Part 401: Ultimatum - Turn 27
Ultimatum: Tactical Update 27“Mandanu-1, this is Sin-7. Enemy strike force has just deployed from Op A-6 into T A-3. Forty-five repeat four-five units inbound, eta twelve repeat one-two minutes.”
“Sloppy, and arrogant. Almost five minutes to respond in real force. If we didn’t care about leaving alive we’d have sixteen minutes to kill every living thing here. Ready-5 only works if you can see an attacker coming.”
Major Kaafi Ngouabi, field operations commander of the Rim World Black Guards’ first battalion couldn’t resist an involuntary shake of his head, but the motion was controlled—too much in either direction and his machine would mirror his action with a torso-twist. It was an elegant solution for a cockpit designed with only a single control stick: humans would instinctively turn to look at a new threat so a Rim World pilot would very quickly be facing anything he or she wanted a good look at. It made fighting easier and with the exception of the tanks and a few BattleMechs with built-in blind spots most NRWAF machines had phased out the 360-strip for a much smaller version that provided about 200 degrees of vision covering the rear arc. It was one of numerous improvements that’d been instituted in the three-hundred years since the Diaspora. The Blackguards were one of the few units who still occasionally trained on the old Star League interface.
“We can’t all live in our cockpits like you Three-Thirty-Firsters,” Kaafi’s deep voice had a pleasant, resonant sound that carried well even through a helmet microphone. “For one thing: I’m not sure where I’d fit the shower.”
“Under the seat.” Alice replied sardonically. “Where we keep everything else. I guess it’s true what they say: nobody fights like the Blackguards.”
“Mandanu-1 to Ninurta-1,” Kaafi cut over to second company’s frequency. “Status? How’s Kulla Lance performing?”
“Kulla-1 reports all active resistance has been pacified,” the response came quickly. The term “pacification” had entered the Republic’s lexicon during the last days of the Camerons but its usage was restricted. Captain Lucius Trivago’s usage of the term was an expression of disgust. The man was an excellent Mechwarrior and there were no questions about his loyalty but Trivago was a romantic who had no qualms about expressing his distaste for the Republic’s utilitarian approach to warfare. “Proceeding with pacification of inactive combatants.”
“Prioritize recovering EVAs, Ninurta,” Kaafi had no qualms about assigning the man tasks he’d have no moral issues performing. “Then knock out every fusion engine you can but I think we’ve made our point. We’re not ROM and this was never intended to be a clean sweep.”
“Roger,” Trivago sounded relieved.
“Sin-1,” Kaafi swapped channels again, “we’re getting ready to pull out. Status?”
“We can make a run in two. Upload the coordinates of our downed units and we’ll make sure the Kerensky Kids get jack shit.”
“Thanks, Sin-1. Go easy on the gas if you can. We’ve got breaches.”
Movement Phase
Unknown Assault (ACE)
- Activates Void Signature System!
Crab (ACE)
- Deactivates Void Signature System!
Kraken 3
- Attempts to enter hex 1220, but has insufficient MP!
Combat Phase
Kraken 3
- Fires LRM-15 at Unknown Assault Lancer (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 smoke + 2 Void Signature System = 10): rolled 8, miss!
- Fires LRM-15 at Unknown Assault Lancer (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 smoke + 2 Void Signature System = 10): rolled 7, miss!
- Fires LRM-15 at Unknon Assault Lancer (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 smoke + 2 Void Signature System = 10): rolled 8, miss!
- Fires LRM-15 at Unknown Assault Lancer (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 2 smoke + 2 Void Signature System = 10): rolled 6, miss!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 38!
Dire Wolf H
- Reverses arms!
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 1307!
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 5): rolled 3, miss!
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement - 1 targeting computer = 5): rolled 3, miss!
- Fires Heavy Large Laser at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Heavy Laser - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 6, hit Left Arm (0/7 armor, 0/8 structure remains)! Arm blown off!
- - Damage transfers to Left Torso (11/16 armor remains)!
- Fires Heavy Large Laser at Chameleon (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Heavy Laser - 1 targeting computer = 6): rolled 9, hit Center Torso (4/22 armor remains)!
- Gains 41 heat, sinks 40!
Atlas IIC
- Fires Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle 40 at Crab (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover = 7): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Crab (2 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover = 9): rolled 8, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Crab (2 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover = 9): rolled 2, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Crab (2 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover = 9): rolled 5, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Crab (2 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover = 9): rolled 9, hit Left Arm (0/14 armor, 6/8 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires Streak SRM-6 at Crab (2 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover = 9): rolled 9, 2 missiles hit Right Arm (8/14 armor remains), Right Arm (6/14 armor remains)!
- Fires Streak SRM-6 at Crab (2 base + 4 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover = 9): rolled 6, fails to lock-on!
- Gains 38 heat, sinks 38!
Dire Wolf B
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 0942!
- Fires LRM-20 w/Artemis IV (Artemis) at Coyote (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 0 smoke + 1 Void Signature System = 4): rolled 7, 20 missiles hit Center Torso (7/33 armor remains), Right Torso (7/22 armor remains), Right Torso (2/22 armor remains), Head (4/9 armor remains)! Pilot Hit?
- Fires LRM-20 w/Artemis IV (Artemis) at Coyote (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + 1 enemy movement + 0 smoke + 1 Void Signature System + 4 shoulder hit = 8): rolled 7, miss!
- Gains 15 heat, sinks 36!
Unknown Assault (ACE)
- Fires Plasma Rifle at Alpha Galaxy Maher Mobile Command Center (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement - 4 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 2 heat + 1 Void Signature System = 4): rolled 7, hit Side (43/98 armor remains)!
- Fires Medium Pulse Laser at Alpha Galaxy Maher Mobile Command Center (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement - 4 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 2 heat - 2 pulse laser + 1 Void Signature System = 2): automatically hit Side (37/98 armor remains)!
- Gains 26 heat, sinks 26! Overheating! ACE!
Unknown Assault (ACE)
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Kraken 3 (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover + 1 Void Signature System = 8): rolled 7, miss!
- Charges PPC Capacitor!
- Charges PPC Capacitor!
- Gains 23 heat, sinks 32!
Coyote (ACE)
- Fires ER Large Laser at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System = 4): rolled 9, hit Left Leg (0/41 armor, 14/21 structure remains)! Crit!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 28!
Coyote (ACE)
- Fires ER Large Laser at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System = 6): rolled 5, miss!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 28!
Coyote (ACE)
- Fires ER Large Laser at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System = 6): rolled 6, hit Rear Center Torso (5/31 structure remains)! TAC!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 28!
Crab (ACE)
- Fires ER Large Laser at Kraken 3 (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 4): rolled 3, miss!
- Fires ER Large Laser at Kraken 3 (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 4): rolled 9, hit Rear Center Torso (0/13 armor, 29/31 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires Medium Pulse Laser at Kraken 3 (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat – 2 Pulse Laser = 2): automatically hit Rear Right Torso (4/10 armor remains)!
- Fires Medium Pulse Laser at Kraken 3 (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat – 2 Pulse Laser = 2): automatically hit Rear Center Torso (23/31 armor remains)! Crit!
- Fires ER Small Laser at Kraken 3 (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 4): rolled 5, hit Right Arm (3/34 armor remains)!
- Gains 36 heat sinks 36! Overheating! ACE!
Longbow
- Holds fire!
Black Knight
- Fires Heavy PPC w/ PPC Capacitor (charged) at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover + 3 smoke = 8): rolled 6, miss!
- Gains 30 heat, sinks 36!
Excalibur
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 partial cover + 3 smoke = 8): rolled 6, miss!
- Gains 11 heat, sinks 22!
Coyote
- Fires ER Large Laser at Dire Wolf B (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System = 5): rolled 8, hit Center Torso (13/47 armor remains)!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 28!
Chameleon
- Fires Large Laser at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 0 enemy movement = 5): rolled 4, miss!
- Fires TAG at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 0 enemy movement = 5): rolled 4, miss!
- Gains 14 heat sinks 32!
Chameleon
- Fires Large Laser at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 0 enemy movement = 5): rolled 9, hit Right Arm (4/34 armor remains)!
- Fires TAG at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 0 enemy movement = 5): rolled 5, hit!
- Gains 14 heat sinks 32!
Longbow
- Fires LRM-20 w/ Artemis IV (Semi-Guided) at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + enemy movement ignored + spotter movement ignored + spotter shooting ignored + indirect fire penalty ignored = 4): rolled 5, 6 missiles hit Right Leg (1/41 armor remains), Left Torso (10/34 armor remains)!
- Gains 6 heat, sinks 26!
???
- Fires LRM-20 w/ Artemis IV (Semi-Guided) at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + enemy movement ignored + spotter movement ignored + spotter shooting ignored + indirect fire penalty ignored + 1 Void Signature System = 5): rolled 10, 9 missiles hit Right Leg (0/41 armor, 17/21 structure remains (Crit!)), Center Torso (26/47 armor remains)!
- Fires LRM-20 w/ Artemis IV (Semi-Guided) at Dire Wolf H (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + enemy movement ignored + spotter movement ignored + spotter shooting ignored + indirect fire penalty ignored + 1 Void Signature System = 5): rolled 8, 12 missiles hit Left Arm (5/34 armor remains), Center Torso (21/47 armor remains), Left Arm (4/34 armor remains)!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 26!
Locust
- Holds fire!
- Gains 2 heat, sinks 20!
Locust
- Holds fire!
- Gains 12 heat, sinks 20!
End Phase:
Crab
- Critical chance in Left Arm! 1 critical hit sustained!
- - Double Heat Sink hit!
Coyote
- Must pass a 3+ consciousness test: rolled 8, succeeds!
Dire Wolf B
- Critical chance in Left Leg! 1 critical hit sustained!
- - Foot actuator destroyed!
- Through-armor critical chance in Center Torso! No critical hits sustained!
- Must pass a piloting test or fall (3 base + 1 actuator damage + 1 massive damage = 5): rolled 7, succeeds!
Kraken 3
- Critial chance in Center Torso! 2 critical hits sustained!
- - Engine hit!
- - Engine destroyed! `Mech destroyed!
- Critial chance in Center Torso! No critical hits sustained!
Dire Wolf H
- Critical chance in Right Leg! 1 critical hit sustained!
- - Lower leg actuator hit!
- Must pass a piloting test or fall (3 base + 1 actuator damage + 1 massive damage = 5): rolled 8, succeeds!
Physical Combat Phase:
Dire Wolf B
- Target not in arc!
Unknown Assault (ACE)
- Kicks Alpha Galaxy Maher Mobile Command Center (3 base + 2 movement - 4 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System - 2 kick = 1): automatically hit side (0/98 armor, 7/10 structure remains)! Crit!
Unknown Assault (ACE)
- Kicks Alpha Galaxy Maher Mobile Command Center (3 base + 2 movement - 4 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System - 2 kick = 1): automatically hit side (0/10 structure remains)! Vehicle destroyed!
Coyote (ACE)
- Kicks Dire Wolf B (punch hit) (3 base + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 smoke + 1 Void Signature System - 2 kick = 5): rolled 9, hit Center Torso (0/13 armor, 0/31 structure remains)! `Mech destroyed!
Coyote (ACE)
- Kicks Dire Wolf B!
Coyote (ACE)
- Kicks Dire Wolf B!
Coyote
- Kicks Dire Wolf B!
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
Primary Objective:
- Defend Clan HQ Vehicles (0/3 remaining)
Secondary Objective
- Defeat as many enemy `Mechs as possible (14/39 defeated)
- Defend Clan Personnel (20 tents remain! )
- Defend Clan Equipment (17/36 units remaining)
Enemy Status:
Everything is a hair’s breadth from exploding. Probably.
Enemy Movement Mods:
- Unknown Assault +ACE
- Unknown Assault +1
- Longbow +1
- Longbow +???
- Black Knight +2
- Excalibur +2
- Coyote +1
- Coyote +1
- Coyote +1
- Coyote +1
- Crab +ACE
- Chameleon +3
- Chameleon +3
- Phoenix +3
- Bobcat +3
- Locust +3
- Locust +3
Orders Due: Saturday Night!