Player combo and GM update
Valc Campaign ~ Federation Space the planet Ankus
Albtraum Squad
As Cross turned to gather supplies, Jokar patted him on the shoulder. He gave a nod to Roan as he went to suit up. SSG Jokar walked over to the center console and began to plug and play different coordinates. If all goes well…oh kriff who am I kidding, it only goes well if there are no enemies…He drew up the geographic layout and analyzed the terrain and began to mark insertion points; one extra point for their sniper, Lex, who was already in position. Jokar trusted Lex to meet them at whatever LZ that he chose. He would just have to ping the drop-point to Lex once it was determined.
Jokar continued sifting through the documents and data, began selecting blueprints and schematics for the bunker the high-value targets (HVTs) were located in. Surprisingly complex, he thought, it’s like there’s an entire city under the mountains. Glancing at his timekeeper, Jokar noticed he was running out of time, selected one final hologram, and turned to face his team.
“Gentlemen,” the squad leader began,
“the time has come to execute. Situation: we are looking at mountainous terrain that has been heavily shelled for the past ten months. This leaves the cliffs very unstable and remarkably treacherous. Potential avenues of approach are virtually nonexistent; any that did exist were obliterated by our artillery and close air support.”
Jokar turned and accessed the holopad in order to zoom in on the planet surface and orient his squad to the area in question.
“We are focusing on these three mountains,” he continued gesturing towards the hologram,
“designated Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. Bravo and Charlie have already been cleaned up by previous attacks, so all we are worried about is Alpha. Alpha is the tallest mountain in the range and is flanked by Bravo and Charlie (Bravo to the north and Charlie to the south). There are three bunkers, one under each mountain, and as previously mentioned, Bravo and Charlie have already been cleaned up. The attack on Bravo’s bunker system revealed that these bunkers are much more complex than anticipated. Basically, entire towns located under the mountain range in which civilians, politicians, and military alike mingle and conduct business.” Jokar waved his hand over the screen and displayed the bunker system,
“more to follow on that later.”
“As noted earlier, the cliffs are steep and shaky, watch your step as we traverse the mountains before we reach our objective. Sparse vegetation populates these mountains so there will be little concealment and we will be using darkness in order to begin our assault. Of note, elevation will fluctuate between two and three thousand meters. It’s getting chilly out there, be cognizant of that but, remember, we won’t be spending much time outside.”
Jokar altered the screen once again to show the schematics to the bunker system and show a militant side-by-side,
“there will be hundreds if not thousands of potential hostiles that we could encounter as we make our way through the tunnels and areas within the mountain, some will be ‘on-duty’ and wearing an appropriate, identifiable uniform, however plenty of others will be wearing ‘off-duty’ attire but could be armed. Treat any and all personnel as potential hostiles. Given that we are underground, and some intel has confirmed their close air and indirect fire (IDF) capabilities are severely limited, but they will have small arms capabilities. Their transportation is limited to vehicles designed for underground transportation. They are slow moving, capping at approximately 50 kilometers per hour. Intel was unable to confirm the possibility of a back evacuation route, there appears to only be one way in and one way out. Our enemies are highly motivated and will definitely hold in place. Anticipate counter-offensives and fortified defensive positions. This is their last confirmed stronghold within the system, they will not let it go easily. Higher unit mission is pretty simple, secure this planetary system and its intent is a gray area, our only guidance is that we ensure a foothold for follow-on Empire operations. We have a lot of wiggle room for this op.”
SSG Jokar paused, he knew his men were easily picking up the amount of information he was relaying, but he felt the need to pause every now and again to ensure there were no questions. Seeing no puzzled faces and no raised hands, he continued,
“Only two adjacent units operating in our area of interest (AI) and each are serving as a clean-up/preparing for contingency operations so we should see minimal interference from them. Our mission is simple: Albtraum Squad will conduct a raid on Alpha Bunker System no earlier than (NET) 2300 hours in order to (IOT) finalize the Empire’s offensive in securing this planetary system. I say again, Albtraum Squad will conduct a raid on Alpha Bunker System NET 2300 hours IOT finalize the Empire’s offensive in securing this planetary system. Execution, look, all I expect from us is to lower the defenses, get in, secure our HVTs, and get the hell out without any friendly casualties. Key tasks are to reduce the bunker defense posture, secure the HVTs, and collect intel. Concept of Operations. Phase I began when we first received the mission, conducted rehearsals, conducted pre-combat checks (PCCs) and pre-combat inspections (PCIs), and ends with this brief. Phase II begins upon our landing. We will travel in a traveling overwatch posture. It’s safe to assume that the enemy has forward scout teams to slow any attack and alert the main force of inbound hostiles. Two rally points (RPs) will be placed en route to our objective (OBJ). Changing the hologram back to the mountain range, Jokar indicated where their drop points were, “We will be landing here at Echo Hotel 1366 6777 which is approximately 1000 meters (m) from the OBJ. As we travel on our 381-degree azimuth, we will place two RPs, one RP 500m from the OBJ and one 250m from the OBJ. Cass, ping those coordinates to Lex so he knows where to meet us.”
“Our objective rally point (ORP) will be placed at the second RP and will be our primary landing zone (LZ) for exfiltration (exfil). Phase II ends once we’ve established our ORP and commed to higher that we will be beginning our assault. Phase III begins once we have lowered the bunker’s defense systems. Roan, I want you on point. You’re my lead man we are following you. Followed by Cross; Cass and Cross need to constantly communicate direction and distance so that, and Emperor forbid, one falls we can Charlie Mike. I’ll be right behind Cross maintaining command and control (C2), with Lex bringing up the rear and maintaining security of our six. Cass, you will also be our primary enemy prisoner of war (EPW) man and HVT security, any hostiles we capture you’ll deal with them accordingly. Cross, you’re our back-up point and primary pace as well as our primary aid and litter. Lex, you’re secondary EPW, overwatch, and HVT security. I’ll be handling secondary aid and litter as well as maintenance of C2. When we begin our exfil, diamond formation around the HVTs until we get them aboard our shuttle.”
As Jokar progressed through the mission’s execution his fingers and hands were working wildly to keep up with the hologram, maintaining the visual aspect of the mission was just as important, if not more so, in order to ensure mutual understanding.
“Phase III ends once we have found and secured our HVTs. Phase IV begins upon exfil from the bunker. Rules of engagement (ROE). Like I mentioned earlier, we have a lot of wiggle room here, ROE is loose. Given that we are conducting a raid, it is best if we maintain an element of surprise for the majority of our mission, but weapons are hot. Shoot to kill. Any perceived hostile force should be met with greater hostile force until the force is subdued. Priority intelligence requirements (PIR) include locations of other rebel forces, plans for greater missions, and any other intel that could support the bigger picture of the Empire.”
With that, Jokar disabled the holoprojector and continued his brief,
“Sustainment: bring along whatever lickies and chewies you want. We are getting in and getting out with no intention of holding that bunker. There will be a follow-on infantry battalion that will do that for us. Resupply is a pull method and will only be received if requested from the Maelstrom. We are running a standard combat load and classes of supply are I, III, V, Mike, Mike. Command and Signal. Our key leaders are in orbit, but we have established comms with them. Frequency is 6600, commander’s callsign is Maelstrom 6, top’s (first sergeant) callsign is Maelstrom 7. The succession of command hasn’t changed: me, Lex, Cross, and then Cass. Our callsigns also haven’t changed: I’m Albtraum 6, Lex is Albtraum 7, Cross is Albtraum 1, and Cass is Albtraum 2. Should we need it, our medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) support can be called in on frequency 1200, callsign Hertz 4. In anticipation of the power being cut during the op or our squad being broken up, challenge and password are ‘dread’ and ‘war’ respectively. Running password is böse and our number combination is 13. PACE plan for comms is as follows: primary – hand/arm signals; alternate – radio; contingency – verbal; and emergency – runner.”
“This concludes the brief, what are your questions?” Jokar said with finality. He didn’t anticipate any, but sometimes nerves become a factor and his team may have missed a detail or two. A back brief would follow this opportunity to ask questions, but zero hour was rapidly approaching.
Cass listened to the lead drop the op order. This was gonna turn into a slug fest. And Cass had some questions he wanted answered. He was still getting used to things here, and he didn't plan on having his backside in the wind when things got hairy. He'd been tied up in enough close.
"Yeah boss, I got a couple. What kind of air am I looking at coordinating? What sort of Fighter, and or bomber support to we have up to objective?" He stopped for a second, knowing the next one might get him some ire from the ground guys.
"And why, for Emperor's sake, aren't we using Jump packs to get up these cliffs? Or reactive masking camo once we make entry to stay covert? I know we're all running silencing tubes on our blasters. But this seems like higher just reached up their exhaust ports and pulled out some half baked scheme to end the Campaign."
Cass had been hung out to dry before. And he had no plans of going through it again. That's why he was an SO2 again, and away from the VBSS teams. He had no problem working with these men, but he wanted them to see there was a better way of doing things than this. Sometimes, the scalpel was better than the hammer.
"Also, I don't mean to talk out of turn boss, but there's a lot of rumor going around that this campaign is taking so long because Lord Feros went missing and pulled his troops with him after the assault on Coruscant. How true is that? Because if the Feddies know that, they could be using it for a morale boost."
Cass didn't want to just throw things out there, but he wasn't in the habit of mixing words. "Call a bantha a bantha, son." The words of Chief Tanteller rung in his ears.
Cross chuckled as Cass spoke. Good man. Always focused on the important.
“Come on Cass. You really think the Sergeant is focused on the what Lord Feros is doing? That’s way beyond his station, we just have to do our part. You know we’re small fish.”
Joking aside, jump packs made sense for the ascension. Equipment would be difficult to find. If the medic asks they may be more agreeable. I could offer some water and a change of socks. Cross considered for another moment then turned to address Jokar.
“Sarge, I can request the gear that Cass mentioned. I know for a fact nobody wants to piss off a medic by saying no. I will need a priority list because this might be a tall order to fill for all of it.”
“First of all, welcome to the team Cass, it’s about time we added someone that can actually hack it around here,” Jokar replied with a wry grin, “Second, our air support is rather limited. Based on what HQ had, we have nothing in terms of support. It’s just us.”
Jokar’s eyes went to meet Cass’, trying to express the gravity of the situation without it coming across as hopeless,
“the Empire has a lot of faith in our skillset to accomplish the mission. And we will do so. As far as the reactive camo and jump packs, I’ll give the go ahead to Cross to that reactive, but each of you know as well as I that the jump packs can be unnecessary weight and we’d probably want to abandon them at the ORP. I’ll leave that to democracy.”
His fingers dancing along the keyboard, Jokar blew up a three-dimensional image of the cliffs that led up to the bunkers,
“based on this,” Jokar began,
“do you guys want to work an insertion and we drop near Lex or bring the jump packs to make our ascension easier?”
There was not much time to plan, brass had pushed this down in what could only be described as a blitz timeline. Cyri knew the boys would be currently going over their internal briefing. Working out every last detail. She had protested they needed more time to outfit and give the team more time to plan the op. But it was futile to try and change what was coming down from high. They would be able to adjust, handle it. She thought of the squad as she ernestly walked up the ramp of the Maelstrom, making her way down the ships corridors towards the cockpit.
Cyri settled into the helm of the Nyx-class sloop, Maelstrom, as she quickly toggled several switches in front of her.
“Ready to go?” K-5TC, the charcoal lanky droid to the right of her in the co-pilot seat turned and addressed her with the vague droid-like face.
“We have been ready to go for hours... Commander.” K-5TC remarked in a sarcastic robotic tone - with enough intonation to discern his programmed impatience owing to the idea that he had been well prepared for the ship for departure as he waited a patiently as his programming dictated in one of the secondary hangars of the
“Crinitus Egastas”.
Cyri, smirked. It was always like K-5TC to offer up a sarcastic remark to almost every inquiry. He did his job nonetheless.
“Alright.” Cyri remarked as she toggle the engines.
“Hanger control this is Maelstrom. Departing.”
“Confirmed, Maelstrom. Energy field disengaged.” The voice of a fleet technician within the hangar control bridge came over the comm - confirming the Maelstrom’s departure. Cyri did not hesitate to guide the Maelstrom about, the repulsor engine kicking in with a high-pitched whine as the ship pivoted and came about to face the hangar portal - the blue energy shield dissipated - disappearing and giving way to the black star-lite canvas of space beyond. Cyri pushed the throttle forward and held the stick firm as the ship exited the hangar. She did not like not being at the helm of the squad's controls. But command had specified for the insert to be handled by the general fleet squadron. The Maelstrom broke away from the cruiser, quickly linking up with the dropship ferrying Albtraum squad. The TIE Reaper stayed on a steady course as it began to descend and penetrate the system’s atmosphere. The Maelstrom matched speed and fell in behind the dropship as it descended. The fiery burn from the hulls of both ships burned as they entered the atmosphere - showing like meteors rocketing down through the sky. The rattle of the hull, heat from outside. Nothing new. They had all done this countless times before - several times in fact on this system itself. The mud soaked terrain of the main campaign echoed the fights they had been previously engaged in.
Within the hold of the TIE Reaper Albtraum squad waited. Making final fine tuned preparations as they rode the wave of the ship plummeting through the atmosphere. Maelstrom kept pace, though slightly behind, once they broke through the atmosphere they would have a short window for communications before the TIE would have to descend further. Within their helmets and HUDs they would hear the voice of Cyri come onto the comm. She had naturally been listening in on the follow up briefing that Jokar had been conducting. She was linked in pretty much non-stop. As to the Petty Officer’s questions about fighter support.
“Albtraum 2,” Cyri addressed Cass.
“You can expect limited air support.” Cyri had to be straight with the squad. They had fleets of fighters and yet none to spare. A good portion of the fleet had already been mobilized and moved to Orinda on the border of the outer rim, this was in addition to the advanced forces setting up for the potential next system hop into Federation territory. The early portions of the campaign had gone flawlessly, they had obliterated whole fleets and armies. Now the grinding of bureaucracy and politics was twisting and blunting the sharpened edge of their forces.
It was clear to most how the overconfidence of the brass in thinking they had the system under control, was yielding the slogging wrapping up of this campaign. For now her quick and blunt statement would have to suffice for Cass and the rest of Albtraum squad.
So as a result, she could not help but smirk at Cass’ crass comment about upper brass and their plan to take the bunker. Lucky they could not see her do so. Though she did not even react or address the comment about one of the Dark Lords, it was not a subject commonly spoken about. To the fact that most of the leadership, if you called them such, above the high ranking military and political leaders of the Empire were simply ghosts, phantoms - stories and myths.
An indicator on the hud of the Maelstrom showed that their window was up. Cyri, swiped the display.
“K-5TC, bring us into our low atmosphere pattern.” It was time for them to pull back and monitor the team. Cyri cycled a final communication check, each of the squad's HUDs would receive a ping as she noted that all had been received and transmitted back.
“All comms are up, Maelstrom is moving into an observation pattern.” With that the nose of the Malestrom pulled up, as the TIE Reaper carrying Albtraum disappeared below.
Senior Chief Roan Calal emerged from the cockpit grabbing onto one of the holds latched into the ceiling.
“Alright cut the frakking moaning session, Cass. You want me to gift wrap this mission for you too? Get focused. Two minutes to insert Echo Hotel 1366 6777.” The first sergeant loudly spoke over the hum of the fighter. As the ship rolled into a bank that flowed into a steep dive.
Cyri and K-5TC in the Maelstrom several thousand feet above, brought the ship into a steady flight pattern aht would keep them in contact with the team. Cyri reached over toggling the several of the EMI systems of the ship. For the most part the bunker’s heavy shields had kept their air defenses and sensors intact, though the tradeoff for them being able to hold off the assaults thus far, was them not having the full suite of their abilities to detect and monitor the traffic beyond a short range. The Maelstrom began to actively jam and ping the bunker with interference, it would draw attention upon them - however the Maelstrom was at the edge of the bunker’s threat response and anti-air capabilities.
The TIE’s descent would take them into a fast steep dive, the jamming from the Maelstrom would help provide enough disruption to the bunker’s sensors to allow them to drop into their insertion window and once below the sensors they could approach the insertion point without detection.
The transition in their flight was smooth, Cyri monitored the TIE’s course from the cockpit of the Maelstrom as it hit the point of the end of its dive. The TIE lurched upward, there was no easy way to pull out of a steep dive, and the squad would feel it inside the Reaper. It was something they were all accustomed to. The TIE Reaper’s pilots were both more than competent, making what would normally be a hellish descent for most shock troopers to deal with, into a precise maneuver to protect the team and put them in position to carry out their mission with the element of stealth.
With all the back and forth within command - the bureaucratic red tape, making sure that the team had the resources in both material and manpower was something First Sergeant and Cyri worked constantly and intently upon. The behind the scenes that they need not worry about but was necessary to make sure they had the support and resources they required and needed to do their jobs.
The TIE banked after leveling off, as the pilot brought the TIE into a turn which traced the ravine that they had come into. The TIE was tripping treetops as it leveled off again, pushing forward at nearly full thrust. First Sergeant leaned and swayed with the movements of the ship, checking the watch display.
“Thirty seconds.” He spoke announcing that they were nearly upon the insertion point. The TIE Reaper pilots showed no signs of slowing, as there was a calm chatter back and forth between the pilot and co-pilot as they navigated through the tight ravine and treetop level. Their gestures and motions in the cockpit were smooth and purposeful as they toggled controls and made adjustments to the TIEs controls.
“Cliffs ahead.” The pilot spoke to the co-pilot, visually sighting the insertion point just on the edge of the cliff line at the edge of the ravine.
“Albtraum, touchdown in 15… ” The TIE Reaper skirted the edge of the cliffs.
“Brace.” The co-pilot came across the broader ships comms, which fed into their HUDs. Offering a final status in their imminent insertion point and a warning for them to holdfast.
The pilot pulled back on the throttle, while the co-pilot engaged the repulsor drives on the ship, a move that for most ships in the hands of inexperienced pilots would have sheer the hull in half. The ship rose above the edge of the cliffs as the TIE’s speed was dropped. The pilot angled the ship into a hover only a few feet off the ground. The seal of the Reapers ramp, broke with a sudden hiss. The ramp began to descend without the landing gear of the TIE having never even been deployed.
@Darth Solus, @Darth Xxys, @DarthFeros, @Kardynul Jokar
