Part 609: Gravedigger - Turn 13

Grave Digger: Tactical Update 13

“Hell with this,” Krel twisted his steering column hard to the left as another silvery streak flashed past the Desert Hawg. Old Scratch was targeting the salvager directly, perhaps having guessed that without Krel the rest of their pursuit would be forced to give up. He slammed his meaty fists on the dash as he slowed to a stop—it rankled, letting the Devil’s Due get away, but no amount of money would matter if he got himself killed.

“Krel to crew, we’re breakin’ off,” he grumbled. Now that the Devils had been startled there’d be no way for the Desert Hawg to catch up. Better to cut his losses here, after all: there were other ways to make money. As he brought the Hawg to a stop, his bodyguards did likewise—all save for Cantankerous, whose blood was clearly up. The man was a dangerous mix of crazy and bloodlust, but this was precisely why Krel had brought him. He’d harry the Devil’s Due until they crippled him or he killed something. Which gave Krel plenty of opportunity to safely disengage.

“What about our pay?” Chastity demanded. They’d been promised a percentage. Krel would’ve been well within his rights to tell her to fuck off, but they’d all taken hits for him. He’d never hire another bodyguard if he shafted them outright.

“Relax, I promised a percentage of salvage, remember?” He slumped in his chair. “And it just so happens, we have exclusive knowledge of the location of four salvageable battle tanks. Help me secure ‘em, and you’ll still get your percentage. Who knows—if that `Mech’s a Wasp or something, we might even make more money this way.”

The comms were silent for a moment before Chastity laughed. “Ha, fine. I knew a fat weasel like you would have an angle.”








Shooting Phase
Marsden II (Player)
- Fires Autocannon/5 at Old Scratch (4 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement = 9) rolled 6, miss!
- Fires SRM-6 (Deadfire) at Old Scratch (4 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement = 11) rolled 5, miss!
- Fires SRM-6 (Deadfire) at Old Scratch (4 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement = 11) rolled 9, miss!

Goblin Medium Tank "Diamondback" (Player)
- Fires Heavy Chemical Laser at Old Scratch (4 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement = 11) rolled 10, miss!
- Fires Heavy Chemical Laser at Old Scratch (4 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement = 11) rolled 6, miss!

Bulldog Medium Tank (Player)
- Fires Heavy Rifle at Old Scratch (4 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement = 9) rolled 2, miss!
- Fires SRM-4 (Inferno) at Old Scratch (4 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement = 11) rolled 6, miss!
- Fires SRM-4 (Inferno) at Old Scratch (4 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement = 11) rolled 5, miss!

Thor Artillery Vehicle "Exhumer" (Player)
- Holds fire!

Devil’s Due
- Fires Autocannon/10 at Marsden II (3 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 2 enemy movement = 9) rolled 9, hit Turret (17/27 armor remaining)! , miss!

Old Scratch
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Desert Hawg (4 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 2 enemy movement = 10) rolled 8, miss!








Player Status:




Ally Status:




Opposing Force Status:




Special Rules
Drifting: Vehicles may shift one column to the left or right during the movement phase without expending an MP to turn, provided the move does not cross through an enemy unit or terrain that would cost additional MP. Adjacent vehicles may be rammed for low damage with a sideswipe and lighter vehicles may be knocked off course next turn!
Half-Height Terrain: All terrain features rise to only half their normal height. Vehicles behind a height 1 hill may still attack and be attacked, but may only receive damage to their turrets. Vehicles without turrets are hidden as normal. Hills only cost 1 MP to climb rather than the additional 2. BattleMech and IndustrialMech units treat height 1 hexes as if they are clear terrain, height 2 as if they are height 1, etc.
Oases: Oases are surrounded by boggy soil that will trap ground vehicles and may attract native fauna.
Mirages: Heat shimmer can make water appear where there is none. Mirages may be driven through safely but may hide other features.
Redline the Engines: The Desert Hawg’s speed cannot be reduced by damage or critical hits.



Primary Objectives
- Protect the Desert Hawg (0/1)
- Disable or destroy the Devil’s Due (0/1)

Secondary Objectives
- Drive away or destroy Scarback (Complete)
- Disable or destroy Old Scratch (0/1)



After-Action Report:


Players did pretty good in spite of some big flaws in the way I executed this mission. In hindsight making the edge of the “if you end your turn past this line you’ll be scrolled off for sure” zone more obvious probably would’ve helped too. Combat theater vote’s coming soon, but I need to go buy groceries first. Thanks to all the players for sticking this one out in spite of the frustration.