Gramps' run through the Hyades Rim campaign

[MarkDey]

- - - - - - - - Flashpoint: The Baying of Hounds - - - - - - -​

The convoy was full of corpses, with the APCs driving remotely and then on autopilot. Aelwyd Rhee contacts us and Kell to demand a trial by combat for his abandoning the Kell Hounds and going into retirement. Kell agrees to the duel. After the call with Rhee ends, Sumire notes that she has traced the comm signal to an armory not far from where the combat coordinates are. We could send a fast lance to recover Tempest from the armory, or assist Morgan Kell directly in his fight against the Beasts of Balwant. I decide to hit the armory while Morgan Kell fights his duel. He agrees to send a pair of scout mechs along to assist us.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

Mission 212: 3.5 Skull Capture Base ____ Employer: Kell Hounds ____ Target: Beasts of Balawat ____ Biome: Lunar
Lance: ENF-4R (Rox), JR7-D (Mania), Macross (Medusa), Valkyrie (Behemoth)

Report: The Kell Hound Enforcer is modified to carry a PPC and four ER M Lasers, while the Jenner is a standard configuration but with improved M Lasers. Rox and Mania move along the road to the left flank while Medusa and Behemoth head straight for the buildings. The lance moves ahead towards the armory, quickly spotting standard turrets that protect the base. Staying mobile prevents us from getting hit, and the base is quickly secured. Command, SRM, 2x Energy. A lance of hostile mechs are detected to the south, and we pivot to engage them. Superior mobility lets the team destroy the left leg of the Shadow Hawk, and Rox decides to overheat to land an alpha strike, destroying the mech before it can stand back up. The Marauder and Dragon are eliminated by back shots, and the extraction dropship lands. Shortly thereafter, we get confirmation that Tempest and her daughter have been safely secured. MAD-3D, SHD-2K, DRG-1N.

Damage: Enforcer 1x Overheat. ____ Salvage: MAD-3D assembled and moved into storage.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

____Morgan Kell thanks us, and agrees to let us keep whatever salvage is in the armory in addition to the 1 million C-Bill payment. His plan is to go back into retirement and stay there. Darius makes sure to ask him to reach out to us if he ever needs additional assistance. A few hours later, we get reports that there is a varied mix of equipment in the armory, the most significant bit of which is some salvage from a SLDF HGN-732B. One more section of salvage for that model and Yang will be able to fully assemble the mech. There is also a positive increase in our rating from the MRB, probably thanks to a letter of recommendation from Morgan Kell. A few other contracts are available while we're here, so Darius has the crew get to work.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 213: 3 Skull Recovery ____ Employer: 14K Triad ____ Target: Legion of the Damned ____ Biome: Lunar
Lance: Ghost (Shadow), Valkyrie (Behemoth), Macross (Medusa), Snipe (Glitch)

Report: Battlemech Pitbull - A legionnaire lieutenant is cooperating with the local authorities, and our employer would like us to pick them up to have a private meeting where they can convince them to stop cooperating. Darius negotiates for decent salvage rights, and our lance gets to work. A set of heavy mechs protects the base, but the Ghost slips in and extracts our target. Then the shooting starts. The fight is a close in mix of melee and weapons fire, but we emerge victorious. MAD-3R (pilot kill), ON1-V (pilot kill), ON1-K (legs kill), DRG-1C (headshot).

Damage: Valkyrie CT reduced to 80% structure. Reputation with Legion of the Damned decreased to Disliked.
Salvage: ON1-K, DRC-1C assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 214: 2.5 Skull Recovery ____ Employer: 14K Triad ____ Target: Spartakaian League ____ Biome: Lunar
Lance: Ghost (Shadow), Valkyrie (Behemoth), Macross (Medusa), Snipe (Glitch)

Report: Copyright Violations - Some remastered holovids will be published soon, and our employer wants to get early access. Same team and same theme as last drop, although this time we need to get the agent and a crate of holovids. Ghost will sprint to the far target, Macross will jump to the near target, and Valkyrie and Snipe will stay on high ground to engage any defenders that move to intercept. As the lance moves out, several defenders are spotted, and many appear to be modified for close combat. Our lance uses its mobility and improved spotting to pick apart the enemy forces. 2x BJ-UNK, GHR-UNK, SHD-UNK (headshot), COM-UNK, JR-UNK, CPLT-UNK.

Damage: Only armor. Reputation with Spartakian League decreased to Disliked. ____ Salvage: SHD-UNK assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 215: 2.5 Skull Target Acquisition____ Employer: Black Angels ____ Target: Grim Reapers ____ Biome: Lunar
Lance: Ghost (Shadow), Valkyrie (Behemoth), Macross (Medusa)

Report: Everybody Wants To Rule The World - A heavily defended fortress is our last target before we leave this system. Instead of assaulting it, our employer has arranged for an orbital PPC bombardment, and our job will be to triangulate the base with beacons. Not wanting to get into another drawn out firefight on an airless moon, I ask Darius to negotiate mainly for C-Bills, and decide to drop our fastest lance to make this a short mission. The trio splits up with each mech heading to a beacon location as soon as Sumire lifts off. Several patrols are spotted as the beacons are placed, but their shots all go wide. SHD-UNK, WVR-UNK, VL-UNK, BJ-UNK, GHR-UNK, FS-UNK. As our units jump clear, vehicles start emerging from an underground garage. 2x SPPC Carrier, 2x Bulldog.
____An enemy Wolverine and Blackjack are destroyed with alpha strikes from behind as our units jump towards the extraction zone. An enemy Bulldog tries the same thing, and manages to hit the fast moving Macross square in the back, melting through the rear armor and shredding the lostech gyro. Shadow blasts apart a Vulcan that is blocking his exit path, knocking aside the cored out mech as the stealth suite reestablishes its protection. An enemy Firestarter runs to intercept, but a sword swipe cleanly removes a leg, and Behemoth blasts it to pieces once it stops tumbling across the dusty surface. The orbital PPC bombardment begins, the area goes white, and our units converge on the extraction zone where Sumire executes a rapid pickup.

Damage: Macross, CT rear reduced to 85% structure. Hit Defense Gyro++ Destroyed.

 

[MarkDey]

____Yang patches up both Macross and Valkyrie as we head back towards the jump point. There are some Black Market systems relatively close by, and with no other pressing opportunities, I decide to look for some good shopping.

Event - Moonlighting with a Small Laser: The latest pilot to try tinkering with something they shouldn't is Glitch. Since it's only a Small Laser, I'm less worried about her ability to cause permanent damage to the Hysteria, so I let her keep working on it.
Result: She manages to avoid injury, but ruins the weapon in the progress. Lose 1x Small Laser. Glitch gains Low Spirits for 14 days.

____The Thurrock system has some unique salvage available plus a handful of contracts, but it's not particularly inspiring. While I'm considering a visit, Sumire calls for a command staff meeting about an HPG message that's addressed to the Hysteria. It's a poem, written in a Kurita style, about a Periphery in Flames, directing us to Espia. That's right along our flight path as we tour a few more Black Market sites, so we maintain course. After passing by three bland stores, the market in Antias has something worth stopping for - salvage for a SLDF Highlander! Yang will be able to use those last pieces to assemble the full mech. There are a few contracts as well, and the pilots are eager to get back into the action.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 216: 2.5 Skull Battle ____ Employer: White Death ____ Target: Bad Moon Rising ____ Biome: Polar
Lance: Cataphract (Eck), Valkyrie (Behemoth), Macross (Medusa), Snipe (Glitch)

Report: Test Drive - A Cataphract has been captured and we're being asked to take it for a test drive against a patrol. Darius negotiates for good salvage while I organize the pilots into a lance to support the borrowed mech. As Sumire flies away from the drop, I have the mechs move into position on a wooded ridgeline. It's not long before we pick up our targets on sensors. However, Sumire also reports another dropship coming in, probably with another lance; more targets for us. JVN-10N, MAD-3D (pilot kill), PNT-9R. The second lance is from the Alphard Trading Company and I'm glad that we don't have to worry too much about keeping on their good side. BJ-1DB (pilot kill), BJ-1DC, PXH-1, PNT-9R (pilot kill).

Damage: Only armor. Reputation with Bad Moon Rising decreased to Disliked. ____ Salvage: MAD-3D, JVN-10N, BJ-1DB, PNT-9R assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 217: 3 Skull Recovery ____ Employer: Free Worlds League ____ Target: Capellans ____ Biome: Polar
Lance: Ghost (Gramps), Valkyrie (Behemoth), Macross (Medusa)

Report: Lost Heir - A kidnapped noble has been located on Antias, and the House Marik units assigned to find them are chasing down a false lead several weeks away. We've been tasked to rescue them, and Darius is able to focus the negotiations on improving our reputation, which should make a difference if we complete the mission successfully. Since it's a high-speed mission that doesn't require us to control the field of battle, I lead our fastest mechs on the drop. Sprinting up the road, I direct Behemoth and Medusa to jump over the terrain on my left flank. Behemoth decides to draw fire by jumping atop a mountain and entering a vigilant stance after opening fire on the defending lance. While missile fire rains in, I sprint into the base and secure the VIP. Exiting the area, one of the Hunchbacks is blasted to pieces by concentrated Snub PPC fire, and the Capellan Shadow Hawk is destroyed just before Sumire arrives to extract us. HBK-4J, HBK-4N, SHD-2H, CPLT-C1.

Damage: No damage. Reputation with the Free Worlds League increased to Liked.

 

[Prussian Havoc]

Great write-ups and excellent format for some long term campaigning. :bow:

: )

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 218: 3 Skull Destroy Base ____ Employer: Local Gov ____ Target: Pirates ____ Biome: Polar
Lance: Valkyrie (Behemoth), Macross (Medusa), Warhammer (Nimbus), Snipe (Hardpoint)

Report: No Living Witnesses - A governmental base has been captured by the pirates, and our job is to destroy it before they can extract any equipment or personnel. Unfortunately, we aren't told about the advanced heavy turrets that are defending the base, and the pirates have got them working; fortunately, they are in shoddy condition. 2x Energy, 1x Artillery, 1x SRM. After dispatching the turrets, the pirates are next, and the buildings follow quickly afterwards. 2x KTO-UNK (one headshot), SHD-UNK, WVR-UNK (headshot).

Damage: Only armor. ____ Salvage: KTO-UNK, WVR-UNK assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 219: 3.5 Skull Battle ____ Employer: Local Gov ____ Target: Warboys ____ Biome: Polar
Lance: Valkyrie (Behemoth), Macross (Medusa), Warhammer (Nimbus), Snipe (Hardpoint)

Report: Vanguard and Shield - Our last mission here is to intercept a hostile lance before it joins up with some local rebels, and destroy all enemy forces. After the last mission, the administration only has enough funds for 240 tons worth of mechs, so we deploy the same force. It takes a little while to find our targets, but the lance eventually boxes them in and opens fire. ARC-UNK (pilot kill), 2x TDR-UNK (pilot kills), MAD-UNK (headshot). As Behemoth jumps around the right to fire on the rear armor of a Thunderbolt, she picks up a section of vehicles approaching - their shots blast into the trees around her. Bulldog, Demolisher (long range variant!), PPC Carrier, Inferno Carrier. Eventually, all opponents are reduced to scrap.

Damage: Only armor. Reputation with Warboys decreased to Hated. ____ Salvage: ARC-UNK, MAD-UNK, TDR-UNK assembled and moved into storage.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

____Yang's report on the salvage highlights a few improvements on the standard designs. The Marauder and Thunderbolt both have gear to improve the damage of any ballistic weaponry mounted on them. Curiously, the Archer has been modified to be more capable in melee combat - presumably they were going to trade the LRMs for SRMs too, but we interrupted their refit time. I pull up the modified Marauder in the skirmish planner to see if it will be worth moving Snipe to that chassis. It becomes clear that I'd lose the Freidhof Sparrow gyro, which isn't so bad since Snipe usually isn't getting shot at anyway, but I'd also lose the Dalban communications system that boosts the lance's resolve. In exchange, that chassis has a rangefinder which reduces recoil, similar to a Rifleman's system, but without the increased vision.

 

[MarkDey]

____I think some more about Snipe, the new Marauder chassis, and the Warhammer chassis we acquired a while ago with the advanced battle computer. Reviewing our inventory, I'm reminded that we have another SLDF Warhammer in storage, as well as a Grasshopper with a reactor that has built-in double heat sink technology. Considering the options, I decide that I want a lance command mech, and so have Yang retire Snipe and replace it with the Warhammer using the advanced battle computer. That will let us take the initiative in a battle faster than usual, and our Dalban communication systems can be installed in the other heavy mechs so we always have at least one on the field.
____While the work is being done to swap mechs, we set course out of the system and head to Espia. As the planet shrinks to a shining dot in the distance, I'm still undecided on whether this command mech should fight at extreme range like Snipe, or be well armored like the rest of our units. I do like the range of a dual ER PPC loadout, and the ECM suite could come in handy, but the overall damage is limited. Yang points out that some of the pulse lasers we have in stock would be able to destroy a fully armored head section when combined with the Warhammer's specialized capacitors, so we begin trying out designs to leverage that.
____Eventually, we finalize the details of the Pulsehammer refit. Two Large Pulse Lasers, two Medium Pulse Lasers, and four Machineguns with about as much armor as the Warhammer we have already been using. Not as much damage, but still pretty good considering that it doesn't have a lostech reactor. It feels a little strange not having some sort of PPC on the Warhammer chassis, but Yang has continually proven that non-standard designs sometimes work out better than the original. This will also give us focused firepower, which has sometimes been wanted instead of a spread of Snub PPC shots. As I leave Yang to start directing his crew to start the six weeks worth of work, Darius finds me with a message that has just arrived.

Event - Letter of Marque Davion: The Federated Suns is offering us an opportunity to sign on for supplemental contracts. Since the periphery focused Flashpoints seem to have dried up, I'm inclined to accept the deal, but I'm bothered by the fact that we just left that region of space in a hurry. Instead, I ask Darius to reach out to the MRB liaison from House Steiner and see if they are interested in a similar arrangement.
Result: A few days later, we get a response agreeing to the terms. Gain 1 reputation with the Lyran Commonwealth.

____A flashpoint contract is sent to us once we jump into the Espia system. The job is a Joint Venture in Adrar, which is close by, to escort a convoy. Worth investigating after we finish up in this system. Time ticks by as work continues in the mechbay, and there are good opportunities to visit the planet surface. Farah raises one opportunity during the command briefing.

Event - Light in Darkness: A meteor shower will be happening soon, and there are a few good options for viewing it. One is from the observation deck, another is via a telescopic camera that Shadow has volunteered to mount on the hull, and a third option is to land on the surface and watch it from there. Not wanting to make a big detour, I decide to have the crew watch from the observation deck.
Result: The viewing party goes well and everyone enjoys themselves. Morale +2.

____Apparently, during one of the trips to the planet, we acquired some animal guests.

Event - Norwegian Blue: Yang reports that a parrot has eluded capture and has apparently adapted to zero-g, making it impossible for his crew to catch. He's concerned that it will cause problems if it gets inside a mech, but I tell him not to worry about it.
Result: "The bird is dead, boss." Apparently it got into some wiring and chewed through the insulation to make a nest. When the Pulsehammer reactor was powered on for a full system test, there was a short circuit and the bird got fried. Morale -1. Lose 1 Tech Point for 7 days.

____After cleaning up the mess and running through a full set of diagnostics and calibration, the Pulsehammer is ready to see some action.

 

[MarkDey]

- - - - - - - - Priority Mission: Enter the Dragon - - - - - - -​

____After Sumire handles a would-be extortionist dropship and navigates through the traffic around this pirate haven, we are able to establish communications with our contact. They are transmitting from a Union class dropship, and identify themselves as Tai-i Kerai from the Draconis Combine Internal Security Force. After delicately navigating the Kuritan diplomatic protocols, we get down to business. This is a mission to deal with an assassination attempt that was made against the Coordinator some years ago, and it's complicated for them because the target is a Kuritan noble. We are to kill the target and make it look like a result of non-targeted violence. Tai-i Kerai is personally overseeing the operation to ensure its secrecy, and we will be targeted if we speak of this mission with anyone else. After the call ends, Alexander believes that the ISF likely knows that he and Kamea are onboard. Hopefully we can avoid additional complications, like being eliminated by the Draconis Combine after we do their job. Sumire sets course for Crawford's Delight, but I have her hold on breaking orbit as there is one contract I'd like to take while we are here.

 

[MarkDey]

Mission 220: 3 Skull Attack and Defend ____ Employer: Local Gov ____ Target: Capellans ____ Biome: Highlands
Lance: Valkyrie (Behemoth), Warhammer (Nimbus), Pulsehammer (Eck), Crazy Eights (Glitch)

Report: Unknown Mechs - There are two bases that control transportation in a hilly region, and one of them has suddenly gone offline. Satellite imagery shows mechs around that installation, and they seem to be forming up to attack the second base. Our job is to protect the base that is still under the control of the local government, plus destroy the other base as it has been compromised. I want to see how our heaviest lance performs, so I ask Darius to focus on C-Bills over salvage during the negotiations so we don't have to worry about carefully disassembling our opponents. Dropping in, our units move out quickly, and the Pulsehammer's battle computer combined with Glitch's ability as a master tactician lets her react with Crazy Eights like it was a medium class mech! There is a set of turret pillars around the base, but no turrets have been installed. Budget cuts, I guess. The lance spreads out and the enemy vanguard is engaged. 2x PXH-1, WVR-6R, WVR-6D. Behemoth draws some heavy fire from her elevated vantage point, and it looks like the Capellans have some turrets on their side. 1x Command, 1x Artillery, 2x SRM.
____The enemy vanguard goes down quickly thanks to focused fire, and a second lance is detected moving to engage. PXH-1, GHR-5N, WVR-6R, WVR-6D. After defeating that enemy force, Behemoth jumps ahead to start wrecking the base while Eck and Nimbus turn their attention to the landing zone of a dropship that Sumire has detected on approach. Glitch finds herself in a good elevated position, but on the completely opposite side of the battlefield, so she remains ready to engage any hostiles that approach the friendly base. As soon as the Capellan mechs land they are blasted apart from multiple sides. CN9-A, VND-1SIC, 2x HBK-4N. The Centurion and Vindicator sprint away from their landing zone, but Eck shoots the Vindicator in the back and Glitch hits the Centurion from the front. Nimbus moves to join Behemoth in demolishing the enemy base, and all of the buildings are destroyed before any more enemy reinforcements arrive.

Damage: Only armor. ____ Salvage: WVR-6R, WVR-6D assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

____The day after leaving orbit, I get an unexpected visitor.

Event - Noble Bonds: Hardpoint is annoyed that Shadow wants her to get his advanced cooling system ideas to 'the right people' by using her connections that she 'obviously must have' because she's a noble. I tell her to not worry about it, and to send Shadow to me.
Result: I look over the idea and it's not workable. I tell Shadow to focus on his piloting, and to leave the technical work to Yang. Shadow gains Low Spirits for 14 days.

____The rest of the trip out to the jump point is uneventful, and we book passage to Adrar as it's on the way to our priority mission. That journey goes quickly, and we receive the flashpoint briefing as soon as we enter communications range.

 

[MarkDey]

- - - - - - - - Flashpoint: Joint Venture - - - - - - -​

Our liaison to the Lyran Commonwealth greets us, and begins outlining the parameters of the escort mission. Some curiosity from Yang is rewarded, and we are told that the convoy is carrying mech components for a new mech that is a combined effort between House Davion and House Steiner. There is intel on a sentry patrol, and given the composition of that force, I decide to pick a window where that patrol is not in the area of operations, betting that whomever else we run into will be easier to deal with.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

Mission 221: 2.5 Skull Escort ____ Employer: Lyran Commonwealth ____ Target: Capellans ____ Biome: Jungle
Lance: Ghost (Gramps), Valkyrie (Medusa), Macross (Shadow), Pulsehammer (Hardpoint)

Report: Darius negotiates mostly for C-Bills so our lance can focus on quickly eliminating hostile units. We sprint along the road to the rendezvous point, and pick up some hostile mechs on sensors. I take the Ghost on point and find some unexpectedly heavy opposition; fortunately, they are in shoddy condition. Our opening salvo destroys the Hunchback, turning the entire left side into scrap. The Vindicator pilot sensor locks me, but I'm able to keep moving and destroy it with a pair of COIL-L shots. The Awesome doesn't even get a shot off before being eliminated. AWS-8Q, VND-1R, HBK-4SP. We meet up with the convoy and proceed quickly down the road. The drivers maintain good order and everyone arrives at the same time, making it easy to load onto the Steiner dropship. A second Capellan lance arrives during the loading process, but we are able to protect the convoy. Pulsehammer's battle computer makes the difference and we are all able to open fire before the enemy, with Hardpoint spreading her fire across multiple targets to make them stop focusing on the vehicles. HBK-4SP, CN9-AL, VL-5T, WVR-6D. After the extraction, the remaining forces are defeated. However, long range scanners have reported a Capellan strike force moving quickly towards us, and we will not have time to perform repairs before the next fight.

Damage: Only armor. ____ Salvage: CN9-AL assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

- - - - - - - - Flashpoint: Joint Venture - - - - - - -​

I move into the Steiner mechbay to better coordinate the defense, and Matchstick, a Lyran pilot, moves out in the mech we just delivered - a Hatchetman. We will protect the base against the Capellan strike force, and don't have much time to get into a good position before the shooting starts.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

Mission 222: 2.5 Skull Defend Base ____ Employer: Lyran Commonwealth ____ Target: Capellans ____ Biome: Jungle
Lance: Hatchetman (Matchstick), Valkyrie (Medusa), Macross (Shadow), Pulsehammer (Hardpoint)

Report: Hostile spotter mechs sprint towards the base, and our units quickly cut them down - in Matchstick's case, quite literally. CDA-2A, HBK-4SP, WVR-6D. Enemy reinforcements are detected, and they are quickly identified as a mixed force of mechs and vehicles. ON1-V, 2x Striker, Demolisher. Our superior positioning lets us snipe them from afar, and the base remains completely undamaged.

Damage: Only armor.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

____Our employer is very pleased, and sends over payment after wishing us a fond farewell. Our reputation with the Lyran Commonwealth increases to Liked, and the best piece amongst the salvage reward is a Freidhof Kite gyro. There are some other contracts in the system, but nothing terribly exciting, so we make preparations to leave orbit.

 

[MarkDey]

____On the way out to the jump point, another Lyran flashpoint contract appears, this time in Herotitus. It's not a far detour from our course to Crawford's Delight, and it looks like they need help taking out The Steel Beast who has killed someone important. Further consideration is cut short as Sumire reports a power spike.

Event - Power Spike: MedBay is the culprit this time, and it looks like something is permanently damaged. Farah reports that we could do a quick fix without shutting down the entire ship, or do things properly and power everything down for a few hours. I opt for the short term fix, and plan to do a full repair once we are docked with a jumpship or on a planet.
Result: Six hours later, MedBay is back in operation, but at a reduced capacity. -1 Medical Point for 30 days.

____By the time we get to our destination, MedBay is back to normal. The black market there has a pair of MG++ and an ER PPC+ which we purchase to add to our growing collection of lostech. Darius then contacts House Steiner about this next flashpoint.

 

[MarkDey]

- - - - - - - - Flashpoint: The Steel Beast - - - - - - -​

The nephew of our liaison to the Lyran Commonwealth was intentionally killed in an arena fight that was promised to be a friendly exhibition match. Bogdan Tubbs goes by The Steel Beast on Solaris VII, and he has a modified Crab mech. The plan is to attack the holovid production company that runs his publicity, and is hosting a fan event in his honor. Destroy his fans, record a challenge, and make it loud enough that he will have to come fight us or lose his reputation in the arena.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

Mission 223: 3 Skull Battle ____ Employer: Lyran Commonwealth ____ Target: The Steel Beast ____ Biome: Lowlands
Lance: Valkyrie (Medusa), Macross (Shadow), Pulsehammer (Hardpoint), Crazy Eights (Glitch)

Report: I decide to send a mixed lance anchored by Crazy Eights to make a big show of the fight. Darius is already working on the wording of the challenge and Sumire will edit together the combat footage once the fight is over. Contact is made quickly, and the lance opens fire after some brief taunts. VL-2T, CN9-AH, AWS-8T (headshot), MAD-3D, Demolisher, JVN-10A, TBT-7K, Bulldog.

Damage: Only armor.

 

[MarkDey]

- - - - - - - - Flashpoint: The Steel Beast - - - - - - -​

We make a consecutive deployment to secure the Ironwood holovid production facility and issue our challenge.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

Mission 224: 3 Skull Capture Base ____ Employer: Lyran Commonwealth ____ Target: The Steel Beast ____ Biome: Lowlands
Lance: Valkyrie (Medusa), Macross (Shadow), Pulsehammer (Hardpoint), Crazy Eights (Glitch)

Report: The facility is far enough away where it makes sense for Sumire to redeploy the lance instead of walking. The drop zone is on a road that leads into the base, just as it turns past a mountain. Medusa and Shadow begin jumping up the hill while Hardpoint and Glitch move up the road. Heavy turrets are spotted, along with a lance of defending mechs. 3x Artillery, 1x Energy. WVR-6D, FS9-M, WVR-6M, Striker. The large amount of artillery is concerning, but we are able to avoid any serious damage, and capture the base intact. A patrol lance returns to defend the facility, and we move to intercept. HBK-4P, DRG-1G, PXH-1D (headshot), BJ-1X.

Damage: Only armor. Reputation with the Lyran Commonwealth increased to Friendly. ____ Salvage: PXH-1D assembled and moved into storage.

 

[MarkDey]

- - - - - - - - Flashpoint: The Steel Beast - - - - - - -​

Our challenge works, and Bogdan Tubbs replies almost immediately. Turns out, he's already in the system - maybe doing some promotional work. With a loud and dramatic holovid call, we agree to a one-on-one duel with our best medium mech. Yang wants to drop our heaviest lance on his head, and I'm sure he's going to cheat, but I bet that one of our pilots can take out Tubbs and any sidekicks that he brings. It'll be even more embarrassing for him if he tries to cheat and still loses.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

Mission 224: 3 Skull Battle ____ Employer: Lyran Commonwealth ____ Target: The Steel Beast ____ Biome: Lowlands
Lance: Valkyrie (Eck)

Report: Darius asks for volunteers to solo the Steel Beast, and even after saying that it might turn into a four on one fight, there are still three pilots interested. Behemoth, Eck, and Glitch all bring good abilities to the match, but I decide to send Eck as he can react faster than normal and turn cover into a bulwark of protection. As tempting as it is to defeat the enemy Crab in close combat with Ghost, using the superior mobility of Valkyrie is a much better plan. After Sumire completes the drop off, Tubbs starts the match with his catchphrase, the cameras are rolling, and Eck sprints forward through the forest. Sensors pick up a 50 ton mech behind some boulders, and after luring it into position, Valkyrie leaps into the air, lands behind Tubbs, and cores out the reactor in a single salvo. After a moment, additional targets are detected on sensors. Moving to investigate, a light force of additional units is approaching from behind where Eck dropped in. They are engaged at near maximum range, and none of them even get close to doing any serious damage. LCT-1M, PNT-9R, 2x Galleon.

Damage: Only armor. ____ Salvage: LCT-1M assembled and moved into storage.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -​

____ Pleased with our work, payment and salvage rights are sent over shortly after the fight. Also, Darius is working with Ironwood Productions to promote the Gramps' Giants fight holovid and finalize a distribution deal for the footage of the death of the Steel Beast. Yang is able to rebuild the Big Steel Claw mech thanks to Eck's precise salvo, and has it restored and moved into storage. Morale is up all throughout the ship (+2 Morale) and the pilots are eager to get on with the next job.