Empire Crossbow

 

Battletech: Scouring Sand Sortie 2 Write Up

Our group was finally able to get the 2nd sortie of the scouring sands campaign completed.  Enjoy the write up.  

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The desolate wadi walls blurred past as the Pegasus scout vehicles raced behind the unit’s mechs. The locals had informed the company of the ravine feature that would obscure their approach; Allowing the Lost Boys to get nearly point blank to one of the cave openings to the Clan supply base.

“Here we are boys, over the top!” Captain Cook called over comms. The mechs and tanks clawed up and out of the embankment, immediately facing a single gun emplacement. The gun crew scrambled to fire once while the combined firepower of the Boys turned the gun position to rubble.

“We have mech reactors coming online inside the cave, we’ve rung the doorbell. Remember the plan; get inside, ID the supplies, and slag them.”  

There were two hover tanks in the attack force, part of the ‘Dust Bunnies’ recon lance. Sgt Elliott commanded the ‘Oswald.’ A Pegasus hover tank that was old back in 3025. “Thomas, hug that cliff wall left” he commanded.  “I don’t want to be exposed in front of that great big entrance. Let the big boys engage first.” He noted his lance mate in ‘Thumper’ heading North to distract a Falcon Rifleman from the continuing wadi. The heavier mechs charged into the cave. They were the intended blockers for the fast movers. “Be aware, we got toads in here was well!” the lead mech called out.

The cave became a light show of lasers and explosions as an enemy Summoner engaged the Battlemaster. Sgt Elliot looked at the tactical display and saw an opening. “Thomas, giving you a waypoint, punch it.”  The vehicle accelerated through the entrance and zoomed behind the Summoner. “Robin, full barrage as we bear on the target’s rear.” Elliot felt the rumble as SRM missiles left the launchers and grinned as the warheads exploded against the weak rear armor. “Well done, crew!”

The sensors alerted Sgt Elliot to a potential supply cache.  “Move closer to that location, it may be… KA-BANG!”  The explosion rocked the vehicle. “Landmine” Thomas yelled. “They must have rigged that sensor blip as a trap. Damage?!” Elliot asked. “The right skirt is scrap and power is down 50%” came the response. That was bad, but they were still functional.  The bunnies had used one of their lucky rabbit’s feet.   

The mercs rushed deeper into the complex to find the supply catches. The Summoner ran behind the Battlemaster and fired full barrage into the assault mech. The fast movers shot up a point of elementals and the Archer destroyed another emplacement. “I need help over here!” the captain screamed. The enemy Rifleman had moved behind his Nova and fired a full burn of ER and heavy laser fire. The attack had crippled the mech and the captain would need egress snappy.

‘Oswald’ approached another sensor blip; Sgt Eliot saw a stray missile hit the roof. A mass of stalactites guillotined to the cavern floor.  One completely crushing a Jade Falcon gun emplacement. Thomas dodged the falling debris with expertise. Another of their lucky rabbit’s foot expended. 

The next few moments were a kaleidoscope of violence. Every unit in the force focused fire on an enemy or a discovered supply cache.  The enemy Rifleman was brought down. The Battlemaster won its duel against the Summoner, but was barely functional. All the supply caches were burning. The cave choked with fires and smoke. Weapon fire caused another cave-in. This time ‘Thumper’ dodged all the crashing rocks. Another lucky rabbit foot cashed in.

During this mayhem, the last point of elementals had vaulted atop of ‘Oswald’. Sgt Elliot heard the armor being torn off as the clan battle armor clawed the poor bunny. “Shake ‘em loose!” Elliot screamed. The driver violently  fishtailed and swerved to get shake the Clanners off. The hover tank pulled away, “Damage report”, Elliot demanded. “SRM launcher offline” the gunner called, “engine power, severe loss”, the driver echoed. Soon, walking home would be faster, but they had enough speed to limp out of the cave. A close encounter with clan elementals could have been much worse. Another lucky rabbit foot used up by the Dust bunnies. Whole rabbit of feet – what fortune. 

“All units withdraw; the mission is done.” The Lieutenant ordered. Sgt Elliot could not agree more and ‘Oswald’ turned for the cave entrance. At that moment the sensors added two more red blips. “Contacts, fast movers, entering the cave” Robin yelled. “Thomas, go evasive. Robin, spin the turret to the rear. We can…” The enemy mech fired. 

Captain Cook surveyed the mission summary the XO had brought in. At this rate tofu ramen would become a permanent item on the menu. Two crippled mechs and one Dust Bunny down.  “Crew status?” The captain asked. “Alive - bad shape - triggers their contract release clause. Medivac requested, arrival timeline in the summary.”, Smee answered.

“Get Lt Pouge in here. His tree frogs are going to find this Falcon recon base and eliminate it. I expect the Dust Bunnies will want some payback for Sgt Elliot and his crew as well.”

“Aye Captain” said Smee.