Gunther

Battletech: Forlorn Hope

The Leopard Dropship, Rat Lance was riding aboard was of a fairly simple design, easy to maintain. This particular ship was built on Galax at Federated-Boeing Interstellar. Its primary purpose was to carry a Lance of BattleMechs. The 1900-ton drop ship measured 66 meters (216.5') from bow to stern, 51.6 meters (169.3') in width and its height was just over 22 meters (73.5'). While most drop ships have a fairly modest weapons loadout, the Leopard's was quite impressive with five large lasers, seven medium lasers, three LRM-20s and two PPCs. There was also room for two aerospace fighters as prescribed under the old Star League Defense Force doctrine for an Air Lance.

Nero considered their current assignment while sipping an iced beverage from the galley. They were testing four BattleMechs, organized into a Lance while getting field experience with fellow Academy students from Nagelring and New Avalon Institute of Science (NAIS) on a quiet planet manned by a private military unit considered to be one of the best in the system. He felt about as safe as a young officer could feel and was actually quite hopeful, possessing a tinge of excitement about the mission. Peter Mattlov, a student from NAIS was already running checks on his Cicada. Nero thought Mr. Mattlov was smart for doing this. He believed he should follow Mattlov's example. He eyeballed Aveline Lott, also from Nagelring, still not sure how to take her as he headed toward the Mech bays. Along the way he ran into Mr. Staudinger. In a loud enough voice for Ms. Lott to hear him, Nero addressed his other Nagelring classmate, "hey Ansgar, let's go check out our Mechs! Mr. Mattlov is performing diagnostics on his Cicada. Besides, we should be arriving on Steelton soon, we'll need to be in the cockpits for the drop." Nero did not wait for a response, continuing to walk toward his Wolverine in bay number two.

He walked around the outside, of the Wolverine, eyeballing the vehicle looking over its armor, paying attention to the joints, searching for hydraulic fluid leaks or anything out of the ordinary. Once he was satisfied, the exterior was operationally fit for service; he climbed up into the cockpit. Peering inside, he familiarized himself with the interior. Satisfied with that visual inspection, he climbed in and fastened the seat belts. He began conducting a similar set of diagnostic tests on the various systems that make up the Wolverine Mech.

Nero placed his gold colored neurohelmet over his head, which immediately seemd to wake up his Wolverine. 'I need a name for this beast,' Nero thought to himself. 'Beast? no. Emperor? no.' Nero giggled to himself. 'Cobra? no. Champion? no.' He paused in his thought process has a he pushed a few buttons, checked scans and watched the readouts. 'Bah, it'll come to me. Maybe when we are on solid ground.

As he was completing a diagnostic test, he noticed the bay doors open with a loud bang. Warning indicators sounded loudly. The drop light remained red, indicating a drop was imminent, just not now. As the vehicle neared the surface, Nero felt a rush of emotions, excitement, anticipation, anxiety, fear and confidence all wrapped in one. He knew he would do well, but it was all just so new and there was still so much to learn.

The drop indicator on his HUD flashed green, meaning it was time to go. The drop indicator then flashed to black as the datalink between the Mech and the drop ship was severed. Nero looked down, viewing the surface below him. His neurohelmet allowed him to see the ground below. It was a smooth drop zone, preplanned just for this exercise. The drop could have been about ten feet, not significant for the Wolverine. Nero felt the drop ship disengage as his his Mech fell the few meters to the smooth surface below. The knees absorbed the slight impact, giving Nero that same feeling you may get from a descending elevator. He checked the balance and the yet to be named Wolverine was operationally fit for service. He checked the weapon systems which were all loaded and ready for whatever cardboard cutouts the lance would be required to engage.

Peter Mattlov communicated his status, which reminded Nero to do the same, "RAT one one. Status is nominal. Over."

Once everyone checked in with RAT company, a command voice came over the net, "RAT, proceed along waypoints to rendezvous with Task Force Rusty."

Nero checked his map and topographical overlays. They were not complete. He remembered the briefing stating that Tactical Communications had gone down, which affected the topographical database. It would take time to update the geographical system. The lance would have to rely on the onboard database for navigation. As it turns out, RAT Lance would provide escort to an Engineer detachment from Star Guard, assigned with maintaining the back up sensors.

As the Lance moved forward, Nero found his Wolverine on the right side of the formation watching the right side and forward, covering Mattlov's Cicada. His HUD transmitted the locations of the four mechs and the engineer vehicle traveling in the center of their diamond shaped formation.

Nero found the Wolverine to be somewhat clunky or temperamental at first, but man and machine slowly melded together in a single functioning entity. It took time, which is exactly what they had. He quickly became familiar with the data readouts on the screens as he moved his eyes up and down to view through the canopy at the terrain around them. Everything looked beautiful to him. He took everything in as the Mechs and vehicles maneuvered across the ground. The stony outcroppings and desert like floor gave him a view of the landscape unfamiliar to him. These new experiences were all overwhelming to him, flooding into his brain and he loved it. It was quite thrilling to say the least.

@Eisenhorn@Noxious@HeySeuss

Military Themed Role Plays

Lemme known If you get anything started, I'm game.

@cpldingo

I did start one called,Alamo Scouts, Inc. It is a PMC based loosely on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

...but if you had a different idea, please share.

Battletech: Forlorn Hope

When I was reading up on the Wolverine, I did get the indication that the Wolverine would be up front gathering intelligence on Friendly, Foe, Identification (FFI) and then share that information with the other Mechs in the unit. You appear to confirm that for me.

Alamo Scouts, Inc.

@Gunther
can my character be a Chinese defector?

@Bourgeoisie

Sure!

I updated my Character Sheet to include Kichirō Takagi, a former SBU Lieutenant in the JMSDF.

Military Themed Role Plays

Am I still invited?

@Bourgeoisie

yes of course.

The OOC is posted: Alamo Scouts, Inc. It is a PMC based loosely on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

@Gunther

Alamo Scouts, Inc.

can i use a picture instead of a description

@Kurai Assassin

Honestly, I prefer just a written description. If you wan to use a pic or image to enhance your written description that is fine.

Military Themed Role Plays

Sounds good. I'm keen.

@Gatekeeper13

The OOC is posted: Alamo Scouts, Inc. It is a PMC based loosely on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

Blood Debt (Medieval/Fantasy, Rangers)

@Flagg I just read your post. Awesome as always.

Battletech: Forlorn Hope

Name: Nero Reynard

Age: 22
Gender: Male
Branch of Service: Armed Forces of the Federated Suns
Physical Description:

Nero stand 5' 9" tall and weighs 178 lbs. He has acquired a fit body through years of disciplined exercise. Most of the men of his lineage go bald early and he is no exception. Although the hairline is just now starting to recede, Nero opted to shave the head now and prefers to go for the bald look. He feels it gives him a more intimidating presence. His piercing blue eyes do make him attractive; framed by a dominant brow and firm cheek bones.

When not in uniform or in the cockpit of a Mech, Nero dresses casually in cotton cargo pants and a golf shirt or cotton T-shirt. He has no problem dressing formal, just feels it is unnecessary to dress to impress when there is no reason to do so.

Character History:

Nero was born into the House Reynard on New Avalon in 3028. His father, a New Avalonian Duke, occupies a seat on the governing council and a voice in the Federated Commonwealth. Reynard Davion, President of the Federated Suns from 2340 to 2371 is related to the House of Reynard through his mother's side of the family. The former President was named for his mother's maiden name. The Reynards have always enjoyed a close relationship with the House of Davion over the past 700 years. "Loyalty Until Death" is the family's motto. Francois Reynard, an ancestor whom Nero is in direct lineage to once held the position of Commander of the 1st Avalon Hussars in the late 28th Century. Military tradition is an important value to the House of Reynard.

As a child Nero enjoyed reading military history, about the wars that plagued the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth. Both sides of the alliance are equally fascinating to the youthful Reynard. He often spent time playing war games or battlefield simulations either in board format or on a computer; occasionally with his brother, Tiberius. Learning small unit tactics and strategy is something Nero thrived, it was his passion, paying very close attention to learning these skills while at NAMA and later at The Nagelring.

Another hobby Nero enjoyed as a youth was taking things apart and putting them back together. He liked disassembling small engines and rebuilding them as well as computer components, electrical systems and hydraulics. This hobby helped him learn about the BattleMechs he would later operate. He loves tinkering with the mechanical and technology that make a Mech work.

Nero had a relatively easy upbringing, receiving everything a young boy needs to grow up with. He never missed a meal and always had a place to lay his head. His mother, Marguerite (Davion) Reynard was a loving woman who was also third cousin to the current First Prince Hanse Davion. Nero and his siblings, Gemma and Tiberius received the best education on New Avalon and on other planets in the Federated Commonwealth. Marguerite had significant influence in the House of Davion. As the eldest son, Nero was sent to the New Avalon Military Academy; The College of Military Studies to learn how to operate Battle Mechs.

In his Junior Year, Nero transferred to The Nagelring, the premier military academy in the Lyran Commonwealth. He continued his studies in Battle Mechs, excelling in his field of studies. Nero has always been a rule follower, with a very disciplined perspective. Operating by the book is important to Nero Reynard, enforcing rules amongst his peers when discovered. He does not care who he offends in enforcing the standards of the military arm of the Federated Commonwealth.

In his senior year at the Nagelring, Cadet Reynard was promoted to the rank of Cadet First Sergeant. As the Cadet First Sergeant, Nero was the principal advisor the commander on the state of morale, discipline and training of cadets within the company. He advised the Company Commander on planning, coordinating and supervising activities of the class. In this position, Cadet First Sergeant Reynard conducted all company formations; responsible for training and execution of all drill and ceremonies to include the Company Color Guard.

As the class neared graduation, many of the top students at the Nagelring were chosen for a special joint FedSuns/Lyran field-testing exercise in Lyran space. They would work with lostch and prototype weaponry in various conditions. Nero jumped at this opportunity anticipating decent hands on experience with an operational Mech. It was his expectation once his class graduated that he would be able to choose the regiment he would ultimately join, that unit being the Davion Heavy Guards Regiment.

Psychological Profile:

Nero is a pensive individual who enjoys being able to think things through. He spent most of his youth learning from the past about various tactics and strategy. He enjoys roleplaying various scenarios in his mind about how he would react to a given situation. When action his required, it takes him very little time to determine a suitable course of action, preferring to act quickly when the situation demands it, yet taking his time and thinking things through when the situation affords him the time to do so.

In sporting events, Nero can be very aggressive and will not hesitate to assert himself on the playing field.

Nero is a rule follower. As the oldest child in his family growing up, following the rules, doing what his parents told him to do was very important. In like, enforcing those standards on his brother, Tiberius and sister, Gemma were equally important. He had been considered a brown-noser or tattle tale early on, which isolated him from some of his peers during his primary and secondary education years. Nero preferred to distance himself from Negative influence, surrounding himself with positive friends who shared his values. This trait has served him well.

Those who do not understand Nero's drive to be competitive and do well academically and athletically consider him to be overly arrogant; misinterpreting his natural aggressive and assertive tendencies as arrogance.

Skills::

- In school, Nero excelled in military history, small unit tactics at the Lance and Company level and in maintenance of a Mech. He enjoys learning the lessons of the past in an attempt to apply them to future scenarios. He role plays possible situations in his mind regularly analyzing terrain as it suits the weapon systems available to him on a theoretical battlefield. Nero enjoys taking things apart and putting them back together. He has become quite skilled at maintaining the various technological components that go into making a Mech work. He is familiar with the engine, the hydraulic systems, the wiring, the computer components and the software. His attention to detail and stickler for the rules got him the posting as Cadet First Sergeant of the Company of Cadets at The Nagelring.

- Of all the things about school, Nero enjoys, piloting a BattleMech the best. The first time he slid into the cockpit, he felt a rush of excitement overwhelm him. After his first testdrive on an older rebuilt Shadow Hawk, he felt like he was home at the controls of this magnificent beast. Thrilling!

- Nero likes salvage operations and does well in those classes; learning what components are a piority over others. But this goes hand in hand with his innate technological and maintenance skills.

- With a natural aggressive nature, Nero prefers the offensive. It shows in his fighting style. If given the option to defend or attack, Nero would tell you that the best defense, is a spirited attack; get in close with your opponent and open up his weaknesses for exploitation. He prefers to be at the tip of the spear, the point man in an operation in order to identify threats early and report them back. He understands the value of a good reconnaissance and how to use the intelligence recon elements acquire to exploit the enemy's weakness. Nero views the defense simply as an opportunity to recover strength and evaluate an opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Spending too much time on the defense sacrifices opportunities to advance and take terrain.

Equipment:

- Cooling vest
- New plasteel boots
- Radiation absorbing gloves
- Compression shorts
- Cotton T-shirt, House of Reynard family crest, NAMA or Nagelring crest on shirt.
- Neurohelmet with improved flare and visibility; Micro power pack, equipped with rangefinder and night vision
- Combat Medipack, attached to left thigh.
- Noteputer, hand held device attached to right thigh.
- Serrek 7875D Auto-Pistol; a gift from his father, Duke Victor Reynard. Holstered under left arm on top of vest.
- Multi-tool
- Survival pack; stored in rear of mech cockpit.

Battlemech:

Wolverine WVR-7D; field testing the model for the Davion Family out of their Nanking factory. This upgraded Wolverine's engine has been replaced with a Nissan 275 XL version and the armor has been upgraded to Kallon Unity Weave Ferro-Fibrous material with an extra half-ton added. To increase speed, Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry (MASC) has been added, allowing it to move up to 108 km/h in bursts. Finally, the weapons payload has been upgraded as well. The autocannon in the right arm has been upgraded to a General Motors Nova-5 Ultra Autocannon/5 and the medium laser is now a Sutel Precision Line Medium Pulse Laser. The design retains its jumping capability, as well as the SRM-6 Harpoon, although Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment, (CASE) now protects the SRM reloads.

Wolverine Specifications

Specifications:Wolverine Model WVR-7D

Class: Medium

Engine: Nissan 275 XL (Nanking)

Weight: 55 tons

Primary weapon: General Motors Nova-5 Ultra Autocannon/5. This weapon, mounted in the right arm along with one ton of ammunition, allows the Wolverine to cause damage to the enemy at respectable ranges.

Secondary weapons:
- Harpoon-6 SRM-6 launcher for short-range work with one ton of reloads in the left torso
- Magna Mk II Medium Laser mounted in the head. Due to its 360 degree turret, earlier models had a tendency to commit accidental fratricide. The Wolverine was equipped with the TekBattleCom system to prevent this from happening.

Cruising speed: 81 KpH

Maximum speed: 108 KpH

Jump: 150 Meters (The jets are slightly underpowered for this role and must be operated near maximum thrust to achieve their potential, resulting in increased wear and tear on the components.)

Armor: 10 tons of Kallon Unity Weave Ferro-Fibrous material. The Wolverine is well-protected and emphasizes its survivability when undertaking dangerous reconnaissance missions.

Heat: Thirteen heat sinks also provide adequate heat dissipation even in the event of damage to the fusion engine.

Role: In its role as a command 'Mech, the Wolverine is well equipped with the Tek BattleCom system with multichannel transceiver/receiver as found on the Phoenix Hawk. Well-shielded in the head blister this set-up allows the Wolverine to provide superior electronic support when leading other 'Mechs or conducting reconnaissance on its own.

Wolverine

Battletech: Forlorn Hope

I have read over the character sheets and would like to post my character's perceptions of them.

Ansgar Staudinger is a friend to Nero Reynard. Due to the history of the Staudinger family, Nero values Ansgar's friendship strongly. Nero understands, Ansgar's propensity for long range, indirect fire support. As a more, in your face up close and personal fighter, Nero appreciates the value of having the support from Indirect fire to help weight a situation in his favor. He would never comment on the way Ansgar dresses. He has on occasion opted to dress fashionably well in order to make his friend feel comfortable around him. (I like Ansgar Staudinger. Great job with this character!)

Peter Mattlov, who attended NAIS is someone Nero is just meeting for the first time. The Mattlov name is one that registers recognition with the 3rd Crucis Lancers from his studies of Military History. He has read accounts of Fatima Mohammed Mattlov in action with the Crucis Lancers and expects similar feats from her offspring. The fact that he comes from a military family suits well with Nero. (For future note in our RP, Peter's desire to speak his mind may go one of two ways. If Nero agrees with Peter's comments, he will appreciate his input. If not, he will grow weary rapidly; especially if the need for rapid action does not permit the opportunity for lengthy planning. Good character, could lead to future controversy on a personal level.)

Aveline Lott, as a self imposed outcast, she has placed a cloak around herself that does not allow others inside, except under extreme situations. Nero is a pensive observer. He has witnessed her piloting skills first hand and appreciates them greatly. Nero has the utmost respect for her abilities in the cockpit of a BattleMech. He hopes he can live up to her standards. With regards to her inability to socialize with the other nobles in both the Lyran and Federated Suns realms, he questions her. He has attempted to engage her on a few occasions, but Nero has always gotten the impression she preferred to be left alone. With that notion communicated, he has done that. As a result, although he is familiar with her abilities, he does not know her very well. (I do like this character. It gives us a place to grow. Hopefully, she will be accepted into the Lance and thereby receive that level of social acceptance she subconsciously desires.)

@Eisenhorn@HeySeuss@Noxious