MechWarrior 4: Vengeance/Recon in Force

Recon in Force[edit]

BRIEFING[edit]

Jen: Congratulations, Ian. We did it.

Ian: Barely.

Jen: Yeah, but we did it, and you made it happen. You saved Vale!

Rathburn: I’m sorry to break in, sir. Jen, I’ve been able to establish communications with your sister.

Ian: It’s all right. Sorry, Jen. We’ll talk more soon.

Jen: No problem.

Johanna: Ian, I just heard. I can’t believe it. You saved so many people. Word of the boatlift is spreading all over Kentares. People understand, now. You’re fighting for them.

Ian: The boatlift was Elise’s idea. I wasn’t even sure it could be done. I’m just sorry we couldn’t stop the destruction of the town.

Johanna: You did! Towns aren’t buildings and roads, Ian. The people, they’re Vale, and they’ll remember what you did for them. At Jeteel, fighting was heavy, but Roland’s forces are falling back. They’re being overwhelmed by local units all over the planet. We’ve started pushing through to the capital. When can you be here?

Ian: By nightfall. We’re in transit now.

Johanna: We’ll need your help. Roland’s concentrated his remaining forces in the city. It’s going to take everything we have. I’ll talk to you when you get here.

Karl: Young Duke, I have never asked you. Have you ever fought in a city before?

Ian: Not like this one, Karl.

Karl: It’s not like anything else. ‘Mechs aren’t built for city fighting. They’re still the most powerful weapon on the field, but they’re at a terrible disadvantage. Tactics need to be changed. Long range weapons are often useless. Sensors can be blocked. The enemy can readily hide and overwhelm you. Concentrate on shorter range weapons. If you use missiles, I recommend SRMs only. Watch your heat, particularly if the enemy deploys flamers. You may wish to use ECM and active radar only in limited bursts to conceal your position. The worst thing you can do is to let yourself get surrounded. If it happens, break off the attack and get some distance before you reengage. Don’t waste your time on taller buildings if they’re in your way. It takes too long to bring them down. Use them to your advantage to trap your enemy.

Ian: What about jump jets?

Karl: It depends on building height. I think you’re better off without them, but they can be useful in areas with lower structures.

Ian: Well, I’ll let you know how it went when I get back. Wish me luck.

Karl: You will make your own luck, young Duke. All you need, if you’re careful.

Rathburn: We’re getting ready for final descent. I’ve received a tactical upload from the resistance. Steiner has units deployed all over the capital. The fighting’s starting to heat up already. The resistance requested we sweep some of the locations where Steiner’s defenses are concentrated, verify targets, and take them out. I’ll upload a map with some of the locations where they’ve run into trouble. Once you complete the mission, I’ll have had time to coordinate with the resistance to form a tactical overview. This is going to be tough, but we win here, and it’s over! Steiner has nowhere to retreat to. Good luck, sir!

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW[edit]

Reconnaissance in Force: We are entering a thick, urban environment to deal the final blow to Steiner. We need to scout and destroy any Steiner units that we uncover. Urban fighting is often close range and brutal. Staying aware of your surroundings will increase the chance of survival.

DURING MISSION[edit]

Rathburn: Okay, Omega, the resistance wants to set up this sector as a staging area, but enemy forces have been too strong for them to handle. You’ve got approximate locations of enemy forces uploaded at Nav Points Alpha through Epsilon. Once you sweep the area and destroy the heavy defenses, the resistance can start moving in.

Ian: Roger. Sweep and destroy all units at Nav Points. Any friendlies in the area?

Rathburn: Negative. Burn any mobile units you contact. Steiner’s militarized the whole sector. The resistance has a couple of forward observer teams in the area, but they’re dug in. Good luck! Control, out.

PE82: This is Private Eye Eight-Two. We’re picking up cold reactor start-up. Must be a couple of ‘Mechs powering up from full shutdown.

Rathburn: Ian, it may take them some time to get powered up. If you can destroy those ‘Mechs before they get their reactors online…

Ian: Way ahead of you, Elise. It’s a lot easier when they stand still and don’t shoot back. We’ll get ‘em before they power up.

Ian: Omega Lead. All contacts at Alpha destroyed.

Rathburn: Acknowledged.

Jen: I’ve seen worse urban action than this! Don’t recall where at the moment…

Ian: Don’t worry. I’m sure the best is yet to come.

Gonzales: Damn close quarters, fighting in the city. I could use more maneuvering.

Terra: Stay sharp. You can bet Castro has deployed her unit to take maximum advantage of the urban environment.

PE37: This is Private Eye Three-Seven. Good work, Omega! Confirm all hostiles at Gamma neutralized. Thank you!

Ian: We had an audience on this one. The pleasure’s all ours, Three-Seven.

Gonzales: You tag ‘em, we frag ‘em.

Ian: Control, looks like we got everything at Beta. Moving out.

Rathburn: Roger, Omega. Confirm all hostiles at Beta destroyed. Good work.

Ian: Omega Lead, here. That’s it for Epsilon. All hostiles down.

Rathburn: Roger, Omega.

Terra: Pretty nasty going. Steiner’s got units all over the place.

Ian: Okay, Control. Delta’s clear.

Rathburn: Copy that.

Gonzales: This city’s crawling with bad guys.

Ian: Control, the sector looks clear. Signal the resistance forces they should be able to push forward.

Rathburn: Roger. Good work, Omega. Hold position, and the resistance will start moving teams in. I didn’t expect it would be this tough. Castro has units deployed everywhere. The resistance would never have been able to move into the area if we hadn’t taken care of those targets. Omega, Forward – move in and do a sweep. Support, see if you can salvage anything, but make it fast. We’ve got the staging base set up within ninety minutes contingent on no contact.