In reply to Caradoc Crewe (msg # 7):

Welcome aboard!

I've been looking at portable analyzer for the electromagnetic spectrum and found a few promising candidates.  With Dacovetti's substantial levels in electronics and computer, is it possible that he can modify a set of them to triangulate signals and report remotely (wifi or cell data)?

Sample: http://www.coliy.com/en/produc...r/2013/0329/134.html

I just finished this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Gray-Wor...litary/dp/0062326473

It's not what I would call awesome, but if you read it as a work of fiction it has some pretty interesting insights to how operators work.  I don't know enough about the history of the author to rate the "truthiness" of the piece, but the reviewers seem to be pretty much calling him out on it.

Fun piece for Grey Cell

I am not a physics guy so I am not the best judge of plausibility, but I think it's entirely within the realm of possibility for hand-held spectrum analyzers like that to be tweaked to handle what you want.  I'll say that for accurate reporting of the observed WILDWOOD GROUSE phenomenon, you'd need to write some custom control software which would run on a high-end laptop (like, say, Dacovetti's) and have multiple analyzers feeding data to it - either directly over USB or remotely/wirelessly via radio or network.

Mechanically, I'm not gonna require rolls to get the system working.  Michael has the skill set to conceptualize it and most of Amber Cell to iron out the bugs.  In use, interpreting the results will be a Physics skill check.  Having multiple sensors in operation, particularly over a wide area, will give bonuses.  Cool?

On the terminal ballistics issue, you guys should be fine against the Attars' internal armor if you use 5.56mm rifles loading something like the Mk 318 SOST round.  For heavier rifles, either stick with AP/API like you were using in the Sako in Libya, or move to a similar bonded hunting bullet.  Caradoc, being the team's resident ballistician, would be aware of this; Cooper (who has read the same files), James, and Michael would come to the same conclusions, as would Bannon (who, thanks to his hunting hobby, has more experience shooting non-human targets than anyone else in TF47).
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:46, Sat 02 May 2015.

Also, don't get too wrapped around the axle regarding the weapons issue (though it is entirely appropriate ICly for the PCs to be concerned about it).  Once you're on the ground in Australia, there will be a couple of options for resolving the diplomatic roadblocks.

Unless there are any other major issues with the briefings, I'll move us to Australia on Tuesday evening.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:49, Sat 02 May 2015.

In reply to Tegyrius (msg # 20):

Sounds good.  Michael will plan on four units that will report via radio but also maintain a local record on a USB drive in the event that the jamming effect precludes data transmission.  I suppose it makes sense to say there are USB connections on the devices so they can be hardwired together into a network to avoid the interference effect altogether if Grey Cell has the necessary time to hook the system up.

Yeah, I'm not trying to drag the game narrative into the realm of administrative minutia. I guess I'm just a little confused as to your expectations as GM. I don't want to assume that since something was briefly discussed OOC that it automatically happens offscreen IC. I know that I don't roll that way when I GM so I just wanted to make sure to cover that base, especially since you made a point of mentioning IC that only one of us would be permitted to fly Down Under in possession of a firearm. I guess I should have asked if it needed to be addressed IC or not. If the IC speech about guns 'n' ammo doesn't sit right, feel free to delete it (although I think the point about the likely dual purpose of the E.T. blade should stand, regardless).

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No worries.  I should have said something earlier but I was waiting for some subtext to be detected.  I think it's a little too deeply submerged, though, so resolution will arrive shortly.

The ballistics discussion is entirely appropriate, as are the points about the alien blade.  Are you guys going to try to pull strings to requisition it in the hopes of taking it into the field to use as Attar bait?

GM post delayed by yardwork.  Achoo.

Turn is up.  I apologize for the disjointedness but I wanted to move things along a bit.  First avenue of investigation is up to you.  I will note that the geothermal research site is about 1,350km away as the crow flies.

OK...any OOC thoughts on what everyone wants to do? Seems to me to be a few options (in no particular order)

Pay a visit to the corporate HQ on a fishing expedition to see what we can find out about them, why they may be under threat etc (possibly either undercover as posing as scientists or a more overt approach?)

Source the biggest guns we can Coordinate logistics

Head to the Joint Ops Centre and establish a presence there

Pay a visit to the research site
Given the distances involved I think we should defer this until later; at the very least until after the visit to Corp HQ, but if consensus is to go I think Hannah and Mike are our best people to go, plus one of either Caradoc or Jim to ride shotgun

Push to get access to ASIO surveillance on the terrorists so that some of us can eyeball  them in the flesh if required
After we have procured appropriate weaponry; I don't want to send anyone into anything potentially hazardous without a weapon (note I have presumed that Coop is armed)

I was thinking there were a couple of different ways we could split if anyone has any preferences, e.g.

Option 1
Corp HQ
Hannah / Mike (if going undercover as scientists)

Logistics
Caradoc / Jim (the gunz guys)

JOC
Coop / Seb (Seb to make his manners as team leader, Coop to liaise)

Option 2
Corp HQ
Coop / Jim (slightly more overt approach - Coop can introduce Jim quite legitimately as an FBI agent following up a link to related cases in the US after which Jim can use his FBI agent personal skills to talk to the Aussies)

Logistics
Caradoc / plus one of Seb, Hannah, or Mike

JOC
Two from Seb, Hannah, or Mike

Anyone think of anything else that we should be doing?

Option 1 sounds reasonable (and fun) to me.  I'm up for some geeking out with Michael, if he'd like to try and foist ourselves off as scientists to see what we can stir up.

But Option 2 is okay too, though Hannah is not as big a 'gun bunny' as some of the others - unless she gets to try and spec the armament on some aerial support *yum* ...:D  In any case, a visit to either JOC or the quartermaster could be equally fun.

Sorry, not much help I guess, but Hannah and her player are easy that way.

I agree that getting to the research site should happen, but due to distance after we establish initial positions.  And before jumping into surveillance, it would be prudent to visit JOC and procure equipment (i.e. items 4 and 5 will, almost by necessity, come after items 2 and 3 at minimum).

With our arrival time being 2200 local, a visit to Corp HQ is probably out until morning.  My frame of mind would be to send Cooper  and a few folks to "coordinate logistics" while the rest of the city deals with the weather.  That would allow us to hit the ground running should we locate any problems in the near future.  Mike and Hannah could certainly handle the initial arrival at the JOC and get the comms and intel work started.  Seb could be helpful at HQ as well, but I would imagine Cooper would make picking up firearms a little easier.

After that, an FBI with Aussie back up visit to the corporate HQ probably makes the most sense.  Maybe with a scientific "expert" or two along as technical support.  Unless we see anything that requires immediate attention on the satellite feed.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:47, Thu 07 May 2015.

Yeah, I think unless there's a critical requirement for people to be somewhere else first priority is to try and get some rest (I would say sleep but that's probably optimistic after an eastbound flight with a 6 hour time difference...God, I hope we were in Business class), so I'd say let's hit the Hotel first and set things up for the following day unless the Aussies indicate there is an urgent need to do anything tonight. If someone has to swing by the JOC Seb would volunteer on the grounds of noblesse oblige but obviously anyone else is welcome to do so if they wish.

Jim and Hannah could then visit Corp HQ the following morning. Back at JOC Mike could handle the techie side of setting up and Caradoc could handle the weapons side, Seb will try and move between the two as required. I think Coop would be best to go with Jim and Hannah - makes the visit more credible if there's a local presence. Also, if Coop and Jim are both present, they'd both be armed from the outset.


My thoughts exactly!

RL is running me ragged right now so I probably won't be able to post anything IC until Saturday. I don't want to hold y'all up so, Tegyrius, if you need to, feel free to NPC James.

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OK, I've posted IC for Seb. If consensus is to head straight to the Hotel with only Seb going to the JOC I'm happy enough to take that off camera so as not to hold up everyone else.

Also, just a heads up, I have family visiting this weekend so after Friday night I'll most likely not be able to post until sometime Sunday afternoon UK time (I'll check in via phone every now and then but I can't do lengthy posts from my phone)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:55, Fri 08 May 2015.

http://www.jollygreen.org/Humor/reasoner.htm
This message was last updated by the player at 15:58, Fri 08 May 2015.

http://www.walterjonwilliams.n.../who-you-gonna-call/

I can see it now.  You start of as a young officer in the NMNG who must, using only outdated eforms, a 1990's flip phone, and an empty fund cite, fight to to get orders cut to activate the aging troops you will eventually lead into battle against alien forces.  After 20 prequel levels as an officer, you then get to play one of the 'operators', where a byzantine Rainbow Six like set of controls allows you to don/doff your MOPP gear as painfully as possible.

Meanwhile each and every alien has a corporate credit card, a functioning smart phone that hasn't been crippled by security software (software that doesn't work anyway), an expense account, and individual hiring and firing authority, all of which allow them incredible flexibility and agility to execute their plan of attack.

Yeah, so sign me up.  I'm already a glutton for this kind of punishment.  :)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Sun 10 May 2015.

Saw the first trailer for Strike Back Season 5 last night...trailed as "Coming Soon" so probably be aired sometime next month over here.

Ahh reminds me of my Air Guard days (and my days in AETC... they could never seem to get their shit together).

The DVDs for the previous season are slated for an August 4th release here, so I'm hoping those episodes hit iTunes around the same time.

In reply to Tegyrius (msg # 37):

Looks like June 03rd over here. I won't give you any spoilers...

http://www.sky.com/tv/show/strike-back/article/about

I can get got box sets of 1-4 on catch up TV now.

They will if they know what is good for them.  Well, and if they have seen the video...:D

RL is crowding in again and I probably won't have a chance to catch up on the IC thread and post anything substantive until Thursday or so. Please NPC as necessary.

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