21 September 3058
Mission 1: Extraction - Spectre, Ereschuld, Fury, Paladin Lances
Result: Victory - +2 to contract score
After-action Report: The Rangers approached in 4 columns with Spectre anchoring the western line then Fury then Paladin and Ehreschuld anchored the eastern line. Word of Blake forces were deployed across the line of march, separating us from the civilians we were there to save. As we made contact, the Exterminator, Centurion and Guillotine advanced on the civilians seeking to destroy them before we could link up. They in turn broke hard for the western hills seeking cover with the Powerman taking extensive leg damage just as he reached it. Smoke from the Ranger artillery provided cover for the mostly unarmed civilians as the Rampage fought valiantly to protect its charges making good use of high ground and smoke to encourage the Word of Blake to give them wider berth. If they'd had more time perhaps they might have succeeded, but the bulk of the Blakist forces prevented the faster Ranger elements from linking up before Blakist reinforcements that had been pursuing the civilians caught up. Of them the Hermes and Buccaneer were the most aggressive at hunting down and finishing off the unarmed mechs while the Wolverine supported the Exterminator and his team against the Rampage.
In the north the heaviest elements anchored the center of the field, supported by the Bandersnatch taking the prime sniper point on top of the eastern hill. While the Rangers would have expected the Awesome to hold it, the choice on the part of the Blakist was a good one. Paladin advanced into the teeth of fire from the Crab, Drillsons and Warhammer as Ehreschuld maneuvered to flank. A dogged defense by the Blakists had Paladin reeling when Ehreschuld moved into position to effectively take fire. The Longinus carrying Rippers stayed out of the initial fray and arced eastward then north to deposit the battle armor into the rear of the Ranger forces. Fire taken while inbound damaged one of the Rippers and breached the infantry compartment, injuring one of the armored infantry.
In an effort to aid Paladin's position, Ehreschuld exposed itself to draw fire which was perhaps a bit too successful. Concentrated fire by the Warhammer, Drillson and Bandersnatch breached the Avatar's right torso and connected with the gauss rifle, triggering an explosion that destroyed the engine and had Ehreschuld's C.O. ejected. Shortly before this, precision shooting by the Awesome and Flashman destroyed the Marauder's left torso and the parts of the XL engine there shutting down the Ranger's field commander.
While the Blakist had success eliminating the Ranger's CO and XO, the combined firepower of the Rangers slowly but steadily dropped units. The Rangers picked up a few unconscious Blakist pilots and temporarily captured the Blakist CO. The CO in term, demonstrated his dedication to the cause by triggering an explosives vest, injuring LTJG Damsden. Fortunately for the Ehreschuld XO, the injuries were not severe and the damage to the mech's cockpit, minimal. By the end, the Word of Blake yielded the field, limping off with the Wolverine, their battle armor, one Ripper the King Crab and the Hermes. The Hermes though took an unfortunate souvenir. The Hermes pilot focused on Spectre's damaged Dervish as it moved to disengage and with most of the Ranger attention on the King Crab and few Ranger units in position to support. While the Hermes did get some concentrated fire it was not enough to bring it down before successfully punching fire through the back of Dervish and cooking off ammo. The resulting auto-eject landed an injured SGT Vega in the grasp of the Hermes. Prize attained it fled the field.
Spectre and the Rangers' command are looking to recover the captured pilot and believe they've identified the convoy transporting him.
29 September, 3058
Mission: SOLO - Spectre Lance - Breakthrough (Attacker)
Result: Victory - no effect on contract score
After-action Report: Spectre, jumping on the mountains in the South, moved towards the quickly approaching Word of Blake force, taking out mechs, a Sprint Scout Helicopter, and notably the SRM Carrier from long to maximum range from the very start. As the two lines of Word of Blake closed in, Spectre's four pilots all took kills; however all but the Black Hawk take large damage in return, including a stripped rear side of the Marauder as the Word of Blake's Hussar, Goblin, Galleon Light Tanks, and soon the Firefly surround Spectre.
Despite this, well positioned shots allowed Spectre to quickly break their opponents' line, capturing several Word of Blake pilots including CO Stephanie Cencio. Pressing forward, Spectre cut down all remaining Word of Blake units save a single Sprint Scout Helicopter that was able to escape. Despite no internal damage on the side of Spectre, the Hip and Foot of the Black Hawk were destroyed.
21-28 September: Unit Log:
Following the warm reception on infil and mission 1 it became very apparent scouting and defensive perimeter was priority 1. Priority 2 was the now Ranger POW who WOB units pulled away during the fighting of M1. Scouting elements were immediately tasked with keeping tabs on the WOB remnants of mission 1. They were able to maintain the distance but not eyes on the entire time and it was no longer known where the POW was 100% located.
Additional planning was needed but a blocking force could position further along the route to ambush and hopefully recover the Ranger POW with help of the dropship. As a precaution Delta would be given the greenlight tasking additional forces as they became available within the operational window. CAS elements would be on station with a small contingent of additional defensive cover. Reviewing flyby data a small city with surrounding rocky terrain ideal for an ambush was located. It was unknown if anyone actually resided in the city as there were no vehicles, lights, or general signs of life. A plan was put in place loosely to funnel the convoy and units deployed. Delta CO authorized the use of newly acquired thunder ammunition to isolate, herd, and block access routes of potential thunder runs. Location data following the the mission will be sent to the MRBC for distribution to the planets ruling body. Scouting elements reported the WOB remnants stopped at a patrol and repair base delaying entry to the ambush by several days. They were unable to see which unit the Ranger POW would enter but it was confirmed they entered the convoy leaving the patrol base. This delay allowed Fury Jazz and Ironside to also commit widening the ambush.
29 September, 3058
Mission 2: Convoy Attack (attacker) - Fire, Blitzkrieg, Norbotten, Fury, Fire
Result: Victory - +2 to contract score
After-action Report: Ranger units now in place represented a significant blocking and ambush force. What wasn't know was the additional composition picked up by the convoy until much closer to the city. The lane of advance also wasn't known until a large WOB element presented itself against the hilled city limits. Wob fast elements not far behind and a split contingent to the north east. The convoy taking the center low ground as expected.
Ranger units already semi in place hastily moved to blunt the large force and act as the swinging door in the ambush. The extra time needed allowed the WOB forces to advance over the hills and gain ground toward AO center. Fury deployed forward west screened by a rocky outcrop. Norbotten and Blitzkrieg deployed into the rocky pillars in the southwest. Fire deploying center adjusting as needed throwing thunder rounds as motivational deterrents. Jazz would deploy forward east as an immediate annoyance and searcher. Ironsides deployed out of view set as cavalry reinforcing as needed.
The ambush although planned did not have an answer of an overwhelming push from the west. The necessary quick redeployment west forced this into a pitched battle headed primarily by Fury, Norbotten, and Blitzkrieg. Fire proceeded as planned throwing mines into escape lanes and linebacking potential holes. Jazz immediately engaged drawing fire while positioning for the planned ambush.
The battle line had shifted but the planned and prefrered ambush corridor had not. The convoy drove right into what looked to be an opening only to have Jazz jump in and scan the multiple vehicles. Fire was also able to reposition and throw mines in direct paths of convoy units. Jazz would be told to pull back on multiple occasions following the initial engagement but acknowledgment was not given until after the battle. Was this an act of insubordination or tactical necessity? That will be left to the unit CO and further discussion. No pending actions have been reported at this time from Fire actual. A small after action discussion merited the action enough to disregard. (Autonomous action in the face of fire of squad leaders isn't frowned upon pending variables.)This would have several impacts on the battle in the East. The convoy would still continue forward but the impact of Jazz units would draw most fire of the escorts in the vicinity. WOB units would choose to split allowing Fire near uncontested interdiction. This would slightly change as time went but not before Ironside speared directly into the path of the convoy to further dissuade movement and maintain firepower advantage. Mines redirected the convoy on four different instances of which they were direct impediments preventing thunder runs. This also gave much needed time and target exposure time for the Rangers. This in tandem with supporting fire fully dismantled 75% of the convoy before reaching AO edge southeast.
CAS would make multiple sorties but mostly were bounced and would culminate in one fighter being severely damaged. It would survive by the skin of its teeth recounting the massive hole through its wing and missing landing gear. Despite these the pilot managed to put the fighter down as if it was pristine after limping back to base.
The battle in the west would see heavy action. All three lances by the end of the day had swung the door closed on the WOB units as intended. The use of terrain by WOB forces is notable but also played into the planned killbox. This wouldn't come without damage to all three units by the end of the day. Jazz in the northeast would also take significant damage after getting itself cutoff losing its Griffin but achieved holding assets in place. It was almost as if they fixated only on him. Fire would plant itself firmly anchoring the anvil and eventually moving forward only to be near ignored in almost all cases or escape with little damage. Almost as if the wall of armor was to daunting a task to crack so why try at all? The feeling yelling shoot me over open net or speaker wouldn't have changed the result. Ironside would advance flanking in the East while Delta assets would interdict and handle further units that would break free killing and capturing whatever was left.
This would be a prolonged battle but WOB in defeat would leave the field in the hand of the Rangers. The convoy would be wiped nearly to the unit a sole recovery vehicle powering down realizing it had nowhere left to go or protect it. Good news being the recovery of the Ranger Pow. WOB would leave with just 9 units of its overall forces including units sent to help the convoy and the convoy. Ranger losses would see only the Griffin but the good news came as the mech itself was recoverable but needed extensive repairs.
This was a major victory and took many variables and adjustments to succeed. Well done gents.
30 September, 3058
Mission: SOLO - Osiris - Probe (Defender)
Result: Victory - no effect on contract score
After-action Report: We entered the southeastern sector of the city and encountered 12 Word of Blake units deployed along the eastern edge of the city. We quickly surrounded the enemy Crab and took it down before it had a chance to retaliate. I then turned my focus onto the 2 Lightning Attack Hovercrafts, quickly dispatching both. We continued to advance into the city, using the buildings as cover and SGT Frost landed a dropkick (DFA) on the enemy Jackal, sending it careening into a building. Meanwhile, one of the enemy Saladins failed to make a turn and drifted into a hardened building, disintegrating on contact (It had already been damaged).
As the Word of Blake forces began to encircle us, we pulled back slightly, drawing them into isolated areas as to more easily destroy them. SGT Frost punched through the rear armor of the Buccaneer, destroying its gyro. While attempting to cover for the Buccaneer, the enemy Jackal exploded due to an ammo explosion caused by overheating. Meanwhile, SGT Mitchell isolated one of the Saladins, and dispatched it with a kick to the side. Taking initiative, we once again pushed forward, isolating as many units as possible. LTJG Morles cored the Mongoose after knocking it prone. SGT Frost managed to immobilize the Zephyr, and I jumped next to the final Saladin and dispatched it with a kick.
With only the Wraith and the Huron Warrior remaining, we continued our assault. LTJG Morles and SGT Mitchell remained in cover as the damage they had incurred was starting to wrack up. Meanwhile, I chased down the Wraith and cored it, while SGT Frost occupied the Huron Warrior. As the battle came to a close, we surrounded the Huron Warrior, and brought it down by removing its legs with 4 successful kicks.
In total, all enemy units were immobilized or destroyed. LTSG Maat took light damage, LTJG took moderate damage, SGT Frost took moderate damage, and SGT Mitchell took moderate-heavy damage. We captured the Wraith pilot and the Buccaneer pilot, and salvaged the Buccaneer, the Zephyr, and the Huron Warrior.
Buccaneer to be repaired and kept for Osiris, Huron Warrior will be sold as is, and the Zephyr will be given to the unit. A balance of 3,897,311 CB goes to the Units Contract Salvage allowance.
Whitting Conference begins
(3058-10-01)
Tharkad [INN] -
Today marks the start of the Whitting Conference, called by Archon Katrina Steiner to foster peaceful relations between the realms of the Inner Sphere and to end the Clan threat for good. The Whitting Conference is named for the small village on Coventry where a coalition of forces from each Inner Sphere nation conducted peace talks with the Khan of the invading Jade Falcons. Talks have only just begun but the Inner Sphere holds its breath in hope for a future of peace after centuries of war.
19 October, 3058
Mission: SOLO - JAZZ - Star League Cache 1
Result: Victory - no effect on contract score
After-Action Report: Jazz CO Daerin Wolf was itching to get back out on patrol. While repairs on Jazz’s Griffin overran every estimate, Lt Wolf climbed into her freshly repaired Wolfhound and took the rest of the lance out to Sector 13 for a shakedown. Sgt Wnukovsky rode along in the Wolfhound’s jumpseat to monitor systems.
Arriving in Sector 13, Wolf sent the rest of the lance ahead while she checked out some unusual magscan readings. The mag readings revealed a hidden facility [most likely a Brian Cache]. Unfortunately, local jamming prevented Wolf from contacting the rest of the lance for backup as she went in to investigate. Searching the compound, Wolf found a Star League gem—an original SPR-4F Spector with Null Sig and Chameleon systems intact. Sgt Wnukovsky dismounted from the Wolfhound and climbed aboard the Spector to start it up while Wolf searched the rest of the facility.
Suddenly, Wolf received a broken transmission from Wnukovsky, “Da…….we…………..company”. 3 mechs in Word of Blake colors had entered the facility. Wolf knew they would have to fight for their prize. What ensued was a close range cat and mouse fight that often exceeded 110 kph.
Wolf and Wnukovsky initially separated to split their attackers but as 2 of the WoB mechs converged on the Spector, Wolf had to dash over to help. Several shots were exchanged between the Nexus and Spector. The Spector missing but a MPL from the Nexus scored on the Spector’s RT. As the Wolfhound neared, the Spector jumped over the Nexus in an attempt to keep from getting pinned behind a storage tank. The Spector luckily landed Lg and Med laser shots in the Nexus’ LL, blowing it off and dropping the Nexus to the ground. As it struggled to stand, the Nexus fell again its AMS ammo exploded, destroying the mech. 1st kill for Wnukovsky.
Meanwhile, the Jackal scored multiple ERPPC hits on both the Wolfhound and Spector. The Wolfhound used its speed advantage to get behind the Hermes and destroyed its RT, eliminating the Hermes’ only weapon, a brand new LGR. The Jackal’s PPC hit the Spector twice more to the RT, destroying the section and shutting down the xl engine. Now the Wolfhound faced 2 mechs [well one and a half]. Fortunately for LT Wolf, the Nexus was piloted by the enemy commander and the 2 remaining Blakists could not coordinate the fight effectively. Finishing off the Hermes, the Wolfhound sparred with the Jackal and its damned PPC. A critical hit to the Jackal’s left hip proved decisive, dropping the mech’s speed in half and finally allowing the Wolfhound to get behind her opponent and finish off the LT, shutting down its xl engine. Less than 2 minutes of terror since it started, the fight was over.
Final tally: WoB Hermes and Nexus destroyed [cored]. Jackal crippled and shut down and taken for salvage. Spector lost RT but is repairable and a very nice prize to take back to unit.
31 October, 3058
Mission 3: Recon Raid (Defender) - Lancer, Osiris, Marigold (Ironside), Paladin
Result: Victory - +2 to contract score
After-action Report: Ironside, Osiris, Lancer, and Paladin were set up deployed in a way to take out speedy units as soon as they came to sight while Foil was on the way to reinforce the North. The hover tanks tried to rush the center where they were met with Lancer, who got off solid shots and was able to shut them down early, with Ironside taking down the Beagle near his forward units. Ironside also began to attack the Blakists Cicada and Hussar in the SE. During this time, Lancer tank team tried to reinforce the NW from enemy breakthroughs, with Osiris Dervish covering the corner in the SW. Enemy LAM took the long way around allowing it to break through, scouting the NW corner with his evasive movement and well placed smoke shells. All shots from unit birds were unsuccessful, with Zach Spratt in Stingray being shot down and crashing.
Their heavier element stayed back until they were able to make a push, which they met with Lancer Zeus and Archer, taking pot shots at one another. The units in the North almost overwhelmed Paladin when Foil came onto the field in time to hold off the ground units. Taking out the Blakist mechs was starting to take a toll to the point 2 lucky pellets from the Avatar was able to knock out Cindy Smalls in the Zeus. Units began to focus fire, which ended up taking the head from the mech, along with her life. COL Mayer was not pleased and ended up taking the head of the Avatar before having a lucky shot on gauss that forced the ejector seat on the Atlas.
Paladin and Foil began to slowly rout enemy forces in the North slowly, but could not stop the LAM from scouting the corner. Remaining Lancer force backed off to help slowly take out enemies close to our protected targets. Osiris and Ironside was met with enemy reinforcements, while also taking on the assault level II that remained in the W. Ironside got overwhelmed to where MAJ Erikson was popped out of his mech as well. Osiris SGT Mitchell while holding the SW got a lucky shot on the LAM, causing the LAM to lose control and taking his head in the process, thus giving us the definite win in the end. Damage to all lances appeared minimal, with a dead ASF pilot, dead MW, and a destroyed Maxim, we were able to pull the victory, allowing the remaining units to leave without issue.
1 November, 3058
Special Event: Betrayal (employer minor breach)
False Alarm: No betrayal, but the employer still gets a minor breach.
29 November, 3058
Mission: Solo Ehreschuld
Result: Victory (Pyrrhic?) - no contract score impact
After Action Report: Ehreschuld deployed center of operations zone in a north south line, Battlemaster and Avatar anchoring in the north, Marauder and Ostwar in the south. Word of Blake forces split with the Falcon Hawk, Kintaro, Buccaneer, Mercury and Drillsons coming in through the southwest and the Jackals, Phoenix Hawk, Demons and Wyvern in the northwest. The reorganized L2 split pushed for a split of Ehreschuld to attempt to prevent a large break to the east by either force. Initially Ehreschuld held as Blakist forces advanced, with northern flank stopping early and the southern L2 pushing hard. Failure to control their advance became a problem when both Drillsons lost control, one skidding out of the zone and the other crashing into the woods, eliminating both as concerns. Had they remained operational the close victory may have been a resounding defeat.
The southern L2 excelled at damage placement, coring an otherwise modestly damaged Marauder as he held the line on the eastern zone edge. He did drop the Falcon Hawk after critting its gyro and successfully prevented it from exiting the board. It was one of only 3 true kills for the Rangers. After forcing Ehreschuld into close pairs to support each other, the Blakists used their superior speed and terrain to make a break for the eastern zone edge and would manage to exit 5 units before Ehreschuld was able to declare victory.
Lt. Kelswa accounted for the other 2 kills, grinding a Demon down to immobile and then dropping the Phoenix Hawk with tight grouping into it's already battered right side. Unfortunately the incensed Blakist pilot got his revenge, detonating and injuring Ehreschuld's CO (+3 hits) as the battle concluded. Ehreschuld claimed the Phoenix Hawk PXH-3M as salvage.
8 December, 3058
Mission: Mission 4 - Recon Raid (Attacker) - Jazz, Foil, Lancer
Result: Victory - +2 to contract score
After Action Report: Coming onto an area we were ordered to scour the area, Foil, Jazz, and Lancer came to an area guarded by 5 level IIs. From the S, we had Lancer push the Center with Jazz on the East and Foil pushing the West. Ordering Jazz to push his faster units up the Western front, which was thankfully less fortified than that of the East, which had an assault group hold a good firing position on units pushing upward. Lancer using his ranged units to try and pick off units from range, while using the brawlers to push up with Foil on the west. The tanks that followed Lancer in the fight followed Jazz well, but was unable to fully back him up and caused relative damage to the PHawk LAM. The Demolisher got routed early by a lucky shot to the side.
Lancer began to take the blunt of the fire from the assault group to allow Foil to push the faster units forward to try and scan the West region. Slowly banging on the units heavies kept the blocks attention diverted waiting for Marigold to push in from the West. To allow Foil to push upwards, Lancers Avatar got caught on the faster units, wearing the unit down until a lucky ammo hit took the mech down and killed the pilot in the process. LAM made it back to base with moderate damage shortly after a reinforcement block came in.
Going straight for Lancers Archer, the units that came on to help push from the rear, they went straight for both Lancers Archer and Atlas. They were trying to keep the pressure on Atlas, who tried to keep the Archer from falling. Jazz made a push in the North towards the West to scan the area when an errant artillery from WOB came down on not only our light mechs, but killing their Battle Armor in the process. Marigold and Foil were held back by a few mediums while Jazz used the cover of smoke to get the objective. By the 11th hour, it became a brawl that ended with damage between everyone.
Zephyr team helped kill the wraith that reinforced the East after Wraith pilot took a bad spill with Atlas taking out more bugs that decided to bother him. Marigolds Maelstrom fought valiantly, but ended up being cored with Lancers Archer having its torso blown out in the end of the fight. We will do our best to get back to speed while Lancer and Marigold recoups their losses. SGT Horst Gardella of Lancer Lance was KIA, and the Maelstrom from Marigold Lance was a total loss.
25 December, 3058
Mission: Solo Foil - Star League Cache 2
Result: Victory - no contract score impact
After Action Report:
Dear Journal,
Today I was able to act on the second piece of data obtained in the December 8th raid. In addition to info on buildings, there was a location of the personal meditation retreat of a precentor of the Blakist. Acting on this info, I went out with my quickdraw, as the arm of the Ku needed full replacement that could not be accomplished in time.
I sat in the building, engine fully powered as I detected the Precentor coming in. The Avatar picked up the pace as it got closer, but a slight miscalculation allowed me to jump behind and open a rear torso (only edge to prevent 3 crit checks). The Avatar ran away, but I was able to use my speed and training at getting much closer and past mechs where others dare not tread. Another pounding to the rear, and then I was forced to move outside to the east side of the building. Building heat in both mechs lead me to jump on the bridge and run near the ramp.
In battle, speed is key. As the Avatar had no jump jets, it ran over to the ramp. I met the Avatar at the ramp, and let loose with all my weapons again. Hitting the right arm, I stretched out and hit the nearby arm. The jarred the light Gauss rifle, and it exploded. I should remember these Gauss are unreliable and explosive in the future. I sat there and watch as the Precentor was ejected from the mech and died as the force continued through the very solid ceiling. A hidden door under the ramp opened, and I radioed for support as I discovered another untouched Lancelot ripe for my techs to break down for parts.
I must remember that my techs bitch about repairs far too much. Yes, I was internal in all my torsos. Yes, I will have to find another right arm, but the new shiny breakdowns, especially as these last two contracts have brought multiple mechs of the same exact weight let along class under their care.
Anyway, it was a good day. I am alive and my enemy isn't. My true enemy lives and claims the face of the dragon, but as I grow stronger I know the day draws nearer where we shall tear him down from his throne and expose him for the pretender he is. May the true dragon rise.
31 January, 3059
Mission: Mission 5 - Hostile Facility - Spectre, Ereschuld, Fury
Result: Victory - +2 to contract score
After Action Report:
11 February, 3059
Mission: Mission 6 - VIP Extraction - Fire, Norbotten, Blitzkrieg
Result: Victory - +2 to contract score - autocomplete contract
After Action Report:
Author
Topic: Operation FLINT - September 3058 - February 3059 (Read 1727 times)