsnips looks over at Konya. “I’ve done a few stealth missions, but I’m far from an expert. Got any thoughts on our best approach?”

"I think we should try to overwhelm or distract them somehow. Maybe a futile orbital bombardment, maybe a fake FOB. I don't know. But I have the feeling simply knowing they are coming might not be enough advantage" Mobius taps his mosk chin exoskeleton as a human would scratch his beard (edited)

Aderyn sits quietly, gently tapping metallic fingers against her leg as she sits crossed legged, watching the plan making happen. "I have some capability of assisting with perhaps infiltrating in covertly, I can share thoughts and perceptions with another person almost perfectly, and with how the SANIS implant is designed, I can become a sort of... Targeting beacon for those with MES capabilities, aiming and letting them influence areas they otherwise wouldn't have been able to focus on." "I could perhaps go in disguised as a slave, the range of the link is relatively short, only three hundred metres before it loses coherency, but potentially it is enough?" (edited)

"Misdirection is a pretty good option, as Mobius suggested" she nods at him. "Mobius and I could probably walk around relatively unnoticed, so long as we don't get too close to the Chimerans, so we could probably get you all in if they were occupied with something. The other option is for the two of us to scout it out with Aderyn's help, but I don't like the idea of splitting up." (how close can you get to someone with the holographic thing Mobius has on his suit before it looks sus?) (edited)

(its a +2 to sneak checks made if the observer is 10m away or more. )

1

(Is Dmitri joining us here, or not until we actually launch?)

(He will be joining us here, feel free to write yourself in!)

1

Giorgi strokes a hairless chin as the others discuss. He starts to speak, and appears to stop himself. After tightening his lips, he grunts and raises his hand. "I got good enough at sneaking past...well, Brotherhood muscle like us. I can help with that, either as part of the main group or to cause chaos and provide cover."

Parsnips smiles and gives Giorgi a hearty pat on the back. "Always good to have one of you in a crew. Remind me to tell you some time about the box of cigars from the Chairman's personal stash that I may or may not be in possession of." His smiling fading, Parsnips fiddles with the stick for a moment before looking down at the crudely drawn map. "So, how's this for a plan? Two teams. One on harassment duty, keeping the defenses busy and guessing with stick-and-move hits. While that's going on, infiltration team slips in through the chaos." He marks off a few X's around one side of the box meant to represent the base. "Harassment team hits and moves to the next spot, like this." He points to the Xs with the stick. "Infiltration moves in on the other side." (edited)

Magdalena nods firmly once after looking down at the map. "Sounds good enough," she says to Parsnips. "I'm about as sneaky as a runaway boulder, so I can help with harrassment duty."

"I'll join you on that. I can post up with my stingray and provide some cover." (stingray is an energy version of the sniper rifle)

"Shooting sounds good," Glaikit says. "but if you're short on people for infiltration, I'm sneakier than I look." (do we have access to an armoury? Glaikit is still with his starting kit and would like a couple of bits + a new gun)

(mostly anything up to TL4 would be available from the ship's armory/locker)

(Aside from heavy weapons and powered armor and above)

(I'm grabbing a couple of magmas, other than that I'm set. Nekobabe, you want folks to post their shopping lists here or in their personal threads?)

(just posted Glaikit's before seeing this - it is in his thread)

(personal would be good so I don't miss anything)

(I have nigh everything my measly 7 Str can carry.)

(Dimitri is going to write himself in, and we should be good to kick off!)

1

(Konya doesn’t need any other kit I don’t think)

(were we splitting into two teams then? Or is everyone doing infiltration? Just for my own planning)

(ooo I thought we were splitting in to two teams, did I misunderstand the plan?)

(That was my thinking too. One team on infiltration, the other on harassment.)

1

(Just wanted to make sure I got it. Let’s keep the harassment team here. We do need to decide how we are re deploying across the sea and how far from the settlement we are gonna get. We have to be at least 400km away if we are taking the mechs since we need to use space assets

As the map and discussion goes a shuttle comes landing with a screeching halt in a cleared out area. The door shunts open and our walks Dimitri in full gear, assault suits with mag rifle slung and a mag pistol on his hip. Behind him is a woman in who also is equipped with a set of black combat uniform and laser rifle. Dimitri walks over smiling to the group as the shuttle starts to shut down. “Parsnips, my friend I’m sorry I was late. It seems you already started the work without me! I’m ready and willing to help however possible comrade.” He stands amidst the group for a moment and looks around with a smile and a nod at the new faces. “Dimitri, pleasure to serve with you all. Might I suggest my shuttle to take a group to one side and have the others be dropped off on the other side possibly?” (edited)

Parsnips’ face lights up as he clasps Dmitri on the shoulders. “Is that the man of SOVIET FUCKING STEEL I see? Took your sweet time getting here, but now the fun can start!” (As far as a plan goes, we could always take advantage of the mechs drop sheathing to make a covert landing a safe distance away, disembark, and approach on foot?)

(That’s kinda what is as thinking, shuttle might just allow one to happen a little bit quicker/without having to leave mechs behind) Dimitri beams and it’s plain to see the man lives up to the name, his eyes glow with a slight incandescence. There are several pieces of hardware attached to his scalp, and a slight screen on the side of his head with green light. This is to say nothing for the stature of him. “A pile of paperwork had to be filled out, to many debriefings missed. But all my focus is on this now. Where and when do we begin?”

(They've still got breaker guns up, the stealth fitting hides us from sensors but there's a lot of conflicting information about what could be seen and not seen. Their combat and defensive abilities haven't been degraded, and ECM is functioning here, so I think they should get the full benefit of their defenses)

"The legend himself! Glad to have you with us. Better late than later, right?" The mosk steps up genuinely glad to see him, but also that he'll join the offensive. (edited)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

Parsnips’ face lights up as he clasps Dmitri on the shoulders. “Is that the man of SOVIET FUCKING STEEL I see? Took your sweet time getting here, but now the fun can start!” (As far as a plan goes, we could always take advantage of the mechs drop sheathing to make a covert landing a safe distance away, disembark, and approach on foot?)

(They won't see you coming down 400km from the settlement, the overland march is a bit more difficult but thats what the breakers are designed to do. If the infiltration team causes enough chaos you probably won't be dealing with quite as many foes either)

(if we are taking the mechs on harassment team, are there any minor outlying bases/villages/power stations/equipment dumps on the way to our target? We could potentially land the mechs out of range of the guns then move inwards blowing things up, forcing them to focus on the harassment team or send a force out to deal with us)

(I don’t think we know about anything other than the base we’re attacking. Harassment team going in mechs is interesting, though. We won’t be able to be as mobile but it will give us more range and punch)

(We don't know about any of the things you're asking about, but generally if something is out there it's on the map, and there isn't anytihng out there)

(Does the harassment team want to show up in our mechs, or stick to the original stick-and-move plan? I think either will be fun)

(Glaikit would rather go with the original plan then)

(Not on the harrassment team but I think the mechs might be a bit vulnerable until we've taken some of the defenses out of the fight)

(The other thing I can propose is trying to infiltrate the city and take down the orbital defense HQ, then your mechs can drop right on the airfield, andwe could just keep the whole team together for taking out the building)

1

(I like that)

(sounds fun)

(Works for me! Am I on harassment or infiltration?)

(We'd all be together if we went with that)

(So some people would infiltrate first or we all would?)

(The plan would be something entirely new, the entire CBSS player contingent here sneaking into the city, and taking out the HQ of the breaker gun batteries. This will take the guns offline so the mechs can drop directly onto the airfield and city itself)

(Oh nice! Yeah I like that.)

(From my experience with RimWorld, being able to hot drop entire contingent inside the enemy base works extraordinarily well, I approve.)

3

(that looks like consensus on a plan to me)

(Let’s get after it team Space Commie!)

2

1

The task of getting the mechs back into orbit is going to take the better part of the next day, as will repairing them, reloading them, and getting them prepared for their next operation is going to be a very tight deadline, but the fleet technicians assure you that it can be done. There is no wraith shuttle aboard the vessel, but the chief engineer on the mech carrier has a trick up his sleeve. Comet suits and dandelion arrestors can get you somewhat close to the city, w here you'll then have to infiltrate on foot.

1:51 PM

(so essentially jumping from orbit, landing somewhere in the countryside, and then trying to sneak in so you can blow up or otherwise disable the defensive headquarters)

3

Parsnips gives his beard a half-stroke, half-tug. He is doing a very bad job of hiding his anxiety. "Neat. So, we're jumping out of the spaceship, then?"

Dimitri checking his gear looks up with a half smile, “And you wanted to play politics, isn’t this exciting Parsnips? Where else do you get the chance to do such a thing?” Meanwhile Ife is working with the chief engineer double checking the equipment.

Parsnips laughs as he watches the displays of trajectory projections and drop simulations. “You have a point there, Dmitri. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sitting through hour fifteen of a two hour Federation meeting and thought to myself ‘I think I’d rather step out of the airlock than listen to another bloviating speech about nothing.’ I guess I’m about to find out!”

(you can wear whatever armor and carry whatever you normally carry under the suit, but you're going to want to get it off once you hit the ground as it is very cumbersome)

He nods, “I know the feeling, I go to a meeting and am left feeling lost. But here, it’s simple task and purpose with an enemy I can definitively deal with.” As he says the blade hidden within his arm protrudes and he inspects it before retracting it within his arm. Then he does the same with the weapon hidden in his other arm the palm of his right hand revealing to be a laser emitter. “Bloody revolution is easy compared to politics, that’s why I’m sure we’ll all be fine.” He says with smile.

Parsnips points excitedly at the laser protruding from Dimitri’s hand. “Whoa! Is that new? Badass.”

It retracts after a moment as bends his arm, the plate recovering the emitter. “I’ve had it for a bit, part of some upgrades I got at Polychronolou. That way I’m always prepared.”

Magdalena remains sitting at a table, leaning lazily forward as she stares at the simulated drops. Her cheeks puff out, expelling a long sigh of air. "Get out of the mines, he says," she says, her little twinge of accent coming through, "Will be good for you, little Maggie, he says." Again, the little projection drops from space and then back onto the simulated land.

"Hah! I've always wanted to do this as child working up in the shipyards, mostly to well... not be at the shipyards anymore but point stands." Aderyn looks quite enthusiastic at this proposition, standing up on tip-toes to see the projection.

"There is one for all of you here, and scanners on the ground have no chance at capturing something man sized in their observational suites. Once on the ground, you'll need to ditch your suits quickly and sneak into the city, you should be able to find your target easily enough from there"

7:32 PM

"Once the HQ is down, we'll drop the mechs, half on the airfield, half on the city itself"

Parsnips briefly resembles several small animals struggling against a garbage bag as he fights his way into the suit, a chaotic blur of straps, limbs, and astronautic fabric before emerging. “These things are more complicated than they look. Someone give me a hand with these back straps.”

1

Glaikit grabs hold of the straps and pulls. "Hope everybody has the kit they need," he says, checking his long-range gun, his short-range gun, his close-range gun, and his spare gun.

Dimitri puts it on, the extra large version he has is partly made from two. He looks it over once it’s all done and inspects a few of the pieces. “I’m not missing any pieces I think….” He looks to Ife to see if she needs help and goes about helping others. All the weaponry he has is holstered and strapped down.

Konya slips in to the suit fairly gracefully from what she's seen, making sure her trusty weapons are secure. After asking Dimitri to help with the straps she closes her eyes and let's metaspace energy permeate her body with light. (Fade activated, 4/5 effort remaining)

Mobius disappears to a more private space and returns fully suited. "No time like the present." he adds. Behind the detached comment and inside the cumbersome suit, there is a mosk worried about the challenges to come. Holding not much besides a shotgun and a laser pistol, that he barely knows how to use.

"Make sure to bend your knees when you hit the ground, unless you want rapid unplanned cybernetics." Aderyn's tone is half joking as shes tries to pat the back of Mobius, metallic hand and suit producing a sharp clang.

A countdown from two miuntes begins to tick by on the wall and technicians begin leaving the bay so the opening doors will not have them exposed to hard void. Every possible loose object has been stowed, and the room is slowly being depressurized for your jump.

“Ok, then, gang.” Parsnips waddles forward in the cumbersome suit, offering fist-bumps to the team as he passes by. “Let’s go jump out of a spaceship.”

Dimitri smiles, as he returns the fist bump to Parnsips. “No revolution happened without a little risk.”

(I will need a pilot /int or dex for everyone as we jump , to try to hit the landing zone. The comet system reduces our margin of error a great deal if the check is failed )

!roll 2d6!pilot check

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5, 2] Result: 7 Reason: pilot check

!roll 2d6+1 !pilot/int

Dimitri Tucachavski Roll: [6, 6] Result: 13 Reason: pilot/int

3

!roll 2d6

Aderyn Roll: [3, 3] Result: 6

(12 - sorry, didn't realise I could choose dex!) (edited)

!roll 2d6 ! Pilot/dex

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Roll: [4, 3] Result: 7 Reason: Pilot/dex

Nekosmash

(I will need a pilot /int or dex for everyone as we jump , to try to hit the landing zone. The comet system reduces our margin of error a great deal if the check is failed )

(I’m confused by these instructions. Is it a pilot roll or int roll? That would change my modifier)

(pilot is the skill, intelligence is the attribute it is being rolled with)

9:53 AM

(so it is 2d6+ your pilot level + your intelligence or dexterity modifier, if you have one)

(Thanks!)

10:00 AM

!roll 2d6 ! Pilot/int

Magdalena Yanovich Roll: [5, 2] Result: 7 Reason: Pilot/int

!roll 2d6-1 !Pilot/int

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [6, 2] Result: 7 Reason: Pilot/int

!roll 2d6 ! Pilot/int

Mobius Roll: [3, 2] Result: 5 Reason: Pilot/int

(guess who's landing in the middle of the ocean lmao)

(Mobius will land far from the rest of the group unless he has a reroll token to burn , not sure If Ive awarded one in the past. If not, will be in own thread)

(Can I toss him one of mine?)

(Up yo you!)

(Sure, I’ll burn a re-roll to keep the band together)

1

(he can teleport! I don't mind being split for a moment, please save the token for later. we're just getting started)

(Need a D10 Mobius for how many kilometers off course)

7:45 PM

(then I'll roll us out)

!roll 1d10 ! how far

)the bot is down right now ) (edited)

(rolled there #dice-channel got an 1 )

2

(We're dropping a kilometer from the group, you might be able to TP , but we need to look at how far, and how far you can go in a hop effortlessly, if we're looking at sometihng like 100 or 200 jumps we're better off being separate) The group descends, firey contrails all of you as you move through the cloud layer. You briefly enter a storm and when the group exits Mobius is nowhere to be seen, though his suit locator shows the Mosk is about a kilometer west of where you are projected to come down. The land below is rolling, lightly forested and lightly hilled with streaks of sand and mesa dust here and there.

(at lvl 2 it should be 10km! if spending an effort point)

1

The ground rises up to meet each of you steadily, as Mobius pops his way back into the formation. Trees get closer and closer, and the clouds get thinner. The dandelion systems deploy, a complex array of microjets robbing the last of your momentum before depositing you all onto the forest floor, thick with pinecones and browning needles fallen from the trees. The ground is wet and sod like underfoot.

Konya scuffs her foot along the forest floor as she begins to peel off her suit, assessing its suitability for stealth work. "Good that it's damp, it'll soak up some of the noise from the debris on the ground. Assuming they didn't spot us landing and we don't meet any patrols, our approach should go mostly unnoticed I think." She proceeds to help anyone struggling to get out of their suit.

When Magdalena lands, she drops down to a knee and places her palm on the ground for balance. She takes a few breaths and then pats her chest and face with the other hand to ensure the bones are where she left them. Rising up to a stand, she nods before she begins to work her way out of her suit. “If they saw us, we can handle it,” she says with way too much confidence.

Mobius lands dishevelled, falling on his mosk ass. He, his suit, and a few leaves and branches here and there phase in and out of existence for a fraction of a second. He takes a moment to mentally recover from the effort of teleporting himself and his suit during freefall. A few deep breaths and a sigh later, he manages to stand up and look around, hoping the others were too busy to notice. Quickly and effortlessly, he teleports a couple meters out of and away from his suit. (edited)

Dimitri drops down on the ground with a quiet crunch and looks about immediately going to take off the gear. As the suit drops to the ground he pulls his mag rifle from its holster. He looks to Ife as she finishes before going to help others silently going about the task. (edited)

Parsnips stumbles a bit as his feet meet the ground, dried leaves crunching softly as he readies himself. As the suit drifts to the ground below him, Parsnips ports his shear rifle into his armor's energy node and double checks that the rest of his gear is still attached and in the right place. "If patrols spot us we'll need to take them down fast, before they can call it in and we end up with those bombers on us without our mechs. Better for that to, you know, not happen." His deadpan delivery hides a nervous anticipation that borders on panic. "I'd rather avoid patrols if we can, even if it means taking a longer route around." Parsnips rifles through his bag to pull out a pair of binoculars, finding a clearing and laying down prone before raising them to his eyes to see what's ahead. (edited)

Glaikit pulls his way out of the suit and smooths out his clothing - a battered set of jeans and a faded T-shirt on which the words GET RED-Y can still barely be seen. "Smooth landing," he says, hoisting his mag rifle. He moves to cover Parsnips in case there are hostiles nearby.

"Fuck," Giorgi shouts as he collapses to the ground with a thud. He gets up and dusts himself off while mumbling obscenities about the Brotherhood. He scans the area carefully and points over at Parsnips. "The guy is right. We need that element of surprise. And speaking of which, let's find cover quickly. Last thing we need is for that patrol to come across us now."

Mobius nods and starts looking for ways to hide their suits. Grabbing his own suit, phasing out, phasing in near a tree, throwing some vegetation at it, rinse and repeat.

The comet suits are all discarded, hidden away and otherwise buried to the best of your ability.

2:08 PM

(notice/wis snips)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5, 3] Result: 9 Request: [2d6 +1]

The airfield is quiet right now. You can see eight gunships have been hauled out of hangars but the techs here don't seem in any particular urgency to arm them, or get them i nto the air. The rest of flight ops looks to be happening normally here. Sparks from some of the hangars show where bombers are under repair, you recognize a few of the tail numbers from the strike on the mech force vanguard earlier. The city itself is walled, built into three tiers of descending size, and you can see a trio of defended gates on the bottommost level, each protected by a six man squad that is checking papers and permits of those going in and out. They themselves look lightly armed, and are not wearing combat armor.

"Do any of you know how to pilot those gunships? Getting inside one of those and wreaking havoc could either be a distraction or a plan b" Mobius asks over comms, hoping his enthusiasm goes unnoticed. (edited)

Dimitri nods, “I can maybe pilot them. I’ve picked up a few things at this point.”

(Is the airfield inside the city walls or out?)

)out)

Mobius controls his impulses for finding a way to justify teleporting inside a gunship. "So, what's the plan?" He asks instead, focusing on the mission at hand and on how many lives are at stake.

“Let’s find the ECM, that’s the first step. We can blow up everything we want but until that’s down we are just delaying the inevitable.” He looks around thinking “Some kind of map would help exponentially… just need to find it.”

“A map would be great. So would an ice cream cone.” Parsnips chuckles, more ribbing an old friend and cutting tension before a high stakes run than actually meaning any derision. “I didn’t see any Orbital Defense HQ This Way signs, but I’d be willing to bet it’s probably where the most fortifications are. That’s the bad news. The guards to the outer gates don’t look very prepared for a fight, so if we can get them down quietly we can get in that way. Other option might be to wait until dark and try going over a wall. I’ve got some rope and a climbing harness if anyone remembered a grapnel.”

Dimitri smirks “I would love ice cream, the ship ran out a couple weeks ago.” He taps his rifle thinking for a moment. “Maybe scout and look for a separate entrance so we don’t have to risk climbing or a shoot out? While that happens see if the stealthiest of us can slip in, im sure on this airfield somebody has the location shown of where the ECM is. If it comes under attack those gun ships are probably the first to respond.”

“Huh.” Parsnips sits on the ground, putting his binoculars back in his bag and then stroking his beard contemplatively. “But even with that information how do we get from the airfield into the city? That might be risking too many points of contact. Maybe if we get a little closer we’ll be able to spot a service entrance or something. Hey, Mobius, you still got some teleportation juice in ya? Maybe if we get you in you can pose as an enslaved mosk and find us some friends?”

"I can communicate telepathically in a minor sense, not as well as a proper 'path, but it could potentially do well enough to not break our cover." Aderyn pipes up, surveying the walls. "But figuring out where we need to hit is crucial first."

"Hell yeah, comrade. I could do this all day!" (3/4 of effort left) "But I watched your feed and they seem to be checking papers and stuff, I don't think a disguise is going to stick against those guards." He stops himself and hesitates for a moment "I honestly believe our best shot is in this airbase. Besides Intel, what if they have a service tunnel from there to the city?" (edited)

“It’s a gamble.” Parsnips chews on his bottom lip for a moment. “But so is everything else. And you’re right, soldiers and mechanics have to get from the city to the airfield somehow. Ok, I’m convinced. Let’s hit that airfield. We should be able to swipe some papers to get into the city if nothing else.” (edited)

(I'll get a map posted)

(overhead view of the airfield)

“Want me to move ahead and scout it out? I should be able to avoid detection and get a handle on their movements in and out.”

“That’s a great idea.” Parsnips reaches back into his bag and holds his binoculars out to Konya. “Need to borrow these?” (edited)

Giorgi hesitates a second. He starts to speak and then stops. After a second, he sighs and offers, "I've slipped out of some pretty sticky situations. Do you think we'd benefit from two people, or would that make us twice as likely to be seen?"

Konya pulls out her own binoculars and winks at Parsnips. “I’m good. Giorgi, two sets or eyes are probably better than one if you’re up for it.”

Me and my big mouth, Giorgi thinks to himself. He nods once to Konya and reaches out a hand to Snips. "Mind if I borrow those? I'm pretty new to military service and came unprepared." (edited)

(If we push, we should all go together, I don't want people sitting for days, and if we split the party I don't really know what everyone else is going to do while we sneak into the airfield)

4

(sticking together works for me). "On second thought, maybe we shouldn't split up. If we approach from the woods, we've got cover all the way up to that first runway, and they look pretty understaffed right now. If we're careful, we can slide right in to that larger structure and see what we see."

Glaikit rearranges his low-light goggles and binoculars for easy access. "Alright," he says, "but we should approach the edge of cover carefully. It's an obvious avenue of attack and almost certainly regularly patrolled. When we get there, we'll need to decide our next move quickly."

(lets get a sneak/dex for everyone)

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Rolls: [6, 5, 4] Result: 11 [6, 5, 4] Result: 11

2

(6)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /r

Parsnips Jackall Roll: [5, 3] Result: 9 Request: [2d6+1]

!roll 2d6-1

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 4] Result: 9 Request: [2d6-1]

(Don’t think it matters but I forgot to add my dex and sneak to my roll so should be 14)

(You're just even more already sneaky now!)

1

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Roll: [4, 3] Result: 7 Request: [2d6]

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski roll is empty! Please type a complete dice roll message

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski roll is empty! Please type a complete dice roll message

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /r

Dimitri Tucachavski Roll: [6, 4] Result: 12 Request: [2d6+2]

Moebius

used /r

Mobius Roll: [3, 2] Result: 4 Request: [2d6-1]

!roll 2d6+2 !don't get spotted

9:48 AM

/roll 2d6+2

9:50 AM

/r 2d6+2

9:50 AM

(Hey all how does this work?)

(/roll [tab] 2d6+2 Or if on mobile push the box that says 'message' after you put in /Roll)

Robespierre

used /roll

Giorgi Mdivani Roll: [3, 1] Result: 6 Request: [2d6+2]

(Thanks!)

9:53 AM

(The new dice maiden is clearly biased against Giorgi)

(I know mags is traveling, we'll see if anything pops up tonight and if not we'll roll on in)

10:52 AM

(I'm hopping on a plane myself again in a few hours)

2

The airfield is lightly patrolled around the southern end and you manage to each slip past the patrolmen there to cluster around the southern side of one of the large hangars. It is the size of a barn, and should cover you unless someone comes around either of the corners.

keeping his center of gravity low and keeping as close to the side of the hangar as he can without touching it, Parsnips slowly creeps along the wall, looking for an entrance or window

Giorgi follows Parsnips with light steps, staying horizontal to the hangar. He slips a bit but catches himself, making only a slight scuff with his foot. Dammit, I hope no one hears that. He puts up a hand to stop the line as he repositions himself and continues forward, more carefully.

Dimitri follows along, quietly watching for any chance that a guard may stumble upon them.

Aderyn follows quickly behind, although not the most stealthy of persons as the others as the sound of heavy foot falls off hard to mask.

The sounds of machinery, men and women yelling to one another, the crack of whips, and the dual-tone chitter of their Chimeran overseers drowns out the heavy footsteps. You can hear more machinery in the hangar immediately in front of you on the other side of the wall, and it sounds like they're working inside on getting one of the damaged aircraft from the morning raid skyworthy again.

"The noise might cover our approach," Glaikit says. "If we can surprise them, get their clothes and passes, we might be able to walk right past the guards."

Konya smirks, "I do love me some fancy dress. Let's see if we can get a look at what we're dealing with." She goes in to a half-crouch and heads towards the corner of the hangar in a well-practiced lope, places the sides of her feet first to prevent noise, slowing as she reaches her target. Listening carefully for any close by enemies first, she sticks her head around the corner for as long as she dares looking for numbers of enemies, entrances and windows.

Parsnips presses himself against the wall, keeping himself low and in the shade of the building while obsessively checking the node connection on his rifle. “If we have a shot at taking the guards out before they can send out an alert, we might be able to convince the slaves in there to help us out with some papers. If there’s too many of them, or we can’t get to them, though, we’ll need to risk talking to one of the slaves to see what they can do for us.” (edited)

Dimitri quietly sighs, “We can’t free them and expect things to stay quiet. And if we leave them here with the dead their fate is as good as sealed. Maybe moving on for the moment is better.”

"We might also learn something valuable... We still have little to no idea where our objective is and being able to interrogate anyone might get us there easier and faster. There's enough of us where we might be able to take everyone here down in one fell swoop." She gestures somewhat frustratedly in Ashen One, displeased with the thought of just leaving the slaves here.

"Let's see if we can get the attention of one of the enslaved workers out of view of the overseers. If we can convince them to help us, they can probably get us the papers they need to get us through the gates."

1

Dimitri nods, “Let’s hope they cooperate and can keep quiet. Otherwise we are gonna have to take the hangar.” He lets his rifle hang, pulling a combat knife and a his pistol. Getting ready in case things need to get violent quickly. (edited)

To the west of the hangar you can see three human slaves making their way from an armored warehouse looking building to the hangar you are covering behind. They drag a cart with them full of tanks for welders, along with extra equipment for the technicians working inside.

Parsnips takes a deep breath as waits for them to get closer. As they approach, he gingerly peaks half his body out of the shadow of the building, keeping himself low and trying to only be seen by the three humans. When he thinks he got their attention, he tries to wave them over. “Hey, come here for one second. We need your help”

One of them looks at the others, who continue pulling the cart so their arrival won't be noticed. He makes his way over, arms covered in cuts and burns from the long work in unsafe conditions.

Parsnips puts one hand on the man's shoulder, gently applying pressure until both of them are crouching in the shadow of the building. "Listen, brother. I don't know how much about what's going on they keep from you, but you should know the revolution's begun. The empire is crumbling and the liberation movement, well, we're winning. The slavers are going to fall. Freedom is coming. The only thing that's left for them is to cause as much pain going out as they can. We're here to stop them. To end the tyranny once and for all. But we need you, brother. I know I'm asking you to take a big risk here, but it's so we can free ourselves. Live lives we choose." Parsnips pauses for a moment to let the words marinate before getting into the business end of things. "Ok, so two things we need. One, my crew and I need to get into the main city. We need papers to get through the gates and clothes so we can disguise ourselves. Second, and this is huge, at some point soon you're gonna see something big coming down from the sky. A lot of big somethings, actually. When you see that, I need you to get all the enslaved workers into the most secure, sturdy structure here. If you can, set off some kinda signal like a flare or smoke to let our people know where our friends are. I know this is a lot, but can you help us?"

(talk/cha)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Roll: [6, 4, 4, 1] Result: 20 Request: [4d6 k2 +5]

3

(I don't think that worked. It should be 15, not 20. The K2 command didn't work)

(Yeah new format doesn’t seem to like spaces in places)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Roll: [6, 6, 5, 5] Result: 17 Request: [4d6k2+5]

1

(thanks, no spaces did the trick.)

"alright, alright, just don't hurt me. What do you want to know?"

Parsnips smiles warmly. "Hurt you? no, friend, you misunderstand. IF things go right the only ones getting hurt are those who keep you and your family in bondage. We need to get into the main city, and we need to be able to move freely once we're in. Can you help us?"

"What do you need from me? I'll need to know what to do so I can tell everyone. and I need something from you to make them believe me"

"Of course. As for what we need from you, we need a way into the city. Our plan is to make our way to the central controls for the orbital guns so we can disable them long enough for our friends to join us from above." Parsnips points upward. "Mechs", he explains. "When we scouted it out, it looked like the guards at the front gates were checking some sort of authorization documents to let people in. If you can get us those documents, and clothes so we can disguise ourselves, we should be able to do the rest. Of course, if there's a service tunnel or something like that to get us into the city faster, showing us the way would suffice." "As for proof of who we are, and what we intend..." Parsnips reaches into his bag and pulls out a festively wrapped giftbox. This thing better work. He carefully unwraps the gift, and inside is ranking insignia taken off the commander of the guard at the slave pen. (using my gift from the santa mission here)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Roll: [59] Result: 59 Reason: does the gift keep on giving? Request: [1d100]

1

"Shit...is he...is he dead? How did you do this?" the slave asks, wonder overcoming his need for caution just for a moment.

Parsnips grins mischievously, that part of him that he’s only recently discovered, the part that perversely delights in visiting pain on people who have spent their lives visiting pain on the innocent, bubbles to the surface. “Dead, or captured and locked in one of the cells he presided over. Can’t really remember which. But either way, the pens have been liberated and his former captives are armed and getting ready to bring the whole regime down. That’s who sent us.”

"When does this attack happen? I heard what you said, about the flares and things. I think I know what to do, just need to know when to do it by"

Parsnips sets his compad to a private channel, sends a message to the group on it, and hands it to the man. “When we’re in position and ready to kill the orbital guns, one of my friends here will send you a message on this.”

"and that's when we do flares? we have white. I think that's all"

Parsnips nods. “That will work just fine.”

(feel free to add comments, anyone else )

Dimitri smiles, Parnsips sure has a way of explaining things that makes it sounds amazing. He whispers to the man “Is there anything you know that might help us take out these guns? We don’t know the place like you do, and we’re trying to learn as much as possible. Even if it’s small it could be useful.”

"Controls are in a bunker, under the town hall. Nerve center of the whole city is there. "

Dimitri nods “That’s great, thank you. You are a hero of the people.”

"We need to get inside the city walls," Glaikit says. "Are there any quiet routes in - storm drain, sewer, anything like that? If not, any way we could smuggle ourselves and our guns in?"

"They check passes at the gate, and look for weapons. Military vehicles are the only things they don't stop at the gates from what I've been able to tell"

"So we need to jack a truck then. Do you know of any convoys or patrols, something that would have an isolated vehicle that would be easy to steal?" Aderyn tips her head to the side as she asks her question, trying to discreetly raise her heals to be a bit taller.

He doesn't have that kind of information, slaves are normally kept away from sensitive military areas such as that

"any here on base that no one will notice is missing for a bit? maybe something that's still in the shop but runs good enough to get us there?"

"Any vehicles under repair are going to be across the runways on the north side of the base, and will probably be guarded"

(I’m back! Just catching up on everything. I’m fine if we make up something that Mags was off somewhere else doing recon or acting as a doorman while these discussions are happening)

2

(All we’ve really done so far since we landed was walk into the camp and talk to this guy. I think it’s fair to assume you’ve just been with us)

"We only need to keep them from finding out about the theft long enough for us to get through the gates and ditch the vehicle," Glaikit says. "Is there any way to conceal our approach to the vehicle shop, so we keep the element of surprise?"

He cant think of anything more than winding through the shadows and trying to evade the guards and patrols.

"I'd rather not alert them that something is wrong until the mechs are on their door if we can help it. We might be better off trying to catch a patrol off-guard in the woods with an ambush. We can hide behind the treeline,watch one leave, and track it until we're far enough away." (edited)

Magdalena’s eyes had been glazed over. All this talking, and none of the doing she likes so much. Focus brightens them as she comes out of her trance. “Patrols usually have a rhythm. Timing. If we can find that out, that would be easy to catch them off guard. Even better is during a shift change.”

(I think we’ve already asked him about patrol schedules and he doesn’t know. We know they’ll leave from here though) (edited)

"Are you, or others, able to interfere with communications equipment? In the scenario we get spotted during the heist it would give us a few more moments before the whole jig is up."

(He's a slave, he doesn;t have access to that stuff)

1

"How friendly are you with the fleet maintenance crew? Anyone who might be convinced to overlook a slow tire leak if you show them that?" Parsnips points to the torn insigna patch. "If we can track a vehicle we know has been compromised on a routine patrol, we could overtake it while their distracted with a tire change."

"We all do what we can to help see another day. We don't get much time to socialize, and can't be in groups of four or more without a pass or an escort. "

Parsnips face lights up a little. "I've got a dumb idea! Little trick I pulled in the liberation of Agnarp. We can follow their service road a few kilometers away from here and dig a trench deep enough to get their treads stuck. Doesn't buy us much time, but they'll have to stop and get out, which gives us a chance to spring a trap. Worked before. Once." Parsnips shrugs.

"Sounds workable," Glaikit says. "We will need to remember to avoid hosing the vehicle down with bullets."

"Good call. Truck riddled with fresh war wounds is gonna raise some questions. Probably want to avoid making too much noise, too." Parsnips gives the handle of his warhatchet a pat for emphasis.

(We could go back the way we came and make a wide orbit around the base to get to said service road without being seen)

(that works for me, but others should weigh in)

(happy to try this)

(sounds good)

(I don't have much in terms of stealth capabilities in any of my kit, but I can help people get in close and take them down quickly

1

(Sorry I've been away a bit! I'm moving and gaming has gotten away with me. I'm down to sneak!)

Phoebe the Phoenix

(I don't have much in terms of stealth capabilities in any of my kit, but I can help people get in close and take them down quickly

(same) "Sounds like a plan." Mobius emerges from the treelines behind the group, as he was worried about getting detected by a patrol. (edited)

(sounds like we're all on board!) Parsnips nods, gives their new friend a reassuring clasp on the shoulder, and starts backing away slowly, carefully moving toward the treeline to take a circuitous route around the base to lay their trap. (I'm thinking like 3K-4K away from the base? Close enough that we can get there quickly, far enough away that the sound won't travel) (edited)

(Agreed, and could be reached without being sighted given our previous planning and there being enough going on at the airbase where people are generally distracted)

3

Arriving at the point where you want to make your ambush, the sky is dark overhead with several hours between now and daylight. A patrol is scheduled to come through within the next hour based on the information you got from the slaves.

Konya instinctively starts looking for somewhere close to the road that would be suitable for the group to hide while waiting for the patrol to approach. "I'll leave the setup to you guys, but let me know if you need my muscles." She flexes and winks as she heads off to survey the area.

"If it looks to them like somebody dug a trench across the road they'll call for help before doing anything else," Glaikit says. "We should try to find a spot where we can make the hole they pitch into look natural enough to keep them off-guard until they start getting out of the vehicle. And somebody then has to stop them reaching a radio."

"We can also try to conceal it with sticks and leaves. The dark will help us out too."

Gurk Samson | Glaikit | Gilbert

"If it looks to them like somebody dug a trench across the road they'll call for help before doing anything else," Glaikit says. "We should try to find a spot where we can make the hole they pitch into look natural enough to keep them off-guard until they start getting out of the vehicle. And somebody then has to stop them reaching a radio."

"Yes, right here. A long boring straight patch of the road. I say we dig here" he points right in front of him. "And we throw some harmless sticks and leaves several metres before the trap, so it doesn't stand out too much." Mobius nods to himself and gets ready for work while waiting for confirmation

"Alright, then. Let's get to work. We don't have much time even with all of us digging."

Despite looking like he was ready to dig a man sized trench, the mosk actually heads towards the treeline in search for leaves and sticks

(so snips and Gurk digging, Konya keeping watch, Mobius is looking for foliage cover. We'll see what the other part of our team are doing, and we'll tie it all together)

Bending down to a crouch, Magdalena nods at Konya. “I’ll help with the watch. Good chance this goes tits up in the middle of this digging.”

Glaikit looks at Parsnips, and starts digging faster.

Having the upper body strength of a sickly child, Aderyn helps with the foliage, syncing sensory information with Konya to potentially help in case one misses something.

The time passes. The hole is dug and covered and all that remains is to get the attention of a patrol so they come to investigate.

Starting from the edge of the ditch, Parsnips takes several paces down the road and digs out a much smaller hole, just about deep and wide enough to fit his fist, down to his wrist. With that done he grabs a handful of dry leaves, about enough to fill the hole halfway. “Anyone got matches or a lighter?”

Glaikit unpacks his survival kit. “Yes, or a flare if we want to get really serious.”

“Let’s start small, something they’d be more likely to deal with on their own without calling it in. If that doesn’t take, we’ll bust out the flare”

(survival kit would have it yeah)

Glaikit sets the radio beacon, tarp, and water filter aside, and retrieves the fire lighter. He carefully assembles a makeshift fireplug, places it in the hole, and lights it.

There is a brief spark and a slow plume of smoke announces your bundle of kindling has caught. Now, it must be fed.

Parsnips feeds progressively larger twigs and sticks into the fire, stacking a few of the largest in a box formation around it and making a bridge over the fire with the remaining sticks

Dimitri starts looking for a place to hide himself, hoping to get close to quickly overwhelm the vehicle when it gets stuck.

"This is it. I can teleport someone real close and quick, who wants in?"

(That probably should be one of our slicer-dicers like Dmitri or Konya)

(I'll Symbiosis whoever goes in, provided they aren't 300m+ away)

(Yay it's swordin' time! Mobius burdened apportation allows 3 people or is this something else?)

(oh yeah, that's true. let's bring 3 ass kickers then) (edited)

(glaikit has no skills in melee, but is tough and difficult to hit and is carrying an advanced medium weapon, so if you need somebody to soak up damage he might help!)

(Dimitri is pretty decent at melee, and would do pretty well I imagine. It’s your call who you wanna bring tho Mobius. I think there’s a few people who would do well!)

(Happy to stay at range if there are more melee oriented folks to fill out the slots)

(I’ll stay out with Glaikit, try to set up a firing position so I can try to pick off anything that tries to get out)

(I have a shotgun, half decent health, and a max range of 20m if I want to make other people beyond the first person my partner. I can do either.)

(I can shoot but am worthless in melee.)

(Let’s not shoot anything that makes noise unless we absolutely have to, but being ready for things going sideways is a good idea)

1

Mobius gestures for those willing to make the jump to come closer, in preparation for the awkward group hug when the time comes

(lets get a sneak/dex from everyone)

7:35 AM

(And we'll see if we're noticed as the vehicle pulls up)

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Rolls: [5, 2, 2] Result: 10 [5, 3, 1] Result: 11 Reason: fade & specialist sneak/dex

(8)

(Oh I actually have sneak, that changes a few things)

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [6, 2] Result: 9

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 4

4

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 12

Viridian

used /roll

Magdalena Yanovich Request: [2d6-2] Roll: [4, 1] Result: 3

4

(Maggie is a bumbling idiot but she’s a melee character for reference)

Robespierre

used /roll

Giorgi Mdivani Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 5

Moebius

used /roll

Mobius Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 2

3

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [4, 4] Result: 8

The vehicle begins moving toward the fire after about twenty minutes of the burn being noticed by the airfield. Several of you are too close to the edge of the road, or too far from the blaze to have your thermal signatures covered by the flames, and its main cannon begins to swivel, loading for a suppressive barrage on your hiding places.

(oh no, do we notice it?) (edited)

(And is it still moving and how far is Konya from it?)

(We do notice it, it is 50m from the group)

(Initiative? Unless we have a small amount of story time to act.)

(We have a small amount of story time to act first)

"We've been made, time to duck dive and jive!" Aderyn says as she bolts up, slinging her spike thrower behind her back and drawing her pistol. She runs parallel to the group, trying to make best haste away.

(Is the vehicle moving?)

(because Mobius was super ready to go, I'd like him to just teleport his buddies and hope for the best, if that's ok)

(I think that's our best shot, go for it if you can.) Seeing that they've been spotted, Parsnips starts zigzagging, across the road and back in the vehicle's path, hoping to confuse the autocannons enough for the others to make a move (edited)

Glaikit runs full tilt in the direction of the trench.

"Dammit." Giorgi high tails it for the nearest cover and ducks behind it. He fumbles at his waist belt for his gun.

Konya steps up closer to Mobius and nods, drawing her trusty sword as she does so.

(Before we teleport n stuff, I designate Konya as my Nexus partner before the melee party moves out of my range.)

1

Magdalena only grunts lowly when the cover has been blown. Like others, she goes to dive into the nearest cover. Her hand reaches down for her monoblade and her eyes focus on what she can see, narrowed for any slim chance at a strike opportunity.

(mags, aren't you teleporting with us?)

Dimitri clambers out of his foxhole and with imperceptible speed his arm blade extends as as he draws a knife from his boot. The Neural Override begins activating causing time to slow down. (Gonna try to bolt in using my cyberware)

1

(it is not moving now, since it would take a shoot penalty if it was)

6:44 PM

(Mobius can teleport, we just need to know who's going)

(I started a sign-up poll on OOC to make this a little easier: https://discord.com/channels/941002406181883914/941002409776414773/1017085449455542312)

Discord - A New Way to Chat with Friends & Communities

Discord is the easiest way to communicate over voice, video, and text. Chat, hang out, and stay close with your friends and communities.

(I think we're all accounted for? )

(I believe so)

(So mobius, Konya and dimitri are teleporting on it, and everyone else is rushing it from how it sounds)

4

(Sounds good)

There is a teleportation flare as Konya, Mobius, and Dimitri appear on top of the vehicle, the sealed hatches leading inside below their boots. The crew is inside, and there is a thump as the main gun is loaded, preparing to fire as the turret keeps swiveling to track those in the woods

Acting without thinking, out of fear for his teammates, Mobius scrambles to find a frontal camera or sensor so he may block it with his arm (or body).

(notice/wis)

Dimitri on top immediately gets to work taking the blade from his arm and starts working to pry the hatch open.

Moebius

used /roll

Mobius Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 3] Result: 9

(exert/str)

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 4

3

Dimitri is unable to leverage enough strength on the uneven vehicle roof to get the hatch open when it's also locked from the inside. Mobius smashes a vision block and looks to have also stomped on something that is making sparks, but in the dark it is hard to tell what exactly it is.

Glaikit runs forward, trying to get in front of the vehicle but behind the trench. As he does so he pulls out his explosives - he'll try to provoke the driver into trying to crush him as an alternative to having the explosives detonate beneath the under carriage. (edited)

Seeing Glaikit get into position, Parsnips runs right behind him, doubles back, and continues criss-crossing toward the vehicle to keep the targetting system confused (edited)

(Are there any periscopes on the turret? To allow commander or gunner to see)

(yes, there are two on top)

Dimitri drops the knife and with a quick lock of his arm places his palm against the glass. Firing the laser from it into the periscope.

(we'll let everyone else get some actions in while this is going on, but we'll resolve soon)

2

Aderyn didn't know how fast a tank turret could turn, or how much damage it's weapon could do nor was she particularly keen to find out. She figured that a small target at close range could probably outrun the turret, especially if happened to be a hand-crank. "Dmitri, use your eyes! See if you can find any radio components on the outside?" She comms over before sprint at a diagonal towards the tank, trying to force it to keep moving to track them.

Magdalena remained back to rush from the front. Maybe she misunderstood or merely made a quick decision in this pincer attack. Following behind Glatik, she pulls out her blade as she watches forward, prepared for anyone running from the explosion.

With the spare parts she has and her meta tool, Konya tries to jury rig a long sturdy crowbar that several people could use at once to leverage off the hatch.

(fix/int Konya)

(5)

(Can I provide a bit of assistance to Konya, our senses and thoughts being linked at the moment? Giving some verbal direction, etc) (edited)

(Are you trained in fix?)

(I think we have the same about at fix-0)

(do you have a zero or better or don't you?)

(Fix-0, Int +1)

(okay, then yes, that makes Konya's check a 7, so their improvised tool can be created)

2

Seeing Konya’s improvised crowbar make purchase, Parsnips stops zig-zagging and leaps toward the truck to lend a hand, using the suit’s jumping augmentations.

(is Glaikit close enough to attempt to jump onto the vehicle and help?)

(I'd say we could swarm it now if we wanted to, the challenge being forcing our way in before they call for help as opposed to being shot by heavy weapons)

(Did my laser have any effect on the inside of the turret? Or can I not tell?)

(You broke the periscope. You didn’t penetrate the vehicle )

Gurk Samson | Glaikit | Gilbert

(is Glaikit close enough to attempt to jump onto the vehicle and help?)

(Yes)

Glaikit takes a flying leap onto the vehicle and tries to add further leverage to the crowbar.

There is a wrenching sound of squealing metal on metal as the hatch is forced open by the makeshift crowbar and enough combined force. Inside, you can see three Chimeran crewmen all trying to make sense of what is happening to their vehicle, enclosed in a cramped, red lit space.

"Like fish in a barrel," Aderyn calls out as the hatch breaks off with a groan. She braces her mag shotgun and approaches the side of the vehicle. "They gonna come out peacefully or we goin to have to scrape out Chimeran out of workstations?"

(They've given zero indication thus far they're coming peacefully)

(Is there room to jump in and stab?)

(one person could get into the hatch )

Parsnips brings his shear rifle to bear on one of the Chimereans through the hatch, firing a single shot to avoid too much damage to the interior.

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [20] Result: 30

1

(anyone mind if Konya hops in since she's being backed up by Aderyn?)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [4d8+2] Roll: [8, 8, 7, 4] Result: 29

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

(anyone mind if Konya hops in since she's being backed up by Aderyn?)

(Go for it. There should be one less now)

(damn!) Konya frees her sword again and slips in to the hatch space after Parsnips shot, shoving her sword at the Chimeran nearest the radio. (18/5, 3 shock damage if it's a miss - Shocking Assault treats all targets as AC10) (edited)

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Request: [1d20+5] Roll: [13] Result: 18

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Request: [1d8+2] Roll: [3] Result: 5

One of the crew is wounded as a blade punches into its side, and the shot takes the head off the beast neatly. The vehicle driver, and the commander remain.

(Aderyn would donate her main, so feel free to massacre more

(does Aderyn's donation work outside of initiative Neko?)

(That's fine with me)

Konya pulls the sword back, aiming for the wounded soldier's neck this time. (8/?, 3 shock if miss) (edited)

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Request: [1d20+5] Roll: [3] Result: 8

(thats a miss)

(3 shock then)

(against what AC)

(13, but shocking assault treats all targets as AC10)

driver is wounded by the blow, and the radioman is dying on the floor of the tank. The commander is thus far unharmed

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d20+3] Roll: [10, 9] Result: 22

Their knives are fouled by the cramped interior of the tank, and as the brawl continues enough space is made for someone else to drop inside.

Dimitri with a quick movement jumps in the hole appearing next to Kila. With a quick motion he draws his knife while he have the blade on his arm at the unharmed crew member, then stabbing with the knife as well. (Two weapon fighting, draw then two attacks.)

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [18] Result: 28

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [11] Result: 21

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d6+2] Roll: [3] Result: 5

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d8+3] Roll: [3] Result: 6

The driver is killed, and the commander wounded, as control of the vehicle begins slipping from Chimeran hands

(how noisy have we been? If Glaikit can shoot the commander he'd like to, but not if it would create a lot more noise than we've been making so far EDIT - with his spike thrower ideally) (edited)

(We've been noisy but we're far from the city for them to probably get a bead on what exactly the noise is. Could be a gunshot, could be an engine backfiring)

Glaikit pulls out his spike thrower and points it down, aiming the full force of the weapon into the Chimeran's chest to minimise the chance of collateral damage. (16/16, if that's a miss Glaikit would like to use his class ability to convert it to a hit)

The last Chimeran is speared against the seat they were trying to rise from, and the sounds of battle slowly ebb away as the vehicle is claimed.

“Good work team!” As the last Chimeran falls she looks around the cramped space. “Shame we didn’t get them out before we took them out. It’s…pretty messy in here now.” Konya starts pulling the nearest Chimeran towards the hatch.

Dimitri looks at the driver seat with a frown, “so much for a chair”, as he works yanks the Chimeran off the chair. To help get the vehicle read to head out.

From here, the ramps can be popped, and everyone else will be able to load with more ease. The radio looks to be decisively shot, but there is no way to know if a message got out or not.

"We should probably try and fix the, just so it doesn't look so busted on the outside." Aderyn struggles for a moment climbing up the vehicle, standing out of breath by the hatch. "And we should strip the bodies, dump them somewhere."

Mobius nods, glad that none of his got hurt. And starts teleporting the bodies in the same fashion he did with their landing armor

Parsnips kicks a body out of the hatch, a dull thud moments later letting everyone know it had it the ground below. “Really only one way to find out whether their looking for us yet or not. The sooner we roll this baby into town, the better. I’ll take the gunner’s seat in case things go sideways again.”

"I can drive unless someone else really wants to," Glaikit says, squeezing in.

Konya abandons the body, grateful for Mobius’s help. “I think we were pretty careful, but you’re right Aderyn. Safer to check. She starts circling the vehicle trailing her hand along its surface, looking for damage. “I don’t mind who drives but whoever it is please don’t drive in to the ditch.”

Mobius chuckles loudly, the first loud noise he makes in a while. Which makes him feel as if he was holding his breath until now.

(Apparently the word 'hatch' got eaten by discord, since we did pry it off with a metal rod. I think thats the most we have done to it.)

(We got it open we didn’t rip it off)

“Let’s see how much damage we did to this .” Parsnips tries closing and opening the hatch.

It looks to be working fine. The lock is broken but it opens and closes fine, and the seal has somehow not been warped.

Dimitri shrugs, “I’m good with someone else driving I’ll be ready in case we have to start shooting.” He finds himself a seat and sees if the radio can be fixed while the others look to inspect the vehicle.

With tools and a proper supply of spare parts this could be fixed, but it has been smashed beyond anything a field repair would be able to manage.

(how bashed up is the outside? Anything that would look suspicious to a casual observer?)

(other than those couple spots of damage we haven't really done much to the outside. None of their gear is in good shape since it was taken from the locals)

(I think trying to cover it up with leaves is gonna look weirder than some minor outside damage. We should probably just try the entrance since we know they don’t stop military vehicles, and if they do the gates are lightly guarded and we have an armored vehicle with an auto canon. So either head in or smash through)

(agree with what you said parsnips)

(agreed)

(Works for me)

Parsnips slides into the gunners seat. “If they aren’t on to us already, they will be soon. We need to step on it. If the guards try to stop us for a check, I’m going to open fire and we’ll make our way to the bunker the messy way.”

Glaikit familiarises himself with the controls and tests the responsiveness of the steering and brakes. “Strap in,” he says cheerfully, as he pushes down on the accelerator.

The gate is ahead after a few minutes of driving and it looks as though the guards here are not going to stop you. As you get close you see a few quizzical looks on what passes for their insectoid faces , but they do not stop you.

Parsnips wipes beads of sweat from his forehead, absentmindedly flicking them onto the floor of the vehicle. "About time something goes right on this forsaken planet! Let's roll her in nice and gentle. Our friend said the controls are in a bunker below town hall. I'll look out for anything following us, but I'll hold off on blowing anything up until absolutely necessary."

“Are we parking up outside the town hall or inside?” Glaikit asks, moving the vehicle along the streets as slowly as he can without looking suspicious.

"Let's see how close to the doors we can get. If we can all pile out and through the doors without too much risk of being spotted, we might as well see if we can keep our ride out of here in working order"

"I'll keep an eye out for any side entrances, either to the town hall or the bunker itself, some maintenance hatch or air vent or something. Might be a bit easier than waltzing through the front door if we can find another way in."

(notice/wis snips)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [4, 1] Result: 6

You do not see any guards outside the hall directly, but there are security cameras watching the doorway going in.

"Cameras huh?" Konya drums her fingers. "So we either disable them in a non-suspicious manner, or we just barge the hell in. Preferences?"

Parsnips sucks on his teeth for a moment in contemplation. "fuck it. Yeah, let's just take 'er through the express lane."

“Hang on tight,” Glaikit says, flooring the accelerator and pointing the vehicle right at the main doors. (He’s going to try to keep the vehicle under control as long as possible, avoid debris that could cause the vehicle to bounce, and bring it to a halt inside as soon as possible)

(Pilot/dex)

(6)

The vehicle smashes into the building, avoiding supporting pillars and other dense objects that would rob you of momentum as you crush into the center of the building. Rocks and debris continue to fall and finally the vehicle has too much debris in front of it to continue moving. Dust fills the air. Several chimeran soldiers have been run over, and the inside of the building is in complete disarray.

Aderyn stands at the hatch, holding her spike thrower close to her chest as she tries to get it open, doing her best to move quickly and capitalize on the chaos. "Let's move before the shell shock wears off, we care about any Chimeran non-combatants?"

Parsnips slides out of the gunnery seat and hoists his shear rifle. "No one who benefits from enslavement is innocent. We'll save the workers but the rest can burn."

Konya fights in the tight space to pull her sword out, "makes sense. Mobius, can you get us knife-wielders in close?"

Mobius, mosk-adrenaline filled, simply reach out out the slashers and do his thing. Phasing out from existence and back again a few meters, dropping hot near visible guards

The stairs up look to be intact. This level is silent, and anyone who was down here is either dead, buried under rubble, or has fled . It looks like aside from the dust clouds and occasional falling pieces of building as it settles, you are alone on the ground floor.

Parsnips moves to the foot of the stairs, taking a knee and lining the reticle of his site in the center of the landing above, so if anything steps forward they’ll likely walk right into it. “Anyone see any latches or doorways? The bunker is supposed to be under the hall, but we might have to go up to go down.”

Glaikit turns on his low-light goggles and starts looking for signs of concealed entrances.

Thus far it seems as Parsnips is right, access to the bunker must come from some secure level above.

Parsnips gestures forward before slowly and deliberately placing one foot in front of the other, creeping up the stairwell. His rifle is still aimed squarely at the center of the landing.

"Well without a useful 'you are here' map with a secret entrance to the bunker marked on it, I guess up it is." Konya sheathes her sword for now to prevent reflections from it giving them away. She lightly hops up the stairs, keeping very much to the side to stay out of Parnsnips' sight, slowing as she comes within view of the top hoping that she'll see anyone before they see her, thanks to her psionic abilities.

(Notice/wis Konya)

Holding close onto her shotgun, Aderyn follows close behind the main group, ready to act on case anything goes south.

(5)

Konya , leading the pack does not notice the shifting of shadows and the subtly wrong angles of the light as the first of the two cyber ninjas reveals themselves, de-cloaking after delivering a powerful downward swing that barely misses her. The elevator leading down to the command level is just beyond them, as a Chimeran officer and another of the ninja bodyguards 20m from you are waiting for the car to arrive to bring them down below. (initiative)

(6)

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Request: [1d8+1] Roll: [3] Result: 4

(6)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d8] Roll: [4] Result: 4

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [1d8+1] Roll: [8] Result: 9

2

(We can slot the others in as they become available, the ninjas just also won't target them until the enter the combat)

11:49 AM

(Snips, Aderyn, Mobius, Dimitri, Glakit, Konya, Ninjas for now) (edited)

Parsnips levels his shear rifle against the first cyberninja to blink into view as their cloaking is disengaged.

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [1d20+12] Roll: [17] Result: 29

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [2d8+5] Roll: [7, 1] Result: 13 Reason: damage

Moebius

used /roll

Mobius Request: [1d8] Roll: [6] Result: 6

One of the Ninja's takes damage to their impressive augmented suit. Sparks backlight them as their cloaking system entirely fails. None the less, they fight on, more machine than man now. (Aderyn)

(Can I move around them without inviting AoO or are they completely blocking the hallway?)

Cover me. Aderyn thinks to Parsnips as she runs forwards to join Konya, hoping to force the Ninjas to split their focus. (Go ahead and take my main 'Snips)

(they're totally blocking)

12:36 PM

(so you'd have to use fighting withdrawl to not chance an AoO

(Ill just move into melee then with Konya.)

(okay, so your main is still giving snips your main?)

1:06 PM

(either he or Mobius would be up next then)

Nekosmash

(okay, so your main is still giving snips your main?)

(Would this apply now or at my next turn?)

(now)

(Yep to snips.)

not wanting to risk hitting one of his comrades with another shear rifle blast, Parsnips unsheathes his hatchet and bounds toward the injured cyberninja

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [1d20+8] Roll: [4] Result: 12

(miss, shock won't go through since AC is above 15 unless you've got that foci)

(I do not)

The axe blow is fouled by thick armor, and the attack is missed

1:40 PM

(mobius)

(Whenever possible let me know if you want me to hop in or wait)

(Now is good!

Mobius gives Dimitri a quick tap on the back, which instantly teleports both beyond the ninjas and a few meters from the officer. After that he remains behind, ready to draw either his laser pistol or his shotgun

(Dimitri up)

Dimitri feels everything change around him, suddenly standing in a different space with enemies nearby. He fights the sudden churning in his stomach before getting to work. Arm blade extending instantly as he goes about his wetwork. Slashing with longer blade before trying to stab with one of his knives.

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [7] Result: 17

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [12] Result: 22

(hit and hit)

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d8+3] Roll: [4] Result: 7

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d6+2] Roll: [1] Result: 3

The office has just enough time to register the pain before the blade punches back out of his body, coated down to the hilt in crimson. Though not downed, they are close. The cyberninja escorting him right at the elevator is also hit, its suit camo shorting out.

8:47 AM

(Glakit up)

(are any of them not in melee, and can Glaikit tell which is the officer from where he is standing?)

(Konya is in combat with the stairway right, Aderyn moved into melee with stairway left, and Dimitri is in melee with elevator. The officer is in melee as well, though his AC and HP are far lower)

8:52 AM

(and yes officer is not in combat armor, and is not a cyberninja)

Anybody who tries to stab Stab Lady is either very good at their job, or very stupid. Glaikit shoots him in the head in case its the first one. (crit/32)

4

2

The officer explodes. You're not sure what on his body you hit, but he is not there anymore except for a smoking pair of boots.

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 9/21/2022 9:04 AM

(Konya up)

Konya targets the wounded ninja with her sword, parrying and thrusting, but is barely able to find an opening. (10, assuming miss. 3/AC13 shock, shocking assault treats all targets as AC10)

(Shock goes through!)

9:09 AM

You manage some kind of blow against them. It is not enough to kill, but you slowly push it closer.

9:12 AM

(gonna give mags and Robes the day or so to catch up, just in case, I'll move the ninjas tonight if not)

1

2

The three ninjas do their best to end the threat here and now , slashing and cutting with their blades

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+5] Rolls: [8] Result: 13 [6] Result: 11 [16] Result: 21

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d10] Roll: [3] Result: 3

Dimitri feels a cutting blow across his back (21/3), and the others are misses as damage and the cramped quarters make fighting difficult

5:36 AM

(Snips)

Parsnips lets out an angry grunt as he raises his hatchet and brings it down on the closest cyber ninja

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [1d20+8] Roll: [2] Result: 10

2

The blow deflects off angled armor plating, as their suit was designed to do. The Ninja swivels to face you.

8:21 AM

(Aderyn)

"Whoa shit, that's a big sword." Aderyn ducks as the blade passes over her head, trying to bring her mag pistol to bear at the Ninja. The shot goes between her opponents knees, both seeming to have difficulties of trying to hit their opponent of vastly differing height. (Biffed my shot)

(Mobius is up)

Moebius

used /roll

Mobius Request: [1d20] Roll: [8] Result: 8

Mobius decides to draw his laser pistol and clumsily aims the ninja, too nervous and untrained to do it properly

(Dimitri)

8:39 AM

(Was your pistol also readied, Mobius? ) (edited)

(I never declared that. but assuming competence yes, he would've as they headed for the stairs)

(There's no assuming anything. If its stowed on your sheet, you'd need to have spent the last turn using your main action to ready it. The attack missed either way, but readied/stowed is a big part of combat and everyone needs to pay attention to it)

(for sure. FYI It was readied in my sheet, I have a print from a good while ago showing that if need be)

(aesome. Dimitri is up)

Dimitri adrenaline pumping barely feels the blade against his back but immediately turns on the attacker. And goes to execute a similar maneuver on the would be assailant.

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [7] Result: 17

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [9] Result: 19

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

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Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d8+3] Roll: [3] Result: 6

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

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Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d6+2] Roll: [6] Result: 8

There is a spray of machine oil and blood as the headless cyberninja topples backwards. Its body convulses on the floor in a spreading pool of machine blood, muscles contracting and expanding in the cyborg's death throes

11:48 AM

(Glakit nex)t

Glaikit waits for a break in the melee, and opens fire. (16/16 - took off -4 because i think they're all in melee? If that's a miss he'd like to use his class ability!)

(We're all in melee yes, and we actually wouldn't need to use it here!)

1

12:29 PM

(do you want the one Aderyn is fighting, or the one snips and konya are fighting)

(Aderyns)

The shot is an opportunistic one, and a deadly one as a second of the cyberninjas falls to the ground. Their life support systems look to be failing.

12:47 PM

(one left, Konya up)

Konya advances on the last ninja, its split focus giving her a clear view of its chest and she slashes her sword. (19/6)

The blade sinks deep. There is a large cut there and blood begins dripping out of it. There is a grunt of pain.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [19] Result: 23

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d10] Roll: [3] Result: 3

The blade descends, striking Konya in return for the blow, sending a splash of red down the sneaky rogue's arm.

2:21 PM

(snips up)

"Would you FUCKING. DIE. ALREADY!?!" Parsnips hacks at the remaining ninja with his hatchet

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [1d20+8] Roll: [17] Result: 25

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [1d8+2] Roll: [3] Result: 5

The blade cuts deep into exposed throat. Crimson sheets down the front of the ninja as it falls onto its side.

(Is there any kit of theirs that is worth taking? Particularly on the officer, compads, auth codes, etc?)

(We can get into the elevator and down into the bunker now, stopping to salvage is going to have the enemy beginning to respond)

“Good job everyone, let’s go. Hope that elevator can hold everyone.” She glances at the smoking boots that once belonged to a body and wonders if they had been planning to blow the elevator to prevent access. “And whoever nailed that officer, damn good shot.”

"There was an officer there?" Parsnips chuckles at his own, admittedly dark joke as he snatches the access keycard off the ground and holds it up to the elevator call button. "Bunker is probably down, right?"

Slotting the keycard into the slot on the elevator for it, the button for the command level can be pressed and as everyone piles in, it begins to move. Upstairs, the enemy begins to rally. As the doors open, you see the bunker is empty. Most of the breaker guns look to be automated, or under the command of officers directly, but the guidance information they need comes from the computers in this room.

Parsnips steps off the elevator and into the command room. "Anyone wanna try their luck at shutting these down, or should we just start smashing?"

"Unless we want to do anything fancy, just smashing should do fine." Aderyn looks over the hardware, looking for a critical component or cable that could be damaged to bring it all down quickly. "We should get on high on the horn too, tell em the guns are going down."

"If you find anything especially sensitive, I've got a grenade," Glaikit says.

It looks as though a few grenades in this room is more than enough to take the guns down for the moment, without making it so they can never be used again in the future. Eventually friendly forces will occupy this position, and having them active will be a boon when you control the skies

Mobius pulls a stun baton and winks at Gurk "let's throw a couple grenades and have fun with whatever is left" (edited)

Parsnips flips open the keyboard attachment on his suit's internal comms unit and sends a message back to his own compad, now in the hands of the enslaved mechanic that had given the information that gotten them here. As he types, he pulls out one of his own grenades with his other hand to assist in the destruction. That thing we talked about happening is about to happen. Get ready!

There is a thumbs up sent in reply, all they can risk.

Parsnips nods in approval of the response, despite knowing his friend on other side of the landmass can't see him. "Ok, before we blow this shit, let's see if there isn't a button we can press that will let me rouse some rabble." Parsnips starts looking for a PA system that might broadcast outward so slaves can be warned of the incoming danger that also will open up the opportunity for liberation. "On second thought, let's just get this over with." Parsnips abandons his search and instead pulls his hatchet, hacking through any exposed wires and cables. (edited)

The effect is almost anti climactic. The monitors around the command center begin to power down, broadcasting an offline signal as opposed to the information feeds they had just a moment ago. The drop pods with mechs inside begin making their way planetside just as an uprising begins at the airbase. From down here in the bunker, all you can do is wait for an hour as the battle is brief, but fierce. Enemy resistance never comes to try to take the orbital defenses back, and the all clear is sounded as dawn begins to rise. Outside the crumbling headquarters, you each emerge to CBSS mechs surrounding the building as the red flag of the CBSS is unfurled from the roof. .

7

1:04 PM

(6xp, 50,000 credits. The city is secured)

(I would say if we want to, we more or less own this city but there would of course be some chimeran holdouts, we can also try to make some inroads with the other major city on the planet, since we know its less defended, or check on our friends at the slave camp)

6:27 PM

(or assign some folks into smaller missions to do all three. The EP mission is hitting its peak, we should know some time this week once we hit flip if CA surrenders, or if we need to keep conquering)

(So we should wait until that happens to set up the other missions or go ahead for a bit of funsies?)

(I’m down for any of the above. Checking on our friends seems like a good idea)

(I'd prefer a smaller group mission or duo personally, but im up for any of the above.)

(I think if we split into smaller groups we’d be about two each, give or take)

(Smaller group missions for now, I don't want everyone here sitting for a week irl)

(happy to hop into anything! Are we able to do shopping in between?)

(yes!)

(also up for any of the missions and splitting up or not)

(I agree with splitting up for smaller missions, would be interested in working towards taking the other city, or reducing the any hold outs left)

(if peace happens, would this planet become independent? If so helping the locals get things under control might be interesting )

(It would be independent for now yes

(I’ll be on team check-back-in-on-our-slave-friends)

(Ill go on team clear out chimeran holdouts)

(We might pick a few personal threads for these so I don’t split this into more story ones )

1

(so Dimitri and Aderyn want to go get the Chimeran holdouts, Glaikit and Parsnips want to visit the slaves. I'm happy to go to the cities with Mobius, or we can each split and go with one of the other missions? What do you fancy @Moebius. There's also Mags and Giorgi, but haven't heard from them in a while)

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

(so Dimitri and Aderyn want to go get the Chimeran holdouts, Glaikit and Parsnips want to visit the slaves. I'm happy to go to the cities with Mobius, or we can each split and go with one of the other missions? What do you fancy @Moebius. There's also Mags and Giorgi, but haven't heard from them in a while)

(My only issue with the city is the language barrier as Mobius is a social pc) (edited)

(There isn’t one. Everyone who was a slave speaks mandate common and you’re not negotiating with the Chimeran anyway )

(let's do it then)

1

(thanks for summing that up Kila, I was just about to do that. Lets do Aderyn's thread, Glakit's thread, and Konya's thread)

7:47 AM

(and the other two came into the game together so if they return I'm sure would be happy to split off together)