Double Trouble (D3 EA Szekeres Combat)

[GM Yuusha]

At the rear of the base there is a building that acts as a makeshift mech hangar. We believe there are two mechs inside that augment the base's other defenders. When the front of the base is under attack we'd like you to attack here to cripple or destroy these mechs. Unfortunately, we've not seen the enemy mechs, but we believe they are likely medium mechs as they aren't being used for patrols. If possible, try to take them intact so we can fix them up for our own use as salvage.

Objective: Defeat both mechs

[Gianna Rains]

The Kindergarten was ready for the task, if not entirely in the right head space. Gianna, still smarting from her embarrassment two days before, had an itch to prove herself to everyone. Princess, heading into her first real fight, was feeling jittery. Lights Out had heard the target was mechs, and she was anxious for a chance to take at least one intact. Really only Spare was feeling cool under pressure, but that was the real, unflappable kind of mechwarrior he'd always been.

As Gorgeous George, Maggie and the other mechs stomped into position, the energy among their pilots couldn't be higher.

[GM Yuusha]

According to their targeting systems, after brief glimpses of the enemy mech, they were facing an Enforcer and a Hunchback. The Enforcer had a good mix of weapons that favoured medium range engagements, with its jump jets proving useful. The Hunchback was sturdier, with the particular variant facing them being the 4N, which had a mix of short, medium and long range weapons. It was a good generalist.



Gianna's lance moved down the hill, the enemy hangars to their six.



Both enemy mechs moved to stop them safely getting closer. The Enforcer jumped into some small woods to the north to cover that approach while the Hunchback stomped into woods to the south.

[Gianna Rains]

"All right kids, we've got this," Gianna says confidently. "Spare, you've got the flank so stay sharp," she says, grinning like she knows he will be, as sharp is what he always is.

"Ladies, let's give that hunchback more than he can handle."

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Whitworth jumps to 0506, facing NE, fires LRMs at Enforcer
Wyvern jumps to 0308, face NE, fire LRM and LL if shot is possible (TN 12 or less)
Dragon walk to 0311, face NE, fire all but 1ML at hunch
Crusader run to 0413, face NE, fires LRMs if LOS exists

[GM Yuusha]

Gianna's lance mates all respond with affirmative comments. They move into position. Princess had a shot, but it was incredibly unlikely... she nonetheless takes it!

There is weapons fire both ways. The Dragon takes the brunt of the enemy's, with each of its arms getting dinged (5 damage LA, RA). The lance's return fire was much better. Sergeant Price landed everything they fired onto the Hunchback (5 damage CT, 3 damage RL, 5 damage HD, 5 damage LT), including a good AC/5 round to the head. It was intimidating to see. The only other weapons fire that hit was the Whitworth landing some LRMs on the Enforcer (5 damage RA, 1 damage CT).



Neither Militia mech was giving up yet however. They remained where they were to increase their accuracy.

(Wyvern 3 heat, Whitworth 2 heat)

[Gianna Rains]

Princess knows she tried to do too much at once and it didn't work, but with things starting to settle in her mind, she prioritizes, taking a deep breath and lining up what she hopes is a good shot with her heavy laser.

Spare was cool as always, sinking some extra heat now before making his move.

Veteran comrades Lights Out and Make It just knew they both had the same predatory grin as they ganged up on the hunchback, who likely had no idea what kind of people he was dealing with.

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Whitworth stationary, fires LRMs at Enforcer
Wyvern stationary, fires LL at Enforcer
Dragon walk to 0510, face SE, fire all but 1ML at hunch
Crusader face NE, walk to 0612, fire LRMs and SRMs at hunch

[GM Yuusha]

As the ranges close in the southern firefight the shooting became more accurate and deadly. Gianna found the Hunchback switch to her as she closed with it. It was good she was in a heavy mech as the volume of fire directed her way by the medium mech was staggering. She even had to turn to pre-emptively avoid a shot to her head as she noticed just where its AC/5 barrel was aiming (5 damage CT - edge used to avoid HD hit, 5 damage LT, LL, RA, LL again, 3 damage RA). Luckily, she prevents it falling over. In the north the Enforcer switched fire to the Wyvern. It missed with its large laser, but only just. The AC/10 round it shot landed squarely in the Wyvern's chest however (10 damage CT). It couldn't take many more hits like that.

In return, the Angels were carving the enemy up. The Whitworth landed nearly all its LRMs on the Enforcer (5 damage LT, 3 damage CT, 5 damage RT, 3 damage LA), but the enemy pilot was torso twisting to spread the damage. They'd paid attention in class. Princess makes her large laser shot however, smacking its centre in revenge for her own being dented (8 damage CT). Feeling cocky, she lets rip with her LRMs too (5 damage RL, 1 damage LA), with the majority smacking hard into the medium mech. She lets out a few cheers and whoops as the Enforcer falls over! She did that! (5 damage LL, 1 damage to pilot!)

The Dragon only missed a medium laser shot at the Hunchback as the wind swayed a branch into the way of the shot. It hit with its bigger weapons however (5 damage CT, 1 damage LL, 5 damage LL), in particular targeting the left leg. Seeing this, Gianna tries to strike there too, but she is only partially successful. The majority of her weapons fire misses, but some LRMs strike true (5 damage LL, 1 damage RA). The Hunchback remains standing, but it is starting to glow from heat build up.

(Crusader on 1 heat, Wyvern on 3)



To Princess' anger the Enforcer manages to rise. It then promptly sprints south. Was it moving to support its ally or was it running from her? The Hunchback stubbornly remained where it was.

[Gianna Rains]

"Nice work, Princess," Spare says coolly, firing his jump jets to chase the Enforcer, regardless of why it had turned away.

Princess preens at the praise, feeling so pleased that she almost forgets to focus on the battle.

Lights Out and Make It continued to tag-team Hunchie, Gianna letting slip a string of curses at how close the shot on Gorgeous George had been to really bad. "God damn jackass," was the most polite, under her breath, as she lined up her next shot.

------------
Whitworth jumps to 0904, facing SE, fires all ML at Enforcer
Wyvern sturun to 0709, facing SE
Dragon stationary, fire all at hunch
Crusader stationary, fire all at hunch

[GM Yuusha]

Perhaps Spare was acting too rashly compared to the norm, as he missed all of his shots on the Enforcer. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Lights Out landed all of her shots on the Hunchback (5 damage RT, LT, RA, 1 damage LA). Gianna did better too, some of her LRMs, MLs and SRMs striking true (10 damage LT, 5 damage CT, 6 damage LA, 1 damage LL). The Hunchback's left torso was a mess. A moment later and Princess landed a few SRMs into it for good measure (4 damage CT, 2 damage RA, LA) even if her LRMs flew wide.

On the other hand, the enemy were not to be outdone just yet. The Hunchback puts dents into the Crusader (5 damage LA, 3 damage LA, CT). The Enforcer then manages two surprisingly skilful shots on Gianna's mech (10 damage RA, 8 damage RT). Her right arm was very low on armour as a result.

Even with all the impacts, Gianna holds Gorgeous George steady. Somehow, the Hunchback pilot did the same. It was now glowing on thermals. Gianna's mech wasn't far behind.

(Crusader on 7 heat, Whitworth on 3, Wyvern on 1)



Once more the Hunchback remained in position. The Enforcer used its jump jets to land nearby, trying desperately to assist the other mech.

[Gianna Rains]

Lights Out snarls in frustration as the hunchback sways but stays up. "Oh you are gonna respect my rep, son," she says menacingly, stretching herself to flatten the irritating mech in this wave of fire.

Otherwise unflappable Spare is showing some of his twins frustration as well, but he coolly takes a breath, radiating the urge to jump after the Enforcer again, instead trailing it on the ground and closing to try to disable it with flanking fire.

As Princess continues forward, blazing away in a fairly responsible manner, Gianna sidesteps into some cover, enraged at the enemy pilots but absolutely unwilling to give them the satisfaction of seriously damaging Gorgeous George. Realizing her heat levels, she makes some chives about her weapon use at this range, hoping she's setting a good example for Princess and the others.

------------
Whitworth runs to 1107, facing S, fires all ML at Enforcer
Wyvern walk to 0809, fire LRM and SRM at hunch, small lasers at Enforcer if LOS exists
Dragon stationary, fire all at hunch
Crusader walk to 0611, speed means facing N, so torso twist to fire LRMs and MLs at hunch

[GM Yuusha]

The Wyvern comes under fire from the Hunchback, which seemed to be searching for an easy target. She was the closest and stationary. However, only a few LRMs ultimately hit her (4 damage to LA), which is a stroke of luck. The Enforcer nearly targets her too, but the Whitworth was more pressing. It fired. It missed. So much for that.

Spare, calm restored, does much better with his medium lasers. The trio all score the Enforcer's armour. Two hit the right arm and not only expose the internal structure, but start to damage it (5 damage LA, 10 damage RA, armour destroyed). Princess' luck stops as she fails all her shots on the Hunchback. The damn wind was moving the tree branches and they kept throwing off her targeting systems. Apparently.

Gianna in her Crusader was doing better. She plants LRMs and medium lasers into the battered Hunchback (5 damage RT, 1 damage LT, 5 damage RT). Its left torso was now fully exposed. Lights Out capitalised on this immediately. Her LRMs were made to look like they had a homing lock on the Hunchback's left side. Three of them hit and pierce deep. A second passes and then the Hunchback simply ceases to be. A giant blossom of fire and mech pieces pierces the sky as much as the sound pierces everyone's ears (3 damage LT, 2 criticals, LRM 5 ammo explodes - 80 damage, LT, CT destroyed). Somehow the enemy pilot ejects, perhaps due to the auto-eject, but their mech was totalled. There would be precious little salvage after that! As if for good measure, the AC/5 round Lights Out had fired in that second gap hits the right torso and removes all the armour there (5 damage RT, not that it matters). The Hunchback's legs both topple over. They and bits of the right side were all that remained of the stubborn mech.

(Crusader on 6 heat, Whitworth on 4, Wyvern on 5).



The Enforcer, now outnumbered four to one, jumped into heavier woods toward the centre of the facility. It still wanted to fight however.

[Gianna Rains]

"Oh no you don't," Lights Out growled into the comms after cutting short her victory party over the hunchback.

And the Kindergarten's chase for the damaged Enforcer was on, Gianna alone hanging back to dump heat, though her hesitation also slowed Princess with worry about her sister.

"You all right, Gi--er, lance leader?"

------------
Whitworth walk to 1309, facing SE, fires all ML at Enforcer if LOS positive.
Wyvern walk to 0910, fire SRM at Enforcer.
Dragon runs to 1012, fire everything except LRM at Enforcer
Crusader stationary at 0611, torso twist to fire LRMs only

[GM Yuusha]

Things were slowing down now. The Trooper lance had a big advantage. Gianna lands a few LRMs on the retreating Enforcer (5 damage CT, 1 damage LL). The Dragon lands an AC/5 round in its left torso (5 damage LT). The Whitworth whiffed, but Princess did something clever. Rather than an impossible shot with her SRMs on the enemy behind the woods, she shoots the woods directly to start a fire. It even works!

Still angry at the Whitworth, the Enforcer focuses that mech (10 damage LA). Its left arm armour was very low as a result. On the plus side the Enforcer was lighting up thermal scans.

(Whitworth on 5 heat)



The Enforcer is forced to reposition. It jumps behind the Whitworth to put its back to a building. It'd go down fighting.

[Gianna Rains]

Gianna hesitates as the Enforcer lands behind Spare. At that range, the Whitworth alone will probably finish the militia mech. With the rest of the lance helping, that green pilot has no hope. Gritting her teeth, the Canopian wants to shout into a general channel, "Power down! You're beaten!" But she doesn't know if the enemy will see it, and she can't risk Spare getting hurt if the lance halts fire for Gianna's message to get through. So she doesn't send one, and all the Angel mechs continue to fire. Including Gorgeous George.

------------
Whitworth turn to face NW, fire 2 ML at Enforcer and knock it over if still standing by close combat phase.
Wyvern jump to 1108, facing SE, fire SRM and SLs at Enforcer. Punch if still standing in CC phase.
Dragon walk to 1211, fire AC and MLs at Enforcer
Crusader stationary at 0611, torso twist to fire LRMs and SRMs only

[GM Yuusha]

The Enforcer continued to trade fire with the Whitworth, missing everything but a small laser shot (3 damage CT). The pilot had become frantic and target focused.

Gianna's lance punishes it. The Whitworth puts a medium laser nearly through the cockpit (5 damage HD, pilot takes 2nd hit) while Princess' Wyvern landed a small laser on its exposed right arm (3 damage RA). It looked like the arm was about to drop off. Then a fraction of the Crusader's fire connected, as all the missiles from one launcher struck true (5 damage CT, 5 damage LT). Somehow the other shots, and those from the Dragon, all missed.

With the mech still standing both the Whitworth and Wyvern attempted to attack it in melee. The Enforcer did likewise, aiming a kick at the Wyvern. It missed. They missed. The Whitworth promptly fell over as it lost balance (4 damage RL). That was disastrous. The damn thing was still fighting. Maybe Gianna should have opened fire with her lasers as well? The only positive was that it was now glowing red.

(Whitworth on 2 heat)



The tenacious Enforcer backed up into some trees along the road as cover. It was really bogging them down.

[Gianna Rains]

Over the sound of Lights Out cursing this bastard who won't go down when he should, Gianna roars, "Princess, box him in!"

The young pilot fires her jump jets before even fully plotting her destination, but seeing where the Enforcer slows and turns to face her lance mates, Princess sees where she needs to be.

Lights Out in the Dragon storms uphill in pursuit, raging not only that she didn't put this guy in his place already but that he'd knocked over her brother too. Spare, in the usual contrast, hums gently as he maneuvers his mech to stand, seeming about as bothered about falling as he would be about needing to reheat a bowl of soup.

Gianna curses quietly, wishing they'd hit the poor militia idiot harder with earlier shots so this wouldn't be continuing. She turns Gorgeous George to trundle up the hill to support her team.

------------
Whitworth stand, fire all ML at Enforcer.
Wyvern jump to 1107, facing SE, fire SRM and SLs at Enforcer. Punch if still standing in CC phase.
Dragon run to 1209, fire AC and MLs at Enforcer
Crusader runs to 0910, fire SRMs and MLs if LOS to Enforcer

[GM Yuusha]

For a moment Princess might have worried as the Enforcer suddenly switched targets to her. It fired everything at her at point blank range. Somehow, miraculously, everything missed.

A second later and it was shredded under the combined fire of the lance. Gianna crippled it, but the Whitworth ends things for good with its medium laser fire. One shot hits the now very exposed AC/10 ammo, destroying the right torso and the mech's centre. It collapsed into flaming pieces. The auto-ejection system had worked, but the pilot was a pulped mess. He wouldn't last long. The Hunchback pilot was still passed out in his ejection system, but he might live with some medical attention. Might.

Regardless, the day was won! There would be some moaning about salvage, but sometimes mechs just exploded.

(All enemies eliminated! Congratulations!)

The folks back at base were pleased regardless. Infantry were taking the site and the anti-aircraft towers had been taken down by Butcher's lance.

[Gianna Rains]

"Gods damn it all!" Gianna yells as the second mech explodes, and again when the reports from the infantry indicate one and perhaps soon to be both enemy pilots dead.

"Captain Ricci, if we can get care to that remaining pilot, I want it," she says, grumpy but polite as the infantry commander outranks her.

Switching channels, she intones, "Alright, Kinders, let's head back to the nest. Our job is done."

[GM Yuusha]

Gianna Rains gains 0.1 fame for her contributions toward a successful combat.

Combat closed.