Battletech Campaign: Inner Sphere News

Got an excellent game in va Skype last week. Very tense all the way. I'll put the battle report up over the course of the next few nights, but for the time being here is more Inner Sphere News.

INNER SPHERE NEWS FLASH JANUARY 10th 3026

+++++++++FEDERATED SUNS ANNOUNCES WAR GAMES+++++++++

First Prince Hanse Davion announced today that an undisclosed number of troops would be involved in a set of wargame exercises dubbed Operation Galahad. The operation is set to begin next month and will involve large numbers of troops in both the Draconis and Capellan marches. The Prince went on to say that he hoped the operation would cast aside the current way of military thinking in the inner sphere. In response DCMS and CCAF regiments have been placed on high alert along the Federated Suns borders.

+++++++++OUTWORLDS ALLIANCE CLOSES BORDERS+++++++++

ISN reporters have learned that the Outworlds Alliance periphery state has placed several of its border worlds under an interdcition and is restricting all traffic into and out of the systems. According to reports, elements of the Alliance Air Wings are enforcing the blockade at system jump points while the 1st and 2nd Armoured divisions have been dispatched to enforce martial law on the ground. 

+++++++++COVENTRY METAL WORKS UNVEILS NEW MISSILE PROTOTYPE+++++++++

Coventry Metal Works has announced a new munition for it's range of SRM launchers - the Inferno. The new Inferno missiles surpass traditional incendiary munitions, combining flammable chemicals with an adhesive compound to shower their targets with a burning gel. This gel is designed to increase a 'Mech's heat levels to the point where the DI computer shuts down the 'Mech's Fusion Engine and is also extremely effective against ground vehicles and infantry. CEO Simon Grantrel has stated that the new round will go through rigorous field testing before general release but that it should be available by the summer.

+++++++++HUSSARS DEFEND CALLOWAY IV+++++++++

Calloway IV became platform for a surprise raid on the 1st Regulan Hussars. Despite high casulaties, Colonel Tomaso Kinchuhara commented on his units “swift and efficient” actions against McCarron's Armored Cavalry, who carried out the raid. The storage facility for a consignment of Pitban 230 Fusion engines came under attack during nightfall at approx. 0130hours. Archibald McCarron was unavailable for comment and is believed to be seriously injured.

Battletech: The Steel Legion Issues an Official Statement

+++++++++STEEL LEGION RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS+++++++++

A press conference was called today by the Steel Legion mercenary company. Spokesman Tiberius Valentino addressed recent accusations of their participation in the recent urban devastation on Galtor III.

The camera cuts to a podium bearing the Steel Legion crest as a Mercenary in a immaculately pressed uniform addresses the assembled reporters.

“My name is Tiberius Valentino and on behalf of my fellow members of the Legion and myself I would like to read the following prepared statement.

Tiberius of the Steel Legion

We in the Legion would like to express our deepest regret for any civilians who may have suffered a loss of property during the recent actions on Galtor III and in the city of New Derry in particular. While we will not comment on the actions of the DCMS withdrawal from the region, the Legion's stance is that such damage should be avoided wherever possible but that it is an unfortunate fact of life that this is not always the case. There are those who would seek to glamorize warfare through poorly made, voyeuristic and quite frankly, gaudy holo-dramas, who would have you believe otherwise. However, the conflict on Galtor III was a very real and serious affair. To present it as otherwise is not only disrespectful to those who have fought but also dishonors the memory of those who have fallen on both sides.

That being said, the damage inflicted upon the New Derry University was wholly unacceptable. Responsibility for these actions can be laid squarely at the feet of one Barrabas Hideyoshi, formerly a Sho-Sa in the DCMS. His unwarranted and cowardly actions led to this wanton destruction. Hideyoshi is now a wanted fugitive and has chosen to flee rather than face punishment for his crimes.

It is also important to note that although significant property damage was sustained, the area had been evacuated and that there were no civilian casualties. Any attempts by other parties to claim otherwise or to accuse the Steel Legion of complicity in Hideyoshi's actions are nothing more than a blatantly slanderous attempt to discredit the Legion. Rest assured that the Steel Legion will be fully cooperating with the ISF and any other intelligence or security organisation in their attempts to apprehend Hideyoshi and see that he faces justice for his actions.

That's all for now. Thank you for listening, ladies and gentlemen.”

Brians Notes:

• I very much enjoyed the little dig at the Fox Hounds and their Battle-Rom documentary. Describing it as a holo "drama", a work of fiction, was an especially nice touch.
• No civilian casualties eh? When the DCMS was carrying out a scorched earth policy, the took the time to evacuate civilians did they? Hmmm. Well, either the Fox Hounds or the Steel Legion are lying about that. I wonder which ones....
• I believe this rebuttal was written by William, who plays Tiberius in the campaifn.

Inner Sphere News: 3025 in Summary

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Fox Hounds: Award Ceremony on Galtor III

Shortly after news of the duel in New Derry makes it's away across Galtor III, the Fox Hounds are presented with the Dragon Slayer Robbon by Prince's Champion Arden Sortek in the city of Cheng Lee.

After accepting the Dragon Slayer flag,  Lishka (the Fox Hound's tactician) had this to say to the people of Galtor III:

Lishka, photo-captured outside a Cheng Lee Nightclub.

  

"People of the Federated Suns, I had come here planning to make some flippant remark that you need not fear any of the FoxHounds challenging the Prince's Champion or his staff to a duel." Her face darkens. "Obviously, that would no longer be appropriate. Let it be known that we, the Fox Hounds, would never countenance such hideous acts of barbarity as have been perpetrated by the Steel Legion on the good people of Galtor III. Instead, I make this promise: When next our paths cross, the Fox Hounds will stop at nothing, save to obey the limits of honourable warfare imposed by the Ares Conventions, to bring the Steel Legion to heel!" She punches her first in the air and shouts "JUSTICE FOR GALTOR III!"

************** 

A few days later on Galatea, the award ceremony and Lishka's speech are broadcast on Merc News....

Introducing Dom, Kraken of the Black Barracuda's

It was a hot sticky day. Dom was lazing in the shade with a beer and a TV hooked up to a little generator. News this, drama that. On screen comes a fine looking woman calling herself Lishka of the Fox Hounds Merc Unit. Dom recognised the name and turned up the volume...

After the ceremony finishes, he stands up, stretches, downs the rest of his beer and smiles the kind of smiles that only a man like Dom can pull off. 

"This just got interesting..."

 Brians Notes:

• Lishka (my character) is talking a good fight, but how much of it is a simple PR exercise and how much of it does she really mean?
• Dom in a member of the campaigns third merc lance, played by Tim. They've recently completed their training scenarios and just completed their first mission, so they'll be getting a page on this blog to themselves very soon.
• There's also an interesting facebook chat happening between George's character, Vick (of the Fox Hounds) and John's character Striker (of the Steel Legion). Unfortunately, it's not happened yet in campaign time, since the chat takes place in the Grease Pit on Galatea. The two characters established themselves as drinking buddies early on, and are blithely chatting about which of them might end up having to kill the other as absently as anyone else might talk about the weather.
• The campaign now also has it's first elite pilot. Mark decided to upgrade the gunnery score of his character, Fox (of the Steel Legion) earlier today.

Steel Legion: War Crimes and Honour Duels

Our Battletech campaign is going from strength to strength, with a fourth Merc unit (the proposed name for the unit is Gunboat Diplomacy) joining the campaign. 

Following on from Hoida's challenging of Hideyoshi to a duel at the awards ceremony (link) the Steel Legion got together to play out the duel. Here, in the words of theDougal, the DM, is how things went down:

Steel Legion

Hoida's Vindicator jetted above the buildings of the University district. Hideyoshi had opted to duel in the city of New Derry before the DCMS withdrew from it. Combat began in earnest as Hoida's Vindicator,  "Vengeance",  seared armour from Barrabas Hideyoshi's Quickdraw. 

Predictably Hideyoshi had not come alone and with two Dragons and a Whitworth in support, attempted  to obliterate the Vindicator. However, the Steel Legion had kept their 'mechs nearby and stormed onto the battlefield. After a heavy exchange of fire, Fawlkes managed to perform a Death From Above on a Dragon that had been knocked onto its back and smashed through the cockpit with the feet of his mech, crushing the pilot! The Steel Legion capitalised on the advantage and hammered the enemy mechs with blue PPC lightning despite weathering combined LRM barrages.

 During the firefight, Fawlkes lost control of his mech on a particularly reckless turn and smashed through a University campus building, collapsing it around him. This didn't deter him and he emerged from the rubble, lasers blazing. Eventually Hideyoshi's mech was brought down and thrashed on the ground, unable to rise due to damaged actuators. The Dragon and the Whitworth withdrew from the field, deciding that their commander would only have shown them the same loyalty. 

Original Steel Legion Mech Line-up

As Hideyoshi stirred back into consciousness, Hoida's mech stood above him. "I give you one chance to surrender, dog. Seppuku is your only chance for honour now." The Quickdraw sat up and Hideyoshi growled back over the comm. "Curse you and your master, Hoida. You have not heard the last of me." With a detonation of explosive bolts, the Quickdraw's canopy blasted outward and the pilot's command chair jetted off over the city. 

Sneering at the Kuritan's cowardice, the Steel Legion moved to salvage the two downed mechs. It seemed Hideyoshi had a final card to play however, as the fusion reactor of the Quickdraw went critical and seared armour from two of the Legion's mechs. Dragging the wrecked Dragon with them, the Steel Legion quit the field victorious. Behind them, fires blazed beyond the rubble of the campus building as New Derry University burned. Vengeance would have to wait for another day.

Brian's Thoughts:

• Although it was Hideyoshi's idea to fight in the city itself, the Fox Hounds are culpable for agreeing to it in the first place. This constitutes a war crime under Article V of the Ares conventions, compounded by the destruction of the university, the multiple civilian deaths, damage to property and, most damning, the fact there was no need to stage the fight in the city at all. 
• The Steel Legions popularity rating with the Federated Suns has taken a major hit. Worse, a certain other Mech unit who already bears the Steel Legion a grudge (the Fox Hounds) now has added incentive to go after them for giving Mercs a bad-name and, incidentally, undoing much of the good PR work the 'Hounds have accomplished in the Federated Suns by giving Merc units bad press.
• Mark  (Fawlke's player) really, really needs to stop running his Mechs on tarmac. The last time he skidded on tarmac, he tore both arms of his Mech. This time, he was lucky.

Foxhounds Battletech Campaign: Inner Sphere News

           INNER SPHERE NEWS NOVEMBER 29th 3025

            +++++++++DCMS TO WITHDRAW FROM GALTOR?+++++++++

 

The Last Kuritan Dropship leaves Galtor

As Warlord Yorioshi's forces leave the planet of Galtor, AFFS forces are bearing down on the last vestiges of the DCMS invasion force. Warlord Samsonov's forces have put up heavy resistance but with both Chang Lee and New Derry reclaimed by the AFFS, the situation seems untenable for the Galedon Regulars. With typical ruthlessness, Yorioshi employed a scorched earth policy in his retreat and the city of New Derry is now a ruin, whilst Chang Lee's field hospitals are flooded with refugees and injured civilians. Despite heavy losses on both sides the Avalon Hussars and Crucis Lancers have pushed the Galedon Warlord back to his original drop site and Lt General Tallman is leading the final assault, promoted to command after the deaths of several of her superiors during the conflict. 

 

                     +++++++++COMING SOON FROM SOLARISVISION+++++++++

 

                                                                 GLORY ON GALTOR
A burst of electric guitar music accompanies a an explosion and the logo of the Fox Hounds fills the screen.

              Fox Hounds Special Force Group

On a world under siege, one Mercenary company stands alongside the AFFS against the Combine. As Galtor III explodes into conflict the Foxhounds find themselves tested like never before, in what may be the greatest challenge of their career.

Witness the thrilling exploits of these daring Mechwarriors as they go behind enemy lines to strike a blow for the Federated Suns.

Scarlett - The Tactician
Ranger - The Veteran
Vick - The Enigma
Domino - The Prodigy

and introducing

The Bounty Hunter - as Himself

You'll see them pushed to breaking point as their skills are honed to a razors edge and the bonds they share are reforged in the breath of the Dragon.

Don't miss out on this exclusive glimpse into the danger and excitement of Merc life, only from Solaris Vision in association with the Federated Broadcasting Corporation.*

*Contains scenes of actual battle ROM footage and extreme violence. Parental Discretion Advised

 

 

 +++++++++CONTROVERSY AT DCMS AWARDS CEREMONY+++++++++

FNS INTERSTELLAR NEWS

LEAKED HOLOVID FOOTAGE OF DCMS AWARD CEREMONY

.
A wall of mechs stand in parade formation behind a raised dais, resplendent in the colours of the Galedon Regulars, the Benjamin Regulars and the Sword Of Light. One mech towers above the others, a gigantic Atlas with polished golden trim and modified Lord's Light PPC's adorning it's forearms. Beneath the looming bulk of the Atlas stands a raised dais and assembled before it are the Busosenshi of the Galtor invasion force. The mechwarriors stand proudly, red uniforms pristine, each one bearing a ceremonial daisho through a sash at his waist. The camera pans across the ranks of soldiers before focusing on the dais. A commentator speaks in hurried Japanese, the respectful yet strident tones typical of the sycophantic Combine media machine. As the camera zooms in, the commentator speaks at length about the bravery, wisdom and sagacity of the figure on the stage, a stocky man with harsh features, jet-black hair and heavy brows that seem to bristle with irritation. A hush falls and Warlord Grieg Samsonov begins to speak:

Warlord Samsanov

"Warriors! The Dragon is pleased!"

A deep throated rumble of approval runs through the crowd.

"Warlord Yorioshi's forces have quit the field and we will withdraw soon, but not before teaching the Fox the cost of confonting the Dragon! You have all fought bravely in the face of a foe that fought without honour, a foe that from ambush and fled before our superior warriors. The AFFS fought like cowardly curs and in his wisdom, the Coordinator has employed dogs of his own."

Several glances are cast toward five mechwarriors, still wearing fatigues and cooling vests.

 

Steel Legion

"The Steel Legion were... instrumental in destroying a raiding force of the new Savannah Masters. Chu-i Voskov advises they were even of some small assistance in capturing one of these new hovercraft, to be analysed by our scientists on Luthien."

One of the Steel Legion looks like he is about to protest but is kicked in the ankle by a scarred comrade and closes his mouth.

"I promised that any who defeated these raiders would be awarded the Bushido Blade and I will keep my word, even to masterless wave-men. Step forward, mercenaries."

The Steel Legion glance at each other and then one of their number mounts the first step of the dais. The mercenary, a young man of japanese descent, begins to speak in halting tones:

"Honoured Tai-shu, it gives me great honour to be presented with this award for services rendered to my homeland. It has been a balm to my troubled soul to be of help to the mighty Dragon. However, I must beg your forgiveness, for I can no longer ignore the path of giri and must clear the name of Master Fuhito"

A murmur sweeps the room and Samsonov's brow furrows.

"You speak of traitors who are best forgotten, mercenary."

The young man shakes his head and levels a finger at one of the assembled officers. The accused's face blanches in shock and outrage.

"Ie!There stands the honourless dog who framed my master to hide his own treacherous ways. I have proof which will allow my master to rest in peace and for me to live my life with honour again!"

The ronin falls to his knees and presses his forehead to the dais before the Warlord.

"Please honoured Samsonov-sama, grant me leave to do what is right and just. I shall not proceed in this place without your consent for that would dishonour you and the Dragon which has never been my aim."

The warlord stares hard at the officer for a long moment. Samsonov gives a grunt of disapproval then turns his gaze back to the pleading mercenary. In the background the commentator can be heard talking rapidly and fearfully, demanding the holovid operator cut the transmission.

"If your evidence bears out, what would you ask of me ronin? You have abandoned the Dragon and your words mean little and are worth less. Yet your deeds are worthy of some reward. Speak."

The ronin looks up at Samsonov, his gaze clear, his voice steady.

"I challenge Sho-Sa Barrabas Hideyoshi to an honour duel. Let the this duel decide who shall rot in hell as an honourless dog for all time. I will accept whatever form he chooses for the duel as my masters spirit will guide me to victory."

With a burst of static, the camera tilts and the transmission is cut.

 

 

                        +++++++++LOSTECH GOODS FLOOD MARKET+++++++++
 

Although the bulk of the Star League cache on Galtor has been claimed by the Federated Suns for study at the NAIS institute on Avalon, several unscrupulous salvage crews have sold their finds onto the open market. Many of these ancient battlemech components have found their way to the markets of Solaris VII and Galatea where the bidding on them by gladiators and mercenaries is fierce.

 

                         +++++++++FWL CONDEMNS LYRAN RAIDS+++++++++

Painted by Kuleshov

 

The Free Worlds League Parliament today condemned what was referred to as "continued and flagrant espionage and border violations" by the Lyran Commonwealth. This was in response to a security breach on the world of Kalidasa, though details of the breach have not been relased by Kali-Yama Industries. The MP for Kalidasa was quoted as saying "A unanimous motion was carried to request an immediate reprisal from the Captain-General. Such a blatant disregard for our borders and property cannot go unanswered." The FWLM declined to comment on any current military activities but several dropships were seen burning for a high orbit rendevezous with a jumpship above Kalidasa.