Book II
Act One
Part One
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Part Two
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Part Three
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Act Two
Part One
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Part Two
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Part Three
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Act Three
Part One
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Part Two
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Part Three
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Act 1
Part 1
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Part 2
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Part 3
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Act 2
Part 1
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Part 2
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Part 3
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Act 3
Part 1
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Part 2
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Part 3
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Book I
- Prologue
- Chapter 1
- Interlude
- Chapter 2
- Interlude 2
- Chapter 3
- Interlude 3
- Chapter 4
- Interlude 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Interlude 5
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Interlude 6
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
Baptism of Fire
Prologue
Part 1: August 15th, 2044: 0800 hours.
The battle to retake Earth has begun, as the UEEF begins their assault on Reflex Point, the Invid Regess hurls the full host of her legions against the ‘attacking’ humans. As wave after wave of Invid fighter’s crash against the UEEF armada in space and against a full blown land invasion on the surface, heroes emerge, struggling against the unrelenting tide.
Lurana Fallyna, a young Zentraedi woman, fresh to the UEEF ranks, finds herself pitted against her races age old enemy. Suppressing her fear and doubt with reckless abandon she throws herself mercilessly at her foes.
Suki Ishida, following in her family’s footsteps, faces the enemy that drove her from her home with the cold calculating precision of her bushi upbringing.
Sarah Amdahl, a resistance fighter, unassuming, sweet, and kind, now thrust into the largest battle of her life, both physically and emotionally.
John Magna, an orphan of war, struggling to find his place. Determined to free the home world he barely knows from a foe that has taken everything from him.
Now, on the eve of humanities greatest test since the appearance of the Zentraedi some thirty five years ago, the die has been cast!
Part 2: August 15th, 2044: 1300 hours.
As the UEEF pushes forward, the enemy line falters, but, the Invid’s superior numbers begin to take their toll against the UEEFs advanced technology. Relying on age old swarming and kamikaze tactics, the Invid exact a terrible toll upon the UEEF liberators. On Earth as well as in orbit the Invid hurl themselves at the UEEF in wave attacks not seen since WWI and Korea, and despite the horrific losses incurred, the Invid are beginning to slowly turn the tide.
The heroes are among the first to note the Invid’s tenacity, as their war machines are in tatters, some even shot down by the seemingly never-ending reserve of Invid mecha.
| Briefing | Log 1 Log 2 Log 3 | XP |
Turnabout
Chapter 1
Part 1: August 18th, 2044: 1000 hours.
The battle for Earth is over, the Invid have been routed and the UEEF stands victorious. However as the humans of Earth celebrate, sinister forces stir in the Shadows that bear their name. Still tired, and recovering from the days battle and the evening concert put on by Yellow Dancer, our heroes are awoken in the dead of the night by the grim news that Space Station Liberty has been utterly destroyed by an unknown enemy. Hurried aboard shuttles and taken into orbit, they are brought aboard the UES Yukikaze, a Shimikaze Class battle cruiser bound for Tirol to protect the UEEF's last remaining spacedock from their new foe.
The Haydonites it is learned, are behind the attack. Once allies and technological benefactors to the UEEF, they have turned, and the very weapons they provided are now boobytraps.
Arriving in orbit over Tirol, the Yukikaze finds herself in the middle of an ongoing battle. Now, surrounded by a Haydonite Armada, the Yukikaze struggles to reach friendly lines!
The 4th Robotech War, has begun!
Part 2: August 18th, 2044: 1030 hours.
In Tirol's orbit, the battle between the Haydonite's and the UEEF continues to rage as the Yukikaze escapes the center of the Haydonite formation. Her CAP fighters however are beginning to thin under the relentless onslaught and nigh unending numbers of the enemy. With communications being actively jammed, the surviving squadron commanders work to keep the life-line of telemetry between their fighters and the Yukikaze open.
Not to be denied their 'prey' the Haydonites have targeted the Yukikaze's engines to keep her from running.
On Earth, the UEEF, terribly undermanned, sets about consolidating their hold on Reflex Point and the surrounding area. With reinforcements due, UEEF recon flights ply the skies looking for any signs of trouble.
Refugees have begun to make their way to Reflex Point, seeking safety, shelter and protection from brigands and hostile neighbors. Those that had collaborated with the Invid find themselves without their protection with dire consequences, as resistance militia's and ne'er-do-wells alike, seek to exact a bloody vengeance.
Part 3: August 18th, 2044: 1145 hours.
The Yukikaze, under fire by the Haydonite's larger guns is able to break free of the enemy fleet and cross over to friendly lines. The combined fleet is able to hold the Haydonite fighters at bay long enough for the Yukikaze to undergo a weapons refit, as the dock workers work tirelessly to install a Heavy Reflex Cannon in place of the Synchro Cannon.
During this time a Tokugawa Class Battlecrusier, the UES Diakasho, folds in…
…damaged, venting atmosphere and listing badly. Lt. Fallyna, throwing caution to the wind hops aboard a nigh obsolete SF/A-5 Conbat which the deck crews load with Reflex Weaponry. With Lt Ishida and Sarah running interference, Lurana is able to deal a crippling blow to two Fantoma class cruisers, who, having smelled blood in the water, had moved to finish off the stricken Tokugawa.
The docks weapons masters manage to install the new Reflex Cannon, and Captain Reinard decides that the enemy fleet is sufficient enough a target for a first test firing. Far out ranging the nearest Haydonite Omicron, the Yukikaze opens fire! Forced to retreat or close the distance so that it's own weapons can be brought to bear, the Omicron charges the UEEF position with two Fantoma's on flank but are cut down by massed and precise weapons fire from the Yukikaze and the stations Ikazuchi's.
Witnessing the destruction of the Omicron, the remaining Haydonite ships charge, some, manage to close the distance and ram the UEEF fleet, one, impacts the Yukikaze with a glancing blow as the rest of DESRON 14 (Destroyer Squadron 14) folds in from Earth space. Caught between two enemy forces the Haydonite fleet is forced to withdraw.
The Docks are in a shambles, aflame but functional. It is the first clear victory for the UEEF, 11 Haydonite capital ships destroyed for the loss of 8 UEEF ships of the line. During the fight however, our heroes notices a flotilla of UEEF ships break orbit, at first thought to be reinforcements, the ships fold away, leaving the defenders perplexed.
“Sir. Our ships have all lifted off and are making their way out of system as per your orders.” A young ensign in a dark uniform notified his stern faced commander. Behind him, outside the armor plated view ports of the Tokugawa class battlecruiser UES Namulith the shapes of two massive Ikazuchi carries, silhouetted against the Valvierre star were engulfed in a phosphorescent fold sphere and vanished.
“Very well.” The ensign’s commander replied in gravely tones. The battle raging over the Tirolian surface would serve as the perfect distraction for his flotilla’s deployment. The UEEF would miss his ships, and would most likely seek to locate them, but, he smiled grimly, they would never succeed in their search. “All ahead slow. Spin up the fold drive and jump as soon as the Typhon and Nakhbet depart.”
Standing at the head of the bridge, his hands clasped behind the small of his back in taut parade rest he watched his last two ships move into position and fold. Let the UEEF fight the Haydonite, and exhaust themselves he mused, he had business elsewhere. Beneath his feet the deck plates shuddered slightly as the ship jumped.
Walking back to his command chair he snorted derisively. With the Invid driven from Earth, it was time to remake the planet for humanity. The UEEF would try to interfere, like they did on Tirol; but they would learn; learn the hard lesson that the Earth wasn’t theirs anymore.
| Briefing 1 | Log 1 Log 2 (unavail.) Log 3 | XP 1 |
Interlude 1: Trinity Spaceyard: Tirol Orbit: UES Yukikaze
Part 1: August 18th, 2044: 1405 hours
The aftermath of the battle sees the Yukikaze moved to one of the few working 'dry dock' facilities as she is put under the proverbial knife as extensive refits and repairs are needed to tend her wounds. Fallyna, Magna, Ishida, and Amdahl are, upon the captains orders, 'poached' from their previous commands. It is during this meeting that Sarah reveals her true ethnicity to a shocked room.
Ishida, who knew of her background and who had flown her wing since Reflex Point is escorted to the brig alongside Sarah and are soon before Major Kavashera as he begins his interrogation of the extemporized pair. Meanwhile Lurana begins the uneasy process of acclimatizing herself to a new ship, and her life aboard it.
Part 2: August 18th, 2044: 1445 hours
The interrogation of Sarah continues, along with a stand taken against the Major by Lt. Ishida. With the acknowledgment of the combat logs and reports, their names are cleared enough for duty with the ranking officers. That says nothing of the junior ranking ones however…
Part 3: August 18th, 2044: 1630 hours
After a bit of sleep, Suki, Sarah, and a few others are hungry… unfortunately, the reception in the mess hall is a LOT colder than the food. Shipboard gossip has carried the tale of Sarah's ethnicity, and as angered pilots accost the pair, John Magna makes a brave stand to defend them and stave off a brawl, sadly the other pilots 'passion' will not be diminished and the first blow is struck, Sarah avoids the attacks leveled upon her but opts to refrain from attacking back, Suki on the other hand has no such reservations, and in the end, fells a fellow pilot, knocking him unconscious and dealing him a near fatal wound.
Meanwhile in the captain’s quarters Sandra Reinard and her XO sat going over damage control reports and casualty lists. A knock on the door by the Marine guard broke the silence. “Enter.” The captain said and the ships Master at Arms entered. Without looking up the XO snickered. “Pay up captain.” He said, looking at his watch. “One hour twenty minutes.”
Motioning to a seat after returning the Master at Arms salute the captain regarded her chief NCO’s dour expression. “So what happened? A fight I take it?”
“Yes Ma’am, in the mess hall about ten minutes ago.”
“How bad?”
“A few bumps and bruises mostly. But Lieutenant Ishida put Lieutenant Kemerly into sick bay. Broken nose, concussion and a bruised rib. Doc says he was covered in blood and unconscious when he arrived, he’s still out.”
“And the Invid?” The XO asked.
“Not a scratch, apparently avoided a few blows, but kept her cool. Wish I could say as much about Lt. Ishida.”
“She did, keep her cool that is.” The XO replied, turning to the Master at Arms. “I’ll forward you her file. If she had lost it, Kemerly would be dead now. Still, we can’t have our officers putting folks in hospital.”
“Who started it?” The Captain added, clearly relieved she hadn’t gained another letter to write home, but still miffed that, for all intents and purposes, she was still down a pilot.
“A few pilots, Kemerly among them, from Shadow Squadron. Kavashera’s new man tried to break it up, but…”
“What do you recommend?” Sandra asked her Master at Arms.
He sighed. “If we go by the book, it was self defense, so, a talking to on conflict resolution; I’d suggest anger management but witnesses say she was cool as a cucumber.” He stirs in his seat slightly. “And as much as I object to having an Invid aboard ship, ma’am, she was within her rights in protecting it.”
“Well,” the captain sighed as she sat back. “We knew it was going to happen sooner of later.” She looked at her lead NCO for a second, to stress that what she was going to say next was to be heeded and understood. “We might not like it, but we have an Invid aboard ship, one that fought her own kind, and didn’t have any qualms about doing so. It would be foolish of us to let such an opportunity slip past because we don’t like the color of her blood. I will admit that it makes me uneasy, but I’m a pragmatist, and keeping her aboard is strategically sound. We ran into the same problems with the Zentraedi and Tirolians when they were integrated into the UEG, and, this will be no less painful. With the situation here at home and on Earth as well as this damned Haydonite mess, we will need every advantage we can glom onto, even if we have to hold our noses in the process.”
Her XO nodded, supporting his captain’s statements, letting the Master at Arms know that they were both in lock step on the issue. “Vance, I want you to keep me apprised of any new development regards those two. Assign protection if you feel it is needed; we leave that up to you. We will also rely on you to make it known beyond our words the importance of this. I will have a, chat, with Lt. Ishida to impress upon her the need for restraint in the future.”
“We should probably get them off the ship for a few days, to allow things to settle.” The captain adds. “We need the rest of our crew back from Earth as well, so, lets kill two birds with one stone. Send them and Kavashera’s new troop, might be hazardous aboard ship for him as well, sticking his neck out like he did. Takeda, get with Reese and have him assign a pilot, he’ll most likely insist his pick have operational command. I’m fine with that. Meanwhile lets up the tempo here, the Dock Master estimates we have two weeks worth of repairs to endure, I want that cut down to one.”
“Yes ma’am.” The Master at Arms replies. “I’ll get with the department heads. Crew will be so damn busy they won’t have time to worry about any Invid.”
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Strange Bedfellows
Chapter 2
Part 1: August 20th, 2044: 0730 hours
Aboard the Yukikaze repairs are underway. The XO of the ship, Hiroshi Tekada, 'counsel's' Lt. Ishida harshly, He understands her mindset and the traditions she lives by, and tailors his methods to suit them, leaving her beaten and bruised yet still allowing her to 'save face', her honor intact.
On Earth Lt. Jaron, having completed another dull recon patrol is ambushed deep in the heart of the UEEF base at Point K by an unknown assailant! Using every trick up his sleeve and keeping his wits about him, he is able to fend off his foe, allowing help to arrive.
Lurana Fallyna learns that she is now Flight 2 lead over Lt. Ishida, who's affiliation with Sarah Amdahl, now known to all as an "Evolved Invid", has prompted the CAG to rescind her appointment. Lurana's first command is to oversee a supply flight to Earth aboard a Sprint Class transport. Her bridge crew consists of John Magna, Suki Ishida, and Sarah Amdahl. Tasked with dropping off parts and ammo as well as retrieving a left behind detachment of Seabee's, this BnB (Beans and Bullets) run, while menial, serves to get Suki and Sarah off the ship to let tempers settle.
Arriving on Earth, they meet Lt. Jaron Fairman, who's hasty transfer off world has only recently been pushed through due to the attack on his life, who his superiors, rightly, feel is directly linked to his earlier defeat of two resistance fighters.
Sarah is reunited with a elderly member of her old 'family' of resistance fighters, who, after imparting sage advice as well as critical information on events already set in motion, passes on, but not before bestowing upon her his most prized mementos.
Part 2: August 21st, 2044: 1650 hours
As the night wears on Lurana heads into 'town' some 60 miles away to procure 'personal supplies', while Suki is released from sick bay with a bottle of meds and a pat on the back. The new crew works to get acquainted as a storm moves in, halting the resupply work.
Returning to the ship soaking wet, Lurana notes that Sarah and Suki have grown closer together, perhaps more then they should. Playfully admonishing them she resumes her post on the bridge. Sarah remains as shift assignments are doled out to inform Lurana of Sarah's old, now buried, Invid Royal Command Battloid. Outside, Jaron readily preforms security for the landed ship.
Part 3: August 22nd, 2044: 0845 hours
Lurana has decided to retrieve Sarah's hidden mecha prior to the arrival of the Yukikaze's Seabee detachment. Departing the weathered in base at Point K the Garfish travels west to Pipestone, the site of a small city, long lost to the Zentraedi Rain of Death, and site to a now reclaimed Invid Hive. It is here that Sarah had cached her old Royal Command Battloid prior to joining the resistance.
Creatures borne of the Genesis Pit surface to sup upon the intruding UEEF personnel, but in a twist of fate, recognize Sarah as their master and are swayed by her Invid presence. A mercenary sniper, sent to monitor their activities, is not so easy to mollify, Suki is shot and dazed, unable to act, John and Lurana are both thrown to the ground, the only thing saving them is their CVR-3, Jaron, in his Cyclone fares much better but the team is pinned under precise and deadly fire before Sarah, wounded badly, is able to force the enemy to ground. Tempers flare as human and Invid come to verbal blows; words that threaten to tear apart the fragile unit cohesion, but Lt. Fallnya is able to calm Lt. Magna's hatred towards the Invid in their midst, if only for the time being.
Standing at the hatchway to the M-400 Arbalist, Charlie Reese handed back the field phone to his RTO. “Hanks! What’s the status of that ‘Fish’?” From inside the armored vehicle a trooper popped his head up. “Lifting off and gaining altitude.” Reese nodded. “Heading?”
“Back to Point K.” the crewman reported. Reese nodded, looking up to the missile rack atop the squat vehicle. The tube doors were already open and the warheads armed. A nearby Phalanx Destroid stood ready to launch as well, its pod doors open and its search radar on passive scan, linked into the net.
“Right, keep an eye on ‘em. If they look like they’re coming back here, take the shot.”
A series of machine gun bursts took his attention and he looked over to see the last batch of Invid Sympathizers keel over into a mass grave, cut down by a M2HB on the back of a truck. Behind them the township of Sioux Falls lay in ruins, smoldering and broken.
His second in command walked over eating a chocolate bar out of a UEEF relief meal. “Those Horizon bunkers are all cleared out boss. Got nuff food and meds to last us till next March.” He noted as he tossed Reese a MRE with a lazy underhand lob. “Corned beef n’ hash; your favorite.” His second laughed, wiping his mouth. "Sure nice of em to leave all those supplies behind." He grinned, his teeth still stained brown from the candy bar.
Reese nodded and smirked. “Thanks Nate.” He replied as he opened to care package. “We got a UEEF Garfish in the area so, move the rest of the crew out, we’ll camp west of here then move on to Red Creek in a few days.”
Nate spat on the ground. “Dang bunch of bleeding hearts! Shame, some those boys can fight.” Reese nodded, tearing into the food pack with his teeth. “Well, word on high has it they have other fish to fry now, so…anyway.” he shrugged.
“Dirty deeds Charlie, dirty deeds.” Nate said, clasping Charlie on the shoulder, then stood back and tossed an informal salute. Turning on his heel he walked hard towards the other men, barking the orders to move out.
| Log 1 Log 2 Log 3 | XP 2 |
Interlude 2: Moon Base ALuCE
Part 1: August 23rd, 2044: 1015 hours
The crew aboard Tango 556 Heavy land at Moon Base ALuCE for refueling as well as to take aboard their personal belongings prior to their flight back to the Tirol system, and the waiting Yukikaze.
Lurana separates from the rest of the team to seek out her parents who reside within the massive base while the other take note of the UES Ark Angel being loaded for it's secretive mission. Having grown up within the Moon Bases Nihon Quarter, Suki decides to treat the team to an authentic Japanese meal, but, Sarah, sensing the presence of other Invid, reaches out to and communicates with Ariel aboard the Ark Angel, and invites her and Lt. Commander Scott Bernard to join them. The conversation starts out amicably, but John Magna, upon learning of Ariel's ethnicity, storms from the table, despite Lt. Ishida's attempts to quell his rage as Lt. Fairman, remains, taking the events in stride.
Part 2: August 24th, 2044: 1115 hours
All personal business attended to at Moon Base ALuCE, the group says their goodbyes, but not before Lt. Fairman is drawn into a family matter by Lt. Fallyna, much to his chagrin. The others watch in rapt fascination as Lurana's mother circles Jaron like a hungry shark, assessing Fairman's 'worth' after Lt. Fallyna presents him to her mother as her suitor.
Leaving Moon Base ALuCE the group is informed that Haydonite Forces lurk in the outer system, and, as they approach the Asteroid Belt, a distress call is picked up. Keyhole Callisto, a UEEF listening post orbiting Jupiter, is under attack! Approaching the area cautiously, the team decides to intercede, despite the fact they have no fighter support outside of Lt. Fairmans Alpha and Sarah's Royal Command Battloid. Executing an Emerson Fold, the maneuver deposits the Garfish behind the Haydonite Fantoma Class Cruiser attacking the listening post. Lt. Magna disables the enemies engines and strips it of it's ability to maneuvers with his opening shots as Lt. Ishida brings the Garfish into the Fantoma's blind spot. Outside, Jaron and Sarah deal with the Fantoma's CAP.
Unable to fire at the Garfish and running out of support fighters, the Fantoma recalls it's 200 strong air wing from battle over Keyhole Callisto. Lt. Ishida, seeing an opportunity, risks damage to the Garfish by pulling close and nudging the Fantoma towards the Jovian moon Callisto.
Drifting towards the merciless grasp of Callisto's gravity well, the Fantoma has no choice but to fold. It is a victory for our heroes, but, darker forces have taken note, not only of the Garfish's activities, but of the Invid Battloid fighting side by side with UEEF mecha!
Part 3: August 25th, 2044: 1130 hours
Back home aboard the UES Yukikaze, the group is debriefed and Sarah's mecha is stowed within the bowels of the ship and placed under guard. Allowed time to settle in to their new assignment the Orientation Briefing turns into an Awards Ceremony as the past exploits of the team have finally come to light. Lt. Fallyna and Lt. Ishida are awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; Lt. Magna is awarded the Bronze Star, and Lt. Fairman is awarded the Marine Commendation Medal. Sarah Amdahl however, is brought before the gathering and, in a historic event, is sworn into the UEEF as a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-2), becoming the first Invid member of the UEEF!
| Log 1 Log 2 Log 3 | Interlude XP |
The Crucible
Chapter 3 Act I
Part 1: August 27th, 0600 hours
The last day of leave, and the team spends it relaxing, some read, some work out, and a furry visitor makes a surprise re-appearance.
Awoken early the next day, the team is tasked to investigate the crashed hulk of a Haydonite Fantoma Cruiser. Shot down days earlier, it had crash landed in a remote area of Tirol's northern T'sivar continent. Landing nearby the team finds the approach will be far more difficult then anticipated as Haydonite air patrols linger in the area. With the lions share of the UEEF forces occupied elsewhere, support is limited and the team is more or less on their own.
Attacked from the air by a pair of Haydonite Wraiths, the team makes quick work of them, but in a classic example of unintended consequences, the plummeting debris sparks a forest fire which pushes the team off the ridge line and into the valley below. Using the fire and smoke as a distraction, the team approaches the hulk from below, and after a respite, continue on after nightfall.
After a tense trek through a darkened forest, illuminated only by the pale orange reflection of the fire's blaze upon low clouds, the team weaves their way past Haydonite sentries and now find themselves on the cusp of the unknown, the massive and broken Fantoma looming before them, it's hull undulating, as if alive.
| Briefing | Log | Part 1 XP |
Part 2: August 27th, 1845 hours
Hastening their way towards a rend in the hull of the fallen Haydonite craft the team step into the unknown, and though they do not know it yet, become the first members of the UEEF to step foot within a Haydonite ship. The damage is extensive, but some aspects of ship design are universal and what appear to be corridors are found. Following a random one deeper into the massive ship the team stumble upon an expansive hanger bay. Clearly designed to hold large quantities of fighter craft, the bay is empty, save for a ruined AS-14 Colonial Shuttle.
The interior of the shuttle is a slaughter house, young UEEF reservists and cadets lie burned and broken throughout the crew area. Recovering the flight recorder the team moves to depart the area when a faint voice is heard from deeper within the shuttle. Searching, the Marines of the Yukikaze find the only survivor, a young Zentraedi Bioroid pilot named Komilla. Whisking her to safety the team runs foul of a Haydonite crewman, another first for the team.
Returning to their camouflaged Silverbacks the team reports in, and is ordered to head to An'versa, a small Tirolian town some 15 kilometers away, there they are told to hold in place, and guard, until relieved, a vital mountain pass.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Part 3: August 28th, 0913 hours
With the task of defending the Lantac'tal Pass ahead of them, the team sets forth to secure the pass as best they can against an enemy of unknown strength. Spreading their units into layered lines of defense, the team hunkers down for the long night ahead.
During the night an emissary of the Legate Gervase informs the team that they are expected to present themselves before his august presence the next morning, an obvious power play that could jeopardize the security of the pass itself.
John Magna, having surveyed a viable fall back point for the team, should their lines crumble, catches the eye of one of the locals, a young pretty girl by the name of Bria. Following him to one of the teams defense positions she clings to him as Lt. Ishida reports from the front that contact has been made with Haydonite drone units.
Soon after, more Haydonite drones are spotted, some are driven off, others hide within the dwellings of the civilian populace. The team is now faced with a moral quandary, do they respect the locals privacy, or forgo this to root out the hiding enemy in their midst?
| Briefing | Log | Part 3 XP |
ACT II
The Crucible
Chapter 3 Act II
Part 4: August 29th, 0800 hours
Splitting into three groups the team tends to the tasks at hand. Jaron and Komilla arrive punctually at Legate Gervase's Villa, and are left to languish within an opulent waiting room for the better part of an hour. Suki and Sarah take one of the Silverback's and perform a reconnaissance of the pass. Lurana and John remain behind to reposition the Anti Air Silverback and root out the Haydonite Drone they had seen earlier.
The Legate outlines his defense plans, and Anver'sa and Tsien'va aren't part of them. Left as a soft target to delay the Haydonites anticipated advance, Legate Gervase instead focuses the brunt of his equipment within the Heptac Basin. However one of the Legates men, High Centurion Tanis is able to convince Gervase to allow a modest, token, deployment to the Lantac'tal Pass.
Out on patrol Sarah and Suki pass through a small hamlet further to the north and locate the downed remains of yet another Bioroid. Lashing the fallen mecha's Weapons pod to the hood of the Silverback the team makes their way home, while, within Tsien'va, Lurana discovers the transmissions from the Haydonite Drone on a high-band wavelength. Locating the drone within the bell-tower things go horribly wrong and although the drone is defeated, two villagers are slain in the process.
Suki and Sarah's movements do not go unnoticed and a Haydonite Wraith dives upon the pair leveling devastating fire on them. Threading the needle at high speed, Suki manages to blow through town as Sarah fires all but two of the Silverbacks remaining missiles at the enemy, succeeding only in driving it off. Later that night, a glimmer of hope is presented to the team, underneath Bria's fathers barn lies a hidden TBr-I Mk.I Nous'dohl Bioroid! Ancient, and missing parts, John is able to determine that with replacement parts and a little work the Bioroid should function.
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5: August 30th, 0730 hours
High Centurion Tanis arrives early the next morning with his advance team, and learns that the Legate Gervase has withheld the remainder of his men, leaving him with 40 troops and 3 Bioroids to augment the UEEF Marines. As he and Jaron hash out troop and defensive positions Suki organizes a work detail along with Sarah and Komilla to offload the recovered TPBGp-Mk.I onto an ox cart, turning the two into an impromptu howitzer.
John and Lurana leave town to scrounge the bioroid debris for parts and are able to return home with a fine haul. Day turns into night as the various teams rush to fortify their positions as well as place decoy's in the form of fallen bioroids in well enough condition to survive a cursory glance. As night envelops the pass Sarah, returned to her lookout post, bears witness to a tragedy.
To the north the small outlying hamlet is set upon by Haydonite raiders! In twenty short minutes the entire town is razed to the ground, the only survivors, a few civilians living on the end of town furthest from the initial attack who managed to flee on the heels of the militia tasked to protect them. The group now steels themselves as the Haydonite unit continues down the pass towards Anver'sa as under Bria's family barn, Lurana, John, and Bria's father rush to bring the Nous'dohl back to life.
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6: August 31st, 0350 hours
It does not take long for the Haydonite raiding party to make their presence known. The pair of Wraith attack first with deadly precision. In a fiery blaze, High Centurion Tanis is killed by massed and precise fire. The UEEF Marines, recovering from their shock, swing into action, downing one Wraith and driving the other off.
As the enemy air cover is swept momentarily aside the Haydonite ground forces begin to move in, split into two teams they move to envelop Tsien'va in a classic pincers move. Stiff resistance along the hastily built trench line allow the Legionnaires to hold their ground. On the other side of the ridge line the Decoy Bioroid has fooled no one and a Haydonite Flame 'Tank' uses it for cover.
Enemy pressure on the trenches intensifies and Suki redeploys to assist while Lurana, previously assisting John repair the Nous'dohl is hurried to the front. Sarah, returned to town takes and holds the 'Gun/Cart' position while Jaron and Komilla use their Silverbacks to lay support and covering fire to the more agile Cyclones.
In a daring frontal assault Lurana obliterates the Flame 'Tank' within the pass itself but not before she is set ablaze. On the 'plains' the remaining Flame 'Tank' back peddles under relentless and accurate fire from Sarah's position. However the Haydonite Infantry, smaller, and harder to see, are beginning to whittle away at the towns defenses and, as Sarah soon learns, have infiltrated the lines and are now harassing the rear areas.
Beset on three fronts, their ammunition low, their missiles all but expended, the UEEF continues to hold the line…
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
The Crucible
Chapter 3 Act III
Part 7: August 31st, 0445 hours
The Battle of Tsien'va progresses into the wee hours of the morning, and, by dawn, the situation has settled somewhat. Two Haydonite Flame Tanks lay in burning heaps, a Haydonite Infantry unit lies scattered upon the valley floor and a downed Wraith lies in pieces within the center of town, the devastated remains of three buildings left in the wake of it's fiery crash.
The UEEF Marines, momentarily victorious has fared little better. Both Silverbacks are shot to pieces, one only able to move if transformed into battloid mode. Most if not all missiles have been expended and the Marines fear that the next push might just break their lines. The population of Tsien'va has been evacuated into Anver'sa, safe for the time being, but for how long?
The team also discovers that during the fight Lt. Magna, Bria and her father had been 'arrested' for thievery! While John manages to escape, and flees on foot back towards town, Bria and her Father are left behind, their fate unknown. As news of the abduction spreads to the other members of the team, anger, rage, and confusion add to the feelings of desperation, abandonment and fear.
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8: August 31st, 0638 hours
'You have to know when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em, when to walk away, and when to run.' What holds true in poker holds equally true in war. The UEEF Marines within the pass realize that they have been dealt a losing hand, worse yet, the Haydonites have yet to display their trump card. Rather then await the inevitable, and unwilling to abandon 600+ Tirolian villagers, the team concocts a plan.
Once new to the group, but now a vetted 'Brother in Arms' Komillia opines that if it is reinforcements the team seeks, then one might find alternate ways in acquiring them. While Legate Gervase will not send his troops to defend the pass, he may send them to defend his Villa and Vineyard!
The plan is set into motion. Lurana and John, already on their way to Heptac'va on a mission of revenge are tasked with procuring, by any means, a vehicle sufficient to spirit the civilians out of harms way. Ishida and Sarah travel to the Villa to find a way to divert the Haydonites focus onto them, while Komilla and Jaron provide overwatch, keeping their eyes on the enemies movements.
The plan progresses smoothly until John, overcome with rage, splits off from Lurana to find Censor Vendris, intent on delivering summery justice, forcing Lt. Ishida to invoke Article 85 of the UCMJ. Cooler heads prevail however and the order is never carried out. At the Villa Sarah provides cover as they 'borrow' an Anti Aircraft battery as Jaron reports that Haydonite units, at least Battalion strength, have begun to move on Anver'sa.
At first the plan falters, the Haydonites, unwilling to take the bait, continue to press the attack on Anver'sa as Lurana and John, having appropriated a Roil-Tiluvo dropship begin their return leg. Jaron and Komilla help to direct Ishida's fire and soon Haydonite 'Bombers' start to rain from the sky, shredded by the ground fire. The Haydonite commander, threatened on his flank dispatches part of his aircover to investigate the source of the incoming. After more 'Bombers' are shot down the Haydonite commander miscalculates and falls for the ploy, turning his main body of forces towards the new, and perceived greater, threat.
In Heptac'va, Legate Gervase learns that his villa has come under attack and dispatches a Platoon of Bioroids to cover the final evacuation of his works of art and other valuables. His Bioroids arrive at the same time the Haydonite ground units do and the battle is engaged, leaving the UEEF Marines free to land the dropship and load the townsfolk.
However, while the Haydonite Commander diverted his main force, his support and artillery units take up their preplanned positions and, just as the last of the townsfolk are loaded, attack Anver'sa with what the Marines can only conclude is a Synchro Cannon!
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Part 9: August 31st, 1335 hours
Leaving a devastated and overrun Anver'sa to their backs the UEEF Marines and their refugee charges make for Heptac'va, knowing full well that the likes of Censor Vendris and Legate Gervase will no doubt ignore the rescue of civilians and instead focus on the methods which saved them. In light of this, the Marines decide to seize the initiative, as well as the Fortress itself. With Tanis' men aboard offering their support the die is cast.
As expected, upon landing Censor Vendris demands their immediate surrender. 1st Lt. Fallnya, flanked by lieutenants Ishida and Maeless, instead orders his surrender, and declares Martial Law. Vendris balks, and Lurana, remembering Suki's earlier words, 'Cut the head off the snake…', clears the line of fire and signals weapons hot. In an instant, Vendris is eviscerated and his guards scattered! The battle is swift and violent but amazingly ends with no further loss of life!
As Tanis' men disarm the ISF Terminators and Bioroids loyal to Gervase, the Legate himself flees the area, taking the lions share of the fortresses Bioroids in the process. Left with insufficient forces to mount a defense, saddled with an additional 5000 + residents of Heptac'va, and facing a Haydonite Armored Regiment complete with air support the Marines are left with only one option. Advance to the rear.
As the bombardment of Heptac'va commences in earnest the sly nature of Gervase has the unintended consequence of being useful. The fortress is defended by state of the art weaponry and shields! And, with the arrival of a six ship flight of VA-Q6 Shadow Drones from the 104th UAV Squadron based out of Tiresia things seem to be looking up for the Marines on the ground.
It does not take long for hope to turn into dread! The Shadow Drones, aptly named, are vipers in their midst, and in a blinding surprise attack obliterate the fortress defenses from within. In seconds, the gate, two defense cannons, and the eastern shields are destroyed. Left with no other alternatives, the Marines scramble to the partly loaded Dropships and take flight. Tragically, only five of the eight transports are able to clear the walls, 1,800 die as their ships are shot out from under them!
Flying fast and low the remaining survivors make their way east towards Tiresia but are intercepted by a forward skirmish party of UEA Troopers from the UEEF's 15th Armored led by Major Bowie Grant. After identifying themselves, an AJAX is detailed to escort them through the lines into Tiresia, and safety.
| Log | Part 9 XP |
Interlude 3: Henry J. Gloval International Spaceport: Tiresia
Part 1: August 31st, 1740 hours
The state of Tiersia is grim, the Senate building in ruins, CAP flights overhead and Garfish monitors all illustrative of the impending peril the city faces. The Marines land and after a cursory inspection by the local MP's are allowed to debark, but are restricted to the Airfield as their refugees are screened. Lt. Ishida, loath to allow discipline to slip forms the troops up and barks out a few tasking's to keep the Marines busy while they follow the universal axiom of military life. 'Hurry up and Wait.'
Eventually their situation comes is noticed by the local Press Corp reporter, and while the MP Captain judiciously whisks her away, they group have the feeling that it wont be the last time they see her, or the press. Much to the Marines amusement they find that the rumors of their death are quite true, and some, Lt. Ishida, and Lt. Komilla find their 'Death Notifications', while Lt. Fallnya quickly calls home to assure her parents that she is very much alive. Directed to the Air fields terminal building the Marines are debriefed my Lt. Colonel Angelo Dante who is later joined by his commanding officer Colonel Dana Sterling. As the team recounts their observations and experiences both Dante and Sterling digest the finding.
Allowed to spend the night in relative comfort aboard the 15th's GMU stationed on base, the team takes the time to shower, eat, and in the case of others, 'recreate'. The next morning the Marines are placed upon the earliest possible transport back to the Yukikaze. As they land, those on deck are shocked to see whom they all thought were dead. Maj. Kavashera is delighted, as is the XO, but others, namely the CAG, are, less then thrilled.
| Log |
Aboard the UES Yukikaze
Part 2: September 1st, 1230 hours
The team is allowed some downtime in light of their most recent engagement with the enemy. After a good nights rest in their own beds the team splits off into their own cliques to recover in their own way.
Lt. Fairman and Lt. Fallnya see their formally friendly association step up a notch. Suki uses her time to visit the CIC and acquires the Yukikaze's combat logs regards the Haydonites and begins to compile them as part of a 'White Paper' pet project. John seeks solitude as solace in order to sort thing out in his head regards the activities, and his actions on the surface. Determined to locate and bring Legate Gervase to justice, he begins his search using what records are allowed him. Komillia, new to the ship, begins the process of settling in, and finds that she will be Lt. Fallnya's new roommate.
The time for rest is short lived however, and the team is called upon to return to the surface, once again put in harms way against a relentless foe.
| Log |
ACT I
Desert Warden
“The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise.” ~ Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Chapter 4
Part 1: September 2nd, 0945 hours
Arriving at their new assignment, the Marines of the Yukikaze find a sleepy outpost, one of three, comprised of a mixed force of UEEF mecha and personnel. Engaging in a low level flyover to wake the napping troopers below, the team lands to take stock of their new charges, and settle into their new assignment.
After a informal meet and greet the Marines quarry the new pilots and find that none has any prior combat experience. To help remedy this the Marines conduct a briefing for the 'Nuggets'. It does not take long however for other troopers to filter in to hear the sage wisdom.
The next morning the 'Nuggets' take to the air with the Marines air contingent on their wings. It does not take long for the enemy to show itself and a hectic dogfight erupts! As the Alpha's and Legios tangle with Haydonite Wraiths an enemy flight splits away and heads towards FOB Bastogne at high speed at dune top level. As these 'vamps' move towards the base the Bioroids on the ground pounce, and with support fire from the Defenders, succeed in knocking all the hostiles from the air.
| Briefing | Log | Part 1 XP |
Part 2: September 2nd, 1750 hours
The Marines recoup from their first hop, missiles are reloaded and maintenance attended to. The younger pilots take the opportunity to clean up and grab a meal while Suki downloads the flight logs, and, secluding herself, tends to the reports. Joining her for a moment Lurana offers the olive branch regards her earlier behavior but learns that Lt. Ishida sees her as a loose cannon and a danger to the unit. Jaron and Sarah make small talk whilst Komilla practices her forms much to the delight of the Fire Bases troops, happy to watch a lithe female in form fitting garb 'prance' about in front of them.
Taking stock of the bases munitions the team comes upon a stash of Bio Emulator's and laugh it off as typical supply chain blundering. Akin to issuing Jungle camouflage for Arctic operations. The respite is not to last as the air raid sirens blare to life and a scramble alert is called.
Lt. Magna, glued to his scopes, is able to see the tell-tale of low flying fighters and vectors the Alpha's and Legios' onto them despite not being able to join the fray. As the melee unfolds Lt. Fairman's Alpha suffers a misfire and in order to save the mecha has to lose the arm, but not before downing two Haydonite Wraiths with one hit! Lt. Ishida is able to keep the enemy ahead of her nearly causing her back-seater to red out. Sarah, recovering quickly from the violent breaking looses a volley that impacts with furious precision to devastating effect!
John meanwhile, far behind the fight is forced to retreat to the fire base as a lone V/A-6Q Shadow Drone engages him Beyond Visual Range with medium range missiles! As Lurana escorts Jaron back to base Lt. Ishida leads the remaining flight towards the Shadow and learn what difficult targets they can be! Even with two Legios' with full flight crew the Shadow is able to fend them off and for the better part of a minute the fight is a stalemate with neither side able to gain the advantage. I final volley from Lt. Ishida and CWO Amdahl's Legios is able to down the Shadow but the teams own mecha take self-inflicted damage as both crafts guns fail due to the fine, coarse, and ever present desert dust.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Part 3: September 3rd: 0600 hours
Sent to recover the remains of the downed Wraith the team learns that they aren't the only interested party. A Haydonite recovery team is also present. While a brief nuisance, easily dispatched by the collected firepower of the UEEF Marines, the fact that the Haydonites would be looking to recover one of their own raises questions about their culture; at the very least, it sheds some new light onto their Modus operandi.
As the Marines make ready to cart the secured wreckage back to base they receive the call that an Aegis Recon Alpha has gone down in the Badlands. Tasked with recovering the pilot and crypto the Marines are sent deeper into the Northern Wastes.
| Log | Part 3 XP |
ACT II
Part 4: September 3rd: 1545 hours
Unfamiliar with the hostile terrain of the Badlands the Marines mission to recover the wreckage of the downed Aegis almost meets with disaster! Wild and erratic winds force the team to ground, and even as the winds subside momentarily the team dares not take flight for fear of another freak windstorm. Locating the downed aircraft the team is met by relics from the last war fought on Tirol's surface!
Invid Inorganics assault the downed team in a brutal and full frontal attack so typical of their design. Holding the line the Marines are able to quickly quell the automatons and recover the dead pilot and the Aegis' Black Box.
Prior to the skirmish however, interesting news is brought back from the rear areas. While the Marines battle the enemies of humanity, the UEEF struggles to fill the power vacuum caused by the loss of the SDF-3. Lynn Minmei, darling of the First Robotech War has been named as UEEF Ambassador Plenipotentiary to the Sentinel Council.
“You can’t be serious?” Harold Alexander, Deputy Undersecretary of Interplanetary Development, said.
“Quite serious I’m afraid.” His colleague replied. Elizabeth Luce, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs sat, and shifted uncomfortably in her CVR-3 armor. Both her and her compatriot, in fact, all that remained of the UEEF civilian leadership on Tirol had been issued body armor. The military had ordered it, concerned with their safety after the Senate Buildings obliteration some two days ago, while in session no less.
Some had balked, but with the distant thunder of artillery and semi-regular air raids upon the capital, most had relented, all but the irrepressible Sainsbury, that man could look an Odeon down and have it capitulate without a fight such was his demeanor. No, he would wear the robes of office, ‘and likely die in them’ Luce snorted to herself.
“Our orders from the Home Secretaries’ Office were very clear. ‘Appoint a new Ambassador Plenipotentiary to the Sentinel Council in lieu of Ambassador Plenipotentiary Hayes, and Deputy Ambassador Plenipotentiary Lang’s disappearance aboard the SDF-3’.” Elizabeth slid the communiqué over to Harold.
“Yes, I know, my office got a copy as well, but, her?” His voice betrayed resignation to the fact.
“She is the only viable choice Harold. She’s popular, hell, she’s still a household name! We don’t have to worry about her ability to win over a crowd. Yes, I admit she is only a junior member of the Diplomatic Corps, and her yearlong absence put her out of the loop, but she is a quick study, has already done civil affairs work for the UEG and the UEEF, and, I’m sure we can salt the recommendations she gets from our offices as needed.” Elizabeth sighed. “Moreover she fulfills the UEG’s ‘unwritten’ criterion; she will be easy to control.”
Harold bit his lower lip and leaned against the wall. “I can’t argue those points Liz, but you know as well as I do that once the nomination, hell, the appointment, is made know that many in the UEEF will react just like I did. We could have a full blown civil crisis on our hands. I’m not talking bruised egos; I’m talking votes of no confidence here.”
Luce nodded. “A possibility, but, as powerful as the UEEF is, the UEG is still the legitimate ruling body, and their recommendations hold. Besides, she was the only one on a very short list that the other member states openly endorsed.” She laughs. “You never know, this might work out, it might give us the excuse we need to distance ourselves from the UEG and set up a civilian government here, our own government. “
Harold waved his hand to silence her. “No! None of that talk here, or now; especially not now. I know your feelings Liz, and as your friend I urge you to keep your damn fool mouth shut! Even with the loss of parliament, the UEG still has many eyes and ears and the ability to project force.”
She nodded. “Fine fine, but, regardless, it’s a win-win for us. If things go bad, the UEG looks bad, if things go well, we look good for fast tracking the appointment.”
Harold nodded, and then laughed slightly. “It is pretty laughable, isn’t it? Ambassador Plenipotentiary Lynn Minmei? I’m just not sure I’m ready to call her ‘Ma’am’.”
“Well, get used to it Harry, because regardless of our feelings, the UEEF needs civil leadership, and that singer is the only game in town.” Elizabeth huffed. She sat as Harold nodded, thinking. What would the enemy think? Would they take this as weakness, a sign that the UEEF was so desperate for leaders that they would turn over the reins to a celebrity? She sighed, Lynn had worked a miracle in her youth, and the full might of the Zentraedi was swept aside thanks in part to her song and passion. ‘Let’s just hope that wasn’t lightning in a bottle’. She mused.
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5: September 5th: 1930 hours
The last day or so had seen little Haydonite incursions near Point R and an uneasy rhythm sets in. The Bioriod contingent has been assigned to a LRRP, and tasked with patrolling the Northern Wastes eastern expanse while the Alpha and Legios teams conduct Cover Air Patrols over the same. Meanwhile refugees continue to pour into Point R as the military presence there intensifies. However, oddly enough, no new units are filtered to the Forward Operating Bases.
On patrol the members of the LRRP are taken aback by a visitor to their camp. In the dead of the night a Tirolian Dunesman, a desert nomad, some say the remnants of a great city state that resided in the Northern Wastes when the desert was green with life. A warning is offered, Haydonites have been located far to the east. Ordered to investigate the on station CAP is diverted to offer air support to the LRRP.
Approaching the location of the 'tip off' the Dunesman's information is accurate! A Haydonite Behemoth and support units have established a Forward Operating Base of their own! As the remaining CAP fighters are scrambled the LRRP team arrives on scene and comes under fire. As lines are formed, artillery support is called for and higher commands are notified of the situation.
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6: September 5th: 2135 hours
The battle is joined, in the frigid desert night, UEEF and Haydonite forces clash in a trackless wasteland. As the two forces hurl themselves at each other it becomes readily apparent that this Haydonite force will not budge! The pitched battle rages with neither side gaining the advantage although the UEEF forces begin to inflict devastating blows to the enemy.
The Haydonite Behemoth turns out to be a tough nut, so much so that Jaron, in his stricken Alpha contemplates, and then begins preparations to ram his fighter into the massive war machine in the hopes of silencing it. His desire seems well founded for the Behemoths opening shot from it's Synchro Cannon snuffs Sarah out in a blaze of superheated energy!
As Suki stands mute in shock the rest of the team sees red and turn their rage against the enemy. Volley after volley of missiles are fired at the Behemoth until finally it's shields crack and it's armor fails!
But the teams blood lust nearly dooms them, and Suki, having recovered from the horror of seeing her lover vaporized, notices that the unit is in imminent danger of being enveloped. Lurana, armed with this information pulls the team back and holds the line until reinforcements arrive to extricate them.
Ordered back to Point R, the replacement flight holds the line as UEEF units are mustered to counter the Haydonites own reinforcements. However, the fight in the Eastern desert serves to alter the Haydonite battle plan. Instead of approaching from the Wastes, the Haydonite attackers swing north and begin their approach through the Badlands.
Arriving at Point R a familiar face greets them, Sarah, seemingly dead, is still very much alive, unable to eject in time Sarah went native and managed to teleport just before her Beta was evaporated. Suki, overcome with joy, disregards proper military bearing and embraces Sarah fondly.
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7: September 6th: 0500 hours
The battle begins! Haydonite attackers are met by waves of defending UEEF fighter craft and soon the airspace over Point R is a maelstrom of flak, laser blasts, tracer fire and missiles. On the ground, Haydonite armored units advance on the city, inexorably drawing closer.
As the battle progresses, the overwhelming Haydonite flotilla begins to chip away at the defenders, ground units are able to enter the outskirts of the city and Wraiths and Shades are able to penetrate the flak perimeter and start to assault the air defense sites directly. From the Badlands the three Fantoma motherships bombard the city with long range artillery fire; their lasers taking their toll on the city.
Lurana, seeing an opening orders the flight to follow up a group of Conbats maneuvering for a missile run on the massive ships. Running the gauntlet it soon becomes apparent that missiles alone will not fell the massive ships. Sarah however, notices that the Fantoma's hover almost over the exact spot she felt the large Protoculture trace a few days ago. The team hatches a plan and fly back to an embattled FOB Bastogne to retrieve the Bio Emulators stored there.
LCpl. Summerwind hitches a ride, volunteering to be the 'bombardier' and stuffs herself into the cargo bay of Sarah's Beta. The approach to the Fantoma goes badly the second time around and Suki and Sarah's craft is glanced by an artillery laser and crash lands on the hull. Anji, knocked about in the hold, manages to shove the activated Bio-Emulators out of the hatch as Suki struggles to right the stricken Legios.
As the team pulls back, chased by anti aircraft fire and vengeful Wraiths the ground underneath the Fantoma's erupts as massive lances of energy burst forth and strike the center Fantoma amidships. Stricken, the Fantoma begins to maneuver to face the assault as an Invid Scorpion Carrier, a holdover from the Regents assault on Tirol, lifts from it's rocky lair and unleashes it's horde of Inorganics, Shocktroopers, and Scouts!
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8: September 6th: 0945 hours
With a new player on the field, the battle becomes a three way free for all! The battle continues to rage and thing seem to be going better for the UEEF, with the Invid drawing the majority of Wraith back to defend their ships the AA batteries stationed around Point R are able to clear the skies. However the Haydonite ground forces still present a problem and fierce fighting continues on the outskirts of town.
The Invid Scorpion Carrier proves to be one tough nut, small, hard to hit, and even harder to hurt, it is able to fell a second Fantoma and damage a third before Haydonite reinforcements arrive. On top of the returning Wraiths, the Haydonites have called down an Omicron Dreadnought with Fantoma escorts. The Invid now find themselves out gunned, and out flanked.
The UEEF commanders in the area know that once the Invid are dealt with that the Haydonites will press forward in even greater numbers. If the UEEF wishes to escape Tirol it must do so now! Giving the order to lift off, Admiral Shelly orders the till now buried Chrys'va to clear it's moorings and launch! The Chyrs'va, an old Tirolian Cityship, rises, and fires her massive Reflex Cannon at the clustered enemy. Haydonite and Invid alike are swept from the sky, clearing her path to high orbit!
Once free of Tirol's gravity well, the Chyrs'va, now dubbed the Phoenix, gathers all the remaining ground teams and folds towards Karbarra! However, the firing of the main guns, coupled with damage sustained on lift off are to much for the ancient ships engines to bare, and she drops out of fold, months from her destination, packed with 500,000 refugees.
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Interlude 4: UES Yukikaze: Deep Space
Part 1: September 9th, 1200 hours
Returning to their quarters after their time on Tirol, the team finds that the Ship's Cat has made itself at home within their rooms. Later in the week the team is called to the Major's office and are briefed on their new temporary duty assignment. They are to report to the UES Phoenix, there they will be briefed further as to their new duties and responsibilities.
After a few hours of further briefings and in-processing the team learn that they will be taking the UEEF Marine's Operations and Tactics Course, designed to teach advanced skills in intelligence, counterinsurgency operations, amphibious operations, joint and inter-agency integration, and campaign planning.
With the loss of Tirol, and other UEEF and Sentinel holdings across the Fantoma Sector, the UEEF find themselves unable, and unwilling, to risk set piece force on force engagements. While the UEEF maintains Special Forces, these units are incredibly specialized, not to mention spread thin. Thus the team finds themselves the testbed for a new force structure, unlike SEAL units who are expected to get in and out undetected, or Ranger units which are trained to level a location and hold it, the new model is a mix of the two, to get into, or close to a target undetected, then, level it.
As the Chrys'va has been reborn as the Phoenix, the erstwhile group will be reborn as Marine Raiders!
| Log |
Part 2: September 14th, 1130 hours
UES Phoenix: City Level 1 (Topside)
A few days earlier, on the 11th, a date significant to humans, the civilian leadership of the UEEF hold a memorial ceremony for those fallen in combat over the past month. Among those remembered are such famous figures such as Exadore Folmo and Cmdr. Daryl Taylor. In her first public address as UEEF Minister Plenipotentiary, Lynn Minmei lionizes the fallen and inspires those that must carry on.
A few days later, the team decides to take in some shopping on the Phoenix's lower city deck. The bazaar is boisterous and full of life, and, as vendors ply their goods, UEEF and TDF security forces keep a watchful eye. As the group moves towards the 'Slice', to find more contemporary items, Komilla and Aylanea are pick pocketed by a local street urchin. In a short but comical chase, the youth is apprehended and the items returned.
| Log |
Part 3: September 14th, 1330 hours
UES Phoenix: City Level 2
The group leaves the chaos of the Bazaar and abscond to the 'Slice', there, they are met with an homage to the Las Vegas Strip! The group completes their shopping excursion and return, tired and footsore, to the Yukikaze.
Part 3.1: September 17th, 1445 hours
The next day, on patrol, the team springs into action as an incoming cargo flight of three Marathon Class Garfish and their fighter escorts are jumped shortly after de-fold! The combat is brief and one sided. While the Haydonite raiders inflict minor damage to the Marathons, and succeed in downing a pair of her CAP, the remaining fighters, along with the hastily dispatched Hitman, wipe the enemy from the skies.
A new face is added to the squadron. One of the escort pilots, a young firebrand full of piss and vinegar by the name of CWO2 Anthony De la Gracie. Putting on a show of bravado, complete with a faux 1000 yard stare, he is greeted by the veteran Hitman. The team lays out their roster and Anthony is disturbed to find that he may well be flying alongside an Invid, but under the baleful gaze of the Invid's compatriots, lets the issue go, for now.
| Log | Log 2 |
Part 3.2: September 19th-20th
State of the Fleet:
As the UES Phoenix makes her way via sublight drives towards the Karberran Hegemony the Phoenix Battlegroup adjusts to their circumstances. Having poured over the combat and intelligence data of the last few weeks, the Phoenix's repair bays, and internal space docks, begin the laborious task of modifying the ships of DESRON 14 to better combat the Haydonite enemy. To this end, each of the 6 ships, in turn, will see an addition of six HPC-SL240 240mm Beam Cannons as well twenty additional MLWS-40 point defense guns. Likewise, the UES Diakasho, when it is her turn for refit will see the addition of two HPC-SL250 turrets, as well as upwards of twelve HPC-SL240's.
As the fleet comes to grips with their loss of superior firepower, new methods of war fighting are being put to the test. Instead of set piece combat, the UEEF forces of the Phoenix Battlegroup elect to resurrect the old Raiding tactics of the American Marines during the opening years of the Pacific Campaign. It is hoped that this form of warfare, pinpoint focused attacks coupled when needed with Fabian Tactics, will allow the UEEF to attack the Haydonites, while keeping them off guard enough to rebuild their military might.
To this end, above and beyond the up gunning of the ships of the line, new models of mecha are being conjured up and older, previously canceled designs, are pulled out of storage, dusted off, and tested for their viability.
Logistically, due to the shortage of Protoculture, lack of any set method of replacement, and faced with a war with no clear point of termination, the Phoenix fleet must conserve what energy they have. All escort ships now run at 75% internal gravity, this and other energy saving schemes are implemented in order to stretch the on hand power supplies. Other ideas, such as shelving the energy based weapons used by UEEF Mecha in lieu of less energy draining projectile ammunition variants are being explored.
Socially, the situation within the Phoenix's civilian sections is hovering towards the tipping point. Fear and uncertainty loom, compounded by overcrowding and the real possibility of food and water shortages. To help combat this, the UEEF works to ferry to Karberra as many civilians as they can, in the hopes of alleviating some of the pressure to the Phoenix's ecosystem and supplies. Despite this, there is a growing sense of uneasiness and dissent. This is not helped by the appearance of activist groups and religious cults. With the news that the UEDF has denied the redeployment of the 3rd Reclamation Fleets surviving vessels from Earth space, a siege mentality has begun to foment.
Proving Ground
Chapter 5 Act I
Part 1: September 21st
In an effort to foster unit camaraderie Ishida calls an impromptu meeting at the local off-base dive. her initial idea crashes and burns but Jaron and Sarah take the reigns and in time the group elects to get a jump on Phase 3 and hash out a proposal to locate and possibly interdict the Haydonite raiding parties that have been savaging the relief convoys to the fleet over the past week and a half.
It is soon noticed, much to the squad leadership's chagrin that one of their member is missing. Young Alleria has been out of contact and the group begins to worry about her safety and well being. Moving out the group heads to her last know location, the University Campus. While Jaron works with Campus Security and looks into their video feeds the rest of the team begin a more mundane foot search.
It doesn't take long to find the wayward pilot, much to her embarrassment, as Anji and Aylanea's entry onto the scene lacks any semblance of tact and subtlety.
Words are exchanged regards the fate of the young pilot and while Lurana presents a more lenient approach, Ishida's opinion is far more icy.
| Log |
Part 2: September 23rd
Despite the previous days down tick in moral and squadron strength, a workable plan to ascertain the Haydonites plans is concocted, presented to the chain of command, and approved. Admiral Shelly allows a Garfish to be detached for the operation and surveillance satellites retrofit for deep space.
Using a combination of meticulous planning, fuzzy math and good old fashioned guesswork, the team loads up and folds into the inky black.
Arriving at their desired location the team deploys the first of four 'probes' as the CAP takes a look around. Following a momentary sensor ghost Gamjin turns to face the unthinkable. Behind them, 17 miles distant, rests a small Haydonite flotilla. A larger ship, probably cruiser class, flanked by smaller vessels, smiler in size and possibly function, to a Garfish, guard what looks to be a massive sensor and/or communications array.
The two smaller Haydonite ships spring into action trailed by the larger vessel, and open fire. Covering the now fleeing Garfish the team levels devastating missile fire upon the lead attacker, forcing it to peel off. The Garfish takes numerous hits, but evasive maneuvering and poor marksmanship combine, allowing the Garfish the time it needs to spin up it's Fold Drives and jump to safety.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Part 3: September 23rd
The Garfish returns to the fleet, battered and venting. Sadly, the gallant vessel will never ply the space lanes again, she is to badly damaged. However her cargo is intact and within hours the Marines and their Major parse the data within the CIC of the Yukikaze. Various details on the anatomy of the enemy ships are learned, just by reviewing the recorded images and more subdued information is gleaned from the minute, yet critical, sensor data recovered from the lone probe launched prior to it's destruction.
A transmission to a distant location was observed, but, the Admiral, already faced with the loss of a Garfish, is reluctant to commit any of his remaining assets to chase down what he considers a 'dubious lead'. Instead the Marines return to their training schedule and finish out Phase 1.
As the Marines begin Phase 2, aboard the Phoenix's Test Facility, affectionately called the 'Playground', two new additions to the UEEF have completed their Basic Training on Mars and are shuttled to the Fleet via Karberra.
| Log |
ACT II
Part 4: September 30th
As the new arrivals are in processed the Marines continue their Phase 2 training, learning how to utilize the new Super Alpha and Beta, YVR-059 Devastator, and a reverse engineered Bioroid recovered from Earth.
The Fleet, short on morale, moves to lift the spirits not only of their fighting men and women, but of the multitude of civilians aboard. After a rigourous vetting process, backlogged citations and awards are issued fleet-wide and the Marines are recognized for their bravery on Tirol, both in the Heptac Basin, and at Point R.
As training progresses the Hyadonites do not sit idle, and after a lull brought about by the earlier appearance of the intruding Garfish, adjust their tactics and decide to attack the Phoenix herself, in addition to her supply convoys. Without warning the Haydonites launch a raid on the fleet, using tactics never before witnessed. For the first time since the conflict began, the Haydonites are seen employing missile technology. Massive torpedo-like munitions the size of a Horizon Bunker are launced at the fleet resulting in the loss of at least 5 ships of the line. More sinister is that some of the munitions are in fact delivery vehicles for armor and infantry.
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5: October 2nd
As the fleet maneuvers to defend against salvo after salvo of enemy torpedo's, those Transport rounds that have impacted the Phoenix unleash their troop compliment. Soon open areas of the ship become battlegrounds with firefights breaking out within the Proving Grounds, various areas within the 'Walls' of the ship and within the city area itself.
In space, Lurana, responding to calls from flight controllers vectors in on a spread of torpedoes aimed at the Phoenix and unleashing over 3/4 of her missile load, is able to down the incoming rounds. However the resulting blast wave shreds her Legios, leaving her adrift. Inside the Proving Grounds Jaron, Gage, and Lee recover from the impact of a Transport round to face a Revenant and cadre of Reavers.
As the fight heats up the Revenant blasts a hole into the ground, opening a path into the city below. Jaron leads his men into the breech, following a trio of Reavers.
Image Copyright Macross Frontier/Studio Nue
As Jaron's team battles atop a building near the city center, Suki, assuming the worst, takes command of the flight and leads Aylanea, Sarah, Komilla, and Anthony into the city as well, following a quintet of Reavers who had bored their way through the hull. While the three Reavers give Jaron and his Cyclone clad troopers absolute hell, the fight against the Haydonite enemy versus Suki's team of Alpha's, Beta, and token Terren Fighter is far more protracted, and the five Reavers are put down in seconds.
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6: October 2nd
The battle within the Phoenix rages as outside the picket ships and fleet defenders shore up the lines. During a lull, Lurana is picked up by a SAR Rabbit, but upon returing to the Phoenix a Reaver latches on and begins to cuase havoc. Stepping out to meet the threat Lurana and the Reaver have a pitched battle in the airlock doorway resulting in the Reavers demise and the Rabbit itself being blown in half by a ill advise launch of Lurana's remaining mini missile payload.
Having eradicated the enemy within the building they are upon Jeron, Lee, and Gage, now joined with Komilla and Anthony note the savage fighting coming from the cith center, near the UEEF administration buildings. Rallying the troops Jeron deploys his men and moves to flank the Haydonite aggressors. Caught on two sides the Haydonites fall back towards a three story building losing over half their number in the cross fire. After numerous attempts to approach the building meet with stiff resistance, the call comes down for the building to be leveled, the level of collatoral damage acceptable to quell the enemy within.
Nearby Suki, leads her troop of Sarah and Aylanea to assist beleaguered UEEF units in the courtyard of the cities residential district. Approaching from the riverfront the Haydonites notice the encroaching Marines and open fire. Using leap frog tactics the Marines assault the structure, eventually battling their way inside. Moveing up three floors they encounter resistance on the fourth floor. Ganging up on the enemy the three Cyclone Riders are able to kill the enemy in short order, silencing a second Haydonite another floor up. Deprived of their flank the Haydonites defensive positions crumble as the UEEF rally and together with the Marines assault and obliterate the final Haydonite holdouts.
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7: October 5th
Aylanea, having recovered from a nasty spill the day prior is released from the hospital but Lurana, having sustaining deeper injuries is held over for observation. Lee and Komilla, after filing their reports head off base for a drink and some R&R. In a campus bar, Lee, after many drinks, notices and then approaches a triplet of handsome Tirolian ladies. However, this does not sit well with a few Tirolian civilians nearby and soon, a fight breaks out. Lee is all but overpowered by a pair of troublemakers while Komilla and a third duke it out with chain and bar-stool. Gage, nearby notices the scuffle and moves to intervene on behalf of his squad mates but arrives at the tail end of the fracas as the bars owner, a husky Karbarran ends the fight at the end of a pair of shotgun barrels.
The next day, as Lee and Komillia heal up, Suki and Jeron are called into Maj. Kavashera's office where he outlines changes to the squadrons leadership assignments.
Later on, the group is tasked to test, evaluate, and train up on the UEEF's newest in infantry sidearms. With Protoculture scarce, the decision to employ alternate weapon systems is authorized and a trio of new slug throwers have been slated for field trials.
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8: October 6th
As Jeron settles into the uneasy task of Squad lead, Lurana is discharged from the hospital and in time finds out about the change in leadership. Taking the news badly, Lurana seeks a face saving out for her situation; concocting a 'Trial of Leadership' she challenges Jeron to one-on-one combat, against the Majors wishes. Aylanea is tasked to record the event for later transmittal to Lurana's mother. Ay throws herself into the task, with a bit to much relish.
After all is said and done, the Major, a few days later, briefs the newly formed 1st Marine Raider Detachment (or MARDET 1) on their upcoming assignment.
The Phoenix fast approaches the Kalypsos Expanse, a large nebula region that lies between the fleet and Karberra. With power reserves low and the Fold Drives of the Phoenix still off line, the fleet has no choice but to enter and traverse the massive and unpredictable cloud. On top of that, the Civil Defense units aboard the Phoenix have not accounted for all of the enemy boarders and suspect that many are still hiding within the massive ship.
Image by Casperium
| Log |
Maelstrom
Chapter 6 Act I
Part 1: October 9th
The fleet is readied, and the Yukikaze and the Miyuki take the van. Entering the expanse the Yukikaze launches her Raiders. Flying a tight echelon formation the Marines experience the power of nature as they wrestle with erratic and powerful currents of energized gas. Within a gale the pilots discover Haydonite Wraiths and the battle is joined.
As the Marines regroup, the tally is, three Wraiths destroyed, one wounded and two others escaped out of six. Now, resting in pocket of calm 'air' the pilots contemplate their next course of action.
| Log | Part 1 XP |
Part 2: October 9th
After a brief respite the airborne team continues on into a denser area of the nebula, and by happenstance locate a pair of Haydonite Torpedo Cruisers lurking in a 'fog bank'. The team moves in for a closer look, but in the reduced visibility Aylanea bumps her craft into the enemy ship. Not waiting around to see if that contact alerted the enemy, Jeron orders a withdrawal, but, as the team relocates the enemy swings into action leveling blind Anti Aircraft fire and launching their own fighters.
Soon a dogfight erupts as the Yukikaze maneuvers to support her fighters while launching her Alert 5 birds. Meanwhile, from within the 'fog bank' the enemy ships start to fire salvo's of their torpedo's which, upon leaving the area of restricted visual and sensor visibility, acquire and home in on the Yukikaze.
Moving to intercept the enemy munitions the team finds them incredibly maneuverable as they try in vain to shoot them down. During the course of battle, both Komillia and Sarah's mecha take near devastating hits forcing the others to protect them as the Haydonite Wraiths, smelling blood in the water, converge and try to finish off their wounded prey.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Part 3: October 9th
Having moved in to shield the beleaguered Flight the Yukikaze begins to back peddle as her Alert 5 and BARCAP fighters engage the Wraiths. Given a breather, the team takes the time to rest, eat a meal and commiserate on a plan of action as the battle continues to rage outside.
It is decided that the team will mount fresh aircraft and dive into the 'fog' and using Sarah's innate abilities, seek out the enemy and plant RMS-2 Angel of Death warheads upon the hull. Embarking upon their mission the team notices odd behavior among the Wraiths; a lone fighter on the outskirts of the fray, watching, and more ominous, the remaining Wraiths, instead of mixing it up with the BARCAP, charge forward alongside a salvo of Torpedo's shielding their approach. In this manner, the Yukikaze is struck three times in rapid succession, knocking two of her three PPB Disks offline.
Inside the murk, the team is able to locate an enemy ship but is almost obliterated as a blind fired Torpedo passes through their formation. Komillia, Sarah, and Suki are able to act fast enough and with Komillia dealing the killing blow, disable the enemy projectile. Over the enemy ship Suki and Sarah swing behind and move to set their charge. The Haydonite vessel however detects this and moves to speed away, but the group hurriedly hard-lands on the hull. Suki, removing the RMS from Sarah's wing, stuffs it into a cranny on the enemy ships hull and informs the team they have 30 seconds.
Image Courtesy Macross Manual
In a massive blast the ship is consumed as the 100 Kiloton warhead rips the enemy apart.
| Log | Part 3 XP |
ACT II
Part 4: October 9
Meanwhile, as the airborne contingent battles the Haydonites and the elements, the ground team enters the walls of the Phoenix. Off to a bad start, Anji takes a bad tumble, but Lt. Fallnya's quick actions allow tragedy to be averted. Safely down on a massive cat walk, the team discovers the remains of the ships scaffold, along with artifacts from the past. Moving aft the team discovered more tell tales of the former glory of the Masters Empire, barracks for slave workers, old equipment, and slogans abound.
Continuing further into the bowels of the ship, the team runs across a world apart. Nestled within the walls of the ship is a forest, a sustained, and verdant ecosphere. One that is occupied by Tiresians separate from those that dwell within the city levels of the ship. The ground team is greeted by armed Bioroids and Triumveroid drone units and are brought before a trio of elders, to what end, they do not know.
For the air team their victory against the Haydonite cruiser is bittersweet. As they exit the now irradiated dust cloud retreating Wraiths exact vengance for the loss of their capital ship, and Suki, Komillia and Jerons' mecha are badly hit. Lt. Ishida's craft takes the worst of it, and Sarah watches in horror as Suki's canopy is blown out. Wounded and losing oxygen, Suki is pulled from her shredded cockpit by Lt. Fairman and taken to the Beta's cargo bay wherein Sarah, panicked and desperate teleports with her squad-mate towards the Yukikaze's medical bay. Appearing some 5 feet off the deck, the pair fall to the ground. Recovering from the shock, the medical staff tend to the stricken pilot as Sarah watches on.
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5: October 10th-October 11th
The UES Yukikaze and her sister ship the UES Miyuki enter the dust cloud, following after the Wraith, not to attack, but to hide from the three Haydonite Capital ships bearing down on their position. Safely ensconced within the cloud, the Haydonite ships hold position outside, and begin to depth charge the area. Still recovering from the missile hits the Yukikaze is in no condition to fight a protracted battle against superior numbers; instead she and her sister ship cut their engines and let the nebula's currents take them.
Drifting for 36 hours, leaving the Haydonites, hopefully, in their wake, the pair of Battlecrusiers, with their 'pilot-fish' ahead of them, enter a long forgotten graveyard of ships.
Elsewhere, on Karberra, another battle is taking place over the frozen mountains of the northern hinterlands. Haydonite assault units attempt to storm a mountain fortress housing a Karberran 'Grand Cannon' Defended by native Marines, augmented by other Sentinel races the allies to the UEEF move to counter the 4th, and most recent attack on their facility. Part of this contingent is Astrea, a young Praxian Corporal, at the head of a quintet of Praxian scouts.
Sent to recce and harass the enemy, as well as pin point the Haydonite units for artillery bombardment, Astrea moves into action in the midst of a blizzard. Things go well at first, but, the enemy is adaptable. Having suffered at the hands of her snipers, the enemy fields their own, who readily claims a prize of it's own, leaving Astrea a woman down.
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6: October 12th
Within the Phoenix Lt. Fallnya and her team meet with the Robotech Elder leaders of the hidden enclave. Informed that Haydonite forces have been seen they are pointed in the right direction and given the Triumveroid as an ad hoc guide.
Reaching the underbelly of the ship the team move through the remains of the old Fold Engines and the massive cooling reservoirs. Movement is detected and a Haydonite ambush is foiled although LCpl. Summerwinds Cyclone is damaged beyond the ability drive or fly.
In the debris field the Yukikaze team enters the hull of the centuries old Nupetiet-Vernitzs being used by the Miyuki and Yukikaze as a hiding place. Entering from above the team finds the long forgotten evidence of a furious and massive battle between Zentraedi and the Invid.
The incredible amount of dead on both sides speak to the hostility and animus between the two races.
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7: October 12th
The Marines continue to scour the remains of the derelict spacecraft and venture further inside, passing down level after level. The scene is the same on most every level. The Invid entered, and, the Zentraedi resisted. It isn't until the group reaches Deck 4 that they note the Zentraedi bulwark had held, but at a terrible price. Aylanea recovers some artifacts from the wreck for later perusal, a deck of cards and a camera.
Keen on finding a faster way to the massive Protoculture signal that Sarah has been feeling since they entered, Jeron, with Sarah in tow enter the labyrinthine duct work of the ship and try to find an alternate way. As Jeron and Sarah get increasingly lost, Komilla, with Aylanea by her side, proceeds to cut open every room she can find looking for anything useful.
Following the breadcrumbs back to their starting point Jeron and Sarah link back up with the unit and continue along the corridors of the ship instead. Approaching the Protoculture signature the team turns the corner with Sarah on point. Tragedy strikes as a team from the UES Miyuki is already in the corridor and in the ensuing confusion a friendly fire incident occurs, wounding Sarah grievously.
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8: October 13th
Aboard the Phoenix, Lurana and her ground team press forward. Reaching a large reservoir that they must pass they scale the Zentraedi sized service ramps and begin to make their way across a large catwalk. Part way across LCpl Summerwind notices something odd on the far wall, but before the group can investigate further, they are brought under fire by Haydonite Reavers on the far 'bank'.
Pushing forward, the Haydonites in an effort to stem the UEEF advance, blow the catwalk / bridge. Barely preventing his Spartas from plunging into the water, WO Lee manages to lift his hovertank into the air at the last moment. The engagement is brutal but brief and the UEEF forces are able to capture the opposing bridgehead.
Elsewhere, deeper within the nebula the repair work on the UES Yukikaze continues as patrol craft as well as Ghost Fighters are deployed to gain vital intelligence on their surroundings, and if possible make contact with the rest of the Fleet. Jaron and his pilots continue to search for anything of use in the debris field and come across a still space worthy Roil-Tiluvo and a near pristine Frandlar-Tiluvo reentery pod bearing the distinct yet incredibly rare markings of a Tirolian Border Fleet.
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Part 9: October 14th
Aboard the Phoenix the Marines of the 33rd secure the opposite bank and take stock of the defeated Reavers. Gage sees a damaged enemy reach for an object nearby and calls out the threat, but the team is unable to finish the Haydonite off before he can detonate planted explosions on the ships bulkhead.
In a series of large and messy explosions the area is vented of atmosphere, the reservoir emptied and Lurana and Anji are blown outside.
After their rescue the team is debriefed and subordinated to the Phoenix’s Civil Defense Units due to their ship being missing. It isn’t until three days pass that long-range reconnaissance flights are able to locate the Yukikaze and Miyuki.
While the Phoenix team is flown via Horizon to their ship Jeron and his team continue their search of the debris field within the now activated and quite flight worthy Reentry Pod. Later in the day, the team locates a lightly damaged Salan Picket vessel. A search is conducted and the derelict tagged for follow on crews.
Returning with a stuffed cargo bay the flight team meets up with the incoming Horizon and the team is reunited aboard the Yukikaze.
| Log | Part 9 XP |
Interlude 5: Kalypsos Nebula: Inside the "Nest"
Part 1: October 15th, 2044
As the operation wears on, Sarah feels the unmistakable presence of protoculture and following her senses leads the group to a derelict Shell-Dor clamship. Searching the vessle reveals that a Zentraedi strike team boarded and killed the flight crew before they could release their Iigaa Scout complement. With 250 scouts and their armored sleds intact, the UEEF is able to recover over 900 working protoculture cells.
The reunited team draw new equipment to conduct a CAP mission, being pulled off of salvage duty in order to keep their skills honed. Their first hop see's little action until their return leg. Detecting scant movement within a large chunk of ship the group moves to investigate. Flushing a Haydonite Shade out of the wreckage Lurana's Beta takes enemy fire before Sarah shreds the enemy with massed and precise fire from her cannons.
Searching for more enemy is fruitless, and the pilots are left with the unsettling thoughts that, either the enemy was a lone scout, or the others are far better at hide then the UEEF is at seek. As the search winds down Jeron notices a glint off of a reflective surface and the group locates a relic from the past. Bringing the frail find back to the 'Nest' the team is allowed to search the artifact with Ensign Corelle Austin from the Yukikaze bridge.
| Log | Part 1 XP |
Interlude Part 2: October 16th, 2044
Aboard the Amalgast
The team continues to search the ancient vessel finding clues and knowledge lost to the ages. Once the team returns the Captain of the Yukikaze, recognizing the importance of the find, orders the contents of the ship to be transferred to the Yuki's hold for storage. She does however allow the discoverers of the ship some keepsakes of their find.
Later, with the information on the downed Haydonite Shade parsed, Maj Kavshera outlines the flotilla's objectives. The enemy will arrive, and the Yukikaze and Miyuki will meet them in combat and inflict as much damage as they can, while tying up as many enemy ships as possible. With the previously located Tou Redir now repaired and operational the UEEF forces are bolstered.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Brier Patch
Chapter 7 Act I
Part 1: October 17th, 2044
With the preparations complete the wait begins for the enemy to show up. Fortunately, the Haydonites do not keep the UEEF waiting long, a fighter force of two hundred plus Wraiths backed up by a pair of Light Cruisers enter the "Pocket" and make their way towards the debris field. Lt. Fairman's placement of the mines pans out and the enemy runs afoul of the booby trap throwing the enemy formations into chaos long enough for Suki and Sarah to loose a pair of RMS-2 Angle of Death missiles.
Despite the instant loss of over half their number the Haydonite foe recovers and presses the attack leveling artillery fire and torpedo salvo after torpedo salvo at the dug in UEEF. In the ensuing crossfire Lt. Madresa is shot down. She ejects only to have her life-pod all but crushed by the blast wave of an Reflex Warhead strike on the enemy capital ships.
Meanwhile in another part of the debris field Lt. Fallnya must tend to an enemy flanking maneuver and with the deadly aim of the Miyuki is able to render the enemy sneak attack moot.
| Log | Part 1 XP |
Part 2: October 18th, 2044
The enemy counter attack is fierce and determined. As the UEEF and Haydonite forces assault one another Suki and Sarah search for their downed comrade while Komillia and Jeron run interference, devastating many enemy fighters, and succeed in keeping the enemy focus off the rescue team.
With the enemy attention now on them both Jeron and Komillia start to take ever increasing damage and in a flurry of attacks Komillia's Terran Fighter Bioroid is disabled as Jeron retreats for the cover of the Yukikaze's flak perimeter, all the while hoping to lead his pursuers into an, as yet undetonated, layer of mines.
Leaving Aylanea's recovery to Sarah, Suki executes a full burner dive and is able to pick Komillia's mecha out of harms way. On her way back to the ship she takes heavy hits, losing an engine, but is able to 'drop' Komilia off in relative safety as Jeron ejects from his stricken and now dead machine. Picking his ejection seat out of the mess Suki is likewise able to return him to the Yukikaze's hanger bay at about the same time Sarah returns with Aylanea's battered life-pod.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Part 3: October 18th, 2044
With new mecha for the downed pilots the Marines take again to the skies as the battle continues to rage around them. The Haydonite foe, dogged in their assault, launch an even larger wave of fighters at the hated UEEF Addicts. Near 1000 fighters of varying size and function hurtle towards the UEEF ships. The Yukikaze and her sister ship open fire, punching holes in the enemy formations but dead on shots can only hit so many.
However, Lurana, aboard the Tou Redir realizes her advantageous positioning at the enemy's flank and orders the main gun of her craft to fire. With blinding accuracy the blindside eviscerates the enemy fighters, knocking out over 80% of their number in one fell swoop!
The tide turned the Haydonites continue on regardless while their commander, enraged, orders one of his cruisers, the Velnak, to hunt down and destroy the offending Zentreadi vessel. Ishida, falling back on her knowledge of tactics, realizes that some form of reciprocity may be imminent and moves her RMS-2's into position. Meanwhile enemy Reavers have boarded the Yukikaze's hanger bay and Gage, along with Jeron, who's craft launched late due to technical difficulties engage the Reavers alongside the Yukikaze's Cyclone Riders.
Outside Aylanea, Sarah, and Komillia perform yeoman's work and deal healthy losses to the surviving enemy fighter force. Revenge for the loss of their fighters is not long in coming as the Velnak exits the cloud at flank speed all her guns ablaze. The Tou Redir is hit hard but the sturdy ship bears the assault, although just barely. Ishida, unable to interrupt the initial ambush fires her last two Reflex Warheads in an attempt to silence any further fire. Her rounds impact amidships and detonate, tearing the enemy ship in half.
Lurana directs the Tou Redir to avoid the disemboweled fore section of the Velnak as Sarah, Komillia, and Aylanea alongside the CAP fighters from both the Yukikaze and Miyuki thin the Wraiths out further, forcing the enemy, for the second time in an hour, to withdraw.
Realizing that the Haydonites next assault will likely shatter them, Captain Reinard orders all craft to return to base and with the enemies main body still in the clouds, exits the pocket at flank speed, leaving the enemy behind.
| Log | Part 3 XP |
ACT II
Part 4: October 19th, 2044
The crew of the Yukikaze is offered a brief respite to rest and recuperate. However, dark forces lurk in the bowels of the ship, and a Haydonite saboteur, presumably a hold over from the last battle strikes a deadly blow. Gage Alexander following up on a Compartment Alarm notices the enemy and calls out the warning to the ship, locking himself into the compartment with the enemy.
Engaging in hand to hand the Haydonite is able to knock Gage aside and make it's escape, hijacking his Cyclone in the process. Following the trail of destruction Gage races after the enemy on foot while the rest of the ship swings into action to repel boarders. The Raider pilots and Gage are able to corner the Haydonite in an intersection in the middle of the ship and a fierce firefight breaks out.
The enemy succumbs to the combined fire of the UEEF Marines and a coup de grâce is given to the fallen Haydonite. As the events particulars are revealed the Major lionizes Gage for his bravery much to the humble embarrassment of the young troop.
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5: November 30th, 2044
Karberra Orbit
Finally exiting the Kalypsos Nebula, the Yukikaze and her sister ship search for the Phoenix. After some days of fruitless searching Captain Reinard decides to fold the damaged Yukikaze and Tou Redir to Karberra Orbit leaving the Miyuki behind to wait for the rest of the Battle Group. Entering the fold, the crew experiences 4 hours of fold travel, while in real-space 600 hours pass, or, 25 days.
In orbit the Marines sees a mass of friendly shipping, both UEEF and KDF (Karberren Defense Force). After dropping the Tou Redir off at a Karberren facility the Yukikaze makes her way to the repaired Trinity Docks for repairs of her own as the 33rd MEU Echo Company/MARDET 1 prepares for debarkation planet-side.
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6
Part 6: December 1st, 2044
Kato Zano Air Base: Karbarran Hinterlands
The Tou Redir and Yukikaze in their berths the 33rd deploys ground side, with the Raider Pilots in escort formation. The countryside is only marred by the tell-tales of combat in the distance and beneath them lies a massive airfield. It has been recently expanded, the older structures a stark contrast to the newer, prefab, modules.
The Raiders entrance goes well, until Lt. Fairman executes a poor landing, snapping the left main gear from his Legios. As Jeron meets with the Base Commander for his briefing the others assist in unloading the Horizon drop-ships, fatiguing themselves considerably in the process due to Karbarra's higher gravity, a factor the Base Commander points out regards Jerons mishap.
They learn that a Haydonite redoubt lies to the east, occupying an old cave bunker network left over from the Karbarran resistance during the Invid occupation. The UEEF has the area surrounded but has yet been unable to root the enemy from their positions. The 33rd Raiders have been directed to produce some results.
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7: December 2nd, 2044
Kato Zano Air Base: Karbarran Hinterlands
Having settled into their new quarters, a prefab wooden hooch reinforced with sandbags; and requisitioning a vehicle for on base travel, a old soft cover HMMVW, the group sets off to familiarize themselves with their new posting.
After locating the enlisted billets and liberating Anji for a bite to eat the team make use of the flight line cafe where Suki attempts to consume a Karbarran sized meal. Ishida comes close, but, is unable to close the deal.
The next morning the pilots head to the flight line and check on their birds. Jeron finds his Beta's landing gear has been repaired but some young bucks from the nearby Fleet training base with more bravado then brains verbally accost the Marines, proving that even in the most dire situations, inter-service rivalry is still alive and well.
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8: December 2nd, 2044
The air battle rages on and the experienced fighter pilot of MARDET 1 begin to exact a terrible toll on the enemy formations, but not before the enemy manages to dish out some hurt as well, most if not all friendly aircraft are damaged to varying degrees, with Jeron and Sarah's machines losing a wing each.
The Training Flight manages to survive and gain kills but nearly ram Sarah and Suki in the process of recklessly perusing their targets. Later, back at base, Ishida secures her machine and, making her way to the Fleet 'nuggets' calmly knocks one on his ass and berates him. The scuffle is broken up by Lt. Fairman as quickly as it began with the end result, two 'nuggets' on their butts and Ishida with a light bop to her cheek.
As the situation ends, Jeron warns off the Fleet pilots, then goes to find their CO to preempt any fallout.
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Part 9: December 4th, 2044
Urt Boden Headlands: Central West AO (Area of Operation)
After some downtime at base, consisting of Cyclone antics involving treadmills, the team heads out to the Central West AO to take a preliminary look at the area they have been tasked to break through.
The battle is ongoing and surrounds Urt Boden, a shallow mountain some 1400 meters high, it's crest now a lunar landscape strewn with bomb craters and the twisted wreckage of Haydonite and UEEF mecha.
Despite their own tasking, Lt. Finch, commanders aide for the 35th Infantry, commandeers the flight to perform low level strafing. Ishida and Fairman decide to conduct the ground attack runs while the rest of the team continues on mission.
| Log | Part 9 XP |
The Bear Went Under the Mountain
Chapter 8 Act I
Part 1: December 4th, 2044
Urt Boden Headlands: Central West AO (Area of Operation)
Embarking on the preliminaries of their mission the Ground team heads off towards Sector 12, an hour and fifteen minutes away while those slated for ground attack take to the skies and begin their runs.
Sector 12 is quiet but still vigorously defended despite the lack of enemy contact in the area. The Fire Base Captain leads the team to a hill crest overlooking the sought after tunnel entrance to reveal a refuse pile of bones, and metallic parts, presumably from Haydonite soldiers. The Captain alludes to something residing within the tunnel that is deadly to anything that enters.
As those in the air continue to make run after run, inflicting a heavy if not unknown toll on the enemy the ground team moves on to Sector 8, deciding that Sector 12's 'X-Factor' is one best avoided for the time being.
| Log | Part 1 XP |
Part 2: December 4th, 2044
Urt Boden Headlands: Central West AO (Area of Operation): Sector 8
Arriving at Sector 8 the ground team finds this area more active then the last and, in the course of reconnoitering the area, Aylanea is hit twice with near disastrous results.
Beyond the dug in Reaver positions that fired upon Aylanea, Sector 8 teems with Haydonite Imps. With so many enemy scout unit in such a small area the odds of navigating them and the enemy trench-lines and bunker network rise exponentially.
Returning to the flight line the teams rejoin and swap information. Sector 5, the area that Jeron, Lurana, and Suki have been strafing for the last three hours is also a bust. As Suki notes, Sector 5 seems to be the 'main show'. Returning to base the team decompresses and compiles their reports prior to deciding on their next course of action. However, before they can set to the task at hand, Major Kaveshera arrives with three new troops, including the Spherian augmentee requested earlier.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Part 3: December 5th, 2044
Kato Zano Airbase
The 'Nuggets' are briefed on the mission objectives and then settle in for the night. Early the next morning Ishida and Max meet with Col. Hav'weth and discuss equipment and communication issues while in the hanger Lurana work on the groups ground mecha, with mixed results.
Later in the day a Garfish dispatched by the Phoenix Battle Group arrives with an MTA-Artemis under-slung. Major Kaveshera takes the opportunity to orient the troops with the new machine and the group clambers aboard to explore the armored leviathan.
| Log | Part 3 XP |
ACT II
Part 4: December 6th, 2044
Grid Reference: 337-N: Northern AO. / Yallaren City: Industrial Quarter
With the Artemis tucked in, the group moves to find a guide for their upcoming sojourn. Heading to the base Mess Hall to gather information from the native troops, the group experiences mixed and humorous results as Komillia, trying to put the moves on the UEEF's Karberran allies, gets more then she bargains for, much to her embarrassment. Sarah however is more fortunate. Both are able to glean some promising information and the team splits up to tackle both objectives simultaneously.
Heading north into the mountains of the Northern AO, Ryuu Hasagawa escorts Ishida and Sarah flying a VC-33. After some hours of flight time the pair of aircraft are able to locate the cabin of the Hermit thought to reside there. An old resistance leader familiar with Urt Balor, it is hoped he can be persuaded to assist the 33rd. The trio are invited in and pitch their request…
Meanwhile, back at base, Aylanea leads her team to Yallaren City, nearby the airbase, to seek out the Mining Guild chapter house known to exist there. Finding the Guild Hall closed for the night the group enters a nearby pub and begins to ask around. Diplomacy fails in spectacular fashion and Komilla's last nerve is snapped and a blade is pulled. The Karberran patrons take umbrage and retaliate forcing Gage, Aylanea, and Komilla to retreat with all haste under a hail of furniture, mining implements, and gunfire…
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5: December 6, 2044
Grid Reference: 337-N: Northern AO. / Yallaren City: Industrial Quarter
Speeding away from the Mining Guild Pub, Ay and her team pass by a local truck, which turn to follow them. Loaded with angry Karbberan's the miners open fire on the UEEF personnel and a high speed chase complete with gunfire wreaks havoc throughout the streets of Yallaren. Narrowly escaping the Miner's truck , badly shot up, breaks off pursuit as KDF units intervene, meanwhile, the UEEF vehicle dies, it's transmission shot…literally.
Up north, Ishida and her group returns to their aircraft having failed to convince Old Grey Fur to join them. Before they can enter their craft they are pounced upon by a pair of Snow Lions, and Sarah and Ryuu both feel what it is like to be jumped on by a 1300 pound creature. Saved by their armor but dazed Ryuu is able to retaliate while Sarah tries to recover. Both Ryuu and Ishida are able to mortally wound one beast and a Praxian Sniper, with a pair of KDF troops investigating the arrival of UEEF aircraft, fires a brilliant shot and dispatches the second Snow Lion mid pounce.
After poaching the sniper for the 33rd, Ishida and the others return home but are jumped by a quartet of Haydonite Wraiths. While Ishida hurtles the VC-33 through a canyon at high speed the Praxian, Astrea, mounts a spirited defense of the transport plane from within the cargo bay as Ryuu mixes it up and keep a pair of Wraith occupied, in all, three Wraiths are downed and one is sent packing.
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6: December 7-12, 2044
Urt Balor: Firebase Alpha
Mission prep for the upcoming operation, code named 'Undermine' proceed, with the only glitch being the 'liberation' of some fancy new tactical gear by Summerwind, Ryuu, and Vinai. Lt. Fairman is however not to pleased at the Dog Robbers escapades and a showdown ensues. Tensions flare and blows are dealt but the situation resolves itself, yet, a bitter taste is left in the mouths of many.
A few days later, the unit, deep underground, has set up a advance Firebase and begins to search the caves for enemy positions. On their initial sweep they run across a work gang made up of Tirolian, Human, and other slaves. Mining the ore the slaves are dazed and almost catatonic but for their work. That is, until Komillia steps to close as she inspects one of the slaves further. Surprised by the assault, and the sheer fury of it, Komillia's Devastator is toppled but she manages to get hold of the massive human as the others angle in and restrain him without causing to much harm.
Subdued, the unconscious human is taken to the surface where it is discovered that he is a UEEF Private First Class Masun Raihan, late of Tirol who also belonged to the infamous Shadow Squadron of T.R. Edwards fame. Stranger yet, Raihan seems to be suffering from some sort of brainwashing, the cause, unknown.
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7: December 13, 2044
Urt Balor: Firebase Alpha
As Raihan awakens and is questioned by the the command staff, elements of the Raider Platoon tally up the slaves nearby and secure the area after which the team moves out deeper into the cave network, following the mine tracks found earlier. Entering a larger section of the caves the group finds more slave laborers. This time, with Haydonite Guards.
As one guard bolts the other moves to hold off the encroaching UEEF Marines and a brutal firefight erupts. The enemy guards are slain but some five slaves are killed in the crossfire, the Haydonites clearly not bothering with the concept of fire discipline. After the fight, the resident Spherian covers up the tell-tales of the combat and the UEEF team withdraws back to base.
At the mess tent tempers flare as Jeron and Raihan lock horns. The tiff is resolved the Marine way, via fisticuffs, and the issue is put to bed. Later a confused and frustrated Ryuu happens upon a voice from a CD that begins to haunt him.
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8: December 14, 2044
Urt Balor: Firebase Alpha
After re-arming and grabbing a fast meal the team is sent back into the cave network. Scout elements from 3rd Platoon have fixed the location of an enemy Firebase. The team is tasked to go in with two squads from 4th Platoon to knock it out.
As they approach Sarah is able to sense the enemy, noting that there are upwards of 50 distinct targets within the target area. Armed with that knowledge the team readies their assault with Sadrine poised to use her abilities to cave the cavern roof down on the enemy's heads.
The initial assault goes well and the enemy is taken by surprise. The UEEF Marines storm the area and mow down a large number of Haydonite's caught outside of their fearsome Reaver armor. As the fight continues on, the Haydonite resistance stiffens but then breaks under the UEEF's superior numbers, but not before Aylanea is badly wounded, losing her left forearm below the elbow. The remaining Haydonites are defeated leaving 6 UEEF dead, and 3 wounded in exchange for 50 enemy killed.
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Part 9: December 16, 2044
Urt Balor: Firebase Alpha
With the Haydonite rescue teams still trying to uncover their fire-base Sadrine continues to keep them at bay. Meanwhile Pvt. Raihan come up with an idea to bypass the Haydonite patrols and scout the cave networks interior. The idea is pitched up the chain of command and is approved. Sarah and Jeron will dress in mufti and pose as slave labor while Komilla leads her squad to the east.
Successfully infiltrating past the first sets of guards Sarah and Jeron make their way down the track network until they reach a large central chamber. Inside are two massive platforms that the pair observe being used to space-fold cargo out of the mountain. Jeron also notices what appears to be, or at least a part of, the enemy command structure.
To the east, Komilla leads her team through the twists and turns. The cave network she scouts seems to be less used, although still patrolled as the group is set upon by a Haydonite Shade. The team makes quick work of it and moves on rapidly into a medium sized cavern. Ambushed from above by cave dwelling animal life the team enjoys a mad-minute that sees the creatures eliminated and or driven off.
| Log | Part 9 XP |
ACT I
Part 1: December 17, 2044
Urt Balor
Their recon complete, Jeron and Sarah try to make their way back to the rest of the group, but a combination of bad luck and enemy Reaver patrols force them to retrace the route to and from the Fold Chamber no less then four time before Ishida, Gage, and Vinai alongside members of Echo Platoon are in a position to cover their extraction. Shots are exchanged and the scouts are hurried back to friendly lines while the battle is covered up by withdrawing UEEF forces.
Meanwhile in another part of the cave network Lt. Mealess leads her troops on an extended recon of the western reaches. Her team makes a startling discovery. Invid! As a corner is turned an Invid Scout stands in their way, but curiously does not attack. Komillia presses forward alone and is contacted by a long forgotten left behind Hive Brain who is unaware of the event of the last few years.
Jeron and Sarah make it back to base with enough time to shower and change before Lt. Maeless returns with the Invid scout in tow and it, acting as a 'herald' for the Hive Brain, informs the UEEF that it will not attack, and is amenable to attacking the Haydonite's within the mountain, their oldest foe.
| Log | Part 1 XP |
Part 2: December 17, 2044
Urt Balor
After watching the Invid 'herald' leave the team is briefed on the next part of the operation. With the Haydonites having apparently given up trying to dig out their destroyed fire-base the UEMC forces are given a bit of leeway and the major decides to open the path for friendly forces to link up with the 33rd. After gearing up the team is told they will be entering the tunnel leading out to Sector 12, the one marked 'Here there be Dragons' on the map.
With a Platoon covering the rear and Sadrine blocking the pass of more fully the team enters the long dark tunnel. Moving deeper in moisture and mist is noticed and the team find the gnawed on remains of Haydonite and UEEF mecha alike. Investigating a rend in the cave wall, the team consults Old Grey Fur above and are told that whatever it is, it is a burrower and large ones at that.
Soon after receiving the information form upstairs the teams Search Light Mecha is disabled and LCpl. Summerwind is struck hard and dazed by a creature striking from within the very walls of the tunnel. Unable to locate the creature the team unloads on the walls, while Sadrine, more in tune with the living earth is able to offer some early warning to the team-members.
Sadrine, able to manipulate the earth around her is able to extricate one of the creatures from the ceiling and drops between the Raiders and FIST. The creature, something out of a horror movie in terms of size and teeth paralyzes some of the team in fear but Ishida is able to fire a full salvo of missiles, emptying her launchers. The creature is torn to shreds and the group experiences a brief period of victory until the room shakes, and a larger, enraged, creature bursts from the cavern floor.
Almost immediately Lt. Fairman and Sadrine are swallowed whole, Cyclone armor and all. As the rest of the team works to kill the creature from the outside, Jaron and Sadrine work to the same ends from the inside.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Part 3: December 18, 2044
Urt Balor
With the larger creature killed, with a double coup-de-grace from Gage and Rahain, the group finds a momentary respite while picking creature guts from their mecha. The rest is short lived however as at least one more creature wishes to attack the team and in hard fighting, is defeated.
Upon retuning to the base camp some tempers flare and some disciplinary actions need to be addressed but by and large the team is able to rest and wish for warmer and more comfortable sleeping arrangements.
| Log | Part 3 XP |
ACT II
Part 4: December 19, 2044
Urt Balor
With the way open via Sector 12, Echo Company is fully mobilized to assault the enemy Fold Chamber. The plan is simple, half the company will attack head on, while the other half will attack the flank.
As the Company moves to their respective jump off points the way must be cleared of enemy and slave alike. The fighting is as brutal as it is brief as both halves clear their avenues of approach.
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5: December 20, 2044
Urt Balor
The UEEF forces make their push on the Haydonite Fold Chamber! With the FIST and the Raider Platoons in position with there supported Infantry the balloon goes up Lt. Utenaru leads the attack in. 1st Platoon has the honors and with the Raider Platoon charge the enemy barricade and in hard fighting are able to rout the enemy. However, the Haydonite foe has laid a trap.
On the other side of the cavern Sarah and Suki notice that a enemy Revenant has placed itself above the tunnel entry point that 1st Platoon will enter via. With enemy jamming fierce the two use Lt. Vinai's experimental 'Perfect Sight' system to get the warning out. Due to the fog of war the warning is given but misinterpreted by some. However, the damage inflicted by the Haydonite ambush is mitigated and is no where near as devastating as it was intended to be.
Recovering from the ambush which vaporized 16 Marines instantly the FIST alongside 2nd and 4th Platoons enter the chamber, ambushing the ambushers. Two Revenants are shredded and the remains of 1st Platoon and a fresh 3rd Platoon supported by the Raider Platoon swarm into the chamber, driving the enemy out and securing it. As the chamber is secured, Sarah notices a large Protoculture signal in the vicinity.
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6: December 20, 2044
Urt Balor
The party, following Sarah's protoculture sense keys in on a tunnel recently closed off by Sadrine to cover the chamber pushes flank. Sarah, positive that the trace she is sensing is behind it relays her finding and Sadrine lowers the barrier. In short order the group is ambushed by waiting Haydonite defenders and Sadrine is knocked out of the fight. The group advances into the ambush and are able to obliterate the position with massed and precise weapons fire.
Continuing the advance, the group begins to take hits and Lt. Fairman is knocked out of his Cyclone, but, the unit is still able to move forward although the advance is slowed to a crawl. Dropping her spare Super Cyclone for Jeron, Sarah and the others finally push into a new chamber. There the team discovers a large teardrop shaped object protected by Reavers and a force field. Lt. Vinai is able to access the system and learns that the object is a weapon of some sort and is targeted at Yalleran, the nearby Karberran city as Lt. Fairman, and CWO1 Hasagawa mount a daring assault on the enemy flank using missiles and suppressive fire.
Assaulting the smaller chamber the team takes more damage, and Lt. Fairman is blown out of his mecha and Ishida looses a volley of missiles that go errant, but, destroying one of the gantry's leading to the Haydonite weapon, reveals the nature of the payload as a canister crashes to the ground and liquefies some hapless slaves nearby. Shortly after, Ishida is blown out of her Devastator.
As Lt. Utenaru struggles to bring replacement gear to support the push Lt. Vinai hacks the weapons systems, stalling it's launch. Having returned from their spoiling attack on the enemy flank Lt. Fairman and the others hear a radio transmission for base command. Overhearing an argument between the Major and the Area of Operations commander Colonel Haywood, who despite the recently received intell regards a Haydonite bio-weapon, is ordering the Major to pull his men back.
Taking matters into their own hands the team cuts the line to higher command to avoid being ordered back and pushes on with what they have. Donning a new cyclone Lt. Ishida charges the enemy weapon as Lt. Fairman is blown out of his newly acquired Super Cyclone. CWO2 Amdahl's Devastator is obliterated forcing her to teleport, once again, to avoid destruction. Avoiding enemy fire Lt. Ishida is able to board the weapon and looks for some way to take the construct out from the inside. As Suki looks for something worth shooting at the weapon begins to lift off and carve it's way out of the mountain but Lt. Vinai is able to idle the weapons engines, stalling it's launch yet again. Finding a vital system Lt. Ishida opens fire with everything has and sends the weapon crashing down with her still inside.
With the weapon destroyed and the area secured the team is held in place by an angry and shown up Colonel. Finally, the next day, the team is flown back to Kato Zano for some well deserved leave.
| Log | Part 6 XP |
Interlude 6: Kato Zano Air Base: Winter Wonderland
Part 1: December 21st-29th, 2044
Their trial under the mountains of Urt Balor over the crew is allowed some time off to enjoy the remains of the Christmas Holiday, an event near and dear to Humans and Zentraedi alike. Ishida and Sarah go Christmas shopping and decorate the Hooch with lights and a tree.
Jaron catches up on his reading while Gage watches movies. Komillia wrestles with her demons in sparring match after sparring match, but, when pressed by Ishida talks about her concerns. Suki offers what advice she can and hopes that it will be enough.
The team celebrates Christmas Eve at a Company function and after party, where Komilla unsuccessfully challenges the Major to a drinking competition. Lt. Vinai and Lt. Utenaru cut quite a rug, then, excuse themselves for the evening.
The vacation and rest over, the team returns to duty to a rude shock as the planet of Karberra experiences a meteor shower. It is soon found out that the event is not a natural phenomena, and that the Haydonites are behind it, using hardened rail-guns within the Karberra systems asteroid belt.
| Log | Part 1 XP |
ACT I
Part 1: December 29, 2044
Karberra System Asteroid Belt
Arriving at the asteroid belt the UEEF forces swing into action in support of on scene units. The UES Yukikaze supported by the UES Jutland and four Garfish Cruisers descend upon the Haydonite defenders and in the opening shots both the Yukikaze and Jutland claim capital ship kills. Thrown into disarray the Haydonite forces withdraw into the Asteroid Belt. Meanwhile, the UES Carolina, already on scene and damaged, uses the cover fire to break away from the engagement.
As the enemy backs off Sarah and Jeron notice the enemy seeding the nearby asteroids with Revenants. Lt. Vinai, using his Beta Fighters sensors is able to detect them specifically and relays this back to the fleet and his wing-men.
Pushing forward the enemy counterattacks and in the cross fire Vinai's Beta is knocked out by a Synchro Cannon shot. In reprisal the Yukikaze and Jutland shatter the two larger asteroids upon which the Revenants had been stationed, wiping out the enemy positions.
| Log | Part 1 XP |
Part 2: December 29, 2044
Karberra System Asteroid Belt
Continuing the fight the enemy counter attacks with massed air attack and the teams fighters are heavily damaged. Worse, the Revenant positions have been bolstered and their lethal fire forces the UEEF to stall their push. The CO of the Yukikaze orders her planes back to re-arm, refuel, and repair.
After a brief respite the team again takes to the void and pushed on the enemy. Things go well to begin with but Lt. Mealess notices something amiss. Calling out the warning the team is ready for but still surprised for their systems registering missile lock. Erupting from the asteroids are a six ship flight of Haydonite Shadow Fighters in full Legioss configuration!
The dogfight is brutal, and brief. In the end Ishida is shot down, forced to eject, Jeron and Ryuu's aircraft are in shambles and Komillia's bioroid is a dead stick, it's engines gone. However the enemy lose five of their original six, with the last Shadow retreating to the safety of the asteroids.
| Log | Part 2 XP |
Part 3: December 29, 2044
Karberra System Asteroid Belt
| Log | Part 3 XP |
ACT II
Part 4: January 1, 2045
Aboard the UES Phoenix
During some downtime the group relaxes aboard the UES Phoenix. Some shop, some wander, and some run into the object of their obsession, without realizing it until later. Ryuu, through happenstance meet Kyo, the Tirolian singer who's disks he has been wearing down due to constant play, but, is unsure how to 'seal the deal'.
Taking a big step he asks the rest of the team for help, for good or ill. In a combined effort the team applies military doctrine to the dating scene and are able to penetrate the enemy (university) lines and engage the target (Kyo) in combat (dialogue). With Jeron on 'over-watch', Vinai as wing-man, Sarah, Suki, and Ay cover the flanks.
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Part 9
| Log | Part 9 XP |
ACT I
Part 1
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Part 2
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Part 3
| Log | Part 3 XP |
ACT II
Part 4
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Part 5
| Log | Part 5 XP |
Part 6
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Part 9
| Log | Part 9 XP |
ACT I
Part 1: May 4th, 2045
Deep Space
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Part 2
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Part 3
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ACT II
Part 4
Aboard the Enemy Ship
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Part 5
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Part 6
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7
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Part 8
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Part 1
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Part 2: June, 2045
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Part 3
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** ACT II**
Part 4
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Part 5
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Part 6: July, 2045
| Log | Part 6 XP |
ACT III
Part 7
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Part 8
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Part 9
| Log | Part 9 XP |
Act I
Part 1
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Part 2
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Part 3: August, 2045
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Act II
Part 4
| Log | Part 4 XP |
Interlude: Two vs. Two! (Doge Group)
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Part 5
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Part 6
| Log | Part 6 XP |
Act III
Part 7
| Log | Part 7 XP |
Part 8
| Log | Part 8 XP |
Part 9
| Log | Part 9 XP |
