CincyBattletech

Campaigns (all) => Have `Mech, Will Travel: The Next Generation => Contract Logs => Topic started by: Darrian Wolffe on July 23, 2025, 06:35:09 PM

Title: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Darrian Wolffe on July 23, 2025, 06:35:09 PM

(https://i.imgur.com/6V4wkyw.png)

Timeline
30 November, 3062
Contract Accepted
All lances gain 1,323,529  from advance pay
Unit gains 6,617,647  from advance pay

1 December, 3062
Contract begins


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Ranger Lance Assignments
Defend
Fire
Blitzkrieg
Marigold
Pilum

Fight
Paladin
Fury
Zeta
Norbotten
Ehreschuld

Scout
Lancer
Jazz
Foil

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Ranger Admin/Repair Vehicle Assignments (Admin will roll over and remain active - Unit CO)

Admin Logistics (elite):
Ehreschuld
Norbotten
Foil
Fury

Admin Logistics (Veteran):
Pilum
Zeta
Jazz
Marigold
Fire

Admin (HR):
Blitzkrieg
Lancer
Fire
Paladin
Jazz
Marigold
Norbotten

Admin (Command):
Training
Fight
Scout
Defend

Repair vehicle assignments:
Foil - Paramour
Jazz - Jifty



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Contract Adjustments
Security Duty
-IntroTech Acquisition TNs are at a -1 bonus, to a minimum of 3 (2 always fails)
-Contract can automatically end if Security Target is destroyed/captured/etc


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Monthly Financial Data
For Dec:
Lances: 1,323,529
Unit: 6,617,647 
Jan-Mar:
Payment to Lances: 882,353
Payment to Unit: 4,411,765

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Darrian Wolffe on September 30, 2025, 07:44:49 PM

Mission 1
14 December, 3062
Mission: DropPort Defense (Defender)
Result: Victory - no effect on contract score
After-Action Report:  The Rangers were awakened by sporadic mech scale fire and contact reports on the southern perimeter. The 17th after dealing with overzealous paranoid 6th commanders opted to engage preemptively
seeing the inevitable. Rangers were ordered to hand over essentially all equipment and stand down. Ranger contract terms and doctrine dictated this would not happen for anyone. Honor and contract bound Ranger XO Inei made the call to engage. Hoping to keep damage to drop port assets and infrastructure he pushed out. The dropship liftoff had been delayed due mechanical issues but were resolved with enough time shortly before combat. Securing the point defenses and control infrastructure were tasked to Rangers and local government forces. The 6th forces opted to smash 17th forces for their audacity and only turn to engage Ranger forces that vacated the drop port. The 17th forces attempted the take both the civilian airstrip nearby and the restricted planetary drop port the Rangers occupied. Simply nobody aligned putting all sides against each other.

The 17Th forces entered the AO engaging the 6th patrols and checkpoints right away. The 6th went looking for a fight took them to task and proved more than what they could muster by the end of the day.
Shortly after the opening engagement more information came in regarding a massive force that overwhelmed not only the 6th HQ garrison but also the 6th forces spaceport. This information meant nothing to the Rangers at the time but would matter a short while later. The lack of support fire for the 6th appeared odd and would make much more sense later on. The 17th forces deployed from the south in a broad line attempting to isolate and wipe the existing checkpoints. Additional forces would attempt to make way to thunder run or add an additional pincer toward the Rangers. The 6Th forces would engage and simply reinforced their control center in the west/southwest. Surprisingly they wouldn't attempt to enter or capture any drop port assets but did engage Ranger forces after attempting to flee.

Rangers Norbotten, Fire, and Zeta were deployed powered down in the base in full or partially. Having been caught off guard there was a small window for staging waiting for mechs to come online. Surprisingly most mechs were up faster than expected allowing Rangers to push out. Allied units would begin to take the Ramparts or move out of the front gate. Ranger assets would be at the gates following close behind. Ranger units early on were not in the fight but did position to engage. After some time the battle line was formed and Rangers moved forward.

Donegal forces had moved up into eastern flank and overwhelmed the now reinforcing Paladin force. Fully engulfed but not out of the fight Paladin would take heavy damage while Zeta, Foil and Blitzkrieg either reinforced or pushed the battle line. The eastern flank would start as skirmish fire, then became a point-blank melee. Zeta and Foil would isolate the eastern force into a firing pocket efficiently focusing forces down. A lone phoenix hawk would make it into the drop port and further damage the turret controls but would have its head removed by Blitzkrieg.

The Donegal middle line would shift attempting to reinforce the western flank instead of the eastern flank. This shifted the focus of the Donegal forces to near squarely the Guard forces and only furthered added to the brawl. Forgoing the drop port the 17th instead attempted to thin what forces they could of 6th assets on planet. This however did not go according to plan much like the remainder of the attack. The 17th forces were able to close the distance but simply could not down Guard units. Instead, Guard units would turn the flank and focus down several units of which went critical. This would leave heavy damage to the city outskirts collapsing multiple buildings. Donegal units would bring down some of the 6th support assets but no more than a couple mechs. Guard units gave entirely more than they got.

Guard units would entrench themselves and deny the city outskirts to anyone who entered and eventually would collapse the 17th line. However, Ranger units would harrass and then focus on many of the remaining Guards. Blitzkrieg and Norbotten would close the distance and begin putting mechs down with additional support from Fire. Fire would collapse the Guard flank as would Blitzkrieg. Seeing this the Guard opted to attempt withdrawal retreating to cover. Several units would go down with pilots unconscious or heavily damaged or destroyed. Norbotten would take severe damage and Norbotten CO is still unconscious following a vicious volley of LB20X fire. It is unknown if he will pull through and if he does it will be a long road. Fire would attempt to engage the center line and Fire twos Gargoyle would be forced back under pinpoint fire. Norbotten and Fire would continue to restrict or engage but it simply was not enough to bring the remaining Guard units down. Seeing the writing on the wall the remaining non-Ranger forces would be allowed to leave.

The 17th forces would amount to roughly a single remaining mech. Guard forces would walk away with about the same. Ranger forces would take damage but in all were fine short of Norbotten. The bigger scare came as the dropship approached the end of its lift off checks its final lift off. A guard ASF attempted for whatever reason to make a run on the ATC tower as can only be described as some sort of fanatical attack. It was intercepted by Foil and the ASF losing control spiraled toward the dropship. It may have been the target all along, but we will never know. In its last-ditch effort banking, spiraling nose first planted into the dropship. It would hit both and destroy both a mech bay and cargo bay. The dropship was lucky without cargo or it may very well be gone and would power down due to the amount of damage. The dropship effectively will take years to repair and likely won't be space worthy for the entirety of that time and more after. It's unknown if this was an attempt at a new art statement or just fanatical behavior or bad luck. In any case it would now give new meaning to political dropship nose art.


19 December, 3062
It would become known after several days of fighting that the 6th forces managed to hold some of the HQ base but outright lost multiple dropships and the drop port. Artillery, ASF, fast travel means through dropships essentially lost to the 6th decisively for all but sporadic groups in other installations. The 17th forces with overwhelming force through numbers and ASF power crippled base defenders but were pushed back. The drop port is still in control or contested and a small section of the HQ base is as well. A tentative line for the 6th forces in the HQ base has been established, their external forces out of the AO are muddy at best but are attempting to break through. Further reports have come in of staging units which appear to be headed our way. There is clearly heavy ongoing fighting in pockets throughout the area already and we are planning to vacate the drop port.


20 December, 3062
The local 17th force commanders have reached out after having their backside handed to them. They want no part of the Rangers and instead would like Ranger help restoring order. Planetary government officials have brokered a deal handing the drop port and now damaged dropship to the 17th in exchange for several things. Namely the Rangers safe passage, equipment retention, and neutral IFF pending they are not engaged by Ranger or planetary forces. They also are requesting that officials proceed with daily duties and retain control of the planet. Whoever wins the planet is still Lyran in the end and the civilian populace must be protected. They have also requested that if the situation arises again that any 6th and 17th skirmishes be allowed to stay amongst themselves to further ensure as little damage as possible. This will all be over soon enough they assured and understand we are obligated under contract. The Donegal have made it clear however further engagement of 17th forces will not be forgotten or accepted. They have threatened to commit part of their reserve ASF wing, artillery and battalions of armor against us if necessary. Confident they control the cards they began to name assets and provided a long but partial list making it clear they weren't bluffing. They want to get the situation under control but will not hesitate if they can't to level the HQ base and/or us. We are being ordered to leave the AO.


21 December, 3062
We are complying with the 17th terms at the request of our employer and have vacated the drop port. However, we have stumbled upon active pockets and simply can't avoid them all. Government forces were able to set up quarters in one of the offices downtown.


Mission 2
12 January, 3063
Mission: Breakthrough (Defender)
Result: Victory - no effect on contract score
After-Action Report  Enemy forces pushed into the city from the South through the tunnels and far end. Pilum in the Center decided to learn a lesson by pushing too hard against a lance of mediums and vehicles in the center. Jazz and Fury pushed the assault lance in the West, and Lancer fought against 3 lances alone in the East to start using the walls for cover. With the help of our ASF, Lancer Longbow and CO in Night Gyr, were able to take out all tanks, while the rest of lancer whittled away at the rest. The assaults that intercepted Fury and Jazz, along with a few clan mechs, fell pretty quickly with a barrage of physicals. Pilum got stuck in a situation and tried to pull back as much as possible before Paladin got to him. During this time, we started to intercept comms from another unit, most likely aligned with the 6th, that were trying to leave from the East and had little interaction with the Rangers. Enemy Supernova stayed behind to help with the 6th in the West, dealing heavy damage, but not falling any units, falling in the end.

Lancer started to struggle once the medium and tank lances started to break through the buildings, but started to slow down from proper shots, with Longbow now in a bad spot. A pair of tanks broke through Paladin and made it to the end. Both ended up being taken out by unit crews that came with Lancer. Enemy assault lance began to punish Lancer Linebacker, who tried to fall back, ended up getting cored trying to retreat. Paladin brought in 2 units to help support Lancer by this point. Several forces broke past Lancer and made it to the end, but were stopped by the efforts of Lancer and Paladin with ASFs trying to distract.
Mayer was able to stop both a Raven and Argus from breaking through.  Force 3 mechs were able to get to the coast. Paladin helped take out a Warhammer that was harassing Lancer, while both parties worked on the 2 assaults that snuck by. Pilum was able to fall back, with Paladins LAM getting off as well, but Pilum ended up losing a pilot from heavy fire and a strafe.

Jazz and Fury cleared out all assaults on their end, plus the medium lance in the center, while Lancer barely got 8 of the 12 units that came after him. Paladin helped clear out the remainder of units on my side with full destructions. A new type of Mad Cat came out of nowhere and did massive damage to Lancers Longbow. Paladin caused an explosion on the Archer near the edge, and in a desperate attempt to stop the Zeus, Mayer decided to DFA him from getting off. He lost the leg of the Night Gyr, and bricked Zeus in the water after successfully connecting. The clan units that came with the 6th vacated with them and I doubt they will be the last time we see them while here on planet.


Mission 3
25 Janurary, 3063
Mission: Extraction
Result: Victory
After-Action Report: Attacks by the 6th Lyran Guard on a city triggered our deployment to protect the evac of targeted civilians including four deemed HVTs.  Based on intelligence and chatter, the vehicles for two of the HVTs were known to the Guard, indicating either an intelligence breach or more likely a traitor within the ranks, though whether on the civilian or Ranger side is unclear.  I've referred the details and supporting evidence to the Colonel for follow up.  Given the tight pursuit Ehreschuld, Marigold, Jazz, Foil and Zeta lances hot dropped as far into the OZ as possible to try and cover the retreat of the civilians.  They were spread out across the northern edge, the escorts doing what they could to screen them.  Quick movement by elements of the Guard isolated and blocked the Mobile HQ from escaping and enemy fire quickly destroyed it.  The HVT moved to cover within the buildings.

Noting irregularities and odd readings within the OZ, Ranger forces primarily Ehreschuld and Foil, identified several notable pieces of intelligence over the brief battle.  This included sites with dead civilians, suicide bombers making use of ordnance vehicles, and a destroyed mech from the 17th Donegal Guard.  Ehreschuld Actual called in a smoke round to cover fleeing civilian forces.  It's placement was regrettable.  Hidden across the street from the target zone, a 6th Lyran Guard Axman was concealed which brought into close threat the advancing Marigold forces.  Shortly thereafter as Ehreschuld forces maneuvered behind the deadly Bushwacker, coring it from behind and blowing off the leg of the Loki, a Hatchetman ambushed the Cauldron-Born.  Marigold forces took advantage of Jazz fire on the Wolverine to drop it as Zeta got too close to an IED, damaging their Devastator.  In the midst of this chaos, another civilian unit was discovered, looking to escape and Zeta and Jazz forces provided cover for it to do so.

On the heels of destroying the Bushwacker, Ehreschuld destroyed the downed Loki while Jazz took out the offending Hatchetman.  Reinforcements arrived to capture the HVT from the Mobile HQ moments before the Trebuchet escort could recover them.  This became a running battle with the 6th Dasher running west, the Trebuchet in pursuit.  Damaged but not destroyed, that particular individual would not be recovered.  Concentrated fire knocked Ehreschuld's Cauldron-Born over, damaging one of its leg actuators.  Ehreschuld continued to face the heaviest elements having outpaced Zeta and while Jazz moved to aid, the brutal pace of battle didn't help.  Ehreschuld killed the Myrmidon as Ehreschuld's Wraith jumped behind the pristine Jagermech and hit it's gyro through the thin rear armor.  It came crashing down on it's jammed RAC/5 with a full set of shells jammed setting off a massive amount of damage that ended up breaching the engine significantly damaging the Wraith at point blank range as well as the 6th's Thunderhawk and Ehreschuld's Flashman.

As the fireworks were going up in the west, Jazz's Dragonfly destroyed the LRM Carrier.  Foil kicked the head off of the Shadow Hawk and Marigold's Black Knight destroyed a Pegasus and an IED that could have done significant damage.  The 6th Centurion tried a charge into the back of Ehreschuld Actual, but a bit of luck on his part and the charge missed.  Sorties by fighters on both side were fairly limited with the Rangers holding the more defensive posture.  One of the Rapiers was significantly damaged fending off a heavy strike by a fighter from the 6th with avionics being all but destroyed.  Understanding that despite being a very experienced pilot the chances of walking away from the landing were slim, they cleared the airspace and punched out where the crash wouldn't do damage and they'd have an easy time with recovery.

The brawl between both lines continued to be brutal.  Ehreschuld's Flashman jumped behind the enemy Puma, coring it, but also triggering a massive explosion that coincided with taking three gauss rounds from the Thunderhawk.  It is a testament to the pilot that they remained uninjured as the Flashman was crippled, its left torso and engine components there destroyed, leg destroyed, and center torso stripped and significantly damaged.  About the same time the enemy Nova connected a heavy medium laser blast with the head of Ehreschuld's Cauldron-Born which had already sustained damage, destroying it and killing MSGT Carlie Lee in the process.  It was fortunately the only death the Rangers suffered.  Marigold's Black Knight sheered off the left side of the enemy Thunderbolt while fire from Foil knocked the Valkyrie pilot unconscious.

While all of this was going on, Marigold, Foil and Jazz had ensured the primary exit corridors for the civilians.  Three of the four HVT's escaped along with 75% of the civilians plus the additional civilian unit discovered during the brief exchange.  As the battle waned Marigold's Longbow was significantly damaged and Ehreschuld Actual's Battlemaster took three parting gauss slugs from the Thunderhawk, destroying the hip.  While the escort Trebuchet was thwarted in recovering the one HVT, it had its revenge.  Shooting into the back of the Marauder as the battle waned it grouped its MRM missiles in tight in the center, punching through and damaging the engine causing the heat to spike.  It was enough to cause or at a minimum contribute to the Marauder's shutdown due to heat, allowing for its capture.

Two pilots were recovered during the battle and interrogated.  They divulged context for the battle and a warning of what we have yet to face.  There are 2 entire clan stars still in rotation that are unaccounted for of which one is heavy weight and another possibly higher. Loki forces reinforced the existing 6th forces. In an attempt to buy time or to persuade planetary officials that their cause was just civilians were targeted. Then they themselves would be. It failed as none of the major officials save one were captured or killed.

The confirmation of Loki's presence lends new credence to the security threat.  I have already confirmed that despite being from the Lyran Commonwealth, I disavow any involvement with Loki on behalf of myself and my lance.  Having been blackballed for a long time by Lyran High Command I will take as a severe insult attempts to tarnish my name or reputation by attempting to link me to Loki.  While I am certain to my own loyalty, I trust the Colonel to take appropriate steps to smoke out any traitor and deal with them appropriately.  It is my sincere hope that the Loki forces can be quickly found and neutralized, ideally breaking the morale of the 6th Lyran allowing the planetary government to manage affairs appropriately.

Blitzkrieg Lance Solo Mission
15 February, 3063
Mission: Stand Up (Defender)
Result: Victory
After-Action Report: On the last day Blitzkrieg lances rotation in scout duties we encountered 2 lances of Lyran mechs. I radioed to them to leave the area. They ignored the message and approached fro the west. I in my Highlander and SGT Hazel her Nova Cat proceeded south around the lake. Liason in a Crusader, LTJG Patton in his Marauder, and SGT Meiqi in her Marauder went north around the lake. Lyran forces split as well. With the Wolfhound, Night Hawk, and Rakshasa heading north. The Penetrator, Axman, Dragon Fire, Spector and Stinger heading south. Seemed like the group heading south was trying to isolate and over power that side in numbers. Me and SGT Hazel Kept moving and trying to cut lines of fire from Lyrans and combining our fire on same target. In quick order we had the Penetrator pulling back some do to damage. Then the Axman decided to try and close quickly to get it's AC20 into action. But again with combined fire we took a leg off of it and made it less to worry about. The Dragon Fire had found a perch to provide fire support. Meanwhile to the north our units ignored the smaller mechs and focused on the Rakshasa. It did not take long for it to retreat back and to south to try and rejoin with the rest of their forces. The Liason, LTJG Patton, and SGT Meiqi chased after it. LTJG Patton took the shots that put the Rakshasa out of the fight and then positioned himself to engage the Wolfhound and Night Hawk. Then it became a brutal battle in the south. First LTSG Maryardi finished the Axman that was on the ground trying land shots from it's AC/20. And SGT Hazel in her Nova Cat was sustaining large amounts of damage from combined fire but was still able to core out the Penetrator. She then sought more cover to prevent more damage being done. Then what finished the skirmish was that the Stinger thought they was big stuff and jumped behind SGT Meiqi and learned that the Maurader can flip arms. The Stinger was totally destroyed . But at the same time LTSG Maryardi saw only one way to try and and keep the Dragon Fire from firing at SGT Hazel was to jump over a ridge with a DFA on the Dragon Fire. She landed squarely on the Dragon Fire nearly destroying the head but was able destroy the left torso taking out the Dragon Fire's engine. At this point the remaining 3 lights mechs backed off asking to leave and take the other pilots with them. LTSG Maryardi let them go.


Foil Lance Solo Mission
15 February, 3063
Mission: Probe (Defender)
Result: Victory
After-Action Report: On a moonlight night, Foil lance sat on some rolling hills, each warrior looking for sensor contacts. There had been an odd note, first thought to be a valentines day prank but instead a warning about OPFOR troop movement. At the note, Lawyer moved her troops out into battle positions, and as contacts started to appear. a spread out scouting force of Lyran Mechs.

Ineffective fire was exchanged as the Lryan forces closed in, and the diffrence in speed with some of their light and heavy mechs meant that a Wolfhound on the right was the first to arrive in the scouting area. Oracle's LRMs and a responsive movement carried out by Lawyer in her Quickdraw cored the mech. Meanwhile the liason's Lineholder engaged and destroyed the two Packrats. A Lyran Lineholder was able to make it through and scan while the Wolfhound was being chased down.

 On the left, forces were slower in moving up against the Lancelot and Ku, with the locust, Hermes, and Ostsol moving together into the scouting area. On the way, the Hermes took a beating from the KU, destroying the left ammo filled torso the same turn the RAC jammed. However, all three mechs arrived and were able to complete a scan, then turned and ran.

From this point, the battle disolved into two separate pursuits. On the right, a single Lineholder ran from the Quickdraw and Lineholder, supported by the LAncelot and two Pike tanks. On the left, the locust sprinted out and evaded some fire. It was pursued by the Foil Lancelot, and next in the line came the samaged Hermes and Archer, which had been holding back to support the withdrawal. In the center, the Firestarter moved into the Man's back to take pot shots while completing its scan. The Firestarter began to withdraw, but due a miscalculation the Man was able to kick it, coring the meck and setting off a Stackpole.

The right's pursuit was not going well for Foil, as the protective Lancelot was stripping tons of armor off both mechs, mostly from the legs. The Quickdraw pursued, but due to darkness misssed most of its shots. The few that connected went to the limbs instead of the back armor. Eventually, the Lancelot and Pikes swarmed the liason Lineholder, managing to destroy a single leg before withdrawing from the battle. On the left, the Locust took off and was soon outdistancing all pursuing mechs. At this moment, the pilots focus faltered and the locust fell attempting cautious movement, then failing multiple attempts to stand. This allowed the Lancelot to catch up, and it destroyed the locust's leg, preventing further escape. A lack of targets meant that while attempting to move over and interdict the right pursuit the locust was the only target, and to ensure data security the locust was cored.

Further back, the KU has been peppering the Ostsol with pulse fire. Sensing a need to end this side of the pursuit, the Ku split fire, crippling the Hermes with its snub nose and getting some lucky clusters taking out the Ostsol as well. The Archer escaped, but neither it nor the Lancelot had scanned for data.  The Lineholder did escape with scanned data, but a high price was paid for any info gained.

Mission 4
23 February, 3063
Mission: Enemy Structures (Attacker) - Paladin, Fire, Fury, Norbotten, Marigold
Result: Victory
After-Action Report: Just as the sun rose over the sea Ranger forces broke concealment and passed the city limits, triggering the early warning system to go off and Lyran heavy patrol forces mustered to meet us.
While initial entrance into the urban environment seemed fine, suddenly high tier clan mechs started spilling from the buildings our intelligence suggested may be points of interest. as a result an unforeseen Dire Wolf and a very foreseen Rakshasa bottlenecked Fire in the streets near the Port mech elevator and they were locked into a bare knuckle brawl until the very end of the scenario, as the Unmovable Dire Wolf stared down Fires Spartan and Atlas unflinchingly, though they did bring it down in the end, removing damn near every section of it

A Lyran locust and a Clan Dragonfly Decided to rush down Marigolds Fire Support Longbow, and both paid the price, the locust going the way of a slug, legless and hopeless, and the dragonfly taking the more direct route of being ripped through by gauss fire coming from Norbotten's Hauptmann, the two sniper style mechs watching each others backs.

Norbotten fought like a lance possessed today, clearing mechs at ludicrous speed, before even the halfway point of the skirmish they had already claimed 5 mech kills mainly though the power of Norbotten's Sunder finally finding a group of mechs foolish or poorly informed enough to believe they can withstand the sheer force of its hatchet.

One must start to believe either the Lyrans are being punished karmically for their actions in this war up to this point. At least four mechs today managed to knock themselves out, permanently shut down or blow themselves up with naught but reasonable "help" from the ranger side. One even ran the heat so hard on their Uziel that its reactor went critical without a single shot going their way in its final moments.

Ranger BSP assets dedicated their time to destroying the southern objective mines, artillery shells collapsed the western location, while Bombing runs and Paladin's LAM flew to the eastern location to collapse the other mineshaft.

Once the eastern group broke through the lines by shredding the Awesome and Blackjack they were finally able to take the fight directly to the rear assault force, Blowing the gauss rifles on both the Atlas and the Thunderhawk was a stroke of luck that knocked out both assaults quickly despite their fresh armor
On the final turn Fire brought down the port mech elevator after having finally cleared out the Dire Wolf, a dervish was cleaned up by Fury, Paladin cleaned up the Penetrator via engine crits through the rear as it flailed about failing to stand and cored out the trebuchet, and the accursed Catapult that was been harrying us for months now was reduced to less than slag by the joint crew of Fury and Marigold. As a final "fuck you" to the Rangers, the punctuation mark on the engagement was clearly the final desperate explosion of the Lyran Black Knight right in the face of Marigold's own black knight.

Mission 5
22 March, 3063
Mission: City Defense (Defender)
Result: Victory
After-Action Report:  Ranger forces were deployed for a beach assault with Ehreschuld anchoring west against the closing ground forces, Blitzkrieg in the SW, Fire in the SE and then Pilum in W suburbs and Jazz in E suburbs and out to the east of it.  Landing craft obliqued, shifting east for a concentrated though delayed landing.  Initial fire saw the western forces' Thunderbolt savaged and minor damage to one of the landing craft.  The landing craft hit the beaches as the destroyer entered the OZ.  Both Lightnings made strafing runs on it and were shot down before being able to line up for shots demonstrating just how dangerous the craft was.  The destroyer focused primarily on leveling buildings throughout the rest of the short engagement though dished out enough damage to mech forces to definitely make its presence felt.  Good maneuvering by the Assault lance attacking Ehreschuld allowed the Charger to put a foot through it's rear torso, damaging the engine.  Focused fire from Fire and Blitzkrieg lances dropped one and two hovercraft respectively taking out nearly a lance in one pass.  As the 6th pushed in from the beaches, careful strafing immobilized the remaining vehicle.  Jazz's fire crippled the Trebuchet, but hardly a fair trade as Blitzkrieg's  Nova Cat was crippled, a GR blowing and the pilot falling unconscious as they found themselves as the only viable targets for multiple opponents.  Ehreschuld's Cauldron-Born sporting 5 SRM-6s dropped the Thunderbolt, triggering an ammo explosion, destroying the engine and the pilot died in the fall.  As the battle's focus shifted eastward with units getting into close quarters Ehreschuld's Banshee damaged the gyro of both the Charger and the Penetrator and blew off the right torso of the Penetrator after having cleanly blown off the left arm.  The Lyran pilot in it's panic would jump on a building attempting to go prone to hide, though apparently had undetected engine damaged as the mech went up in a mushroom cloud making the attempt.   Jazz's Berserker hit the Loki dropping it while others in the lance felled the Trebuchet.  Fire lance dropped the Catapult, though the danager and damage was far from over.

Withering fire from Ehreschuld's Cauldron-Born took more of a toll on the assault lance blowing the head off the MadCat Mk II, though the MadCat took out Ehreschuld's Marauder's engine in exchange.  Reckless fire from the Lyran Black Knight who had taped down the triggers resulted in the 'Mech shutting down due to heat problems.  Pilum's forces killed the Charger before it could complete its charge of Ehreschuld's Marauder while Jazz Actual reminded the Rangers of his natural touch, running his mech backwards uphill into woods to tactically relocate.  Blitzkrieg's Nova Cat pilot had awakened and fought back, but ultimately shut down the 'Mech after having been breached in every location.  Focus fire from Pilum drops the Cyclops while Fire's lance took out one of the reinforcement Strikers.

Reinforcements from both side colided in the northeast of the OZ as Fire's Viper got swarmed.  A successful strafe and heavy bombing damaged the surrounding OpFor units and allowed the Viper to kill the attacking Shadow Cat.  Ehreschuld having secured the western front with Pilum's help shifted attention to fire on the destroyer, breaching the armor at least once, though not the point where it started flooding.  Jazz's forces crippled the Rakshasa and badly damaged the Black Knight.  Pilum destroyed the Wolverine's engine, gyro and CT.  The most tragic loss happened moments later when the Lyran's Atlas blew the head off Fire's Spartan killing SGT Achilles Butterworth in the process.  Blitzkrieg's Highlander tried a burial to even the score and though destroying most of the head, failed to kill the pilot in the process.

Fire from the Ranger's two Long Tom artillery landed throwing up a wide screen across the front of the suburbs preventing clear sight from the destroyer who decided to disengage.  As the brief and brutal battle reached its conclusion the Atlas landed it's final blow and Blitzkrieg's Highlander dropped, it's right torso destroyed.  Jazz' Berserker took off the head of the Black Knight, which went up in a massive fireball and radioactive cloud after collapsing raising questions of whether the 6th's 'Mechs not just their pilots were rigged with dead man's switches.  With the final salvo Jazz's MadCat destroyed the Rakshasa, Fire's lance cored the Crusader as well as destroying botht he Harasser and Raven.

It should be noted that at some point one of Blitzkrieg's pilots picked up the 6th's Victor pilot.  It was then that the dead man's switches were confirmed when the pilot detonated their vest.  The pilot sustained moderate, but not life threatening injuries.

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Ice on October 16, 2025, 10:52:19 AM

Further information relayed from 17th forces both before and after m3.

Jan 21 - Feb 23

The 17th forces have communicated that following our battle and escort out of the AO fighting has continued. The 6th forces held out for several days and eventually broke through to their main HQ base. It would see further fighting with 17th withdrawing destroying useful material for 6th forces. Several dropships would be captured and have been moved outbound. Rangers have been given details on their corridor and IFF.

The 17th following roughly 2 weeks of fighting on base again would opt to withdraw and bombard the entirety of the base. This would go on for another 10 days and local 6th forces have collapsed into fortified tunnels and bunkers.

We were only notified following the completion of bombardment and the subsequent securing of all above ground facilities. That is of course if any remainded. Several points would be proven through this time.

The 17th meant it when they threatened the amount of artillery and armor that would be brought down on Ranger forces. Had we opted to join the 6th or not vacated the area it would have included us as targets. They instead acted in good faith and escorted us out taking losses in the process. This likely allowed more forces of the 6th to amass and breakthrough to the main base. Ranger XO Inei has relayed his thank you to the 17th for their duty and honor.

This also paints the picture that the 6th Lyran days are numbered as almost nothing in way of support has made it to them since. We might have had something to do with that pending the escape avenue we used. The interrupted arms sale and logistical work likely delayed 7th forces. Some of the information from the encounter would be relayed and others withheld as bargaining chips if needed.

Security forces and 17th forces began evacuating the last unrecovered regional government officials. Security forces would report to Ranger command many escorts were unable to escape. They would report last contact with 17th when both parties were hit by IED, VBED, and suicide vest attacks. Several 17th and security escorts were downed and now they are running for their lives as larger forces are hunting them down. Rangers have lost contact with 17th forces entirely following the hot drop.

The drop would provide first hand account of the 6th Lyran and Loki forces deliberately targeting civilians at large. Use of explosive fanatical attacks continued during the engagement and luckily were mitigated. Rangers would take heavy damage but blunt the pursuing forces.

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Ice on October 16, 2025, 10:52:35 AM

Ranger forces have now received several communications however from an undisclosed source. Information received but not relayed appears to be of clan origin. Ranger command has reviewed the information and it is as follows.

Contents breakdown for command only
Ranger actual - Lancer
Ranger XO - Fire
Ranger 3IC - Paladin

Summary

Clan Diamond Shark would like to discuss profitability following the failure of 6th forces and the ferocity Rangers have shown. They would like to remain under the radar as this deal was assuredly intended to be kept under wraps and had been for some time. The Ranger forces interrupting the arms bazaar was not a desired outcome.

Clan Diamond Shark has stated they want all combat data or reporting data scrubbed that mentions the name Diamond Shark. They want cam footage edited to remove anything that shows unit Ior pilot ID info and the ID info itself removed or edited. This means nothing to Ranger but does to clan intelligence.

For each point of contention they offer or demand per below.

Each number may only be rolled once across all 4 contention points.

- The m5 replacement roll may be only applied on the 2 rolls it mentions. (margin of victory/failure will impact other points )
--If it is rolled at any other point it drops down 1 slot and applied.
- Any number already rolled on other data points drops down 1 slot and applied.

Shark name removal -

Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15

Mech ID info -

Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7

Cam footage to be edited -

Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5

Trueborn data edit -

Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6

1d20

1 - Trial of Possession double trinary (for half data replacing m5) Shark name, Mech ID only
2 - Trial of Possession binary (solo before m4)
3 - Trial of Possession binary (solo before m4)
4 - Trial of Possession binary (solo before m4)
5 - Trial of Possession binary (solo before m4)
6 - scrubbed elemental star (standard)
7 - scrubbed elemental star (standard)
8 - Clan parts for 1 lance
-- (weapons or equipment up to 15t or 1 of each structure location (RT LT etc)
9 - Clan parts for all lances
-- (weapons or equipment up to 15t or 1 of each structure location (RT LT etc)
10 - scrubbed second line light (Piranha standard)
11 - scrubbed second line medium (Griffin 2N)
12 - scrubbed second line heavy (Warhammer 6RK)
13 - scrubbed second line assault (Battlemaster 1C)
14 - scrubbed light omni (Kit Fox Prime - no pods)
15 - scrubbed medium omni ( Dragonfly Prime - no pods)
16 - scrubbed heavy omni ( Hellbringer Prime - no pods)
17 - scrubbed assault omni (Gargoyle Prime - no pods)
18 - clan gear at cost for unit acquisitions
19 - clan gear at cost for unit acquisitions
20 - clan gear at cost and +1 bonus to unit for acquisitions

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Ice on October 16, 2025, 11:12:39 AM

Diamond shark negotiators have offered below in exchange for the points of contention. The worst outcome due to doctrine and logical sense has been adjusted per the below.

Regarding mech ID, pilot data, trueborn pilot data. 

They have offered to give us scrubbed elementals points (2 both are 3/4 Solahma) and a scrubbed Dragonfly without pods (prime). These will be awarded at contract end. Recommend Unit CO hand out. (Delta wants a single point of elementals)

Unit XO recommends we take the deal. Turning these down will result in m5 being a full Trial of Possession with a double trinary bid under opportunistic zell.

Clan Diamond Shark name info if Trial fails will remain with Ranger Command as bargained. This may net a small agreement or larger later on following contract.

They must have a trial regarding the data or scrubbing of Diamond Shark in referenced reports or otherwise. They bid a binary force.

Rob please generate either a solo or 2 person "solo" with liberal zell rules. The remainder of solo games can be as you see fit but all should be probably 2/14 or 2/15.

I will leave force comp, skill, spa up to what you get from the generator. These are B rated Solahma pilots for reference with a small contingent of clan watch mixed in.

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: deadlyfire2345 on October 16, 2025, 11:29:28 AM

I suppose we can accept the terms of this arrangement. Very well then, lets us proceed.

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: deadlyfire2345 on December 14, 2025, 08:00:54 PM

We still doing the contract rewards for this? also how do you want to do the rewards from Diamond Shark?
I am guessing the elementals will come with pilots? not sure how "scrubbed" is used in this regard.
We will drop 2 suits since .49 on allows for sheets to be printed to have 4/5/6 person BA teams so everything stays.

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Ice on December 14, 2025, 09:20:38 PM

Quote from: deadlyfire2345 on December 14, 2025, 08:00:54 PM

We still doing the contract rewards for this? also how do you want to do the rewards from Diamond Shark?
I am guessing the elementals will come with pilots? not sure how "scrubbed" is used in this regard.
We will drop 2 suits since .49 on allows for sheets to be printed to have 4/5/6 person BA teams so everything stays.

They will come with pilots at 3/4. Scrubbed is referring to their data origin.

You as unit CO get to hand out the units to those who have space/need/want them. Final choice will be made before liftoff from planet to next planet.

Contract rewards I will at this point ask Rob to generate as normal. He has whatever formula for career soldier etc that awards ribbons and what not.

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Darrian Wolffe on December 15, 2025, 05:28:55 PM

Blitzkrieg +2

Rolled 2d6+2 : 3, 2 + 2, total 7

Fire +2

Rolled 2d6+2 : 2, 5 + 2, total 9

Foil +1

Rolled 2d6+1 : 5, 4 + 1, total 10

Fury +2

Rolled 2d6+2 : 5, 6 + 2, total 13

Jazz +2

Rolled 2d6+2 : 3, 5 + 2, total 10

Lancer +4

Rolled 2d6+4 : 3, 5 + 4, total 12

Marigold +1

Rolled 2d6+1 : 6, 5 + 1, total 12

Pilum +1

Rolled 2d6+1 : 3, 6 + 1, total 10

Paladin +3

Rolled 2d6+3 : 4, 2 + 3, total 9

Ereschuld +4

Rolled 2d6+4 : 2, 1 + 4, total 7

Zeta +3

Rolled 2d6+3 : 5, 3 + 3, total 11

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Darrian Wolffe on December 15, 2025, 05:34:26 PM

Quote from: Ice on December 14, 2025, 09:20:38 PM

Contract rewards I will at this point ask Rob to generate as normal. He has whatever formula for career soldier etc that awards ribbons and what not.

Was holding off until I could ask that.

EMPLOYER AWARDS

The Employer is the Rasalagethi government, not a major faction, therefore, no award ribbons are granted.  Instead, Lances will only qualify for cash bonuses based on their Career/Soldier roll. 

Blitzkrieg Lance
None Awarded

Ereschuld Lance
None Awarded

Fire Lance
None Awarded

Foil
Reward: $50,000

Fury Lance
Reward: $150,000

Jazz Lance
Reward: $50,000

Lance Lancer
Reward: $100,000

Marigold Lance
Reward: $100,000

Norbotten Lance
None Awarded

Paladin Lance
none awarded

Pilum Lance
Reward: $50,000

Zeta Lance
Reward: $100,000

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Darrian Wolffe on December 15, 2025, 09:10:04 PM

Ok, aside from employer awards, do we have any other end of contract payouts or anything? Brandon, this is a question for you.

Title: Re: Operation SPRINGFIELD December 3062 - March, 3063
Post by: Ice on December 15, 2025, 09:22:22 PM

None further