Battlegroup 11 - Pathfinders: Comms

[golden vector]

Oh yeah I remember that scene, especially with the droid sniper. Airquotes "Sniper", such a "Oh he's going to snipe the Arc Trooper-AND he's gone full auto okay then".

[torpid herald]

Im gonna hold off if anyone has any interaction with the Hardshells. Orders are due now

[torpid herald]

More like a droid LMG

Tartakovsky is one of the best

Should I PM Shinzuki?

[minor ibex]

You don't really have to. Keep in mind that the RPs in the orders aren't meant for conversations. More of a reaction at best.

If someone says "cover me I'm going in!" another can say "I got your back!" If the two players are already inagreement that that's what's going on.

[stuck galleon]

RP Post

This is Accounting, 6-2, to the rest of Pathfinder. Do *not* shoot the bipedal forest camo robots. That’s us. Killing one of us in a friendly fire incident will cost us both in fines, so check your aim. That will be all.

@ember oracle how the hell are you so fast with the reactions

Like I’m genuinely impressed, it was a whole 1 second after I posted 😂

[ember oracle]

Because I'm bored and sitting here with ADHD and helping plan something Incredibly stupid in DF. I saw the bold print and went 'oooh something shiny' and clicked int oPathfidners

[stuck galleon]

Fair enough

[torpid herald]

I meant to post orders.to make.aire they aren't MIA

But I also want to make this a cooperative story

[minor ibex]

Ye ye. =w=

[torpid herald]

Oi, those are my Hardshells. And they are in ARCTIC CAMO

[sage frigate]

Just checked, if it's stupid, but it works, it ain't stupid.

[hybrid sable]

Hey, guys, I have a... potentially distressing and time-sensitive thought. Would we consider "scouting" that BC to free up Atlas and Hammer to run to Elim?

Because the big dilemma for Atlas rn seems to be that boarding will take too much time b4 they can drop Hammer in support of Storm, and Victorum doesn't have boarding crew. But the transports arrive this turn, everyone's going to be on the tac map anyway, so if Atlas can declare that they're carrying us at first, they can shoot us into the BC and maybe they can transfer Hammer over from the transports (not sure about that) and proceed to Elim faster

[arctic socket]

The issue with that is that atlas declaring they're carrying you will take 5 LS, and doing that alongside needing to drop Iron Hammers onto the planet makes it a total of 10 LS which is just far too much

[hybrid sable]

See my just now post in Atlas: my idea is not you declaring both, my idea is you declaring us and then taking Hammer on from the transports

[arctic socket]

Which would leave atlas with just 9 LS

[hybrid sable]

Since you would then have exactly a Hammer's worth of space from the newly vacated bays

[arctic socket]

I would imagine it would still take another 5 LS, though that might be a question to ask shack

[ember oracle]

It would work with the Lumaran transports, not the auto ones I think. Thats how i'd rule as a gm 😦

[hybrid sable]

I think that would be silly, since the auto transports would be carrying exactly the same to have Hammer, but yeah: question for Shack

[arctic socket]

Well, I think it's kind of a trade off, since you spend LS, however you can drop them just about anywhere if you have the DC and you can get there much earlier

[hybrid sable]

Hold on. The autotransports can be used for boarding immobile warships

My question now stands, just on its hands this time: would we consider "scouting" that BC to obtain intelligence, nab a factory ship, and potentially save lumaran captives if Atlas or Victorum could disable its engines for us this turn? Big question for the infantry, as they would be taking the bulk of the risk, medium question for everyone else as it would delay our arrival groundside by probably 3-4 turns.

From the sound of what happened in Atlas chat, we'd have to work pretty hard to convince Victorum to let it happen, but if people are willing I think it would be worht a try.

[gray lagoon]

Pathfinders, did you make that meme ?

[arctic socket]

:3

[gray lagoon]

D:

[hybrid sable]

OwO new Pathfinder propaganda?

[twin talon]

I'm down to be fair we wouldn't have to do as much as you think We're on the same battle map as Victorium and Atlas, we have engineers and infantry so we can guarenteed pop one hatch a turn anbd with 5 VTOLS we can have a second unit attempt to pop a hatch and head in on the 2nd turn. The problem is that it's not Victoriam you'll have to convince, it's Atlas as Victorium does not have a VTOL bay. Atlas has 2 so we can deploy 4 VTOLS per turn which means 1 engineer and three INF on the first flight and maybe 1 more after that. So on the third or fourth turn we may have Captured the BC.

The biggest arguement in favor of this plan is stealing the BC's LS as a BC equivalent it will have 3 If Victoriam moves ahead and Atlas stays behind it essentially trades what may be 2 LS for the civvies and intel on the BC. It's also Important to note that 9 LS is not a lot, that's 18 turns which the TF can reload. Crucially this means fighters can re-arm being stuck on turn 20 with no fighters will be brutal for Atlas. On the other hand Atlas is much better to stay behind to capture the BC because it has the speed to get into the fight that Victoriam lacks.

We could ask if we can have our VTOLS travelling with the freighters in the open and then use Victoriam to draw more boarding crew ? but that would require talking to shack.

[hybrid sable]

No, Atlas is definitely moving ahead with Hammer ASAP so that Storm doesn't get wiped on the ground. We need to convince Victorum to not blow it up, thus freeing the stratpoint for fast traversal

The most we can hope for is Atlas helps us take out the engines so our transports can dock

[twin talon]

Then we need to make sure we have our VTOLS outside of BG storage with the freighters and that one of us is carrying an engi first otherwise there's no point even if we were being carried by Victoriam we wouldn't be able to deploy unless we can have a HAT "airdrop" inf onto the Battlecruiser which I doubt is going to happen.

boarding rules specifically call for a VTOL as well which lessens the chance of that ruling.

[hybrid sable]

Yep. We'd need to discuss and coordinate asap

[twin talon]

Specifically the first person we need to talk to is shack and ask him if we can have our BG travel with VTOLS out on their own and that to a lesser extent our Frieghter is seperate from the other frieghters so that we don't delay everyone else from planetfall by 2 turns. though I'm less sure on that latter point so feel free to correct me.

[ember oracle]

This has already been asked. Only if you go collect the Lumaran transports. The auto transports, all air assets are packed away

[twin talon]

Could you expand on this more sorry Nalla, if we agree to collect the Lumaran transports is it ok'd ? or does a TF have to get the Lumaran transports which unlocks us ? Ty either way for telling us.

[stable pine]

Rabbit and Spearhead are currently the ones making for the Rock Station and the transports

[twin talon]

How neither have any significant number of VTOL's are they just sending their freighters in that direction ? Sorry if I'm a bit clueless.

[stable pine]

We’re just sending our automated freighters in that direction. Nothing special

[twin talon]

Could we use the civvie fleet at the gate instead of the Lumaran transports at the rock station? Have our freighters dock with them and use them to deploy ?

[stable pine]

I mean, I don’t think they’re gonna like that very much

would you like a mystery mercenary fleet showing up, taking your ships, and using them?

Don’t think that’s a good idea

[twin talon]

The other option before we showed up was bot parts, I don't think they have much choice as we control the gate, I'm down for RP negotiations "We need to commandeer your craft to save the lives of your comrades aboard the bot cruiser and then we'll be on our way" But if it comes down to saving some civvies and pissing others off my vote is fuck their feelings if need be.

[hybrid sable]

Also an open question whether they're equipped to deploy VTOLs, since that would be the only benefit

[twin talon]

Technically we can fly their ships and dock if the cruiser hasn't moved or is engine-killed but that's probably pushing it too much.

[hybrid sable]

We can do that with the auto transports we're already on: there's zero point

Per Shack's rulin in taccomms

At this point the only thing that matters is whether Pathfinders is willing, to see whether there's any point negotiating with the TFs to disable the engines and not blow it up or whether we let the discussion die and move on

[twin talon]

My understanding of the situation

1. We can't deploy off of anyone other than Atlas who isn't staying in the area
2. Tormentor being alive slows everyone down
3. Going to the rockstation AND back is 4 turns minimum before we start boarding which seems to be at least 2/3 turns and that's presuming no complications
4. If we want to board it with our freighter via docking we have to wait around for at least a turn while Victoriam tries for it which isn't guaranteed

Sorry if I'm wrong on anything

I think the only way I'm voting for it is if either

1. we can deploy off of the civvie transports VTOL bay or something similar if so 100%, we slow everyone down as little as possible and again big point potentially secure 3LS for our TF's which is a huge tactical and Strategic win
   2)Victoriam is able to get a engine kill and give us an escort to assist boarding via docking, unlikely and whether or not they get an engine kill

Otherwise I vote against, I want to do it but it seems everything is going against unless we find something out about the freighters ? I gotta go good luck

[hybrid sable]

That is basically correct. For this to work, we would need a TF to disable the engines in the next 2 rounds so that we could dock our autotransports to it. This could delay the other autotransports, depending on whether TF1 would otherwise 'blit the remaining enemy forces faster than the transports would otherwise leave the area (I would guess 1-2 extra turns, given that TF1 needs 2 rounds to destroy the BC and also has to mop up the buzz droids and remaining fighters before we get StratSpeed. The transports require 5 turns to make it from the gate to Nav1 at TacSpeed).

[torpid herald]

Boarding action? I like boarding g action

[hybrid sable]

https://tenor.com/view/droideka-attack-star-wars-fire-gif-11539349

[torpid herald]

Yeah, something like that

[tired stirrup]

If I wanted to be in a TF and deal with orbitals I would have been in a TF. If we wanted to be a BG designed for boarding action in space we should have said that was our goal as a BG before you pulled in Logi trucks and IFV's and all sorts of units that cant do anything besides be blown up in space in some VTOL. We are much more effective on the ground, let a TF worry about space things imo. Also, unless its commonly accepted acronyms like LZ, ETA, AO, TF, BG, Etc. I would ask people to take the time to type out the whole thing at least once before abbreviating. With no context acronyms are absolutely garbage and instead of communicating in a way anyone can understand you start using jargon and turn into incoherent gibberish people have to spend time figuring out.

[minor ibex]

I do not believe they are asking if we can switch from being a battlegroup to a taskforce. But rather if we can snag the ship so that we have a more versatile and safe mode of transportation we can deploy with.

At present, our auto transports are the slowest vessels in the statistics, with no armor, and no landing gear to allow us to land anywhere we please.

My only concern is if we’re able to man a ship without a captain.

If we can still use the ship with our present units, then it might be an idea to consider just like how Rabbit and Spearhead are going to get the transports from nearby.

[sterile basalt]

If we can, I’d say go for it.

[stable pine]

Shack has been pretty clear we don’t even know if it’s possible for us to control these bot orbitals

[sterile basalt]

True…

[stable pine]

This of course assumes it’s able to be secured, with minimal casualties and minimal time loss

[sterile basalt]

Yeah, it’s a cool idea though. Honestly, I think we’ll probably be stuck with NPC transports.

[sterile basalt]

Yeah, there’s a non zero chance that they don’t even have life support systems since they’re bots.

[zenith notch]

Sorry if it is a dumb question, but is the landing zone restricted to the besieged cosmodrome in the centre, or may the transports land in any flat terrain (been thinking of 3512)?

[stable pine]

the automated transports must land at the spaceport

[hybrid sable]

It would be nice if we could take it and use it, but honestly I doubt we could use it. I just think a factory ship the size of a battlecruiser, potentially with captive lumarans on board, sounds like a critical asset for the enemy and an extremely valuable potential objective for us if we can take it. But it would definitely slow us down, and us vehicle crews would likely not have much to do in that time

[stable pine]

VTOLs (See: Storm), the Lumaran frigates Rabbit and Spearhead are picking up, can land

[hybrid sable]

Still valuable to destroy, but taking would be much more so

[tired stirrup]

I wasn't under the impression the conversation was we wanted to convert to a Task Force, I'm saying this is, imo, Task Force area of responsibility and not Battle Group area of responsibility. What I'm saying is if Naval action was what I wanted to do I'd have made an orbital crew or infantry stationed on an orbital with ship boarding capabilities.

[sterile basalt]

Well, I think its more us asking the TFs to try to steal that sucker for us so we can use it, right?

[tired stirrup]

If I put us on a cruiseliner could you pilot it?

[sterile basalt]

Yeah, that’s fair.

[hybrid sable]

Which is a good criticism. Our problem right now is that the only TF with any meaningful boarding capacity desperately needs to get Hammer to the starport so Storm doesn't get ground down, which leaves... not much. And we theoretically have the capability to take that role, so I suggested it because it's such a valuable asset. That's it. I wouldn't enjoy sitting on my hands any more than you would, but I had to suggest it.

Chances are that it won't come up anyway: that Victorum won't disable its engines (no called shots here), so we won't be able to dock and board, and it's all moot

[tired stirrup]

If the TF's can disable the bot ship enough for us to board with VTOLs it will be dead in the water, at which point we would need to repair it. Meanwhile, what would be stopping Atlas from turning around and dealing with it after Iron Hammer is dirtside?

[tired stirrup]

I dont think it's a dumb question at all

[hybrid sable]

I'm not suggesting we captain the ship and drive it around with us: that was just Southpaw's interpretation. Which would be nice, but was never the point. We can't board it with VTOLs because our VTOLs are all packed up in crates with no way to deploy them from the autotransports. Atlas can't take Hammer down and return to board the BC because the round trip will take 3-8 turns and the BC will be megadead: if we don't board it in the next 2 turns, Victorum needs to kill it so that it can't threaten our autotransports or other space assets

If we can board it in the next 2 turns, we can tie up all its crew so it literally can't fire its weapons, but otherwise it's a threat

[tired stirrup]

What would we board it with if we have already ruled out VTOLs and our fun NPC transport ship doesnt have Breach Pod Launchers?

[hybrid sable]

If a ship is immobile (engines disabled by weapon crits or boarding actions), other orbitals can literally walk over and dock with them to initiate boarding actions. That includes our autotransports, as confirmed by Shack in TacCom chat

Found it: #1382781756989767692 message

[tired stirrup]

So. You want to DOCK our ship to a ship filled with we dont know so our 8 infantry guys can get on a disabled ship.

[hybrid sable]

Pretty sure it's filled with bot crew. Probably 6-8 units of them, which will each probably be about half the size of one of our infantry units. So that we can capture a major bot production asset and possibly free an unknown quantity of Lumaran captives and gain intel on their crew units, technology, objective, and anything else we can find out. Hopefully with some help from one of Victorum's ships after they deal with the other bot space assets, but possibly not. Yes: you have it exactly right.

[tired stirrup]

You know why breaching pods are good? So we can't get boarded back.

[hybrid sable]

Did you read the midrounds? We can get boarded back anyway until Victorum clears the skies

I mean, if you doubt our infantry's ability to beat up a handful of space nerds, say so now.

[tired stirrup]

you have no idea what is in that ship and no way of knowing, and your proposal would put us in an extremely vulnerable position.

[hybrid sable]

Literally nothing a single scan from Victorum wouldn't fix, but you're wrong: I know there's a factory, and I know there's lifeforms, and I know there's bot crew. Look, I'm trying to be reasonable, but you've been nothing but sarcastic and antagonistic towards me basically since you joined and I'd appreciate it if you'd be a little bit more conversational.

War is risk, we're playing a war game, and I'm trying to point out ways that we can contribute to winning the war game. That's it. If you don't like it, that's what the poll is for.

[tired stirrup]

Risk right?

First of all, We're playing Merc's, not members of a Liberation Army. I'm here to kill bots, get paid, and not die for nothing before I get a chance to be in a combat round. I'm trying work together to lay out a framework of a plan that gets us to where others have said they want us to be as fast as possible. Meanwhile you assume, a lot, and try to pass unknowns off as know entities.

[hybrid sable]

Oh look, more sarcasm. Have fun with that.

[tired stirrup]

I'm not, and havent been, sarcastic.

I have attempted to maintain a very matter of fact tone.

[sterile basalt]

Children. No fighting over the comms

[tired stirrup]

calling people children is never a good method for mediation.

[low wagon]

Hey, please be careful - I’m reading a tone of irritation in both of your posts atm

If that wasn’t your intention make sure to state clearly you’re not upset - remember that this is text, so a lot of useful context like tone of voice can be lost

[sterile basalt]

I was trying to add levity to my request instead of just flat out telling people to hush. Let’s stay polite and civil here.

[low wagon]

Goes for both you MrBlue and gabaga - remember we’re on the same team

I understand you disagree on the course of action, but remember to disagree politely

[hybrid sable]

Hi Blossom. Yes, I'm getting upset, and I'm working on that. Gonna take a bit off. Have a good day!

[low wagon]

If you’re unable to come to a consensus, that is also okay - you can agree to disagree, we have the vote to help decide where next

[low wagon]

Thank you for noticing that and stepping away, have a good day sir/ma’am o7

[sterile basalt]

Yeah, TL:DR, it’s fine to have a disagreement, just be nice and civil, discussing why you think that way. We’re all friends here.

[low wagon]

For my opinion on the matter, I feel a little unsure boarding a battlecruiser without clear knowledge on how much crew they have. Battlecruisers are big vessels, and we only have a small infantry complement - we might not be suited for the task.

If we had more concrete estimates on the number of enemies inside and they were a smaller or equal force, then I’d be more willing to risk it. This is of course assuming Victorium can snipe their engines.

I do wonder if we could use our vehicles when boarding. That would help even the battlefield a bit. But I’m guessing it’s a no.

[tired stirrup]

I asked about Boarding with Mechs and was told no, infantry is boarding parties.

[zenith notch]

Boarding or not, I have made a plan for the first three rounds after landing and regrouping. The armored column (IFVs with infantry) would backdoor the large group of enemy units NW of the cosmodrome, while the heliborne component would first set up an F.O.B. in the compound NNE of said cosmodrome, and then begin scouting the NW portion of the city, where I would least expect enemy flak nests or stinger crews. The rear component (engineers, logistical etc.) would burn tyres to the F.O.B. once the route is clear.

[sterile basalt]

Remember that in Pathfinders, we’re focusing on scouting and completing smaller objectives rather than taking and holding territory. That’s the other BG’s jobs.

[zenith notch]

The F.O.B. is mostly to have somewhere to keep our rear component, and somewhere to hole up shall the situation become dire (back on Titan, half of my battlegroup survived a walker assault and several air raids in such a place). As for the third-turn entrenchments NNW of the cosmodrome: I have put them in the plan, as it is unknown how long would it take to rout/destroy the backdoored foes. City CQC with armored units is bad in the first place, having exposed infantry in such an environment is much worse.

[sterile basalt]

I’m thinking that if shit hits the fan, we’ll probably be pullung back to friendly lines established by the other BGs. After all, it’s going to be everyone down in Elim.

I’d rather keep Pathfinders as one unit.

[zenith notch]

As in, maneuvering the entire battlegroup as a single long column?

[sterile basalt]

No, I meant having a smaller group scout on ahead as we keep most of our forces together kind of deal.

We’re already a relatively small BG and I don’t want to split up too much.

I’m mainly thinking that it takes time and resources to set up an FOB, when we could just use the infrastructure set up by the rest of ARMCO. It’s not like we’re on a different map yet.

[zenith notch]

My idea was to have the "panzer grenadiers", or however one would call them, as the principal combat force to backdoor the enemy in the NW, smashing their rear in the process, while taking advantage of the heliborne troops' speed to scout the broader north-west (less confirmed contacts = less probability of flying right into a stinger nest on some roof) and establish a foothold that would secure our way out of the city. Infantry would be left in several buildings along this "way out" to give our foes something to think about while the armored units and especially the rear echelon are on their way west.

Those infantry units would then become our rear guard.

[sterile basalt]

I’m just thinking that’s its not very recon of us. Particularly when there’s a ton of unknowns here that we could scout out.

Like, it’s a fun and interesting idea, I just don’t think we’re the ones who should do it.

[tired stirrup]

Admittedly I think it's a decent spot for a FOB, I'd have probably tried to stick it in the woods in 3412 for the tree cover on top of the digging in in trenches and better sight lines/lack of cover for advancing OpFor. However, I'm not in favor of Pathfinders building in Elim in general as I would rather see us hit one or two of those unknown contacts and then push to gather intel or support actions at the cross roads. I would recommend contrasting colors for ease of map reading next time though, already a lot of blue and white on the map which makes reading your intentions a little hard.

[tired stirrup]

if we do stick around in Elim, I like the idea of circling north and pushing into the flanking unit starting in 3214 and working south to help whoever decided to engage from the starport

[zenith notch]

As I see it, our problem is limited mobility in an extremely bad combat environment (basically Stalingrad). The VTOL units are very fast, but susceptible to flak and SAM (I wouldn't even be so sure if we'll have enough air superiority to use them meaningfully). That's why I wanted to avoid having them anywhere near large clusters of contacts. Moving the column of mechanized infantry around the city's outskirts would inevitably lead to its severe attrition, given how long would such maneuvers take, and give our foes plenty of opportunity to intercept and ambush it. It could be beneficial to send out an infantry unit on an LV and a mech company to the far east, but it would make such group easy to isolate and overrun, not to mention the additional burden of eventually getting it back to the main force for leaving the town.

[zenith notch]

Buildings seem like a more reliable source of cover, as I would fully expect the enemy to deploy napalm and agent orange against us, remember that we are fighting robots, so they are not affected by morale and do not care about contamination.

[restive compass]

However, the fog of war indicates a likelihood of robots being held up in said buildings, force us into close assault (somethign our BG is not ready for)

[tired stirrup]

Yeah we are both more mobile than quite a few of the BG's and yet not mobile enough for it to not be a headache to keep everyone together

[restive compass]

I'd (Sapien) would be willing to volunteer for such a task.

[restive compass]

This does however, make urban combat more... interesting

[tired stirrup]

I'm curious how much is hidden in the FoW since we have some idea of what we cant see already

[restive compass]

Me too. However, considering the fact it's urban combat, I'm willing to assume that every building is housing a bot until stated otherwise.

https://tenor.com/view/planning-buzz-lightyear-woody-encourage-toy-story-gif-10703080976475094928

[tired stirrup]

It's not paranoia if it turns out to be true aye?

[restive compass]

aye

Also, what if we tried to avoid combat in Elim entirely? The seige of Elim is just one step in the campaign, the planet is quite large and houses much areas of vast, open, terrain. I think that's when we'd come in most useful: sending VTOLs to scour the ground and root up enemy positions, striking deep into Bot cells with IFVs, and supporting the flanks of other BGs with units of infantry, fresh and undamaged reserves.

Or, random comment, the city has a civilian population yes? We could focus our efforts on civvie safety during the heat of the battle. Using our VTOLs as essentially air ambulances, dropping in, getting the noncombatants out.

[tired stirrup]

If you and I stick with the VTOL's doing full 4S evasive movements we can maybe ferret out the enemy positions, but sadly VTOL have the "Cant spot ground units" rule so it would be you and I as the eyes and the VTOLs with infantry as backup muscle while our logi's and IFV's trail behind

[restive compass]

That's a..... frustrating rule

[tired stirrup]

Speaking of, where is the exact verbiage for what determines LoS?
Page 7 only says this Line of Sight is used to determine if a weapon can fire at a target. Can a unit see the unit they want to fire at? Is something blocking their view like Terrain, Forest, or structures? Then they can’t fire at the target. Most artillery units can fire over obstacles. This is called “indirect fire” If your unit or unit upgrade says indirect fire, then they can fire at targets that are beyond direct line of sight but in range and spotted by another friendly unit. All range measurements are made from the center of the unit's base.
I don't see anything saying anything about if Range=LoS or if we need spotters for anything with a 2+ range and we only have visibility of the six hexes around the hex we're in or what. Edit: I mean maximum LoS

[copper lynx]

And this is why I goes to hibernation for bit, too complicated stuff.

[copper lynx]

https://tenor.com/view/anime-happy-the-helpful-fox-senko-san-sleeping-gif-14521927

[twin talon]

As far as I'm aware the Auto transports (The ships anyone not being transported by a Task Force, aka Orbital units) are restricted to Spaceports and maybe an open area outside of it because they have no deployment capacity, they're basically speed 1 orbitals with only Cargo holds to store us.
From
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QCyZrXtKcpY8QX7YoCl00iE-i8Tb8vo-8VlsahR-Lac/edit?tab=t.0
"The larger orbital’s that hold the most cargo can’t land without access to a surface based starport so units with landing capability must be used."
This is what we're in right now.

[hybrid sable]

I'd prefer to try to identify and extract civvies from the surrounding buildings for the first couple of turns unless one of the larger battlegroups organizes around it or we spot a different particularly valuable objective, make sure that gets done and done well, but unfortunately that would tend to take us towards clusters of unknown contacts in buildings by its very nature and (as mentioned) I can't see where I'm going. Since we'll be landing alongside all of the other battlegroups, I don't think we'll make a meaningful difference trying to operate against the front lines around the spaceport.

With that in mind, I think we could do more good looking through the cluster of buildings directly east of the spaceport, going around the southern line (possibly through 3118) to the buildings down in 3321 and 3520, or hooking north from 3118 to the line of buildings at 3117 and 3016, then proceeding east as the assault groups finish securing the area. And yes, I would still prefer 2919 scouted, but from what I saw this morning Hammer was thinking of dropping something big there so probably won't be an issue

[hybrid sable]

There we go then. Onwards!

[pseudo cape]

I would reccomend against making plans based on current enemy formations - it'll be like 5 rounds out of date by the time you guys are down.

(Although 2919 looks like artillery-)

[pseudo cape]

Yeah. The only reason STORM is risking dropping into an AA trap is because we have the numbers that it's unlikely they can kill us before we unload our troops.

[pseudo cape]

why would you bring ground vehicles if you could scout by air so much faster?

[pseudo cape]

Spaceport only. No landing gear.

[twin talon]

Also because it's baller as hell. I think planning and Intel gathering is good and fine but we'll have a wildly different ground game the turn before and during landing.

[pseudo cape]

Larger BGs are preoccupied with taskings already (... well, I haven't checked with ULTRA, but the others are all expecting combat).

[hybrid sable]

I mean yeah, that's what I expect, but I include the caveat in case things go wildly off the rails... again (still?)

[sage frigate]

We could split up. There's no rule that the entire BG has to go together on the same tactical map, just across maps.

[hybrid sable]

Definitely could. It would require discussion when we get closer and enemy formations are closer to what we'd find. Just as long as we don't split too much and get picked off.

[twin talon]

We have the capacity to operate as 2 - 3 groups, light vehicles/VTOLs + logi/IFVs with the logis being able to split off to set up a med/engi repairs point it's a good split letting us tackle different situations quickly.

[minor ibex]

I do have preperations on the spreadsheet to assign people to different teams for if/when the group decides to split themselves up a little.

[hybrid sable]

Oh yeah, was wondering about that column

[minor ibex]

It's closed off until we're finally about to get on the map and have a gameplan going. So I didn't want you guys to play around with it until then.

[sage frigate]

Ultra and Phalanx might be able to do their own back line checks, I think.

[hybrid sable]

I think we'd more likely keep the LV with the IFVs: it's more vulnerable, can't run overmove through inf if it needs to, works well as supporting fire because of its range. Have the VTOLs work separately or with the LM depending on the density of hostiles

[sage frigate]

Yee, VTOL on the ground can't really scout. Best thing would be to have them serve as additional mobile guns.

Also, I forgot we had a SF with us.

[stuck galleon]

doing my job well, then

[hybrid sable]

Account is very sneaky

[minor ibex]

You have been selected for this task because you are the best. The elite. You know what to do... >w<

[hybrid sable]

Does respond to my polls, though, which I appreciate. Thank you, Account.

[stuck galleon]

insert silent aura farming

[minor ibex]

I wonder how long it's going to take before the overall battlegroup strategy I wrote down in the spreadsheet is going to get torn apart... =w=;

(I know, I know. No forcing people to go with a given plan, we're all in this together. =w=)

[sage frigate]

I'm pretty sure it burned up the moment we found out how dire the ground situation was.

[minor ibex]

To be fair, we still have plenty of time before we arrive. And our overall strategies are still viable for the situation. We'll just be stuck on Assault Phase for a little while until things get cleared up in Elim. =w=

Pass me the copium tank....

[hybrid sable]

I mean, Phase 1 is... gone, and Plan B is... gone, but Plan A could maybe be considered, and Phase 2 is probably a go ^w^

note to self: put in req order for additional Plan B

[minor ibex]

The two phases are meant to be bounced between interchangeably. They're an overall attitude meant to help structuralize what we generally want to do while we're making plans. So once things are under control and we can get to Nerys village, we can switch back to Phase 1 again.

At least that's how I intended it.^^;

[hybrid sable]

<-- is teasing

But in all seriousness, I don't think we'll have any major problems adapting. With how much more the combat BGs will be dealing with everywhere all of the time, it's even more important that there's someone available to take care of more focused objectives that pop up

[minor ibex]

Meeeh~!

[minor ibex]

Squee to that. =w=

[torpid herald]

Enzo sips something from a metal mug. "Good thing I reinforced their black boxes..."

So far what I've got in my head that the ground assets ID smaller pockets of enemies/soft targets, and us VTOL bound troops zip in to neutralize. Recon-in-force type movements, with a focus on information over confrontation.

[minor ibex]

Squee. =w= Better to try and work with our own survival in mind since we're smaller and more vulnerable compared to other forces. Complete objectives, but keep it small. We're here to pick up the pieces, not get stuck in. =w=

[torpid herald]

That's the only reason I supported the boarding action in the first place. Give us something to do while the transport was enough route

[tired stirrup]

For the record, I 100% agree with you that capturing that bot ship would be amazing and well worth the time spent. Just not our time, we are ill staffed, ill experienced, and ill equipped to handle that situation. I think it'd be cool as hell if I was like....is my cockpit environmentally sealed? I want to jump onto that ship and do some Witch from Saturn level shit to get us inside. I just think it's a fantasy believing we are the ones who should or can handle it.

[minor ibex]

I wouldn't really knock us out so readily. But since the voting has spoken, the argument is moot regardless. =w=

[tired stirrup]

So how's this sound? Ground forces; IFV's, Logi's, LV, LM, embarked units follow the northern route to 3717, and begin entrenching the area as a base of operations in the area for the time being. VTOL's and embarked units follow the southern route to 3717, Embarked units pop out and say hello/secure the area, VTOL's stay grounded for a minute to let us figure out the situation on the ground once we all catch up and then take (1/3? 1/2?) capacity of our units and conduct medivac ops in Elim. We are kinda uniquely equipped to deal with moving the civilians quickly.

Ground forces can then secure the unknown PoI's in the area

probably maintain 2-3 infantry units at the FOB

[minor ibex]

Finally taking some time to work on the battlegroup patch a bit. Though it seems to be getting a little more busy than I would like to see.^^;

I want the paw print to be the center of the symbol, with the compass surrounding it. But the rose in the middle seems to clash with the paw print and the two are pretty much fighting for the center of the symbol.

After taking a minute to step back and re-evaluate the image. I think I have an idea on how to rework this, but it'll require starting almost from scratch to do it.^^;

I'll do some sketches to figure it out and share it when I'm done. For now though, here's what I got so far, and would like some input if anybody is artistically inclined to do so. =w=

[sterile basalt]

I feel like the paw design might need some work. To me it doesn’t really feel too paw-like. Maybe because the claw parts are too small?

I do love the idea though.

[minor ibex]

The paw is actually based off of a fox's paw, with a bit of rework to try and make it more circular to fit the dynamic of the center of the compass rose. I wanted to give the paw a more stylized look so that it's still recognizable, but made from simple-ish shapes.^^;

[sterile basalt]

Maybe it's too even and symmetrical? I dunno, not really an artist here...

[minor ibex]

Oh well, I tried.^^;

The idea wasn't to make it a natural pawprint, but a more stylized one so that it was more or less easier to replicate. Kinda like one of these.

[sterile basalt]

I like the unevenness of the top left one.

[minor ibex]

I think I'm starting to understand your aesthetic style.^^

Could have been worse, the original shape I started off with before adding the claws was this.

[sterile basalt]

Hey, it's alot better than what I could do. I'm pretty bad at art

[torpid herald]

Glad to officially announce we are all furries

[sterile basalt]

w<

[minor ibex]

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxHF7OZHvFnULb6lesjsgm_RwgaNHSfseE?si=c9yuvP6GudJ8qRu-

(Couldn't make the clip smaller. Just the nose shove part is what I'm getting at. XD)

[sterile basalt]

Fox paws aren't that bad.
looks at bloody cat ears

[torpid herald]

The camera pans slowly to Gamma-4 with a set of cat ears over their oculus pod

[minor ibex]

Meanwhile, I think I've figured out a good restart point for the patch. With any luck, it'll look better than ever.^^

[golden vector]

Kobold meanwhile scribbles in a tiny dragon in the corner

[ember oracle]

YO this is awesome. I a huge fan of the compass and the footprint

[hybrid sable]

Really like the new slanted orientation with the compass! Maybe move the back pad of the paw a little further down, though? Or something to pad out the bottom. The even spacing between the pads looks really nice on its own, but it's vertically unbalanced when you're trying to center the compass there in the gap because of the claws

[tired stirrup]

Love the palette on this

[tired stirrup]

One thing that has been visually distracting to me is how your claw marks tip inwards on all four toes. I know it's a stylistic choice in a lot of art depicting claw marks, but it's not quite how the actual tracks look when left in sand or mud. They need to be there or it's cat marks, but shouldn't they be more...mmm....almond shaped over the candle flame shape? I agree with Gaba, I think you're cooking with the new orientation.

[hybrid sable]

Has anyone heard from Lightfall, Moth, Mys, or SklBus in the last week or so?

[tired stirrup]

here's the map with @upper girder 's map from meta-comm superimposed on it

[zenith notch]

All those VTOL's concentrated in one spot sure do seem like a turkey shoot waiting to happen. Let us hope that our foes have not scrambled any interceptors, and/or aren't rolling out flak guns as we speak.

[golden vector]

Titan Airdop over Airfield Intensifies

[zenith notch]

Sorry for defeatism, but I used to play Wargame Red Dragon quite a bit, and unless those VTOLs happen to be Apaches or high-tier Hinds, for most of the time it was exactly that: a turkey shoot.

[tired stirrup]

a lot of the VTOLs are landed so wont be susceptible to AA, I know a few of them (2?) have the d4 gun upgrade and can actually lay out some decent fire, I'd be surprised if combat this turn doesnt go well for Storm

[pseudo cape]

Make the pawprint the rose (via negative image)

[pseudo cape]

That also works!

[pseudo cape]

One more INF + VTOL just west of the starport on 3117, both facing north.

[pseudo cape]

happy that the damage spread rules force them to target all the VTOLs as a group and spread it out, so unless they have serious firepower capability... we're probably okay?
Damage, yes. Death, hopefully not.

[pseudo cape]

2 have d4 gun pods, yes.

EGG and SABRE.

[tired stirrup]

@pseudo cape thanks for letting me know

[sage frigate]

https://tenor.com/view/star-wars-episode2-attack-of-the-clones-arena-clones-gif-22152243

[hybrid sable]

And then the next turn Atlas and Hammer are going to try to drop past the bot space assets (burning a supply to get there in time), though might be forced to wait until the following round. Drop plan is in flux, but here's the cleanest image so far: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1383066706724913293/1388972106783527153/ElimStrikePlan.jpg?ex=6862ec94&is=68619b14&hm=e71d30383c0b495da8ddf9c03c0b750262edb9fe83e12456ab1abf2ca771464e&

Hammer immediately nixed the northeastern drop zones (thankfully), so plan is probably that they'll all drop in the southwest, sweep north with their tanks and inf and sweep east with their mechs. Atlas might still be dropping their troops somewhere in the east will likely follow that

[pseudo cape]

ATLAS doesn't have good redeployment capability - believe the current plan is everyone committed to W and SW regions.

[minor ibex]

You'd be surprised. A lot of fox pawprints I've looked at, both real and artistic, have the claws curved inwards. It might still be a stylistic choice, but since you mentioned cat marks I think that might actually be related. Since foxes work as a mixture of both cats and dogs (despite being dog related genetic-wise) It's possible their feet are developed more similar to cats and how they walk in order to help keep them quiet as they move. So the claws might end up looking similar to that. Though that doesn't mean there aren't any prints with the claws straight of course. I have seen a few.^^

[minor ibex]

I'm actually a little ahead of you on that. Here's a second pass at a sketch with more details. I noticed the mass of negative space as well and decided to add some compass etches to underline the texts. That might help a little. =w=

[hybrid sable]

Woo! Yeah, that's much better! Artist doing artist things artistically!
Maybe you could rotate the text around just a little more, so the main compass pointy-bits kinda bookend Pathfinders-Initiative?

[minor ibex]

I can probably do that. 🙂

[hybrid sable]

<-- always a critic

[minor ibex]

There we go. Despite what it looks like, the emblem still has perfect circles I can make references off of. The compass arrows are actually pointing at 22.5 degree angles on a perfect circle. I just had to draw a straight line and adjust the arrows to match.

Originally, it was meant to be eschewed because the southern arrow was meant to point towards the camera more, while the northern arrow was pointing away. So it ended up creating a bit of a lop-sided form with the compass.

[hybrid sable]

Oooh, yes. Like.

[minor ibex]

Alright, here's what I got so far with the compass notches underlying the text. I might change their color later if I feel like it's too bland. But for now I'll continue working on the orbiting compass itself.

[sage frigate]

Ya, clearly, currently, we're gonna be beholden on what the other BGs do. Landfall is gonna be a cluster fuck of forces trying to clear the landing zone.

[minor ibex]

Then it might be best if we hang back a bit and let the assault BGs to the heavy lifting for us until we can get boots on the ground. =w=;

[golden vector]

Yeah....we kinda lack a bit of "Punch" above our weight class so to speak. XD

[minor ibex]

We're not even heavy enough to be considered a Warhammer from Battletech. ^^;

"a mobile 'Mech with enough firepower to destroy or severely damage any 'Mech of the same weight class or lower." --StarCorps Industries slogan of the Warhammer, 2515.

[tired stirrup]

If we were to set up a fob in 3717 we can check out all those unknowns and no one is more than 4 hexes away

[minor ibex]

Certainly not a bad idea.

[sage frigate]

Yee, we should still set up that FOB, prepare some fallback positions and supply in the event that we end up failing to breakout.

And also, given the weight of the enemy force this far, trying to break through crossroads without digging in is going to be hard.

[hybrid sable]

And if we have to dig in, we need to find a place that lets us circle the wagons around our logi trucks with at least a 1-distance buffer

[minor ibex]

That's going to have to be a fairly big space.^^; Of course we can also use buildings for cover and fortification for infantry that can dig into them. =w=

Currently drawing up the compass ring that's going to orbit the paw. I'm starting off from the top down so that I can scrunch and rotate it to fit the orbit afterwards. I'm testing out various color combinations to see what fits best before I start shifting it to its new location.^^;

[golden vector]

That’s a nice Chakram. But I think Xena wants it back. XD

[minor ibex]

First test of scrunching the circle to fit the orbit.

I'm honestly not used to this tool, but this isn't a bad first try I hope.^^;

I do plan to rework it so that it's more 3-dimensional. Pop out the texts and markers and give the disk a thickness. Maybe after doing that I can rework the color scheme for something better. =w=;

[ember oracle]

If you put like 6 of them interlocking, the paw in the middle floating and then we can all shout "BE NOT AFRAID" to the lumarans when yo uarrive

[minor ibex]

Oh my gosh... XD

[hybrid sable]

Needs more eyes

[minor ibex]

Hardest part about drawing this is that I'm constantly staring at this for minutes on end trying to figure out what to do next.^^;

[minor ibex]

Oh yeah, that's looking a whole lot better.^^

[sage frigate]

"Action stations, action stations. Set condition one throughout the ship. This Is Not a Drill."

[hybrid sable]

It's p r e t t y! Maybe a dark steel blue for the cardinal points?

Updated landing map from Atlas/Hammer

[twin talon]

I think the problem of multi turn plans is that too much is assumed, any enemy left after turn 1 will prioritize and potentially destroy our rushing logistics units, as well as that the need for a FOB is not something I really agree with. I think it's an important point to remember we have a large number of supplies that we carry with us, we need no long term area to organize, merely a place to repair/medic and also a FOB is a large player built structure potentially leading to some confusion. I think we're much better off keeping a mobile approach to logistics, falling back to our engineers and medics to rest and repair. It's why I think sapiens(Our LV) should have an engineer and not a medic in them because I think the light vehicles should be used more as an aggressive recon and being able to move to a safe place and repair quickly makes them much more formidable.

I also think a lot of your fears are not in the game, CRBN threats, Napalm and stinger teams are both not as dangerous as their real life counterparts and/or not in the game. This game favors overwhelming attacks because damage spreads, so the more players in the same area the safer it is for everyone and a flanking attack defeats all armour and defence. The game is more American than French essentially also your plan takes 3 turns to get in behind the NW flank which by that time things might have changed substantially. I think personally I'd do it something like this.

The lines indicate movement and the lightning bolts indicate evasive movement, The large arrows indicate direction of attack and lines along the edge of hexes to provide more info about facing. Black for 1st turn and red for second. I couldn't get a triangle in paint the way I wanted so the the unit with two arrows facing each other is the VTOL unit.

I think all of our IFV and infantry deploying into the starport with our friendlies on the bottom of 3216 getting what I presume is the +1 to attack, leaving behind razor and taking paws into the VTOL wings and moving with the LM and LV to damage share with them so that on turn 2 (the red lines) we can get into that building with high ground on it we'd tear that flank to shreds with a strong chance of only superficial damage and the fight would be at least close to ending on turn 2 instead of starting on turn 3.

I hope I don't come off as rude just enjoying the wargaming.

Obviously this is all under the idea of planning as if we would deploy next turn which isn't happening, but if we did I agree with the quickly collapsing on the NW flank but I also think as much as we can act as a Mechanized Assault group we're more equipped and interested in focusing on OBJ fighting an entire flank doesn't fall into that role and we're more suited to seeking out civilians and securing them across the city like what Mr blue is thinking of.

[twin talon]

I do think I'm much more offensively minded than you haha, it's a good plan but I think you and Pawel both probably disagree with me on the concept of the FOB that I mentioned earlier. Even then I think in all circumstances the starport itself is the best FOB, it's a high ground structure with friendlies in it that will be protected by reinforcements. I think it's also much more valuable to eliminate the hostile forces than medivac the civilians initially as it seems more pertinant to stop civilians dying than evacing them. I think your plan is pretty good but we do think very differently I'd probably do something like this

Leaving behind razor to pin the infantry unit on 3417 and taking paws into the VTOL group, then Evasive moving you and sapiens to do recon by fire with the VTOL group, both teams acting as a shield to cover the IFV's rear for their movement into 3516 where they would deploy their payload of infantry. This sets us up to either collapse back if the red skull icons are hostiles and secures the large group of buildings to our direct east. The VTOL group is set to spring a pincer in any direction. It's also important to note that getting into and out of a vehicle costs .5 movement I think only of the infantry so getting in and out of the IFV's takes a whole turn for infantry, The VTOL's want to land deploy infantry who then get into a building.

If the red skulls are hostiles escorting civilians or something else we prioritize the next turn for a collapse would look like this, with the red being turn 2 movement. Creating a large crossfire in 3414, 3415 and 3315. The VTOLS spending 1.5 movement to land twice getting their infantry into the two buildings on their path of movement to create the crossfires.

Or if we chose to move through and secure the area in 3816 and 17 something like this.

In both cases razor holds the starport with friendlies and the IFV's Infantry being able to hold the 2 large sets of buildings near them, in the second plan the wavy lines indicate possible choices of buildings they could secure as needed. I'm definitely open to criticism though haha

[hybrid sable]

@minor ibex Do we want to compete?

[ashen iris]

EH

I'VE MISSED A WHOLE ROUND

a couple whole rounds actually

I thought I'd be getting pinged for this?

[tired stirrup]

2 rounds, we're still in transit

[ashen iris]

o

I did remember signing up to be pinged though

[hybrid sable]

You are, but it's just been RP rounds so far. Nothing to actually do yet so we've been letting the non-insomniacs get their beauty sleep

[ashen iris]

I am an insomniac though...

just busy since last week was exam season

[stable pine]

If you mean the role, that's only used for big campaign announcements, not for individual campaign rounds

[hybrid sable]

Nah, we have an individual "can we ping you" opt-in on our roster sheet

[tired stirrup]

Fair enough, ultimately it's your design and I think it looks great, but, I've found "It looks great!" isn't really constructive feedback. I'm assuming the deeper prints like there in snow has the fox digging its toes in as it moves. While the shape of the foxes nails cause it to turn inwards as it digs into the medium. By no means am I an animal track expert, I just happen to live in a part of the country where we get wolves, cougar, bear etc. and take a passing interest in tracks.

[tired stirrup]

Personally if we were playing like, Starcraft/Warhammer/Total War or whichever RTS/TBS game best fit the bill here where I was in sole command of Pathfinders I'd be doing things differently. I'd watch what Storm, Atlas, and Hammer end up doing (which is what I'm still doing right now anyway), drop in in formation behind whichever flank still had fighting and push that flank until we won the fight. Then clean up opposition, set up a force to hold the Starport (at least long enough to get back in time were it to be attacked) and move on. But, that plan would have units sitting on the sidelines, as well as casualties on my end being acceptable losses. They were my units and the players behind the individual units wouldn't be a consideration, versus here I'm trying to have everyone in the BG active in some manner before we move on. While also keeping risk to a minimum by staying relatively close to each other, because there's nothing worse than dying in a 1 life match during the first few minutes of a game that goes 30 minutes so to speak. I'm in favor of sticking to the east 1/3rd of the map because I feel like there is a want in the BG to be one of the first BG's into Cross Roads and moving into Nerys Village with the vanguard rather than being in the rear ranks. if we go anywhere onto the west half we're either leaving units behind or adding a lot of travel time.

I'm just really not sure which direction I need to be pointed based on what everyone else wants to do

[twin talon]

I mean this is all theory crafting at the moment, but I can definitely understand the thinking and it is certainly a true and commendable point that I absolutely aggre with, the members of this BG aren't a group of npc's to be commanded. Having said that I think there's a fallacy in logic that being defensive is always the least dangerous option, while in the moment to moment risks may be higher offensive strategies put you in control of your surroundings. I think in the world where we alone land first there's merit to destroying the NW attack on the starport and if we landed first we would have some duty to ensure others could land behind us. I think in the world where we land with others the NE is more our wheelhouse than duking it out in the NW. At the end of the day it is a larger topic of conversation, when we land do we focus on rescuing civvies or diving into the crossroads ? Either way thinking on how to deal with our NE and what kind of formation of movement to accomplish that is worthwhile.

[zenith notch]

The general idea behind my plan was precisely to avoid frontal combarm assaults into a swarm of foes, but rather make our way behind enemy lines and strike them from behind while they would remain preoccupied with fighting somebody else, and smash the enemy rear (supply lines, non-combat units, flak/SAM/artillery) on our way there. Simultaneously, I would use heliborne units to first establish the dug-in base where our own rear echelon could survive, and then send them on aggressive reconnaissance in the NW, dropping infantry here and there and further stirring up enemy rear echelon, also starting to work towards our way out of town.

I also very much don't like the look of those contacts presumably entrenched in a blue building right west of the LZ, especially when we do not have the range advantage. Back on Titan, my unit the 33rd Akallese defended for quite a few turns in such a building, so I know a thing or two how tough of a nut to crack that may be.

[twin talon]

I mean maybe it's just difference in doctrinal thought, but personally I don't understand the idea behind the establishment of the fob, there's no base stronger than not deploying out of the cargo hold in the starport, what's more your already in high ground and a defensive position in the starport. The 20 infantry FS of the NW are already in range, with a +1 to attack it's a minimum 10 taken out for the five deployed there in my plan, on average they all get taken out with the VTOLS ready to drop another five in the same situation further, even if that line of unknown contacts is entrenched in the buildings they have no high ground and thus lose the engagement. To establish the FOB you have to risk your backline, string out engagements only to be less secure and fight later from a weaker point it feels. I'd rather clear the enemy and seize a point around the best possible base, the starport. In the end it's all just wargaming and thinking on how to move as a BG.

It also would be much easier if airborne units could see anything but VTOLS are dedicated to acting as support which is frustrating.

[hybrid sable]

Advantage of the "FOB" is that it turns our infantry into MBTs (except lacking the armor pen), so we can maximize our damage potential by bringing all of our guns to bear

With a more aggressive strategy we're cutting both our firepower and targetable units in half: unless you can wipe out half the enemy force in a turn, the numbers don't work out

[zenith notch]

The starport will probably be shelled and bombed by the enemy, as it seems to be the final redoubt for the indigenous forces.

[twin talon]

how ? if your talking about dug in you can do that anywhere ? and it takes 3 turns of successive arty fire to reduce that, we're talking about the plan not the building plus you only need the current starport for 1 or 2 turns AND if you don't deploy out of the cargo hold you are at the least amount of risk.

[hybrid sable]

You can do that anywhere if you use an entire turn to dig in and erect sandbags where you want to hold from, which is what we (or at least I) am talking about when establishing a base. Which doesn't work well under fire: you'll lose inf and engineers for nothing while you do it. You can't separate the plan from the work needed to set it up. If you don't deploy from the cargo hold, you can't fire back at all, which is the worst of all possible worlds.

[twin talon]

I think there is a miscommunication here

The discussion about a fob was related to this post, #1383066264485888120 message, Pawel came up with an interesting wargame about a three turn plan that involved clearing an area that they designated as a FOB ending in a rear strike on the NW push by the bots on the starport. The FOB is not the building but the idea, the unit's not deploying from the cargo hold are rear line units like engineers and medics not infantry. The aggressive strategy was my take on the goal of doing the same thing and I'm just somewhat more aggressive I think than Pawel and Mr blue so my natural inclination was a little different, here #1383066264485888120 message

You can dig in the starport, turn 2 which would be the earliest possible point you can dig in anywher, the push from the bots in NW are 20FS of something (maybe they're PA) if they're Infantry you can absolutely take them out in one round. If not a flank is even more useful and at no point do you have to split your firepower though I think splitting the group is certainly a reasonable thing to do and that's not why I had a different perspective on pawel's gametheory. though in this instance my battleplan had the unit much closer together.

I do think it's cool seeing how everyone would approach these problems.

[tired stirrup]

If it all goes according to the plan I'm seeing formed by Atlas, Storm, and Hammer, next turn '2919' will be a known entity. If the enemy has artillery to shell the spaceport, I think it will be there. Vulture is also going to be dealt with so we won't have to worry about hostile orbital/air support for long.

[tired stirrup]

Yeah for sure! I don't mean an actual F.o.B., just sandbags->trenches for some of our inf to hold good choke points and protect like, the engi's, medic's, logi's, while we conduct operations in the city/have a central gathering point.

[tired stirrup]

I like the idea of having to make the bots chose between us or the spaceport, or splitting forces rather than having the spaceport be a really juicy target.

If we have to, and I think we do, split forces to accomplish objectives in a timely manner I would rather we not split more than a turn away. That way we can still support one another if we run into anything nasty, and also with the idea that we wont spend much time away from the rest of the BG so we bring our full force to every fight.

[twin talon]

I think there is definitely a value to splitting forces even aggressively, but the strength of our player side vs the bots is definitely our cohesion which is something I tried to do with every battleplan. I think it'll be interesting to see how it all works out in actuality. we'll definitely get a chance to do so if things go the way they are.

[minor ibex]

I’ve already submitted our initial movement to get to Lussan.

#1386030427130564769 message

Though in terms of deployment, I’d say we should hang back and let the assault battlegroups go first. But we can still drop in ahead of the logi groups.

[hybrid sable]

!

[stable pine]

Speed 1 for y'all

[gray lagoon]

https://tenor.com/view/vegeta-gif-20550641

[ember oracle]

https://tenor.com/view/gawr-gura-good-night-nerds-shark-gif-5369924262357660688

[warped dagger]

Pathfinders, you have a chance still

[hybrid sable]

@sterile basalt! @golden vector! You're our only hope!

[golden vector]

BY OUR TOOLS COMBINED!

[granite wasp]

rip us

[low wagon]

I’ll carry the supplies to help ya, Blossom knows a thing or two about nonstandard parts XD

[golden vector]

ENGINEERS ASSEMBLE!

https://tenor.com/view/tf2-tf2engineer-engineer-tf2-tf2engineer-dance-tf2dance-engineer-gif-25763505

[sterile basalt]

Let's do this.

[low wagon]

Heads up, the bots seem to be converting civilians - if we extract civilians we may need to be careful about those that are actually controlled by the boys

[sterile basalt]

Hopefully the converts still look like bots...

[sage frigate]

There's a secondary consideration too. In the unlikely event that the enemy breaks through, a line of defense would also allow any BGs to at least have something to fall back to, and not cause the battle line to collapse.

[sage frigate]

https://tenor.com/view/doctorwho-petercapaldi-twelve-cybermen-sad-gif-5129642

[torpid herald]

Just got all up to date. Who forgot to check the oil before we left?

[pseudo cape]

dreams of STORM being able to do things they shouldn't be able to wing

[pseudo cape]

STORM is probably going to go after the Strategic Level Missile emplacements if possible.

[pseudo cape]

again, the ground situation is rapidly changing, will update when Shack gets it out to us.

[pseudo cape]

100% about the doctrine differences.

STORM merely needs to hold defensively until we get reinforcements, so we have a defensive posture.
The other BGs, on the other hand, will want to be in the action.

[pseudo cape]

again, you are several rounds out, ground situaiton is rapidly changing, make contingencies, yes, but don't plan based on enemy positions quite yet.

[pseudo cape]

Yeah, my transmission will mean there will be some focus on it, but we need to hold onto it. ENGIs can hopefully keep it running.

[pseudo cape]

*three arty attacks, they can stack.

[sage frigate]

Yup, ok. But will still be good to set a fallback position just in case.

[ashen crystal]

Hopefully we don’t get swatted in orbit by reinforcing bots before we get to the ground. If we somehow are I will be very upset

[ember oracle]

aaaau you'll be fine. :3

[minor ibex]

On a side-note. I'd like to share with the Battlegroup that I had wanted to create an audio briefing for everyone that takes place before we exited Altspace. But because school has been my main focus for the past couple of weeks, I've yet to actually complete it. I got raw audio to work with, but haven't put it all together yet.^^;

So that'll have to come up later, and I apologize for the lateness considering how far we're already moving past the point it's suppose to take place in the timeline.^^;

[hybrid sable]

Oh, just a little bit of temporal distortion from the rough transition. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about

[sage frigate]

Well we still got three turns minimum till we make landfall, so.

[minor ibex]

I can at least clip off a sneak previous of what I'm holding on to. =w=

[gray lagoon]

Don't forget the Pathfinders Official War-cry™ in there!

[minor ibex]

Yeah, still needs a little bit of work. Hang on a sec... swipes audio file and tweeks it before putting it back There we go!^^

[torpid herald]

A very good start

[gray lagoon]

CHIRP A DEE SQUEEE !

[sterile basalt]

This is a sonorous war-cry…
From a very angry Mutalette

[woeful nimbus]

Do we know if we can launch VTOLS from these NPC vessels?

[hybrid sable]

Cannot

have to unload at a spaceport

[woeful nimbus]

Ahhh ok that ruins my idea no worries

[hybrid sable]

But I still want to hear your idea

[woeful nimbus]

Was going to see if we could dock on the exterior of the hull and use our thrusters to assist in speeding up

[hybrid sable]

Don't think that would fly, unfortunately

Petition to be serviced exclusively by the 95th aw

[ashen crystal]

We've had the first casualties of the campaign

[ashen crystal]

I am not understanding the reactions here

[hybrid sable]

the casualty was EGG

[ashen crystal]

Oh

Brain’t

[restive compass]

EGG got shot down running the blockade

Has our plan changed considering the fact our infantry is getting hammered?

[ashen crystal]

I think the bots have an armor value of 1 given how some fire appears to be ineffective

We probably aren’t going to be the best for standing and fighting but we already knew that. Maybe coordinate to start setting up a larger base of operations around the Star port and set up security while other teams push out?

[granite wasp]

That’s handy

[stable pine]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1333vysK6k-euW2G1jaPBhTvQC_f0wh-MqvA8l3LSi-Q/edit?gid=0#gid=0

[granite wasp]

and yea I agree given there armor 1 we will need to be careful how we engage. But given there max damage is 4 for inf at least. Diging in could be a great way to buy time for a larger force. If we ever need to skirmish. It also makes it a lot safer scouting knowing that running into one individual unit can only do 4 damage and not 6.

[hybrid sable]

I recommend pushing out with the IFVs and LM first to give room for our inf to dig in and our engis to set up sandbags, if we try to hold somewhere. Then they can pull to the backlines for repair. Depends how things go: this is nasty.

At least it's probably confirmed that those bothead symbols were drop locations

And flanking with vtol-dropped inf may be effective

[granite wasp]

Key thing is flanking with vtol. If they dont they are pretty much worthless without wepon upgrades.

[hybrid sable]

Aerospace can't flank anything

But we do have a 50% chance to do one damage

[granite wasp]

oh thats a bummer.

[hybrid sable]

Eh, it's what we get for being so awesome. Blindingly awesome.

[ashen crystal]

I have a 1d2 gun, a 50/50 shot to do damage. I’d likely be best for running supplies instead of supplementing fire

[restive compass]

Man I hate this, seeing our battle brothers get mowed down by advancing columns of steel.

I have a very rough estimate of how many casualties we've taken, but it's still too high.

[ashen crystal]

At least 3 infantry type units and two VTOLs

[stable pine]

2 inf units and 2 VTOLs were lost

[ashen crystal]

The one in space was still carrying their infantry I believe, unless it was just supplies

[restive compass]

[stable pine]

Incorrect. It was empty. Storm had the empty VTOLs at the front.

[restive compass]

~ 20 FS dead
~20 FS wounded

Sleep well ARMCO goons, sleep well.

[sterile basalt]

Likely bot reinforcement convoy in the south, potentially heavy weapons. They’ve moved 1 speed towards us rather than away.

Have we ever seen a bot actually use cover? From what I’ve seen, they’re not using the LOS blockers or terrain to their advantage.

Red skulls also seem to just be unknown bot signatures. Perhaps bot drop pod locations based on the flavour text of the constant bot drop pods.

I think the units in 3018 either mechs or infantry, tanks and IFVs just don’t take cover like that.

I’m also tempted to say they’re friendly as they’re out of position to be bots and I haven’t seen bots take advantage of any LOS blockers.

[hybrid sable]

Agree on 3018. Unknown pair in 3015 probably bots attacking the row of houses

[sterile basalt]

I’m also noticing the unknowns around 3616 and 3816 haven’t moved this round. Might be hunkering civvies or occupying bots.

[hybrid sable]

red skulls basically confirmed incoming drop pod locations. None on the current stratmap that I can see, though, so possibly every other round?

How about the paired units along the western edge of the 38xx line? I'd say bot squads

The southern contact in 3528 is also bigger now? Unless I misremember
Edit: I do not misremember

[sterile basalt]

I think those bots are converging on a friendly in 3718. There were 4 bot squads that were spread out that have now converged on that single unknown.

Maybe its a collection point… a bot squad went in, did something and then left, we can see that from the red trail on the map.

[hybrid sable]

Ooh, you're right. Can't tell if it's a close-quarters fight, concentration camp, or doubled enemy squad though

[sterile basalt]

I think most of the stationary unknowns are likely friendly. The bots are all either b lining for us or taking out civvies. They’re not just going to sit on their lonesome.

[hybrid sable]

Agree. But, to but super careful, here's my estimate of confirmed hostile and friendly unknowns (friendly being blue, hostile being red):

[sage frigate]

3520 looks like hostile forces entering from 3420 and is now in "melee" range of a civilian force, I think.

Also given the size now on what looks to be two units stacked on top one another, on 3520, 3715 may very well be a lot of civs stuck in cells.

[minor ibex]

Now that we're on the map. I've drawn out a possible route our transport could potentially navigate while we try to get ourselves out of the danger zone at the Lussan Gate. What do you all think?

Engineers Rapscal and Beaver will try to repair the ship's engines, while all the infantry units support however they can, and the medics provide first aid for any injuries that may come about.

We're currently running at speed 1 in a combat zone. So the intent is to move from Hex 4018 to Hex 4118. I expect Victoria and the others to start moving forward to engage the rest of the enemy ships, so I want to use them as a buffer between the bad guys and us as we make our way around to the edge of the map.

I'd like to make sure there isn't any issues of us taking this route before I comit to it on behalf of the entire group.

[hybrid sable]

The Lussan tacmap is going away next round: the only self-supporting enemy (the frigate) is fleeing for Nav-W-1 (confirmed by comms intercept)

[minor ibex]

Still, this is to make sure that if something funny happens, Shack at least knows which direction to take us rather than just going forward.

[hybrid sable]

Yeah, fair. Honestly I'd prefer to go west, then: the rest of the fleet will be between us and the wreck of the BC, and any enemies will almost certainly be coming from the northern or eastern map borders

[minor ibex]

I suppose, but I think most of the transports will be faster than us, so we'll end up being left out in the open with nothing between us and the enemy. There will be a big gap between the faster transports, and the attacking Victoria fleet.

[hybrid sable]

Victorum, Ultra, and Dwarf Fortress are all also stuck at 1 speed: I think we'll be fine taking cover behind them

Unless Victorum burns an LS I suppose

[minor ibex]

Which means going East to make sure we're behind Victoria.

[hybrid sable]

But not in relation to the most concerning active map border, since the east is unscouted. Anyway, them's my thoughts: other people should weigh in

[minor ibex]

I'll keep it in consideration then and wait for the others to jump in as well.

Thanks. =w=

[granite wasp]

is anyone doong the optional speed 1 job?

[minor ibex]

What optional speed 1 job?

[onyx jewel]

Yeah we were just talking about how perfect this side objective would be for Pathfinder in metaChat

You could literally find all of the paths lol

[minor ibex]

It does sound enticing.

[onyx jewel]

That was your mission objective right?

[minor ibex]

No. Our mission objective was originally Nerys Village. But our battlegroup general attitude was to identify and complete objectives that most people aren't going to do.

[onyx jewel]

Oh

Well the only other people that can do this objective is dwarf fortress and ultra. I doubt dwarf fortress is going to because they were planning to take the mine and they're working with another battle group so they probably aren't going to want to split up. I would pop in ultra to see if they're doing it. Or at least I'm going to

[hybrid sable]

No word yet. It's been mentioned, but no response

Ultra is slightly heavier than us, and a bit more defensive capability with their LMs, but it doesn't sound like this will require an armored force (never trust the intel)

[minor ibex]

Our job is to investigate the unknown. That's part of our group's attitude. =w=

Sorry, restarting to make it more clear.^^;

[hybrid sable]

might want to ping 144M11, blob, lightfall, moth, and sklbus? Make sure they see this and also know it's going to be orders time? Mys too, but they didn't consent to pings

[onyx jewel]

I would also like to say that it's a listening post so you're most likely going to be able to scan different parts of the planet because of this

[minor ibex]

Which is definitelly good for us.^^

[hybrid sable]

Finding the path... from ORBIT!

[minor ibex]

This probably applies to everybody. Chances are the astroid is big enough for even vehicles to drive on it.

[hybrid sable]

Yeah, but I think I've seen everyone else in the last couple days (plus blobl, who then asked for pings)

[minor ibex]

Alright. I'll send out a ping for the group then after I get a break from my lecture. =w=

[sterile basalt]

Looks like a job for us.

[ember oracle]

Are you sure you want that poll to be 24 hours SOuthpaw? Orders are due in less then that.

[minor ibex]

Orders are due by Thursday.
#1386030427130564769 message

[stable pine]

It's Sundays and Wednesdays

[sterile basalt]

Wait, do we need to avoid fixing our ship?

[stable pine]

Tomorrow 6 PM Eastern, 11 BST

[minor ibex]

No, we can still do it as we travel.

[minor ibex]

I can't make the poll smaller. But I can close it early if there's enough numbers.

[granite wasp]

sorry for not responding Southpaw had company come over. Thanks for clarifying what i was talking avout gabagaabgoo

also I am in favor of doing the side objective. It is a detour but its also kinda of our thing. As others have said.

[minor ibex]

@dense wind @stuck galleon @sterile basalt @ashen iris @low wagon @tired stirrup
(I am spreading out the pings, as ARMCO has very strict limitations on how many can be pinged...)

Greetings everyone. I'm sending out a post to check on a poll that's just been put up, and I'm sorry but it's a very short window to complete. 😦

Side-quest objective: #midround-events message

Basically, a new side-quest has just opened up for battlegroups with Speed 1 on their transports (including us). There is a listening station nearby on an asteroid that someone can investigate.

Seeing as part of our job is to complete objectives that most people would not be interested, and it's our job to investigate the unknown. This could very well be right up the Pathfinder's alley.

The listening post is located on an asteroid, so it's possible every unit can operate on it, and if we're lucky, it might even get us a better eyes on the enemy and their movements.

POLL HERE IN LINK: (Do we take on the quest, or do we leave it be?)
#1383066264485888120 message
I'll close out the poll as I also close out the Orders for this current turn.

@hybrid sable @torpid herald @sharp stag @granite wasp @twin talon @inner harbor

@round nexus @golden vector @woeful nimbus @restive compass @copper lynx @regal coral @zenith notch

[twin talon]

I say yes we should do it, maybe some action and the info could be handy and we're set to be able to handle pretty much anything short of an orbital or something similar.

[torpid herald]

Absolutely, this fits our doctrine and gets us in action sooner. Not sure if its specified, but I imagine anything federal has hallways big enough for vehicles too, lol

[hybrid sable]

Please vote! The poll is just a couple scrolls up!

[torpid herald]

I did

Just also specifying why

[round nexus]

FIND THE PATTTHHHH

also doi i have to do anyhting

or like

can i js chill

[hybrid sable]

Ah, sorry, don't see you in the results yet 😅
I'm also in favor. Ultra is also voting whether they're interested, so far similarly in favor, but they're heavy and slow. I think it'll be important to get in fast and grab it

[round nexus]

im a lil logi truck

[minor ibex]

For now. Just chill while we work on getting everyone on the map. =w=

[round nexus]

got it thanks Southpaw!

[sage frigate]

Wait, did I not sign up to be pinged?

[minor ibex]

Nope. Did I accidently ping you?

[sage frigate]

No, lol. I need to pinged just in case I forgot. XD

[minor ibex]

Alright. I'll tick your box for you.^^

[sage frigate]

Thanks.

[minor ibex]

All set. You're welcome. =w=

[golden vector]

Pong

[hybrid sable]

Counting HardShell, who I still don't see in the results, we have hit majority for investigating the listening post

[copper lynx]

Voted

Now back to hibernation, I like to sleep as how cat like their sleep

[sterile basalt]

So in the sun?

[hybrid sable]

On a heat vent?

[copper lynx]

Well in this case

In engine bay

Speed 1 overheating engine seems like good place to sleep

[minor ibex]

RP POST:

Commander Southpaw: "So that's where Milo slunk off to... Milo! Get back here! Let the engineers work and stay out of the engine room!"

[torpid herald]

RP"

one of the Hardshells passes you on the way out with a tray of canteen cups with iced beverages for the Engineers

[copper lynx]

RP POST:

lot of engineers found Shizuki lying down on top of the engine with papers on hand, no one had questions why she there though because they busy maintaining the engine

[sterile basalt]

RP:

Walks by.
Free mobile table. Nice.

[gloomy merlin]

Pathfinders, BG7 here. Are y'all set on heading towards the Fed Listening Station? Most of the folks in Ultra are good to head that way as well. I know we are a little more heavy than y'all are with our handful of mechs and IFVs, but we are good with whatever.

[copper lynx]

@minor ibex (need thou input)

[sage frigate]

Quick question, what's the force make up for Ultra?

[hybrid sable]

Mostly infantry and LMs, a couple MBTs, like 3-4 IFV, 2 engi and medi

[minor ibex]

We currently have a poll going on right now to weigh in on it. I made sure everyone got pinged for it (who don't mind being pinged)
#1383066264485888120 message

Right now it's above the halfway of everybody weighing in. But so far it's looking to be a unanimous agreement to go check this listening post out.

I want to be funny and say "No, go away! This is our side-quest! You can't have it! Hisssss~!" But in truth, having a bouncer coming along with us would be much appreciated incase we bump into any... undesirables there... =w=;

[golden vector]

https://tenor.com/view/high-five-patrick-star-spongebob-squarepants-the-patrick-star-show-yes-gif-17264988666080846796

[low wagon]

If Ultra's willing then sure, let's both hit the listening post. We have no intel on that area so we should probably play it safe and team up for the extra numbers.

Our total numbers if combined will be:

• 17 Infantry (1 Special Forces, 1 with Melee, AT and AA Missiles)
• 4 Medics
• 4 Engineers (1 with Ion Mines)
• 7 Light Mechs
• 1 Light Vehicle
• 6 IFVs
• 2 MBTs
• 3 Logi Trucks (1 HET)
• 5 VTOLs (1 with Smoke Launcher)

Should be enough to safely take the listening post, without removing too much strength from the frontlines.

[devout wharf]

its up to my bg

[low wagon]

Ay, of course -w- If you decide to head for the listening post too, Pathfinders will appreciate the support :D

[devout wharf]

the vote goes on til the morrow

[hybrid sable]

Since we'd be limited to 1 speed as a group (strategically: we can leapfrog with our VTOLS if we clear a path on the TacMap), we might want to declare that all our logi trucks are hauling full supply at the start: we can dump it later if we need a group to rush ahead

[minor ibex]

Depending on how late I wake up, the vote and orders will close either on time, or 3 hours late.^^; Luckily it's still plenty of time for people.... I hope.^^;

[low wagon]

Remember that our VTOLs can't deploy from the ship, so we need to hope the listening post has a place where we can deploy aircraft if we want to leapfrog.

Otherwise, I'm fine with declaring full supplies yeah. Should we make the change Southpaw?

[minor ibex]

I've already given my vote in favor for the side-quest.^^ I haven't submitted our order yet, so there's still plenty of time to change and adjust before submission. =w=

[hybrid sable]

I assume there's some sort of dock for fed ships to transfer personnel and cargo: it should be fine
but if not, it makes supply even more important

[low wagon]

Got it. I'll repost my order with max supplies onboard, if that's alright with ya.

[minor ibex]

I suppose. But remember that if we're able to deploy with our everything, we'll need our planned formation.

At present, it doesn't matter because we're still in space for another turn. But once we see what's going on with this new location, we can figure things out from there in terms of deployment. =w=

[low wagon]

Fair enough yeah - I'll wait till we figure out what the listening post is like, then change if needed. Just thought we might want the extra supplies if we're not moving anywhere fast.

[minor ibex]

We'll see. If the place isn't that big. Maybe running on foot wouldn't be such a bad idea for extra supplies.^^

[hybrid sable]

Only applies if we're planning to stick with Ultra while moving, too: otherwise we're fine for speed 2 and our planned formation

Placeholder for anyone dealing with timezones: we have an ongoing poll about diverting to the secret listening outpost 1 strategic node away
https://discordapp.com/channels/222052888531173386/1383066264485888120/1389783739835351050

[gloomy merlin]

Valid. Our poll looks very similar to yours, no objections to heading that way. The more the merrier? And it wouldn’t be the first (or the last) time I’ve been hissed at!

[minor ibex]

Good enough for me.^^ We'll be your scouts, while you be our guns.

Just be sure that whatever we find, you shoot over our heads. Not through our heads. =w=; (say's the 3.5 foot tall fox...)

[gloomy merlin]

Sorry for the delay. Mostly Inf, 2 engis, 2 medics, a handful of mechs, couple mbts and a few IFVs. And a VTOL and Heavy Logi truck. Dont have the exact numbers available at the moment, but I believe Kaebuki got it right

[gloomy merlin]

I personally won’t be doing any shooting, but I will pass on the word and make sure folks get the healing they need!

[minor ibex]

I'll pass on our medical schematics if it helps.^^

Commander Southpaw: "Just remember that just because I have a fox mutation, doesn't mean I need a veterinarian to tend to my wounds. And don't even think about castration. I got enough scars as is..."

Don't mind him. He's happy for the extra firepower, even if he refuses to admit it.^^;

[gloomy merlin]

Hope you like purple bandaids!

[minor ibex]

I feel like that's a Purple Heart reference, and I like it.^^

Southpaw: "Hah! Funny..."

[gloomy merlin]

No, Ultra voted. We only received purple bandaids. It fits our patch.

[minor ibex]

Ah very nice.^^

[ashen iris]

I love how the vote is currently

unanimous

[minor ibex]

SHUSH~! grabs the blob Don't you know the golden rule? Never tempt fate.^^;

XD I'm joking of course. But yes, I'm happy the vote is currently unanimous, and it's already well past the halfway point for everyone in the group. 17 out of 23 units.

I think I'll take a minute to adjust our map plans. Odds say we have a new heading.^^

[ashen iris]

I don't think you wawnt to grab the blobs

considering we're... blobs

[minor ibex]

True. =w= Similar case to a slime cube I take it?

[ashen iris]

no we're more like

large scale amoeba

we don't have any solid shape (which is why we're non combatants)

(can't really hold guns that well)

[minor ibex]

We're not going to have a Tribble situation on our paws, are we? =w=;

[hushed eagle]

Please don’t say it’s called bubble

[ashen iris]

what's called bubble

[hushed eagle]

The amoeba

[ashen iris]

no they don't have names individually

why would they, they're all me

[hushed eagle]

Ah okay then

[ashen iris]

we're a hive mind!!

[minor ibex]

Now I'm suddenly wondering if there'll end up being a company with an uncountable number of adorable species that can rival the Mutaletts in my company?^^;

[hushed eagle]

Probably

[ashen iris]

depends on how many blobs I'm allowed to run -w-

[hushed eagle]

Anyhow South, how many people took up your support programme?
Or was it only Frenchboi?

[minor ibex]

It's not open yet. I only used Frenchboi as a test name for the document as I was making it. It's still unfinished, and has been shelved until this Mega game has been concluded. Or I get more freetime in a few weeks to focus on completing it.^^;

[hushed eagle]

Fair

[minor ibex]

Also, hi Zenok. Have you managed to pester anybody else about tunnel locations yet?^^

Joking, but it's good to see you again.^^

[hushed eagle]

Not yet…

But the Cell’dar mines are calling

It is nice to see ya again :p

[minor ibex]

Squee.^^

I can already imagine Southpaw wincing away from the radio as he hears you salivating over the comms channels for those mines.^^

[hushed eagle]

Prob

Mal is currently more intrigued by the bots themselves

Since unless ya missed it it is being theorised (or assumed) that all the robots contain biological components (organs I think)

[minor ibex]

I heard about the possible borg theory. It's still unknown what they're doing with the captured civilians. But the fact that there were lifesigns on the Terminator ship is very troubling indeed... Pity we weren't able to capture and board it to see what's going on.

[hushed eagle]

I mean PEDRO61 came up with the idea using the fact that biological corpses (local security teams) haven’t despawned

Btw I mean corpses for what seem to be entirely dead units

[minor ibex]

Yeah, I get you. That's actually news to me, though not entirely surprising since that's been the case for the games I've been apart of since joining. I can even attest to this in my own game you were apart of.

[hushed eagle]

Anyhow, I ain’t hopeful after seeing most of our infantry get shred like they’re paper

[ashen iris]

oh dear

[minor ibex]

Hopefully we'll be able to shed some light on this mystery after my battlegroup and Ultra investigate that listening post.

[hushed eagle]

Although in terms of squads those that got shred were outnumbered usually
We lost about 29 FS worth in the entire fight
Due to this we are kinda considering moving the MBT to actually do the job of tanking

But yeah, hope your expedition goes well to see that

I’m more or less stuck in the starport for now

[minor ibex]

We'll get our chances soon enough. I'm sure.^^

[hushed eagle]

._. hopefully

[minor ibex]

encouragement bap~!

[hushed eagle]

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1044030099009314849/1162006236686991420/f6549935-3eab-4824-a9f7-03974d3e651c.gif

[sage frigate]

Unanimous!? For that, I'LL OPPOSE!

[copper lynx]

Wait is there even a human in this battlegroup?

Huh

[sage frigate]

Yee, Nothing is human.

[ashen iris]

blobs are friend to all regardless

except the green people

they tried to eat blobs

blobs not very happy about being eaten

[sterile basalt]

Duct Tape Team is human…. I think. Even if their callsign's Beaver.

[low wagon]

Blossom here is human, yes -w-

[woeful nimbus]

My VTOL is crewed by humans

[minor ibex]

I swear this was not intentional when I made the Pathfinders Initiative.^^;

All I said was "squee" and everybody just flocked over to here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15XuX-Yl_oo

XD

[sterile basalt]

I came for scouting.

w<
-# maybe also Ace Combat style briefings

[minor ibex]

I'm working on it~! distress fox noises

[sterile basalt]

No stress. Bad stress, bad!

[copper lynx]

RP POST:

a letter delivered to the engine bay with designated receiver named Shizuki, feeling like it's an important letter one of the engineers take the letter from the deliveryman and started to climb the engine.

Engineer: "here letter for you, seems like it's important to you so catch"

The engineer throw it and Shizuki catch it with just two fingers, she opened the letter and read the content

Shizuki: "...what a bad day to rain"

Engineer: "but we're in space?"

Shizuki: "it just a catchphrase of sadness. My cousin died, she still young as well... leave me alone I need time to sort things out"

Engineer: "my condolences"

The engineer leave her to sort own thoughts

My irl cousin just died

So I wanted to leave reminder for myself in this campaign that I have family I left behind

Gn

[sterile basalt]

that’s… i don’t know what to say really. Sorry for your loss. I wish you well I suppose. Stay safe out there.
-# I really am crap at this whole comforting thing…

[ashen crystal]

Should we go for the rock? Our job was going to be support and secondary objectives

[copper lynx]

Vote for it then

[copper lynx]

.

[sterile basalt]

Good ol’ sleep procrastination. Gotta love it.

[copper lynx]

I call it hibernation

[hybrid sable]

I'm so sorry, Shizuki! Eat berries and curl up in a nest for a while!

[gray lagoon]

#1385617845831995402 message @minor ibex Squee >w<

[hybrid sable]

Squee! ^w^

[hushed eagle]

Squeee XD

[gray lagoon]

Gawd damn mutalett

won't lie if the orbital doesn't get taken down i have no idea how i'm introducing warmongerer back in the tank 🤣

[hushed eagle]

Tbh my first interaction personally with a mutalett was hiring a logi person to dig tunnels in Routine Supply Run to try and find a non-existent tunnel network
-# And I think Southpaw isn’t entirely happy I did that

[tired stirrup]

right now we're much slower than most and the rock is fairly close

plus its a chance for intel

[hybrid sable]

Real glad we're not dealing with the nightmare that is deploying from shippboard into an active combat zone yet. My gawd.

[gray lagoon]

https://tenor.com/view/parks-and-rec-ron-swanson-screaming-scream-screams-gif-21763857

[gray lagoon]

claps in unanimous voting

[hybrid sable]

Shouldn't you be asleep french? 🤨

[minor ibex]

As hilarious as that is... Seems somebody forgot that the program doesn't start until after this mega game has finished. =w=;

Oh well. I'll leave it as is. Have fun Warmongerer! Try to stay safe. =w=

[sterile basalt]

Hopefully we don’t die horribly before the program starts…

[minor ibex]

Good thing I got plot armor around just in case. =w=

[sterile basalt]

I’ve got contingencies for a full squad wipe. Hopefully they’ll survive or at least be in a situation where I can RP some of them surviving and joining a different team.

[minor ibex]

Best of luck to you.

[devout wharf]

@minor ibex we are moving with ur bg to secure the listening post

[hybrid sable]

Welcome friends! We will be your eyes and ears, because not all of you have proper whiskers!

[minor ibex]

GLOMP~! Thank you~! Welcome aboard and happy to have you come along!^^

[minor ibex]

Orders have been sent. We're all set to check out that mysterious listening post. Looking forward to seeing what's ahead of us.

[gray lagoon]

I am ! :)

Or, I was, I guess.

[gray lagoon]

We had a good bit of roleplay about all this, i'm considering this to be maybe the beta test or whatever you wanna call it of the program 👀

Squeeee warmongerer, squeee away !

[minor ibex]

Yeah, and if you recall what Westwing said: "Wait a little longer Jean. We'll pass your order through first when we get back."

By "getting back" I meant back from this mega game in the Lumara system.

But whatever. I'll roll with it along with you and say it's a beta test. After all, I am using your name to test out my document. =w=;

[hushed eagle]

I hope that Warmonger enjoys the tank
=_=

[minor ibex]

You mean Warmongerer? Yeah, I'm sure he'll have a lot of fun riding along. =w=

[hushed eagle]

I get names mixed up-

You should know with how wacky my ship names are

[minor ibex]

It's not just your ships, your entire lore has some interesting naming conventions. =w=

[gray lagoon]

OH. 🤣

I thought you meant like get back from some small reunion or something

oops xD

[gray lagoon]

Oh yeah he will ! >w<

I've even got some ideas as to roleplay 👀

[gray lagoon]

Maybe we could say it's like some administrative error, like southpaw wanting to chime in, or just papers getting confused or something, maybe 🤔

[minor ibex]

It's fine. I can easily say Warmongerer got too excited and decided to sneak off to his "new job" early behind everyone's backs, even Westwing would be surprised. =w=

[hushed eagle]

Mutaletts* are easily excited it seems

[gray lagoon]

And the tank crew would be non the wiser 🤣

Warmongerer is a real go-getter it seems lol

Warmongerer seems more then hype by this. Seems he's got a knack for guns, meanwhile, I got a mutalett problem.

[hushed eagle]

Tbh Mal doesn’t really trust mutaletts to not get in danger enough to even consider your offer

[gray lagoon]

Warmongerer's about to get stars in his eyes when we're gonna fire the cannon

[hushed eagle]

No he will be firing the cannon
:p

[gray lagoon]

I had this idea too, but shhhhh...

https://tenor.com/view/spoilers-pandorica-river-song-doctor-who-gif-18293417

[minor ibex]

Just be careful. I will be setting some ground rules for Mutaletts in roleplay when the signup sheet goes live.

In short, Mutaletts are incorruptible, and aside from a few outliers, do not crave the action of combat. Most actually scurry away in self-preservation if they find themselves in great danger. And outside of harmless pranks every now and then, they don't do anything harmful or malicious against others.

They're designed to be innocent good bois, not mischievous devils in a cute disguise.

[gray lagoon]

Oh.

...so you should have shot down my idea of warmongerer as soon as I mentionned it then 😅

I've kinda gone with the "cute but love guns" approach now lol

As it seemed like a fun twist.

And outside of harmless pranks every now and then, they don't do anything harmful or malicious against others.
Define "others" ? Like, would they not defend themselves against bots ? 🤔

[hushed eagle]

Hmmmm recalls the ending of Routine Supply Run so your laser guns back then were firing the equivalent of training rounds?

[gray lagoon]

I can maybe twist it so he's so hype by guns but didn't realize how combat was due to being, well, a child (mutalett), and thus gets scared & it gets back to your narrative of "cute and scared mutaletts" ?

[hushed eagle]

Actually they were adults

So I guess it doesn’t count much

[gray lagoon]

True.

I'm just wondering how to make this fun for me but still keep in southpaw's narrative idea so we're good 👀

[hushed eagle]

Try using ration pellets?

[minor ibex]

Warmongerer is one such outligher. He's more into the action and the equipment rather than the death and destruction itself. The romantics of it all I suppose. But he's not fully blind to death and destruction. He would mourn the loss of a person, and maybe even recognize the horrors of wars when things calm down.

Heck, maybe as he matures, he'll develop the idea of wanting to design weapons that reduce needless destruction. Using his knowledge and interest in order to save lives rather than destory them.

[gray lagoon]

Warmongerer is one such outligher. He's more into the action and the equipment rather than the death and destruction itself. The romantics of it all I suppose. But he's not fully blind to death and destruction. He would mourn the loss of a person, and maybe even recognize the horrors of wars when things calm down.

notes notes

So, not firing the cannon, but interested to see how the cannon reloads and fires !

That is good info

[minor ibex]

No, the ones that interrupted Zenok's attempts to stirp down the ship from the inside out were mutaletts. They're the only ones small enough to crawl through narrow spaces and pop out in unexpected places to point a taser gun at you.

Adult Mutimals have the live rounds and actually take their guard jobs more seriously, while Mutaletts have taser rounds that are non-life threatening. But they will leave you paralyzed long enough to be detained. They're also good enough to shut down robots if need be.

In the home turf of a mutimal ship, mutaletts can pop out from just about anywhere. Nobody is able to sneak around them. And if one is able to withstand tranqu rounds from a mutalett, then they call in the calvary to escalate the situation. And adult mutimal soldiers don't play nice like mutalett children do.^^;

[gray lagoon]

Child soldiers... notes notes

🤣

[minor ibex]

facepaw NON-combatants! Even with the taser pods on their person, mutaletts aren't considered soldiers. And every Mutalett working within the 9 Tails are complete volunteers. None of them are allowed to wield actual weapons that can kill or severely wound people.

[hushed eagle]

Southpaw

I meant your soldiers

Not those

[sterile basalt]

New Mutimal Facepaw?

[gray lagoon]

"facepaw" 🤣

[minor ibex]

No~! XD I'm not going that far!

IRL, I text "facepaw" a lot instead of "facepalm." Because I'm like that.^^;

[gray lagoon]

Lovely lol

[torpid herald]

Does a metal MFer need to out his foot down for his commander? Lol

[sterile basalt]

He has an air of constant annoyance, exuding not anger, but merely disappointment.

[minor ibex]

You'll have to elaborate. Because now I'm confused.^^;

[hushed eagle]

Southpaw

Himself

And his lil troupe from the landing evac

I’d pull up the midrounds, but y’know they got deleted

[minor ibex]

Oh! Yeah, Commander Southpaw and the soldiers that helped with the evac were all adults, and all of them had live rounds.

I still have the archives for the game, and was planning on organizing them into a comprehensive document so that people can see what the story was about for that mission.^^ I didn't save the orders and their roleplay though. I thought that was too much.^^;

[sterile basalt]

I mean, Southpaw himself is an adult Mutimal. Mutalettes are the baby squeeballs.

[torpid herald]

Status parameter
if_ally=true
Defend=true.1
Command=true.2
Unit=true.3
If_ally=false
subroutine:/_engage
Engage.exe/parameters
Target_inf.exp
Eliminate.inf
Delay_enm.exp
Sup.unt

[hushed eagle]

That’s fine South

[gray lagoon]

Guys, I think I spotted a bot spy in your ranks

[hushed eagle]

Looks left
Looks right
Runs away

[torpid herald]

https://tenor.com/view/fantastic-waste-tf2-spy-time-gif-16772866

[minor ibex]

Yup, yup!^^

[hushed eagle]

I’m still surprised that no mutaletts at the time saw me dismantling that room I found

[torpid herald]

Rp post:

**Enzo is flicking through messages, status updates, and coffee reserve reports as a loh-smoke burns over his lips. With a flick of his fingers he sends a message out to all the medical personnel amd vehicles with auto-doc's in the battlegroup.

It reads, "Given you're not all automata maintainers, I have attached basic repair instructions and a soft patch for how the battlesurgicals can fix up my boys it might only last a day or two, but that should be long enough to earn our keep. Make sure those black boxes get back to me"

((I'm sorry I don't know how to make these all as one line))

[minor ibex]

If you mean while on the surface, nobody cared. We were there to scavenge for supplies, so dismantling a room was part of that. And outside of that one mutalett that went rogue, none of the non-combatants were suppose to be down there anyway.

[torpid herald]

Holy Emporer, the Cell'Dar mine antigrav is working. Thst could give us a good backdoor to bot forces after the listening g post if we wanted

[sterile basalt]

Sadly, it seems it can only drop one BG until it runs out of power. At least for now.

[torpid herald]

True, but if someone with engineers gets on the ground ther they might be able to stabilize it. Especially if one of the POI in Elim is a power station/substation

(All conjecture)

[minor ibex]

It's certainly an idea. But we'd be loosing the plan to get to Nerys Village, as there's no direct route to it from the Cell'Dar Mines.^^;

[sterile basalt]

I think Spearhead’s already going for it anyways.

[torpid herald]

Aye, Commander. Just thinking of potential flanking/scouting g opportunities. I gotta get my boys that cred

[hushed eagle]

Tbh those who wanna go to Cell’dar are highly likely to be forced to attack Ziyal

Or fortify said position

As Cell’dar can only go to Ziyal once ya offload (and you can’t use the elevator twice)

So unless a miracle arises and we have enough HVTOLs or something we cannot retrieve the landed units

-# Unless ya decide to use those Lumaran orbitals

[torpid herald]

-# Enso waves his tablet and grins with a it ain't my skin expression

[minor ibex]

True true.^^

[torpid herald]

Also, I made a TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjEKpAYA/

[low prawn]

Hey Path. Anyone have a link to your logo?

[sterile basalt]

South’s still working on it at the moment. Hopefully it’ll be done soon.

[minor ibex]

Sorry, I've been busy with school assignments for the past couple of weeks. But this week is looking to be pretty free up until next Monday. So I think I can get the official work finished by then.

Here's a link to the temporary logo I made to stand in until I finish the final product.
#1382781756989767692 message

And if you're curious, here's a link to the latest WIP images I shared to show how far I am in making the logo, and a glimps as to what it might look like when it's done.
#1383066264485888120 message

[gray lagoon]

Sweet pathfinding to do looking at the midrounds !

[minor ibex]

Better yet, it says that vehicles can come in, awesome!^^

First order of business is probably to secure the control room. From there we can get a better feel for the rest of the facility as we navigate it.

[feral pasture]

Good luck on your hopefully not alien infested space station

[hybrid sable]

We trust that those secdroids are gonna stay inactive? /j

[minor ibex]

I'd say don't trust. But hold fire until something happens.

[hybrid sable]

So we'll head up to the second floor and make for the control room while Ultra sweeps the ground floor?

We have 2 inf for each corridor, or we could split half for the control room and half to guard the lift

[minor ibex]

To all members of Battlegroup Pathfinders, our time has finally come.

#midround-events message
Our objective is to explore an abandoned listening post. No hostiles in sight, and security is inactive. But keep your guard up. No telling when those bots will wake up.

Pathfinders has now activated the Stealth/Support Phase.

The Battle Team's list has also opened up for all players in the Pathfinders spreadsheet. This is to help organize our group into smaller teams so that we can spread out and continue to work efficiently.

The 1st Tail will lead Alpha Team to the Control Room to secure it. Everyone can organize themselves as they wish. You have until the deadline on Sunday to decide a gameplan.

@dense wind @stuck galleon @sterile basalt @ashen iris @low wagon @tired stirrup

@hybrid sable @torpid herald @sharp stag @granite wasp @twin talon @inner harbor

@round nexus @sage frigate @golden vector @woeful nimbus @restive compass @copper lynx @regal coral @zenith notch

[hybrid sable]

We should ask if our ground vehicles can fit down those corridors, and check about our VTOLs everywhere

[minor ibex]

=w=

[ashen iris]

snoozy droids...

perhaps the engineers can kidnap them

[minor ibex]

My money is on a central control system. If we can take the control room, we can probably control the drones from there.

[dense wind]

I think we should prioritise the Main Control Room, the reactors and the sensor tower, maybe it can scan farther than just this strat area

Maybe sending the engineers to the reactors in case they need repairs or something like that

[minor ibex]

Suggested priority list from most to least:

• Main Control Room (to get control of everything.)
• Reactors (to get power to everything)
• Unknowns (to make sure we're not backstabbed)
• Sensor towers (to get eyes/ears online once we take control)

[hybrid sable]

I'm talking about the corridors on the upper floor. Just because vehicles can fit on the main floor doesn't mean the upper floor can fit them

[minor ibex]

Assuming the cooridores are the same size based on the map. Odds are good. But we can check with Shack to make sure. =w=

[hybrid sable]

Probably can focus just one reactor initially. And we should have plenty of support from Ultra, so we can coordinate with them

[ashen iris]

another idea is to temporarily shut down power to block the control room from doing anything

unless ofc, there's somehow a backup generator somewhere

[dense wind]

Ultra has MBT maybe they can lock down the vehicle bay, who knows what could be in there

[hybrid sable]

I'm thinking leave the whole first floor to them

[minor ibex]

I think I've done my duty and am going to bed. I'll catch up with the gameplans later when I wake up. =w=

[hybrid sable]

Until we clear all of the second, ofc

G'night South!

[quasi ocean]

ultra is going for reactors i think

[dense wind]

If I’m interpreting the map right we‘ll be about one or two stories down from what we can see on satellite and the second reactor is at least another floor down from the docking arm

[hybrid sable]

Clarify?

[light trail]

Yeah we might want to make sure the reactors are not rigged to blow

[ashen iris]

^

[dense wind]

The map looks 3D to me and the docking arm is smaller than the gangway to the sensor tower which is on the top floor, and reactor two looks to me like having a connection from below.
But maybe I’m just overthinking

[ashen iris]

I would assume that the docking arm is

you know, built through the wall

[light trail]

Second map suggest entrance to both reactors

If i 'm looking at this right, the dock exit is on surface level

[dense wind]

Thanks didn’t notice the second one 😅 in fact I was overthinking 😅

Do we know how many units can fit in the main lift?

[hybrid sable]

So: second floor has the entrance to both reactors and the control room (and the unknown). First floor has the entrance, vehicle bay, and entrance to the sensor tower (and a buncha known security droids)

[ashen iris]

🤔

[tired stirrup]

When boarding a ship, to take control of it you take engineering and the bridge, and the closer to being done at the same time the better, but as fast as possible is the goal, I suggest we opperate simillarly here

So I totally agree with the reactors and the control center

[ashen iris]

what's our main mission again?

to ensure the bots can't track escaping civillian vessels, yeah?

[hybrid sable]

It's to take control of the listening post: we haven't discussed beyond that. But we're pretty confident we can use this to scan targets on the planet

[ashen iris]

The orbital body is hollowed out rock. So ground forces would be needed to secure it. Runs deep. Feds love leaving their tech all over the place. Maybe we can use it?

ah ok, a takeover mission

[tired stirrup]

Mmm. It's free abandoned Fed facilities with two droids

[hybrid sable]

Which I think is more immediately important, as simply controlling the station prevent bots from tracking the civvies through it

[hybrid sable]

*14 droids. That we know of

[stable pine]

Considering the run deep message… I imagine there’s a lot more

[hybrid sable]

Yeah, expecting hidden areas from at least one of those unknowns

[tired stirrup]

I only read this part

[hybrid sable]

I suggest we split into 4 infantry-and-IFV teams, two to scout and two to hold the main lift area and be ready to back the scouts up. Vehicles I'm not as sure about. We won't be able to scout everything at once, but we'll secure our line of retreat and be ready for things to go terribly wrong

[ashen iris]

a question is

how fast can the lift go up and down

i.e. if people are injured downstairs, can the lift come back up fast enough for medics on the topside to help out

[hybrid sable]

Remember that we have backup from Ultra: I expect we'll be splitting the floors between us, so all of Pathfinder is up top

[tired stirrup]

Wow, okay, so this place looks tiny, 7 hexes on the outside of it and 4 inside?

[hybrid sable]

So far. Hoping for more tunnels from those unknowns

[tired stirrup]

we have a whole Unknown wing not on the map

[hybrid sable]

Maybe it unfolds into 26 new tac maps 😁

[ashen iris]

layers A-Z

[tired stirrup]

Hmm. I think we should talk to ultra about thinking in combined arms terms for a bit, send like, all the inf types minus a few engi's down below and leave the vehicles up top

[ashen iris]

we get assigned based on the first letter of the codename

[tired stirrup]

this is not really bigger than infantry space imo, we might be able to put a conga line of mechs in there but I'm not sure that's something I'd want to do

[tired stirrup]

Blossom was kind enough to provide us numbers already

[copper lynx]

SHaling can go to the sensor towers with one of our engineer, how about that?

[gray lagoon]

Learning from Iron Hammer not pinging everyone when events are happening eh ?

Good one southpaw

[golden vector]

Just caught up. Wow…a lot happened

[tired stirrup]

I think we should approach this problem in phases, Phase 1, Infiltration: Take control of the station via the C.R. and Reactors using our Infantry assets while establishing an exterior presence via mechanical assets who will maintain a guard on the vehicle bay. Phase 2, Search and Secure: while maintaining a small effective guard in central lift, withdraw majority of Infantry assets to explore the facility's remaining interior spaces such as the unknown wing, Sensor Tower, and Vehicle Bay. Phase 3, Holding: Remain in place to support Lumara campaign, Phase 4, Extraction: Retrieve Pathfinders and Ultras assets from facility to rejoin ARMCO forces.

[woeful nimbus]

It might be worth the VTOLS getting out and slugging this one on foot, I can’t see us being too much use in our vehicles

[granite wasp]

Do we want us Medics to go with the forward groups. Or stay back at a central area. So we can move forward as needed?

it seems like this should be safe unless we trigger the defense droids accidentally.

[tired stirrup]

With but behind the infantry is the more "useful" choice, up with the big guns inside an IFV until casualties come in is the "safe" choice

And I agree it'll probably be safe if we're careful, unless we just stumbled on some body horror/turns-out-to-be-birth-place-of-borg-tech/hotbed.

Honestly Ultras are already well set up, they could send their Crimson and Doom companies to both reactors while we send all our inf to the control room, little to no need to coordinate while we're here

[hybrid sable]

How many companies do they have total? I'd rather have someone clearing the ground floor, and they might not want to split themselves between floors. Something to ask them. They have 2 infantry companies and two vehicle companies

I don't think we should bunch up our infantry that much: it's just going to make things incredibly congested in those tiny corridors. At most I see 3 infantry squads to a corridor

And if we can somehow operate VTOLs in the corridors (need to ask Shack) we can split the difference for our medis and engis very easily rather than having them directly with either group

[tired stirrup]

Yeah we probably dont NEED all 8 shoota boiz in that hallway, but 4 squads could hang back in the center and secure it while the other 4 kick in the CR's door.

[hybrid sable]

I like 4 squads guarding the main lift, definitely. I think we could do 2 squads to the control room and 2 squads to another destination on the second floor, though

[tired stirrup]

yeah Crimson and Doom Companies are Infantry with a medic and engi attached, and Black and Eagle are their mechanical assets

[hybrid sable]

which doesn't even touch on our vehicles, but I'm assuming one IFV with each position if they fit

[zenith notch]

I think, first things first: do we assume it is a trap or not? That assumption would determine the preferrable mode of movement: if we do expect a trap, then we shall Assault, if not - Dash to sort thaat station out quickly.

[hybrid sable]

I assume bad things will occur very soon, but not that there are active combat troops waiting to ambush us in the control room

[tired stirrup]

My thinking is, Crimson to a reactor, Doom to the other, us on the CR and center, once those locations are secure we pull most of everyone back to look at everywhere else while a handful of people make sure no-one can sneak in behind us and say turn the bots on

[hybrid sable]

More like the secdroids wake up when we start messing with stuff

[tired stirrup]

let the engi's dig around in the reactors and control room/sensor tower

also we have no idea how big the reactors are inside, if there's even an inside to them

[hybrid sable]

If Ultra agrees to send their infantry forces to the reactors, which is probably likely, I think we could do 3 to the control room, 3 guarding the lift, and 2 to check out the unknown down the fourth corridor

[tired stirrup]

Personally I'd rather wait to look at the unknown until we can free up everyone we don't need to hold the center, once we control power and the control room there's no need to rush to do anything if you ask me.

[copper lynx]

I can do the one to the sensor room

Maybe I found something hot there

definitely not foreshadowing

[tired stirrup]

shrug Regardless I'll probably be stuck stomping around our 6 clear hexes

[hybrid sable]

What do you think should be our overall strategy here? I think MrBlue and I are thinking that we devote everything to the second floor at the start, and the sensor room's on the first floor

[hybrid sable]

Eh, you could scout the first floor with Black Troop and Eagle?

Not sure what I'll be doing, since I can't see where I'm going and am not sure I can fly down those corridors

[tired stirrup]

Yeah that's what I mean, we should see exactly what everything is up there turn 1 and then all the fun stuff will be inside, where I doubt I can get on my....oh wait, I.. don't..have, hands!

jokes aside, I suspect the interior will be too small for mech's/VTOL/ etc

[copper lynx]

Before I answered this question, can the lift lifted IFV or LM?

[hybrid sable]

I could see an IFV, maybe, but ceilings are my enemy

[tired stirrup]

we dont know for sure yet

[hybrid sable]

Dunno yet, have to ask Shack

[tired stirrup]

and hexes are...well

great for measurement, not great for scale

[hybrid sable]

Whaddyamean, those infantry grunts are clearly each the size of a fighter

[tired stirrup]

We might get one IFV or a mech in the center there, maybe a VTOL, but I would be suprised if it's bigger than that

[quasi ocean]

Are yall going to control room

[copper lynx]

Well if it can then we can ask our allies to use their MBT to secure the lift after the infantry are spreading out, while our IFV go to the second floor

I had just this feelings that there something on the second floor that will shot back, idk tho just a hunch

You know what? What do you think of scrapping the offline bot?

[hybrid sable]

Eventually? Yes, absolutely. First thing? I'm kinda leery of messing with them in case they all power up: there are 14 of them (that we know of) scattered around the first floor and surface, and they could make our trip irritating

[tired stirrup]

I'd rather disarm them if they can be and questioned if/when brought online if they're sentient bots, or have ARMCO personnel set to friendly if they're inanimate/walking guns.

[copper lynx]

Isn't like bot usually have black box?

[hybrid sable]

It is a common theme, yeah. Will these? Dunno.

Anyway, my current proposal, with the agreement of someone from Ultra, is that they go to secure both reactors while we send a team to the control room (second floor) and one to the sensor tower (first floor), with 2-3 of our infantry dug in for reserve at the main lift (on the second floor, where they can reinforce the control room within 1 turn and watch the fourth corridor) and our vehicles running security on the first floor. Thoughts and counterproposals?

Control room: 3 or 2 inf, 1 medi, one engi
Sensor tower: 3 inf, 1 medi, one engi
Main lift: 2 or 3 inf
Reactors (Ultra): 4 inf, 1 medi, 1 engi each
First floor security: 7 LM, 2 MBT, 6 IFV, 5 VTOL

Logi, we would love suggestions on what you want to do

[tired stirrup]

Are they Cyberpunk MiliTec Bots or Star Wars Droids? We dont know, these are different to the Bots invading Lumara, which we also don't know. These Security Droids were left here by the Federation.

[tired stirrup]

I need exact proposed numbers for all...5?...teams

I'm in support of all of it minus the initial sensor tower which I don't understand the reason for urgency to get to.

[hybrid sable]

I would argue it's the entire point of capturing the facility: if the sensors get sabotaged and we can't use them to gather intel through the rest of the system then it's just a hollowed-out lump of rock

[tired stirrup]

That is an entirely valid point, but, the Sensor Tower is an external structure, we control the entrance and have visual of the outside with our Armor.

pulling in what we know so we don't have to click between threads

[hybrid sable]

It looks to me very much like it has an interior which is accessible from the first floor, otherwise what's that ramp on the map?

[tired stirrup]

oh no, I'm not saying it doesnt have an interior

just that it isnt connected to the underground facilities

[hybrid sable]

I probably agree. But we don't know what's in there, or whether the sensors are intact, so I want a team to clear out anything potentially hostile inside and then check the equipment so that we can start scanning and make sure nothing shoots it up as soon as we've secured the control roon and reactors

[tired stirrup]

So, Shack didn't say anything about these 12 contacts

[hybrid sable]

Especially with Venator dropping into Cell'dar mines: they need any intel we can give them as soon as posible

[hybrid sable]

They're using the same icons as the two deactivated droids, so I'm assuming they are more secdroids that just aren't directly outside our window

[tired stirrup]

fair enough

[tired stirrup]

Until we KNOW you and I will disagree on that line of thinking. Which is fine.

[hybrid sable]

They're something to be ready to bury in lead. Don't think much else matters yet

[stable pine]

Rabbit would also appreciate any preliminary intel for our recon mission to Crossroads ahead of Flying Shovels and the 212th

[tired stirrup]

kind of a shame to shoot them if they are deactivated, maybe they could be repurposed as guards on the ARMCO ships

[hybrid sable]

We'll see what we can do once we reach the control room

But you agree on the general proposal, disregarding the bots droids triangular contacts for the moment?

[tired stirrup]

I'd suggest Account, 1st Tail, and a volunteer engineer go to the Control Room, 4 infantry, the other medic and an engineer go to the Signal Tower, and the remaining 2 infantry hold the central lift. Crimson goes to one reactor and Doom goes to the other

[hybrid sable]

Alright, fair. Can I get your thoughts and reasoning for the increased force strength for the signal tower?

[tired stirrup]

Eagle, Black, and our Armor can handle the surface

The signal tower will be alone, everyone else is right next to each other

Account wont be needed in the control room once it's secure and 1st should probably be in the CR

[hybrid sable]

Reasonable. That does put the control room team a bit down on firepower if they happen across something (dunno what, don't think they will, but if they do)

[tired stirrup]

if they do then we could have 1 of the lift guards move to support the CR team

if SHTF then getting Ultras to send us 4-5 squads to protect the exfil route would leave them with 2-3 infantry each reactor still.

Scans say the place is dark though, my main concern is the parts of the base that dont line up/aren't on the scan.

[hybrid sable]

Good enough for me.
To reiterate: our current proposal, with the agreement of someone from Ultra, is that they go to secure both reactors while we send a team to the control room (second floor) and one to the sensor tower (first floor), with 2 of our infantry dug in for reserve at the main lift (on the second floor, where they can reinforce the control room within 1 turn and watch the fourth corridor) and our vehicles running security on the first floor. Thoughts and counterproposals?

Control room: 2 inf (Southpaw and Account), 1 medi, one engi
Sensor tower: 4 inf, 1 medi, one engi
Main lift: 2 inf
Reactors (Ultra): 4 inf, 1 medi, 1 engi each
First floor security: 7 LM, 2 MBT, 6 IFV, 5 VTOL

Logi, we would love suggestions on what you want to do

[stuck galleon]

Are we going to have anybody checking out the Unknowns?

[tired stirrup]

Once the initial stuff is secure, like instantly.

as in have everyone peel out and move to them

everyone other than like 4 squads and a medic

they'll sit in the central lift and hold the facility

and we could shift a squad out of the signal tower if we wanted

[stuck galleon]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but everyone from both BG’s will deploy up top, right?

[tired stirrup]

probably right here yeah

If/when we fight these droids they're gonna be punchy, we know they have armor

[hybrid sable]

Gonna be a bit cramped at first, definitely, but we'll spread out quickly enough

[golden vector]

and considering the last time we encountered Fed-Tech it was a shield bootstrapped onto a ship which proceeded to block a barrage of MAC cannons. I'd rather we keep the fed-bots deactivated for now please.

[stuck galleon]

That’s what I’m worried about

These Fed bots are either 14 allies or 14 enemies, and I’d rather find out when we have 2 BGs looking at them instead of when we’re all spread out across two levels

Same thing with the two Unknowns. It could be nothing, or it could be a clown car of bots. I don’t think rushing through this place is our best approach.

Or maybe I’m just paranoid lol

[tired stirrup]

do you want to be crazy or right?

[stuck galleon]

That is the question

[tired stirrup]

I'd rather be crazy honestly

hmm actually, I wonder what Cassandra would say.

[stuck galleon]

But with this layout, we still have a substantial amount of infantry up top, at the sensor tower.

I think we should clear the outside first, leave the garrisoning to the vehicles who can’t go down anyways, and clear downstairs with our full infantry complement sticking together. It would take a lot longer, but I think taking it safe is the right move when we have, like, no intel on enemy disposition here

[tired stirrup]

And my vote is still I think the Sensor tower is safe and can be left until after the CR and reactors are secure, but I see merit to having the tower manned asap when power comes back to start getting intel for the rest of ARMCO

maybe have a unit of infantry and an engi/medic combo go with our logi truck drivers?

but I'd really rather leave it until after

[stuck galleon]

Agreed

But as a rule, I would put securing the asteroid above getting intel for ARMCO forces on-planet in terms of priority order

[hybrid sable]

We will gave a full battalion of armor staring at them, with an MBT and 3+ IFVs and 3+ LMs for each trio on the main floor. Which may not be enough, but I can't see a couple infantry squads helping that

[tired stirrup]

Are you fine with the thinking that Account would be a good unit to send into the CR Minoreror?

[hybrid sable]

I personally think SF would be better for the sensor tower, initially, but it would be nice to have you right there for the unknown 4th corridor afterwards, as well

[stuck galleon]

Im down for it, but I just think my unit would serve better poking around the Unknowns

[hybrid sable]

I'd just rather that no one pokes anywhere in less than groups of 2

Even the sneaky bois

[stuck galleon]

Nothing to do about it, since I’m the only Stealth capable unit here. It’s either risk going alone or just be a weaker infantry unit

[tired stirrup]

we could put 2 infantry, Account, and have the medics that would go into the CR stay in the elevator room, and after getting the SitRep from the CR have the elevator group move forward into the Unknown area

[stuck galleon]

The unknown down stairs is only a bit more then 1 movement away from the control room, so if something goes wrong, it won’t take much to get into friendly territory

[tired stirrup]

hmm. plus with how stealth works you have a good chance of not being found by 1-2 units on the other side

I don't think anything that is happening on the other side of that door that has been happening cant wait just a little bit longer.

[hybrid sable]

I'm willing to be outvoted here (not that I can refuse), but I still don't want Southpaw poking alone. If you want to scout the unknown, I'd request pulling a squad from the sensor tower

[stuck galleon]

Yeah, I would say take two inf from the sensor tower. They’ll have plenty of support from the vehicles, unless the inside is bigger then I think

[stuck galleon]

I just want to know what we’re dealing with before we split up

[tired stirrup]

I think we have 4 options here for a poll,
Plan: Gaba's most recent summary.
Plan: No sensor tower team/beefed up elevator and CR teams.
Plan: Unknown Faster with a paired down sensor tower/CR team.
Plan: I dont like these options I have another one.

[hybrid sable]

I think 3 and 5 is as small as we should split the main floor, even with support from the vehicles. 5 is plenty of infantry to collapse to the central room on the second floor if something comes out of the unknown, and the main floor team is more isolated

[tired stirrup]

to clarify we would still clear the rest of the facility, it's just a matter of what should we take first

I am very curious to know if there's anthing in the vehicle bay.

[hybrid sable]

It must be another superheavy tank. It just must be

[tired stirrup]

2 words, Stealth Mechs

[hybrid sable]

Stealth superheavy tank. The absolute sneakiest sneak

[tired stirrup]

Stealth superheavy tank pilots, probably

[ember oracle]

Mood

[tired stirrup]

Just rip an arm off a really big Bot Nalla, tell Shack you have a melee weapon now.

[torpid herald]

I called it. Federal buildings

My personal opinion is that we push for the unknown and leave the droids alone (ironic coming from a robotic squad, I know)

Hardshells would be willing to go look on our own if that's an option. Otherwise we will follow the pack

[tired stirrup]

You know, where has Shack Said Ultra is here with us?

[hybrid sable]

Hasn't yet, but the midrounds weren't even scheduled to release today: he's just gotten a head start for tomorrow

[tired stirrup]

do we see where southpaw posted our intention to go to the listening post? edit it's in mission-orders

[stable pine]

#1386030427130564769 message

[tired stirrup]

ty ty

I had the thought, I only see us, and we're planning like Ultra is here with us, but I dont see them here with us.

and yes, Ultra also posted the intent to be here with us

[torpid herald]

So is offloading from the civ transport a full movement or can we move after?

I'd like to send my bots in to get a lay of the (second story) land if possible

[tired stirrup]

Ultra beat me to that thought by like 30 minutes >.>

[torpid herald]

Either way, I volunteer to be the sacrifice scout

[ashen crystal]

With the ability to drop smoke, it may be a good idea for me to be one of the VTOL’s to drop off a group, just incase there is something there that can engage us

[hybrid sable]

If we knew how big the lift and corridors were compared to our vehicles we could plan a bit better, but fortunately we've got like 4 days to plan and ask questions

[ashen crystal]

We don’t have any HVTOL to maybe grab possible stored vehicles to transport

There we go, now we have the message in here

Looks like vehicles can go down the docking arm according to the post

I might not be needed to stop anything off, and I can’t spot ground targets

Might take off and do an external visual inspection of reactor 2?

Or maybe get an external look at the unknown tower?

What does the team think here? Worth a shot even with the question ability of the mechanics?

[hybrid sable]

We can have a VTOL vote: think it's a bad idea unless there are 3 of us to fly formation. If the lift can fit VTOLs we could ferry inf to the second floor, though

[ashen crystal]

Wasn’t there a second battle group/transport moving with us to this rock?

[hybrid sable]

Yep, Ultra

[ashen crystal]

If there’s only one docking arm how are they getting in?

[hybrid sable]

They'll be along as soon as Shack gets to posting their midrounds

[tired stirrup]

SHaling and HrdShel both want to go into the sensor tower

So, kinda settles whether we go there or not

[ashen crystal]

That looks like the only entrance to that is up top. One of you want a lift?

From my understanding there is a breathable air bubble trapped up there, probably with some unknown tech. I think passing that barrier may be one of the things that could trigger the security drones

[hybrid sable]

Entrance to the sensor tower is on the same floor as the docking arm, at that ramp area. What's this about an air bubble?

[tired stirrup]

yes

[ashen crystal]

Oh, dock exit is into the air bubble

[tired stirrup]

but not the possible trip wire

well, the effects of a trip wire

there might be a tripwire

[hybrid sable]

I would believe a tripwire

[ashen crystal]

Alright, still think I’ll be voidborn to provide support, still think it’s a good idea to inspect the exterior of the reactors

[tired stirrup]

Have the Rogue check for traps!

[ashen crystal]

https://tenor.com/view/cat-kick-the-door-search-for-traps-gif-14883270

[hybrid sable]

No, have the wizard cast Detect Traps first!

[stable pine]

rolls a 45

hands you the entire plans for the station

[sterile basalt]

I’d like to join South and push to the Control room.

A slightly insane idea is having our 3 VTOLs plus Ultra’s VTOLs carry some infantry to drop on reactor 1, it’ll give us some vision in the subterranean section, informing us if there’s an ambush at the bottom of the elevator.

Because that elevator gives me a bad feeling. It looks like a perfect ambush to me.

[ashen crystal]

if I'm looking at this right the reaqctors dont exactly have a traversable space?

And they are outside the atmosphere bubble, hope we got some EVA gear

[hybrid sable]

Not so far, but there's an entrance to some sort of internal space on the second floor. Honestly I don't think we have enough infantry to consider splitting anything to the outside. We'll be coming through the lift with 13 squads of infantry: if that can't handle whatever ambush might be waiting in that tiny room, I think we're all dead anyway

[sterile basalt]

True… I’m just thinking that if we land on a reactor, they won’t expect it and we’ll be able to mess up their ambush positions.

[hybrid sable]

How would our infantry get in from outside? And who is they, here?

[sterile basalt]

By they, I mean any potential hostiles set up in ambush. In terms of getting in, uhhh… Hopefully there’s an EVA hatch or something?

I mean, we can board orbitals using external hatches, so I’m assuming the same applies here.

[hybrid sable]

Sorry, I'm just a little bit tired of worst-case scenario planning that makes up threats, and our map already has contacts marked on it

[sterile basalt]

Yeah, fair enough. I’m mainly thinking that A. Its cool, B. It gives us some extra intel before we fully commit. It’s probably a really stupid idea though.

[tired stirrup]

Well, asking the VTOL to skim by and look couldn't hurt but thats a turn of sitting around on a maybe vs inside the facility at the elevator door. Setting aside scans have told us the facility is cold and dark. I'm only concerned with the "Unknown" really giving us surprises, and we cant react to those until we're in there.

and I'm only concerned about suprises from there because it didn't show up on the scans

[copper lynx]

Morning

[hybrid sable]

If you can pitch it to one of Ultra's incursion teams and at least two other non-Grizzills VTOLs, I'll personally land them on that reactor for their incursion, because it is cool, but I think it's a really bad idea to hold up the entire operation for a minimal chance of surprising an unlikely ambush

Morning, Shizuki! Up to claim a sensor tower?

[copper lynx]

Yes

Gonna setup the order now

[sterile basalt]

Yeah, that’s fair. We could at least have team sensor tower get carried down to reactor 1 once they’re done though.

[copper lynx]

So who's going with me?

[hybrid sable]

I believe hardshell volunteered

[copper lynx]

Okay

[hybrid sable]

And we'll have to take a census of phantasmo and the medis

[tired stirrup]

I think there's already some concern about the amount of bodies we're cramming down inside, short of shuffling 1 of the 4 infantry we'll probably ask to go to the sensor tower to the elevator inside I think it's better to pull bodies out when they're done than put more in.

[copper lynx]

Wait is from dock arm to sensor tower can be done in one turn or I need to go to the dock exit first?

[sterile basalt]

I’d like to be in the control room team.

[tired stirrup]

1S is 1 hex

[sterile basalt]

That’s fair. Part of me is worried that shit will hit the fan while the rest of us are investigating the unknown. I’d rather have us all together in that case.

[tired stirrup]

yeah there's been talk about how the teams inside can react if SHTF

[sterile basalt]

I could see our fiddling activating their security systems and fucking over our surface team.

[hybrid sable]

I've been assuming we spawn in at the dock exit, but I guess that's another thing to make sure of. You might need to take vtols or ifvs to get to the sensor tower in one turn, since it's down first and then up the ramp

[copper lynx]

Should I ask Shark about it?

[tired stirrup]

I have also been assuming we spawn in 4117

[copper lynx]

Shack hasn't appeared on the #meta-comm yet so I gonna wait

[hybrid sable]

When I get home I'll post an updated plan proposal. On a boat is not conducive to deep planning

[tired stirrup]

which would be two turns for teams to be at Reactor/Control Room doors and inside the sensor tower

[sterile basalt]

You know, why the hell would a fed asteroid listening outpost have a vehicle bay?

[copper lynx]

Yes

[tired stirrup]

it smells fishy for sure

[copper lynx]

Just yes, it's definitely for a- [Connection Has Been Lost]

[hybrid sable]

So far the explanations have included: stealth mechs, superheavy tank, and stealth superheavy tank. But if it smells like fish we may need to be prepared for something more exotic

[copper lynx]

The last one are crazy

[tired stirrup]

if we open it up and it looks empty, it's super steath mechs

[copper lynx]

Brb bathroom

[hybrid sable]

First the chicken vtol, now the fish stealth mechs