Jamie stood to ask a few questions.
"My dad read me a story like this once when I was about this high..."  Jamie placed his hand by his waist.
"Ma'am, I imagine a small band of mercenaries wouldn't call each other by their "Talon" designations.  We also shouldn't use our real names, if I'm not mistaken.  We'll need nicknames or something to go by while we're there, no?
Second, what will the likely repercussions be of a small explosion now and then?
Third, how long will we be there?  Do we have a time limit?
Last, but not least, we probably don't want to go in there dressed all pretty-like.  Neat hair, clean faces, pressed clothes and cultured conduct won't do a band of mercenaries any good in getting a job.  A good layer of dirt on the faces and tangled hair should help, and heavily wrinkled civilian clothes.  Some practice makin' your speech all tough-like and uncultured is prob'ly a good idea.  The guys in the storybook chewed toothpicks and wrapped bandanas around their arms to look tough.  What do you think, Captain?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Tue 21 Mar 2006.

Ashlyn remained seated, but raised his hand to indicate a couple of questions.  "How much ley way will we be alloted for independent decisions?  If we see the opportunity to make off with one of those fighters, do we go for it?"  He assumed a motly group of mercenaries would wander and pair off, not keeping to one big click the entire time.

Mark stood up and waved the captain back to her seats.  "All of you will be provided with identification and cover identities before we get there.  Captain Jax has a team working on such things already.  We will be taking advice from her on how we should all act.  I myself am not good at such things so I'm sure we will be taking a minimalist approach at such things.  A team of military drop-outs or such will not be far from the truth."

"As for your questions about explosions are you referring to the repercussions from the locals or from me.  The former I can't accurately answer.  It is a largely lawless society so we shouldn't draw too much attention to ourselves.  If you are referring to repurcussions from me it will depend on your intent.  If you are talking about the strategic destruction of priority targets of opportunity then there will be no problem.  But these will likely have been pre-determined by myself and others in planning phases.  If you're planning cheap pyrotechnics for your own amusement I will be quickly reviewing my choice of flight leader."

"Our length of stay will be as long as in deemed necessary by me.  If we are producing valuable information then we will stay.  If nothing is to be gained we leave.  We have new fixed objectives from command.  In a way we are making it up as we go."





The commander smiled at this one.  "You are all officers in a special force environment and I trust you to make decisions in the field when your commanding officers are not near by.  However make sure they are intelligent decisions.  What effect would jumping in a fighter and flying off going to have?  If they know its you, you compromise our cover.  How will you beat their defences?  Where will you rearm and refuel the fighter you have captured?  A single decision can have lasting repurcussions."

"I'm sure Flight Officer Kismet can enlighten us all on the intracacies and planning in the acquisition of ships.  He is our resident expert in such fields.  I am quite sure that stealing fighters is going to require planning and timing."

"So in short remember I am in command and Jax is my second.  When you're alone, play smart and I will support the decisions you make.  I can't expect you to call me everytime you want to hit the head."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Tue 21 Mar 2006.

At the mention of the last question, Allen raises his hand.  "If we do manage to snatch some fighters, where would they go?  Would the Alliance take them?  Would we they be reassigned in this squadron?  Or would we get to keep what we take?  Sir?"  Allen looks slightly hopeful, but tries not to show it.

"While I enjoy my job, I am responsible with dangerous materials.  I will be prepared to blow anything necessary to complete the mission.  If you have any intended targets already, I'd like to study them as soon as possible, Sir."

"I would like to assist the Captain's team in making the cover identities, Commander. If I am here as this squadron's Communications Officer, I believe I must be intimately familiar with the covers and codenames of the rest of the squadron. Am I right to assume that I will be the one passing all critical information across the squad on the ground?"

Cyril made his statement with calculated precision. He had intended not only to impress upon the others his own cover story, but also to insinuate to the Commander that he was, in fact, already undercover, but still wanted to contribute his talents to the pre-mission effort.

Christian puts his hand up.  "Sir, Ma'am.  If I may?  The plan here is calling for us as a team to gain information and resources.  Gaining intel on the pirates will prove interesing in itself, as pirates tend not to trust easily."

"What I am conserned about is getting supplies, or more to the point, ships off.  With each of us, taking a ship, there will be a lot of targets to shoot down, and by the time the first is gone, another may be cauught."

Christian looks at the group.  "With my limited tactics training, it would seem prudent to tell the commander the obvious, but maybe splitting us up into smaller groups, and simutaniously hitting multiple compounds.  More confusion, which means greater forces will be split up.  Three or four groups of ships being taken at once would prove to do this.  This, unfortunatly, also means that the groups would have to appear as strangers."

Zyra frowns.  "Whilst we are acting the part of mercenaries does not make us so.  Every credit and piece of hardware we capture will be turned over the the Alliance to fund the war effort.  The commander and I hope to keep the starfighters to use for the squadron but that is up to our superiors."

"Anyone caught witholding plundered items will face courtmartial on our return.  We are military officers."





"As has been suggested, our intelligence is very poor, hence the reason we are going in.  Targets will be identified and targetted in the field."




"You and I will be working on many such issues together.  You will be my wingman for much of the intelligence work."





"The problem of course Mister Grimm is that we don't even know if there is one fighter suitable for us to capture, let alone four or more.  This will be determined on our arrival.  Once again, like some of your wingmates are planning strikes before we even know what is there.  For all we know there will be nothing of value on this planet and the whole mission will be a wasted trip."

"One point you make that needs to be considered is wether we pose as a group of mercenaries or break into groups.  With more time and resources I would have proposed the latter.  However due to our logistical situation we only have one shuttle at our disposal.  Having several small groups of mercenaries all arriving on the shuttle will fool nobody.  I feel posing as one larger group is our best option.  I am thinking that myself and perhaps Mister Hyquin will pose as private citizens to 'distance us' from the group.  But I am open to suggestions."



OOC:  I know some of these messages are aimed at the Commander but since I am on and he hasn't posted yet I thought I'd answer in his stead.  He'll likely do the same if he gets on when I'm not here!

A lot of people seem to think there is more intel than I have said.  All we really know is that this city is a likely pirate staging base.  We can't determine strikes, etc until we get some intel (which is our first priority on planet) to be followed by raids (stealing stuff) and strikes (blowing stuff up!)

Hope this helps.

Nirro listened to the others' remarks with interest. He wondered however what was the true purpose of the mission? Stealing fighters obviously wasn't the main purpose of the mission. So why is everyone paying so much attention to this one thing? He figured he would just go with the flow on this one. A pirate's encryption protocol more than likely was not as advanced as imperials so more than likely his job wouldn't be too tough.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Wed 22 Mar 2006.

"Okay, I understand, but I hope you don't expect free drinks for our performance on ground-based missions too, Captain, considering the others will probably get to do most of the really neat stuff," Hyquin replies.



Cyril had been thinking the same thing since Christian suggested it.

"I second your recommendation, ma'am. I think it would be more believable that a mercenary group has it's own starship and sometimes uses it to ferry certain 'clients' to the place, rather than make it seem like a private corporation has shuttles that regularly makes trips there. That way, we might be able to go in as citizens without raising suspicion, and that might allow us to move around much more freely than the others. In the very least, no one will question why there are non-combatants hitching a ride on a mercenary shuttle."

Ashlyn chimed in, "Or they will see a pair of rich non-combatants ripe for the picking once you separate.  It sounds to dangerous to risk the Captain that way.  I would think let everyone know we are affilitated, it would discourage trouble.  Pick on one of us, pick on all of us."

Hyquin states, "You make a very good point, but your suggestion would prevent us from being able to gather any substantial intel at all. Think about it: what group of pirates or mercs would want to talk with anyone associated with a rival group? I fear that the potential for better intel far outweighs the risk to the Captain and I."

Cyril supresses the urge to tease Ashylyn for the 'too dangerous to risk the Captain' bit. "In any case, if you really want to insist on our safety, you could always volunteer to shadow us and keep us in your rifle sights, Ashlyn. That way, you can pick off anyone who tries to pick on us."

Christian smiles slightly at Cyril's comments, knowing full well it wasn't practical.  "Yeah, but how you going to explain the body count in your wake?"

He looks at the commander and Zyra.  "If splitting up..may I suggest that you take someone else, as a 'personal bodyguard'.  That sort of thing isn't unheard of, and in a pirate town, a civilian on his own might raise suspicion."

He looks around.  "Any weapon stores found could be used at our advantage..taking what we need and 'disposing' of the rest.." looking at jamie with a slight smile.  Chrsitian then looks at Cyril.

"..as could any other newcommers.  Cyril, could any others that arive draw attention away from us and onto them..a group that is an unintentional and unknown decoy?"

Devon - who had been sat quietly up till now - perked up at this comment.

'I like that one - we're probably going to have to procure some supplies of some sort sooner or later - if that is going to get discovered, we could make it look like it was some other group of merc scum did it...' he said, grinning to show that he didnt really think his squad mates were mercenary scum.

'Call it an extra layer of security - on top of our cover identities.  Evidence that makes it look like one bunch of mercs were trying to frame another?' he looked round hopefully at the squads covert-ops types; this was more their field, after all.

Cyril ponders both Christian's and Devon's suggestions for a moment, with his brain running several possibilities. "It's definitely doable, but it hinges on the fact that another group has to have the same objectives as we have."

Cyril's face lights up once his internal simulator finishes running one of it's numerous scenarios. "But that could be arranged!" he says enthusiastically. "Once we've determined targets for acquisition and/or demolition, the Captain and I could either hire a group for roughly the same mission, or spread some enticing bits of information that would be too good for any pirate or merc group to pass up. In the ensuing confusion, the rest of the squad could achieve the actual mission objectives, and all the blame would fall on the group or groups that got duped into being our decoys."

Mark waved everyone tot heir seats.  "Gentlemen and ladies, lets not get focused on one minor aspect of the mission.  The Captain and Mister Hyquin are our experts in that area, they will decide how our infiltration will proceed.  You are all experts in a field so that is where I really need your opinions."

"To which I need a list of items you will need from the quartermaster for this mission.  Message my datapad by the end of this briefing with equipment you need.  Keep it sensible.  We will be trying to pose as mercenaries, not over-equipped special forces commandos.  We have limited equipment on board, not all we have access to."

"You will each be supplied with a Merr-Sonn Model 44 blaster pistol, an encrypted commlink, vibroblade and a padded flight suit.  If you wish to take your own gear, keep it reasonable and inconspicuous.  Even a lawless society will notice you walking down the street with a repeating blaster slung over your shouder.  List all personal gear in your message to me for approval also."

"So lets focus on the mission.  Trusting the good captain and her team get us through security we then need to start working on our objectives; locating valuable intelligence, like attack routes, chain of command, morale as well as suppliers and buyers of their goods.   We need to pinpoint supply dumps for capture or destruction.  We will also need to infiltrate their starbase also for destruction or capture."

"Any ideas on how we should proceed here?  You will all be needed to perform jobs so now is the time to help us assign you where you are best suited.  If your idea of helping the squadron is shooting bad guys I will arrange your transfer to the Alliance Infantry tonight."


OOC:  Make sure you PM me and the GM your equipment list for the mission as well as your requisition requests (ie. Your wish lists).  Remember this reflects on your command ability.  Submitting stupid requests (ie. asking for some exotic weapon or 2 tonnes of explosives, etc) will not earn you my favour!

"Then our mission sounds more like a campaign: gather intel, select priority targets, create sub-missions accordingly, repeat.

"In this manner, I think two teams would be appropriate. The first team would, at the bare minimum, consist of me, the Captain, and, as Christian suggested, one other person that could fill the role of our bodyguard. We'll handle intelligence-gathering, and selecting primary targets, then pass on what we piece together to the other squad, which will consist of the rest of the squad. That team will create and execute sub-missions according to the targets we select.

However, since we're going in almost blind, I think the best course of action at the start is to integrate ourselves into the place... probably hire the second team out for one or two straightforward missions that don't involve getting off-planet, or off-system - we can't always be stealing resources. In the meantime, the first team will continually try to gather information, then every so often send the second team to go after our actual objectives. Of course, if the second team ever gleans any valuable intel, they should immediately contact the first team.

We'll keep on repeating this process until we accurately pinpoint the location of the pirate group that's primarily responsible for harassing Alliance assets. When that happens, we drop everything and regroup to plan our final mission."

Zyra smiles.  "For a comm officer you have a flair for deception Cyril.  I'd best watch you!  However there are one or two factors that have not been considered.  Firstly if your deception skills lend themselves to the art of disguise as well than we should have no problem creating as many alternate identities as we need."

She gestures towards the commander.  "He's our second problem.  He has no flair  for deception.  A rather endearing trait at the best of times but we need someone to be the 'face' of this mercenary group and that will likely be you or I.  Unless one of the others here is a born liar or a childhood actor we will be needed to preserve the integrity of our group's cover."

Xil stands again at this time.  "I think at this point, I would make a good candidate for bodyguard on the Captain's team, as per Mister Hyquin's suggestion.  As he has been assigned as my wingman, I believe it would be a good way to solidify our professional relationship.  I am also skilled in survival skills and tactics."  After he is acknowleged, he sits back down.

Koruusk listened patiently as everyone else spoke. Everyone else except the Duros had had some time to get to know each other and feel each other out. This was his opportunity. Mostly he felt relieved by everyone. Cyril, however, seemed perhaps a bit overconfident or maybe just a bit too eager to blend with the group. Something about the way the man spoke put Koruusk a little on guard.

"I think we need two face men," he spoke at last in his hissed basic. "One slippery and authoritative, and one to present strength. These types respect strength and no amount of smooth talking is going to sway them if they do not see a means we can back it up. We need a face leader and a show of muscle next to them."

His speech was somewhat broken and he occasionally had to fish for a word but his message, he thought, came across. It was somewhat frustrating having to listen to everyone speaking basic but he was able to keep up.

"I think our weapons and armor should be....... different also," he couldn't remember the word unique in basic. "I've never seen a 'lawless' group wearing the same outfits and all using the same weapons. I think everything should look worn out and well used too. Lastly, I would like to volunteer to serve as your bodyguard Captain. I may or may not be tougher than anyone else but people usually give a second thought before attacking a wookie or a trandoshan. And I am really good in close quarters."

Devon nods agreement with Koruusk.  'He's right: anyone sees us all with identical equipment and they're instantly going to be suspicious.  Battered but well looked after individual equipment is a better idea:  people see a supposed merc carrying a blaster that looks like its been round the galaxy twice, it fits in.  They see him and his buddies carrying shiney new identical pistols, they wonder where they got them.  We don't want people wondering that sort of thing.  Customized gear - different grips, different casings, you name it.'
Out of his pocket, Devon produces a battered and scuffed comlink and holds it up for everyone to see.  Then he points to the significantly cleaner and newer commlink on the captains desk.  'Spot the difference'  He tucks his commlink away again.


'As Koruusk being a bodyguard? In the sort of circle we're going to be trying to infiltrate, its pretty much a mark of prestige to have a different species guard.'  One of the fences he'd worked with from time to time sprang to mind, or rather his guard did:  the biggest gammorean you ever did see.
'A good rule of thumb is generally the bigger, surlier and more obviously armed the guard is, the better.  Actual ability seems to comes a distant second.  If we dress Koruusk in some beat up armour, give him some nasty looking spikey bladed thing to hold and he follows the captain round and growls at people who get too close... chances are no one will give him a second glance.'

The Commander sighef.  "The Captain  never even decided that we should have two teams.  You guys need to listen more.  If I heard her correctly she was just telling Mister Huquin some of the resons a second group was inadvisable until we arrive on planter."

"Mister Koruusk, I only partially agree with you.  Whilst mercenaries may not look after their uniforms I have never met a professional mercanry who didn't keep his weapons in pristine condition.  A mercenary knows his guns and his blades are his life.  He constantly cleans, upgrades and replaces his weapon."

He waves his datapad at the group.  "I have already received requisitions from some of you.  I will point out that the gear you have been issued you will take.  I don't care if you don't know one end of a vibroblade from the other and never worn armour.  You will take the gear because their are times we will need you to look the part.  Besides a vibroblade can save your life.  No skill involved, just switch on and thrust."

"The blasters you are being issued are the most common in the galaxy after the BlasTech-17.  They are often bough surplus by outlaw groups.  Besides, a soldier is often recalled by his weapon.  You walk around with some elaborate blaster on your hip then people will know who you are.  The basters provided will help maintain anonymity."

"Now Mister Kismet, whilst your commlink is 'colourful' can it send tight-band, level 4 military-level encrypted transmissions?  If it can then perhaps you and Mister Hyquin should swap jobs.  I'm sure he can impart on you the need for secure communications.  Military commlinks are not unusual amongst merc groups for secure transmissions.  You may 'dirty up' your comm any way you please, but remember the quartermaster will want it back at some point."

"You may bring your own weapons and gear but you will being the issued gear as well.  Understood?"

He stops to read an icoming message to his pad and smiles.  "Flight Officers Nallis and Bedix I have good and bad news for you.  The bad news is I have only been able to secure a single sniper rifle for this mission.  Hopefully you will be cheered though by the knowledge that the rifle in question is a SoroSuub X-45, these weapons are so new, they're not even in full production yet.  Don't ask me how our quartermaster got it, but I think you two owe him a drink."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Fri 24 Mar 2006.

Cyril Hyquin smiles back at the Captain and shrugs politely. "One of the, shall we say, perks of being a comm officer at HQ, is that you get to hang around officers with vastly different tactics. I've picked up a thing or two just from talking to them, and up until now I have suspicions that one of them was actually an agent posing as an officer. Even then, I'd be honored to become your apprentice in such matters, Captain."

"Anyway," he says. "First thing we do is secure a base of operations in Seratok. A small residence, or maybe even just an unused backroom of a cantina, should suffice. Nothing fancy for a merc group, right?"

"We then spread the rumor that no one, and we mean no one ever sees 'The Commander' unless 'The Commander' wants to see them," Cyril states, gesturing quotation marks with his hands to emphasize the title, "then Commander Sheppard need not even talk to or see anyone else, and simply lead the missions, while the Captain and I handle all transactions. After all, a shadowy, commanding figure as the leader of an organized merc group sounds about right, don't you think? And using the identity of 'The Commander' means that Commander Sheppard doesn't need to exert as much effort to hide his charming personality."

He finishes, "Of course, this means that the Captain and I will always be associated with the group, and will increase our difficulty in gathering intel. However, I'm sure the Captain can be very persuasive when she needs to be."

Turning to Devon, Cyril tells him half-jokingly, "I'd be glad to swap jobs with you, Dev, but I'm afraid I have absolutely no idea on how to steal a speeder. I'll leave that to your expertise."

"Perhaps we should have two bodyguards then: both Ex and Koruusk. A steely-eyed blaster-jock and a Trandoshan meleeist ought to be a good pair of effective, as well as intimidating, guards."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Sat 25 Mar 2006.

Christian listens to the conversation.  "The commander is right..even though a mercenaries weapon may look old to others, his weapon is in pristine condition.  His weapon is his life, and if it fails, so will he.  Just some alterations to clothes can change a person's apearance, so simular weapons like the blaster will be common, as will a vibroblade.  Being a weapon specialist, I can vouch that a unique weapon can give a person away as fast as clothes."

He listens to the conversation on the sniper rifle, and his eyes open wide.  "A SoroSuub X-45?  Remind me to talk to the quartermaster."  He looks at the snipers.  "The X-45 is a lethal weapon, and one of thgem in the right hands could be lethal.  it could help turn the tide"

Xil stands again, this is the most he has said in one day, then in the last month.  "Thank you sir, I am sure myself and Mr. Bedix will talk to the Quartermaster when the mission brief is over.  I just hope one of us gets to use it."