1200 Days - Gramps' run at a Kerensky rated career

[MarkDey]

- - - - - - - - Flashpoint: Hearts and Minds - - - - - - -
Tiesa "Navaja" Norkus has sent a spiteful message, stating that she has two dozen civilian hostages at her base in New Rennes. Lady Cunningham is not reachable. We have a job to do - neutralize Bishop and Navaja. That said, containing Navaja and destroying any armored support that she might have is close enough for me. Leaving Gwydion Company to their fate was one thing - they were mercs and knew the risks of their job; killing innocents that have been dragged into a conflict to be used as shields is not a line I'm going to cross today. On the plus side, we aren't bound by PR and a drop weight restriction anymore, so the Bull Sharks are going to obliterate the opposition with their artillery.
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Mission 331: 2 Skull Battle ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Emerald Dawn ____ Biome: Urban
Lance: Bull Shark X (Scrub), Bull Shark U (Hangover), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: We give the skyscraper that Navaja is in a wide berth and set about eliminating the mechs and vehicles that have rallied to her cause. SDR-5K, Striker, Gallant Urban Assault Vehicle, SHD-2D (pilot kill). A group of units belonging to Sian Triumphant join the fight, and we move to engage them as well. LCT-1M, SHD-2D, TDR-5S (headshot)

Salvage: SHD-2D, SDR-5K, TDR-5S assembled and moved into storage.

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____Lady Cunningham is furious, having been subjected to a rocket attack by Navaja and mocked in Capellan propaganda videos. As she continues to rant, it becomes clear that she does not care about the hostages, and was going to blame us for their deaths since we are a deniable asset. In the end, she decides to pay us the contracted amount in order for us to keep silence about this job. We gain a half million C-Bills, lose some reputation with House Davion, and set course to leave the system.

 

[MarkDey]

____ Our next stop is Wrentham, and Yang is disappointed that we didn't buy the Star League era Black Knight, but is soon working on a refit of Toothy that incorporates some advanced Target Acquisition Gear that we recently purchased. It will be helpful for boosting the damage of ballistic shots on a target, but it also provides a standard range scalpel for enemy mech disassembly. To keep the damage close to the same, since an M Laser is replaced with the TAG, the regular S Laser is upgraded to an ER S Laser to match the other one.
____ Also, the Blasthopper refit is stopped, and the mech is put into storage once I realize that I don't actually need it for a heavy weight limit lance. The upgraded MGs are installed on the Firestarter instead. This leaves us with nine mech bays being used to house the mechs for our standard and weight limited deployments, and the other nine are to be filled with Yang's rotating salvage assembly projects.
____ Four contracts are available, all from House Davion, making it just worth heading in to orbit. Jalopy heals up shortly after we leave the jump point, and once we arrive, Darius executes the purchase orders to buy the mech salvage, two more upgraded MGs, and another set of cockpit bracing.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 332: 5 Skull Battle ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Taurians ____ Biome: Badlands
Lance: ANH-4G (President), Bull Shark U (Hangover), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: Two Taurian lances have landed on Wrentham's volcanic plains, and we are to eliminate them both. The TAG++ marking from Toothy is helpful, and Jingle likes not having to close to 90 meters to fire all of her weapons. CTF-1X (pilot kill), GHR-5H (pilot kill), CPLT-C4, BNC-3E (pilot kill), CPLT-C1 (pilot kill), 2x HGN-733P (one headshot, one pilot kill), JM6-A (pilot kill).

Salvage: HGN-733P, CTF-1X, BNC-3E, JM6-A assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 332: 4.5 Skull Destroy Base ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Pirates ____ Biome: Tundra
Lance: ANH-4G (President), Bull Shark U (Hangover), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: We have been tasked to investigate a facility that has likely been subjected to a computer virus. Farah confirms that is what is going on, and we proceed to demolish the facility and all hostile units. 2x QKD-5A (pilot kills), WHM-6R (legs kill), AS7-D (pilot kill). Heavy turrets are engaged after the inital lance of mechs is dealt with. 1x LRM, 1x Sniper, 2x Laser. Surprisingly, a lance of hostile mechs arrives about 300 meters behind President as she is closing on the base. She is able to sprint away before engaging them, but takes a hit to the head from the massed volume of fire. 2x BSK-M3 (one headshot), QKD-4G, VTR-9S (pilot kill).

Damage: President injured for 7 days. ____ Salvage: 2x BSK-M3, AS7-D, 2x QKD-5A assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 333: 3.5 Skull Battle ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Pirates ____ Biome: Highlands
Lance: Bull Shark X (Goth), Bull Shark U (Hangover), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: The ANH-4G is swapped out for the other Bull Shark as tracking down a troublesome pirate lance or two is expected to be relatively easy. When it's all over, there isn't much left to salvage, but that's generally what happens with artillery. DRG-1N, QKD-5A, JM6-S, WVR-6R, RFL-3N, MAD-3R, ARC-2R, TBT-5N.

Salvage: DRG-1N assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 334: 3.5 Skull Defend Base ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Draconis Combine ____ Biome: Tundra
Lance: Bull Shark X (Goth), Bull Shark U (Hangover), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: Kuritan forces are set to launch a strong raid against a logistics base that has defense turrets, but they are not equipped to repel this sort of attack. Especially when they've been shutdown because someone downloaded a holovid that they shouldn't have. The system administrators arrive via APC and get to work while we open fire on the enemy vanguard. LCT-1M, ASN-101, ZEU-6S, MAD-3D. Once the heavy turrets power up again, they register as 2x Laser and 2x Shredder. They begin tracking the main attack force that has just landed in two locations. CN9-A, BJ-1, 2x CRB-20, TDR-5S, TDR-5SE (headshot), MAD 3R, CPLT-C4. Moose gets cornered in the base, but hides behind buildings for cover. By the end, two turrets are destroyed, and two buildings are on fire, but they can be repaired.

Salvage: CN9-A, BJ-1 assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

A few hours after we break orbit to make our way to the jump point, we are hailed by another ship.

Event - Travelers in Need: A passenger ship is requesting assistance in dealing with an outbreak of Periphery Pox. Wanting to stay on House Davion's good side, and not wanting to risk a disruption in morale, I authorize the release of some medical supplies.
Result: -1 Medical Point for 14 days. Morale +1. Reputation with the Federated Suns increases by 1.

President returns to duty and a flashpoint contract is reported in the Brockway system, where our Lyran Commonwealth representative is asking for our help in dealing with a problem related to House Davion. We're close enough for it to be tempting, and the contracts in Ridgebrook are poor, so we keep moving on. As we do, the monthly financial report comes due, and the normal rate of pay is maintained. Eventually, we find a good set of contracts and a short distance into orbit at Carmichael, so we head there.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 335: 5 Skull Assassinate ____ Employer: Draconis Combine ____ Target: Pirates ____ Biome: Highlands
Lance: ANH-4G (Scrub), Bull Shark U (Sugar), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: A high-value target has been located, and we have been hired to eliminate them. They are well escorted, but it is rare for them to be exposed at all, so House Kurita is willing to pay extra for an immediate deployment. TDR-5S (pilot kill), CP-10-Q (headshot), TDR-5SE (headshot), 2x VTR-9S (one pilot kill).

Salvage: VTR-9S, CP-10-Q, TDR-5S assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 336: 5 Skull Capture Base ____ Employer: Draconis Combine ____ Target: Federated Suns ____ Biome: Tundra
Lance: ANH-4G (Scrub), Bull Shark U (Sugar), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: A Davion base is doing an effective job at hampering operations from House Kurita. Our job is to capture the base, and hold it against any efforts to retake it. On our approach, we encounter a defending lance backed up by heavy turrets. AWS-8T (pilot kill), BNC-3M (legs kill), BLR-1G, ZEU-6S (headshot). 2x Laser, 1x LRM, 1x Sniper. Reinforcements arrive shortly after the battle begins. HGN-733P (pilot kill), ZEU-6T (legs kill), ZEU-6S (pilot kill), CPLT-C4 (pilot kill).

Salvage: HGN-733P, AWS-8T, BNC-3M, ZEU-6S, CPLT-C4 assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 337: 5 Skull Battle ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Taurians ____ Biome: Highlands
Lance: ANH-4G (Scrub), Bull Shark U (Sugar), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: The rest of our missions here are from the Federated Suns, focusing on the relatively small Taurian force in the system. This first drop is to reinforce a joint patrol to make sure that everything goes well. The Davion lance is composed of two Banshees, a Thunderbolt, and a Warhammer. The allied Canopian lance has two Zeus, a Jagermech, and an Archer. Jingle sprints forward to spot for everyone, and the rest of the lance moves along the left flank of this company sized force. Speeding up the narrow road, we spot a Taurian Banshee coming fast from the other direction and the engagement begins. BNC-3S (pilot kill), QKD-4G, HGN-733P (pilot kill), TDR-5SS (pilot kill). A second Taurian lance arrives to reinforce the one that we are engaging. VTR-9B (pilot kill), QKD-5A, VTR-9S (headshot), CPLT-C4.

Salvage: VTR-9S, TDR-5SS, HGN-733P, BNC-3S assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 338: 4.5 Skull Battle ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Taurians ____ Biome: Badlands
Lance: ANH-4G (Scrub), Bull Shark U (Sugar), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: Our destruction of two lances has prompted a response from the Taurian Concordat, and our next task is to intercept the new unit before it can move out to engage the Federated Suns bases in the region. HGN-733 (pilot kill), KGC-0000 (pilot kill), ARC-2S, BNC-3M (pilot kill).

Salvage: KGC-0000, HGN-733 assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 339: 5 Skull Recovery ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Taurians ____ Biome: Badlands
Lance: ANH-4G (Scrub), Bull Shark U (Sugar), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: The recent Taurian moves have been traced back to communications from a scientist working on fusion reactor refinements. That scientist has recently defected to the Taurians, and has been located at one of their forward operating bases. We are to go recover them and eliminate any Taurian forces in the area. HGN-733 (pilot kill), 2x HGN-733P (one headshot, one pilot kill), BLR-1G (pilot kill).

Salvage: HGN-733, HGN-733P assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Event - Happy Birthday: The day after we leave orbit, I cross paths with an obviously happy Youngblood Wisniewski. It turns out that it's her birthday. Shortly after parting ways, I come across Darius and ask him to arrange a small party in the lounge.
Result: Morale +1, Youngblood Wisniewski gains High Spirits for 30 days

____After the party, during next morning's briefing, Darius takes the opportunity to note that the first Youngblood lance has reached the limit of their simulator training, and they are ready for deployment. Youngbloods Munteanu, Lechner, Petrenko and Zhang have started asking Darius about when they will go on their first drop. I say that I'll think about it, and want to make sure that there are some easier contracts for them to start with. So far, we've been able to avoid any deaths, and if we lose any of our elite crew, it will be a big loss and probably set us back on the MRB score as well. I could split up the lance and mix two elites with two Youngbloods, but they've been mostly training as a team this whole time and I wouldn't want to ruin a good thing.

____Arriving in Desolate Plains shows us a system rife with opportunity. House Davion is battling Taurian and pirate forces, and House Kurita is looking to disrupt Davion operations. All of the contracts are available for us to take, and with the store mostly devoid of interesting items, we get to work.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 340: 4 Skull Recovery ____ Employer: Draconis Combine ____ Target: Federated Suns ____ Biome: Desert
Lance: ANH-4G (Goth), Bull Shark U (Jalopy), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: A Kuritan operative has secured an encryption key and is in need of immediate evacuation. The base they are in proves difficult to get to, and it is well defended. AS7-D (headshot), WHM-6D, ARC-2R, TDR-5S, AWS-8Q, ZEU-6T, QKD-4G (headshot), VTR-9B.

Salvage: AS7-D, ARC-2R, ZEU-6T, VTR-9B assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 341: 5 Skull Assassinate ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Taurians ____ Biome: Martian
Lance: ANH-4G (Goth), Bull Shark U (Jalopy), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: An undercover Taurian operative has hijacked an assault mech, demolished a Davion base, and is moving to rejoin her comrades in arms. We are to eliminate the mech she stole, along with anyone else that dares to protect it. Turns out, we find the 'anyone else' first. 2x Demolisher LBX, QKD-4G (pilot kill), 2x ZEU-6T (one pilot kill and one headshot).

Salvage: ZEU-6T, QKD-4G assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 342: 5 Skull Recovery ____ Employer: Draconis Combine ____ Target: Federated Suns ____ Biome: Desert
Lance: ANH-4G (Goth), Bull Shark U (Jalopy), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: As a follow-up on our last job for House Kurita, some significant intelligence has been decrypted and we've now been tasked with retrieving a possible Star League era memory core from a Davion research facility. Jingle is able to dash in and secure the package before defending forces start opening fire. BNC-3S (pilot kill), AWS-8Q (pilot kill), HGN-733 (headshot), BLR-1S (pilot kill).

Salvage: HGN-733, BNC-3S, BLR-1S assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 343: 5 Skull Escort ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Taurians ____ Biome: Desert
Lance: ANH-4G (Goth), Bull Shark U (Jalopy), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: The base where the Taurian operative was heading to with the Zeus has been located and occupied by the Federated Suns. The high-value personnel are being sent away from the facility to start working for House Davion, and we've been hired to escort their convoy. On the way to meet the convoy, we intercept a Taurian patrol that is returning to the facility. CP-10-Z!, QKD-4G, BLR-1G (headshot), QKD-5A. After that, the escort goes smoothly until the dropship arrives. It is followed in by a Taurian dropship that deploys a lance within long range of the vehicles. To break up their focus, Jalopy fires a Thumper round and catches all Taurian units in the blast. This gives the vehicles time to extract without any casualties. RFL-3N, AWS-8T (headshot), STK-3F (pilot kill), JM6-S.

Salvage: STK-3F, RFL-3N, BLR-1G assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 344: 5 Skull Destroy Base ____ Employer: Draconis Combine ____ Target: Federated Suns ____ Biome: Desert
Lance: ANH-4G (Goth), Bull Shark U (Jalopy), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: For the last mission from the Draconis Combine, we've been hired to destroy a large logistics base. The approach is easy given the wide roadway, and the lance sprints ahead in column formation. Once our sensors pick up the heavy turrets on the walls, we move out into cover and begin the engagement. 2x Laser, 1x Shredder, 1x Sniper. TDR-5SS (pilot kill), CP-10-Q (pilot kill), Demolisher, Demolisher LBX. Jingle jumps into the base, drawing fire from the turrets and causing them to destroy some buildings as they attempt to track her. Davion reinforcements arrive and try to protect the base, but the Thumper cannon carves huge holes through the walls and buildings. They do, however, manage to catch Death Map in the back with a PPC blast, which disables the Advanced Command Module. HGN-733P (pilot kill), BNC-3M, BNC-3E (pilot kill), CP-10-Z! (pilot kill)

Damage: Death Map, RT rear, 50% structure damage, Advanced Command Module disabled.
Salvage: BNC-3M, BNC-3E, HGN-733P, TDR-5SS assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 345: 5 Skull Capture Base ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Pirates ____ Biome: Martian
Lance: ANH-4G (Goth), Bull Shark U (Jalopy), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: Pirates have found an abandoned factory that used to make mech weaponry, and they are uploading as much data and material as they can. We've been tasked with stopping them and reclaiming the facility. A defending patrol greets us shortly after we land. HGN-733, JM6-A, ZEU-6T, AWS-8Q. After they are dispatched, we move into the base. A second lance of mechs appears on our sensors, and we move to engage them as well. 2x VTR-9B (one pilot kill, one headshot), VTR-9S (pilot kill), TDR-5SE (pilot kill).

Salvage: ZEU-6T, VTR-9S, VTR-9B, JM6-A, AWS-8Q, TDR-5SE assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 346: 4 Skull Destroy Base ____ Employer: Federated Suns ____ Target: Pirates ____ Biome: Desert
Lance: ANH-4G (Goth), Bull Shark U (Jalopy), Toothy (Jingle), Death Map (Moose)

Report: It turns out that the data the pirates were uploading contained a computer virus. We know this because a supposed civilian mining facility started relaying the virus signal to anyone who would receive it, hidden heavy turrets began engaging neutral vehicles, and a lance of mechs was seen rampaging around the area. Our job is to demolish the base and any units affected by the virus. 2x Laser, 2x Shredder. BJ-1, GHR-5H (pilot kill), CTF-0X, MAD-3D (headshot), QKD-4G, DRG-1N, CP-10-Z, BLR-1S.

Salvage: MAD-3D, GHR-5H, CP-10-Z assembled and moved into storage.