BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks' Revenge/Kaesong

Kaesong

Draconis Combine

December 3051

Space[edit]

En route to Luthien, the Kell Hound JumpShip arrives at a pirate jump point at Kaesong, a Clan-held system. While the ship recharges its jump engines, you are summoned to the bridge in response to a distress message from the planet.

Gideon: “This is Gideon Braver Vandenburg of the Blazing Aces. Second line Clan units have discovered our presence, and we are in desperate need of help. We will hold out as long as we can, but their firepower is unbelievable!”

Gideon: “This is Gideon Braver…”

You act immediately and order a Union DropShip to land the Crescent Hawks on the planet while the JumpShip's engines recharge. Over the protests of the Kell Hound captain, you dash into the DropShip to lead the rescue mission.

Hours pass as you near the planet, hours of wondering if you will arrive too late to help. As the DropShip approaches the atmosphere, Jen identifies a planetside firefight. She estimates touchdown in ten minutes.

Jason: “That's too long,” you reply. “The Aces could be decimated in ten minutes.”

Grease suggests a ‘Mech drop. The Command Lance could be ejected from the ship, descend through the atmosphere, and land in the middle of the battle almost immediately. The other two lances could join up when the ship lands. The choice is up to you.

Lance Drop[edit]

Grease appears as you strap into your ‘Mech.

Jason: “Lieutenant, let's get this drop underway!”

Grease: “Check, boss! Fasten your seat belts, extinguish all smoking materials, and hold onto your lunch!”

A few minutes after leaving the ‘Mech bay, you hit the atmosphere. As your ‘Mech screams helplessly down toward the planet, you decide this is not the safest way to get planetside, but certainly it is the quickest.

You spot a lone ‘Mech fighting five others. Those are bad odds at any time, but even worse against the Clans. You should touch down any minute now…

Jason: “Vandenberg's ‘Mech just exploded!”

Jason: “They've started shelling the area!”

Company Deployment[edit]

Grease: “Captain, we're about to land planetside, but Jen sees no signs of a firefight anymore.”

No signs?

Jason: “Lieutenant, I want the entire company out of this ship before the dust begins to settle.”

Grease: “Consider us there, boss.”

Gideon's End[edit]

After the last Clan ‘Mech is destroyed, you rush over to the smoldering Blazing Aces ‘Mech. Gideon Vandenburg crawls out of the cockpit, towards your lance.

You get out of your ‘Mech and attempt to give him first aid. His wounds are severe, so he stops you from trying. He starts to say something, but his voice is weak. You bend closer to make out his words.

Gideon: “You're too late. The Aces…destroyed. I've taken precautions, hidden the ‘Mechs. Tell Maria…Rebuild the Aces. She'll know what to do.” With one final shudder of breath, Gideon dies in your arms.

The City[edit]

Grease: “Captain, I'm receiving another emergency transmission. The town to the east is under Clan attack and the mayor's begging for our help. Also, the JumpShip is ready to go. We have been ordered to return now!”

You make a funeral pyre for Vandenberg while considering your dilemma. You have explicit orders from Morgan Kell to get to Luthien as soon as possible. However, you know the town will be decimated if you leave. You need to make a decision.

If Jason elects to defend the city:

In rescuing the city, you have also defended an advanced ‘Mech repair facility, perhaps the target of the Clan attack. Learning of your mission on Luthien, the mayor arranges for all of your functioning ‘Mechs to be fully repaired.