Part 397: Ultimatum - Turn 23

Ultimatum: Tactical Update 23

“Mechwarrior Crow, I am no longer receiving your targeting information. Mechwarrior Crow, please respond—”

“He has been dead for quite some time,” Xephon Siegel growled. He had the honor of piloting an ancient but well-maintained Atlas rumored, as was every other Atlas still fielded by the Clans, to be one of the machines once piloted by Kerensky himself. Xephon knew for a fact his machine had never been piloted by the greatest Mechwarrior in history but his decision to pilot it over an OmniMech was symbolic. The Atlas was distinct: it stood out and proved his bravery.

“Apologies, Galaxy Commander,” the tank crewman prattled. “I have been launching fire missions at his directive—”

“You Snow Ravens have too much love for the sound of your own squawking. Be silent, freebirth. Real warriors have no need for the support of tanks or the genetically inferior.”

“A—aff, Galaxy Commander. It is as you say.”

“I said be silent,” Xephon’s eyes swept the battlefield, taking in the devastation. Snow Raven forces had been decimated in less than four minutes. Xephon shook his head, Clan forces had been decimated in less than four minutes. That it was a surprise attack shouldn’t have mattered: no Inner Sphere force should have been capable of such a feat. It was unthinkable, perverse, and an unClanlike loss. For the first time in his life, Xephon started to question the value of the centuries-old alliance his Clan had forged with the Snow Ravens.

“Apologies, Galaxy Commander,” the Freebirth persisted. “I will put myself on report.”

Xephon’s eyebrow twitched in annoyance, “Freebirth: if you do not cease talking immediately, you will not live to do so.”



Movement Phase
Kraken 3
- Attempts to enter hex 2223! Insufficient MP!


Combat Phase
Kodiak
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 0314!
- Fires Ultra AC/20 (single) at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 Void Signature System + 1 smoke = 7): rolled 9, hit Right Arm (0/16 armor, 4/8 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 Void Signature System + 1 smoke = 7): rolled 11, hit Head (2/9 armor remains)! Pilot hit!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 Void Signature System + 1 smoke = 7): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 Void Signature System + 1 smoke = 7): rolled 4, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 Void Signature System + 1 smoke = 7): rolled 4, miss!
- Fires Streak SRM-6 at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 Void Signature System + 1 smoke = 7): rolled 10, 6 missiles hit Center Torso (20/22 armor remains), Left Arm (14/16 armor remains), Right Arm (2/8 structure remains (Crit!)), Right Leg (22/24 armor remains), Right Arm (0/8 structure remains (Arm blown off!)), Left Torso (14/16 armor remains)!
- Fires Streak SRM-6 at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 Void Signature System + 1 smoke = 7): rolled 11, 6 missiles hit Right Torso (14/16 armor remains), Right Torso (12/16 armor remains), Left Torso (12/16 armor remains), Left Arm (12/16 armor remains), Right Torso (10/16 armor remains), Right Torso (8/16 armor remains)!
- Gains 50 heat, sinks 40! Overheating!

Kraken 3
- Fires LRM-15 at Crab (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 Void Signature System = 10): rolled 3, miss!
- Fires LRM-15 at Crab (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 Void Signature System = 10): rolled 10, 9 missiles hit Right Torso (7/14 armor remains), Right Arm (10/14 armor remains)!
- Fires LRM-15 at Crab (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 Void Signature System = 10): rolled 9, miss!
- Fires LRM-15 at Crab (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 Void Signature System = 10): rolled 4, miss!
- Gains 27 heat, sinks 38!

Dire Wolf H
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 1608!
- Fires Heavy Large Laser at Hunchback (2 base + 2 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 smoke - 1 targeting computer = 8): rolled 9, hit Head (0/9 armor, 0/3 structure remains)! `Mech destroyed!
- Fires Heavy Large Laser at Hunchback (2 base + 2 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 smoke - 1 targeting computer = 8): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Hunchback (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 smoke - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 11, hit Left Leg (5/20 armor remains)!
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Hunchback (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 smoke - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 6, hit Left Arm (1/16 armor remains)!
- Fires One-Shot Streak SRM-4 at Hunchback (2 base + 2 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods + 1 smoke - 1 targeting computer = 8): rolled 8, 2 missiles hit Right Arm (14/16 armor remains), Right Arm (12/16 armor remains)!
- Gains 43 heat, sinks 40!

Ebon Jaguar
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 1916!
- Fires ER PPC at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 light woods + 1 Void Signature System + 1 heat = 8): rolled 5, miss!
- Fires ER PPC at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 light woods + 1 Void Signature System + 1 heat = 8): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires Streak SRM-6 at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 light woods + 1 Void Signature System + 1 heat = 8): rolled 8, 2 missiles hit Left Leg (20/22 armor remains), Right Torso (5/14 armor remains)!
- Fires Streak SRM-6 at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 light woods + 1 Void Signature System + 1 heat = 8): rolled 7, miss!
- Fires TAG at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 light woods + 1 Void Signature System + 1 heat = 8): rolled 4, miss!
- Gains 35 heat, sinks 40! Overheating!

Dire Wolf B
- No Line of Sight to target Excalibur (too much smoke)!
- Gains 1 heat, sinks 36!

Crab (Ace)
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 2116!
- Fires ER Large Laser at Ebon Jaguar “R” (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 heat + 1 light woods = 8): rolled 8, hit Left Arm (0/17 armor, 7/10 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires ER Large Laser at Ebon Jaguar “R” (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 heat + 1 light woods = 8): rolled 10, hit Left Arm (0/10 structure remains)! Arm blown off!
- - Damage transfers to Left Torso (14/22 armor remains)!
- Gains 36 heat sinks 36! Overheating! ACE!

Hunchback (ACE)
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 2 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods = 8): rolled 11, hit Right Leg (36/41 armor remains)!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 2 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 light woods = 8): rolled 7, miss!
- Gains 16 heat, sinks 22! Overheating!

Unknown Assault
- Fires Snub-Nose PPC w/ PPC Capacitor (Charged) at Kodiak (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 smoke + 1 Void Signature System + 1 minimum range = 7): rolled 9, hit Center Torso (25/40 armor remains)! TAC!
- Fires Plasma Rifle at Kodiak (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 smoke + 1 Void Signature System + 1 minimum range = 7): rolled 8, hit Right Arm (17/32 armor remains)! Target gains 6 heat!
- Fires LB-10X Autocannon (Cluster) at Kodiak (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 2 smoke + 1 Void Signature System - 1 cluster = 6): rolled 6, 10 submunitions hit Center Torso (24/40 armor remains), Left Arm (30/32 armor remains), Left Torso (23/32 armor remains), Left Torso (22/32 armor remains), Left Arm (29/32 armor remains), Right Leg (33/34 armor remains), Center Torso (23/40 armor remains), Center Torso (22/40 armor remains), Left Leg (33/34 armor remains), Right Torso (23/32 armor remains)!
- Gains 36 heat, sinks 26! Overheating! ACE!

Longbow
- Fires TAG at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 4 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 Partial Cover = 9): rolled 7, miss!
- Fires LRM-20 w/ Artemis IV (Artemis) at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 Partial Cover = 7): rolled 7, 16 missiles hit Right Torso (7/32 armor remains), Left Torso (27/32 armor remains), Right Arm (29/34 armor remains), Center Torso (46/47 armor remains)!
- Fires Large Laser at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 4 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 Partial Cover = 9): rolled 7, miss!
- Fires Large Laser at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 4 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 1 Partial Cover = 9): rolled 2, miss!
- Gains 32 heat, sinks 26! Overheating!

Black Knight
- Holds fire!
- Gains 10 heat, sinks 36!

Excalibur
- Holds fire!
- Gains 11 heat, sinks 22!

Coyote
- Fires ER Large Laser at Donar (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement - 4 target movement + 1 Void Signature System = 3): rolled 9, hit Front (8/16 armor remains)!
- Gains 24 heat, sinks 28!

Coyote
- Fires ER Large Laser at Donar (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement - 4 target movement + 1 Void Signature System = 3): rolled 10, hit Front (0/16 armor remains)!
- Gains 24 heat, sinks 28!

Coyote
- Fires ER Large Laser at Donar (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement - 4 target movement + 1 Void Signature System = 3): rolled 7, hit Rotor (0/2 armor remains)!
- Gains 24 heat, sinks 28!

Coyote
- Fires ER Large Laser at Donar (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement - 4 target movement + 1 Void Signature System = 3): rolled 8, hit Front (0/3 structure remains)! Vehicle destroyed!
- Gains 24 heat, sinks 28!

Chameleon
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 0514!
- Fires Large Laser at Kodiak (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System = 6): rolled 5, miss!
- Fires Large Laser at Kodiak (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System = 6): rolled 8, hit Left Torso (14/32 armor remains)!
- Fires TAG at Kodiak (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System = 6): rolled 3, miss!
- Gains 27 heat sinks 32!

Chameleon
- Holds fire!
- Gains 12 heat sinks 32!



End Phase:
Chameleon
- Must pass a 3+ consciousness test: rolled 7, succeeds!

Kodiak
- Through-armor critical chance in Center Torso! No critical hit sustained!



Physical Combat Phase:
Crab
- Kicks Ebon Jaguar w/ TSM active (2 base + 2 movement + 1 enemy movement + 1 light woods - 2 kick = 4): rolled 5, hit Head (welp ) (0/9 armor, 0/3 structure remains)! `Mech destroyed!



Next Turn’s Movement Phase
Unknown Assault
- TSM Activated!
- Gains ACE Status!

Crab
- TSM Activated!
- Gains ACE Status!









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 Phase 3 unit. Some of these units start on the map, others will enter from elsewhere.



Player Status:


Glorious Deaths




Phase 2 / Phase 3 Objectives:
- Defeat as many enemy `Mechs as possible (13/39 defeated)
- Defend Clan HQ Vehicles (2/3 remaining)
- Defend Clan Personnel (21 tents remain! )
- Defend Clan Equipment (19/36 units remaining)



Enemy Status:
Everything is a hair’s breadth from exploding. Probably.

Enemy Movement Mods:
- Unknown Assault +Ace
- Longbow +2
- Longbow +0
- Black Knight +0
- Excalibur +0
- Coyote +1
- Coyote +1
- Coyote +1
- Coyote +1
- Crab +ACE
- Chameleon +1
- Chameleon +1
- Phoenix +3
- Bobcat +3



Orders Due: Saturday Night!