CHAPTER 7
INTO THE LAIR OF THE BEAR
Starring: El Barone Pepperoni (Graham)
Zeus Voyager Bond (PJ)
Penelope Jones (Rich)
Turkey Creek Jack Johnson (Sukh)
Ferdinand (Kell)
Guest Appearances: Judas Storm
Jacques Scarfe
After having completed their last mission for the Lyran Alliance, the Black Crows are now en-route to the Ghost Bear Dominion. The new contract is for the Draconis Combine and is to retrieve plans of a new Mech and vehicles that the Ghost Bears are developing.
At the final stop off point within Combine space (The Kiambla system) the Liaison Officer embarks. He introduces himself as Mitsuhara Toronaga and parks his Sai-7 Aerospace fighter in the Fighter Bay.
After the introductions are made to the group, Toronaga hands over the Intel on the planet of Alshain (target of the contract). The data included a map of the planet showing the major cities and the factory locations.
The other main item of Intel covered the planetary defences. The garrison consists of the Ghost Bear Alpha Galaxy. This equates to 150 Mechs, 80 Aerospace Fighters and numerous support units (including Elementals). They are spread across the planet defending the factories, Starport and Mine complexes.
Also provided by Toronaga are the details on various Pirate Jump Points within the Alshain system.
The group discussed a landing point on the planet and how they would hide the Dropship (The Krows Nest). The Jumpship will remain at the jump point.
After much debate about the merits of a combat drop from the Dropship it was agreed to actually land and disembark. The Dropship would head for the Starport using its ECM gear to simulate a commercial vessel. Once near the Starport, they would ‘deviate’ from the flightpath and land about 2,500km North and unload the Mechs.
The Dropship would then move to an offshore location and remain hidden under the sea. A communications check would be done every couple of hours in case the group needed urgent assistance.
The Jumpship arrived in the Alshain system at one of the jump points provided by Toronaga. Long range scanners detected two small targets approaching. After a few minutes they altered course and headed away.
The Krows Nest headed in system. About 1 hour away from touch down multiple targets were detected. This was 6 fighters and 1 Dropship. The fighters closed on the Krows Nest but the Dropship remained at the edge of scanner range. The groups own Reiver Fighter and Toronaga (Sai Fighter) were launched to take on the approaching enemy.
A short but bloody dogfight ensued which resulted in two enemy fighters being destroyed. The remaining conducted a tactical withdrawal to the waiting Dropship. The Krows Nest took minor damage, as did the Reiver. The Sai (Toronaga) took moderate damage.
The remaining time to landing was uneventful, not even a full retaliatory strike was sent by the Ghost Bears. Maybe the Intel was wrong and there aren’t many defenders on Alshain after all?…
The Krows Nest landed heavily causing minor damage to aft section. All the Mechs were disembarked and the Dropship then took off and hid in the sea.
The group headed Southwest, through the Forest and Mountains for about 1,000km and took about 3 days. When they neared the edge of the mountains the group disembarked from their Mechs and walked on foot, for about 3 hours, to the vicinity of the main coast road. Judas Storm & Jacques Scarfe were left to defend the makeshift mountain hideaway. During this last period and lively discussion ensued about what to do next.
‘Clearly we need to get the Starport and get any info we can on the factories’ someone said, possibly Ferdinand.
‘Why don’t we hijack a car on the road?’ Suggested Zeus.
‘Good idea’
‘Why don’t we shoot the driver of the first vehicle, make it look like an accident and the next vehicle along will stop and investigate’
‘Yeah, and then we take the stopped vehicle, dispose of all the bodies and head to the Starport’ Answered Penelope.
‘Okay. Turkey Creek, Set yourself up in a good firing position and take out the first vehicle on the road. We’ll then create an accident scene for the next sucker to come along’ El Barone said.
So, with a plan agreed everyone took up positions near the road. After about 5 minutes the sound of an approaching vehicle could be heard. Ferdinand saw it first, a motorbike. Turkey Creek lined up the shoot and squeezed the trigger. A single bullet from his Zeus Heavy rifle sped across the gap and hit the rider in the Head. The rider was knocked clean off the bike and crashed to the ground. The bike slid to a halt. The others got the bike and rider and set them up as if it were a simple accident. The riders’ head was a total mess, so had to be hidden from view.
Everyone took up hiding places near the accident spot. 15 minutes went by before another vehicle was heard approaching. This time Turkey Creek saw it first, a pickup truck with 2 people inside. The pickup stopped at the ‘accident’ and the passenger got out to render assistance.
Ferdinand was in the prime spot to shoot him and so He did. Unfortunately the hit with his pulse laser pistol only grazed the mans right arm. Stunned from the attack he stood there and looked at his arm. Ferdinand fired again and only managed to graze his left leg.
Meanwhile, Zeus crawled to the drivers’ door and opened it. Pistol drawn he said ‘Get out now!’. The surprised driver obeyed and got out.
Turkey Creek was fed up with Ferdinand pussy footing about with the other guys and shot him in the chest. He instantly fell to the ground, dead.
The remaining guy was bound and gagged. The bike, and the bodies were taken to the cliff edge and thrown over. Everyone piled into the pickup, 3 inside & 3 in the open back area, and headed south towards Silverdale (and the Starport).
The drive south was uneventful with one exception. About 50km north of the Mech factory the pickup truck drove through a small town. There was no obvious signs of life, no vehicles on the roads. As the group approached the southern end of the town and vehicle passed them heading into town and then stopped at a house. The occupants got out and went into the house. They were wearing white coats, gloves and respirator masks.
The land to the right of the road (west) had a high wire fence enclosing it and was assumed to be the perimeter of the Mech factory.
Further south, another town was driven through. This time the place seemed normal with plenty of people and vehicles milling about.
About 200km north of Silverdale the truck needed re-fuelling, so they stopped at the petrol station. Ferdinand went into the shop to pay and asked the attendant if there had been any problems with the Mech Factory nearby.
‘Well no. not really. The usual problems of noise at night when they are out testing on the ranges.'
‘Really’
‘Oh yeah, there was something I heard the other day’
‘What was that’
‘One of the towns to the north of here has been isolated due to some infection detected in some of the population.’
‘Nothing serious I hope’ Ferdinand said, remembering the town they drove through earlier.
‘Don’t think so. Rumours say that the infected people have been vomiting and aren’t really able to do much. I had heard that one person died but it can’t be that bad can it?’
‘Probably nothing to worry about. Anyway, thanks’ With that Ferdinand left.
This info was reported to the group and they carried on down the road to Silverdale. After a few more hours they arrived in the city and found somewhere to stay.
Everybody went out that evening to the local pub, the Nags Head. All was going well and the place was quite lively until 3 large people (2 men, 1 woman) entered the pub. Most people ignored them, a few people looked at the new arrivals then carried on drinking but two guys looked upon the 3 arrivals with disdain. It was clear after a few seconds that these were Ghost Bear Elemental pilots,
Ferdinand, desperately trying to control his urges, had had enough. He was fed up with watching what he drank so went over to the female elemental….
‘Can I buy you drink’
‘Are you sure you can handle me, little man’ was the reply.
‘Excuse me, I want to buy you a drink. Nothing more’
‘Well in that case, we’ll have 3 Kodiaks’
‘Barman. 4 Kodiaks please’ Ferdinand said.
Four pints of dark, foaming liquid were put on the bar. The Elementals took their drinks and downed them in one swift motion. Not to be seen to be a wimp Ferdinand did the same, only not so graceful as some spilt to the floor.
‘Not bad little man. Tell me your name’
‘Why Thankyou. Barman, 4 more Kodiaks. Ferdinand’.
The drinking continued for a while and Zeus joined the party. Ferdinand was feeling on top of the world, his addiction was being satisfied at last.
Meanwhile, El Barone had noticed to two that sneered at the Elementals and went over to talk to them. The remainder just sat, enjoyed the drinking and the ‘scenery’.
‘Good evening gentlemen. I couldn’t help noticing your reaction to those guys over there.’ El Barone said, pointing towards the Elementals.
‘Clanners. Think they own the place. Well they don’t. It’s just on loan from the Combine’ One guy said.
‘Say what you feel.’ the other said.
‘Know what you mean. I’m not from around here, but I have no love for the Clans either. Do many people share your views?’ El Barone asked.
‘There are more descenters than the Occupation Government will ever admit to. As the weeks and months go by the resentment of the Clan occupation gets stronger.’
‘Really, I would have thought that the Dominion would be bending over backwards to help its citizens?’ El Barone inquired.
‘So the adverts would have you believe. But the truth is quite a bit different.’
‘In that case, we might be able to help each other. Is there anywhere we can meet a bit more privately and discuss this further.’
‘Well, I don’t know.’ On guy said.
‘Oh come on ……., what have we got to lose. Okay.’
El Barone was given an address to meet tomorrow and then rejoined the others.
The following morning, Zeus was feeling a bit worse for wear after a night on the Kodiaks. However, Ferdinand was feeling satisfied. Penelope was being violently sick all the time, despite not drinking heavily the night before. She was taken to the local hospital and kept in for observation. ‘It’s probably only a flu type bug, but we’ll keep her in for now’ the Doc said.
El Barone, Ferdinand & Toronaga went to the ‘meeting’. The others just passed the time peacefully in the city.
The two guys from the pub introduced themselves as members of the Silver Fox Rebels Resistance Movement.
‘Our aim is to rid the planet of the occupying Clan scum and return to Draconis rule. Now, years ago we were opposed to the Combines way of ruling, but there attitudes have changed and we would prefer them as Rulers any day.’
‘So what can you offer us?’ The other guy said.
‘We are on a mission for the Draconis Combine which should help liberate the planet of Alshain. Beyond that I cannot say any more.’ Toronaga said.
‘What can we do to help?’
‘What do you know of the production at the Mech Factory and Vehicle Factory?’ El Barone asked.
‘Not much really. We know that they have both been re-tooled for new designs, that have undergone initial field tests. Every attempt to get people on the inside of the factories to work has failed. They bring in there own personnel.’
‘Do they ship any of the equipment off planet?’ Ferdinand asked.
‘They have just started moving some Mechs from the factory, by road to the Starport and transporting them off planet. Not sure about the vehicles.’
‘What about materials being brought in for the manufacture process?’ El Barone inquired.
‘I believe that some material is transported by road from the mine complex to the south of the continent.’
‘Excellent. What we need you to do for us is cause a diversion at the vehicle factory. We will hijack one of the materials shipments and drive into the factory. When we arrive, we’ll signal you to start the diversion. This should allow us to get in, have a look around and get out again before they become suspicious.’ Stated El Barone.
‘Well, I think we have a plan then.’ Toronaga said. ‘Thankyou for your support ….. We will be in touch.’
They rejoined the rest of the group and explained the plan. Zeus said that Penelope
was still in the hospital and wouldn’t be released until tomorrow.
So another quiet night passed and Penelope was collected from the hospital, still feeling ill but not too bad to travel.
The drive south took a few days. Penelope’s condition improved and a plan was hatched to hijack the transport.
The plan involves shooting out a tyre on the truck, forcing it to stop. Taking the drivers hostage and ‘getting’ information from them about the delivery. Driving to the factory, making the delivery and having a look round.
The ambush was set up on the coast road near the hills about 1000km Southwest of Silverdale. Turkey Creek aimed at one of the rear tyres of the truck and fired. The shot hit the mark and the burst shattered forcing the driver to stop and investigate. When the truck came to a standstill, the others leaped out and ordered the occupants to get out of the truck.
Penelope and El Barone then set about interrogating the prisoners. They wanted to know the passwords and procedures to get into the factory. One guy said that they just drive up to the gate, hand them the paperwork and the drive in. Penelope didn’t believe it was that simple, so she killed him and went to the other driver. He said the same thing and as a result was he was bound, gagged and killed. The bodies were disposed of and the Tyre repaired.
The drive back north to the factory was uneventful.
It was early evening when they approached the factory. Off to the east, and closing fast, were two Mechs and five vehicles. As they got closer they started firing at the factory and the truck the group were in. Fortunately they missed the truck, deliberately. These were elements of the Silver Fox Rebels causing a distraction. The garrison at the factory retaliated with a Star of OmniMechs.
As you approached the factory gates they opened and you were waved in. Shots flew past the truck in both directions as the battle raged.
“What the hell is going on out there?” Zeus asked the loading supervisor.
“Some of the locals disagree with our presence and annoy us with raids every now and then. Nothing to be alarmed about. When it’s clear for you to leave we’ll let you know.”
“Okay, thanks”
“Meanwhile, park up over there and get yourselves a coffee and a bite to eat.” The supervisor points to a parking area by the side of the main building.
They park the truck and the ‘rear’ passengers sneak out to have a ‘look’ around the complex.
There are several vehicles parked up that are unfamiliar to everyone. El Barone & Ferdinand manage to gain access to the production offices and locate the plans for several vehicle design on the computer system. They are downloaded to El Barone’s portable computer. The designs obtained are the Asshur, ATM Carrier, MARS Assault vehicle and the Svantovit.
They get back to the truck and about ten minutes later are given the all clear to leave. The group drive to the nearby town and pass the wrecks of the Silver Fox Rebels – Cicada Mech, a pair of Pegasus hovercraft and what looked like a motorised Infantry platoon.
The following morning, the group head East towards the mountains where their Mechs are hiding. The journey takes a few days. En-route they are overflown by Ghost Bear Aerospace Fighters on several occasions. Also you can determine that a Star of Mechs are on your tail.
Eventually, after what seemed like forever, you get back to the camp in the mountains and find that the Mechs are still there and ready to go. All you have to do now is head Southwest for 2 days and avoid the Ghost Bear patrols. Simple.
At differing times during the arduous march South you detected several different groups of Mechs patrolling the area. Fortunately, none seemed to detect you and close for a better look.
As you approached the factory, through the firing range, some explosions went off near some of your Mechs. Moving on, some static weapons bunkers were encountered and easily taken out. Only minor damage was inflicted on the group.
With no time to carry out running repairs, you push on to the factory. El Barone (Wraith), Turkey Creek (Thor) and Ferdinand (Quikdraw) began moving through the hills whilst the rest (Zeus (Dervish), Judas Storm (Hatamoto), Penelope (Mad Cat) & Jacque Scarfe (Berserker)) advanced across the flat, lightly wooded area.
The Ghost Bears defending the factory comprised of 2 Vultures, a Dragonfly, a Daishi and a Thor. There are also 10 weapons turrets on the factory buildings. The turrets appeared to be armed with Medium Lasers (2) and SRM-6 (8).
A firefight ensued and the Ghost Bear Mechs quickly found their range, causing moderate damage on the Hatamoto, Mad Cat and Berserker. Minimal damage was inflicted on the Bears.
As the engagement ranges reduced two of the Ghost Bear Mechs dropped something to the ground….
Zeus was the first one to see them and the realisation dawned on him. ‘Elementals!! The bastards are dropping Elementals!!’ He shouted.
Before the group could comprehend the impact of this statement, Zeus’s Dervish was swarmed by a Point of Elementals (5 troopers).
Penelope and Judas Storm got into firing positions on the Advancing Thor, whilst Jacques Scarfe charged to point blank range ready to use the Berserker’s axe. The Thor went crashing to the ground under heavy fire, but Jacques missed with the axe.
At the same time Zeus decided to charge his Dervish towards the factory to try and get the Elementals off his Mech. Hoping to smash into the wall and kill a few of them in the process.
TO BE CONTINUED……
As the credits roll for the end of the episode the damage states of the participants is as follows:
Defenders:
Vulture P (Near Ferdinand): 22% damage, heavy damage to the Head
Thor: 48% damage, moderate damage to Head, Prone
Daishi: Undamaged
Dragonfly: 18% damage
Vulture B: 5% damage
Elemental 1: On Dervish, no damage
Elemental 2: Near Ferdinand, no damage
Elemental 3: On Daishi, no damage
Elemental 4: In same hex as Thor, 80% damage, 2 Troopers dead
Elemental 5: On Vulture B, 56% damage, 2 Troopers Severely wounded
Attackers:
Wraith (El Barone): 8% damage, Laser Pulse Laser Jammed
Quickdraw (Ferdinand): 9% damage
Dervish (Zeus): 22% damage
Hatamoto (Judas Storm): 28% damage
Thor (Turkey Creek): 13% damage
Berserker (Jacques Scarfe): 46% damage, heavy damage to Head
Mad Cat (Penelope): Undamaged