After spending some time 'casually' chatting with the various crew members Jester feels the sense of unease growing.
Everyone's got their fingers in this pie...this must be really important to badn together like this. I can't imagine ComStar would go along with this...unless they are the ones behind this...
Gunner looks at the computer parts, curious as to their origins.
Kyle calls the rest of the team together after several hours (days?) of snooping around to share his findings.
Before they arrive Kyle takese a few minutes to sweep for bugs to ensure they have privacy.
Confident that they are secure he waits for everyone to arrive and begins.
"So, after a bit of slee...snooping around I've made a few discoveries that I wanted to share with everyone. First off, I am almost certain these are professional military. Not former, current. Every single crewman seems to be from somehwere completely different. In fact the distribution of homeworlds is almost exactly what I would expect to see if someone was drawing them randomly from a hat. Second, whatever it is they are installing is complex. I took an advanced communication class back at the NAIS, and whatever this is, its more complicated than that.
At this his normally jovial tone drops and he grows deadly serious.
"And most importantly, I was able to discover a serial number on a part that someone got lazy and didn't completely clean away."
With that he pulls out his communicator and shows everyone a picture he snapped. It is of a mostly defaced label in the corner of a panel S_ _ r _ea_ _e De_ _ nc _ _nd_ _tr_es Mars. The component is out of the box new.
"Mars. Brand New. So. We have a mysterious crew hiding their origin, a mysterious machine build on Mars, and a mysterious benefactor that seems to know everything. There are only two groups that fit that particular bill, and I don't particularly like the idea of working for either of them." He pauses for a few moments letting his last statement sink in. "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we are officially in over our head. The question is, what does Comstar or the Word of Blake want from us, and do we want to give it to them?"
Viper goes from jovial to serious.
Not sure what they want. but I am assuming that it has something to do with that fighters black box.
He pauses for a second taking a breath.
I say we go with it for now, and see what develops
Gunner lets out a low whistle as Kyle tells of his findings.
Yeah, let's just keep our wits about us though...safer that way. We don't know who the true opposition here is...and who might just come around because of the tech.
"Yeah, playin' dumb a good plan fer now. Seems like we are bein' played here but who is pullin' the strings." Jester grunts and hawks a loogie on the grav-deck. "Easy to do, but the trick is surviving the experience!"
Viper grins.
Sounds like life in any of the Combat trades. The trick was always to try to survive.
So I think the plan so far is to play dumb, and try to build info, and to survive the experience.
+++Folks? Comms are back up now that all that hoohah has been glued to Jenni's hull. The situation on the ground there seems to be, uh, in-development. These neo-vikings seem to be under heavy assault at the moment. What is weird is that I've got known clan encryption coming in from a point nowhere near them. A third party is using an unknown encryption algorithm and hitting your targets!+++ McCoy's breaks in over the ship intercom.
+++The Falcons Solhama unit is moving into a defensive position and broadcasting on an open channel. Patching in on repeat: "Unknown force, unknown force. You are attempting to engage targets already designated by Clan Jade Falcon. Do not interfere with our battle. We will engage you in honorable combat when we have destroyed these freebirth scum. You will send us force dispositions immediately so we can prepare to bid in defense of this world. You will stand down immediately." They are receiving no reply so far. The Point forces are in a total rout and look to be trying to get to a dropship.+++
When all are present in a meeting room on the Jumpship’s grav deck.
An image of Roadside appears thanks to a very advanced holo projector. Additional images of a Mule dropship, numerous Mechs, Vehicles, Infantry units, and a half-dozen photos of men and women. All of the people are wearing; ‘Viking’ accoutrements.
”Welcome to Roadside, Jade Falcon zone. The ship is the Freyja. The people belong to Gungnir’s Point, a Neo-pagan extremist cult that believes they need to embrace a violent, exaggerated modern Viking culture. Their leader Bjorn Sword-arm. AKA Myron Templeton, formerly a grad student at The Coventry University of History. He lost most of his family in the Clan invasion. He suffered some sort of breakdown, left university and formed this ‘Cult’. They don’t blame the Clans though. It seems he felt the Lyrans failed to continue the fight. And for that all peoples of the Commonwealth must be sent to Valhalla. Bjorn is highly charismatic and his followers are fanatical but not foolish. So, Gungnir’s Point is attacking the planet Roadside, in hopes of reigniting the war.”
Pausing Cyper looks around the room.
”Yeah, I didn’t believe it either when I got this job.”
Passing his hand over the projector, the photo of a dark-haired middle aged woman.
”Now normally a raid by fanatic bandits on a clan planet wouldn’t mean much. That’s where Shield Maiden Sigrid comes in. AKA Annika, A disgraced Falcon. She provided Bjorn with a target that might make a difference. One of Khan Martha Pryde's first genetic "daughters" was passing through Roadside. A possible propaganda victory and insult to the shiney new Khan.” Taking a drink of water and shaking his head.
”Now, I know what you’re thinking, the Falcons will make chum out of these guys. Normally I would agree. However, very recently the primary defenders were relocated. There are only Solahma garrison units left. The Falcon reinforcements are expected in system anytime now. But not soon enough. That’s where you come in.”
Shifting the image to the Mule.
”The Freyja is a 4th-hand ship. Capacity down to about eight Mechs, 8 to 10 vehicles. Two platoons of infantry. Only about 25% of her weapons are working. As for Mechs, they started out with an Axemen, three Hatchetmen, a lance of assorted light mechs. Some vehicles and a few Infantry platoons at 50 to 80% with heavy weapons present.”
Pausing once more.
”Questions?” The grin is back.
Viper grimaces at the rundown.
So you want the 4 of us to drop into that mess, and prevent them from getting to the mule ?? Or for us to go after the clanners, or the third group ??
Wait...you want us to get between the Clanners and these drekheads? They might be third rate tinspawn, but even still they have better cans than we do. Being a crazy 'Mechjock can only get you so far...unless you're the Dragoons' Zetas. I'm itching to get some payback, but fighting two opposing sides is a tall ask. Gunner says plainly.
"Right sweetheart," Jester, who had been silent throughout the briefing, pipes up. "The question is...WHICH side." He spits anout wad of juice on the deck before rubbing it clean with the heel of his boot. "I wanna know more of who would decide to jump in on the side of the Clanners. Could be a rival sect of the Falcons, or mebbe another Clan here...one of those Warden possibly." He turns to the techs onboard. "How good are you at breaking that encryption code?"
”Wow, usually you have to wait to encounter the enemy before the plan goes to crap.”
Holding up 1 finger in response to the questions. ”Please hold those thoughts..”
Cypher taps his pad and the room’s speakers replay the Clan message. It is interspersed with the frantic comm traffic of Gungir’s Point as well as beeping static and unintelligible speech. Pressing the pad several more times the Clan and raiders portion is masked leaving only the gibberish signal. After listening for a few moments a look of wide-eyed recognition appears.
”Yes to the first Mr. Muller. The Drekheads Mr. Nelson. Yes, normally it would be so, Miss WhiteAngel however nothing is ever that easy. Why our side Mr. Krause. And I will explain all in a minute, or so. Oh by the way Wraith, I like your hair. And Mr. Krause, you needn’t call me sweetheart. The others might get jealous.”
Grabbing up his comm.
+++”Boris, my cabin. Cabinet number 4. Get the orange and violet envelopes. And bring them to the cargo bay.”+++
Turning to the group.
”Okay new plan. Everyone back to the Jenni Lynn.” He heads for the door. Stopping when no one moves.
”I will talk as we walk. Kinda on the clock here people.” He turns and leaves. Once in the companionway he is on the comm.
+++” This is ‘TD Actual’. Set condition one. Bay 3, Launch bird Alpha. Lilth, prepare for immediate takeoff.”+++ Pausing to tap the comm.
+++” Captain McCoy, would you PLEASE, ready your wonderful ship for launching and meet us in the cargo bay.”+++
Looking back at the others.
”RRRight. You guys; I’ll give you an extra 2 K each to hold questions, comments, and attacks on my person until we get to the cargo bay.”
Turning he moves quickly down a stairway.”Down ladder! Make a hole!”
Kyle shrugs and follows along.
Viper moves along with the group, while trying to think of how they were going to make this work.
Well, I guess, we are going to have to be very good.
He keeps an eye out for any hazards.
I guess, the sunbeam just won't cut it down there in that mess
+++Plotting course for a hot-drop-slingshot. Ready twenty minutes after I get LZ co-ords. Looks like the crazies have evaded the unknowns for now. No reply from unknowns to the Falcons.+++ McCoy's voice chimes in over the intercom.
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"Oh! Why thank you," Allie states, patting her curled braids.
Never really one to question money, or blowing things up, she certainly won't start now being offered one to do more of the other. So she follows the others obediently.
She sidles close to Viper. "Sorry, I might not know because I wasn't paying attention. No, srsly, who are we supposed to be shootin' at?"
"Plenty of targets to shoot at Miss Wraith," Jester grunts in reply, "The right target...that is tough. I wanna know who these unknowns are here and why they showed up when they did. Looks like that Wasp will come in handy after all," he grins at Viper.
Viper whispers back to Wraith
Not to be a downer, but the ones that we are looking at hitting are the Gungirs point, and preventing them from getting back to their mule.
He grins and then looks over at Jester.
A scout will always come in handy, but it is not the size of the machine, but how you use it, but if there might be elementals around, I want to do something before we hot drop.
He then goes over to his Lock Box, keys it open, puts the sunbeam in there, and grabs both the Blazer, and Blazer pistol.
Man, we got to make room in the legs of these things for gear.
Orpheus blinks and says, "Would it not be simplest to outbid the solhama unit? Certainly, we're at least as capable as they are, and likely have less materiel to start with."
Just tell me who I have to shoot and who I don't have to shoot and I'll sort the rest out. Do you think my Zeus rifle will fit under my seat?
Probably not under, but I got spring clips on the side of mine. They will probably hold under an ejection.
Viper waits for the rest of the briefing while ensuring his gear is stowed, and the tooth (to small to be called a fang) is ready for the drop.
He then pauses on Orpheus's statement.
Well Cypher, should we, or is this so black a neutron star will look white by comparason?
Once in the bay, Cypher steps to the console and calls up a 3D image of the planet complete with locations of the forces there. The Clan and ‘Viking’ units provide very detailed information, however the 3rd party only registers a general area and flickers. It also shows that all are either entering or already in the blizzard area.
” Although OP is now a huge oozing drek pile, there are still things to be done. Gungir’s Point must be prevented from escaping. Additionally the capture of their ship or leaders by the Falcons is undesirable. This means going down there. But because of the ‘new’ players. Things are more dangerous.”
.”Captain McCoy I ask that the Baroness be transferred to the Jumpship, we have an excellent infirmary on the Grav Deck.” Locking eyes with McCoy. ”Just in case I’m not as smart as I think I am.”
Boris arrives with the envelopes. Opening both Cypher removes two very advanced flash drives. One he places into the console. Causing the New player force to display more detailed information. The other he loads on his Comm. Everyone’s Comm. beeps and shows a download. ”New encryption protocol. Eavesdropping is so rude.”
”We will insert here’” Indicating a point on the southern continent about 100 KM from the Point’s ship. But still along the raiders path of retreat ”Because of this.”Tapping the projection. An image of 2 large satellite dishes appears.”Direct link to comm and nav sats and the way into the Falcon’s network. I’ll hack in and disrupt what I can."
”The 3rd party? Well they are highly competent, highly lethal, and highly disagreeable...relations. I have no idea why they are here. And that ain’t good.”
”Now you will want to refrain from engaging Clan forces Unless necessary.”
So, if we are dropping, I guess we should go check the cocoons and thruster packs
Viper stows his gear, then checks the cocoon and pack.
+++ Comm check, Viper and tooth ready to go +++
"Already taken care of rookie!" Jester flashes a toothy grin as he leaves to prepare for the hot drop.
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"Whoa whoa whoa, okay, I just wanna make sure that I get this straight, or else everyone is gonna be all 'don't shoot them, Wraith' or 'you're shooting the wrong people, Wraith' or 'why are you still shooting them what did I just say, Wraith' and, oh man, if that happens again....
So, the soft, squishy humans down there, the ViQueens, we go down and insert between them and their getaway ride, and we stomp 'em good.
But if the little birdies try and take any of the good bits, we gotta stomp 'em good as well, right?
I just wanna be sure because I wanna avoid any 'I can't believe you're still shooting them, Wraith' kinda scenarios."
Viper laughs, as he finishes strapping in.
Wraith, we got to stop the Gugnirs Point and prevent them from getting on their off planet ride. So shooting them is good. Any of the green birdies we try not to shoot at. But I doubt anyone will b+#*~ if there is return fire due to anyone shooting at us.
He finishes sealing his cockpit, and makes his finishing touches, before waiting for the drop.
Kyle straps into his seat and pulls up a viewscreen.
"Patch that unknown encrypted signal over to my terminal. I want to see if I can make any sense of it."
Kyle frowns at the data, unable to immediately break the code, but he will continue working on it the rest of the trip.
He will send a text to the rest of the original crew's personal com devices, avoiding the ship's system.
Orpheus blinks, "Relations? Related to whom? The Clan? The Vikings? Yourself?"
"It's complicated Mr. Kunegund. But you know what they say? You don't get to choose your relatives. But now that you bring it up. I know you stand apart from the Falcons. I trust you have no issues if it should become necessary to engage them."
Viper keys his startup then settles his nerohemlet.
Insanity is just a bad state of mind
He continues to run through the finishing sequence of his startup then locks his restraint belts.
Its been a long time since I was mounted, hope I don't screw up.
He then continues to watch the timer count down for to the drop.
"Okay people, ”as I said. The Jenni is touching down at the uplink."
"Where do you want to hot drop ?”
” Mr. Nelson, I can provide you with some loaner metal if you’re interested?. Got a Zephyr hover tank or VT-5M Vulcan?" An Image of both appears.
”Astrid will take an assault team to capture the uplink. GP hit the place. Took out techs and security. They left an infantry squad. And plan to use it to announce their attack and implicate the Lyrans.”
The blonde arrives dressed in white camo gear carrying a Minolta 9000 sniper rifle.” Hey your Lordship, wanna come with?” She says flashing Kyle a toothy smile.
”Now avoid engaging Clan forces unless necessary. Use the story that you are here pursuing the raiders as an Honor debt. And you claim the right of vengeance. You will avoid contact at all costs with the Mystery guys”
“So to keep The Mystery Mechs and the Falcons busy, I will see that they find each other.” He begins quickly typing commands
”Bird Alpha is a satellite. That will give you the functions of a Beagle probe, Guardian ECM, C3, and Targeting computer. It will insert geo-sync over the southern continent.” Your comm. beep and show a download.
” The Lilith will provide protection for the Jenny Lynn.” An image of the Leopard appears.
”Remember this people, all my tricks and tech will only buy us 10, 12 hours tops. After that the drek storm hits.” The grin is back.
Jester looks over the map. He stabs a finger at the point where the GP scouts and infantry is grouped together. "We take 'em out first. That will blind 'em, give us the edge here. We have surprise over 'em, let's use it."
Need a techie to help with the uplink? I'm no slouch with a gun...I'll help anyway I can. Gunner says, unpacking his massive Zeus rifle and racking the action.I'm not very keen on them making the Lyrans, and the FedCom by default, look bad. Not going to happen.
Kyle smirks at Astrid. "I do believe that I am a sucker for a strong woman with a long gun. Or a strong man with a long gun. Maybe its just the long gun." he says with his typical infectious enthusiasm.
After appraising Gunners weapon Astrid says. "The more the merrier I always say."
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Kyle smirks at Astrid. "I do believe that I am a sucker for a strong woman with a long gun. Or a strong man with a long gun. Maybe its just the long gun." he says with his typical infectious enthusiasm.
"Prob'ly just the gun," Wraith concurs, ready for some action.
"Let's go kill the scouts first. It's way whole bunch more funner that way."
+++Hoffen's been transferred. Course is plotted. Let's get a move on!+++ McCoy's voice broadcasts through the Jenni Lynne.
A cloud clank reverberates through the ship as the docking claw is disengaged. Gravity is lost for a moment then immediately reasserts it's presence when the modified Union goes full burn. The thrust forces everyone deep into their seats.
The mechwarriors find themselves slammed into their couches in the dark. The glow from their consoles in standby mode providing some light, and the fusion power plant keeps them warm, but they're otherwise in a dark, cold vaccuum. Another clank and the drop ship doors release the cocoons. Gravity shifts again and the metal cocoons begin to separate as they burn from the extreme friction with the planet's atmosphere.
Jester settles into his couch for once thankful of the soft cushions here. Must be gettin' old now. Mebbe time to thin of jumping ship...find a nice quite planet to retire to...raise some cattle, who knows...this jump iz goona be a messy one...
Feeling the blood flowing away from his brain he quickly shifts positions here to keep him from blacking out, then settles in for what looks to be a rough landing...
While not a thing of beauty (he would leave that kind of stuff to Wraith) it got the job done.
Orpheus blinks, then shrugs, "Seems you have been misinformed. Unless you are telling me that the opposition are Wolf's Dragoons, I have no relation to anyone on the field... and as much, if not more, reason to want to strike at the Falcons."
[9 - base target is 8, the -2 makes it 6, so even better]