MechWarrior 4: Vengeance/Escort Techs

Escort Techs

BRIEFING

Casey: Not bad, chief!

Ian: Thanks!

Casey: I guess you're not one of those royals who lets the rest of us handle the heavy lifting. Heh. You've obviously impressed Jen. Your fighting's not bad, either. Me, I give you a seven, maybe an eight. Of course, I rate myself a nine.

Ian: That low?

Casey: So, I'm biased. Even Rathburn's saying you show "ability." From her, that's high praise. With a little luck, I think our little ice brigades might just pull this off. See you on the field.

Karl: So, young Duke. You did it! My crews are ecstatic. This is exactly what you need. The larger chassis will serve you well, I promise you. I suggest you take heavier equipment for yourself. It is appropriate that a leader's 'Mech reflect the strength of his abilities to his team. I'll have your ride ready and painted in our colors before your next sortie.

Ian: Thanks, Karl. I'll let you know.

Rathburn: Ian, I have your uncle for you.

Peter: Ian, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Steiner's on full alert, and I couldn't risk a broadcast.

Ian: I'm just glad you're all right.

Peter: I've got the techs we need for the assault. We'll be rendezvousing with you as soon as possible. I'm sure they've ID'd me, but that can work to our advantage. No one will expect me to lead any major offensives, which means…maybe I can draw their forces away from our objective.

Ian: Understood.

Peter: Nice work on your side, by the way. Even your tactical officer seems impressed.

Ian: Heh. Hard to tell.

Peter: I'm sure Elise is just being her usual standoffish self. Don't let that fool you. Both she and Karl have sent me private reports indicating you're earning their respect. Karl's even showing some enthusiasm. With luck, we'll be there by nightfall. Put on some coffee for me. I'll see you then. Out.

Karl: I forgot to mention this to you earlier, young Duke. We salvaged some interesting energy weapons at the base. Bombast lasers. The weapon charges over time, so it takes a little more skill to operate than a conventional laser, but it has the best damage-to-ton ratio of any weapon. If you're fighting weight limits, you might want to try it out. It can be lethal in the right hands.

Ian: Yes, Major?

Rathburn: We have a new intercept. Your cousin, William. Someone has been to see him. Castro, I'd assume. It's pretty clear William's out of the command loop, but has some influence, and some combat capability.

Ian: William's been a bully all his life, and he's good at it. He's dangerous in a 'Mech.

Rathburn: Hmmm. It's also clear the enemy suspects we're operating in this area. I'm a little concerned we haven't heard from Peter yet. But, if the enemy suspects we're here, he probably has to run quiet. Here's the transmission:

William: Greetings, Lord Roland. I've learned that the military has suffered some setbacks on the moon and on the Elysian tundra. I hope these reports are in error. Such minor setbacks can be a great annoyance, no doubt. I've contacted one of your officers, a Captain Burke, I believe, and offered my assistance in tracking these rebels down and eliminating them. My BattleMech has been transported to the field, and I will be joining them shortly. It should be quite an amusing hunt, though I doubt that such a band of disorganized inferiors will provide too much sport. I'll bring back prisoners for interrogation, if we take any. William, out.

Ian: Who is this Captain Burke?

Rathburn: Checking, wait one mom... ah! Got it! Duncan Burke. Captain. It's one of Roland's senior officers. I remember hearing his name during the Clan wars. He was responsible for at least a half dozen atrocities, probably more. He's an animal.

Ian: Hah! A good partner for my cousin William. They can pull the wings off insects together.

Rathburn: Charming.

Rathburn: We just intercepted a transmission. I don't like it. The source is about fifty klicks south. That's too close. We didn't pick up the entire transmission, but here's what we have. It's not good.

Burke: I don't care if it takes every live body you've got. Locate them! I have Duke William with me, and we don't want to waste any more time in this godforsaken backwater than we have to. And I won't forget, Logan. It's your fault I'm up here.

Logan: I'm doing what I can, Kommandant. I have people scouring the tundra for them.

Burke: I don't think they're trying. Colonel Peter Dresari is an over-the-hill Davion desk jockey with delusions of competence. We've narrowed his location down to your current search grid. If your patrols lose him, I'll find the man or men responsible, and feed them their own eyes. Do you hear me, Logan?

Logan: Yes, Kommandant. But we will have them today! Tomorrow, at the latest.

Burke: NOW, Logan! Do your job, so I can do mine.

Ian: Yeah, Casey?

Casey: Begging your pardon, sir. I don't think we should just wait here for the Colonel and Gonzales. Jen and I can run some interference on this Hauptmann Logan. A couple more 'Mechs on the field might just even things up. Think it over, sir. I've had about all the Steiner bravado I can stand.

Ian: I understand, Casey, but we have to sit tight until we've identified where they are. If we split up the unit, we won't be able to respond in force once they arrive.

Casey: Yes, sir. Request you bring me along, once we do have their position.

Rathburn: I've got the signal from Gonzales. He's about fifteen klicks south. He has the technicians with him. I'll upload the position on your TacCom. I've got audio.

Gonzales: Request assistance! Steiner forces have us pinned down. I've got the tech convoy, but I can't make any headway. Request immediate reinforcements! Repeat! This is Omega Three. Colonel has split off and I've lost contact with him. I have the tech convoy on the southern road, but we're pinned down. We need immediate assistance.

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Relieve and Escort Friendly Techs: A group of technicians is pinned down by enemy units. We need to rendezvous with them and escort them to friendly territory. Time is of the essence. The vehicles that the techs are using are very vulnerable, so pay attention to them.

DURING MISSION

Rathburn: Omega. This is Elise. I've got Gonzales' position on your navcomputer as Nav Alpha. He shouldn't be more than a couple of kilometers to your north. Just follow the road.

Ian: Roger, Control. Gonzales, do you copy? This is Ian?

Gonzales: Lieutenant! Is that you?

Ian: Affirmative! I'm headed for your position. What's your status?

Gonzales: Pinned down in a pass, just beyond some mobile turrets and [static]. We're blocked in and can't go any further.

Ian: On our way, Gonzales. Just hold 'em off a little longer.

Casey: We're coming for you, buddy!

Gonzales: I've been catching intermittent contacts on radar. I drove off the Steiner Lance that was after me, but I think they're on their way back.

Ian: We'll get there as soon as we can!

Gonzales: Ian, can you see our position? I don't think we can hold here much longer.

Ian: We're getting there, Jules. Are you still at the same location?

Gonzales: Affirmative, sir. If I move, this convoy is in trouble.

Ian: I read you. We have your position at Nav Point Alpha. We should be there soon.

Rathburn: Omega, I'm getting some forward observers into the area. They've had intermittent contact. Looks like some 'Mechs are moving in on Gonzales. I don't think you have much more time to rendezvous with him and get the convoy through.

Ian: Roger that, Control. We've had some problems getting to him.

Rathburn: Acknowledged. Be advised, Forward has spotted six 'Mechs inbound on your position. Time is of the essence. Control, out.

Casey: Must look easy when you fight the war from an armchair.

Gonzales: Ian, it's us! The technicians are in the APCs. Let's get out of here.

Michaels: This is Tech Sergeant Michaels in APC One. I've got a man in here who sustained some injuries. We're going to have to get him some aid soon.

Ian: This is Omega Lead, Sergeant. We'll get you out of there as quickly as we can.

Michaels: Understood. Michaels out.

Rathburn: Omega Lead, there's a bridge down the road to the south. Try to get there as soon as possible. You have multiple bandits inbound. As soon as you get the convoy across, blow the bridge.

Ian: Roger, Control. We'll get the convoy across, then destroy the bridge.

Michaels: This is Omega Convoy. We are under attack. We are under attack!

Michaels: This is Omega Convoy. We're getting hit! Can't take this for long!

Ian: Acknowledged, Sergeant.

Casey: Looks like they're not going to leave us alone. Multiple 'Mechs moving towards the convoy.

Ian: I'm on it, Sergeant.

Casey: They're getting through to the convoy again. It's under attack!

Michaels: We're almost to the bridge!

Michaels: Crossing bridge! We're almost there!

Michaels: We made it! We're across!

Rathburn: Ian, blow the bridge! Blow the bridge!

Ian: Control, the bridge is down. The convoy's across, Control.

Casey: Way to go!

Rathburn: Roger that. Good work, Omega. Return to base.

Ian: Shouldn't we go back and try to find Peter?

Rathburn: Negative, Omega Lead. The area is swarming with Steiner units. We'll have to wait. Return to base heading One-Seven-Zero.

Ian: Roger, Control.