In we go (D12 EA Ninovo Combat)

[GM Yuusha]

Other lances have engaged some of the site's perimeter units. While they're kept busy we need you to neutralise the field gunners they have covering the main entrance. We suspect they have access to flak ammunition so we're holding back our air units. Be careful regardless as they likely have access to normal rounds too. You'll want some anti infantry capability for this mission. If you can destroy the other defenders, great, but that's secondary. Take out the field gunners so we can bring in our VTOLs to spot for us and to drop infantry on the ground. If you don't then we'll probably take some damage from hidden units and infantry hiding in the base buildings.

Also, watch your approach - there are mines. You'll need to balance speed and caution. Hopefully the artillery has been neutralised or else this is will be harder.

Objective: Destroy the two Field Gunner units within 8 turns. Each field gunner unit that survives past turn 8 will incur a 0.2 strength loss upon the Angels representing the increased damage from lurking enemies.

[Samara Kinugawa]

"We're up." Samara told her lance ahead of setting off. The other three pilots looked at one another as Samara turned and headed off to prepare. Leaky pumped his fist: he'd won this round in the betting between them on how many words they'd get out of their lance leader.

[GM Yuusha]

"I'll provide covering fire, starting with that Bulldog. They'll have mines on the approach so be careful." First Lieutenant Daniels calls over comms to the lance. He'd followed the main road so he'd made good time. The rest of his lance were driving back a few tanks. This took priority.

(Samara Kinugawa uses her Reinforcement Token)



Up ahead the south-western part of the base was coming into view for Samara and her lance mates. There was a barely visible mech hidden in the trees that thankfully her targeting system picked up - a Whitworth with two LRM10s. A longer range mech. Northwest of it was a Patton tank guarding the main way in. It had an AC10 and an LRM5. Southeast of it was a Bulldog medium tank with its large laser for longer range and SRMs for short range. Both tanks were backed up by infantry.

Beyond this initial defensive line were the two field gun units. Both would be sniping at the mechs as they approached.



Raising the alarm, the Patton moves south ready to square up. The Bulldog embeds itself into a tank nest as the field gunners hastily turn their guns toward the approaching mechs.

[Samara Kinugawa]

"Understood. We'll be careful." Samara input the route for her lancemates, aiming to avoid the main road where she thought they'd put mines and hoping to use the woods as cover and concealment on the approach.

----

Move orders:

All units, full run, heading north into the nearby woods (1026-1227 forest feature).

Fire orders:

None at this time.

[GM Yuusha]

As soon as the other side started to shoot it meant it was fine to fire back, even if accuracy would be bad at the current ranges. The Icarus II manages to hit the Patton with its AC/10 (10 damage FR), but the enemy in their entrenched positions were more accurate than Samara's lance. They'd been watching this approach for some time after all.

The second Panther, piloted by Faucette, is hit by an AC/5 round from the field gunners (5 damage RA). The AC/2 gunners hit the Awesome a few times with their weapons (2 damage LL, RL). The Whitworth and Patton both focus on the Icarus II, as it was closest and easiest to hit, and LRMs streak across the mech (9 damage LT, 1 damage RA). Its left torso armour was getting a little low.



The Patton continued to close range, as did the laser rifle infantry platoon across open ground. Everything else stayed right where it was.

[Samara Kinugawa]

"Keep it going."

Samara updated her lance's waypoints and sent her Warhammer smashing through the trees and brush, looking to make the heavier mech a more appealing target.

----

Move orders:
Icarus to 1225
Panthers to 1126 and 1226
Warhammer to 1327

Firing orders:

All mechs, target Patton tank.
Icarus: All except small laser
Panthers: PPC only
Warhammer: 1x PPC, 2x MLAS

[GM Yuusha]

It works. Most guns focus on Samara's Warhammer. A few target the Awesome... because assault mechs are scary. Speaking of, it hits the Whitworth with one of its PPCs (10 damage LA).

Samara's lance focus the Patton. The tank is barely missed by Samara's PPC, but both her lasers melt the front armour (10 damage FR). The Icarus II hits it on the front too, causing minor damage (20 damage FR, minor damage, +1 to driving skill rolls). It had a lot of armour it seemed. The Panthers fire at it too, but only one hits (10 damage FR). The front of the tank was now a mess. Any further damage and surely it would be out the fight.

The field gunners enjoy being able to fire with impunity. A few of their shells hit the Warhammer (5 damage CT, LL) and the Awesome (2 damage LT, RT). The Whitworth also targets the Warhammer, raking it with LRMs and a medium laser (11 damage LA, 1 damage CT, 5 damage RA). Then the Bulldog hits her left torso with its large laser (8 damage LT). Somehow, she keeps the heavy mech upright. It still has good armour left, but that was quite the beating.

The Patton gets a small measure of revenge on the aggressors as it hits the Icarus II again with an AC/10 slug (10 damage LL). The Awesome is tickled by some LRMs (2 damage LL).

(Icarus II and Panther#1 on 1 heat)



The Patton moved up and, then rather curiously, turned to move perpendicular to the approaching mechs. It turns again to face them and obstruct their advance. Everything else, aside from some infantry, remained where they were.

There was no sign of mines yet, but the horrible explosive traps were probably nearby. If the lance got much closer they'd be in range of the SRM platoon.

[Samara Kinugawa]

Samara's eyes went to her armor status panel and grit her teeth as the hits came in.

"Go. Now!"

----

Move orders:

Warhammer runs to 1627 by way of 1427 and 1528.
Icarus jumps to 1422 facing Whitworth.
Panther jumps from 1126 to 1323.
Panther #2 jumps to 1423 facing 1523.

Firing orders:
Icarus: Alpha vs. Whitworth
Panther: SRM vs. Whitworth
Panther #2: SRM vs. Whitworth
Warhammer: Everything not a PPC vs. Patton

[GM Yuusha]

Combined weapons fire from the Awesome and Warhammer hits and cracks open the front of the Patton, destroying it. It does hit the Warhammer with its AC/10 just before, causing some damage and low armour on the centre torso (10 damage CT).

The Icarus II is less fortunate, missing the Whitworth. The second Panther does at least hit it with a couple SRMs (4 damage CT). The Whitworth gets a hit in on the Icarus II in return (5 damage LA).

The field gunners continue to track the Awesome and Warhammer. While Samara emerges unscathed, the Awesome is struck four times (4 damage CT, 2 damage LA, RA). Luckily, it was built to take punishment so it was fine.

Crouching down to shoot, the foot platoon strip some armour off of the first Panther (2 damage RA, RT, RL). They seemed to be focusing its right side, likely because of its PPC.

Being so close, the Whitworth moves to kick the Icarus II, hitting it on the right side (8 damage RT). The return punch misses the missile mech.

(Icarus II on 5 heat)



With the mechs so close and the Patton down, the Militia mech and the Bulldog both fearfully back up. The Bulldog actually ends up stuck atop tank traps as it blindly reverses uphill. The field guns were close now.

[GM Yuusha]

(GM Ghosting)

The Awesome provided supporting fire as the lance climbed the gentle hill the field gunners were operating from. Taking down the Bulldog and then focusing the Whitworth down, they fire SRMs and machine guns at the field infantry to neutralise them. They prove together than expected and the Warhammer, Icarus II and one of the Panthers all take heavy damage. However, none of the mechs are destroyed. As the Whitworth pilot ejects the field gunners surrender due to repeated weapons hits (and kicks!) upon their positions.



The gunners are stopped with only a little time to spare. (6 turns)

With the anti aircraft defences down the Angels land infantry on site and another lance are dropped in to relieve Samara's battered group. A tank with anti-mine equipment and a squad of engineers also appear to clear the minefields. There is some chatter amongst the troops about Samara's luck for having avoided moving through any of the hidden explosives.

((All objectives completed! Congratulations!)