Think you can handle it? (Pregame 2 EA Simulators)

[GM Yuusha]

(Open to up to 2 Combat PCs at first)

One of the simulator pods opened to reveal a sweaty Sergeant Major. Wiping the sweat off her forehead with a hand towel, she walked over to where she'd left her water bottle by the simulation control system. She had a big glug as she sat down to check more details about her latest simulated combat.

"Not bad."

She sat back in the chair as she caught her breath. She used the mouse to close the simulator details screen and to open up a new simulation capture. She started inputting details with clear familiarity.

(The will be a choice of mock combat options for the first 1-2 PCs to arrive in the next 12 or so hours)

[John Slaktare]

Butcher showed up, looking to get some sim time in. Noticing the superior NCO, he nods to her. "Sergeant Major. Need to get some rounds in myself."

His voice is cold and matter of fact. Practice was important and he was always working on improving. One of his more admirable qualities.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Not long behind John came striding in one of the few who could rival Monique in size. Alek entered the simulator room in sweat pants and an Obsidian Angels issued tank top.

"Well seems like I'm not the only one looking to stay sharp before we drop!" His loud and lightly Russian accented voice filled the room.

[Monique McConnel]

(Thread full for now. Spectators can come later)

He got a light nod as a greeting. "We all should. I think Steffen is getting soft with the number of drills and sims he has put on. Tell him that from me, would you?" She knew the two were friends. As much as someone might call John a friend.

As Alek entered she finished tapping the keyboard. The noteputer made a louder whirring noise as it processed the commands.

"Certainly not Master Sergeant, and afternoon." She began to smile suddenly. It was a rare look for the woman. "Would you both an extra challenge?"

[John Slaktare]

"I'll let him know," he says with a nod.

He looks to the other man. "Fist," is the simple familiar greeting.

"I'm up for a challenge. What's on your mind?"

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek's smile was full and warm as he looked to Monique and similarly as he regarded John and nodded in response to his greeting.

"You know I'm always up for a bit of a challenge."

[Monique McConnel]

"You both said it. Don't say I didn't warn you when I called it a challenge. Here, pick one of these..."

Her smile switched to something more predatory as she flipped the noteputer around. It showcased three options with a brief description under each.

Scorpion's Nest
Surrounded by companies of Scorpion tanks as you await extraction. How long can you last against the cheap militia hordes?

Black Watch
Fight against the Black Watch. A lone Highlander faces off against you. Can you defeat a legend?

Lance Strike
The intelligence officer suggested a small number of enemies. Now you're somehow facing a heavy lance. What do you do?

Monique's eyebrows lift as the pair finish reading.

"They're hard as fucking nails for only one or two mechs. Which do you want?"

[John Slaktare]

"I'm up for the Black Watch," Butcher replies after reading them.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek smirked a confidence that bordered cockiness "Sure I'm good with the Black Watch."

[Monique McConnel]

"Well damn boys, if that's what you want. Hop in a pod each and I'll load in your mech details. You both might actually stand a chance if you can get into melee."

She pondered it a moment longer.

"Probably not though. If you do, I'll work out a prize for you. I'd like to start a prize pool for these three scenarios."



The battlefield would load first. It was a temperate area with a lake to the West and hills to the East.

[John Slaktare]

John waves to his battle buddy as he hops into his selected pod. "Let's see what we can do."

[GM Yuusha]

The two mechs each had their scanners ping a threat on the other side of the hilly terrain they were moving toward. Something big past the woods. Conditions were optimal for combat.

[Your go. The enemy is a BOSS and is yet to move. It's 3/5/3 if that helps.]

[John Slaktare]

John pilots his Hatchetman into a position to keep cover from the enemy.

(Move to 3013)

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek nods and hops into hops into his pod getting everything booted up and quickly scans the field.

Alek starts positioning to approach from a different angle and keeping some trees for cover.

(Run to 2714)

[GM Yuusha]

(Don't forget to say your facing and how you're moving. E.g. A run to 3013 is different to a jump. Running to 2714 means facing NW if you don't specify you finish turning North or such)

Alek and John moved up, but wisely kept the trees in the way. Their opponent made themselves known as they appeared very briefly in the air before falling back down to earth. They'd jumped higher. It was indeed a Highlander.



Their sensors would follow the assault mech's movements as it moved further uphill and around some woods. It was trying to get a visual on them.



(Your go)

[John Slaktare]

Butcher moved into the light woods to his north in order to maintain some light cover.

Move to hex 3011.

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Alek decided to get closer keeping the thick woods between him and the big mech.

----------------
Turn to face north run to 2711

[GM Yuusha]

(The Grand Dragon only needs 5 to reach 2711, so that's a walk. Turn N, 2 MP through the forest, 2 MP for the two open ground hexes)

"Make sure you both communicate." Monique advised through the comms that fed into their neurohelmets. "Big fella's close."

Both mechwarriors would spot the Highlander as it moved around the heavy foliage to get vision of them. They could see it shifting its body as it turned in its slow run to bring its weapon to bear on them. Fortunately, they were a step ahead...



(You have initiative. Your go)

[John Slaktare]

"Take a wider arc around, get em from the back if you can, I'll try to draw em south," John suggested. "Less you got something better."

[Aleksandr Korolov]

"See this is why we don't talk. We have the same idea." Alek said with a smile as he used his mech's speed to get into some trees and start coming around behind the Highlander.

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Run to 2308