Iron Stars - alexander-lenkov

Alexander Lenkov, a native of Vadhat and one of the first to pledge service to the CBSS sits in his modest apartment on the seventeenth floor of the large apartment building he lives in. The place has been improved recently, though the smell of sour milk on the stair landing didnt seem to go away. Overall, the apartment is comfortable and nice, and has a commanding overlook of the nearby military airport. Most of the sensitive operations take place on the opposite side, away from civilian operation, but seeing the planes and mechs take off and land here has filled Lenkovs head with all number of glorious off world experiences he wishes to have. The day seems to have come today as a note is passed to the comms terminal in his apartment. The news dims for a moment in volume as a the notification sound pings.

Aleksander adjusts himself in his chair. He's glad he's the only one in the room because his excitement is written all over his face like a child. He regains his composure and focuses on the terminal immediately opening the note.

The CBSS wants you! 

Join the Vadhat Defense Corps now! Positions are full for regular military forces but exciting things are developing where civilians just like you can assist the party, gain esteem, and reap the privilege of party service. 

All willing and brave workers are invited to their local branch office to meet with a recruiter today, and learn how your struggles can better help Vadhat, and help the CBSS

The message ends with the address of the branch close to your residence, just a few streets over next to the grocer you enjoy going to the most- due to the wider selection and larger store. Sometimes he even lets you come in a few minutes before opening to shop in peace on your way to work.

Aleksander immediately stood up from his chair. His hands started to shake a little. He grabbed what little he had in sentimental possessions including a small picture of the girl he stilled loved. Her name is Nikki. A red haired green eyed girl smiled out towards him from the photograph. He pushed her to the back of his mind once again, grabbing his tech kit and other equipment and holstering his laser pistol that his father bought him when the CBSS first established themselves on Vadhat and the fighting started. It didn't take long for him to find himself in front of the local branch office. He took a deep breath and walked in.

He walked up to the line waiting for the clerk at the front desk. When it was his time he politely spoke "hello, I would like to apply for the Defense Corps."

(sorry, i was just relaxing last night so i didnt reply to this. )

15:05

"A new recruit eh? Alright..." He reaches over for your ID and upon seeing the name he raises his eyebrow. "Family name like that I can see why. Defense corps is looking for a number of specialists. Let's make sure we're a good fit for each other. What are you good at?"

(No worries, I just didn't know if I gave you enough to work from)

15:50

He straightened up, showing he takes pride in his skills. "Well as my family name suggests I am educated and skilled at building and repairing mostly anything that could break down in the field, civilian or military. I am also an excellent pilot and recently I found out I know how to handle a gun well."

"bit of a jack of all trades then. Just so happens we have a mission we're putting together that could use a good field mechanic. This puts me in the regrettable condition of asking for your consent and you signing up first before we divulge many of the details, as it is a state matter"

" i consent, I could fill the role of field mechanic well i think, hopefully I get to keep my firearm?" He asked showing his laser pistol which is very obviously powered down as he is in a government building.

"You'll need it. I'm sure you're following the news but if you haven't, we've recently made agreements with many of the small splinter groups living in the wilds. They're coming out, being offered amnesty, and accepting the party. There's no reason to go back on those deals. Which brings us to our problem, there is one militia, the Children of the Western Sky, who have not accepted this agreement and have continued fighting. We don't want to legitimize this event by putting it on the news but a military training expedition was ambushed while training near Neo Kiev. They've shot down two transport helicopters and we have not been able to get in touch with any survivors. We need a team to head south to investigate, and see if any sign of them can be picked up. The wrecks also need to be destroyed to keep them from falling into enemy hands"

Aleksander stands at salute. "Whatever the CBSS needs of me, when do I need to report in."

“How soon can you be ready to leave? The rest of the team is close by and has handled their affairs here already. We just needed our final member. Now we have them”

" I have everything valuable to me with me already, I can send a message for one of my family members to tend to my apartment while I'm on route." He adjusts the weight of his small duffle bag holding his few possessions.

"A helicopter will be landing on the roof of this facility in ten minutes. The others should be here by then. Head on up and get aboard when it gets here, we will radio ahead and let them know the mission is a go. You'll get more details en route"

"Yes sir" Aleksander turned towards the elevator taking it up to the roof. He picked out a spot to sit down and made himself comfortable. The whole time trying to temper is nervousness and excitement.

Heading to the roof you can see the distant form of your transport already getting steadily larger in the mid morning sky. Down in the street two men have already gotten off a nearby city bus and are already making their way into the building as well, the team is slowly coming together.

Aleksander stands up from his sitting position and covers his eyes to witness the transport coming in. He eagerly awaits his squad mates arrival at the transport pad.

The four men make their way too the roof, all human, and all fairly young. They have a mix of demeanors - some serious, some looking more relaxed. They're wearing whatever family heirloom weapons they could get their hands on, and a mix of armor, some of it looking homemade. The helicopter sets down on the pad and the crew chief waves you in.

He climbs aboard finding himself a seat. He looks at his squad mates and introduces himself. "I'm Aleksander Lenkov, a pleasure."

(Just for your knowledge, I normally don't name NPCs until we've seen them a few times, lest I end up with hundreds more than what we already have that won;'t get used again) They introduce themselves curtly and it seems like you're the only one on the team with technical knowledge. Two demolition charges are handed out to the team by the helicopter's crew chief, meant to be used on the wrecks when you find them. The area you're being transported to is close to the last radioed position of the crash survivors. They were being hunted by the local militia group and the situation was becoming quite dangerous. The side doors close as you approach Neo-Kiev, to keep any stray rounds from the countryside from ricocheting into the crew bay.

(Understood) Aleksander is strapped into his seat, a bead of sweat rolls down the side of his face. This is his first taste of a battleground. He quickly pulls out his laser pistol and checks it to make sure its working properly, powering it up as he goes. He silently waits for the signal that they have reached their destination.

There is a metallic ping as a round hits the bottom of the helicopter. There is another tracer that flies past the window but it seems like these are just pot shots from a field. The helicopter flies for another few minutes before hovering low over a thick forest. The doors are opened and ropes are thrown over the sides. You can see the wrecks of one of the transport choppers 500m to your south but the clearing is not a natural one , just one plowed by the spiraling wreckage of the crashed bird.

04:09

It’s too small for this craft to also fit there

" I guess its time to earn a paycheck." He unbuckles from the seat and clicks into a rappel harness and quickly lowers himself to the ground. He pulls out his laser pistol and provides cover for his squadmates. He says into his comm unit so the rest of the team can hear him. "If they shot down the transport you can be sure they've come to collect it and they have a hell of a headstart."

The team sets up a brief overwatch as the transport helicopter flies away to refuel in Neo-Kiev. A radio frequency is provided and if you find survivors, or complete your mission, you are to call it in. A quick reaction force is spun up and ready to provide assistance to ensure you escape safely. Dashing into the woods you can hear the sounds of people at the crash site. A small gun-battle is taking place there from the sounds of it.

He moves up to the edge of the battle, trying to stay quiet and out of sight

He uses a tree for cover if possible. (Need a stealth check?)

(I’ll let you know if we do)

16:33

You can see six survivors are fighting with twice that nUmber of militia troops. They’re using the crash site as cover and firing into the forest trying to keep the enemy back. A heavy machine gun has been pulled from the wreck and seems to be the focus of most of the enemy fire.

(Is the HMG being used by the survivors or the militia)

(survivors, the militia is trying to take out the gunner) (edited)

Aleksander looks around for a favorable position to flank the militia members.

(notice/wis)

(Lmfao first roll of the game is a natural 1)

(on a 2d6?)

22:24

(skill checks are done with 2d6. not a d20. You roll the 2d6, add your level in notice ((or penalty if its -1 ) , and add your wisdom modifier if you have one)

(Oh ok)

22:31

(8)

(if you click the pencil in the top right side of your character sheet it will take you off edit mode and you can click the skill boxes to roll for you too)

(Oh wow thats pretty cool)

You notice there is a small game trail that hooks around the left side of the clearing. You'll be away from the heavy machine gun fire, and will be able to slice their attack in half. Three members of the enemy militia are 50m away, crouched in a small gap behind a large fallen tree, taking opportunistic shots at the crash survivors. Their backs are to you.

Aleksander shares this information with his squad mates and quietly cuts through the game trail and gets into position behind a tree ready to launch an ambush against the three militia members with their backs turned.(ready to roll attack, what do I roll again, I haven't read through the book in a while)

(If you click the weapon you want on your sheet if it’s off edit mode it’ll do it for you, but it’s d20+dex mod+shoot level

(I thought my shoot, and fix skills were supposed to be 1, they were 0 with quick skills and I took specialist and gunslinger)

(They should be, I’ll have to check the math when I’m back at a computer. In future though post the results in here too as I’m often not home and running this via mobile )

(Ok so I check it and it was at 0, so I redid the roll with the real modified, 1 from dex and 1 from shoot, I got a 15 attack, 3 damage)

(it does the modifiers for you, you gave yourself an extra +2)

02:28

(i fixed the sheet for you)

(When I clicked it it asked for my modifier)

(That is a situational modifier like if I give you a bonus or penalty due to something in the scene )

(If it isn't obvious its my first time playing swnr and using roll20 lol)

(No problem at all. Happy to teach) The shot goes wide and punches into the ground at their feet. The other soldiers in the team with you likewise open fire , one of them kills a rebel outright , splattering his chest across the fallen tree (18/12). Another soldier wounds a rebel, just barely , while the rest of the team misses. The rebels on this flank are pinned now between the crash site survivors and your reaction force, and begin to waver. Their panicked return fire is wild and undisciplined , and doesn’t hit anyone in your group.

03:12

(Back to you)

Aleksander curses under his breath and carefully aims another shot.

03:20

(Damn, it was 10)

The shot sets a small patch of bark on fire but it’s stamped out quickly. (20/8, and two misses) some of the team in position near you fires another round of bursts and downs another of the rebels, leaving just one on this flank of the assault. Pinned and now the sole survivor of his fire team, he throws down his weapon and tries to run west 20m

04:17

(Back to you)

Aleksander yells in frustration and sees the militia members throw his weapon, (I'm assuming we have some sort of command on comms) "command, are we to take prisoners?"Aleksander wonders if he is surrendering.

THere is a crackle in reply, but nothing you can discern as words comes through the intercom. The party is historically not known for its good treatment of traitors.

Alek aims another shot and fires at the guy running towards them. He figures they have no way to detain them anyways and he can't let him leave.

(just need the hit./damage when you have time, no rush)

(9 attack/ 6 damage)

The shot goes wide into the brush, but the fleeing man is downed by one of your companions before the team regroups. The decision seems to be flank the other side of the attack, or push into the crash site and fight from that position, free of being accidently caught in heavy machine gun fire

Aleksander makes a run for the crash site telling his squadmates he was moving up. When he gets there he ducks under cover, " who's in command?" He asked the gunner over the sound of the machine gun fire.

"I am!" he shouts over the roar of the gun. "Thanks for the help! Who are you!?"

" Civil Defense! We are here to assist with evac and destroy the transports!" He yelled over the gun, he could barely hear himself, hopefully the soldier could. Aleksander popped out of cover to fire off another shot. (18 attack, 7 damage)

You see a rebel in the woods pitch over as your energy beam connects with them. A burning hole in his chest is keeping him down for good. Another long rattling machine gun burst seems to break the rebel attack, and cease fire is called out to ensure the survivors save ammunition.

Once the coast is clear Aleksander straightens up all the way out of cover. "Our mission was to assess if there were any survivors and to destroy the transports so the enemy could not use them in any way."

Aleksander calls in the frequency to report "we have found survivors at the first crash sight, militia is in retreat."

All six of the survivors seem no worse off now thanks to you. They want to try to recover the bodies of the pilots and their comrades before setting the charges.

Aleksander assists in retrieving the bodies. "If possible I would like to set the charges here, unless any of you have prior demolitions experience?"

"The co-pilot, but he's trapped in his seat. We need to cut him free before he can help you, if he can even walk"

Aleksander enters the transport, obviously checking if it is safe to and makes his way to the cockpit to assess the situation. He pulls out his knife.

The crash is unstable and you see the cockpit door has been jammed shut during the crash. You might be able to pry it open with enough leverage

(I think I have -1 in exert, can I ask for assistance from a ally and it help my roll?

03:58

)

(They’re securing the site and helping others )

04:00

(If you can think of a way to do this using a skill you’re better at feel free to make a pitch. )

(I've got a fix skill of 1, I could try to clear the jam from the mechanism)

04:04

(And I roll 3d6 and take the higher)

(it does this for you automatically, so whatever the check says is with the lowest dropped already, lets get a fix/int then)

Aleksander pulls out his technicians kit and gets to work on the door. Its nothing he hasn't seen before but the chaos of the crash has created some problems in the mechanism that he hasn't dealt with before. However he is confident in his abilities. (9)

There is a brief popping sound as your tools finally clear the obstruction and the door falls away. The pilot is dead and you can see the co pilot has a broken arm, if not worse. He has applied the tourniquet himself , but still looks quite pale and in shock

Aleksander uses his knife to cut through the straps keeping the copilot in his chair. "I'm Aleksander, civilian defense, im here to assist in the evac and the destruction of this transport. Are you capable of assisting in setting the demo charge?" He looks down at his broken arm.

“I can set the keypads and detonators” he says snapping back to attention now that he has been rescued. “You have to plant them. I can’t use my arm”

He hands the keypads and detonator to him in a bad raking the charges out and looks around for optimal places to plant them.

The copilot is able to help with that and two of the four charges inside are placed after five minutes. There is some light skirmishing around the eastern end of the crash site but reinforced with your men the survivors have the better of it and no one is hurt in the brief exchange of shots. The other crash site is a kilometer away to the east, forcing you to move through where the rebels have made their last two pushes from.

He goes back up to the man who was operating the machine gun " any man who's able to is welcome to accompany us to the other crash site, or we can radio a relief team to come and medievac you all."

Aleksander also loots the dead militia members and sees if they have better weapons than him.

(This isn’t like 5E where every body is going to have valuables or stuff on it , in fact looting everything thats not nailed down is generally not a great plan and outside the scope of the rules but their weapons are worse than yours)

02:00

The team can all walk even if a few are injured and you’ve been ordered to blow the wreck, so there won’t be a place for them to shelter in a few moments anyway.

02:01

They prepare for the trek through rebel territory to their friends a kilometer away

(I was mostly curious about their weapons maybe they had some creds on them i wasn't going to strip them of their equipment)

02:03

(I fired like 4 shots, so I have 6 left in this battery, do I have extras?)

(Looks like you’ve got 4 Type A cells so if ones in the gun you have three reloads ) (edited)

Aleksander changed out his battery, you never know when those few extra shots in the battery could save his life. He regroup with the rest of his squad and the soldiers and began the trek into the jungle keeping his eyes peeled.

(Sneak/dex)

(7)

(9 for the rebels' notice) Moving into the woods your slowed squad stumbles into a clearing to let the wounded rest, and 30m away refilling their cantens from a creek. Most of them are injured too, and their fireteam consists of three riflemen and a machinegunner, who looks the worst off of the group.

Once the group is far enough away from the first crash site Aleksander detonates the demo charges and watches the smoke billow over the tree line. "After everyone catches their breath we should get moving. We should establish a perimeter in the meantime."

Moving into the woods your slowed squad stumbles into a clearing to let the wounded rest, and 30m away refilling their cantens from a creek is a small rebel detachment having just run from the failed ambush. Most of them are injured too, and their fireteam consists of three riflemen and a machinegunner, who looks the worst off of the group.

16:02

(sorry, was unclear with what i wrote)

Aleksander still blows the demo charges and points his pistol at the group. He doesn't fire yet, not seeing the honor in picking off the wounded. He does wonder however if his mercy would be looked down upon by his superiors.

The armed stand-off continues for a moment, with the rebels gradually backing up step at a time, waiting for some kind of reaction from your group.