Part 383: Ultimatum - Turn 9

Ultimatum: Tactical Update 9

“I do not recall inviting freebirth solamha garbage-warriors to this fight,” Star Colonel Kuro Maine grumped as he took a short hop up a low hill for a better vantage. So far, he found these Rim World barbarians unimpressive. Their skill at hiding was impressive but when faced with an enemy head-on they seemed to go completely mad. As if to prove his point, one of the enemy Longbows dropped its broad shoulders and charged—it could’ve kept him at a distance and tried to strike at him with missiles but the pilot seemed more intent on attacking with the array of light lasers backing the large laser that took up most of the machine’s head.

Kuro Maine raked the machine with his Large Pulse Lasers, nearly stripping the assault-weight machine’s thin armor. It staggered, and scored a lucky hit with its own large laser. Kuro didn’t even bat an eyelash; he could string these Rim Worlders along for days. They’d already abandoned their objectives to hunt him down. Well, the Sea Fox was used to being hunted and like his Clan’s namesake Kuro Maine knew precisely how to deal with hunters.

“They’re shooting us,” the Freebirth Mechwarrior had the temerity to respond, raising Kuro Maine’s estimation of his bravery a notch—even as the Star Colonel’s respect for the other man’s sense diminished so much it would’ve taken an electron microscope to find were it a physical object.

The freebirth continued to dig, “I’d rather die fighting than get gunned down huddling in a tent.”

“Then fight like a warrior,” Maine hissed. “Not some effete duelist.”

“Destroying the arms is the swiftest way to disable an enemy machine,” the Freebirth—Kuro didn’t care enough to check a secondary monitor for the other pilot’s name—insisted.

“These are not OmniMechs, imbecile. And the swiftest way to disable this Rim World trash is to kill the enemy pilots. If you are going to assist, then stop wasting time and start slaughtering this scum.”



Combat Phase
ACE Bobcat
- Fires Snub-Nose PPC w/ PPC Capacitor (drained) at Warhawk B (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 heat = 7): rolled 9, hit Left Torso (16/26 armor remains)!
- Fires Light PPC at Warhawk B (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 3 minimum range + 1 heat = 10): rolled 4, miss!
- Gains 21 heat, sinks 24! Overheating!

Warhawk B
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement + 2 minimum range - 1 targeting computer = 8): rolled 8, hit Right Leg (3/18 armor remains)!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 4, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 7, hit Center Torso (6/14 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 7, hit Left Arm (0/13 armor remains)!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 9, hit Left Torso (0/18 armor, 8/11 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 7, hit Right Torso (4/11 armor remains)!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 4, miss!
- Fires Streak SRM-6 at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement = 7): rolled 4, Streak SRM-6 fails to lock-on!
- Fires Streak SRM-6 at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement = 7): rolled 8, 6 missiles hit Right Leg (1/18 armor remains), Right Arm (1/7 structure remains (Crit!)), Center Torso (4/14 structure remains (Crit!)), Center Torso (2/14 structure remains (Crit!)), Right Leg (0/18 armor, 10/11 structure remains (Crit!)), Left Arm (5/7 structure remains (Crit!))!
- Fires ER Small Laser at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 5, miss!
- Gains 38 heat, sinks 40!

Vapor Eagle
- Fires Large Pulse Laser at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods - 2 pulse laser - 1 targeting computer = 7): rolled 9, hit Right Arm (0/9 armor, 13/14 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires Medium Pulse Laser at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods - 2 pulse laser - 1 targeting computer = 7): rolled 11, hit Left Arm (6/13 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires Medium Pulse Laser at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods - 2 pulse laser - 1 targeting computer = 7): rolled 8, hit Rear Center Torso (3/10 armor remains)!
- Fires Medium Pulse Laser at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods - 2 pulse laser - 1 targeting computer = 7): rolled 7, hit Right Arm (6/14 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires Machine Gun at Longbow (3 base + 4 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods - 2 pulse laser - 1 targeting computer = 11): rolled 8, miss!
- Fires Machine Gun at Longbow (3 base + 4 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods - 2 pulse laser - 1 targeting computer = 11): rolled 7, miss!
- Fires Machine Gun at Longbow (3 base + 4 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods - 2 pulse laser - 1 targeting computer = 11): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires Machine Gun at Longbow (3 base + 4 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods - 2 pulse laser - 1 targeting computer = 11): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires Streak SRM-2 at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods = 10): rolled 8, Streak SRM-2 fails to lock-on!
- Fires Streak SRM-2 at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods = 10): rolled 7, Streak SRM-2 fails to lock-on!
- Gains 27 heat, sinks 22! Overheating!

Wolf Spider B
- Fires ER PPC at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement = 7): rolled 7, hit Center Torso (0/14 structure remains)! Mech destroyed!
- Fires ER PPC at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement = 7): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Bobcat (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement = 7): rolled 10, hit Center Torso!
- Gains 32 heat, sinks 32!

Arctic Cheetah
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 10): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 10): rolled 5, miss!
- Fires LRM-5 at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 10): rolled 12, 2 missiles hit Left Torso (1/12 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires LRM-5 at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 10): rolled 4, miss!
- Gains 20 heat, sinks 20!

Huntsman A
- Fires Large Pulse Laser at Longbow (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System - 2 Pulse Laser = 5): rolled 9, hit Right Torso (6/18 armor remains)!
- Fires Large Pulse Laser at Longbow (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System - 2 Pulse Laser = 5): rolled 5, hit Center Torso (1/21 armor remains)!
- Fires LRM-10 at Longbow (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System = 7): rolled 6, miss!
- Gains 27 heat, sinks 24! Overheating!

Thug
- Charges PPC Capacitor!
- Charges PPC Capacitor!
- Gains 20 heat, sinks 34!

Longbow
- Fires Large Laser at Huntsman A (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 7): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires ER Small Laser at Huntsman A (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 9, hit Right Leg (21/24 armor remains)!
- Fires ER Small Laser at Huntsman A (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 3, miss!
- Fires TAG at Huntsman A (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 7): rolled 5, miss!
- Gains 24 heat, sinks 26!

Longbow
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 1145!
- Fires LRM-20 w/ Artemis IV (Artemis) at Huntsman A (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 7, miss!
- Gains 18 heat, sinks 26!

Black Knight
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 1946!
- Fires Large Laser at Huntsman A (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 3 light woods = 11): rolled 9, miss!
- Fires Large Laser at Huntsman A (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 3 light woods = 11): rolled 9, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Huntsman A (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 3 light woods = 11): rolled 10, miss!
- Gains 33 heat, sinks 36!

Excalibur
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Huntsman A (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 7): rolled 11, hit Center Torso (10/25 armor remains)!
- Gains 12 heat, sinks 22!

Coyote
- Fires ER Large Laser at Vapor Eagle (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods = 10): rolled 7, miss!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 28!

Crab
- Fires ER Large Laser at Arctic Cheetah (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 8): rolled 11, hit Left Arm (0/7 armor, 4/5 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires Medium Pulse Laser at Arctic Cheetah (2 base + 4 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods - 2 pulse laser = 10): rolled 9, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Arctic Cheetah (2 base + 2 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 10): rolled 9, miss!
- Fires ER Small Laser at Arctic Cheetah (2 base + 4 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 12): rolled 2, miss!
- Gains 35 heat, sinks 36!

Hunchback
- No Line of Sight to target!
- Gains 12 heat, sinks 22!

Stinger
- Holds fire
- Gains 7 heat, sinks 20!



End Phase:
Longbow
- Must pass a piloting test or fall (3 base + 1 massive damage = 4): rolled 9, succeeds!
- Critical chance in Right Arm! No critical hit sustained!
- Critical chance in Left Arm! No critical hit sustained!
- Critical chance in Right Arm! No critical hit sustained!

Crab
- Critical chance in Left Torso! No critical hit sustained!

Longbow
- Must pass a piloting test or fall (3 base + 1 massive damage = 4): rolled 4, succeeds!



Arrow IV Counter: 1 Turn









Special Rules
Overheat Ace: The Rim World Blackguard gain Ace status when they overheat by 10 points or more!

Blind: Enemy units are only visible in direct Line of Sight

Hidden Units: Some enemy units remain hidden until they attack. Additionally, units equipped with Void Signature Systems may expend a turn’s movement to hide themselves if they are not in direct line of sight.

Expect Surprises: When the players lose their Phase 1 units, they will gain control of a powerful Phase 2 unit. When the players lose their Phase 2 unit, they will still have a chance to influence the outcome of the battle with a weaker Phase 3 unit. Some of these units start on the map, others will enter from elsewhere.



Player Status:


Glorious Deaths




Phase 1 Objectives:
- Die Gloriously!

Phase 2 / Phase 3 Objectives:
- Defeat as many enemy `Mechs as possible (3/39 defeated)
- Defend Clan HQ Vehicles (3/3 remaining)
- Defend Clan Personnel (55/84 tents remaining)
- Defend Clan Equipment (24/36 units remaining)



Enemy Status:
Stinger –Structure damage
Hunchback – Armor damage
Longbow – Structure damage! Pilot injured!
Crab – Armor penetrated

Enemy Movement Mods:
- Unknown Assault +0
- Longbow +0
- Longbow +1
- Thug +1
- Black Knight +0
- Excalibur +0
- Coyote +0
- Hunchback +0
- Crab +0
- Stinger +4



Orders Due: Saturday Night!