Notable Members of the Iron Brotherhood
Officers
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Enlisted
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Table of Organization and Equipment
The Iron Brotherhood
The Iron Vanguard ‘Mech Company – 100% Full Strength, 8% Upgraded Technology
- - Nova’s Knights
- - - - Captain Susanna ‘Starburst’ Nova – PLG-3Z Pillager (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Pillager) ‘Susanna’
- - - - Sergeant Svetlana ‘Ragu’ Ragozina – ZEU-6S Zeus (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Zeus)
- - - - Corporal James ‘Glaive’ Gundersen – KGC-0000 King Crab (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/King_Crab)
- - - - Corporal Jack ‘EJ’ Euchre – STK-3F Stalker (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Stalker)
- - Kaine’s Kings
- - - - Lieutenant SG Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine – MAD-3D Marauder (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Marauder)
- - - - Sergeant Matt ‘Wind’ Fischer – GLT-4L Guillotine (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Guillotine)
- - - - Corporal Baira Meenakshisundaram – WHM-6R Warhammer (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Warhammer)
- - - - Corporal Noelle Al Gahary – OSR-2C Ostroc (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Ostroc)
- - Linda’s Lancers
- - - - Lieutenant JG Linda Vo – PHX-1 Phoenix Hawk (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Phoenix_Hawk)
- - - - Corporal Gani Leminoke – DV-6M Dervish (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Dervish)
- - - - Corporal Jami Sonnborn – GRF-1N Griffin (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Griffin)
- - - - Corporal Belmiro Larcher – WVR-6R Wolverine (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Wolverine_(BattleMech))
The Iron Shield One Mixed Company, Vehicles and Infantry, 99% Full Strength
- - Hovi’s Hailstorm
- - - - Captain Seija Hovi – Devastator Heavy Tank (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Demolisher#Variants)
- - - - Lieutenant JG Basuki Burtick – Manticore Heavy Tank (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Manticore)
- - - - Sergeant Eadan Brown – Schreck PPC Carrier (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Schrek)
- - - - Sergeant Artur Yamada – Behemoth Heavy Tank (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Behemoth_(Combat_Vehicle))
- - - - Lieutenant JG Aldona Barycz - Brotherhood Jump Infantry (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Infantry#Jump_Infantry) (14/30 soldiers)
- - - - Lieutenant JG Mikko Kimmonen – Brotherhood Field Guns (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Field_Gun)
The Iron Wings Short wing – 2x Reinforced Air Lances, 100% Full Strength, 17% Upgraded Technology
- - Kobayashi’s Crows
- - - - Commander Ichiro Kobayashi – RPR-100b Rapier (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Rapier)
- - - - Petty Officer Howard Serrano - SL-17 Shilone (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Shilone)
- - - - Petty Officer Melissa Lyle – SL-17AC Shilone
- -Persaud’s Sparrows
- - - - Lieutenant JG Levane Persaud – SPR-8H Sparrowhawk (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Sparrowhawk)
- - - - Petty Officer Mojca MacCurtin - SPR-H5 Sparrowhawk
- - - - Petty Officer Mildred Thomas – SB-27 Sabre (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Sabre)
The Iron Shadows Mixed Infantry Unit
- - Special Forces
- - - - Captain Alex Yi – Iron Brotherhood Heavy Infantry
- - - - Liutenant JG Corry O’Heffron – Iron Brotherhood Heavy Infantry #2
- - Artillery Battery
- - - - Sergeant Kullat Baloch – Thumper Artillery Vehicle (ICE) (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Thumper_(Combat_Vehicle))
A quick guide to what was updated.
Personnel Files only include PCs now.
Officers:
Albus gained 1 rank Piloting, 1 rank Gunnery (so he could take Mechwarrior as his secondary job), and his injury is now functional in game.
Enlisted:
Matt Fischer was promoted to Master Sergeant, gained one rank of Gunnery and gained the special ability Pain Resistance.
Svetlana Ragozina was promoted to Sergeant, gained one rank of Gunnery and gained the special ability All Weather
Rather than spoil the layout of the TO&E with my thoughts on each unit, I’ll collect them here.
Mechs
Pillager ‘Susanna’ – This variant of the -3Z drops two tons of Gauss ammo and a heat sink to add a Command Console. The design is still capable of firing its full weapons array and jumping without heat issues.
Marauder – Oddly, the Marauder is going to be a lot more survivable then the Grasshopper was. It benefits from the Narrow/Low Profile quirk, which gives a +1 to being hit (a good thing). Because the AI always tries to optimize by shooting at the target with the lowest to hit score, this automatically makes the Marauder a less tempting target. Even if they do shoot, it lowers the chance to hit by a solid amount, and since the -3D variant doesn’t have an explosive left torso, its a very effective zombie ‘Mech.
Vehicles
Schreck – This is one of the designs that I dread running into. It’s the Vehicle equivalent of the Awesome, and you want to kill it fast. It’s not as heavily armored as the Awesome, but with a good set of gunners it can hang in medium and long ranges and wreck someone’s day.
Aerospace
Special Abilities
Natural Aptitude: Gunnery – Wow, this is an amazing ability. The mechanical effect is you roll 3d6 instead of 2d6 for all shots and take the best two. This tends to allow the pilot to be at least a skill level more effective then you would expect. Where other pilots have a 60% chance to land a shot, a pilot with this has an 80% chance. It adds up, and you generally want a pilot with this strapped into one of your biggest ‘Mechs.
Melee Master – The follow up to Melee Specialist. Specialist makes it so you have a better chance to hit. Master, on the other hand, allows you to attack twice. Yes, twice. Instead of 2 punches, 4. Instead of one kick, two. If that sounds broken, its because it is. For maximum giggles, put a Melee Master in a 100t ‘Mech with triple strength myomers, ramp up the heat so they turn on, and then remove the legs from an Atlas in a single round.
Aerial Recon didn’t reveal anything in the area, but Alpha Lance had more (or less) luck. On the 10th of April, one of their probing raids ran into a mixed battalion of forces from the 1st Aragon Borderers, consisting of 2 Medium ‘Mechs supporting ten vehicles and a reinforced company of infantry, including a group of super-heavy field guns. There were also reports of conventional fighters operating in the area.
The Iron Brotherhood’s advantages in this fight would be their superior tonnage on an individual basis, their experience and the pitch-black darkness of the night’s fighting.
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The Brotherhood’s Wolverine and Griffin take the field with their liason’s Firestarter and take advantage of their jump jets to move through the night-shrouded woods. The AFFC defenders move south to engage, while their infantry company vainly search for the ‘Mechs in the shadows.
(https://i.imgur.com/K6iyfi8.png)
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The Brotherhood’s Stalker lumbers onto the battlefield, while the infantry company begins trying to fall back. Knave and Wind notice the AC/20 battery on the move and jump over to give them a bad night.
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Unfortunately, the poor visibility and the thick woods means that the infantry large survives, and the two ‘Mechs jump further on.
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Wind meets his counterpart Griffin and goes to show them the advantage of switching out the PPC for lasers. However, with how dark it is, locking on his hugely difficult.
One of the Defender IIs releases its load of cluster bombs, missing any direct hits, but incidental shrapnel damage to the Wolverine’s left torso, left leg, right arm and central torso. Starburst takes revenge, one of her large lasers carving into its vulnerable aft and damaging its engines. It wobbled away from the battlefield, trailing a thick plume of smoke.
(https://i.imgur.com/kSzMGri.png) (https://i.imgur.com/hahKgkD.png)
Knave and Wind combine to gang up on the AFFS Griffin. While no one is managing to strike with their weapons, their kicks against each leg drops the Griffin to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/GB1DsbN.png) (https://i.imgur.com/jGoA26F.png)
While a few lasers strike home, its the Iron Brotherhood’s physical attacks that are carrying the day as they drop the AFFS Griffin back to the ground as they continue kicking its legs to scrap.
(https://i.imgur.com/pBtZAyr.png) (https://i.imgur.com/HEmVxXw.png)
The Brotherhood shows the greener AFFC pilots the benefits of coordination as they both end up behind their foes, and Wind scores the first kill of the battle as his final kick causes one of the Griffin’s legs to sheer off, leaving it impotently thrashing on the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/fOemgfe.png) (https://i.imgur.com/jLAHpdC.png)
The duo turns their attention to the Phoenix Hawk, while Starburst rumbles closer in her Stalker, turning its guns on the field gunners as she passes by, scoring a few hits. The Firestarter moves back and forth, hunting down and lighting fleeing infantry on fire.
(https://i.imgur.com/XNMdl3U.png) (https://i.imgur.com/FK1KUK0.png)
The pilot of the Griffin sheers off his other leg with his thrashing, and punches out in frustration... straight into a tree, dying instantly on impact. The Phoenix Hawk reassesses their chances and starts to retreat, pursued by the Brotherhood.
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The Phoenix Hawk pilot manages to slip behind Knave, but the fighting drifts closer to the FedCom vehicle forces.
(https://i.imgur.com/YgIZlOn.png) (https://i.imgur.com/m6AHLsv.png)
Wind will later swear that he was deliberately baiting the Phoenix Hawk into the open, but his choice of tactics was questionable. The FedCom ‘Mech jock can’t take advantage of the opening, at least.
(https://i.imgur.com/zZtFkIF.png) (https://i.imgur.com/t85UTdb.png)
The ‘Mech retreated south, towards the oncoming Stalker, while the two Brotherhood mediums light into the clustered light vehicles.
(https://i.imgur.com/aV0zJ9j.png) (https://i.imgur.com/6hjVuWR.png)
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The Phoenix Hawk pilot bravely attacks a Stalker head on, while the vehicles scramble as they come under attack.
(https://i.imgur.com/6eup2TB.png) (https://i.imgur.com/SkUkIRX.png)
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Starburst comes to a stop and allows her targeting computer to get a good bead on the Phoenix Hawk, and then opened up with everything but her LRMs, turning the night to day for a brief moment as her laser array goes to work before kicking one of its legs clean off.
Meanwhile, one of the light vehicles flees belching smoke, letting his companions cover his escape.
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In the end, the AFFS commander requested permission to withdraw, which was granted. The Brotherhood salvaged the Phoenix Hawk and one of the wrecked Vedettes, turning over the rest to their employers.
AAR:
Susanna ‘Starburst’ Nova claimed the kill for the Phoenix Hawk.
Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine claimed the Griffin and a Saladin Assault Hover Tank as kills.
Matt ‘Wind’ Fischer claimed a Vedette and a Scorpion as kills.
Our liaison wiped out the mechanized infantry right at the end, and committed various war crimes to two other infantry units. Its a poor showing for a Firestarter, but he was green and couldn’t land most of his shots.
30 Davion soldiers were KIA, and 6 were captured and turned over to the doctors for medical treatment. The Techs got to work on the damaged ‘Mechs, fixing up the unit’s ‘Mechs by Saturday.
Analysis:
Gah. I hate pitch black darkness missions. Deep Woods is also annoying with this map layout, mostly because of how limited movement becomes, but the darkness imposes a -4 penalty on all shots. Even our veterans and elites couldn’t land much. In the end, we won through literally kicking the opposition to death, as not one of those kills was inflicted by weapons. Generally if my Commander can reroll anything, I’ll reroll the light conditions first, outside of Tornado weather.
The rest of the week:
The beaten up Phoenix Hawk would take longer, and wouldn’t be combat ready until after the campaign as jump jets and a replacement Large Laser couldn’t be sourced on-planet during combat operations.
For the coming week, Delta Flight switches to running Interdiction operations against targets identified by the previous week’s probing battle.
Week 2
The Interdiction mission didn’t pan out, heavy cloud cover hiding the movement of the AFFS defenders.
In better news, one of the Marik liaisons put in for a long-term transfer to the Brotherhood, bringing his Dervish with him. Another ultra-green rookie, he immediately joined the training command. Privately, Albus and the officers were sure he was a SAFE agent being planted with the unit to spy on their future employers, but wasn’t too troubled by it.
Speaking of training, James Gundersen improved his gunnery after two weeks of training, and several of the rookie infantry started specializing towards artillery and anti-Mech paths.
Wednesday the 15th of April, Gamma Platoon was alerted to an attempt by the AFFS to extract high value personnel in the Brotherhood’s Area of Operation. They moved in to engage, facing enemy ‘Mechs, vehicles, infantry and air support.
For my own sanity and to speed up the timeline, I won’t give the full report for battles that don’t include PCs. This allows me to do some battles for fun without having to screenshot and comment every step.
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The target was in a small civilian convoy, advancing through a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. The Orion, an ancient relic, was likely a bodyguard unit, leaving them likely to be in the M.A.S.H. truck or the APC.
When they arrived in town, the heavy vehicles of the Brotherhood rolled out of hiding, and the civilians panicked. Three of them turned off to the west, not realizing that doing so left them trapped by the thick woods that their wheeled vehicles couldn’t traverse, but the treads of the Devastator could. The Orion broke to the east, looking to bypass the town, but he instead came under the guns of the Behemoth and the SRM Carrier.
Meanwhile, their escorting Hunchback moved to engage the AFFC forces hurrying to save the civilians, focusing on a Phoenix Hawk with his large bore autocannon.
The battle was almost anti-climatic. The Devastator picked off the Brunel, M.A.S.H. truck and APC with its large bore autocannons, the civilians not even managing to get off a shot. To the east, the SRM Carrier swarmed the Orion with its missiles, before moving on and doing the same to the AFFC Blackjack and Phoenix Hawk, bagging three ‘Mech kills in the battle. The Marik Hunchback was battered from taking the brunt of the fighting but came out intact.
AAR:
The Devastator claimed three vehicle kills, the Brunel Dump Truck, M.A.S.H. Truck and APC.
The SRM Carrier bagged the RetroTech Orion, the Blackjack and the Phoenix Hawk.
The unit claimed the salvage of the Phoenix Hawk – while the SRM Carrier didn’t leave much behind, it had blown the right arm off in intact condition, including a working Large Laser that would let them bring their own Phoenix Hawk up to usable standards that much quicker.
4 AFFC personnel were captured, and the two civilians in the M.A.S.H. truck were confirmed dead, including their target.
One of the AFFC personnel was the pilot of the Phoenix Hawk. She was in tears over the destruction of her family’s heirloom ‘Mech, but after some negotiation, agreed to join the unit as their new Phoenix Hawk pilot.
(https://i.imgur.com/yJaGlBR.png)
With her broken arm, she won’t be piloting it for a while, but the Brotherhood is growing. She came with enough XP to raise her piloting, making her a 4/5 Regular.
Analysis:
This is the first time I’ve played this mission type (I don’t normally set units to Defend), and I have to say its rather hard depending on the terrain you get. The victory conditions for the player is that you have to kill all the civilian units before they can escape, but they’re set to rabbit immediately, and if you don’t get lucky with the map layout like I did, then its hard to down them all in time. Fielding a full Lance would make it a lot easier
On Friday, disaster struck. A company of the 1st Aragon Borderers stumbled on the Training Command busy with a training mission in an abandoned industrial area of a city. They moved to engage, calling in air strikes from a flight led by local ace pilot Kenny ‘Two-Shot’ Goodenough. No, seriously, I didn’t make that name up, or his skill. The Training Command scrambled to defend itself from the sudden attack.
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Mission Goal: Destroy 3 enemy units before Turn 4, 4 enemy units before turn 8, or 6 enemy units after turn 8
Defeated on: Loss of 3 allied units.
(https://i.imgur.com/9IjAoxA.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/X8Ti79d.jpg)
The Brotherhood’s infantry dug in on the second floor of the hardened building in the center of the town. While the Shadow Hawk and Commando moved to flank a Scimitar, their instructor in his Spider moved to deal with a Vedette, which the infantry also took aim for. Glaive and his companion in the Dervish stayed relatively still, facing the rest of the forces coming in from the west.
(https://i.imgur.com/RKinj4l.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/sbg4SpM.jpg)
The AFFC pressed the attack on the west side of the small town, focusing on the skyscraper the Brotherhood Infantry was holding. Glaive moved to support them, while the Dervish moved into melee range with the AFFS Stinger.
(https://i.imgur.com/tsNqS2G.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/pI0kAMU.jpg)
The Brotherhood’s fortunes turned for the better. While their Dervish and the AFFS Stinger both missed their kicks, the Stinger pilot was too hasty in trying to stand and ended up crippling their ‘Mech with two engine hits and a gyro hit and knocked themselves out to boot. Meanwhile, pilot error from the Plainsman led it to crash into the woods, immobilizing it.
While their building was worse for wear, the Brotherhood Infantry had yet to take any casualties, and scored the first actual kill of the battle as their heavy support lasers knocked out the Vedette. Glaive scored another kill shortly after, crushing the side of the Saladin Assault Hover Tank at his Warhammer’s feet.
(https://i.imgur.com/e3Vq1kM.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/59YwNeB.jpg)
The AFFS’ aircover flew in, one of the Defenders making a pass over the Brotherhood stronghold, another striking the FWL Spider. The cluster bombs did a fair amount of damage to Glaive’s Warhammer, causing him to lose his balance and fall, further damaging his leg. The Spider was bathed in fire as three Inferno Bombs sent its heat spiking far into the red.
(https://i.imgur.com/TujfxE8.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/L3zmb3d.jpg)
Fighting continued as the green defenders struggled to land shots against their far lighter opponents.
(https://i.imgur.com/0S5B7Fb.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/msU7keD.jpg)
With damage mounting, the Brotherhood fought to force the FedCom attackers to back off.
(https://i.imgur.com/ESKz0mz.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/nO0gbw5.jpg)
The FedCom forces start falling back, most of their machines are now heavily damaged, it should only take one more push from the Brotherhood to force a victory.
That push was provided in the form of the Infantry coring out the damaged Spider from behind with their support lasers, and the Shadow Hawk destroying one of the Scimitars. With the main body of their forces combat ineffective, the reinforcements instead covered the withdrawal of the surviving vehicles.
AAR:
The Warhammer took a beating from the bombing run and combat, with its left leg barely functional (only 1 structure remaining). Combat damage was otherwise light, though the Commando took some nasty falls.
Jami (Commando) took 2 hits, while Gani (Dervish) took 1, as did James (Warhammer).
The Brotherhood claimed the salvage for the Stinger, before promptly turning around and selling it to the scrappers for 1.4 million C-Bills.
3 AFFS personnel died in the fighting, and 3 more were captured, including the pilot of the Spider, who was enraged that his ‘Mech was destroyed by ‘mere ground pounders’.
Lieutenant Yi’s Heavy Infantry claimed the Spider and a Vedette as kills
James ‘Glaive’ Gundersen claimed the Saladin
Stefanova Ragozin claimed the Scimitar.
Despite its near destruction, no one was given credit for the Stinger, as its damage was entirely inflicted by pilot error.
In the wake of the battle, Stefanova’s piloting improved markedly, and a number of infantry had improved their skills or started developing Anti-Mech or Artillery skills. One of them however, put in for a change of position. Belmiro Larcher already had some experience piloting AgroMechs and had been working hard in the simulators to improve his ‘Mech gunnery. While he was green, so were half of the Brotherhood’s pilots. His transfer was approved, though now he needed to wait for a ride to become available.
Analysis:
This would have been so much easier without green pilots. That said, I was gratified by how well the infantry did – they did have the advantage of digging in on a fortified building, so they had ~130 HP of armor before they would start taking damage.
One thing I didn’t anticipate is that I thought the Support Lasers had a maximum range of 5. They instead have a range increment of 5 – meaning they hit out as far as 15 hexes away. Combined with larger regular+ gunnery, they were doing very good scattershot damage to enemies. This was deadly to the Vedette, where they inflicted immobilizing damage in two turns. The Spider got unlucky – it had taken some back shots from our own Spider a few rounds earlier and was nearly stripped of all armor from trying to brawl with a Warhammer. Running and exposing its back, it just got shot through the naked back armor and was cored.
The rest of the week...
Nothing much occurred the rest of the week. Seeing how effective enemy air support had been, Albus started acquiring HE bombs for their own Aerospace fighters, and the Techs were hard at work repairing the battle damage to the training ‘Mechs. By Sunday, all that was remaining was to repair the structural damage to the Commando’s Central Torso and the Warhammer’s leg.
For the coming week, the Aerospace Fighters were tasked to ground support, while other unit assignments remained the same.
Week 3
On the 25th of April, the Brotherhood of Iron launched a retaliatory strike for the attack on the trainees. Spearheaded by Alpha Lance, the Brotherhood targeted a company of the 1st Aragon Borderers consisting of two lances of medium and light ‘Mechs supported by a lance of light armor. Once again, enemy air support was operating in the area, but for a change, friendly air support was on hand courtesy of Delta Flight, a half-dozen high explosive bombs slung to the external hardpoints of each AeroSpace fighter.
(https://i.imgur.com/roT3k0m.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/jCW2hfK.png)
Victory Condition: Destroy 4 enemies by Turn 5, 6 enemies by Turn 6, or 8 enemies from Turn 6+
Loss Condition: Lose 2 units.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ycf26bI.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/mn8dfgt.jpg)
Knave and Wind are first to engage, Knave choosing to bully a Davion-model Wasp, while Wind beats up on a Galleon Light Tank. Their liaison in his Stinger harasses two hovertanks.
Wind takes advantage of having proper lighting conditions by putting all three of his lasers straight through the front of the light tank, killing its crew before melting the small tank to sludge.
(https://i.imgur.com/nxiMiBo.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/uaN6JVF.jpg)
The pilot of the Wasp freezes in place, and Knave stands still to teach him why for light ‘Mech pilots, movement is life, and standing still is death. The rest of the fighting drifts closer, but he trusts that his ‘Mech can handle any attention for a short while, at least. Wind moves up to support him against a flanking Saracen.
The fighting goes from bad to worse for the Davion forces as Wind continues his phenomenal gunnery by coring through the center torso of a regular model Wasp that had skylined itself on a building above the Wolverine, and Knave drops the Davion model to the ground before staving in its torso with a solid kick.
However, not everything is going the Brotherhood’s way, as their FWL companion loses a leg and becomes an easy target for the FedCom defenders.
(https://i.imgur.com/GJqd1Wq.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/II1D3Ap.jpg)
Then things get worse for the Borderers, as Starburst arrives with the Brotherhood’s Air Support. Tengu gleefully leads the bombing run, targeting the FedCom Valkyrie, while his wingmate bombs the Locust.
Starburst targets the Drillson fading to the north with her missile array and medium lasers, Knave focuses on trying to tag the Locust first before the bombs get to it, and Wind targets a Scimitar bravely trying to flank the Stalker.
The bombing runs are a spectacular success, leaving a Scorpion that had been near the Valkyrie a smoking ruin, and the Valkyrie barely better. The Locust is on the ground, torn to pieces, and the horrified FedCom forces plead for mercy, withdrawing before their reinforcements even arrive.
AAR:
Only the Wolverine took any damage, and that was limited to armor damage.
The Brotherhood claimed the Locust, giving the scrapped Wasps to their employer. The Locust sold for another 1.4M C-Bills, helping to cover the Brotherhood’s debts.
One enemy was confirmed KIA, and two were captured, both MechWarriors.
Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine claimed the WSP-1D Wasp.
Matt ‘Wind’ Fischer claimed the WSP-1A Wasp and a Galleon light tank.
Ichiro ‘Tengu’ Kobayashi claimed a Scorpion light tank.
Levane Persaud claimed the Locust.
Analysis:
Not a lot to say about this. It shows how powerful Veteran and Elite pilots are. Having a lot of weapons is nice, but you must hit with them to do anything. Once that happens, the magic starts. This is how fast some of these battles can go when things are going your way.
By Sunday, the Techs had everything squared away for another week of operations. Orders remained unchanged for the coming week as the Brotherhood hoped to benefit from air cover once more.
Week 4
Early in the week, the unit was approached by a Melissa Lyle. A pilot originally from the Draconis Combine, she had served in one of the other mercenary commands that had been shattered in the fighting. Hearing of the unit’s success to this point, she wanted to hire on – and brought her SL-17AC Shilone to sweeten the deal.
(https://i.imgur.com/yAMI1Ow.png)
Albus decided to hire her on and she was assigned to the training command as well, though it was now as large as he was comfortable let stand until some of the members started graduating.
That night, Alpha Lance intercepted a probing strike by the Borderers, consisting of two lances of Vehicles with air support. With air support of their own on hand, the Brotherhood was confident that their skills at night-fighting would carry the day night.
(https://i.imgur.com/RxgXbmo.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/IBOkfi5.png)
Victory Condition: Destroy 3 enemy units before Turn 8, Destroy 4 enemy units Turn 8+
Loss Condition: Lose 1 unit before Turn 3, Lose 2 units after Turn 3+
(https://i.imgur.com/36LYXPA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0D2MGWE.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/E6nxMa0.jpg)
Both sides closed on each other but were unable to make target locks in the darkness. The best Knave could manage was a ghost of a lock on the Packrat with his autocannon, but his shots went wide.
(https://i.imgur.com/7IfmG7S.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/3O29r5x.jpg)
With less tasty targets then last battle, Tengu targeted a Vedette while the Sparrowhawk looked to drop her bombs on the packrat and its just unloaded infantry.
Starburst sprinted to get into range, while Knave and Wind continued their effective partnership, attacking a Drillson and Pegasus tank caught between them.
Tengu’s bombing run was spoiled by the darkness, only landing one bomb on target. The Sparrowhawk was more effective, wiping out the infantry squad and the Packrat carrying them in one fell swoop.
(https://i.imgur.com/c56l5Qp.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Q1bAQDZ.jpg)
The Brotherhood’s fighters peeled off, gaining altitude as they came around for strafing runs. The AFFC was falling back, but the Brotherhood was too close, crowding the vehicles and kicking at them.
(https://i.imgur.com/P0JixJW.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/dH9rS6u.jpg)
Wind kicked in the front of one of the Vedettes, and the rest of the FedCom forces faded away, their probing attack a miserable failure.
AAR:
The Brotherhood received absolutely no damage – all the Techs had waiting for them was to restock their ammo bins.
No salvage was claimed – there wasn’t much left to begin with. 4 enemies were confirmed KIA, and 2 were captured.
Matt ‘Wind’ Fischer claimed a Vedette AC/2
Levane Persaud claimed a Packrat and a squad of HALO Paratroopers it was carrying.
Friday marked the 1st of May. Analysis indicated that enemy morale in their sector of operation was Low after their string of unbroken defeats. However, there were rumors of Internal Dissension in their employer’s ranks. The supposed Star League bases were proving elusive.
The unit received its first combat paycheck, 3.3m C-Bills, though 900k went to debt repayment from their loan.
One of the other mercenary commands on planet was hard up for cash, and Albus purchased a Partisan from them for 65% of its base cost, the unit only paying 1.2M C-Bills for an Assault-weight vehicle. This brought Gamma Platoon to full strength.
Operating in the field was starting to take its toll in wear and tear, as numerous ‘Mechs and vehicles were down checked during the monthly maintenance cycle. I adjusted the modifier to -2, as the amount of damage was a little excessive.
For the coming week, assignments remained the same.
Week 5
For a change, there were no combat operations this week. James improved his piloting, and two soldiers started specializing towards Anti-Mech and Artillery operations.
Week 6
It had taken several months before Svetlana relaxed enough to realize that unlike in the Capellan Confederation, correcting her superiors might not result in summary execution, and had her personnel records updated. By this time, she had also earned the callsign Ragu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragù) based on her love of cooking that dish. Sharing it with her fellow trainees had led to a surprising amount of bonding between MechWarriors and common infantry.
On Thursday, the result of the internal dissension was revealed. While Lieutenant Susanna ‘Starburst’ Nova was taking her Stalker out for a test run, three medium ‘Mechs from the 1st Aragon Borderers appeared out of hiding ahead of her on a head-hunting mission.
(https://i.imgur.com/rI2aQKO.png)
Victory Condition: Destroy 2 Enemy ‘Mechs.
Loss: Lose own ‘Mech.
Sadly, there was an error with my screenshotting program, and it wasn’t capturing the game window.
Unfortunately, Starburst ambushed her ambushers, and the Borderers weren’t prepared as she closed on the nearest, an Enforcer.
Starburst keeps moving, closing on the Whitworth and hoping to kick one of its weak legs apart. She had knocked down the Enforcer, but the pilot gamely got back to his feet, so she gave him the benefit of her weapon’s array.
The brawl continues in the darkness, but Starburst’s skill is turning the tide as she brings the Whitworth down with her weapons and kicks the Hunchback over at the same time.
(https://i.imgur.com/U5OsWJ0.jpg)
The battle is now definitely against the FedCom forces. Two ‘Mechs down and their pilots unconscious, and the Enforcer is left facing a Stalker piloted by an annoyed Elite pilot.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZO78cmC.jpg)
The Enforcer chooses the brilliant tactical decision of staying close to the Stalker and keeping its cockpit at kicking height.
(https://i.imgur.com/0BMnIUI.jpg)
The Enforcer gamely tries to play keep away, but Starburst holes its armor, tagging its gyro and dropping it to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/Rpe2OvK.jpg)
Surprisingly, the Hunchback and Enforcer both regain their feet, but they’re standing still facing a Stalker. Starburst keeps battering the Enforcer and scores her first kill as her kick destroys the leg of the Hunchback.
The Enforcer pilot tries to run, but Starburst drops his ‘Mech to the ground, and the rough handling knocks him out, leaving her victorious with three kills.
AAR:
The Stalker took a fair amount of armor damage, and some penetrating damage to the left leg, courtesy of the Enforcer’s autocannon.
The Brotherhood claimed the Hunchback HBK-4N model as salvage. The Brotherhood claimed all three pilots as captives and subjected the badly injured pilots to interrogation as soon as the doctors were relatively certain they wouldn’t bleed to death right away.
It was revealed that one of the Marik officers had sold Susanna’s location information to the vengeful Borderers. Unfortunately, part of his deal had also included extraction, and he was long-gone by the time the vengeful mercenaries uncovered his actions. The ambushers were in a bad way – one’s piloting career was lost, alone with his arm. Another was in emergency surgery with internal bleeding. Only one had come away with cuts and bruises.
The Hunchback was assigned to Private Belmiro, though he would need to wait for a replacement leg to arrive and one of the other MechWarriors to clear the Brotherhood’s training course before he could start.
On Sunday, Gamma Platoon was once again called into action, needing to stop a group of partisans fleeing out of their area of operation. The only outstanding feature was the presence of an ancient prototype Bellerophon – one of only four known to exist.
(https://i.imgur.com/IcAnvxO.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/fgBvti7.png)
Victory Condition: Destroy all 4 civilian units, and 3 AFFC units before Turn 5, or 4 after Turn 5 BEFORE Turn 10.
The Brotherhood deployed the SRM Carrier and Behemoth to deal with the AFFC forces alongside their escorting Trebuchet, while the Partisan and Devastator dealt with the civilians.
The plan worked perfectly – the AFFC forces focused on the tough armor of the Devastator or the seemingly more dangerous Trebuchet to their rear, only to fall prey to the massive swarms of SRMs from the SRM Carrier. Meanwhile, the Bellerophon was erased from existence by the Devastator as its AC/20s set off the SRM ammunition stored in that ancient machine. The Partisan was less effective but did live up to its reputation as it shot down one of the Meteor fighters that attempted to support the attack.
In the end, the only AFFC units to survive combat were a Blackjack whose pilot froze in deep water and remained submerged the entire battle, and a Maxim transport that limped away after taking an AC/20 to the front armor.
AAR:
The Brotherhood claimed the salvage from both Stingers, the Galleon and the Vedette, selling the scrap for 2.1M C-Bills in total.
23 enemies were confirmed KIA, the majority in an infantry platoon who had the misfortune to disembark directly in front of the Behemoth’s front machine gun turrets. 9 more enemies were captured.
The SRM Carrier claimed the Galleon, the STG-3G Stinger, the Griffin and the Heavy APC.
The Behemoth claimed the STG-3R Stinger, the Foot Platoon, and a Vedette
The Devastator claimed the Bellerophon and the M.A.S.H. Truck
The Partisan claimed the APC and one of the Meteor fighters.
Their escorting Trebuchet claimed the other Vedette.
Week 7
Nothing of note occurred this week, giving the Iron Brotherhood a chance to relax and recover. On the 21st, Linda Vo was declared fit, and she joined Alpha Lance with her Phoenix Hawk.
Week 8
Combat and training was improving the unit’s skills steadily. 9 of the 30 infantry were now qualified to some extent with artillery operations, and 8 had anti-‘Mech training. Susanna Nova’s studies had paid off, and her Tactical skills improved.
On Thursday, the Iron Brotherhood found a Borderer firebase, where they had set up a Sniper artillery piece and were using it to shell the Brotherhood’s area of operation at random. Alpha Lance moved in to strike and remove the artillery, only for a medium ‘Mech company to move up to engage them in return, supported by a flight of conventional fighters. Luckily with Delta Flight providing air support, the enemy air support wouldn’t know what hit them.
(https://i.imgur.com/KpKYMs8.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/iSW51Xt.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Kzh8h7E.png)
Victory Condition: Destroy 7 units by Turn 4, 9 units by Turn 8, or 11 after Turn 8
Loss Condition: Lose 2 units.
(https://i.imgur.com/m2Hi7yb.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Wjzwr9z.jpg)
Bursting from cover right next to the abandoned town being used as a firebase, the fighting immediately became short-ranged and brutal. While Knave and Wind moved to deal with the Sniper, Vo in her Phoenix Hawk moved to flank an Ostroc and a Bulldog to their south. The Sniper was firing almost vertically into the air and managed to tag the Phoenix Hawk in the edge of the artillery detonation.
The ill-trained laser infantry opened fire on Knave’s Wolverine, but instead their shots strike a building in the way, killing three of their own allies in the motorized infantry sheltering there.
The combined fire from Knave and Wind stunned the crew and jammed the Sniper, rendering it ineffective for the remainder of the battle.
(https://i.imgur.com/aaAhmRE.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Tmmo0Kf.jpg)
Vo moved behind the FedCom Ostroc as it presented its weak back armor, and Knave and Wind split up as the city fighting intensified, nearly a company of ‘mechs and Vehicles struggling within a few hundred meters of each other.
Knave shows off his precision gunnery as he walks his autocannon fire through the Rocket Launcher’s position, jamming another turret before it could fire, but the Hunchback manages to tear open his right side with its large-bore autocannon in return.
(https://i.imgur.com/szNlmgL.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/STRCsiY.jpg)
The Brotherhood’s air support and Stalker arrived, and the Borderers were obliging enough to provide targets. While the Sparrowhawk targeted the hostile Phoenix Hawk, Tengu’s Centurion targeted the Ostroc and the Bulldog that Vo was dueling with.
Meanwhile, Starburst planted her feet and treated the hostile Hunchback to her full weapons array, Wind targeted the back of the Phoenix Hawk being bombed, and Knave targeted a Vedette brave enough to stay at his ‘Mech’s feet.
Surprisingly, the FedCom defenders survived for the most part, though the Hunchback hit the ground as large parts of his armor was destroyed in the Stalker’s blistering assault.
(https://i.imgur.com/w7503Mp.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/xLZxiWG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mdXftEP.jpg)
Its leg, damaged by Wind’s kick, hampering its efforts the Phoenix Hawk pilot knocked himself out trying to stand. Wind jumped away to duel with two light ‘Mechs that were trying to get into his back field, and Vo continued facing down the Ostroc and Bulldog to his south, both badly damaged by the bombing run.
The stubborn Hunchback got to its feet, but now had Knave right behind it, while Starburst split her attention between the plethora of targets facing her.
Enemy fighter support was now overhead, but Tengu gained altitude and was providing air cover, and the unit’s movements had provided any similar bombing runs.
However, the enemy Meteor engaged Tengu, its autocannon and SRMs destroying his avionics and engine, even as Starburst’s large lasers and LRMs ravaged its airframe. Both fighters went out of control, though Tengu managed to keep the Centurion airborne as he wrestled with his controls while the Meteor arrowed into the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/mAaRHul.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/uHWpMIa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wLBcZki.jpg)
Wind’s duel with the light ‘Mechs continued in his favor, the Locust and Wasp had both lost a leg, though the Wasp pilot, in a feat of daring managed to precariously hop back onto its one remaining foot. Wind promptly shot it again to force it down.
Vo clung stubbornly to the back of the Ostroc she was taking apart, most of its lasers knocked out by damage through its rear armor.
Starburst split her attention between the Hunchback and the remaining Machine Gun turret, and Knave continued ripping through the rear armor of the Hunchback.
(https://i.imgur.com/nTu8Fgh.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Ja07RyH.jpg)
Tengu regained control and flew away from the battle, nursing his battered fighter home. With the Hunchback down, Knave went to deal with a damaged Vedette and Starburst turned her attention to collapsing a building sheltering the enemy laser infantry.
Vo continued her quest to down a heavy ‘Mech largely on her own, and Wind targeted the enemy Valkyrie as his next victim.
(https://i.imgur.com/G8j3hpO.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/unBc8hj.jpg)
The Sparrowhawk returned for a strafing run, hitting the Valkyrie at the same time as Wind did. Starburst continued hunting the foot infantry as the survivors fled from the collapsed building to the nearest shelter.
Starburst eliminated the infantry in a shower of missiles, Wind kicked the leg off the Valkyrie, Knave destroyed the building holding the crippled rocket launcher turret, while the machine guns of the Phoenix Hawk were making a bloody mess of the mechanized infantry. The desperate Borderers signaled their surrender and were allowed to withdraw, leaving the Brotherhood battered but once again victorious.
AAR:
The Brotherhood took some hard knocks – the Wolverine was moderately damaged after taking two hard hits from the Hunchback’s AC/20, and the Centurion was crippled by damage.
The Brotherhood claimed the Sniper artillery piece for their own artillery plans, as well as the Phoenix Hawk and the Ostroc. They didn’t plan to operate the Phoenix Hawk, but they were going to strip it for parts for the Ostroc and their own Phoenix Hawk.
20 AFFC personnel were KIA, and 11 were captured.
Susanna ‘Starburst’ Nova claimed the Foot Platoon and the Meteor Heavy Strike Fighter
Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine claimed the Sniper and Rocket Launcher turrets, the Hunchback and the Vedette.
Matt ‘Wind’ Fischer claimed the Phoenix Hawk, Valkyrie, Wasp and Locust, earning accolades for a downing an entire lance largely on his own.
Linda Vo claimed an Ostroc, earning her own accolades for downing a ‘Mech above her weight class through superior mobility (and some air support.)
Tengu’s Centurion was down checked for the foreseeable future. Everyone was amazed that he managed to nurse it back to base and land with the avionics in the state they were, but finding replacements was impossible, and the battered frame had almost 200 hours of work needed before it would be repaired.
Week 9-12
Monday was also the first of June and marked the collapse of enemy morale – while they hadn’t routed yet, it was now Very Low, and they had pulled back to reorganize. This allowed the Iron Brotherhood the chance to repair from the previous week’s battle and train in relative safety.
The Brotherhood’s technicians declared the Centurion’s engine too damaged to fix, and there was little chance the unit would be able to find a replacement, so the fighter was sold for scrap, netting 1.4M C-Bills. The second Phoenix Hawk was also sold after its weapons array and jump jets were stripped, netting 2.8M C-Bills.
Albus used the salvage money to purchase a SL-17 Shilone from another mercenary unit on planet along with a SPR-H5 Sparrowhawk, bringing their forces up to two air lances... although only three pilots. Levane Persaud was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade to command the unit’s light AeroSpace fighters, while Lieutenant Ichiro would soon be joined by Melissa Lyle in her Shilone to form a medium AeroSpace lance.
The unit fitted the Sniper to a mobile artillery base, though to this point, only one person was fully qualified for artillery operations.
Little of note occurred through the rest of June – The various techs managed to catch up on backlog, and all ‘Mechs were once more fully functional. Albus managed to secure an aide, John O’Sullivan, who was put in charge of the unit’s logistical needs.
By July 1st, a month ahead of schedule, their employer declared the operation complete. The Liao forces were withdrawing empty-handed, but the mercenaries had performed brilliantly, and the AFFC had been forced to assign a regiment of reinforcements to shore up the Borderers after their morale failed.
The Iron Brotherhood was paid 7.7M C-Bills in contract payment, early completion bonus and an extra bonus for their service. Flush with cash, the unit booked passage off world towards Outreach. They quietly recruited three veteran and elite-ranked soldiers from among the willing prisoners before ransoming the rest back for a total of 585k C-Bills.
Operation Blue Paladin – Week 1
Once on the ground, they had a few days to organize and prepare before getting underway. The first thing they did was get acquainted with a new veteran ‘Mech tech, Mairona Brabiner, who they had hired from Federated Commonwealth employ as part of their contract.
Captain Nova transferred Corporal Ragozina to Kaine’s lance temporarily, bringing them to full strength. They were assigned scout duties, while Hovi’s Hailstorm took over its familiar duties defending the company’s landing zone. The Training Command began running training missions immediately, with the goal of graduating some of the MechWarriors so that operations could begin.
Unfortunately, neither Air Lance was ready to fly, lacking a pilot for the Sparrowhawk, and with Ichiro’s wingmate still in training. The thrust of the Shilone and the Sparrowhawk was too mismatched for them to effectively fight together as a pair, so the Brotherhood’s air support was grounded in the short term.
Taking up the slack, the special forces deployed on ground recon duty, but found nothing nearby. Ranging farther out, Kaine’s Kings sparred with the Liao forces on October 15, warding off a probing push by a mixed group of vehicles, fighters and ‘Mechs.
(https://i.imgur.com/8ssYJyL.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/MgKOUcS.png)
Victory Condition: Destroy 2 enemy units before Turn 6, 3 enemy units before Turn 8, or 4 enemy units after Turn 8.
Loss Condition: Lose 2 units
(https://i.imgur.com/q8FMRCR.jpg)
The two forces close on each other, a few LRMs are fired, but at these ranges and speeds, there are no hits.
(https://i.imgur.com/5FCPIRR.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/9x3peEA.jpg)
The Iron Brotherhood focuses on the slow-moving Hetzer as the range closes. Vo is blocked by terrain but takes a potshot at the Liao Vindicator. A few hits are scored, but the sturdy tank rumbles on without noticeable damage.
(https://i.imgur.com/g8MuDAg.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/vnSTljb.jpg)
Wind and Ragu focuses on the Vindicator, and Knave targets one of the Vedettes. Vo is blocked by a stone spire and the sloping terrain and misses out on any shots.
The Vindicator goes down under the combined fire from the Shadow Hawk and Griffin but is quickly back on his feet.
(https://i.imgur.com/BvrsbXB.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/NaWpL8C.jpg)
Vo circles behind to deal with the two Hetzers at the rear of the formation, joined by their AFFC escort in his Locust. A Whitworth gets behind Wind’s Griffin, and Ragu and Knave move to flank him in turn.
While the Whitworth keeps his feet from their weapons fire, Ragu kicks his head straight off. The ‘Mech flails as its last burst of signals goes wild and its legs tangles with Wind’s, knocking him to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/Z54GLw0.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Hrubu29.jpg)
The Vindicator starts fading north, but Vo, Ragu and Wind aren’t having any of it and target it mercilessly. Knave targets one of the Liao-pattern Vedettes at his feet instead.
(https://i.imgur.com/zDX7gUz.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/6kwtUgl.jpg)
The Cavalry’s air support arrives, their runs targeting Ragu and the Locust. In turn, Vo and Wind continue attacking the Vindicator, Ragu targets the Defender making an attack run against her, and Knave is dueling three Vedettes now.
One of the Hetzers manages to get a lock on Ragu, and her ‘Mech loses its right arm, even as it’s laser cuts into the nose of the Defender, sending it out of control.
The Vindicator also loses its right arm as Wind’s lasers sheer it off at the shoulder.
(https://i.imgur.com/cuen4Qg.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/JlXVqna.jpg)
The Defender stalls out and crashes, marking Ragu’s second kill of the battle. Vo finds herself flanked by the Vindicator and one of the Hetzers, but Ragu is coming to her aid. Wind targets the inviting rear of the other Hetzer, and Knave tries to finish one of the now four Vedettes he is tangling with.
Unfortunately, the Locust manages to steal his kill as one of its SRMs flies through a gap in the Hetzer’s armor and detonates its fuel tank. With that, the morale of the defenders breaks, and they withdraw.
AAR:
The unit’s Wolverine and Shadow Hawk both came back with moderate damage – particularly the loss of the Shadow Hawk’s arm. The Griffin had light damage, and the Phoenix Hawk had a few dings but was otherwise in good shape.
While the unit would have loved to take the Whitworth as nearly intact salvage, it would have brought them above their allowed amounts. They salvaged the remains of the Defender for sale, content that they were now well in the black for the next battle.
The pilot of the Whitworth was confirmed as KIA and his remains returned to the departing Cavalrymen.
Svetlana ‘Ragu’ Ragozina claimed both the Whitworth and MSF Defender as kills, a worthy first outing after graduating from the training command.
By the end of the week, most of the damages from the battle are repaired, and the techs are hard at work reattaching a new arm to the Shadow Hawk.
The coming week, the infantry are assigned as pickets against enemy activity.
Operation Blue Paladin – Week 2
James graduates from the training unit and joins Nova’s lance. The Brotherhood hires Noelle Al Gahary, an ultra-green MechWarrior with little to no skills. She is the third such MechWarrior to approach the unit, and Albus is resigned that until the unit develops more of a reputation, more experienced MechWarriors simply won’t be interested in joining. She is assigned to the unit’s Ostroc and immediately joins the Training Command.
The week passes quietly enough. Kaine’s Kings are out on patrol, while Hovi’s Hailstorm secures the area of operations. On Sunday as Kaine’s unit is returning from patrol, they pick up signatures behind them. A sweep reveals that they’ve caught the attention of an entire battalion of the 5th McCarron’s Armored Cavalry. Kaine called in the report, and Albus coordinated the unit’s response with their FedCom liaison. It called for Kaine’s unit to lead the Liao forces on a merry chase – straight into the teeth of the FedCom forces waiting in ambush.
(https://i.imgur.com/HJxxtBR.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/DRCND2Q.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/3imUQXX.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/ZUb07Oq.jpg)
I’m only going to post the minimap once, because as you can see, the map design makes it awkward for the length of the post. We’re at the bottom. We need to get to the top, and most of the enemy deploys before we do. In our favor, all our designs have jump jets, though the Shadow Hawk can’t fully take advantage of that.
The moment Vo entered the area, the Brotherhood found out their intelligence was wrong. They weren’t leading the Capellans into an ambush, but they were subjected to an ambush themselves. The Liao forces immediately swarmed around her Phoenix Hawk, only to have her jump away to relative safety.
(https://i.imgur.com/qKbcwO9.jpg)
The rest of the lance arrived, and Liao forces identified Kaine’s Wolverine and began to swarm him. Wind loyally moved to back him up, while Ragu took advantage of the inattention towards her to make distance on the ground.
Swarms of missiles flew at Knave from every direction, but the darkness and their green experience caused their shots to go wide. Ragu, on the other hand, skillfully disabled one of the Pegasus’, her missiles and autocannon blowing its skirt wide and immobilizing the hovertank. Meanwhile, the duo of Knave and Wind pounded an Assassin, dropping it to the ground with heavy armor damage.
(https://i.imgur.com/xiNfaqB.jpg)
The skirmishing continues as the mercenaries fight northward, harried by light ‘Mechs.
(https://i.imgur.com/Mq8TXsr.jpg)
Little damage is being inflicted either way, but that may change as Liao air support comes in from the north, a MechBuster making a pass at Knave as they continue their head-hunting attack.
Ragu spoils the MechBuster’s run, her autocannon ripping into its engines and forcing it to wobble away, trailing smoke. Meanwhile, Knave and Wind punish a Locust that strayed too close to their heavier machines.
(https://i.imgur.com/eBfZZU4.jpg)
The pursuit continues, the light strike fighter making a bombing pass against Knave. Ragu shows her surprising gunnery skills as she once again against all odds scores against an aerial target at night, sending the fighter crashing into the landscape. Its bomb load was revealed to be air-deployed mines, which scatter all around Knave’s Wolverine. It would be a big issue... if he didn’t have perfectly functional jump jets and if they hadn’t scattered off-target behind him.
In fact, the mines prove to be a bigger danger to the Liao pursuers then the Brotherhood. There is a flash and a crump as the Assassin steps on one and loses its already damaged leg. A Skulker scout tank attempts to drive through the edges of another minefield only to have one rip it open from the underside.
(https://i.imgur.com/Xk1q6Ar.jpg)
Confusion overwhelms the pursuers. Without the pilot of the Angel to tell them where he dropped his load of mines, they seem to mostly be finding them by running straight through the thickest portions. In quick succession, the Firestarter, Wasp, Commando and Locust all lose legs, and many of the pilots eject to safety. A Swift Wind scout car is also destroyed by a mine, leaving any organized pursuit a faint memory.
AAR:
The mercenaries came out well from the failed Liao ambush, with only Vo’s Phoenix Hawk sustaining moderate damage. What did concern them was the obvious head-hunting attack on Kaine’s Wolverine. The Cavalrymen made several concerted efforts to down his ‘Mech that was defeated only through the conditions and their poor training.
Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine claimed the Assassin and Locust as kills, based on the damage he caused to their legs before they insisted on playing in mine fields.
Svetlana ‘Ragu’ Ragozina claimed two more honest kills – the Pegasus and the Light Strike Fighter, both victims of her autocannon.
Analysis:
I normally hate chase missions, and attacker ones even more because you get nothing from it except maybe a few points of XP, but I admit this one lifted my spirits because it was hilarious. Princess obviously has no idea how to handle mine fields, and it insisted on running all its units straight through this one. I don’t have any choice on the air support loadouts – that’s chosen randomly by the AI, but mines are obviously not a great choice for it.
Luckily there was little damage to repair, and the Brotherhood went into the next week with no change in assignments.
Operation Blue Paladin – Week 3
Melissa Lyle completed her training and joined Ichiro, giving the unit a functional Aerospace element once again. Hovi replaced her with her Behemoth tank, as more than half of its crew is of green quality, despite their excellent showing in previous battles.
On Halloween, the FedCom forces invited the Brotherhood to go trick or treating with them. Their next-door neighbors, the Liaos were home with a heavy vehicle platoon and a mixed medium vehicle and ‘Mech lance defending their firebase. The goal was to sneak past the Liao to see what the fire base was guarding.
However, Lieutenant Kaine had a better idea – if they blew up enough of the Liao, they’d run away, and the unit would get to loot the firebase in peace. In the spirit of good will, Nova’s Knights were invited along for the visit.
They even gave Major Kincaide a new drone with upgraded cameras so he could follow the action better!
(https://i.imgur.com/U4IYgBq.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/XKXMAwn.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/JxwxJZ9.png)
Victory Condition: Scout the north end of the map and return
Loss Condition: Lose 3 Units
Loot Condition: Destroy 8 enemy units before Turn 8, or 9 enemy units after Turn 8.
(https://i.imgur.com/lUARF1P.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/P6cUPSA.jpg)
Nova’s Knights would take a while to join them – hopefully the Kings will leave them something to do, but in the meantime, they had enough enemies to deal with. The Wasp, Partisan and a unit of motorized infantry moved to meet the mercenaries.
As before, the Liao defenders had Knave in their sights, but he managed to keep his feet, skillfully taking down the Wasp in his face while simultaneously using his autocannon to damage the PPC turret. Ragu and Wind heavily damaged the Partisan and stunned its crew with the fury of their attack.
(https://i.imgur.com/ESuEwvk.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/XThQsfV.jpg)
The Liao SRM Carrier lost control and skidded into a building, then was destroyed under the collapsing rubble. The Maxim daringly darted past the ‘Mechs to offload its infantry, only for Vo to be there with her machine guns spinning up hungrily.
Meanwhile, Knave led the charge deeper into the base, targeting the Liao Vindicator, though a LRM Carrier was setting up to fire down the main street.
(https://i.imgur.com/d38o0fQ.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/DgDvk3F.jpg)
The Maxim retreated guiltily, leaving the shredded remains of its foot platoon where Vo killed them. Knave jumped out of the line of fire, while Wind moved to finish the Partisan before its crew recovered their bearings.
The PPC turret came back online as the crew made repairs, only for Vo to take pot shots with her medium lasers.
(https://i.imgur.com/NgLaVgw.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/wi2emTk.jpg)
One of Vo’s lasers killed the crew of the PPC, taking it out permanently. Knave took out the LRM Turret by exploding its missile stockpile, reducing the building it was on to rubble. Wind continued his efforts to kill the Partisan, and the LRM Carrier closed to short range, targeting their liaison’s Wasp at point-blank range.
(https://i.imgur.com/O55OxzT.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/eAMoHt6.jpg)
Wind finished the Partisan and moved on to a Vedette, while Vo finished mopping up the group of motorized infantry. Ragu and Knave pressed on into the base, pursuing the Laser and LRM Carriers and the damaged Vindicator falling back.
(https://i.imgur.com/l3OgCjt.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/ZgkNtZ7.jpg)
With the Vedette destroyed, Wind jumped back to engage in the fighting. The thinly armored Carriers didn’t move, making them easy pickings. The Vindicator tried to down the FedCom Wasp, with Ragu’s Shadow Hawk looming behind it.
(https://i.imgur.com/S0DTCgf.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/JQRBlgI.jpg)
The plucky Liao Maxim managed to weave through the legs of the ‘Mechs and land damaging shots to the leg of Ragu’s Shadow Hawk, dropping her to the ground. The Vindicator took out the FedCom Wasp’s leg, causing the pilot to eject. He turned his guns on Ragu’s ‘Mech, but Wind is there to defend her. Vo continues her campaign of terror against infantry as she pursues the Field Gun units, and Knave steps forward to keep the pressure on the vehicles.
(https://i.imgur.com/7713eCQ.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/ktbzB7f.jpg)
Ragu keeps working on getting her ‘Mech upright, but Wind dealt with the Vindicator, removing an arm and a leg. However, Liao Air Support arrived and naturally targeted Knave with their runs.
Even as Knave’s autocannon blasted chunks from the MechBuster, its payload of HE bombs struck, blowing apart his ‘Mech as its right and center torso sections were destroyed.
(https://i.imgur.com/AMkZr6h.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/FFDSV3b.jpg)
Ragu finally got to her feet and expressed her displeasure with the Maxim by detonating its four tons of ammunition in an enormous fireball. Vo continued hunting one of the teams of Field Gunners, but with her armor holed and losing Jump Jets to damage, she was forced to begin falling back.
(https://i.imgur.com/mr4Syvi.jpg)
Nova’s Knights arrived and moved forward to deal with the last remnants. Ragu and Vo began falling back, leaving Wind to harass the Field Gunners.
(https://i.imgur.com/eHGNsxR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qMObaRq.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/5qcJggd.jpg)
The Liao air support returned to make runs against the fresh ‘Mechs remaining to the mercenaries but were greeted by plenty of ground to air fire in return.
The Knights made their own contribution to the fight, as Starburst and Glaive both scored air kills against one of the Meteors and the MechBuster. Wind struck his target as well, sending it out of control and tumbling into the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/il7J5xL.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/uEe6dKT.jpg)
With any threat of air support dealt with, all that remained was mopping up the two units of Field Guns. Starburst got one, and Glaive the other. With that, the fighting ended as all enemy units were destroyed.
In the aftermath, Glaive finally remembered to ask the important question.
“Weren’t we supposed to scout something?”
AAR:
While successful, the Iron Brotherhood paid a heavy price for their victory. Knave’s Wolverine was recovered and salvageable, but it was inoperable with heavy engine damage. Vo’s Phoenix Hawk was crippled, and Ragu’s Shadow Hawk had heavy damage. Wind’s Griffin was lightly damaged, while neither the Stalker nor the Warhammer suffered more than minor armor damage.
Matt, Linda and Svetlana all suffered minor injuries. Billy, despite riding his ‘Mech down, suffered no injuries beyond that to his pride.
None of what they recovered was functional, but the mercenaries had quite a bit of salvage to sell onward. In total, salvage sales earned them 12.3M C-Bills, more than doubling their liquid reserves.
The no quarter fighting went heavily against McCarron’s Armored Cavalry, with 50 KIA and 41 captured, many with horrific injuries from the liberal use of missiles and machine guns against infantry units.
Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine claimed the Wasp, Rocket Launcher Turret, LRM Turret, LRM Carrier and Laser Carrier.
Linda Vo claimed the Foot Platoon (MG), PPC Turret, and Motorized Platoon (Rifle).
Matt ‘Wind’ Fischer claimed the Partisan, Vedette, Vindicator, and one of the Heavy Strike Fighters.
Svetlana ‘Ragu’ Ragozina claimed the Maxim Hover Transport.
Susanna ‘Starburst’ Nova claimed the other Heavy Strike Fighter and one of the units of Field Guns.
James ‘Glaive’ Gundersen claimed the MechBuster and the other unit of Field Guns.
As thanks for their efforts, the FedCom forces paid an additional bonus of 6.5M C-Bills, making the operation quite profitable.
Our bonus for the ‘recon’ raid was a ‘civilian’ BNC-1E Banshee. I would have been tempted, but it’s a primitive machine (no spare parts or armor for you!), and the worst of all worlds – as slow as every other assault ‘Mech, but with the stock Banshee’s paltry guns.
Sunday was the 1st of November. The Iron Brotherhood received their contract pay of 5.1M C-Bills, as well as news that the morale of the Liao defenders in their area was now Low, making their operations easier.
However, Albus nearly spat out his morning coffee when he received a listing of the units available for purchase. A Zeus, Stalker and a rare King Crab, followed by a Guillotine and Grasshopper – almost a who’s who of solid Assault and Heavy designs.
The unit sat down together to work out the math. Surprisingly enough, all the offers were legitimately from their employer or fellow mercenaries, and the prices were very reasonable. Flush with cash from the battle the day before, they even had the means to purchase everything available, though it would leave them with next to nothing in their accounts.
What was eventually hammered out was to shift the composition of the ‘Mech unit, though its final form would be forced to wait on training more MechWarriors.
The Iron Vanguard
- - Nova’s Knights
- - - - KGC-0000 King Crab
- - - - STK-3F Stalker
- - - - ZEU-6S Zeus
- - - - STK-4P Stalker
- - Kaine’s Kings
- - - - GHR-5H Grasshopper
- - - - GLT-4L Guillotine
- - - - OSR-2C Ostroc
- - - - WHM-6R Warhammer
- - Scout Lance
- - - - WVR-6R Wolverine
- - - - GRF-1S Griffin
- - - - PXH-1 Phoenix Hawk
- - - - DV-6M Dervish
The reasoning behind the shift was simple – the unit often operated in Lance-sized formations against enemies that were often numerically superior, both in terms of numbers and raw tonnage. Operational demands often precluded operating two or more Lances together, so the best method to keep the pilots of the Brotherhood alive and to provide an advantage over their enemy was to bring as much tonnage to bear in their role as possible.
Nova’s Knights was always intended to be a front-line combat formation. Her current Stalker was the slowest machine in the Brotherhood, so adding two more machines with equal speed profiles didn’t change much but would bring an extra 185 tons to bear. The King Crab was also very suited as a Command ‘Mech, being sturdy and having excellent C3 systems.
The campaign also showed that Billy Kaine had already developed a reputation. In his last two operations, the enemy forces showed a marked preference for attempting to swarm down his ‘Mech. Given a choice between the Grasshopper and Guillotine, upgrading to the slightly better protected Grasshopper would improve his chances immensely while playing to his strengths. Wind would continue to act as his bodyguard in the Guillotine, their matching speed profiles allowing them to operate together.
The Ostroc would be able to keep up with them through its higher ground speed. While the Warhammer was the slowest ‘Mech of the Lance, it could provide backup fire support. James had already shown how effective its PPCs were, and it also provided anti-infantry capability to the Lance.
The Scout lance would be like the King’s current formation – it was a proven heavy scout formation, more than capable of evading anything too heavy to battle, while having the mobility to stay close to and wreck light elements.
This would leave the Shadow Hawk, Hunchback and Commando at loose ends. They could sell them on auction for around 13M C-Bills, giving the unit some reserve to work with.
Operation Blue Paladin – Week 4
A week’s downtime allowed the unit to get used to their new machines and Lance assignments, and for the techs to repair most of the damage. The Wolverine was the only down-checked machine, only their veteran ‘Tech was capable of repairing the reactor and gyro damage in the field, and she was only one woman.
For this week, the Special Forces were on Picket duty, and Kobayashi’s Crows were on ground support.
Operation Blue Paladin – Week 5
The Special Forces’ picket work paid off with a critical success – they discovered two Lances of Light and Medium ‘Mechs making a probing attack on the unit’s parameter. However, knowing the unit’s direction and speed of advance, Nova’s Knights, Kaine’s Kings and Kobayashi’s Crows were there to greet them.
Critical Success on both Air Support and Picket rolls. This is going to turn out bad for Liao... again.
Corporal Vo elected to stay with her Phoenix Hawk, angling for promotion to lead the Scout lance once more MechWarriors graduated from the training command. Otherwise, the Brotherhood’s forces are much heavier than they were two weeks ago.
(https://i.imgur.com/6EUu3QZ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/FqlP5aT.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/se5bKOb.png)
Victory Condition: Destroy 2 enemy units before Turn 8, or 3 enemy units after Turn 8
Loss Condition: Lose 3 units
(https://i.imgur.com/SmzfS9y.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/ENxKeFY.jpg)
The Liao forces realized the trap as the Iron Brotherhood moved out of cover and began to retreat south, hoping to use the town as temporary cover against the advancing Heavy and Assault Mechs. However, the Crows swept in from the south, beginning attack runs. While Lyle targeted a Vindicator on its own, Tengu cunningly targeted a Griffin in the middle of the pack, expecting any scatter to hit other enemy targets.
Both the Vindicator and the Griffin survived their bombing runs, though the Vindicator lost its left arm and torso entirely, and the Griffin fell as the high explosives hammered it in a wave.
(https://i.imgur.com/RORUOXi.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/oka2R62.jpg)
The battered Vindicator and Griffin struggled to their feet and tried to withdraw, but something amazing happened: The rest of the Cavalrymen charged. Light and Medium ‘Mechs tried to brawl with Heavy and Assaults, firing with furious disregard for their lives.
The Griffin went down, destroyed by the Glaive, Ragu and Vo, and the pilot of the Javelin punched out after detonating his ammo on accident, trying to stand after Starburst tore a leg off with a rolling volley of autocannon fire.
As commander on the field, Susanna Nova transmitted an offer to stand down to the Cavalrymen.
They refused and pressed the attack.
Shocked, the Brotherhood responded in kind, taking the battle into melee range with their much lighter opponents.
(https://i.imgur.com/VUybBqx.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Fz4AZUQ.jpg)
Ragu continues to revel in her Zeus’ long-range capability, blowing the Vindicator’s leg off with pinpoint accuracy. Knave shows the potent capabilities of the Grasshopper as a melee fighter, destroying the Phoenix Hawk’s leg, and a casual kick from Glaive’s Stalker removes the Locust’s leg. Their FedCom ally finishes the Spider with its SRMs.
Starburst transmitted another request for armistice. With the Liao forces down three machines destroyed and three more crippled, withdrawing is the logical course of action.
Spitting epithets, the remaining Firestarter and Wolverine continue the fight.
(https://i.imgur.com/X8qSUut.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/IXZQa8D.jpg)
Vo goes after the Firestarter, and the rest of the mercenaries swing south, exchanging long-range fire with the Wolverine.
The FedCom pilot continues his cleanup duty, casually kicking in the Phoenix Hawk’s head. From his viewpoint, the growing feud between McCarron’s Armored Cavalry and the Iron Brotherhood was only beneficial, so he would do everything he could to encourage it.
(https://i.imgur.com/2S2sLZH.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/1e1lkdj.jpg)
The Crows returned, making passes against the Wolverine, who launched a suicidal banzai charge against Starburst’s hulking King Crab.
Starburst flayed open the Wolverine’s center torso and right leg, but it was Melissa Lyle in her Shilone that capitalized on the damage, scoring engine and gyro hits and blowing the damaged leg off with her strafing run.
(https://i.imgur.com/6eAPrBA.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/nb4N9YK.jpg)
The final moments of the battle were almost heartbreaking. A single battered Firestarter, not designed for combat against other BattleMechs, with almost two full lances of heavy and assault BattleMechs pouring fire into it from all sides.
It took second by second replay of the battle ROMs later to determine that it was the autocannons of Starburst’s King Crab that scored the critical damage, blowing off the left arm, left torso and center torso in a single burst, even as a storm of lasers and missiles shredded the rest of the ‘Mech. In the end, all that remained intact was the head and left leg – every other location was torn to shreds.
AAR:
It was clear that the brutal victory against the fire base two weeks ago had aroused the fury of the Liao defenders. They weren’t likely to adhere to the rules of warfare against the mercenaries, and this one-sided slaughter would only reinforce that.
Luckily, the Brotherhood took only light damage to the King Crab, the rest of the unit functionally undamaged.
They took the Phoenix Hawk, Vindicator and Wolverine as salvage, with plans to strip out the Phoenix Hawk’s jump jets before selling it on. This earned the unit 8.8M C-Bills, comfortably pushing their reserves up once more.
Only one enemy pilot was confirmed KIA, and one more captured. The rest had managed to punch out and evade the unit’s post-battle sweep.
Captain Susanna ‘Starburst’ Nova claimed the Javelin and Firestarter as kills.
Lieutenant SG Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine claimed the Spider and Phoenix Hawk.
Corporal Svetlana ‘Ragu’ Ragozina claimed the Griffin and Vindicator.
Corporal James ‘Glaive’ Gundersen claimed the Locust.
Petty Officer Melissa Lyle claimed the Wolverine.
In the aftermath of the battle, the techs were more then busy repairing and reloading the unit’s Mech contingent but had everything squared away by the next week.
Given the success of their tactics the previous week, unit assignments remained the same.
Operation Blue Paladin – Week 6
The Wolverine remained crippled, but functional enough for training purposes. By now, the Cavalrymen were swarming towards the Iron Brotherhood’s AoO, and Nova’s Knights went out to meet them. They were reinforced by a new addition – Corporal Jack Euchre, a Liao defector who approached the FedCom invaders early in the invasion. MIIO had intensively vetted him but were leery of taking him on in the FedCom ranks and forwarded his dossier to the Iron Brotherhood. In desperate need for more skilled pilots, Albus agreed to take him on.
As it turned out, he was very skilled with the AC/10, and the small laser. And LRMs and SRMs. He was a crack shot with large lasers and machine guns. Whatever he turned his hand to, he seemed to have a natural aptitude in its use.
(https://i.imgur.com/wlCiZmY.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/CZZ5NT4.png)
Holy crap, the MechWarrior who showed up in the weekly check came with Natural Aptitude: Gunnery. Enjoy your template, EuchreJack.
Nova’s Knights would be facing a reinforced company of light and medium vehicles and ‘Mechs with enemy air support, but they weren’t worried. Kobayashi’s Crows would be in the skies above them.
(https://i.imgur.com/947Iyvz.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/KFgZPvv.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/3tiYb8s.png)
Corporal Thi Ba was the template for EuchreJack’s character. The downside of having a queue is that continuity errors can happen. It’ll be worked out in a few updates.
Victory Condition: Destroy 6 units Before Round 3, 8 units Before Round 8, and 10 units after Round 8 Destroy the enemy
Loss Condition: Lose 3 units before Round 5, or 4 units after Round 5 Die
(https://i.imgur.com/DxAV9Eo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/m3zA6Hk.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/c07Wp6y.jpg)
The two forces close on each other. One of the Liao VTOL pilots gets too excited trying to sideslip around to the south and loses control, sheering off his rotor against the ground. Another piloting a light hover tank dashes between the feet of EJ’s Stalker, while Glaive and Ragu are right there as well to help kick the intrepid tank to pieces.
Starburst and Ragu tear apart a Scorpion with their LRMs, with Ragu scoring the killing blow as hers touch off its fuel tank. Glaive kicks in the side of the J. Edgar at their feet, and Ragu scores her second kill as she kicks the crushed side of the tank and destroys its engine.
(https://i.imgur.com/aykCC9Q.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/1qDlECu.jpg)
A Lance of Locusts and Stingers facing an assault lance. Was the Liao family’s madness infectious?
EJ tagged the MechBuster as it flew by, the Liao Air Lance aborting their attack runs. Starburst kicked a Locust so hard it explodes, while Glaive misses his kick and falls, to his embarrassment.
(https://i.imgur.com/UycwvRj.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/NE45V5M.jpg)
EJ covers Glaive as he tries to regain his feet, while Ragu and Starburst push the rest of the Liao lance back.
EJ destroys the flanking Stinger in a flurry of SRMs and lasers, while Starburst shows the utter fury a King Crab can bring, coring the center torsos of a Locust and another Stinger simultaneously.
(https://i.imgur.com/sxwZlbN.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/qRaA7kh.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/mGsdIvc.jpg)
The MechBuster comes around slowly, ready to make a strafing run against the vulnerable backs of the Brotherhood ‘Mechs below. He’s so focused on his ground attack that he doesn’t notice the urgent beeping as his combat computer registers multiple target locks from the Shilones sweeping up to his left.
Meanwhile, Glaive is back on his feet, and the mercenaries move to mop up the remaining vehicles facing them.
EJ destroys another Scorpion, while Tengu and Lyle shatter the MechBuster, sending it out of control.
Morale Roll: Failed
The remaining Cavalrymen turn tail and flee in abject panic, and Starburst orders the unit to not pursue. While they could wipe out the Liao troops entirely, she wanted to hold the Iron Brotherhood to a higher standard than wholesale slaughter.
AAR:
The Knights were basically undamaged in the brief conflict – Nova’s King Crab had some minor laser and machine gun damage, and James had done some armor damage with his fall, but overall it wasn’t too serious.
They claimed the largely undamaged Peregrine Attack VTOL and the salvage of the J. Edgar and the remains of the light ‘Mech Lance. While none of the ‘Mechs were good for anything more then selling for salvage, Albus planned to keep the VTOL for later. Their salvage sold for 3.4M C-Bills.
Two of the Liao soldiers were KIA, and one was captured.
Captain Susanna ‘Starburst’ Nova claimed both Locusts and a Stinger.
Commander Ichiro ‘Tengu’ Kobayashi claimed an air kill against the MechBuster.
Corporal Svetlana ‘Ragu’ Ragozina claimed a Scorpion Light Tank.
Corporal Jack ‘EJ’ Euchre claimed the other Scorpion and the second Stinger.
Repairs were completed swiftly, and the Peregrine was mothballed for later.
Operation Blue Paladin – Week 7
The week opened with a bang, as an urgent message went out to the Iron Brotherhood. The 5th McCarron’s Armored Cavalry had managed to slip a MechWarrior through their lines to a long-hidden Star League cache. He was going to escape with a pristine Star League era ‘Mech, and that couldn’t be allowed.
Only one person was in place to stop him – Captain Susanna Nova. The only problem?
He was in a Pillager (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Pillager).
(https://i.imgur.com/1kksHt9.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ug5wbtY.jpg)
The two titans closed on each other, Starburst being careful to not give the Pillager too many opportunities with those Gauss Rifles.
(https://i.imgur.com/xTWHAf8.jpg)
Taking advantage of cover, she managed to get into point-blank range, where her autocannons were far more effective than its Gauss Rifles. Her autocannons roared, shattering tons of armor from the Pillager’s chest and left leg. A kick to that same leg still didn’t breach its armor fully, though only scraps were left to protect it. What it did manage was to drop the Pillager to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/wjaXmoO.jpg)
The Liao pilot managed to stumble to his feet, but Starburst couldn’t pass up the opportunity he gave her. She moved right behind his back and brought her autocannons in line. He turned just in time to take both bursts to the left arm, the Pillager taking the damage without losing the limb. The same couldn’t be said for his leg, as she deftly kicked it – yet it still held, the tough ‘Mech’s internal structure seeing it keep standing despite the massive damage inflicted to the limb.
Then it happened. As he tried to keep his ‘Mech’s balance, the Cavalryman stepped wrong. Horribly damaged and stressed from the kicks and autocannon fire, the leg snapped at the ankle, and the Pillager fell as the leg failed fully.
After that, it was only a matter of waiting a few moments before the Liao pilot knocked themselves unconscious.
AAR:
The Federated Commonwealth tried to claim the Pillager. It was theirs by right, they claimed. It brought the unit above its allowed salvage amount they ranted.
Starburst’s answer was simple: It was hers, and they were welcome to try to pry it from her ‘Mech’s claws.
Albus backed her claim to the ‘Mech, and in the end, the FedCom forces didn’t want to sour their relationship with the Iron Brotherhood enough to force the issue. The Pillager went to the techs, though it would be a while before it was functional, as they had to source a replacement leg after all the damage Susanna caused to it.
The week continued with heavy action, as the Iron Brotherhood made a major push against McCarron’s Armored Cavalry. On Wednesday, Nova’s Knights moved out to engage a mixed medium company with air support. Friday, Kaine’s Kings launched another recon ‘raid’, supported by Kobayashi’s Crows.
(https://i.imgur.com/JKjbBWK.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/MAnuGFF.png)
As stated before, we won’t see every battle this week. The Cache mission was small, but I’ll be showing the Recon Raid in full. After this mission, EuchreJack’s character will be correct.
The battle was hard fought, as the Liao resisted the Brotherhood’s attack despite the massive damage they were taking from the Brotherhood’s assault lance. In the end, the Brotherhood triumphed with heavy damage taken, but no casualties. James Gundersen’s Stalker would be down a Large Laser for the foreseeable future, barring salvaging one from an enemy unit.
Minimal salvage was taken, but this put the Brotherhood back in their employer’s good graces. For their part, the FedCom forces salvaged a heavily damaged but repairable Thunderbolt and had many conventional units to strip for salvage.
9 enemies were KIA, and 6 more captured.
On Friday, Kaine’s Kings launched another recon raid against the 5th McCarron’s Armored Cavalry.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZjdLWGF.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/R8gDMyO.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/7FwtiBV.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/ekeiWfm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/I0D0E8W.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/451pSmI.jpg)
While the Liao Hunchback and Crusader came forward to confront the Brotherhood, the Clint and Quickdraw hung back with their supporting infantry company. Vo flanked the Crusader, while Knave, Wind and their FedCom ally in a Javelin took on the Hunchback.
The Hunchback hit the ground as Knave and Wind battered it mercilessly, though it managed to score a few hits with its lasers against Knave’s Grasshopper.
(https://i.imgur.com/KdEJxZ3.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/p8LtFOT.jpg)
Having learned that he was a prime target, Knave ducked into the nearby forest – and it was a good thing, as the Crusader and Hunchback both charged after him.
Wind targeted the damaged Hunchback together with the Javelin. Their combined fire tore open its left side, the machine falling and knocking the pilot unconscious. His kick mangled the Crusader’s leg, destroying the SRM located there.
(https://i.imgur.com/PgizVAv.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/1OTNxl2.jpg)
The Cavalrymen outmaneuvered the mercenaries, the Quickdraw and Clint trying to trap Vo’s Phoenix Hawk between them, while the Crusader regained his feet under the guns of Knave and Wind.
Their shots knock the Crusader down again, and Wind stomps on the ‘Mechs chest to keep it down, the rattling knocking the pilot unconscious.
(https://i.imgur.com/xFQugjr.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/dkgc0Sg.jpg)
The Crows arrive and make their attack runs against the still-functional ‘Mechs. Knave and Wind move to support Vo, who is busy playing keep away from the Quickdraw that was grimly chasing her.
Tengu targets the Quickdraw, ordering Lyle to target the Clint. With his superior gunnery skill, he expects that his danger-close bombing run won’t hit Vo’s Phoenix Hawk.
The Clint manages to hit Lyle’s Shilone, the autocannon rounds damaging the Medium laser in her right wing. She repays its attack in spades, her bombs destroying his ‘Mech in a volley of explosions.
The Quickdraw survives Tengu’s run but loses an arm and with the rest of the machine much worse for wear.
(https://i.imgur.com/PwIt7bP.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/qUYqt0U.jpg)
Tengu pulls some serious G-forces as he punches his fighter back into the air, coming around in a tight circle to drop in behind the Liao air defenders. His greener wing mate flies more conservatively and can’t make the turn in time to take her shots. With three targets ahead of him, he takes shots at all three, devoting his LRMs to the strike fighter making a pass at Wind, a large and medium laser for the bomber, and the last medium laser for the other medium strike fighter.
In a display of skill, he hits all three of his targets, sending the Crane out of control and the Bomber into an uncontrolled spin that terminates in the ground below.
On the ground, the Hunchback pilot wakes up long enough to punch out, the Quickdraw likewise tries to withdraw, and the infantry scramble with three hostile ‘Mechs closing in on them.
(https://i.imgur.com/btoc30Z.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/LLHDCuz.jpg)
The Crane goes into an uncontrolled stall, spinning towards the ground as its pilot wrestles with the controls. The Defender II comes around for another pass but has both Shilones in hot pursuit. The Quickdraw manages to flee, while the Crusader returns to its feet, only for Wind to come back to finish it off. His accurate lasers touch off the LRM ammo in both right and left torso, and there isn’t much left of the ‘Mech once its massive ammunition stores are touched off.
(https://i.imgur.com/DjP0zqZ.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/v4XTHcS.jpg)
The pilot of the Crane manages to pull out of the stall at the last moment and tries to flee to the south. Tengu is off in pursuit of the Defender II, but Lyle has lagged behind. She pulls a tactically insane maneuver in most situations – she puts her Aerospace fighter into a hover, a sitting target... if there was anyone left capable of shooting at her. Instead, she lines up her shots on the fleeing Crane.
Despite the unit’s best efforts, the Crane manages to survive and flee, badly damaged. The infantry work was a grim reminder of how deadly ‘Mech scale machine guns are to normal men.
AAR:
Knave’s Grasshopper was lightly damaged, but aside from a damaged medium laser in the SL-17AC, the rest of the deployed units were unscathed.
The mercenaries claimed the salvage from the infantry units, the bomber and the Defender II. Their techs were interested in stripping out the advanced Artemis IV FCS from the fighter.
33 enemies were KIA, and 18 more captured.
Operation Blue Paladin – Week 8+
The following week was blissfully silent, allowing the techs time to catch up on their backlog of work. In gratitude for their work, the FedCom forces arranged to acquire a large laser and the jump jet for the Pillager, as well as some spare rounds for its gauss rifles.
Susanna moved into her new ride, James moved up to the King Crab, and Jack took over the STK-3F Stalker, allowing the stressed model to go into mothballs.
The morale of the 5th McCarron Armored Cavalry was now Very Low, and the mercenaries could spend some time recovering from combat.
The Iron Brotherhood rang in the New Year with a wild party as Liao morale continued its rock bottom placement. Their gear was fully repaired, and there was little to do besides quiet patrols.
January brought a few new recruits to the support side of the Brotherhood – Logan Cobbold, an Elite-ranked Transport Admin, and Darge Saghiri, a Veteran Doctor.
February continued the trend, the raid now converted more to a sedate garrison contract as the FedCom forces continued chasing the Liao defenders, well away from where the mercenaries operated. Albus purchased a Schreck PPC Carrier and Thumper Artillery Vehicle on auction, and MechWarriors started graduating from the training command, finally.
In February, Linda Vo was promoted to Lieutenant JG, and placed in charge of Linda’s Lancers, the unit’s scout lance.
The first of March brought news the unit was long expecting – the contract was over. While in their case, this only changed the results by a few days, they were pleased to take a small bonus from the FedCom commander before lifting off for Outreach.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 1
The Special Forces found a mixed company of militia forces consisting of light ‘Mechs, light, medium and heavy vehicles, a VTOL and two platoons of infantry, covered by a flight of conventional fighters. Guiding Nova’s Knights and Kaine’s Kings in, the two lances masqueraded as units of the 5th Free Worlds Legionnaires and concealed their weight and signatures.
Overconfident from the way they had pushed back the FWL troops, the militia moved to engage. Once they were close enough, the Iron Brotherhood ceased their attempt at concealment, and two lances of heavy and assault ‘Mechs moved to engage.
(https://i.imgur.com/SKPwyQg.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/iIxj1QC.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ir7hx2q.png)
Victory: Destroy 7 units before Turn 6, 8 units before Turn 8, or 11 units after Turn 8
Loss: Lose 5 units
(https://i.imgur.com/V2JrhDv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GS1biiV.jpg)
The Militia company clustered together and advanced cautiously towards the Knights, while the Knights and Kings both moved at a sprint to get into combat range.
(https://i.imgur.com/nub9A7X.jpg)
The first ranging shots are exchanged. The AC/5 shots of the militia go wide, but Starburst’s Gauss Rifles are fired for the first time in anger. While one misses, the other tears a Wasp’s leg off in a single shot.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZWwmAAW.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/f23IaTR.jpg)
The militia, startled at the long-ranged shots begin to scatter and fall back, but the Kings are curving in from the east to flank them and herd them back together.
Both units find their range and began exchanging long range shots. The Militia’s shots all miss, while the Warhammer, Zeus, Guillotine and Pillager all tag their targets. The only shot that does serious damage is the Pillager’s Gauss Rifles, repeating their feat of tearing Wasp legs off, dropping the second Wasp to the ground. Amazingly, the pilot manages to hop back to his single remaining foot in an amazing display of skill.
(https://i.imgur.com/78bZEAs.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/gWb1TK3.jpg)
Ragu takes the lead, plowing into the center of the militia’s formation. The SRM Carrier launches prematurely, 60 SRMs flying wide of their target and tearing up the landscape. The Brotherhood is much more on the mark, in short order destroying the SRM Carrier, a Drillson and a Scorpion, and disabling the AC/2 Carrier.
(https://i.imgur.com/0IDxvv4.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/7sGUive.jpg)
The Militia’s air support roars over the battle, one making a daring run against Starburst’s Pillager, the other two flying past without engaging... until the Meteor detects the infantry hiding in a copse of trees below.
The Brotherhood presses the attack, crowding towards the light vehicles still facing them, while EJ and Starburst deal out anti-air fire.
Disaster strikes the Special Forces. While taking cover in the forests well behind the area of combat, one of the fighters drops a full load of HE Bombs on their position. Despite the cover of woods and their armor, they are wiped out entirely in the cataclysmic explosions.
EJ takes revenge for them, his LRMs and Large Lasers carving deep into the Meteor’s airframe and sending it crashing to the ground in flames. Starburst downs the Medium Strike Fighter that made a strafing run against her, while the Grasshopper and King Crab destroy a pair of Vedettes and their FWL ally finishes the damaged Wasp that managed to remain on its feet to the last.
The Militia requests withdrawal, and the Brotherhood acknowledges them, standing down.
AAR:
While the Brotherhood’s ‘Mechs took little to no damage, the bombing run against the Special Forces was a different deal. 9 were killed outright, and the other 21 all needed medical attention. Only 5 came away with minimal injuries, and it was likely the squad would be out of commission for quite a while.
The Brotherhood claimed the salvage of the Wasps, the Drillson, Vedette, AC/2 Carrier and the Kaiseradler for sale.
They lost 7 KIA, and 6 captured.
Captain Susanna ‘Starburst’ Nova claimed a Wasp, the AC/2 Carrier and the Kaiseradler as kills.
Lieutenant SG Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine claimed a Vedette.
Sergeant Matt ‘Wind’ Fischer claimed the Drillson.
Corporal Jack ‘EJ’ Euchre claimed the Scorpion and the Meteor.
Corporal Svetlana ‘Ragu’ Ragozina claimed the SRM Carrier.
Corporal James ‘Glaive’ Gundersen claimed the other Vedette.
Analysis:
This was sort of my fault. I honestly thought that the infantry was far enough back to be safe from bombing runs, but it turns out I was wrong. I also found out that infantry, despite having lasers with the reach of large lasers, aren’t allowed to fire on air targets. This is all sorts of stupid, but I can’t fix basic programming things like that, but it is good to know.
The Brotherhood’s expanded technical teams proved their worth, fixing the battle damage within a day. The medics also went to work, dividing the workload and sending the most serious cases to their veteran doctor. Two of the survivors would be forced to retire, having lost limbs in the line of duty, but even those who didn’t lose limbs were grievously hurt, such as Private Lunette Rolland, who had both her legs broken when a tree was shattered by the bombs and fell on her.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 2
The coming week was quiet, allowing the wounded to recover. Alex Yi transferred four graduates from the infantry training program to the Special Forces, bringing their active number to 10 and allowing them to operate as a pair of squads for the next week.
Mildred Thomas graduated from the Training Command and joined Persaud, bringing her AeroSpace lance active as well.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 3
Despite continued patrols, things remain quiet, the Militia giving the Brotherhood a wide berth after their last encounter.
More infantry recovers, and the Special Forces are above 50% strength again.
For the coming week, the Special Forces are on picket duty. Persaud’s Sparrows are on Air Superiority, and Kobayashi’s Crows are on Ground Support.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 4
The infantry picket and the air support missions didn’t pan out, but Lieutenant Persaud pulled through in gaining air superiority, driving off several sorties as her flight used their superior speed and aerospace capabilities to deal with the conventional fighters the militia was operating.
This allowed the Brotherhood to go through with an operation, the Legionnaires offering one of their Union-class DropShips to bring Nova’s Knights to where they could strike a command element of the Militia, two lances of medium and heavy vehicles and ‘Mechs.
The day before the mission was to go off, Hovi’s Hailstorm discovered a group of spies trying to exfiltrate from the Brotherhood’s area of operation. With only a Legionnaire Phoenix Hawk in support, they would need to ward off a heavy lance of ‘Mechs and Vehicles, with air support and a Medium lance moving in as well.
(https://i.imgur.com/zDxmG8G.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/f3aYaAa.png)
The battle was hard fought, as the militia pressed the attack against the Brotherhood. The brave crew of the Partisan were all killed before the vehicle was detonated by a fuel explosion, and there was little to salvage from the SRM Carrier. The crew of the field guns were likewise slaughtered, though the survivors stayed in the fight to the end.
However, the Brotherhood was victorious, taking down the spies, destroying the Thunderbolt and crippling the Manticore.
19 of the Brotherhood were KIA, 10 seriously wounded, and 8 moderately wounded.
The Brotherhood claimed the Manticore as salvage. Together with the Schreck in storage, it would allow Hovi’s lance to be returned to full strength. Kincaide quietly lured away some of the Legionnaires support elements with the promise of higher pay to crew the Schreck and fill the empty slot in the Manticore.
2 of the Militia forces were killed, and 4 more captured.
Analysis:
I had missed a rule, but the jump infantry’s attacks were heavily penalized for being understrength. Hopefully more will soon graduate from the training command.
The field guns were fairly effective until they got a pile of SRMs to the face, but that’s always the problem with field guns. The SRM Carrier did a good job hanging back, but eventually its support (the Partisan) was blown up, and it was simply the target with the easiest to hit number.
The next day, Nova’s Knights deployed in the back lines of the militia on a head-hunting mission to kill or capture a battalion commander in his Marauder, supported by two lances of heavy and medium vehicles and a Phoenix Hawk.
(https://i.imgur.com/pzOFEeA.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/HauH1PJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/lrJj1fy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pNEAynM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eeOxymo.jpg)
After the Union landed, the Knights deployed down its ramps and began to hurry to meet the Militia forces. The Militia likewise moved to engage, but both forces remained outside each other’s effective ranges.
(https://i.imgur.com/FUtgC6i.jpg)
Both units enter range and the first long range shots strike home, Starburst hammering a Gauss slug into the center torso of the Phoenix Hawk, while EJ peppers the Marauder with LRMs.
(https://i.imgur.com/kKGnLvx.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/rkjxzax.jpg)
The Militia begins to cluster together against the oncoming assault lance they were facing. Ragu and Glaive move ahead to engage, with Starburst and EJ bringing up the rear.
(https://i.imgur.com/I8SMlRI.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/QwPoq8f.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/62rJsWH.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/dwVFxhQ.jpg)
Emboldened by the arrival of their air support, the militia pushed into close combat with the Kings. This cost the Militia forces one of their Laser Carriers, crushed by EJ’s Stalker, and the Phoenix Hawk went down as Glaive kicked it over.
(https://i.imgur.com/kmd8DbQ.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/iwUbtCR.jpg)
The Phoenix Hawk manages to stand again but remains too close to Glaive’s King Crab. Meanwhile, the militia Major attempts to slip past the Kings, but EJ and Ragu are quick to turn to face him.
(https://i.imgur.com/U04e5kB.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/FIZggzs.jpg)
The militia misidentifies Glaive’s King Crab as the command ‘Mech and focus all of their efforts on him. He goes down under the fusillade of fire from all sides but manages to regain his feet and stay in the fight.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ie6t3Pf.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/45YTBZj.jpg)
Glaive’s King Crab is down for the count, its gyro shot to pieces. The remaining militia tanks swarm in, trying to account for at least one ‘Mech kill. However, their commander is down and unconscious after EJ kicks his Marauder’s leg off, and the Kings focus on the remaining tanks.
The remaining tanks are destroyed, but not without exacting their price, the Rommel’s heavy autocannon destroying the left side of EJ’s Stalker.
AAR:
It will be up to the skill of the Techs to see if the Knights will be combat effective the coming week. Both the King Crab and Stalker are crippled by damage, while the Zeus and Pillager are relatively unscathed.
James suffered moderate injuries in the battle, but the rest of the lance is fine.
The Iron Brotherhood claimed the damaged Phoenix Hawk and Marauder, and the salvage from a laser carrier, the Manticore and the Rommel.
11 militia were killed, and 4 more captured. They turned over the pilot of the Marauder to the League for debriefing.
Susanna Nova claimed the Bulldog, a Laser Carrier, the Manticore and the Pike Support Vehicle.
James claimed the Phoenix Hawk.
Jack Euchre claimed the other Laser Carrier and the Marauder.
Svetlana Ragozina claimed the Rommel.
Nova’s Knights were still down for repairs at the end of the week. The damaged Gyro in the King Crab proved too difficult to fix, as did the side torso of the Stalker. Captain Nova pulled her lance off duty and brought in Linda’s Lancers for the coming week.
With Air Superiority, both fighter lances were set to ground support, and the special forces were on Picket duty.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 5
Kobayashi’s Crows fly in support of Kaine’s Kings this week, while the Sparrows’ air superiority prevents them from taking damage this week.
The Special Forces’ picket fails as they encounter a militia Firestarter. Of the 19 members, only two survived the encounter, and the traumatized survivors are folded into the field guns unit.
Wednesday is the 1st of September. Militia morale remains High, but September brings another wave of reinforcements to aid the assault.
A few surprising designs came up for purchase on the mercenary auction market. Albus passed over purchasing one of a pair of original model Black Knights – while advanced technology, the only examples in the design were an active probe (useless if no one has advanced ECM suites), and the irreplaceable endo-steel chassis.
The Brotherhood did buy a RPR-100b Rapier (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Rapier), an extremely rare Royal variant of this heavy design. Swift enough to keep up with the Shilones, it joined the Crows as Commander Kobayashi’s fighter.
The next day, Linda’s Lancers drew their first mission, breaking the Militia lines ahead of a Marik assault.
The only problem was that a heavy ‘Mech lance was holding that part of the lines.
(https://i.imgur.com/GCN9SIj.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/coCHX9D.png)
To understand how unlucky they are to pull this sort of mission, the lance is considered Light at the moment. They had a 20% chance of drawing a heavy lance as the opposition, a 17% chance to draw a pure ‘Mech lance, and 33% chance to draw a medium and three heavies. The only way the results could have been worse is if they pulled 4 heavies, or 3 heavies and an assault.
This is also why I run heavy lances, the mismatches aren’t nearly as bad.
The battle went about as well as you could expect, matching the medium lance with its regular pilots against a heavy lance with two elites. Linda’s Phoenix Hawk was crippled, and the Griffin torn apart by an ammunition explosion. Their liaison was killed when his cockpit was destroyed. Luckily the militia honored their request to withdraw, and they recovered Jami from the battlefield.
The one bright spark was that they managed to destroy a Militia Enforcer in the exchange.
After the battle, Albus purchased a GRF-1N Griffin to replace the destroyed model. It was delivered alongside the Rapier, which Ichiro gleefully took possession of.
He got his chance to try it in action a few days later, as Kaine’s Kings dug in to defend a fortress city against an advancing company of militia forces. Centering on a medium lance of Griffins, with support from two lances of light tanks and ‘Mechs.
Unlike Linda’s ill-fated battle a few days previously, the terrain favors the Brotherhood this time, their jump jets and superior mass allowing them to both pick their battles and punish the lighter militia forces if they get too close.
(https://i.imgur.com/Zn86vAH.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/XotIxCh.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/8hvpf6A.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/nkAfGzr.jpg)
The Brotherhood advanced from the west, while the assaulting Militia moved up from the east.
(https://i.imgur.com/yMS3hRi.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/m6f7rka.jpg)
The two forces made contact. While the Warhammer hung back to snipe with its PPCs, Wind and Knave tried to swat a Warrior helicopter harassing them.
(https://i.imgur.com/jfe5aJj.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/9zhTCGU.jpg)
A Saracen presses the Warhammer, while the main thrust of the militia advance is met by Wind and Knave, who take the fight to the Javelin and Phoenix Hawk leading it.
(https://i.imgur.com/PY8rmN0.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/k8Emhef.jpg)
The brawl continues to swirl. While the Brotherhood is dealing out a lot of damage, they aren’t managing to drop any of their opponents yet, and the damage they’re taking in return is starting to tell.
(https://i.imgur.com/8PJQErN.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/quB6slS.jpg)
The air support arrives, but their flight path is restricted by the city’s towering skyscrapers. They flash by down the main avenue, eager to put a dent in the Militia’s attack.
Their runs are devastating, the Shilone’s bombs wiping out the Panther and a Hunter at its feet. Tengu forgoes his bombs for the moment, letting his large pulse laser and autocannon rip apart the Phoenix Hawk underneath his fighter.
Knave’s Grasshopper goes down, victim of a gyro hit, and the militia’s reinforcements arrive to join the battle.
(https://i.imgur.com/65EbOWa.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/VnmkeH1.jpg)
The Militia’s air support makes their own runs, scattering mines all over Wind’s position. Meanwhile, Knave is busy punishing one of the Griffins, bringing it to the ground with his heavy fire.
(https://i.imgur.com/e1FGwrf.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/isBeh6j.jpg)
The battle continues to go against the Brotherhood. Knave’s Grasshopper has taken two engine hits and a gyro hit, and he jumps to safety, but fails to land correctly. Wind is still in the fight, but almost on his own, while the Warhammer is trying to vent heat after being struck with multiple inferno bombs.
(https://i.imgur.com/1v8mOzC.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/emsWAZD.jpg)
While the air support dog fights above the city, the Brotherhood continues to brawl with the militia forces.
(https://i.imgur.com/il077yt.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/aMZxBWJ.jpg)
One of the Defenders is shot down, but the Meteor cores out Knave’s Grasshopper. Wind goes on a rampage after his friend’s ‘Mech goes down, taking down a Griffin and closing in on a second.
(https://i.imgur.com/HGMiSM4.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/GHsscIe.jpg)
With their last Griffin down, the Militia forces break and begin falling back. A few shots are exchanged as the forces break apart, but the battered Brotherhood is in no condition to counterattack.
AAR:
The Grasshopper is only good for salvage, with its center torso, engine and gyro all shredded. The Guillotine and Warhammer both took moderate damage, but no penetrating hits.
Billy Kaine was moderately injured, but in good spirits.
The Brotherhood claimed all the salvage except for one of the Griffins, looking to refill their coffers.
6 of the militia were KIA, and one captured.
Commander Ichiro Kobayashi claimed the Phoenix Hawk as a kill.
Petty Officer Melissa Lyle claimed the Hunter, Panther and Medium Strike Fighter as kills.
Sergeant Matt Fischer claimed the three Griffins and a Vedette AC/2.
Corporal Baira claimed the J. Edgar, Saracen and Meteor Heavy Strike Fighter.
The Marauder, just in mothballs, is quickly reactivated and assigned to Billy. By Sunday, most of the damage is squared away. The Stalker is missing a LRM bin, and the Phoenix Hawk is missing a large laser that none of their salvage has been able to replace yet.
With the Special Forces wiped out, the Swallows fly air superiority, while the Crows fly air support once again.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 6
The Sparrows face stiff opposition from the militia forces and take damage from several skirmishes, though nothing bad enough to down one of them. The Crows fly in support of the Legionnaires, halting a militia advance.
A pitched battle is fought between the Legionnaires and the Militia, and the Marik forces break the militia lines. Two mixed companies of militia forces fall back in disarray, and the Iron Brotherhood is tasked with running them down and destroying as many as possible. Nova’s Knights and Linda’s Lancers find the trail and take up pursuit.
(https://i.imgur.com/rix6qho.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/zHX6UAQ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Mqs2uhR.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/0JPmRUy.jpg)
Vo and the FWL Phoenix Hawk are the first to arrive. Vo’s ‘Mech is still down its Large Laser, so she closes to melee range with a Stinger and a militia Phoenix Hawk. Her kick nearly removes the Stinger’s leg, while the militia Phoenix Hawk flubs its kick and falls.
(https://i.imgur.com/ESsZYMy.jpg)
The militia Phoenix Hawk knocks himself out, and the rest of the Lancers arrive, brawling with the slower ‘Mech assets of the Militia.
(https://i.imgur.com/fqLId2C.jpg)
Vo chases down and destroys the Stinger, while the Griffin and Dervish continue to skirmish with the militia forces.
<<4>>
Starburst arrives in her Pillager and sets in with her Gauss Rifles. The Brotherhood has cut across the stream of militia forces coming through this area, and it’s a chaotic brawl now.
(https://i.imgur.com/KfoJ55n.jpg)
The last of the Knights arrive, and now its a scramble to try to down enough Militia before they flee the area.
I stopped taking screenshots around here. It wasn’t very interesting because the AI is running away, and you’re running after them. There’s little maneuvering or tactics involved.
The brawl raged through the central districts of the city, too chaotic to follow properly. While EJ held the left flank with his Stalker, the rest of the Knights moved down the central boulevard, chasing the defenders with their long-range weapons.
Linda’s Lancers jumped ahead to pin down the Militia forces but paid a high price for doing so. Linda was forced to punch out of her crippled Phoenix Hawk, and the Dervish suffered multiple engine, gyro and jump jet hits that crippled it as well.
In the end, 18 Militia units were destroyed, paid for by the life of the League pilot who had joined the Brotherhood in the battle.
AAR:
The King Crab and Pillager took light armor damage, while the Phoenix Hawk lost a leg, arm and left torso. As mentioned above, the Dervish is likewise out of the running for a while.
The only notable salvage claimed by the Brotherhood was the remains of the Militia Phoenix Hawk, with a still working Large Laser. The rest was sold as salvage.
The Militia had 15 KIA, and 11 more captured.
Captain Susanna Nova claimed a Scorpion, Packrat, Foot Platoon, Karnov and a rare Hatchetman as kills.
Lieutenant JG Linda Vo claimed a Wasp and a Stinger.
Corporal Jack Euchre claimed a LRM Carrier, AC/2 Carrier, MSF Defender and Drillson hovertank.
Corporal Svetlana Ragozina claimed a Packrat.
Corporal James Gundersen claimed a Scorpion, HSF Meteor and the HALO Squad.
Corporal Gani Leminoke claimed the Phoenix Hawk.
Corporal Jami Sonnborn claimed the Rommel tank.
Sunday was just the next day, but the technical teams worked around the clock, getting the Knights back up and running. Only Linda’s Phoenix Hawk was still down – her new Phoenix Hawk, that is. The captured Militia one was in better condition, so they consigned her original ‘Mech to the scrappers and started working on fixing up the new model.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 7-9
Other units were assigned to push the Militia, giving the Iron Brotherhood a chance to recover. By the middle of the first week, all ‘Mechs were once again fully operational.
Friday of the third week marked the 1st of October. Enemy morale was now Normal as the League forces began to push back against the Militia offensive.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 10
The Iron Brotherhood scrambled to defend a downed Marik Excalibur DropShip, which had the misfortune to land near a militia firebase. The firebase would need to be cleared, but a Militia ‘Mech company was operating in the area, supported by a lance of vehicles. Kaine’s Kings were first on site, with Linda’s Lancers and Kobayashi’s Crows in support.
(https://i.imgur.com/25HTFbp.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/W6I01jj.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Q9zQuBE.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/geY9Fsx.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/I75UB61.jpg)
Kaine’s Kings are hot dropped near the DropShip, just south of the firebase. The defenders scramble to respond, falling back and clustering together. Perhaps they aren’t aware that the Excalibur isn’t that heavily armed, or they aren’t taking any chances.
(https://i.imgur.com/QW0ibdR.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/uBw0UaD.jpg)
Baira kills the crew of the nearby AC/5 turret, and the DropShip’s LRMs batter an Ostscout, which scrambles into cover. So far, the militia isn’t too keen to advance, and the Brotherhood is keeping its distance while waiting for reinforcements.
(https://i.imgur.com/7FiEfF1.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/LeXHp36.jpg)
The DropShip gunners hit on an ingenious tactic. Unable to target the light ‘Mechs hiding on top of the buildings, they instead pounded the building with fire, causing the suddenly unstable structure to collapse under the ‘Mech’s weight, burying it in rubble. While the Stinger in question managed to claw its way free, it made the militia abandon the buildings and move to engage.
(https://i.imgur.com/M6rpOMP.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/ZE4Kzgz.jpg)
They repeat their tactic on a Javelin, while Baira puts two PPC blasts through the damaged side of the Stinger, destroying it entirely.
(https://i.imgur.com/MSoldcX.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/maTxGTh.jpg)
The Lancers and Crows arrive, the Crows making level bombing runs against the Militia positions, while the Lancers move up to support the Kings.
(https://i.imgur.com/QKmSOTD.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/nXF3zmr.jpg)
The bombing runs pound two militia mechs and wipe out a platoon of infantry, the League Hunchback downs the Wolfhound, and the Excalibur continues its campaign of leveling the firebase, damaging the gyro of a Wasp by dropping it to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/TeezFYQ.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/JHhz3N4.jpg)
The reinforcing lance of Militia forces move up from the north, but overall the Brotherhood is pushing them back, dealing out far more damage to the militia then they’re taking.
(https://i.imgur.com/XCCDtmD.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/9vcZQvG.jpg)
The Ostscout goes down to Wind’s Guillotine, and Knave is busy beating another Griffin to death while making obscene weapon pod gestures.
(https://i.imgur.com/mTPWr93.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/OPuKRU9.jpg)
Tengu returns for his next pass, focusing on air superiority. Meanwhile, the Brotherhood is getting the drop on the militia, setting up several attacks from behind.
(https://i.imgur.com/44XPi5j.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Y4HGzye.jpg)
The militia forces are broken, the Brotherhood has air superiority and the majority of the militia’s ‘Mechs are down or badly damaged.
AAR:
With the Militia driven off, the Excalibur was repaired, and the Brotherhood hitched a ride back to friendly lines with it.
The Guillotine was badly damaged with some penetrating damage, and the Warhammer was moderately damaged – while nothing penetrated, there wasn’t an undamaged location on the ‘Mech.
Baira was moderately hurt after his cockpit was bathed with flamers twice, but the rest of the unit was uninjured.
13 militia were KIA, and 10 captured.
Commander Ichiro Kobayashi claimed the Guardian Fighter.
Lieutenant SG Billy Kaine claimed the Javelin and Griffin.
Lieutenant JG Linda Vo claimed a Firestarter.
Sergeant Matt Fischer claimed a Firestarter and the Ostscout.
Petty Officer Melissa Lyle claimed the motorized heavy infantry.
Corporal Jami Sonnborn claimed a Stinger
Corporal Baira claimed the AC/5 turret and another Stinger.
The next day, Susanna Nova was ambushed by three Militia assault ‘Mechs while moving to the aid of a group of civilians fleeing the fighting.
The poor militia never knew what hit them.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZzXPVE5.png)
Her first shot with a Gauss Rifle took the head off the Zeus.
She then tore the leg off the Victor with sustained fire with laughable ease.
Susanna almost seemed to enjoy hunting down the Stalker as it tried to fall back and kicking it to pieces.
The Iron Brotherhood was well rewarded for their vicious defense of the civilians, receiving access to several parts. One of the civilians turned out to be an AeroSpace pilot who was on leave. He joined the unit out of gratitude for their saving his family, bringing the Crows up to full strength.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 11
A quiet week, the mercenaries prepared for another large push to try to get the stalled invasion back on track again.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 12
The Iron Brotherhood takes in a unit of mechanized infantry from another shattered command. They are somewhat surprised when their unit is pulled apart and used to reinforce the Brotherhood’s own infantry platoons.
After the reinforcements, the Field Guns are at full strength, and the Jump Troops are at 29 of 30 men. The Special Forces are only at 9 of 30 and aren’t ready for duty yet.
The week passed uneventfully until Sunday, when the Brotherhood was jolted awake by alarms. The Militia were making a dawn raid into their area of operation. Hovi’s Hailstorm was closest to the raiders and moved to engage, supported by Linda’s Lancers and Kobayashi’s Crows in ground support.
(https://i.imgur.com/559t4EJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/UkVVryB.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/uHnjnEL.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/db9cj13.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/tEHagn1.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/HfStLYC.jpg)
The militia forces approached from the North. The Field Guns were dug in in a heavy building on the west flank, supported by the Schreck. The center was held by the jump infantry, the Devastator and the Behemoth. The east flank was held by a League Hermes II and the Manticore.
(https://i.imgur.com/AiQccp8.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Q2Ct2NA.jpg)
The field guns wiped out a squad of militia troops dropped off by the Ferret as a flanking attempt, and the Behemoth knocked down an Enforcer, though it was quickly back on its feet. The Militia pressed the attack, and the Brotherhood gave ground to avoid being swarmed over.
(https://i.imgur.com/wS8lMgq.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/uQu7ryK.jpg)
The Jump Infantry plant explosives on the leg of a Javelin but fail to cripple it. The Devastator is on its last legs, facing too many enemies and not managing to destroy any. Reinforcements are needed badly, but they aren’t going to be there in time.
The militia’s air support arrives first, and predictably, the two Meteors make a beeline for the field guns. The gunners fire a defiant last volley as the bombs begin to fall.
(https://i.imgur.com/zA3jgEt.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/W8i5M88.jpg)
The Field Guns survive the bombing run and the collapse of the building they were in and start falling back to set up a new position. The militia concentrates on trying to knock out the tough assault tanks that are holding up their advance, taking fire from the Manticore and Schreck as they do.
(https://i.imgur.com/quItwQo.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/0n7RU2t.jpg)
The Brotherhood’s own air support arrives and swiftly targets three of the militia ‘Mechs. Linda’s Lancers arrives and supports the flanks. In the center, the Behemoth is immobile but has fought off most of its attackers, and the Behemoth is falling back, front armor in tatters.
(https://i.imgur.com/QdGN6I4.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/9IM1ncF.jpg)
The bombing runs are devastating, wiping out an Enforcer and a Wasp. The Behemoth’s guns account for another Wasp, and the damaged Blackjack and another damaged Enforcer flee the battlefield.
Four Militia tanks arrive to reinforce the faltering raid, and the fighting continues to rage.
(https://i.imgur.com/MLYZIt1.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/OHH3j8S.jpg)
A Javelin’s SRMs destroy the Devastator’s engine, even as its cannons rip the light ‘Mech apart. The crew bails out before their vehicle can be further savaged, taking cover in a nearby building. In the west, the Lancers are harrying a Griffin, supported by the Schreck.
(https://i.imgur.com/eXsxIa0.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/fstMZSW.jpg)
The Griffin continues to flee from the Lancers, and blunders into the Behemoth’s guns – almost literally. Meanwhile on the east flank, the Dervish continues to batter a Valkyrie, even as the militia vehicles attempt to support it.
With the Brotherhood’s fighters sighted on the horizon, the Militia breaks and falls back in defeat.
AAR:
Damage was heavy to Hovi’s Hailstorm, with both assault tanks crippled and heavy losses to both infantry units.
The Brotherhood had 8 KIA, and 32 critically injured.
The Militia had 6 KIA, and 7 captured.
The Brotherhood keeps a crippled Enforcer as a spare for the Lancers. By the end of the day, the techs had worked miracles, and most of the battle damage was repaired, leaving the Hailstorm ready to continue their defensive duties the coming week.
For the coming week, the Sparrows are on ground support, and the Crows conduct a daring deep strike on militia command facilities.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 13
The Crow’s strike succeeds, disrupting the militia and killing several senior officers.
Belmiro Larcher graduates from the training command and joins the Lancers, and Mojca MacCurtin graduates as well, joining the Sparrows.
The fallout of the attack ripples through the militia lines, and several units break and fall back in disorder. The Brotherhood is swift to capitalize on this, launching into a pursuit of the militia forces.
On the 29th, Nova’s Knights, Kaine’s Kings and Persuad’s Sparrows brings the militia to battle.
(https://i.imgur.com/ylRjc31.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/3ZDZYxV.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/MMYMijZ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/M5uKm7S.png)
Sorry, no screenshots for this one. I find these don’t really make for compelling battles, though they are good for XP gains.
It was hard to call it a battle. The militia forces were disorganized and demoralized. Their panic was evident by the clumsy piloting that led to the destruction of a Savannah Master and two helicopters. It only grew worse as the Iron Brotherhood streamed onto the battlefield, savaging their ranks. The repeated air strikes from the Sparrows, the long ranged fire from the Stalker, Pillager, Zeus and Warhammer... it was too much for them.
In the end, of the 32 units deployed by the militia, 27 were destroyed.
AAR:
The Iron Brotherhood took no real damage from the fight, only armor and ammunition needed repairs or replenishment.
17 militia were KIA, another 10 were captured.
Captain Susanna ‘ Starburst’ Nova claimed a Scorpion, Packrat, Stinger, Vedette, Wasp, Valkyrie and MSF Defender.
Lieutenant SG Billy ‘Knave’ Kaine claimed a Hunter, with a fair amount of grumbling about kill-stealing Stalkers.
Sergeant Matt ‘Wind’ Fischer claimed two Strikers, a Darter and the Phoenix Hawk.
Petty Officer Mildred Thomas claimed a Galleon and a Medium Strike Fighter Defender
Corporal Svetlana ‘Ragu’ Ragozina claimed the Commando and the Foot Platoon.
Corporal Baira Meenakshisundaram claimed a Wasp and an Ostscout.
Corporal Jack ‘EJ’ Euchre claimed a Striker, two Vedettes, a Scorpion and the last MSF Defender.
In the aftermath of the battle, Matt Fischer finally achieved Elite status, and a promotion to Master Sergeant.
Svetlana Ragozina achieved Veteran status and was promoted to Sergeant.
Operation Bronze Eyes – Week 14 to Finale
The following week marked the last month of the contract. Militia morale was Very Low, meaning the unit could expect to spend the last month in relative peace and quiet.
The rest of the contract passed in peace and quiet. Before the end of the contract, the unit cashed in its bonus parts with the Marik forces. When they were told they could choose anything, the Marik command should have specified a bit clearer. He had to use a number of favors to find what the Iron Brotherhood wanted, but in the end he succeeded.
The unit walked away with a Command Console cockpit, two LB-10X autocannons, an Ultra AC/5, and two ER Large Lasers.
With the end of the contract, three of the vehicle gunners retired, having had enough of near-death experiences every time the Hailstorm had gone into battle. Four of the infantry were given a medical retirement, having lost limbs in combat.
The Iron Brotherhood took ship back to Outreach to rest, reorganize, and look for a new contract. They returned 50 million C-Bills richer then they left, the rewards of a hard-fought campaign.
Operation Eclipse – Week 1
The initial landing went smoothly, and the Iron Brotherhood had a few days to get set up and plan their next moves. An early target was identified – a militia company operating in the area. Albus devised a simple operation to remove the threat before they could discover the location of the Brotherhood’s base on planet.
Using the Knights, Kings and Lancers to close in on the militia from three directions, he herded them into the waiting guns of Hovi’s Hailstorm. The operation succeeded, though once Lance managed to slip out of the encircling net, but the other two were trapped.
As the net closed in on them, the remaining two lances frantically tried to fight their way past the entrenched Hailstorm, with the Kings closing in rapidly from behind, supported from the air by the Crows.
Once they realized the threat their companions were facing, the remaining PDF lance raced to rescue their companions.
(https://i.imgur.com/5qLRKAc.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/25PIvYd.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/2hFNfq1.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Gosj0v3.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/7IfjgTP.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/CZ4MMFu.jpg)
The Liao forces try to group up and slip past the Hailstorm on their west flank, but the assault tanks are moving to put a stop to that, supported by the Jump Infantry.
(https://i.imgur.com/GiTIGo2.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/BOjBHcQ.jpg)
The first Liao ‘Mechs break from cover, straight into the waiting guns of the Hailstorm.
(https://i.imgur.com/Nj8CgfA.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/h7sCKVR.jpg)
The VTOL and Saracen start slipping past but are engaged by the Manticore and the field guns. Meanwhile, the Jump Infantry attempt to kneecap the Grasshopper.
(https://i.imgur.com/tONOIdt.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/P3pZUZX.jpg)
The Manticore’s SRMs tear apart the Saracen, but the PDF forces are starting to slip the net.
(https://i.imgur.com/Zbb6c0k.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/jQHRLeH.jpg)
The Devastator savages the Warhammer together with the FedCom Griffin, and it loses both arms, hampering its ability to regain its feet. The Stalker is still standing but has lost most of its armor.
Meanwhile, the Field Guns down the VTOL, and the Manticore is pounding the Grasshopper trying to run.
(https://i.imgur.com/uF1mc1E.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Yyok4FM.jpg)
The Warhammer pilot punches out after the Devastator rips its leg off, and the Stalker makes a clumsy run to the south, though its chances of making it are about zero with the Behemoth still pounding it.
The PDF reinforcements arrive, and the air units are angling to hit the field guns, which begin anti-air fire.
(https://i.imgur.com/4c4QZuJ.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/5mN9nup.jpg)
The Behemoth is destroyed but does critical damage to the Stalker in return. In the end, it is the Jump Infantry that take the kill, their massed fire through the rents in the Stalker’s side armor touching off its SRM stores.
The Brotherhood’s reinforcements arrive, and while Knave deals with the Hetzer, the others move south to engage the reinforcements.
(https://i.imgur.com/KQoPnlD.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/1arkjuP.jpg)
Tengu’s run takes off the Grasshopper’s leg, and the pilot ejects. The last surviving ‘Mech is running hard for the south, screened by the company’s light lance.
(https://i.imgur.com/5x6Cfci.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/CsR9Nq5.jpg)
The Liao light lance valiantly tries to extract anything from the ambush, and the Brotherhood tries to close the trap fully and wipe out the last survivors.
(https://i.imgur.com/JKzNkEn.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/NhLdsuM.jpg)
The Ostroc is close to escaping, but will the Liao be trading a light lance for a single heavy ‘Mech?
(https://i.imgur.com/P2zY7DR.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/AsDWXz4.jpg)
No, they wouldn’t be saving anything this day, even themselves. The bombs of the Shilones destroyed the Locust and Ostroc, the Guillotine destroyed the Stinger and the Manticore destroyed the last hovertank.
AAR:
The Iron Brotherhood struck hard in their first engagement, wiping out the militia company entirely for the loss of the Behemoth, and heavy damage to the Manticore and Devastator.
They lost two KIA, three seriously wounded and two lightly wounded in the fighting and salvaged the Grasshopper as the reserve ‘Mech for Kaine’s Kings.
The PDF suffered 7 KIA and 2 captured.
Captain Seija Hovi of the Devastator claimed the Warhammer as a kill.
Commander Ichiro Kobayashi claimed the Grasshopper and Vedette as kills.
Lieutenant JG Basuki Burtick of the Manticore claimed the Saracen and Scimitar hover tanks as kills.
Liutenant JG Mikko Kimmonen claimed the Peregrine Attack VTOL and a Crane Medium Strike Fighter as kills.
Lieutenant JG Aldona Barycz of the Jump Infantry claimed the STK-4P Stalker as a kill.
Master Sergeant Matt Fischer claimed the Stinger.
Corporal Baira claimed the Boeing Jump Bomber and the other Crane.
Petty Officer Howard Serrano claimed the Ostroc.
Petty Officer Melissa Lyle claimed the Locust.
Operation Eclipse – Week 2
Repairs were complete by Monday of the next week. The unit also arranged an exchange with the Raiders, letting Corporal Gani Leminoke join the FedCom unit with his Dervish, and gaining the Veteran-skilled Nourreddine O’Mullery with his identical Dervish in exchange.
Privately, Major Kincaide warned the Colonel of the Raiders about Gani’s likely origins, but his concerns were dismissed.
Thursday was the first of June, and PDF morale remained Normal.
The unit purchased a Partisan Heavy Tank as a partial replacement for the scrapped Behemoth, and then Ichiro noticed an unknown listing for an auction for an Ironsides. A IRN-SD1b Ironsides (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Ironsides) to be exact, the uncommon Royal version of the design. With the funds on hand to purchase it, it was no surprise that the Iron Brotherhood picked up a second Royal AeroSpace fighter. Petty Officer Howard Serrano was assigned as its pilot, and the unit's Shilone was sold off to cover a portion of the Ironsides' cost.
Operation Eclipse – Week 3
After the last week of respite, the unit was called into action. Kobayashi’s Crows performed numerous ground strikes to support the Raiders, supported by the Sparrows as air support. On their last run, the Sparrows were engaged by multiple squadrons of conventional fighters, and while they managed to escape the battle, all three fighters took damage, with the Sabre taking a penetrating hit to the left wing. Despite that, they all managed to make it home.
On Wednesday, Kaine’s Kings were called on to defend a grounded Leopard CV that was being used as a forward airbase. The Capellan PDF had managed to discover its location and had dispatched a light company to attempt to take it out to hamper the invader’s air support.
(https://i.imgur.com/L0YOtnt.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/IPVFk8D.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/eqUJjNI.png)
The Liao company moves forward hesitantly. Despite their superior numbers, none of the light ‘Mech pilots are eager to close with the heavy ‘Mechs of the Brotherhood under the watchful guns of the Leopard CV.
Matt Fischer didn’t have any such qualms, and jumped ahead of the rest of the Brotherhood, laying into the light ‘Mechs with abandon. Initially, his berserker rush is effective, destroying three Stingers in short order. However, he gets too far ahead of the rest of his lance and supporting fire from the lance of Capellan vehicles helps bring down his Guillotine. He struggles to his feet and downs a Jenner before losing a leg and going down for the rest of the fight.
His stand does buy the rest of the lance time to advance, and they take out another pair of ‘Mechs to finish breaking the Liao unit’s morale, causing them to fall back.
The Guillotine is crippled after the fight, needing a leg replaced, and Matt is moderately injured.
Two of the militia are captured and two are confirmed as KIA.
Two days later, on Friday, Nova takes her Knights into battle to push back the militia, engaging a mixed company of light and medium vehicles and ‘Mechs supported by infantry.
(https://i.imgur.com/0R1Apk8.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/pFvQmCq.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/u1I8fT9.png)
The infantry units can be ignored; they were destroyed on the first turn due to the temperature being too cold. I’ll ignore that they were assigned to the battle.
(https://i.imgur.com/8QyGjqf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cAkWDOY.jpg)
The two units moved to engage each other, the assault machines of the Brotherhood sprinting to close the distance faster.
(https://i.imgur.com/mQ8wsIp.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/NbvtCbt.jpg)
As the two units came into contract, the PDF’s air cover made a pass against EJ’s Stalker.
(https://i.imgur.com/23ZrQTm.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/lszl2iJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OhdxhgQ.jpg)
The bombs were revealed to be Thunder bombs, and the Stalker loses a ton of armor from each leg wading free of the minefield. The difference was, the Stalker can afford to do so, but the Phoenix Hawk that charged in after it was taking comparatively worse damage from taking the same hits.
Meanwhile, Glaive and Ragu were engaging the PDF in the west, trusting their heavy tonnage against superior numbers.
(https://i.imgur.com/j3cRAWl.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/lGJ7bhV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j72h8bS.jpg)
EJ downs the Phoenix Hawk, and it loses its leg trying to stand. However, he is now stymied by having to ford the river, as the crossing is now heavily mined. Nova solved the issue by jumping across to the west, but has a Firestarter trying to slip behind her.
To the west, Ragu has slipped behind the medium ‘Mechs facing her, and Glaive is chasing down one of the tanks harassing them.
(https://i.imgur.com/XsOEalL.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/031r6LR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HUmsJXL.jpg)
The Firestarter flees west, but Starburst is in hot pursuit. The PDF’s fighters make a new pass against EJ, but he maneuvers out of their path and sets up for anti-air combat.
To the west, Ragu downed the Clint and Glaive killed the Maxim, and they each take on new targets.
(https://i.imgur.com/1Pmk0oD.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/sWUyXPh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/l32jSP7.jpg)
EJ once again attempts to ford the river, while Starburst has closed to melee range with the unfortunate Firestarter that harassed her. To the west, Glaive chases another Firestarter that he’s tagged once with his autocannons, and Ragu spars with a Vindicator.
(https://i.imgur.com/60AYW4Y.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/H3dxsn4.jpg)
Glaive and Starburst down their Firestarters and move forward to engage new targets while the others move to engage.
(https://i.imgur.com/B2y593Y.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/IFm7lwn.jpg)
The King Crab’s weakness is showing as Glaive expends the last of its limited autocannon ammo, hoping to make another kill with his shots. Ragu closes on a Hunchback, and Starburst is busy battering on a Cicada and Hunchback that can’t close with her Pillager properly.
(https://i.imgur.com/z1EV0Ln.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Y5GL1QT.jpg)
Ragu continues to show her surprising agility on an Assault ‘Mech, slipping behind the Hunchback she is dueling. Starburst’s target stands his ground, stubbornly fighting the Pillager’s weapon array with his lighter LRMs, AC/5 and medium lasers. It isn’t going well for him.
The Vindicator takes both AC/20 hits from the King Crab and survives, but then chooses to jump across to face it at melee range. Glaive doesn’t question his good fortune, but merely prepares to punch the Vindicator to death.
(https://i.imgur.com/fVenU40.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Ek7xv1N.jpg)
The fighting is a testament to the endurance of Vindicators and Hunchbacks, but the designs are reaching their limit under the steady pounding of assault weight ‘Mechs.
(https://i.imgur.com/gQ3g9L4.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/w7hMpmd.jpg)
The PDF focuses on the Zeus as the most likely to fall, their air support making a pass while a helicopter moves to support the Hunchback she is fighting.
(https://i.imgur.com/O7JiLJE.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/eF47DNM.jpg)
Starburst’s Hunchback explodes, and she moves to support Ragu, who is still dueling her Hunchback, the damaged Cicada moving up to fight her as well.
(https://i.imgur.com/zkPZIf3.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Zt1FiWy.jpg)
The fighting shifts, but the Liao forces are beginning to fall back as the Pillager and King Crab move up to support the Zeus.
(https://i.imgur.com/Vw6Qne0.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/37hMeqn.jpg)
Another round of Thunder bombs are dropped on the Stalker, but EJ manages to clear the minefield without setting any off.
EJ and Ragu’s fire drop the last Hunchback, and her kick detonates its ammo, turning the ‘Mech into confetti.
AAR:
The King Crab suffered moderate armor damage, and the Zeus had light damage. No noteworthy salvage was taken, and 16 militia were captured while 3 were killed.
Susanna claimed a Hunchback and a Firestarter.
James claimed the Maxim, the Vindicator and the other Firestarter.
Svetlana claimed the other Hunchback and the Clint.
Jack claimed the Phoenix Hawk.
I reverted the Pillager back to its stock configuration and completed it with GM fiat. It turns out that if Albus is there, he takes over ‘command’ of the unit, and his special abilities (or lack thereof) take over. Susanna is far more effective in combat, and that’s the way things should be, so the command console experiment is over – it’s good for story purposes, but bad for actual gameplay. Maybe it’d be useful where you have an elite pilot with a lot of specials who takes crippling injuries and you don’t want to retire them.
Operation Eclipse – Week 4
Once again, a frantic week is followed by a week of recovery, and the unit uses it to get the Guillotine back in fighting trim.
Operation Eclipse – Week 5
The PDF launched an offensive against the invaders, and as part of that offensive, they needed to remove the Raider’s heaviest assets. A full battalion moved to engage and destroy Nova’s Knights, with some of the militia’s heaviest ‘Mechs holding the line to prevent them from breaking out.
However, Kincaide had a trap of his own to spring, and the militia’s assault lance faced not only the Knights, but also the Kings and Crows. Meanwhile, the Lancers and the Hailstorm were hitting the militia forces alongside the FedCom Raiders, preventing the militia from closing the jaws of their trap on the Knights in time.
Victory was simple enough – the Knights simply had to break through. But total victory would be sweeter, with two Awesomes on the field.
(https://i.imgur.com/55lKsQ5.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Uz3RTkA.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/2JHeCqf.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Eft7i8Z.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/yCsCqNS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qQR8CzI.jpg)
The Brotherhood advanced down the shores of a mountain lake, facing militia forces that were spread out piecemeal and unable to concentrate their attacks.
(https://i.imgur.com/D8CHv6M.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/URGqBkO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mF9PN0a.jpg)
The Warhammer bravely fought back but was taking a pounding from the lance of assault ‘Mechs moving up.
(https://i.imgur.com/TtGCUP6.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/B0AoUwR.jpg)
The Victor was moving up to deal with the Enforcer attached to the Knights, and the Warhammer was still trying to keep its guns on the King Crab but couldn’t maintain a lock through the pounding he was taking.
(https://i.imgur.com/ntPaqu2.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/2pQQVqE.jpg)
Both arms gone, the Warhammer moves up to use its lighter guns, despite its armor being entirely in tatters at this point.
(https://i.imgur.com/s0T4FO2.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/CJeOoDr.jpg)
In a final glorious charge, he moved into range of the Pillager, who promptly kicked the Warhammer to death. Glaive scored his kill just ahead of Starburst, destroying a Hetzer at distance with his LRMs and Large Laser.
(https://i.imgur.com/3jrdnzl.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/9NgAeTW.jpg)
The militia’s air support arrived, but that meant that the Brotherhood’s reinforcements were close behind.
(https://i.imgur.com/daf8BUM.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/GxjM9os.jpg)
The Crows and Kings arrived precisely on time, with Ichiro leading the charge by dumping 17 HE bombs on top of one of the Awesomes, while the other assault ‘Mechs scrambled out of the line of fire.
(https://i.imgur.com/5YjAV2V.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/CmaJvV5.jpg)
The Rapier’s bombs blow out the engine of the Awesome, scoring their first assault ‘Mech kill of the battle. Tengu flies off the battlefield, but his wing mates stay, turning with their heavy bomb loads, eager to drop their bombs on their own targets. Lyle even pulls off a tricky Split-S turn with her bomb-heavy Shilone but doesn’t quite manage to make her pass against the Victor.
(https://i.imgur.com/YondWRp.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/CHCNTqI.jpg)
The other Awesome rewards Lyle’s daring with a PPC to the engine, but she manages to bring her damaged fighter around and lighten its load by dumping all her bombs on top of the Awesome in retaliation.
While her bombs don’t get the kill, she surely deserves partial credit for it. Two bombs strip all the armor from the Awesome’s head, allowing Ragu’s Autocannon to convert the head into a shower of shrapnel.
(https://i.imgur.com/2u8ovaH.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/qI1Mqkx.jpg)
Starburst jumps into melee range with the Victor, sealing its fate.
Alone and with the Pillager bearing down on it, the last Hetzer hastily surrendered.
AAR:
The countered ambush was quite successful for the Iron Brotherhood, with the Shilone crippled by engine damage, but otherwise with no real damage.
The Brotherhood claimed the Awesome as salvage, with an eye towards assigning Baira to use it. As a PPC specialist, the Awesome is tailor made for his skills.
The militia had 18 KIA and 6 more captured by the Brotherhood.
Captain Susanna Nova claimed the Warhammer and Victor.
Lieutenant SG Billy Kaine claimed the LSF Angel and MSF Crane as kills.
Commander Ichiro Kobayashi claimed an Awesome.
Sergeant Svetlana Ragozina claimed the other Awesome.
Corporal James Gundersen claimed the Hetzer.
In the aftermath of the battle, Billy Kaine gained his Elite status, picking up the Dodge skill. The Awesome was fixed and Baira was assigned to pilot it, transferring to the Knights. Svetlana Ragozina was transferred with her Zeus to the Kings, complementing their skill as a largely Elite and Veteran lance.
Add another Awesome for me!
Happy to be part of the Elite club. 'Dodge' is.. not the worst trait! :P
I remember really liking the Stalker from a young age, because it featured prominently on the 'Crescent Hawk's Revenge' box art. Which as a young kid, I really sucked at, but was really cool watching other people play.
(https://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/58527-battletech-the-crescent-hawks-revenge-dos-front-cover.jpg)
A morale-boosting press release was delivered to the Raiders, who passed it on to the Iron Brotherhood.
(https://i.imgur.com/rGWyg6D.jpg)
James Gundersen was interested in the design, which promised to be a direct fire standoff ‘Mech, but Albus wasn’t holding his breath that they would see any of a brand-new model on the open market anytime soon.
Despite the pounding they took the previous week, the PDF wasn’t letting up their counterattack. They once again attempted to close a trap around the Iron Brotherhood, this time targeting Kaine’s Kings. With the Knights mustering for a counter offensive to the east, and the Hailstorm and Lancers likewise heavily occupied, this time there were no turning the trap back on the Liao forces.
One spot of good news was that Persaud’s Sparrows would be flying support, countering the militia air support. The Crows also attempted to come to the Kings’ aid but were forced back after being ambushed by a group of Partisans and Riflemen.
(https://i.imgur.com/tFWciQG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/IIOZKvk.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/b2FHeKS.png)
Matt Fischer is fighting with a mostly healed broken collarbone. Due to his high pain tolerance, it isn’t hampering his performance any beyond making him more annoyed with the Liao forces than normal.
(https://i.imgur.com/yXrtZss.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/5taPkxJ.jpg)
The Iron Brotherhood deploys to the right of the town and moves up as a lance, looking to punch through the Liao opposition. A few hover tanks move up to engage them first, while the tracked vehicles roll through the town.
(https://i.imgur.com/lixgPZt.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/8nRKC2j.jpg)
After making contact, the hover tanks began to fade back, hoping to lead the Brotherhood into the guns of the tracked vehicles moving up.
(https://i.imgur.com/xqzzxIF.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/TPD1g2w.jpg)
Both sides’ air support arrives at the same time, and a scrum erupts overhead as the fighters jockey to deliver their payloads or take shots of opportunity against each other. Meanwhile, the Kings are advancing grimly into the teeth of the Liao defenses.
(https://i.imgur.com/DGqrUkx.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Xsjdjyc.jpg)
Their supported Centurion scores a second kill, ripping apart a Hetzer a moment before Persaud’s bombs rain down on it. Undeterred, she comes around to begin strafing the Liao forces. Her wing mate, Thomas pulls her Sabre through a Hammerhead maneuver to fly after the remaining Liao Guardian.
Anti-air fire had dealt with the other Guardian and the MechBuster, and the Kings keep moving forward, now facing the Liao medium vehicle lance of Hetzers and a Tank Destroyer.
(https://i.imgur.com/GRicfFK.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Inx3DKP.jpg)
The Raider shows his inexperience by trying to move through a building. It collapses, destroying his ‘Mech’s left leg and he is forced to eject. Meanwhile, the Kings are fighting their way into the city, taking out the Zhukov and Predator in the process. The Liao forces are fighting tenaciously, but they’re running out of forces compared to the Brotherhood.
(https://i.imgur.com/jkIkGhs.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/G1urbHm.jpg)
The PDF combines their fire on Knave’s Marauder, but despite losing a weapons pod, his furiously obscene gestures continue unabated. Reinforcements for the PDF arrive from the north, hurrying to support their flagging companions.
(https://i.imgur.com/o6OaTRg.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/AIohNfS.jpg)
Disaster strikes for Ragu; a series of unlucky hits blows her Zeus’ leg off. She grimly attempts to stand with it, but despite her skill, hopping onto one leg is beyond her ‘Mechs capabilities.
(https://i.imgur.com/0PomZu3.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/dSmi3Jj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/L0mTiTX.jpg)
Ragu continues fighting in her crippled Zeus, keeping the PDF’s attentions focused on her. The rest of the Lance moves ahead, fighting the reinforcements. The last Guardian returns to the field, chased by the Brotherhood’s Sabre.
(https://i.imgur.com/VOaCVuX.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/3W5Lv05.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eptVpHO.jpg)
Ragu prepares to punch out as the survivors of a Flamer platoon surround her ‘Mech, pilot lights flickering, but she fires one last round of autocannon fire at the crippled vehicles around her ‘Mech. The rest of the Kings have nearly fought free, only a Saladin and a damaged Saracen threatening them.
(https://i.imgur.com/NroJ4cr.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/8C0MWJO.jpg)
Ragu punches out, but the rest of the Kings are safe, with a clear run to safety. However, anti-air fire from the militia causes the Sparrowhawk piloted by MacCurtin to crash. Luckily, they punch out on time, and the Brotherhood manages to retrieve both them and Svetlana from the battlefield.
AAR:
The brutal fighting was hard on the Brotherhood, losing a Sparrowhawk and the Zeus, and heavy damage to the Marauder and Ostroc. They couldn’t even claim salvage as a battalion of enemy forces flooded through the area in pursuit.
That said, the Iron Brotherhood savaged the Liao defenders, and they paid a high price for their success in this battle.
Lieutenant SG Billy Kaine claimed the Predator Tank Destroyer.
Master Sergeant Matt Fischer claimed the MechBuster, a Plainsman, a Saracen and a Vedette.
Sergeant Svetlana Ragozina claimed the Guardian B, Zhukov, Hunter Light Support Tank and a Hetzer.
Corporal Noelle Al Gahary claimed a Hetzer AC/10, a Flamer Turret, and a Saladin.
Petty Officer Mocja MacCurtin claimed the Field Gunners and the Drillson.
Petty Officer Mildred Thomas claimed a Jump Platoon and the LRM/5 Turret.
Before the Knight’s counterattack kicked off, the month ended. The PDF’s morale was now marked as Low – despite their success at the end of the month, the battering the Iron Brotherhood has given them has taken its toll.
The Brotherhood reactivated the Grasshopper for Svetlana, picked up a replacement Sparrowhawk on the black market and another Thumper on the open market.
On Sunday, the counteroffensive kicked off. Lead by Nova’s Knights, the Raiders crashed through the militia lines.
(https://i.imgur.com/YGpfclf.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/3B31EMt.png)
The PDF’s morale is fragile and destroying one out of the three lances opposing the Knights would force them to fall back.
Instead of facing the Brotherhood’s assault, they attempted to delay the assault ‘Mechs and focus on the Dervish accompanying them. The Raider pilot proved too elusive, and not only avoided their attacks but destroyed the Saladin, while the Brotherhood accounted for a Firestarter, Hetzer and Scorpion.
The results were anticlimactic. No notable salvage was taken, and no prisoners were captured. Five of the PDF died in the fighting
Operation Eclipse – Week 7
Nothing of note happened this week. While the Raiders continued to push back the PDF, the Iron Brotherhood wasn’t called upon.
Jack Euchre was promoted to Sergeant, having attained Veteran-ranked gunnery skills. He also picked up the special ability Cluster Hitter, making him more deadly with his Stalker’s missile arrays.
Operation Eclipse – Week 7
With the Sparrows flying cover, the Crows made strikes against PDF command elements, succeeding in taking out several command and control facilities.
As the militia fall back in the face of the counterattack, the Kings were tasked with breaking through the enemy lines. Two lances of medium armor were facing them, supported by a flight of conventional fighters.
(https://i.imgur.com/zsvqHu3.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/BYDEJ7L.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ay4erLs.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/2XumkoU.jpg)
The first hover tanks rush to meet the Kings, and the Ostroc leads the charge, her heavier companions coming up fast behind her.
(https://i.imgur.com/qIJqk8N.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/aQZAA0P.jpg)
A Maxim joins the first tanks, and the Iron Brotherhood focuses their fire on it, hoping to kill it before it can disgorge its infantry unit.
(https://i.imgur.com/0OQWFyX.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/SEP5M1I.jpg)
Knave downs the Saladin, but not before it strips the armor from Ragu’s right side. The Condor is on its last legs, and the Maxim falls back with the Ostroc and Ragu in hot pursuit.
(https://i.imgur.com/5kRu7fu.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/gThZ0qp.jpg)
Ragu crushes the crew compartment at the front of the Maxim, but the infantry manages to spill out the back. Ragu moves off to help Knave deal with the Condor, leaving the Ostroc to deal with the infantry with its SRMs.
(https://i.imgur.com/tLiSjuv.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/1bLYvPG.jpg)
Ragu’s bad luck with ‘Mechs continues as the Condor manages to touch off her LRM ammo. While she ejects safely, that’s a second ‘Mech lost to her within two weeks. Knave destroys the Condor in revenge, while Wind has jumped across the river to the south and is happily blowing Hetzers to pieces.
(https://i.imgur.com/bfaHPgp.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/EhIAcvx.jpg)
The Liao machines burn along the riverbank, and the Ostroc is done slaughtering the infantry platoon.
(https://i.imgur.com/YOHZRUX.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/BNVBvQm.jpg)
Their air support is too late and is reduced to a futile run against Wind’s Guillotine as the last PDF tank retreats south.
(https://i.imgur.com/9W8r8HW.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Wwmyw0U.jpg)
Wind shoots down the heavy strike fighter but suffers an inferno bomb in return. Merrily burning, his demonic Guillotine jumps after the retreating Striker to kick it to death.
Undeterred by his companion’s death, the medium strike fighter makes a pass against the Ostroc, to little avail.
AAR:
The Grasshopper was a total write-off, and the Ostroc had moderate armor damage. Svetlana luckily suffered no lasting injuries from her sudden ejection.
The unit killed 24 militia and captured 15 more as their blitzkrieg broke through the PDF’s lines.
Lieutenant SG Billy Kaine claimed the Saladin, Condor and a Vedette.
Master Sergeant Matt Fischer claimed both Hetzers, the other Vedette, the HSF Meteor, and a Striker.
Sergeant Svetlana Ragozina claimed the Maxim
Corporal Noelle Al Gahary claimed the Foot Platoon.
The unit purchased a ARC-2S Archer from the Raiders, and Kincaide advised Svetlana that ‘Mechs were a bit too expensive to replace every battle.
Operation Eclipse – Week 8
The PDF’s leadership scattered and decentralized as the Crows continued their string of strikes into this second week. The air superiority achieved by the Sparrows the previous week prevented the militia from responding effectively to the Crows’ continued attacks.
The militia managed to reorganize their lines and held firm for most of the week. On Saturday, the Raiders asked the Iron Brotherhood to break their lines once more, a task that Nova’s Knights took up with enthusiasm.
Barring their way was a mixed lance of heavy and assault vehicles and ‘Mechs, supported by a lance of Vedettes and some air cover. The Knights would receive air support from the Sparrows.
(https://i.imgur.com/Dzzpql4.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/2COCYwC.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/PnEaGMl.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/TRW6hmx.jpg)
The black-painted ‘Mechs of the Iron Brotherhood advanced to the thunder of their tread. The Liao forces moved to engage them, but only their Awesome or the Demolisher was really a threat. Moving slowly, the Awesome was a target that Glaive, Starburst and EJ gladly took, sending him crashing to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/mSUYhsq.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/GzF49Oc.jpg)
Baira hung back, letting his PPCs operate at range, but the other three charged forwards, meeting the PDF’s Awesome, supported by three of the Vedettes.
(https://i.imgur.com/a4jNU3X.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/LTAgSul.jpg)
The Sparrows arrived, making passes against the Demolisher and Crusader. The Awesome failed to return to its feet, suffering engine damage from the hits it had taken.
(https://i.imgur.com/0uicImy.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/wIqtnW9.jpg)
Glaive destroys a Vedette, and the Sparrowhawks destroy the Demolisher with their bombs. The Awesome surges to its feet but doesn’t realize the danger as Starburst steps up next to it in her Pillager.
(https://i.imgur.com/6fZe0ef.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/A5AMWKl.jpg)
The Awesome suffers a sudden loss of legs, and the pilot ejects.
(https://i.imgur.com/rAXUpWu.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/yfc4EK3.jpg)
The PDF fighters arrive late to the battle, with only a battered Rhino and Vedette still fighting. Both vehicles go down quickly, and the surviving fighters retreat from the battle.
AAR:
The Awesome took heavy damage with the loss of a few heatsinks, and the King Crab took moderate armor damage.
The unit took the Awesome as salvage but sold on the remains to cover recent costs. They captured 6 militia and confirmed 9 more as KIA.
Captain Susanna Nova claimed the Awesome, Crusader and HSF Meteor as kills.
Lieutenant JG Levane Persaud claimed the Demolisher
Sergeant Jack Euchre claimed two Vedettes.
Corporal James Gundersen claimed a Vedette
Corporal Baira claimed the last Vedette and the Rhino.
Operation Eclipse – Week 9
Crumbling under the FedCom’s relentless offense, the PDF lines collapse completely at the beginning of the week. The Kings are sent out to engage a reinforced company of mixed units falling back, supported by the Crows.
(https://i.imgur.com/MIotRqo.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/SxatcKL.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/WAUWSKr.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/NNh0f8S.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Iy25A7Z.jpg)
The FedCom Griffin and the Crows arrived first, at the same time as the PDF’s air cover. While Tengu focused on air to air combat, his wing mates cleared their wing racks by the simple expedient of bombing some militia forces to dust.
(https://i.imgur.com/muED4hf.jpg)
Tengu takes a pounding from the Bat Hawk’s rocket pods, but damages all three militia fighters in return, though since he didn’t concentrate his firepower, none of them are downed. Serrano’s bombing run destroys a Maxim, with the follow up bombs killing the squad that it was carrying. His momentum carries him out of the fight, while the other two continue their strikes against the militia forces.
Meanwhile, Wind and the Ostroc have arrived, along with the slower militia forces. Knave and Ragu will be close behind.
(https://i.imgur.com/1RbKoH0.jpg)
With the rest of the Kings on the field, the PDF’s withdrawal turns into a disorderly rout, not aided in the least by the continued strikes from the Crows.
(https://i.imgur.com/ttX9CAv.jpg)
The Guardian goes down to the rear SRM rack on the Shilone, and the Kings continue to plow forward, taking out a Vindicator in the first moments of fighting.
(https://i.imgur.com/7A2vgmN.jpg)
Three light tanks are next on the list, failing to fall back in time as the Kings advance towards them.
(https://i.imgur.com/BsTdTrx.jpg)
The Liao ‘Mechs fall back into the town, but it will only provide temporary salvation.
(https://i.imgur.com/7RIYBnr.jpg)
Continued air strikes are preventing the Liao forces from breaking out of town to the north, and the Kings are steadily catching up with the PDF units.
(https://i.imgur.com/jHnggCB.jpg)
A damaged Phoenix Hawk and Griffin supported by a still pristine Stinger are forced to flee the town with the Kings close behind.
(https://i.imgur.com/L40kBhv.jpg)
Disaster strikes – anti-air fire sends Tengu’s Rapier out of control, and he is forced to punch out just before his fighter augers into the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/YHpoCjF.jpg)
Combined fire from the Kings down the Phoenix Hawk, with Knave scoring the kill shots as he carves out its gyro. Their next target is the Stinger, while the Brotherhood’s Ironsides makes a pass at the rear of the retreating Griffin.
(https://i.imgur.com/8Lisbsy.jpg)
Knave downs the Stinger with a precise shot of his large laser, leaving the Griffin as the last PDF force on the battlefield. Sadly, it manages to retreat from the battlefield, damaged but intact.
AAR:
While the Kings were undamaged, the Crows were another matter. On investigation, the Rapier was determined to be repairable, but it would need long weeks of reconditioning to be flight capable. The Ironsides likewise took serious damage, as did the Shilone.
Despite this, no one in the Brotherhood took injuries, which was something to celebrate.
No notable salvage was taken, though from the PDF forces, 7 were captured and 19 were confirmed KIA.
Lieutenant SG Billy Kaine claimed the Phoenix Hawk and Stinger.
Commander Ichiro Kobayashi claimed the Wasp.
Master Sergeant Matt Fischer claimed the Vindicator, two Vedettes and the Striker.
Sergeant Svetlana Ragozina claimed the MSF Crane.
Petty Officer Howard Serrano claimed the Maxim and its Foot Platoon.
Petty Officer Melissa Lyle claimed the Locust and the MSF Guardian
Corporal Noelle Al Gahary claimed the Scorpion.
Operation Eclipse – Week 10
Tuesday marked the 1st of August. PDF morale remained Low, but they tenaciously held on, despite the continued setbacks as the FedCom offensive rolled them back, capturing several key locations on the planet.
The unit market had nothing of interest to the Brotherhood, and repairs for the battered Crows continued. Both the Rapier and the Shilone needed complete Avionics refits, which still needed another 285 man-hours of work, or more then a month each of time in the repair bay. For better or worse, the Crows were done with their part in the campaign.
The next day, Hovi’s Hailstorm moved to engage support elements of the PDF that had been left behind the previous week. Two lances of PDF forces were detected trying to extract them.
The Brotherhood likewise dispatched two lances to support the Hailstorm, the Knights and the Kings.
(https://i.imgur.com/cegtl2C.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/bLS9Bck.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/5OsBkJl.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/AfTVbII.png)
The Hailstorm deployed with the Devastator and Schreck facing the PDF forces, while the Partisan and Manticore dealt with the escaping support units. The infantry was dug in on the north side of town.
The PDF deployed their ‘Mech lance in the north west, supported by a Vedette. To the northeast the rest of the vehicles were approaching. The Civilians likewise were split in the south, with two rushing by the Manticore and two attempting to skirt around the Partisan.
(https://i.imgur.com/Lflze6a.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/SRla0df.jpg)
The first moments of the battle revealed how badly overmatched the PDF was. The Devastator tore apart one Wasp and damaged the other, the Manticore took out one of the support transports while the Schreck disabled the Pegasus with its PPCs. The Partisan took down one of the LoaderMechs in a hail of autocannon shells, and the field guns drove off the Saladin with crippling damage.
(https://i.imgur.com/6NCYAUL.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/axmZNeY.jpg)
The heavier PDF ‘Mechs moved up, but against AC/20s, heavy is a very relative term. The Jump Infantry moved to kneecap the remaining Wasp while the last PDF support forces were engaged.
(https://i.imgur.com/v0JiH0Z.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/K3gmQsY.jpg)
The Firestarter lost both legs to the Devastator, and the Raider’s Centurion took the Wasp’s leg off with its own autocannon. The remaining support units were wiped out, as was the fleeing Saladin.
All that remained was a Panther, a Warrior VTOL and a Vedette.
(https://i.imgur.com/joA3Ghj.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/GlPemeZ.jpg)
The Vedette exploded under the Devastator’s heavy autocannons, and the VTOL was damaged. The Panther finally began to move up, with the Devastator rumbling forward to meet it.
(https://i.imgur.com/uwC67p8.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/OhcFV2E.jpg)
The Warrior fell to the Schreck’s PPCs, and now only the Panther remained, facing a full company of the Iron Brotherhood.
(https://i.imgur.com/VKV4yuh.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/JkLRam5.jpg)
The PDF’s air cover arrived, too late to salvage the situation. The Partisan and Manticore immediately went to anti-air work, alongside the AC/2 field guns.
While none of their shots downed the fighters, all three suffered heavy damage and disengaged while the Panther exploded under the Devastator’s cannons.
In the end, the Knights and Kings never managed to reach the field of battle in time – in short order Hovi’s Hailstorm had wiped out all the PDF forces.
AAR:
The Brotherhood suffered little damage during the battle – the Devastator was battered, and the infantry platoons had taken some hits, but overall it was a successful engagement. Despite that, 4 of the field gun infantry and two of the jump infantry died in the battle, with three moderately wounded and one seriously wounded.
The Iron Brotherhood confirmed 3 PDF KIA and 4 more captured.
Captain Seija Hovi claimed the Firestarter, Panther the Vedette and one of the Wasps as kills.
Lieutenant JG Basuki Burtick claimed the Field Repair Unit and Coolant Trucks as kills
Lieutenant JG Mikko Kommonen claimed the Saladin Assault tank as a kill
Sergeant Eadan Brown claimed the Pegasus and Warrior as kills
Sergeant Jamilyn MacNidder claimed the LoaderMech and ConstructionMech as kills.
Operation Eclipse – Weeks 11-14
The Brotherhood stepped back to rest and refit, letting the Raiders maintain the momentum against the demoralized PDF.
Operation Eclipse - Week 15
PDF Morale has collapsed to Very Low, and the Iron Brotherhood relaxes into their back-area garrison duties. Albus finds two odd models on the black market – brand new Phoenix Hawks of a type not seen before. Clutching the Phoenix Hawk’s trademark large laser in each hand, the PXH-3M uses an Endo-Steel chassis, XL Engine and double heat sinks to double and extend the venerable model’s long range firepower, while medium pulse lasers make it a more savage close range fighter. One machine gun is traded for an anti-missile system for defense, and all the ammo is protected in the left torso by CASE. In Albus’ opinion, it’s a massive improvement over their current models, and he risks arranging to purchase both. Surprisingly, both ‘Mechs arrive, and Lieutenant Vo trades in her original model Phoenix Hawk, and Corporal Larcher trades in his Wolverine for their brand-new ‘Mechs.
In a last-ditch attempt to exact some revenge on the hated mercenaries, the PDF ambushed Captain Nova with three heavy ‘Mechs. Those poor, sorry fools.
You’d think they’d learn at some point, but it’s almost a tradition at this point!
(https://i.imgur.com/gbeWDOO.png)
Three heavy ‘Mechs against an elite, melee master assault in pitch black conditions and a light gale that makes their missiles even MORE useless. Feel free to picture one of the Riddick fight scenes in utter darkness for what’s about to happen.
The militia’s plan is simple: Send in the Quickdraw to keep the Pillager’s attention while the two Archers stand back and bombard her from a distance. They outweigh her ‘Mech two to one and outnumber her three to one.
(https://i.imgur.com/liSPo0y.jpg)
The plan falls apart immediately, as Starburst moves into melee with both Archers.
Starburst kicks the first Archer’s right leg off, while her Gauss Rifles crush the side torsos of the Quickdraw, destroying it LRM launcher.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZmbFV9T.jpg)
The remaining Archer falls back and lands a full volley of 20 LRMs against the Pillager, scouring armor from its back.
Starburst lands both Gauss Rifle shots against the Quickdraw’s left leg, ripping it free. The sudden sheering detonates its LRM ammunition, turning the ‘Mech into a rapidly expanding cloud of confetti.
(https://i.imgur.com/0ewKzLC.jpg)
The Archer charges into melee in a desperate attempt to land a lucky shot. Their shots both miss, but Starburst’s fists don’t miss, and she punches out the cockpit of the Archer.
AAR:
Susanna’s Pillager suffered some light armor damage, and the unit turned over the Archers to the Raiders, not having the salvage room needed to claim one for themselves.
Operation Eclipse – Week 16
The Crows are once again cleared for flight, though there is no fighting remaining for them to take part in.
Operation Eclipse – Week 17
October marks the last (partial) month of the Iron Brotherhood’s contract. PDF morale remains Very Low, but they have surprisingly tenaciously refused to rout. AFFC command anticipates that Liao will soon have reinforcements inbound, and the Raiders are preparing to depart once enough Liao forces have been pulled off the border and rerouted to deal with the invasion.
The market carries two new interesting options – a CHP-W7-class Chippewa. While too slow to serve with the Crows, the massive weapons platform carries four large pulse lasers and more then enough double heat sinks to use them, as well as its array of LRMs, SRMs and medium lasers.
The other is a PXH-3S Phoenix Hawk, a new Steiner/FedCom variant of the design. Instead of EndoSteel, it makes use of Ferro Fibrous armor, alongside an XL Engine, double heatsinks and MASC technology to increase its running speed. Its weapons array is less advanced then the Marik version, focusing on close range combat by retaining both machine guns but locating them both in the left arm, supported by medium lasers and a large pulse laser. Defense isn’t ignored, with the anti-missile system located in the right arm. The ammo is still protected by CASE.
Albus purchases this model as well, the Lancers almost becoming a homogenous unit of Phoenix Hawks at this point. Jami Sonnborn is assigned to pilot this ‘Mech, trading in her old-model Griffin.
A week before final pullout, the Raiders made a special request of the Iron Brotherhood – they had located a Liao prison camp that contained a number of political prisoners that would make waves if they could be freed and repatriated to the St. Ives Commonality. One of the Iron Brotherhood’s fastest ‘Mechs was requested to stage the breakout itself, while the Raiders prepared to evacuate the prisoners.
Barred by mission requirements from simply deploying a Pillager (the Lyran scouting tactic, as they called it), Albus tapped Lieutenant Vo to take her new Phoenix Hawk out for a spin.
(https://i.imgur.com/G3o2QrP.png)
Linda’s Phoenix Hawk is individually far more capable then the Liao machines, with only the Veteran pilot of the Wolverine being an equal threat. That said, there are three of them, and she needs to keep their attention on her, and off killing all the political prisoners.
The breakout goes well, and the small convoy takes off. Most of the guards distracted by the Raiders, but three Liao ‘Mechs pursue the convoy. They’re forced to turn at bay, and Linda moves to engage her enemies.
The drivers of two of the APCs volunteered for last stand duty, darting in and out among the feet of the Liao ‘Mechs and keeping them distracted while Linda harassed them at range with her ER Large Lasers. As the fighting moved closer, she pounded the PDF forces with her medium pulse lasers but didn’t manage to land any crippling shots.
Despite this, she held the Liao forces at bay long enough for the Kings to arrive and force their retreat. Two of the prisoners survived, as did Linda herself.
A week after the prison break, the Iron Brotherhood formally completed their contract with the AFFC and prepared to lift off. Intercepts indicated that they had finally roused a response from the Confederation, with the 1st, 2nd and 4th McCarron’s Armored Cavalry roused from their duty stations and assembled into a task force that was now inbound for the planet. They were particularly interested in crushing the Iron Brotherhood, and Kincaide had no intention of sticking around for that fight.