Except 'Masque of course doesn't go anywhere... He is, in fact still looking to Jelme throughout the wait for questions to answer his question about the briefing, since the other mercenary was presumably around for it... Once he gets some sort of answer of course, there might be a question to ask.

 Like 'shouldn't there be a briefing, or maybe a plan?' - Sadly however, the big tiger is neither prescient nor psychic, and can't know just yet precisely how shambolic things are shaping up to be.

It would seem the only pending question refers to bottle caps... in which case Jelme assumes it is rhetoric and does not answer...
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:39, Mon 21 Jan 2008.

 And yet for some reason, the impression 'Masque gives is definitely that 'I believe we are expected to know the plan...' is a wholely inadequate answer, which is why he doesn't really accept it as it stands... But Jelme's lack of explanation obviously requires more prodding, and so he goes on to "So what is it that we are expected to know?" with a distinctly worried air.

"We hold the lines."

 'Masque can't blink, he doesn't actually have eyes, as such to do so, but nonetheless he tilts his head in the fashion of someone who suspects that his cyberaudio is on the blink and lifts one hand to tap it a couple of times.

 "You are being pleased to make joke, yes? - I was thinking for moment that you were saying we are to 'hold lines' like say to 'die in place' or 'not one step back' or 'first man shoots, second man picks up rifle and shoots'." 'Masque replies, a low echo of the horrors of such war transferred through generations of good Russian peasantfolk into myth and legend, sources of pride and nightmares alike. "This is being whole of plan?"

"We are defending, and have had little time to set up the proper defenses and supplies to fight a battle this large. But we must fight with what we have, and without sufficient resources to form any offensive measure we are reduced to holding the lines in defense of the town. The Major said we fall back when he says to fallback, and teleport out when he says. Until then we fight, and need not worry about anything else other than what is in front of us, and the well being of our own platoons."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:59, Mon 21 Jan 2008.

 "But he is not knowing what preparations have been completed along my front - Headquarters has not answered me in days, and I am only knowing what squads on my flank are doing because I was speaking with them. Is to be inviting defeat in detail to be handling all regions as solitary lines of defence, and what if jamming comes online?" asks 'Masque of the other mecenary, jerking a silver-clawed thumb back at his section of the front, as though the wall were not there.

 "I am having maybe one unit of fire for each soldier, will last perhaps five-ten minutes of solid fighting, more if is time to scavenge from fallen allies, but I am having indirect fire support that can reach either flank from my firing position, not counting fancy magic preparations." he relates urgently, "Also is pure nightmare trying to coordinate fall-back under fire where no-one knows what to do in advance, is asking for rout."

 The big 'cyborg shakes his head grimly, "I am knowing that no plan will survive appearance of enemy, but just making sure militiamen and soldiers know where to fall back and on what queue will steady them, make them think is all under control better than hasty radio message in middle of firefight."

Dyvalis overhears the conversation, just as he was getting ready to tend to other business. "Yes Mercenary Lieutenant Silvermasque? You were confused about some things?"

 'Masque looks up and away from Jelme in some slight surprise - but surprise that soon vanishes when he sees whom it is that speaks - after all, Elven ears are not legendary in their acuity for nothing.

 "Say rather concerned at lack of things." he admits, rephrasing some of the conversation between himself and Jelme into a more... diplomatic format. "There are being some issues with unit coordination, fire support, fallback order, logistics and communications that have not been addressed. I have tried to raise them with Headquarters several times but." - his spreads his upper two arms in an eloquent shrug, "They have been busy I am assuming, nichevo."

 "I do not think we are needing eloquent war-of-maneuver plans even if we could be forming them, but just knowing who will fall back, when, and by what route could save lives and increase confidence if is known in advance - will make militiamen and soldiers feel like they are working to plan, not just being hammered on like paper anvil."

 "My biggest single concern though is supply - I have laid in ammunition for fire support, but if fighting gets heavy I can expect each soldier in line to burn through two clips every minute they survive. Each man has own loads - one unit of fire per man - and I have had no response from HQ to my efforts to arrange more, but even assuming zero casualties and one hundred percent hits, most of Fourth will be combat ineffective in five to ten minutes after first engagement depending on density of targets."

"There is little more information we can provide Silvermasque. We could set up fallback positions but we truely have no idea which buildings will be left standing twenty seconds into the fight... we are fighting a battle where we do not know if we will all be helplessly nuked out of existence, or if we will fight them off and win the day. Hold the lines, and fallback when the HQ gives the order... and you fallback to wherever is available. You are an officer now Masque, that means you get to make your own decisions. The reports on your progress for example... we have seen no reports from you or your platoon. So either you are ignoring direct orders or the messengers you have been sending have never made it to HQ. We don't have to hold you hand here Masque... try to be a big boy about this whole thing will you? People's lives are depending on your decisions, don't make the wrong ones. Now if you have any questions please ask them now... I noticed you chose to waste your chance during the meeting to joke with Jelme... so please make it quick... it will be raining missiles any second now.

 "Coalition, like most everyone else is scared of large-scale atomics, and with good reason, da... But if they are using, is not so much we can be doing. So we are being left to assume direct attack, whether bombardment or ground or both." the large Mercenary replies simply with a smile, relegating the world of 'boom' to a back-burner as nothing he can affect.

 There's a low growl from the oversized 'borg when the matter of communications comes up however, but rather than enter into an exchange of insults he simply states the facts without resorting to unprofessional put-downs. "I have tried to contact headquarters on average twice a day since arrival, on log, both to make reports and to raise other issues. Have received no response at any point from direct request or radio message - if you are looking for those needing to have hands held, I am respectfully suggesting that you begin closer to home. In absence of higher authority I have prepared positions, obtained supplies, assigned patrols and done what drills we can manage, but cannot make up for neglect by command in big issues."

 He shrugs, again dismissing the matter, "Is water under bridge however - perhaps I should have walked up to front door and demanded to be heard rather than trying to work through official channels, but I was making assumption that decisions were being made and we would be informed when time was needed." - again, another shrug, "Is not so much can be done now however - I have copy of fallback plans for Fourth Platoon and fire support calls for anyone in range of my command post if neighbours are wanting to see them. Need for interview with boss can wait longer I think, and posting Lotus to other team will have to wait until tomorrow if she is being alive, but am needing to question ammunition resupply to trenches."

 He grimaces, visibly, "Main question, our intentions and responses in case of most likely Coalition attack patterns based on prexisting experience I already know answer to, more is pity... I am only wishing someone had thought to hold conference like this day, two days ago."

"There is never enough time... a detailed description of your defenses including whatever FireFly Squad used all those precious explosives on... would be greatly appreciated, I would imagine that goblin is growing nervous without his officer around. Make use of the militia and the demons if you can - they are here to work with us. Consider yourself in command of them as well. As for ammo, have you emptied the gun shop in your area? the one where that traitor held up in...? the Gun Nest I believe it is called."

HQ will try to maintain an accurate account of the battle, and provide support where support is needed. Anything else?"

 "Minefields, field booby traps and instant foxhole charges, one per man." 'Masque replies almost absently as he reaches into a BDU pocket for the two progress chips, one to a day that he completed for handing in to an almost entirely absent command structure, before his head jerks up suddenly at something Dyvalis suggested.

 "Have bought all ammunition can afford, was operating under assumption that... ah... foraging in friendly territory was short way to dancing hemp fandango." - by way of expression the large 'borg lifts one hand to flex fingers about his massive neck, adding "But I am thinking you would maybe be needing to use tow chain."

 "If is being okay with you however, is being damn' good idea, youbet. Maybe we can be getting additional heavy weapons to round out rifle squads with." - as he speaks, he's slotting first one, then the second chip into his computer and spinning it on one stock-still lower hand to extend it towards Dyvalis.



 ---

 As far as I can tell everything 'Masque was originally intending to build is built. As a bonus there's dozens of 'tank trap' pits out in the woods in front of 4th Platoon, about ten feet below ground level - anything more than a couple of tonnes is going *down*, fast.

 'Masques fireplans for the fight involve three *very* simple fast-and-loose scenarios with the note that 'in the case of a bombardment followed by an armoured thrust with infantry support and lots of air-mobile RPA, put head between legs and kiss ass goodbye' tagged 'not for general release'. They run as follows:

 Case Alpha
 Bombardment followed by infantry ground attack with armoured support.

 Hold the line, shoot your guns dry, fall back by squads whenever flanked or enemy approach to within a hundred yards of the line, using shoot-and-scoot tactics, hold at second line until further orders.

 Case Beta
 Bombardment followed by massive air-mobile landing of Coalition troops behind lines.

 Hold bunkers, uncover firing ports on all sides, fight as best you can whilst select regular military units (the Mercs) try to winkle 'em out.

 Case Gamma
 Bombardment (sense a pattern here?) followed by armoured thrust to break defensive line.

 Hold bunkers on flank of thrust and pour in enfildaing fire, retreat by squads only if flanked on both sides, fall back under coverign fire if thrust is coming right for you, hold at second line.


 And are obviously intended more to make sure that the various disparate forces in his charge are all playing from the same book than much anything else.

Dyvalis pours quickly over the report. As Masque continues to talk he acknowledges absently with a "Yes, well take what you need," as that quickly he is finished reading it. "We'll discuss the responsibilities of your post another time. For now just work on actually applying yourself in combat. Remember, you're front row center. When they come at you, drive them south. We need to keep them away from the church. That's our only way out."

With that, Dyvalis dismisses the mercenary lieutenant and meets with Zor to hand over the reports. His eyes go to the metropolis scroll. He whispers to the Major.

PM

The First Apocalyptic Cavalry

A well trained and equipped army. Their main targets are D-Bee bandits and inhuman marauders. They have killed thousands of outlaws, but also innocents that question their judgement or aliens who could not communicate.

Entire towns have been massacred by the Cavalry under the leadership of General Kenneth Sprite, or "The Crying Death" as the natives call him because he is rumored to weep after delivering his justice.

Typically travel in squads of 10-12 men.

Rumored to be a Coalition sympathiser, although they have never fought together, they are not enemies.

Approximately 3% magic users, most use energy weapons.

Portia and Drano arrive to a large briefing room with a view screen on one wall, and a large oval-shaped table in the middle of the room, surrounded in very comfortable chairs.

Captain Loro Viktor stands in front of the viewscreen, facing the room, with Major Zor Karno sitting to his side. A human teenager stands in uniform against the wall behind the major, most likely his assistant.

The other squad leaders including Jelme and Mithas sit around the table as well.

There are currently 4 squads of 12 or so in Third Platoon.

Entering the briefing room Drano takes a seat at the oval shaped table, and sets a half empty bottle of whiskey on the table. Removing a notepad, and a pen from a pouch onhis armor, the commander of third squad waits patiently for the briefing to begin.

Portia sits next to Drano and waits for the show to begin.

"Sorry to interrupt your relaxation time, but we have no choice. Pluto Company is to head to Freehold. From there we will hook up with a few dragons, and then together we will head south east to a Coalition outpost. As usual Squad Three, and with the help of two, will head inside the outpost and activate a biological weapon. Squad two and three will then retreat towards a safe point where squad four will cover their escape.

The dragons and squad one will be attacking a specific airship also at this location.

Whichever objective is completed first, will free up those troops to assist the others.

There is one very important detail men. This outpost is built in a civilian community. Although these people are technically Tolkeen citizens, they are Coalition supporters. This weapon should kill everyone inside the town, and is designed to eventually plague their hospitals.

If anyone here is unable to complete this mission, please say so now, and request reassignment. The rest of you need to keep these details from the troops until we get to the location. This mission must not fail due to one of our own men getting noble...

Any questions?"

Without saying a word Drano passes the bottle of whisky to Portia, before asking Lt. Viktor a question. “How big is the CS garrison at this outpost? And who among squad three gets to carry the bio weapon? Or will I be getting someone attached to my squad that will carry it?” Even though he’s drunken half the bottle there is no slur in his voice.

Jelme (The Cyber Knight) glares at Viktor, then stands up and leaves the room, and Major Karno records something ina ntoe pad when Jelme leaves.

Portia does not accept the bottle from Drano.

"Each of you will take one. You will have two seperate target zones for your squads. This is to ensure the mission is completed.

They are very small in size, like a crystal ball. You can easily conceal them, and pass them off as magic devices of some other sort.

They will bond to your minds, and then you will be able to activate them remotely with a single thought. Just make sure all of our men are nowhere near the outpost when they go off. The effects will be devastating."

Taking his bottle back from Portia (at least no one could say he never offered her some booze) Drano takes another swig fromt he bottle asks another question. "How big of a boom will these crystal balls make?"

"It would be nice to know just how far away we have to be."

"Also what if one of us crystal ball carriers gets killed?"

"First thing, don't drink at our meetings. The device will 'infect' a kilometer radius from each device almost instantly. Squad Four will remain at this distance, and you will have to retreat this far before you activate the weapons.

Inform your troops that these devices must be carried on to the destination target. And to report to Major Karno if they take on the role of commander, and weapon-bearer. He will inform them of their new duty.