Rhona W

Across Broken Skies [Ace Combat inspired RP]

Everyone left had gathered around, and Ariella paused a moment, gathering her thoughts, before she launched into the briefing.
"All right, ladies and gentlemen," she said in a clear and strong voice. "We have our first mission. I know we've had a long haul already, and little rest; but don't worry: you'll all have a chance to get a rest once this mission is flown. Once we do our part, the squids can take over for a little while".
She tapped a few touchscreen controls on the pads surface, and displayed a handful of maps with annotated notes and mission-relevant information.
"Here's the jist of it. Current intel following the attacks earlier this morning indicated that the targets in Southern Europe were all hit by aircraft flying from North African countries, or by missiles launched from the same area or over the Mediterranean Sea. With forces and bases in the area hit already degraded, it leaves the area open to a second wave of attacks if we don't take action quickly. As such, it falls to us to provide an accurate picture of our enemies' forces so that the Navy can drop its' rounds on target accurately. Additionally, any long-range anti-ship emplacements are targets for us to engage." She began to tap icons on the screen, which enlarged and showed the disposition of the squadrons' aircraft.
"Our first objective will be to recon the target areas shown on these maps. As we're down significantly in numbers, after having drop-outs and reassignments following the loss of pilots and aircraft in Southern Europe and a number of resignations after our first sortie, we're having to pull extra duty to fill in. I've got faith in you all though," she looked up. "After all - you all stayed with me so far, and you didn't back away from the challenges we're up against so far. So; the five aircraft-" she shook her head. They'd gone from almost a full squadron to barely a flight of aircraft will be tasked as follows. We've got a lot on our plate, so this is going to be a tough one." She paused again, absorbing the information before running down the list.
"Our first objective will be to recon the sites of anti-ship weapon emplacements, and airfields basing long-range strike aircraft, or missiles. The best aircraft suited to such a role are Excalibur Four and Excalibur Five. As such, you'll be toting recon pods on your centrelines for the mission, along with a secondary load of mixed self-defence and anti-air munitions. Excalibur Two, you and I will be acting as top cover, and will also carry a light secondary load of air-to-ground munitions. Finally, Excalibur Three, you'll be our primary 'heavy hitter' for the air-to-ground role against the anti-shipping emplacements, and will carry a primary load of anti-ground munitions, with a light self-defensive load. We'll all be heavily loaded, but will receive a refuelling after takeoff from the carrier, and then a second refuelling en route to target at the half-way marker by a long-range tanker aircraft. Our approach profile will be under total black out and at low-low altitude for terrain masking, with a pop-up only when we're over target."
She gave a serious look to the assembled men and women at that note, her features drawn with serious attention and a business-like demeanour as she spoke.
"Mark my words, and take a look at the facts: this is an exceedingly hostile environment we're going into, with masses of enemy air and ground defences. Our goal isn't hunting the bad guys - we're there to get our pictures, hit our limited targets, and then bug out. If we stick around, we'll get overwhelmed and ripped out of the skies. Defensive engagement only; we'll have a chance to get our fangs in later on, believe me.
"As you can imagine, since this is a recon flight, we don't have exact intel on the target. And we don't have much up to date, as the UNWO have been taking pot-shots at our recon satellites lately too. But, as this is home turf and both Egypt and Libya were supplied by Soviet states before the sky fell, expect lots of Eastern Bloc Greatest Hits, such as Fishbeds, Floggers and Fulcrums, as well as numerous SAM systems and triple-A. The local atmospheric conditions look to be good visibility with dry conditions and minimal weather disturbances. Local forces are hostile, and - god forbid - if you are forced to eject, consider yourself in hostile territory, and evade accordingly." She set the pad down on the table, and rested her arms on the cool surface, looking around at them all, taking in each face in turn, looking at the assorted features of the multi-national group around her. All of them had the same qualities she'd seen in her fellow pilots: Eager attentiveness, as the mind worked and evaluated. The edge of the sure smile and knowledge, the carefully trimmed and trained physique. And now she was about to send them off into danger for the first organized and briefed time, as opposed to the earlier chaos.
"You've got time to get your questions in. We launch in ninety minutes. Get yourselves prepped once dismissed; the life-support shop should have your gear all sorted and checked, and the ground crews are uploading the ordnance to our birds and fuelling them now. Last thoughts, comments, queries or quotes for the day?"

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

Aristo said
New blood! Hey, out of curiosity, Silver, do you or anybody else here play the Star Wars X-Wing minis game?

Unfortunately, I don't play any minis games at all - I'm actually spectacularly awful at wargaming, and the few ones I am interested in, there's no one in my local area or peer group who would be remotely interested in playing any of the games I do find interesting.

MachineSoul said
Also, I'm not sure if I should post a reply to Ram right now or wait for other players to write stuff

There's no posting order (because posting orders are the devil), so go ahead if you've got something to post.

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

CHARGE FOR ZE EMPEROR!

He's a northener in disguise! Get him!

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

Okay - Winter, Shadow and ASTA; your characters have been added to the OP, and I've also included all of your characters in the edited briefing, along with some revised information in the briefing about the terrain. Our first experience with the infamous Badlands magnetic distortions! (in any incarnation of the RP, to boot!)
I've also added a note for Amelia to meet with Silver to discuss strategy and the upcoming op, as Winter suggested.

As previously mentioned, I will be away from tomorrow evening until Sunday, and will have little-to-no internet access at that time, so I'll update and reply to any posts after this evenings' ones when I return on Sunday. I'm off table-top gaming again, and two of my friends from Canada are returning to their Home And Native Land after spending a year living in the UK.

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

Also, I'm unsure if GEAR loadouts or weapons are exclusive to the characters the RPers choose to use.

Well, the main idea behind GEARs is that they're like modern-day fighter jets or attack helicopters when it comes to their weaponry, and it's all mounted in hardpoints that can be swapped and changed around to suit different mission profiles, so that the weaponry can be tailored for various encounters and situations. Interchangable fittings and mountings for all sorts of weaponry and equipment as needed, that can be swapped over at base, so if you need a sniper rifle this time instead of a machine gun, it's just a swap at base. Or a missile launcher instead of a Vulcan Cannon, etc etc.

Regarding the tech behind them too, that's the kind of stuff I had in mind from the get-go as well; since the setting is supposed to have tech that's not uber-advanced, but is up on our own modern-day tech, things like the technologies you mention would be quite likely to be in place with the bugs ironed out. Electrothermal propellants, caseless cartridges, electric ignition and so on and so forth would all be pretty cool to have along as well.

I look forward to seeing the history. I'll try and add your character to the OP when I have a chance, however I'm going to be away for a tabletop RP from Friday evening, and back on Sunday, so it might not be until after that, as I'll likely be busy tomorrow as well packing, on top of doing my normal evening chores and routine.

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

I'll look into making a post latter, though if you wouldn't mind editing in what I need to be doing for the briefing part I can respond to that too.

Well, I'm currently waiting to hear if we have two new players joining or not - I'm waiting on one to edit their sheet as requested, and the other to post theirs. If we do get them joining, then I'll edit the briefing to include them in the roster for the mission, and address them as having transferred in during the week we were all training together to replace dropouts/casualties (and OOC dropouts too), and team you with one or both of them at another objective. I'll be away over the weekend, so I'll give that until Sunday PM to be addressed, and if there's no movement on it then I'll just edit the post to include your character and cook up a bit of a reshuffle on the team so that you're out in the field with one of the groups. Either way, I'll keep you informed.

Across Broken Skies [Ace Combat inspired RP]

Not a great deal has occurred since you've been away - IC we all had a bite to eat and briefly discussed our situation and there was a little conversation of getting to know one another, and then Ariella dismissed everyone for a cursory check of their aircraft or to return to the barracks while she got an update and info on our destination and upcoming missions. Then everyone was instructed to strap down for the ship to engage it's Supercavitation engine. That done, we unstrapped and Ariella advised she'd be conducting a briefing shortly. The brings things up to speed.

And I wasn't aware of your gender. It's a lot quicker to write 'they' than 'he or she' every time you're mentioning someone. Now I know, I won't have to, will I?

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

I'll wait and see what Blade says about it.

You're fine to come back if you keep the posts coming. That's the only reason I removed you in the first place, as you disappeared.

And I offered Milkman to come back once things calm down a bit more, as I've really enjoyed having him around, and he's mentioned he'd like to at a later date.

I'm debating posting, but it'll depend on whether or not Minder's hangin' around.

Get your post up while you want to write one, I'm sure Minder can fit one in after easily enough. And besides, since Machine is posting and you're on the same team, you can interact. Or not.

Across Broken Skies [Ace Combat inspired RP]

Ariella's meeting with the captain was short, and to the point. He turned out to be a fatherly, if somewhat professional (and virtually stereotypical) british man, by the name of Bryson. He was patient and polite, and explained that their orders had them heading south through the Atlantic, and through the straits of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean. Once they'd reached a position off the coast of Libya, they'd surface and launch the aircraft for a number of reconnaissance sorties of the various airfields, airstrips and other key target areas in the country. He went on to provide more details, including their expected arrival time - and then instructed her to head back to the ready room and advise the squadron to strap in, as they were about to engage the ships Supercavitation drive, which would be quite an initial shock.
Eyes widening slightly, she did as he suggested, excusing herself with a salute, and headed back to the squadrons' rooms, a few decks below.
Finding Miyoshi there already, along with those who hadn't joined them for breakfast, she quickly climbed into her own bunk and explained the imminent situation.
"Apparently there's a 'supercavitation' drive, which I understand to be something along the lines of rocket engines along with a complex air-pocket system. Either way, we're about to get a kick in the pants of acceleration, and being strapped in might be a good idea. After that, well - we've got a briefing to go through. I think we're going to be doing an advance recon for some strikes in the desert of North Africa".
A siren sounded a blast three short times, and a pleasant, synthesised female voice advised all crew to brace themselves for acceleration. The lighting snapped into a red-shift, and a rumbling hum grew from below the deck and the rear of the ship. Everything seemed to fall quiet for a few moments, before acceleration pressed them into their bunks momentarily and a throbbing vibration grew in the structure of the vessel around them. It persisted for several minutes, growing louder, and almost unbearable - until it rapidly dropped away into a less deafening and intimidating, but still loud rushing hum in the background.
"Huh," Ariella commented, slightly dazed by the whole experience, as she rolled off of her bunk. "That was... different".
Lightly dropping to the floor, she took a seat at the table again, and began to look over the briefing information that had been forwarded to her padd.
"Okay," she announced to those in the room. "Pull up a seat, sit in your bunk, or otherwise bring your padds online and networked. I'm going to begin the briefing momentarily".

Halo anyone?

See above - I don't do many fandom RP's, but I have recently replayed Halo 4, and I do like the Halo 'verse a lot. It'd have to be something pretty good in terms of plot and story though.