Part 597: Gravedigger - Turn 1

Grave Digger: Tactical Update 1

“What’s up, Zeke? Why’re you slowing?”

“Gang standoff, I think.” It would’ve been charitable to call Ezekiel mar Vohrs’ response terse, the grizzled old tank Sand Whaler had been roaming the deserts before Krel had been born. Now in his seventies, his eyesight wasn’t so hot. Not after decades of staring through binoculars searching for signs of the scarred whale that had killed his wife and son. His tank was as ancient and creaky as he himself was, but in spite of its poor speed it was highly responsive.

Krel peered out of his front windshield, past the drab green Marsden II. The tiny spec of a high-bodied Rotunda armored car sat at rest beyond, its quartet of machine guns pointed at—he shifted position, leaning on Riber’s lap to get a better view. She cursed him and slammed on the breaks when he knocked her arms from the steering column. Krel whistled.

“Hoo—a Dig Lord.”

As if on cue, the brilliant crimson machine twisted the Desert Hawg’s way. The pilot’s voice boomed from the `Mech’s loudspeakers in the peculiar, lilting tones of a madman trying to emulate the language he’d seen on an episode of the insufferable Davion sitcom Royal’s Pride. “Excuse me, good sirs and madams. I appear to be in a spot of trouble. These fine upstanding gentlemen claim I’m trespassing into the demesne of the Cloud Chasers. I would be most indebted to you if you would be so kind as to help me excruciate myself from this facile predicament.”

Krel thought for a long moment. Cutting through Cloud Chaser territory would save them half a day—he’d already been doing just that. It’d come down to a fight no matter what. “Fine,” Krell transmitted. “We’ll help, but I’m cashing in the debt right away: you’ll help escort us to our destination and then leave immediately afterwards, no questions asked.”




[N/A]



[No Combat]








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
- Destroy the ???? (0/1)
- Destroy the ???? (0/1)



Orders Due: Midnight Saturday!

Attention, Mechwarriors! You will be receiving a PM / E-Mail soon.