Crackling ball of plasma struck what appeared shimmering air, and apparently struck well. Dragonfly that hid behind stealth systems and jammed your comms and sensors was revealed as it's stealth malfunctioned due to massive damage suffered. Seconds later, it's A-Pods followed, and the wretched thing fall heavily into the water, drowning whatever was inside.
Perhaps you would cheer up, if not for the fact that in a heartbeat, the entire surface of the lake literally exploded, showering you with the water, as three organic-looking mecha emerged from the depths. It appears that they were hiding, using both waters and ECM systems to hide from you.
Not any longer.
Combat time!
Initiative order:
17: Kroenen
15: Asura
13: Adolf
12: Zarena
8: Migou locusts
Remember to re-read the summar of combat in CTech, for it is sometimes un-intuitive. Remember to declare the number of actions you want to take.
No map for now.
The migou are more or less 100 meters from you, hovering above the surface of the now troubled waters, in tight formation.
"Ohh, scheiße," Kroenen muttered under his breath. Faust reacted quite quickly, and did what was only natural since it already had its plasma cannon pointed in the right direction. With just a nudge from Kroenen it let loose another shot, aimed at the lead Locust. "Weapons free, feuer frei!" he called out to the rest of his patrol.
One action, Plasma Cannon (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2618096/) shot at middle/lead Locust.
Due to Adolf's guesstimate over the presence of Migou ECM, he was only mildly surprised (if that) by the sudden appearance of the Migou Locusts. SOP for patrols was to have weapons armed, should they be needed, and so his laser cannon was already warmed up and ready to fire--all it needed was a target.
He paused long enough to center his targeting reticules on the leading Locust, and fired.
Laser Cannon, leading Locust
[EDIT: Rectified a thinko.]
As soon as Raziny saw enemy, all her thoughts were completely wiped away. She was completely focused on the battle, only thing she knew now is current orders and her complete battle training. And orders, as she understand, were fire at will. So she did. A ray of pure energy targeted towards center Locust appeared from her mecha's gun.
1 action : Charge Beam (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2619482/) at center locust
"Spread out, flank them!" Kroenen ordered, Faust circling to the right while he drew a bead on the right-hand Locust, lining up a shot with his plasma cannon while the rocket pod acquired its target, four rockets priming for launch.
2 actions: plasma cannon attack at right Locust, rocket pod attack at right locust - salvo of 4.
Also, since we're now allowed to at least move around a little, Ahriman will be moving around to his right to try and flank the bugs.
Keeping low to the ground, Asura sprinted forth in a zig-zag motion. Dodging the two plasma shots aimed at him by skin of his teeth, he barreled towards the leftmost Locust. With a small leap, he landed squarely on it's chest, sinking his Hyperedge Claws into it's torso.
[Turn 2 - Action 1] Charge Attack against the leftmost Locust
Just for the moment Raziny smiled. Another bug dead and killing shot is her. But then, she returned to combat orders. Rotating her mecha to the right and walking in that direction, she fired a 5 rocket salvo at the rightmost Locust.
One action, Rocket Pod (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2621944/) 5 shot salvo at the right locust.
Free action: Walk right
Again, your fire was successful. Right Locust appeared to heavily damaged, and could not hit any of you with weapons, while the left one engaged Asura, without any luck.
Rocket barrage from Ahriman even managed to knock the Locust down. While it was still working and alive, it was obvious that only barely.
Ending turn 2, beginning turn 3. Report in.
"Well done! Keep the pressure on them! Lightning, finish off the wounded one, Wolf, Ravage, focus attention on the last functional one," Kroenen ordered, setting his sights on the Locust that Asura was attacking. He wanted to make sure he didn't hit the smaller mecha, however, and took careful aim this time.
First action spent on aiming at the left Locust.
Second action used for a plasma cannon shot at it.
Asura retracted his claws and dropped down into the shallows. But it was only for a moment, as he immediately sprang up and struck again. Unfortunately the Locust had taken a step back making him swing wide.
[Turn 3 - Action 1] Melee attack against Locust with Acid Drip Hyperedge Claws
~Attack Roll: 5 Dice 1d10=1, 1d10=8, 1d10=3, 1d10=2, 1d10=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2623448/)
Adolf crabbed to the left some more, trying for a clear shot at the remaining Locust.
Laser Cannon if possible.
Raziny pointed her charge beam gun at the lying prone bug. With a precise aiming - she did not want to miss this time, it would hit her reputation if somebody notices - she fires her gun at the helpless Locust. "There is no kill like overkill" - a phrase came up into her mind.
2 actions : 1) Aim at lying locust; 2) Fire (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2625184/) at lying locust
'...Faust, do you copy? This is Karski Outpost to Faust, do you copy?'
As the base tried to reach you out through the radio, Adolf and Kroenen managed to critically damage the Locust, only after it managed to evade Asura blow. Heartbeat later, Raziny's charge beam literally obliterated the almost wrecked Locust, leaving only a small crater as only trace of your existence.
And then, all was calm. You managed to dispatch the migou without even a smallest dent. No small feat. Command still tried to contact you, likely freaking out due to the comm breakdown caused by ECM.
Time to go home?
3EXP for everyone, you are all clear.
Further investigation of the lakeside did not give any new informations or clues. Apart from smoldering migou wreckage, there was nothing to be found here.
Yes, definitely time to go home.
Island Among the Sea of Ruins
The city- or rather it's remains lied in the bottom of small valley, surrounded by hills from all sides. Thanks to it, you were able to take a good look at it every time when you were returning.
You were told that before the First Arcanotech war, it was one of the biggest cities in the region, with over one hundred thousand population, bustling with human life, growing bigger and more influential with every passing year.
Not any more.
What you could see was a sea of ruins. City got leveled during the first hours of Nazzadi invasion, and what remained of it was later wrecked during vicious street warfare. Not a single building was left untouched by war. Rubble covered every street apart from those few that were purposely cleared for military. No more than a thousand civilians still lived here, rest either fled or died. They were jaded people, choosing the life outside the safe boundaries of arcologies, in the land were NEG laws were seldom enforced. They were dangerous people, often heavily armed and prepared for almost every possible situation.
Anyway, passing through former main street of the city, heading toward the walled off section that became Karski Outpost, was still able to made you feel uneasy, even in the bright light of the day. Vegetation reclaiming the land, wild animals hiding in collapsed houses, scared by your noisy machines. Claw marks on some walls, dire reminder that nature in Strange Aeon was no longer as docile as we would want it to be, and that even so close to military, monsters could still thrive at nights.
Finally, you arrived at the Karski Outpost gate. High wall, topped with barbed wire separated it from the ruins and it's dwellers. A few automated turrets tracked your moves- no one, after all, can be trusted this days.
It took few seconds for automated systems to scan you, and then massive gate that lead to the inside of the base opened, letting you in.