Musings On The Campaign Storyline...

My Cicada, Sky's awesome Coolant Truck! 

 I'm off to do Wilderness EMT training this weekend, so no campaign games for me! I've been talking with Sky about our recent epic throwdown for the DropShip. I was lucky. He failed just enough rolls, and I made just enough rolls, to cause him some real financial pain in terms of his company's ability to recover from the battle.

Losing his Jaegermech was big. Having to repair and rearm most of his unit is big. So what would a merc unit like Wagner's Legion do? Go rogue. That's what we decided. They're going to break with their Kurita employers, do a murderous raid on Mining Hab 101, then flee the region with whatever booty they can haul.

In effect, they'll become Periphery pirates. Sky and I will fight one last battle, but I will run an under-strength lance of local 'Mechs maintained by the ragtag miners of Hab 101. Sky will attack in force with his weakened mercs, and we'll see what happens.

Meanwhile, Dave needs to recover from his disastrous throwdown with Stu's Kurita (battle rep, gentlemen?), and then the 5th Dneiper Explorer Corps needs to stage some kind of climactic battle with Kurita to close down this first story arc of the campaign.

So lots to think about!

--Scott

AAR: Battle On Lycos II, Part 2: Re-Taking The DropShip!

Outworlds Alliance
Sunday, 8 / 2 / 3071
Lycos II, Second Moon of Risin
1130 Hours Standard

As the 5th Dneiper Explorer Corps' Striker Lance and Infantry Detachment made off with what they believed to be a key piece of lostech, the rest of their Company battled to re-take the unit's DropShip! 

Wagner's Legion, previously misidentified as the 4th Arkab Legion, seized the EC DropShip New Horizon in a bold move to cut the unit off and strand them on Lycos II. Captain Charlie Bloodhawk moved the bulk of the EC's 1st Co. back into position for a counter-assault to quickly retake the priceless craft. 

Above, Wagner's spy-drone images (time roughly 0530 standard) of the 5th Explorer Corps' 1st Co. before they split to tackle the mission to recover the lostech. In the background, the EC's DropShip, the New Horizon, to the right, Lycos II's abandoned A. Wilson Arcology, and to the left, the Grinholt Woods and Mining Hab 101. 

Above, the scene from a different angle. Shortly after this pic was transmitted, Wagner's drone was shot from the sky! 

Above, the resourceful Mercs of Wagner's Legion stress combined arms warfare--here we see a 60 ton Dragon and anti-Mech Infantry advancing beneath the massive New Horizon's shadow. 

Above, Wagner's daring Clint and Spider pilots take position atop the New Horizon's hull!

Above, Mousa's Jaegermech and his comrade in a Panther boldly step forward to pour fire into the advancing EC 'Mechs! 

Wagner's deadly AeroSpace support would prove pivotal in the coming battle--pinpoint bombing runs would have the EC running scared! 

Above, initially the EC sought cover in the woods, but then realized they had to spread out or suffer the horror of aerial bomb runs! 

Advancing into the withering fire of the well-placed Wagner's Legion, the EC tried to return the favor with some concentrated fire of their own! They spread out, with Yandorak's Quickdraw holding the far right flank, and Charon Crawford's Cicada rushing to claim the left flank and Mining Hab 101. 

When it came, the AeroSpace attack run left a trio of EC 'Mechs heavily damaged! 

Mysterious EC MechWarrior Kgosi Z. returns fire against the streaking Rievers of Wagner's AeroSpace lance! The devastating firepower of his HBK-5P Hunchback's massed medium lasers strikes home, seriously damaging the fighter's fire control and nearly knocking it from the sky! 

Salazar (Dervish) and Wilson (Trebuchet) trade fire with Mousa in his Jaegermech! Mousa's true feud lay with Kwint Savak in the EC's other Dervish, and it was only fitting when Savak (a Blood Stalker) dealt the final shots that exploded Mousa's heavy 'Mech! 

When Mousa's Jaegermech went down, and Rievers took heavy damage, Wagner's crew pulled back and quit the field. Mousa escaped, and the 5th Explorer Corps claimed the remains of his 'Mech for salvage. The spoils of war! Now the 5th EC and their allies in the Vistual Legion possess a clear means to escape Lycos II with their lostech booty. 

House Kurita, General Nagumo, and their Merc allies will not rest, or let this defeat sway them from their desire to claim the treasures Shango Agathi and his intrepid warriors seek! 

--Scott 

Identify That 'Mech Pt 3

This will be the last request for help in identifying 'Mechs. At least until next time!

First up is an easy one. This is a Dervish.

This one was easy as well. The much beloved Hunchback.

This 'Mech is a total unknown to me. Hopefully it isn't for you.

Another uknown to me. Is it even a BattleTech 'Mech or is it another mecha from another gaming system?

Well I hope you had a good laugh at my ignorance. I hope even more that you can school me. Thanks for reading.

Oh, and to give credit where credit is due; I did not paint these 'Mechs. The wonderful paint jobs and finishing work were all done by Scott Pyle. The ignorance is all mine though!

-Dave

Identify That 'Mech Pt 2

Continuing on in my public display of ignorance, here are four more 'Mechs to help me identify.

This one I call an Orion. Am I right?

I think the next two are Orions. They are just posed differently. Correct me if I am wrong.

I can't identify this one. Help me if you can.

Again, thanks for reading. I appreciate any help you can give in relieving my ignorance.

-Dave

Identify That 'Mech Pt 1

I am about to display my ignorance of the overall BattleTech universe.

Going through the "lost tech" 'Mechs, I discovered I was unable to identify several of them. So I am asking help here.

This one I am fairly certain of. I identify it as a Vindicator. Am I right?

The next one is an "I don't know". It is armed similar to Battlemaster with an underslung PPC on its arm and missile launcher on the shoulder, but it is not a Battlemaster. Anyone know?

I haven't a clue on the 'Mech below. Please help.

This one looks like a Banshee except it has a PPC instead of a left arm. A variant perhaps?

Thanks for reading and help give me a clue if you can. Parts 2 and 3 are coming up.

-Dave

Lost Tech Found by Vistula Guard

While exploring the ancient ruins on Risin's second moon, elements of the Vistula Guard stumbled on a secret cache. When they managed to bypass the old security systems and open the aged vault they were amazed at what they discovered.

It was the Mother Lode.

Inside, stored in perfect condition were 12 'Mechs. That was three lances worth of the fighting machines. An entire company!

Here are a few vid captures of the treasure trove. The 'Mechs are arranged in size order, more or less.

(Some nice Assault and Heavy 'Mechs)

(Recovered Heavy and Medium 'Mechs)

(Recently found Medium and Light 'Mechs)

Although the lost tech was discovered by the Vistula Guard, it is understood that the 5th Explorer's Corps may, if they wish, invoke salvage rights.

Enjoy!

-Dave

The Vistula Guard as Currently Painted

Here are some quick snaps of the Vistula Guard at its current painted status. As it stands now, the Guard is a short battalion in strength. It consists of two full 'Mech companies and one partial mixed company:

Vistula Guard

Here is the Command Lance:

Vistula Guard Command Lance

This is Able Company. Able Company is made up of an Assault Lance, a Battle Lance and a Pursuit Lance:

Able Company

Next up is Baker Company which contains an Assault Lance, a Striker Lance and a Support Lance:

Baker Company

And finally there is Charlie Company which is a mixed company made up with an Infantry Lance a partial Assault Armor Lance and two support 'Mechs.

Charlie Company

Now to be clear, this is what I have painted. Not what I am fielding in our current campaign. What I am fielding is considerably less. The fielded units represent the Vistula Guard as they first started out; a reinforced company.

Enjoy!

-Dave

I Bought An Arcology!

We need to up our terrain game. Today I picked up a neat piece from Micro Art Studio that will help us do just that!

It's their 28mm Generator, but what passes for a sci-fi generator in 28mm makes a damn fine Arcology in 6mm, at least IMHO.  What do you folks think?

Sky, care to try your hand (and your airbrush) at painting this sucker for Sunday's game?

Thanks!

--Scott

AAR: Battle On Lycos II, Part 1

Outworlds Alliance
Sunday, 8 / 2 / 3071
Lycos II, Second Moon of Risin
0830 Hours Standard

Elements of the 5th Dneiper Explorer Corps and its allied mercenaries the Vistual Guard faced stiff resistance while scouting the ruins of a subterranean research facility beneath Klondike, and abandoned mining town. The resistance came from the forces of House Kurita and its own Merc allies, the 4th Arkab Legion. 

Both forces fielded only light scouting units and infantry--no one daring to bring heavier units to bear in the ruins of the geologically unstable facility. 

Above, the Kurita 9th Galedon Regulars scout elements directed from afar by the ruthless and ambitious Colonel Nagumo.

Above the scout elements of the BattleMech elements of the 4th Arkab Legion--they also brought three units of pesky anti-Mech infantry! 

Above, the Exploer Corp's scouts assemble before entering the complex. 

Above, they were accompanied by light elements of the Vistula Guard.

The scenario centered around a Meeting Engagement with four Tech objectives to battle over. One of those four objectives contained critical information on a Star League era Neural Net interface that could provide advancements in BattleMech and AeroSpace command and control. It was something both Agathi and Nagumo wanted badly. Now their forces would have to fight to claim it.

Above, initial movement saw some of the EC's infantry using a commandeered Maultier transport to cover extra ground! 

Above, 4th Arkab Spider and Jenner cautiously approach the ruins; their speed and maneuverability would be key as things developed.

Meanwhile, the Vistula Guard fielded its own Jenner! Behind it, an Explorer Corps Flea FLE-17 hauls a unit of elite Longinus XMEC Battle Armor into the fray!

Above, the 4th Arkab's lightning fast Hermes races ahead and enters the ruins--the first objective lies within its grasp! 

Above, 5th Dneiper Explorer Corps and the Vistula Guard cannot reach the ruins ahead of the swift Arkab 'Mechs! 

Meanwhile, Kurita battle armor and a pair of Panthers stalk forward in support of their swift 'Merc allies!

The Arkab Hermes reaches one of the Tech objectives and takes control of it--now his daring pilot must spirit it off the board before his enemies reach him. 

Above, the Vistula Raven and the Longinus Battle Armor scan for the 4th Arkab Spider. 

The 4th Arkab Spider leaps in and seizes a second objective! 

The Flea trades shots with the Arkab's well posiitoned  Clint...

Explorer Corps veteran Imam Mustafah Khamul seeks higher ground in his Spider SDR-C. 

Meanwhile, Longinus Battle Armor seizes the third objective. 

The Arkab Hermes darts through an enfilade of fire, objective in hand! 

Flea and Longinus BA trade shots with the Clint--the Flea takes the worst of it! 

Khamul (in his trusty Spider) takes a serious risk to try to stop the 4th Arkab's Spider and gets surrounded for his trouble!

The 4th Arkab Spider trades shots as he escapes with his objective! 

Vistula Wolfhound and Raven double-team the Arkab Clint, but...

...the Arkab anti-Mech infantry knocks out the Raven with LRM fire!

With each force securing two objectives, we diced off to see who got the "pivotal" piece of Tech. Because they got the better of the EC and the Vistula Guard, the Kurita forces and their Merc allies got a +1 on the roll, but it did not help!  One of the EC's objectives turned out to be key Tech!

Next time, dual Pursuit battles once Colonel Nagumo discovers his troops got the wrong item, he sends them after his foes in force!

Thanks for reading! 

--Scott