Rain of fire (D12 EA Ninovo Combat)

[GM Yuusha]

At noon the Angels launch a large scale assault on Ninovo. Your lance is the tip of the spear. However, while the site lacks any significant static defences it does have operational artillery. Intelligence suggests the Militia's artillery units are on the high ground behind a light wall. You need to get to them quickly and silence them. There's a gap in the defences to the South-East where mechs can penetrate, although jump capable mechs would also be useful. This is where you're targeting. Alternatively, you could simply knock the wall down. Hurry however, as that artillery will fire at you otherwise, and if it doesn't then that means it is firing at our main assault force instead.

Get in, destroy the artillery and get out before they reinforce the position. More Angels units are en route from the South East, but they're slowed down by the terrain. They'll move in to finish whatever you leave. Don't hang about.

Objective: Destroy the two Long Tom Artillery units and escape.

[Alex Kovac]

The Penguins took lead on the campaign. " Remember why we are here lets get those weapons out." Alex commanded.

"Easy for you to say... I hope you worked the kinks out of this mech." Rico complained

"Sheesh... harsh I put my blood sweat an tears on that repair. Give it a good test. You'll see it runs smooth." Alex affirmed. "Now let's get to this."

[GM Yuusha]

(+0.1 Strength for Alex repairing the damage to the Vindicator, thereby preventing the engine having to be replaced)

There were woods and hills ahead, with the top of the supply depot visible. As Alex's lance move into position their sensors start to detect threats. Soon they also become visible. A Jagermech, primarily an anti-aircraft unit with AC5s and AC2s, was guarding the approach along with a long ranged heavy tank with its own AC2s. Closer to them was a Manticore heavy tank. The PPC on it was a threat. It was strong opposition.

However, much more pressing is the sound of artillery firing.

'Warning: Artillery fire incoming'



The Jagermech moved to a better vantage point to snipe them as both tanks pivot toward the incoming mechs.

[Alex Kovac]

"Okay guys let's use the terrain to our advantage. I'll try to calculate where those towers are and get them good so we can get out of here." Alex moved the crusader forward north. "Mickey, Rico and Noah you do you... get the tanks... I'll try to get the mech."

//moving North closer to the woods 3830 shooting the Jaeger

[GM Yuusha]

Artillery falls to the east of the group's position, but targeting data suggests it was aimed at the trees ahead of them. Scary. Was it worth changing course?

Alex opens fire on the Jagermech. He lands a few missiles on it (5 damage LL, RA). Then Mechwarrior López strikes the left arm with a brilliant PPC hit, taking all the armour off that location (10 damage LA). Other fire is ineffective, including from both tanks, but Alex's Crusader takes a few hits from the Jagermech (5 damage CT, 4 damage LT).

The Jagermech looked wobbly, but it was still standing.



All the Militia units remained where they were. Artillery continued to be fired at the lance.

[Alex Kovac]

"Guys I am going to try something so cover me." Alex headed next to Kappa Mickey and shot the LRMs to somewhere the others could not see.

/Move to 4128 LRMs to Artillery 1
If I can other weapons to the Jaeger.

[GM Yuusha]

Alex runs toward the water, but he can't quite wade in immediately. He'll have to take it slower. Meanwhile, artillery shells continued to land. One scattered far to the west, exploding near the Manticore (Manticore takes 5 damage to TU).

Mentally calculating where the artillery had to be, Alex plots coordinates into his targeting system and fires his LRMs. He doesn't detect any hits, but it's likely the long range making the missiles inaccurate. With heat to spare, he starts a fire to the north to provide some smoke cover for what he was up to...

Meanwhile both sides continue to shoot at each other. The 1X landed some LRMs on the Manticore's exposed turret (3 damage TU) while the 1R planted a PPC into the Jagermech (10 damage LT).

The enemy heavy mech was targeting the Crusader. It mostly missed, but a single AC/5 shell connects with the right leg through the trees (5 damage RL).



Having decided they had taken plenty of damage already, the Jagermech's pilot moves it hastily into some nearby woods. Both tanks remained where they were and artillery continued to be fired.

[Alex Kovac]

Alex gets in the water. Hopefully from a new point and with better calculations the Penguin can hit the artillery. " There is another tank north. Guys try to disable them while I try to adjust my calculations."


//moving to 4227 and trying to shoot Artillery 1. Weapons that can try shooting the Tokugawa.

[GM Yuusha]

Alex needed to get closer to reliably hit the Long Tom artillery units he knew were behind the walls. As he wades into the water a scattering artillery round hits nearby, damaging his Crusader (5 damage RL, CT, LA). That was dangerously close. Good the explosion spread the damage across the mech. Elsewhere, another artillery shell lands near the Vindicators, damaging them both (1R takes 5 damage to RL, LA, RT. 1X takes 5 damage to LA). It was a good time to move!

The weapons fire continued on each side. The Jagermech hits the 1X in the leg, doing minor damage (5 damage LL). Alex's lance were too far to reliably hit the Tokugawa. It was firing on the Crusader with impunity (2 damage CT, RA).

Where the main action was taking place, the Manticore was exchanging weapons fire with both Vindicators. Even outnumbered it seemed to be holding up well. It hits the 1X with LRMs and its PPC (3 damage CT, 10 damage LA), removing all the armour from the 1X Vindicator's left arm and starting to damage the internal structure (6 internal structure remaining on LA). In return, the 1X hits the Manticore with its PPC and medium laser (15 damage TU). The 1R Vindicator only manages to hit dirt.

While Alex misses his shots again due to the range, he does start another fire to provide further cover. Finally, the Assassin proved useful as it darts forward and hits the Jagermech with a few missiles, making it look very vulnerable (5 damage LL).



Having taken a beating, the Manticore reverses out of its tank nest and the Jagermech moves forward to support it. The other tank remained (quite happily) where it was. More artillery was inbound...

[Alex Kovac]

Alex let out a growl. Then the Penguin sighed. The strategy wasn't the best but at least the others weren't getting the heavy fire. "Alex, are you okay?" Noah asked a bit concerned.

"Don't worry about me guys the artillery is behind then wall and I am trying to keep it on " Alex explained. "I trust you guy."

//Move 1 north try again to hit artillery 1

[GM Yuusha]

Smith's Vindicator is hit by more artillery shrapnel, only this time across the head (5 damage HD, 1 pilot hit). They receive a cut to the leg as shards of metal pierce through part of the lower cockpit. Even injured, he manages to hit the retreating Manticore with a few LRMs (5 damage FR).

Jumping ever closer, the Assassin exchanges fire with the Tokugawa Heavy Tank. It gets hit by a salvo of SRMs (4 damage RL, 2 damage LL, RA, LA). In response the Assassin dents its turret with a kick (8 damage TU).

Alex is pleased to detect some hits from his LRMs against the distant artillery (6 damage FR, moderate damage, +2 to driving skill rolls, -1MP to Long Tom #1).

(Assassin on 4 heat)



The Jagermech, realising the danger the Assassin posed, turned to track it. Artillery was still firing non-stop.

[Alex Kovac]

Alex nodded. "Kappa go kick some Tom ass. Be a spotter for Rico and Skipper." Alex ordered as the Penguin moved north.


//moving to 4125, LRMs to A1, other weapons to to Tokugawa.

[GM Yuusha]

Alex feels he is in a better position now. Artillery does land near his position, causing minor damage, but he presses on (5 damage RL). With the Assassin jumping the fence, the Jagermech switches targets to Alex. It manages to hit him with a great deal of firepower (5 damage RA, LA, 2 damage RT), with the Tokugawa adding an AC/2 shell for luck (2 damage LL).

In return, Alek hits the first Long Tom with LRMs (8 damage FR, 6 damage LS, minor damage, +1 to driving skill rolls).

Elsewhere, the Manticore misses the Vindicators, but it takes damage from a PPC shot and a trio of LRMs (13 damage TU).

Up north, the Assassin hits one of the Long Toms in the side (5 damage RS to Long Tom #2) and then punches it to finish it off (4 damage RS, major damage, vehicle immobile).

(Assassin on 6 heat)



With their walls breached, the Militia were sending reinforcements to the East. Two more tanks move into sight. Fortunately for Alex and co, there was only one Long Tom left!

[Alex Kovac]

Alex nodded. "Mickey good job. Skipper, Rico... The Jager is closing in... we have one more to go. Can you handle it?"

"Roger." Both called out on comms.

//moving to 4323 firing to A2 and the Jaeger.

[GM Yuusha]

The remaining artillery shells were hitting all over the place now, due to panicked fire from the crews fearing the mech right behind them. The Jagermech somehow gets hit with a stray blast (5 damage RL), as does Alex's Crusader (5 damage LA, edge to avoid HD hit, 1 edge left), leaving the mech with little armour on its left arm.

Moving closer, Alek's Crusader is hit by a single AC/5 and medium laser from the Jagermech. It shreds the remaining armour of the mech's left arm, exposing the fragile internal structure (5 damage LA, 8 internal structure remaining, 5 damage LL). The Tokugawa does a little damage to it too (2 damage RL).

Meanwhile the Manticore ineffectually shoots at the Vindicators, missing them by a wide margin.

In comparison, Alex's lance does well. His LRMs hit the Long Tom, which is swiftly destroyed by Assassin blasting through the weakened vehicle. Its fuel catches fire and it explodes into a shower of flaming pieces. Objective complete! The lance now had to escape.

The Manticore is hit by a PPC blast and LRMs (10 damage FR, 3 damage LS), courtesy of the 1R.

(Assassin on 1 heat)



It was now time to get away.

(Move to the edge of the map and wait there a turn so you can flee)

A Hetzer moved to reinforce the Long Toms. It was a little late. Further south, another Tokugawa heavy tank showed up. The Manticore and Jagermech pushed forward. They would be a problem.

[Alex Kovac]

"Boys Mission Accomplished. Move out. Retreat we meet at rendezvous point." Alex commanded.


//Running East shooting at Jaeger.

[GM Yuusha]

The Jagermech angrily continues to launch lead down range at the Crusader (7 damage LL, 2 damage RTR) as did the Tokugawa (2 damage RL). The mech's armour was holding, but only just!

Meanwhile the Manticore gets a single lucky hit in on the 1X Vindicator. Fortunately, it's the centre armour and the blow is absorbed (10 damage CT).

The lance returns fire, but only does a little bit of damage to the Manticore (3 damage FR).

(Vindicator 1X on 1 heat, Assassin on 3 heat)



The Jagermech gives chase, pursuing Alex! The other enemies were being much more cautious and remaining where they were. Only one of the mechs in Alex's lance could withdraw currently, the 1R Vindicator, or it could wait a few seconds more and provide covering fire as the rest of the lance fell back. They'd all be out of trouble soon.

[Alex Kovac]

No need to give more instructions Alex continued East bound. Hopefully the Jaeger won't follow.


//continue East if allow fire at the Jaeger.

[GM Yuusha]

The Jagermech and Crusader exchange fire, with the Tokugawa on the high ground giving the Jagermech some support. The hits take out most of the remains of the Crusader's armour, but Alex spreads the hits and there is no further internal damage (10 damage CT, 2 damage LL, 2 damage RL). Alex's return fire hits something important on the Jagermech's left leg (5 damage LL, critical hit on 2 locations: Foot and Upper Leg). The mech topples over onto its left side (5 damage LL, 2 damage LA, critical hit on AC/5, 1 pilot hit).

A moment later and the Assassin lands nearby, preparing to help.

Rico fires at the Manticore and hits the turret with PPC fire and body with LRMs (10 damage TU, stabilizer destroyed, 3 damage LS, moderate damage). The crew bail a moment later. That was one kill for Rico!

As the lance withdraw, Alex gets to enjoy the sight of the Jagermech ejecting. He could claim that take down.

(All objectives completed! Congratulations!)

The four mechs withdraw safely toward advancing Angels forces. With the artillery guns silenced the attack could proceed smoothly.