Part 412: Trial by Fire - Turn 3

Trial By Fire: Tactical Update 3

“Think they’ll play defensive, or attack us?”

“I have no idea,” Cadet Ariana replied. “Does it matter?”

“If they attack us? It probably doesn’t,” Silas drawled, “But if they play defensive they’ll probably cluster around the real targets.”

“What if they bunch up around the fakes instead,” Lucaino teased in deadpan amusement, “To get us to waste time and keep us under their guns for longer? What then?”

“Doesn’t make sense,” Silas countered. “They’ll want to keep something close enough to prevent an easy score—”

Rayford barely heard his companions’ chatter, he was far too engrossed in the mass of targeting data flooding his `Mech’s advanced targeting computer. He toggled rapidly between his allies, targeting each in turn and marveling as his computer spat up algorithm after algorithm and drew an appropriate outline on his hud to help him hit with whichever primary weapon he had selected. A human pilot could still surprise a computer, but it was such a powerful tool it almost felt like cheating.

The chatter of his compatriots died in an instant, snapping Rayford from his targeting game.

“Is there something wrong with your machine, cadet?” the Watcher’s mechanical tone left no doubt that the pilot knew Rayford wasn’t having technical issues.

“Nossir!” Rayford replied, then winced, squeezed the transmitter, and repeated himself in an actual broadcast.

“There will be time enough to play with your new toy,” the Watcher’s voice was unsympathetic, but not cruel. “If you pass this trial. Your lance is leaving you behind. Best rejoin them, aye?”








Movement Phase
Crusader
- Player w/out internet, temporarily controlled by apostateCourier

Coyote
- No orders received



Combat Phase
Crab (Player)
- Fires ER Large Laser at Cargo Container 0419: no Line of Sight to target!
- Fires ER Large Laser at Cargo Container 0419: no Line of Sight to target!
- Gains 2 heat, sinks 36!

Battlemaster (Player)
- Fires Plasma Rifle at Cargo Container 1722: no Line of Sight to target!
- Gains 2 heat, sinks 34!

Coyote (Player)
- No orders received!
- Gains 0 heat, sinks 30!

Sentinel (Player)
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Cargo Container 1722 (3 base + 2 range + 2 movement - 4 enemy movement + 2 light woods = 5): rolled 4, miss!
- Gains 7 heat, sinks 20!

Shadow Hawk (Player)
- Fires Light AC/5 (Armor Piercing) at Building Hex 1924: no Line of Sight to target!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Building Hex 1924: no Line of Sight to target!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Building Hex 1924: no Line of Sight to target!
- Gains 2 heat, sinks 20!

Crusader (Player)
- Holds fire!
- Gains 1 heat, sinks 20!









Player Status:


Neutral Forces:


Opposing Force (level)
Cyclops (Mk. ?) – Ran +2
Woodsman Prime (Mk. 6) – Ran +0
Mountain Lion (Mk. 4) – Walked +0
Thunderbolt (Mk. ?) – Ran +1
Kintaro (Mk. ?) – Ran +2
Wolverine (Mk. ?) – Ran +1
Coyotl A (Mk. 6) – Ran +3
Commando (Mk. ?) – Ran +2



Mission Objective:
Plunder Recovered (0/1500 points)

Secondary Objectives:
Enemy Units Damaged (0/400 points)
Penalty Accrued (-0/-300 points)



Orders Due: Tuesday Night!

PTN's Note: People are clearly having some trouble identifying the actual objectives. They have been marked in orange!