I have my Grav Bike if that would help ... But take care of it, it wasn't cheap at all.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 164):

"Yeah, I have mine too, but it has a mortar so it can't take PAX."

That would be potentially useful if things go badly...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 166):

"One grav bike should be small enough to go undetected with the battle going on, but more would increase the risk of detection."

"Aren't the government force using wheeled scout vehicles specifically because grav drives can be detected a long way off?"
"I'd rather avoid any risk of detection and stick with the quad bikes. Both Tonkin and I are qualified to drive them, and Tanya and Thornhammer should be able to pick up a bit as we go."
"Also, we just might find ourselves with the opportunity to recover some of the missile fighters in which case the bikes may need to be left behind. As far as I know, small, light grav drives aren't something the Labs have been able to perfect yet, and I'd rather not let an example of one fall into their hands."
Sure, they had them in their larger armoured vehicles, but he'd seen no indication of them having been successful in miniaturising the drive down any further.
"If we run into trouble, the quads aren't much slower, and they can travel without setting off any grav sensors. Oh, and they're armed with grenade launchers in a stabilised, computer controlled mount to supplement the small arms we'll be carrying."
Meir strongly hoped not a single shot would need to be fired, that they'd get in, observe the facility and find what they were looking for, and then get out again all without being detected.
[Private to Fate; Tanya Weaver: What's Tanya's Stealth and Camouflage like? Should she take Lewis' suit? (I assume it's been cleaned and repaired since his..."accident").]

Good enough... your call.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 169):

"That is true about the grav bikes, but they are smaller than Labrysian vehicles, so the signature is less, but it still exists. However the quad bikes have fusion cells way more advanced than anything they have, so do please bring them back."

"Ok, if nothing else, we'll make sure the cells come back, or are destroyed to stop the Labs getting them."
[Private to GM: How much detail do you want on mission gear? I'm thinking enough supplies to last a week, plus weapons, surveillance and communications gear with a little climbing equipment and recovery gear (in case the quads get stuck).]

His team of Tanya, Thornhammer, Tonkin and himself selected, he settled down to work out the stores they'd need along with a back plan for the task.
He himself was already fairly well set up, although he did draw a storm rifle with grenade launcher and a supply of ammunition from the armoury. Tonkin and Thornhammer were already relatively well equipped, although he did add a couple of LAWs and hand grenades to their gear. Tanya he trusted to sort herself out as far as her own personal needs.
Scrounging through the ship he assembled additional mission stores and had engineering fit two 30 litre aluminium storage boxes to each of the two quads along with tie down points for a total of four flexible water bladders (holding 24 gallons), additional equipment and personal weapons.
Inside the boxes was loaded several sets of climbing gear, rope, a medical crash kit, a weeks rations for the four of them, tool kits and digging implements. A two person pressure tent would supplement the envirobags of Tonkin and Thornhammer and give them at least a small space out of the sulphur laden atmosphere. A single radio communicator and spool of wire to act as a long range antenna would, with luck, allow them to check in with the ship every few hours.
"Thornhammer, you'll ride with me. Tanya, Tonkin will be your chauffeur."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:59, Tue 16 May 2017.

Cyril will do what he can to facilitate Meir's efforts.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 173):

Illiam and a couple of security personal head off to dro off the away team. What does Dastavka do in the meantim
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Thu 18 May 2017.

We set up a stage and have a big show, lights, Fireworks and surround sound starring Kat  ... a part of the DASTAVKA Tour...

or we just sit tight and monitor stuff as best we can...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 175):

The battle above the planet seems to be winding down, with bands of fighters hunting down any remaining government ships. The Yuri is turning its attention to the Government Military Base, which was firing at them until a nuke hit...

OK, Can we send a laser (direct beam, no scatter) message to Yuri?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 177):

"Not from our current position. They are too close in to the other side of the planet. But we might be able to get a message off to one on the fighters."

Not sure they could relay ... maybe we should hover up some... Yuri shouldn't be that low...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 179)

"They are just outside of the atmosphere engaged in orbital bombardment. Since we are nearer the other side of the planet, we would need to rise to 40,000 ft."

So much for being unseen... that won't work...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 181):

After about an hour you notice numerous fighters on the edge of the planets atmosphere. They do not seem to be making any attempt at subtlety, but rather are escorting bombers on bombing runs.

As if to reinforce this, a message comes through for the Dastavka, bounced in no subtle way from the fighters.

"Dastavka, this is the Yuri. Our distraction has been overly successful, destroying the system and planetary orbital defences. We can take over the rescue mission, but we ask that you leave any troops and equipment you can spare and make all haste to the rebel fleet at sector 1440, and request troops and ships to take and hold the planet. We will dispatch ground forces to assist the rebels until then."

"Perhaps leave everyone except a skeleton crew here on the planet Captain? I can't imagine there'll be any danger in such a quick jump back to a safe system, and it would free up space for more troops and supplies on the return jump."
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:58, Sun 23 July 2017.

We won't be the troops ship Hancock, we can't carry enough to make a difference and our crew won't be of much value here getting wasted as infantry. It's hard to find skilled personnel out here. We'll leave enough for useful support and take the rest, relying on a system being safe in a war is foolish.  OK, Lets get moving then... I want to be on our way ASAP.  Can we get Tanya back?

"Not in a hurry. We haven't had comms with them in a few hours, and they're not expected to check in again for a few more."
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:57, Sun 23 July 2017.

Which is why I hate having crew doing all this extraneous crap... guess Kat or I will have to remember how to do it...

"What about the humans we're supposed to be picking up and taking back?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:57, Sun 23 July 2017.

Yuri just assumed that mission.