Rhona W

Thunderbolt Black (Fighter Pilot Mercenaries)

I can help if you'd like!

If you know anyone who would be interested, or you think would be a good fit (which is almost more important), direct them to the OOC and the interest check!

Thunderbolt Black - Aerial Combat, Near Future

Both of those aircraft are available to play in the game, and your enemies will have just as much (and more) advanced aircraft available too.
I've deliberately allowed a large range of aircraft to be available, to make sure there's a wide and varied amount of aircraft used by the players. You can certainly use an F-22 or an F-35 (of any variant) that you'd like.

Thunderbolt Black (Fighter Pilot Mercenaries)

Evidently not. I obviously got confused somehow, and put in the wrong callsign for someone. I'll have to rejig it anyway, since we're back to having an uneven number of pilots again. I'll edit the post

EDIT: I've changed it so it now makes sense, and explains Stalin's absence.

Thunderbolt Black - Aerial Combat, Near Future

BUMP!

Two of my players seem to have dropped out, so it would be great to have some new blood to bring the numbers up, and keep things moving swiftly. Anyone who wants to join in would be more than welcome, and especially so.

While the game has been running for a couple of months, the story and plot aren't so super-far-advanced or intricate that anyone joining in now would be out of place, or hard to fit in. And there's also not loads and loads to explain about what's happened or going on.

Anyone who's also previously had an interest would be more than welcome to return. Again, I also emphasise that you do not need to know masses about aircraft to play, but having some idea of realism and understanding of modern aircraft would be welcome, or at least the willingness to learn.

I'd really like to have a couple more people to join in, and I hope some people show interest in this!

Thunderbolt Black (Fighter Pilot Mercenaries)

Well, that's a bummer. I'd just finished a new IC post as well.

Sucks to hear it, but I can understand if you're too busy to join in right now. You're welcome if you want to come back.

In the meantime, we'll see how things go and I'll keep things going for the meantime. Might be best to advertise again for a couple of extra players, since it seems like Esailia has effectively dropped out as well.

In the meantime, new IC is up for responses, yay.

Thunderbolt Black (Fighter Pilot Mercenaries)

Scott listened in on the channel as the rest of the squadron reported their states. Everyone seemed fine, and their aircraft were in one piece.
"All right, squad. Let's RTB". He angled the flight back toward their current home base, overflying the space centre en route, retracing their earlier course. Halfway back, the radio surged to life once more, this time with the familiar voice of the AWACS from their flight to French Guiana the previous day.
"Black Knights, this is Watchman. How are you all doing today? I've been keeping a track of your operation; sorry for being late on the scene. I have good news though. The transport planes with the ground reinforcements touched down ten minutes ago. Two planes have also diverted forward for a para-drop to reinforce the Majors' forces at the front edge of the battle area. You should have them on your radar now. They'll move forward to secure the rough strip as well; it should give them a forward area to use for resupply as well. We're not currently tracking the bandits, they must have retreated for now to re-organise and re-group. We're currently evaluating intel and working on a battle plan for securing the rocket once it's ready for launch, which should be within the next twelve hours. We're anticipating the enemy will make an offensive at that point if not before, so we'll have you remain on standby once you're down, over".
"Roger, Watchman," replied Scott. "Good to have you back with us, and thanks for the update. We'll be ready and waiting. Black Knights, out".

The tranport planes carrying the paratroopers were indeed visible on the radar as they hauled past, at higher altitude than the returning combat jets. Soon after, Scot lead the line-up to land on the runway at the international airport, and it was easy to see the big shapes of the Il-76 transports lined up on the apron, disgorging vehicles and helicopters alongside troops and their equipment onto the apron. The airport had turned into a hive of activity, as Thunderbolt Blacks' effort to reinforce the beleagured forces of the gendarmes and local military.
St. Helen whistled over the radio as Scott made a slow circle of the airport, lining up on the runway.
"Look at all that hardware; helicopters, light vehicles and armour. Not to mention all those pallets of weapons. I think they're serious about this reinforcement".
"Are you surprised? If that satellite doesn't get launched, the bad guys get to keep holding an axe over everyone's head with that kinetic-kills satellite. The more secure the launch the better."
Scott guided the super-tomcat onto the runway, and set it down with gentle ease, taxiing past the men and vehicles organizing into groups. Already, the first road convoy was shaping up to move out, boarding trucks with Centauro tank destroyers at the front, and light utilty vehicles and APC's scattered throughout.
Scott pulled the ASF-14 to a halt back in the aircraft dispersal area, extending the ladder as he shut the jet down. Crews swarmed out, ready to turn the squadrons' aircraft around and push them back into the revetments around the hangars. Kat's A-10 was still tucked into the hangar, covered up and sitting in wait for its' feline-hybrid pilot.
As Scott and St. Helen climbed down from their aircraft, the din of aircraft engines surrounded them, along with the continuous rumble of background noise as the base readied for the ongoing counter-offensive.
Once the others disembarked from their planes, Scott gathered them all behind the hangar, in one of the trailers that had - from somewhere - appeared as a temporary HQ at the airfield. He'd quickly reviewed the intel for the situation, and the timeline of the upcoming operation, and had easily seen where their expertise would be needed.
"All right, boys and girls. We did good out there, and gave the ground forces time to get organised and head out. Our job isn't over though; we can expect that the rebel forces will push back now that we've gave them a kick in the teeth, and that the rocket launch won't go unnoticed. The French governments' forces are only a day away, and the launch is scheduled for twelve hours from now with everything going well. So, our role from now will be to remain on standby with our aircraft fuelled, armed and ready to respond if there's anything cropping up that needs our attention. Once launch time rolls around, our main goal will be to provide a CAP over the space-centre, and to blunt any offensive by the hostiles." He checked his watch and grimaced. "It'll be a night-time launch, which means a night-time flight. I'm going to rotate everyone through four hours on-and-off alert until then, giving everyone a chance to rest up before we all fly later on." He frowned as he looked at the numerous maps and other info taped to the wall of the trailer, and scattered on the table. "There's also the hostile mercs to consider; now they know we're here, we'd better be prepared for them if we fly, and that they might try to strike the base, or the reinforcements as we move. We were lucky today: they didn't expect us, and we caught them by surprise and outnumbered. Next time, we have to act as if they're expecting us. They have powerful and advanced aircraft, and they look to be skillful and capable pilots. Don't underestimate them, and stick together if we get into a skirmish with them. That's all for now; everyone rest easy, and don't go far".
Scott dismissed the squadron, after giving them their schedule of on-off alerts.
But it wasn't going to be straightforward - Before he could begin planning the cockpit alert, Stalin approached him with bad news: the last sortie had been enough for him, and he was resigning there and then.
Regretfully, he said his goodbyes as the Flanker pilot stood himself down from duty, and set about planning to return to the island, and then to wherever else he had planned.

Splitting up the aircraft and pilots became a monumentally difficult task from there, with the uneven number of pilots and aircraft he had left. With much confusion, he re-thought his original plan. Instead of having two pilots and aircraft on each alert, he'd have one each in stints a little over two hours on notice to take off within five minutes of an alert, and the next person on the roster at ten-minute alert, with the other aircraft ready to fly within a half-hour. That way, the time was split more evenly, and everyone got more rest, and no-one would be completely on their own should anything come up.
Splitting the group up, he placed Short-round and Spirit at the head, then himself. Charnel and Viking followed up and finished off, in time for the expected launch.

There was still no word on Kat's status, but Scott ensured to enquire after her and send her well-wishes, before absorbing him in the minutiae of running the squadron; in short, paperwork, alongside his own rest time.
Good news trickled in throughout the 12-hour period; the Major's forces had, with the assistance of the reinforcements, recaptured Sinnamary completely, and pushed on, routing the enemy and driving them further back from the Space Center. The reinforcements helicoptered in had also captured the jungle airstrip and turned it into a forward operating base of their own, allowing supplies to be ferried to the forward edge of the battle area.

The end of Charnels' standby alert was close to an end when things went south. One of the crew on duty monitoring for new developments rushed out of the radio trailer and called out for the squadron. Scott hustled over, gathering the others around as the non-com quickly explained the situation. With the impending launch and the land-battle at a stalemate, the rebels had assumed a new idea; skirting around the land completely, they had begun to move down the coast via water in a flotilla of hastily armed civilian craft, and whatever small military or paramilitary vessels at their disposal. Watchman had detected air cover over the small fleet, along with transports in the air. It was a fair bet the hostile mercenaries were providing escort to both the flotilla, and whatever the transports were carrying. Their course and speed indicated a landing scheduled for around the launch time, with the obvious intent of sabotaging the launch.
"All right," Scott said quickly. "We've got no time to waste. Mixed loads of air-to-air and air-to-ground for everyone. We need to get in there and cause as much damage as possible. Send as many of those boats to the bottom, and give the mercs a thing or two that oughta make 'em reconsider. We have to hit those transports too - likely they're carrying troops and weapons to attack the space center. We have to stop that from happening, or else that satellite will be hitting more targets - maybe this time it'll be a city of thousands or worse. We can't let that happen. Everyone prep for launch, we're taking off in fifteen minutes for an intercept!"

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

No worries, the 7-day limit isn't up yet, and you've mentioned that you're busy, so it's all good :)

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

Don't know if it's actually called a slide or not, but I called it a slide, so that means it's a slide. ;>

It is called a slide, so you're fine - good guess though!

GM post is up, and moves us neatly toward the end of this segment. I have some clear ideas on what'll happen next and who's doing what to who - and who is who as well. Ramzam, unfortunately you and I get the short straw, and don't have as much to do, but once we join up with the others it'll move on at a faster pace.

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

Silverwind watched as Adrian put the Capybara down with some swift and effective moves. As the hare secured his pistol, the vulpine glanced quickly into the front office, and then through the pane of glass in the door into the warehouse at the back; no one had seen or heard them that he could see.
As Adrian questioned him on how to proceed, he paused as his comms went off, the earbud giving a soft chime at the incoming message.

"Nawlin here, possible lead, or possible trap, will contact within 30 min, if no contact, assume captured....or worse."

"All right. Be careful, both of you. If it looks bad, get the hell out of there. We're proceeding as planned".
He turned his attention back to Adrian, tapping one booted paw on the floor before nodding to the open filing cabinet. "He was looking through there. Maybe there's records of who else he'd got ID's for. Even if it ain't their real names, we oughta be able t' find somethin'"
He yanked a length of cable out from under the desk and tossed it to Adrian. "Tie that joker up, and I'll look through this lot".

A few moments later he stood back with a sheaf of papers, spreading them out on the desk. The pictures were grainy and taken from the same room. Frowning, he turned around and looked up into the corner of the room, spotting an IR security sensor. A memory chip was attached to each of the papers in a plastic wallet.
"I get it," he said after a moment of scanning the papers. "These are his insurance. Kept off the 'net, and produced only after he'd made the deals. No one squeals on him, as he has dirt on who they really are. Pictures-" he tapped the papers, "-and I'm guessing this is video and audio," he continued, tapping the chips. "If we play these, we might get some idea where these guys are".

Before he could hear the reply from Adrian, his earbud sounded again, this time with Kuraiko's voice.

"Blade, gonna tail a trolley with parts, being loaded by a rhino, looks like a beefy-lookin' guy made the purchase. Will check in whenever it is safe to, though if I don't within 15 minutes, assume I got made."

"Be careful - he might be one of the Imperial Special Forces. They'll have their own security, so watch out. See what you can find out, but don't engage unless you're attacked first - and even then, fight to break away".

He once again turned his attention to Adrian, before feeding the chips into his PADD and holding up the device so both could see the playback. It showed the Imperial Princess, along with what they could assume to be her guards, by the way they acted around her. And shortly after, they saw 'Cynthia and Luke', the two Red Guard who'd been captured in the earlier operation when posing as civilians on the Landcrawler.
"So, the Princess was travellin' incognito," Silverwind surmised. "She musta been plannin' to travel on usin' the Landcrawler from here. Someone must've picked up her trail, leadin' to the attack. Which means one of those two groups that attacked the 'crawler are the ones that have her now. We know one lot are Imperials, but not who the others are".
He grumbled as he switched off the PADD.
"I think it's time we rejoined the others; ain't much more t' find out here".

* * *

The park was as the mink had described. A green open space in the middle of the town, it was enclosed by a thick wall, with winding paths through flourishing and well-waters green bushes, plants, trees and laws. There was even an ornamental pool in the middle, with a fountain. Also in line with what she had said, the towns' police HQ was on the opposite side of the road to the parks' entrance, within a couple of heartbeats' sprint.
There were few people around and about in the park, despite its' peace and quiet. As such, the Minks' voice could be heard in low conversation as the pair approached, from the other side of a bush, in conversation with a oddly flat-sounding male voice.
"And you're sure I should make contact with them?"
"They are looking for her too. You are both working toward the same goal. It is a logical pursuit, after all. And once you have the Princess, her information coupled with your own may bring them over to your cause. If not, we will pursue alternatives. For the meantime, they can help you recover her".
There was an annoyed sigh, and then she replied "All right."
As soon as the pair caught sight of her, however, there was no-one standing nearby at all, simply the mink standing with her arms folded, before looking over to the pair.
"Ah, good. You turned up," she said with a hesitant smile. "So... let's talk. I have information, and I think you might want it. It's regarding a certain important woman"

* * *

The hefty-looking vulpine moved down the street, the rhino following with the trolley of parts. After leaving the main market square, the fox headed to the north of the centre of town, the opposite side of the settlement to where the Claw had docked, heading out into the outer area of the city, with all of its' heavy industry. The streets grew wider and the people more sparse. Along with it, the buildings changed from residential units and retail establishments into industrial units. Chain-link fences hid away industries of all kinds and their yards. Vehicles rumbled back on forth on their business.
At one junction, the fox stopped, and a wolf loomed out of the shadows to join him, the pair conversing quietly for a few moments, before the pair took over posession of the trolley and turned into the fenced parking lot of a warehouse. More workers, equally burly and physically fit, stood around the doors, smoking and scanning the roads with sharp, eager eyes.
As the garage-style door rolled up and raised, a scarred, powerful-looking lynx was briefly visible, before the door rolled down again.

* * *

In the market, one of the smallest and brightest-eyed of the kids, a young female ferret with bright pink pigtails, nodded rapidly at Es. "Uh-huh," she said in a rapid voice. "I know who, old Doc Burton! He sells that kinda stuff!" She beckoned the feline to follow her, running on a few steps with a few of her other friends, before beckoning Es to follow, leading her into a side-street, away from the hustle and bustle, and into a narrow, sleepy street. People sat in wide porches, poking cooking fires with long sticks, or just watching the world go by from chairs in the doorways. Soft, tinny music in a variety of languages drifted, and laundry flapped on lines strung between the second-floor window.
Ahead, a hand-made wooden sign was propped up against the wall of a porch, displaying a green cross; the universal sign for a medical establishment on Arvara.

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

I will keep the momentum going, and a new GM post will hopefully be up this eve!