In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 23):

The turret swept past the small group as they took cover, returning slowly to  the front before stopping. After a few tense moments, the machine lumbered on.

Meir kept still for about five minutes before he risked exposing himself again. The vehicle was a good sign they were close.
"Lets move on, but stay well clear of the trail."

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 25):

Which direction?

Usually patrol routes went around a location rather than out and back like the spokes of a wheel, so it seemed logical their destination would be across the track and deeper into the unknown.
Meir brought up the rear, covering their tracks where they crossed over the path for a few dozen metres either way.

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 27):

Beyond the track is the canyon...about 50 metres away. The patrol path clearly passes along the top wall of the canyon...

Well that looks to be a good spot to settle down with the binoculars and see what's below...

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 29):

There is plenty of life in this canyon...that is what brought this place to your attention to start with. However, that is going to be what makes setting up camp on the canyon edge of the canyon risky.  There are patrols on the floor and far side of the canyon.

Roll a stealth at -2 for the whole party to get into position, due to many eyes that may be watching and the less than ideal skills of some members, then a camouflage to hide properly once into position.

This is not where camp should be. The quads and most of the stores should be some way back - a mile at least.
This current activity is on foot with the aim to first identify the presence of a Lab installation, and then try and find out what's actually there and estimate the defences.

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 31):

That is what I had in mind. The penalty to stealth would be significantly higher if you brought the bikes...

The idea is also to leave the two least stealthy back a bit in support, and the other two undertake the actual eyes on part. That would be Meir and Thornhammer unless Tanya is better.

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 33):

In that case it would be a regular stealth roll.

Is stealth really necessary (except to avoid a critical failure) given the range penalties on detection?

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 35):

Yep. They are on high alert due to the battle and the loss of the station above. Staying hidden has always been their first line of defense, so they will be extra vigilant now! Range penalties will largely be overcome with sensors.

The pair approached the selected observation point with great care, both using the HUD capability of their weapons to great effect to check it was safe to break cover before they moved on.

Meir - Stealth missed by two (hoping those range and cover penalties help), Camouflage passed by 4.
Thornhammer - Stealth passed by 4, Camouflage by 0.

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 37):

As you settle into position, you hear a familiar rumbling sound approaching from the direction the tank disappeared in.

The plan was basically the same as before. Aim in the direction of the threat, keep their heads down and wait. If it looked like they'd been spotted, Thornhammer would hit it with the LAW and he'd try thumping it with a shaped charge from the grenade launcher.
Of course the moment they fired their presence would probably be known to those in the canyon, so their next act would probably have to be withdrawal back to the quads and relocate to at least a few miles away. First of course they had to avoid dying or capture...

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 39):

The light tank returns, but this time the main gun is pointed in the direction of the canyon, nearer where Meir was earlier. It stops, its turret moving much more slightly than before as is scans a much smaller area in more detail.

As tempting as it was to let Thornhammer take the shot, the risk of detection and the shit storm that would follow it was just to high. Sure they could win this battle, but they were guaranteed to loose the war.
Holding in place and hoping the vehicle moved on was the only real option.

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 41):

A Labrysian gets out of the tank with some kind of electronic device and starts scanning the area, moving slowly towards your general position. His plasma rifle is slung , however, to enable him to use the equipment.

The plan stayed the same unless they were spotted, at which time Meir (who'd shifted his aim) would eliminate the one on the ground (preferably with a head shot), and Thornhammer smash the vehicle.

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 43):

The Labrysian moves slowly in your direction, device in hand and eyes on its screen. He stops about 15 yards away, aon the path you took to where you are now and in a location visible from much of the canyon, right on the edge.

How big is the vehicle? How many does it probably hold?

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 45):

The tank is about the same size as a APC, Normal compliment of 2.

Do we know if it can carry additional passengers internally?

In reply to Meir Galinski (msg # 47):

Not normally. Basically a small tank in design, you could carry perhaps 3 pax in a pinch.