Operation Eclipse - Week 15PDF Morale has collapsed to
Very Low, and the Iron Brotherhood relaxes into their back-area garrison duties. Albus finds two odd models on the black market – brand new Phoenix Hawks of a type not seen before. Clutching the Phoenix Hawk’s trademark large laser in each hand, the
PXH-3M uses an Endo-Steel chassis, XL Engine and double heat sinks to double and extend the venerable model’s long range firepower, while medium pulse lasers make it a more savage close range fighter. One machine gun is traded for an anti-missile system for defense, and all the ammo is protected in the left torso by CASE. In Albus’ opinion, it’s a massive improvement over their current models, and he risks arranging to purchase both. Surprisingly, both ‘Mechs arrive, and Lieutenant Vo trades in her original model Phoenix Hawk, and Corporal Larcher trades in his Wolverine for their brand-new ‘Mechs.
In a last-ditch attempt to exact some revenge on the hated mercenaries, the PDF ambushed Captain Nova with three heavy ‘Mechs. Those poor, sorry fools.
You’d think they’d learn at some point, but it’s almost a tradition at this point!
Three heavy ‘Mechs against an elite, melee master assault in pitch black conditions and a light gale that makes their missiles even MORE useless. Feel free to picture one of the Riddick fight scenes in utter darkness for what’s about to happen.The militia’s plan is simple: Send in the Quickdraw to keep the Pillager’s attention while the two Archers stand back and bombard her from a distance. They outweigh her ‘Mech two to one and outnumber her three to one.
The plan falls apart immediately, as Starburst moves into melee with both Archers.
Starburst kicks the first Archer’s right leg off, while her Gauss Rifles crush the side torsos of the Quickdraw, destroying it LRM launcher.
The remaining Archer falls back and lands a full volley of 20 LRMs against the Pillager, scouring armor from its back.
Starburst lands both Gauss Rifle shots against the Quickdraw’s left leg, ripping it free. The sudden sheering detonates its LRM ammunition, turning the ‘Mech into a rapidly expanding cloud of confetti.
The Archer charges into melee in a desperate attempt to land a lucky shot. Their shots both miss, but Starburst’s fists don’t miss, and she punches out the cockpit of the Archer.
Susanna’s Pillager suffered some light armor damage, and the unit turned over the Archers to the Raiders, not having the salvage room needed to claim one for themselves.
Operation Eclipse – Week 16The Crows are once again cleared for flight, though there is no fighting remaining for them to take part in.
Operation Eclipse – Week 17October marks the last (partial) month of the Iron Brotherhood’s contract. PDF morale remains
Very Low, but they have surprisingly tenaciously refused to rout. AFFC command anticipates that Liao will soon have reinforcements inbound, and the Raiders are preparing to depart once enough Liao forces have been pulled off the border and rerouted to deal with the invasion.
The market carries two new interesting options – a
CHP-W7-class Chippewa. While too slow to serve with the Crows, the massive weapons platform carries four large pulse lasers and more then enough double heat sinks to use them, as well as its array of LRMs, SRMs and medium lasers.
The other is a
PXH-3S Phoenix Hawk, a new Steiner/FedCom variant of the design. Instead of EndoSteel, it makes use of Ferro Fibrous armor, alongside an XL Engine, double heatsinks and MASC technology to increase its running speed. Its weapons array is less advanced then the Marik version, focusing on close range combat by retaining both machine guns but locating them both in the left arm, supported by medium lasers and a large pulse laser. Defense isn’t ignored, with the anti-missile system located in the right arm. The ammo is still protected by CASE.
Albus purchases this model as well, the Lancers almost becoming a homogenous unit of Phoenix Hawks at this point. Jami Sonnborn is assigned to pilot this ‘Mech, trading in her old-model Griffin.
A week before final pullout, the Raiders made a special request of the Iron Brotherhood – they had located a Liao prison camp that contained a number of political prisoners that would make waves if they could be freed and repatriated to the St. Ives Commonality. One of the Iron Brotherhood’s fastest ‘Mechs was requested to stage the breakout itself, while the Raiders prepared to evacuate the prisoners.
Barred by mission requirements from simply deploying a Pillager (the Lyran scouting tactic, as they called it), Albus tapped Lieutenant Vo to take her new Phoenix Hawk out for a spin.
Linda’s Phoenix Hawk is individually far more capable then the Liao machines, with only the Veteran pilot of the Wolverine being an equal threat. That said, there are three of them, and she needs to keep their attention on her, and off killing all the political prisoners.
The breakout goes well, and the small convoy takes off. Most of the guards distracted by the Raiders, but three Liao ‘Mechs pursue the convoy. They’re forced to turn at bay, and Linda moves to engage her enemies.
The drivers of two of the APCs volunteered for last stand duty, darting in and out among the feet of the Liao ‘Mechs and keeping them distracted while Linda harassed them at range with her ER Large Lasers. As the fighting moved closer, she pounded the PDF forces with her medium pulse lasers but didn’t manage to land any crippling shots.
Despite this, she held the Liao forces at bay long enough for the Kings to arrive and force their retreat. Two of the prisoners survived, as did Linda herself.
A week after the prison break, the Iron Brotherhood formally completed their contract with the AFFC and prepared to lift off. Intercepts indicated that they had finally roused a response from the Confederation, with the 1st, 2nd and 4th McCarron’s Armored Cavalry roused from their duty stations and assembled into a task force that was now inbound for the planet. They were particularly interested in crushing the Iron Brotherhood, and Kincaide had no intention of sticking around for that fight.
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Topic: The Iron Brotherhood - A Battletech/MekHQ Let's Play: Operation Eclipse (Read 46917 times)