Rhona W

Another World's War

Yerill fighters were clawed from the sky as the Rangers went to battle. Their first salvos had hit home well, the aggressive approach taking several of the unnervingly organic-looking and matte-black aircraft by surprise, and turning them into flaming balls of scrap as contrails twisted and looped through the morning skies.
Nonetheless, the Yerill had not fought Earth's forces and put them on the ropes through idleness. With manoeuvers the were near gravity-defying and certainly beyond the limits of human physiology and engineering, the remaining fighters regrouped with near right-angle turns and surged back in at their attackers, splitting evenly into leading and trailing groups and keeping separation as they closed in, sensors already scouring the skies for the MiGs that had hurt their numbers. Warbling lock-on warnings sounded for Clem, Xi and Lonnie.

Down low, Ryan threw the big Intruder through the air. Down low, the attack jets' big wing did it well, and he weaved and ducked around terrain features, hugging the treeline and nosing over every contour of the land. Outside the cockpit, the world was a blur of green, brown, and occasionally blue as Ryan worked the stick and pedals like a conductor, and Di's hands played her console like an instrument. Almost immediately she had targets locked up.
"Got 'em," she said in a clipped, terse tone as she swayed in her seat straps with the jets' movements. "'Rill light walkers and GEV's* to our west, moving through the treeline. Second group south-east, four clicks out and moving down a creek bed".
"Roj," Ryan replied in the same tone as he smoothly guided the A-6 into a sharp bank, rolling wings level on a parallel course to the ridge. The red hawk painted on the topside of the aircraft gleamed wickedly in the morning sun as the Intruders' engines rumbled and whined as it closed in on its' prey.
"Yo, Ranger Two. Chairforce, I've got some hostiles down here in the mud. Two groups, one to my south-east. What say you take 'em, I've got these, over"
To Diane, he nodded his head sideways. "Let's get these; ready up the special delivery".
"Right, right - irons' hot, got 'em on the nose. Watch the ground fire".
"Roj," he replied, eyes and voice steady as he jinked the big tin tadpole with precise, firm, yet smooth movements. Lines slid into place on the HUD, and he mashed the weapon release button, smoothly yanking back as the fat shapes of bombs detached from the underside of the A-6F and sailed gracefully landward. A sharp wingover and a spread of chaff and flares completed the run, and were capped by the rolling flash and thunder of explosions along the ridge, and a diminishing curtain of firepower chasing the retreating naval jet.

Similar plumes of lashing shells and energy erupted up from the creekbed as they searched out the rest of the jets, and the warbling tone of SAM search radars intruded into the ears of the Ranger squadron as they circled toward and away from their targets.

"What the hell were the survey team looking for?" muttered Ryan as he craned his neck sideways, the Intruder in a sharp bank over the combat area. "There must be half a Yerrill standard combat formation down there, with the amount of fire we're seeing. Not to mention those fighters".
"That's about... ten to fifteen ground vehicles? Plus troops," Diane replied, looking again over her instruments and frowning. "Does seem a lot of a survey team just snooping around. Think there's something else down there?"
"The team must've accidentally stumbled onto something, or kicked over the ant's nest. The 'rill seem pissed".
"Ranger Lead, this is Cavalier, how copy?"
"Good copy, Cavlier. What's up, over?"
"Ranger Lead, the situation looks pretty gnarly from here. The Osprey can't get in for extraction with all the activity. I've got another aircraft, latecomer to your unit. I'm vectoring him in; Name's Ground Bird, callsign for this mission will be Ranger Five."
"Roger that Cavalier, patch me through."
There was a momentary hiss and fuzz and Ryan cursed under his breath, nosing the A-6F over a slope and ducking deeper into the weeds as more fire sprung up. A spurt of the 20mm's under each wing drove the shooter back into hiding as he wheeled around and blasted past, low enough to shake the trees in his wake.
"Yo, Ground Bird. This is Ranger Lead, you'll be our number five. Good to have you with us, and time to start earning your pay. We've got a surplus of bandits, go high and team up with Ranger Three and Four to suppress the enemy fighters. Two, stick with me and let's keep beating the bushes until the extraction bird arrives".

As if reacting to Ryan's words, The Yerill pursuing Clem and Xi took a more hostile posture, darting in as close as they dared, and jockeying for advantage. Warbling search tones took on the harsh buzz of lockons, and missiles filled the air.

* = GEV'S, ground effect vehicles; essentially directed-thrust hover platforms with mounted weapons.

Another World's War

You've got a jump-jet.

There's an A-6 that'll need an escort.

@Foster

I have AMRAAMs and gunpods, I don't need that much babysitting, ta.

Another World's War

Post will be forthcoming over the weekend, I have had a crap week, so haven't really felt like posting much nor had the time. Hopefully unwinding tonight will allow me to marshall my thoughts and get my imagination flowing to get something worth putting up into place.

Another World's War

Something I want to point out as well is that from a writing standpoint we don't really have a whole lot of info regarding the types of Yerrill craft and we're kind of winging it (pun intended) as far as writing about their capabilities. Some of the characters have been fighting them for some time and are familiar with all the different types. From what I've read so far in the plot details and in the IC posts there are fighters, interceptors, larger attack craft, troop carriers, bombers as well as large command craft and they all generally have a similar appearance. Their weapons are largely energy based, but some do launch missile-like projectiles and use a form of radar.

Lastly, it's the Expeditionary forces that are technically on the offensive in our story. Humanity apparently was good enough to push the Yerrill back through the portal in less than five years which would seem to indicate that we're better at fighting than they are (imagine that) while they seem to have mastered some form of dimensional travel that didn't necessarily translate into combat prowess. Maybe humanity is the first race they ever squared-off against that had the ability to fight back?

These could all just be fun plot items that are yet to be revealed, but its food for thought.

@Pilatus

Well, I'm imagining them as the timeless "Macross flying-bricks", beamspammery, and macross missile massacres.
-At least those are things I've learned to expect. Since RL-airfoils pretty much peaked about 20 years ago and things of/from space tend to be blunt for a number of practical reasons.

That isn't to say the dogfights in Macross are bad.
-In fact, if I start acting a bit too cocky, I fully expect to run face-first into this sort of predicament

Meanwhiles

@Foster

Macross is actually pretty much my favourite anime franchise, it combines two of my favourite things: jet fighters, and mecha. It also has decent music, and gigantic battle scenes.
Macross Plus is probably my favourite entry in the franchise so far, with Frontier a close follower. The movie, Do You Remember Love is still pretty beautiful for it's animation, which is more than 30 years old now, but still look sumptuous and artistic, even now.

Macross dogfights are pretty much what I had in mind for the pace, chaos, and - though we aren't playing in a visual medium - 'visual effect' of the dogfights against the Yerrill, and it's kind of a benchmark for the feel I was trying to go for with the game overall. Light military, light realism (but still some of it), with a big sci-fi twist for interest.

In terms of what the Yerrill's craft actually look like, though I dislike the series itself (loli's in underpants is really not my thing) the Neuroi from Strike Witches have a really cool aesthetic.
I couldn't really find any 'fighter' neuroi, but I did always like the look of the R-series of futuristic fighters from some of the Ace Combat games, which kind of match the idea in my head for what the shape of the Yerrill craft should be, and match the idea I had of them being fast, maneuvrable and pretty deadly.

In terms of tactics and weapons, they obviously actually have some of both, considering that the established canon for the game is that they did a shitload of damage before earth's forces pushed them back, and that there was a high cost in doing so. I.e. they aren't a complete pushover, and it's only through learning about them that 'we' managed to counter them at all. Narratively as well, five years seemed like a good length of time for the battle to be damaging, costly, large and desperate, while at the same time being short enough that our characters could have lived through it as adults, and that we'd still have a recognisably 'modern' timeline and technology base to play with, rather than having to make up oodles of stuff. Again, might not be realistic, but fuck realism, I wrote the game I wanted to write and enjoy and the setting I wanted to run and play in xP

The Avalonians have fought the Yerrill too, however, they were more-or-less beaten by them to the point of being a resistance movement in a mostly dominated society. There's more to that particular story, but it has to do with the idea that their society and cultural heritage are different to Earth's, and they didn't fight in the same way, or react in the same way, or as quickly. We'll find out more about them as the game progresses.

The Yerrill craft/facilities/etc do indeed have highly effective jamming (in fact, I think that's mentioned?) and they do use some beam weapons, as well as missiles, or missile-equivalents that have guidance of some kind. They do use equivalents to radar and other senses as correctly surmised, and can be affected by countermeasures in the same way, and detected etc. in the same way (for ease of writing on our part, so our characters can do things to evoke dramatic tension, and we as writers can have something to relate to rather than just trying to make it up on the fly).
Their tactics probably consist of high-speed, unexpected and somewhat erratic-looking jinks, direction changes and maneuvers like any fighter. Teaming up on hostiles to overpower them and out-maneuver them into dangerous situations and using their own speed, maneuvrability and agility - and seeming ability to ignore a lot more G than one would expect - to engage targets. They're also not above or unknown to ram targets or engage in kamikaze attacks, often at moments when such tactics seem unnecessary to an outside observer, but given how many of the buggers there are, they can probably afford to. They can be outwitted and out-thought sometimes though, and while they are wily opponents with a dogged, tenacious and vicious approach, they aren't always the most intelligent. They do love ambush tactics, however.

Hopefully that expands on them a bit at least? I realized there probably wasn't as much to go on about them as there could have been; I apologize for that and hopefully adding this adds a bit more flavour to the setting, as well as helping with writing our combat scenes.

My little pony FIM: TTOTLK

When they finally reached the survey area Vince let out a slight chucklee as he saw how a place could look even more ominous than usual in a otherwise quite scary forest... "Wow... and here I thought we would actually go to a beautiful garden inside here or somethign..." he said quite sarcastic before nodding and circling closer together with the other stallion. "heh, aren't you quite the hero type?... Sounds like quite a good pickup line" he said and chuckled once more. He landed on all four at pretty much the same time in no particular order and once down there he looked around a bit extra as he sure could feel eyes on them as well. "Yeah... don't want to get in trouble here... I've heard that there should be a castle ruin here somewhere... The castle of the two sisters... uh... did that rock just move?..." he said suddenly glancing towards the distance, it was faint... but somewhat it did indeed look like there was actually a rock troll snoozing over yonder.

@Iatos

Silverwind gave a sidelong grin at Vince as he landed not far behind. "I'll let you keep the line for Rainbow Dash next time you see her," he replied with a wink, before he looked around. As Vince mentioned the castle, the darker pegasus nodded, and pointed over the tops of the trees. The top of a castle tower could be seen, rising up a fair ways off.
"Yeah, it's not so far from here-" he stopped as the green pegasus mentioned a rock moving. Squinting, he took a half step closer and then widened his eyes as he saw the troll as well.
"Oh. Oh, my um... well..." he lowered his voice. "I guess we'd better not hang around. I don't want to get mixed up with a rock troll," he said nervously, glancing over at Vince. "...maybe the quicker we get done, the better?"
He poked his muzzle into his saddlebags and took out some measuring instruments, and a small camera. A few quick measurements... maybe.. and then time to leave?

Another World's War

Snipped quote

@Remipa Awesome

Tony looks good, feel free to add him to the characters tab. I'll work you into the plot ASAP so you can begin posting. Good choice on the Harrier too!

Due to complications in life, I'll be dropping out. As life has prevented me from making any progress on a post, and have given me very little time to do much else on the site or anything else of leisure.

I wish you all luck, and hope you all have fun.

@Slypheed

That's a shame, as I was looking forward to playing with you again :( Hope everything is okay otherwise though, and you're always welcome back if things clear up for you. Best of luck.

Another World's War

one of the big things I wanted to know would be when the combat does start will it be mostly Air to Air, or Air to ground? Just trying to get an idea because of some jets known as Jump jets, where they are not as fast as most jets but have the ability to do some hovering or take offs that are required to be more vertical then most jets.

I just want to know what kind of things I should be considering before I decide on a jet.

@Remipa Awesome

There will be a mix of all kinds of combat. The first mission is mostly air-to-air, but there will be others that are more air-to-ground oriented. Not all of our craft will be great at everything, but that makes it easier for have different characters shine at different times in the game, and also makes our characters - and their planes - a lot more varied as well, rather than just having too much 'sameness' as well.
And most aircraft have at least some minimal capability in most roles as well. The most important thing really is to pick something that you'll enjoy playing more than anything else; the statistical, technical and realistic side isn't really as important as you enjoying playing your character at the end of the day, and as a GM I'm running the game that way myself.
Reality won't go too far out the window, but the plot, dramatic licence, and having fun will be the main priority over anything else.
Regarding VTOL, if you were thinking of having a Harrier, I'd be 100% behind that.

Transformers rp int check.

I also know there's a still ongoing transformers comic that uses the G1 style. But as far as I know the stories are mostly different and don't have massive plot holes, like the origin of the constructions from the cartoon. As to whether they're good idk, I've only read so much.

@Alternax

The current 2 G1 ongoings from IDW are the best transformers story for years. They actually go into some depth on the transformers' society, history, background and a large amount of other things, like their physiology and culture as well.
They also drop most of the cartoons' background beyond the conceptual parts of characters' backgrounds and the background in a broader sense as well, in favour of making a more coherent background and storyline instead which is better for telling bigger stories long-term instead of just 'here are some toys, fighting for 20 minutes a week' and some of the sillier things that came out of the older cartoon.

If more of the IDW approach was taken I'd be interested, as there's a lot of potential for good character interactions and some more involved stories.
If it's just 'here are robots, let's fight' then I'm not really interested so much. Also, I would offer to GM, but my plate is pretty full already.

Another World's War

New post is up, boys and girls. Time to get to the exciting bit!

In terms of combat resolution, I'll let you pretty much take care of your own business this time around. But in other combats I might have the enemy be more challenging, or if I want to introduce specific plot elements, make things more challenging, or introduce recurring enemies, then you might start seeing your shots be more difficult, not connect, and otherwise have cool and/or weird and deadly things start happening. Also, if anyone starts showing off too much or making themselves look like a super-munchkin-cool-guy and the enemy as completely ineffective wet-tissue-paper-creatures then expect a concrete elephant to inexplicably collide with your plane.

Another World's War

"Heard your bird would be serving refreshments. Got any for Clem?"

@Foster

Diane was quick off the mark with a reply, grinning into her mask as she replied. "Lemme take a look back in the galley here Clem. I think we might have time to warm up the oven, over".

Before Ryan could cut in, more banter came quick and fast.

"Ranger 2 holding formation." She radioed. "Looks like I'll be your wingman. What gives, Major? Don't you have enough pretty women chasing after you in your life already?"

@Massasauga

Ryan laughed over the intercom as he replied. "Haven't you heard, Ranger 2? Women are like Voltron, the more you hook up, the better it gets".

The rest of the squadron caught up quick, and soon enough things turned to business. He listened to Ranger Three's message and replied with a firm, light and confident tone. What the pair suggested made sense; there was no point having them burn fuel by hanging around and waiting for the rest of them to keep up, and using his assets to their fullest was always the best idea. Plus initiative was worth rewarding, and he liked seeing it... when it was sensible, anyway.
"Roger, Ranger Three. Go for the CAP, we'll be chugging along down here while you keep your eyes open, over".
That said, he did increase the throttle, and altitude with it, climbing to the A-6's optimum cruising height and altitude. The old bird wasn't exactly quick, but she could cruise comfortably enough, even if it wasn't tearing up the skies.

Ryan set them on the right heading and the flight proceeded comfortably for the next few minutes, before another voice called in on the channel.
"Good morning, Ranger squadron. This is AWACS callsign Cavalier, I'll be here giving you the heads up and keeping you all in contact with the ground team. So far they haven't reported any hostile activity, and no Yerrill aircraft have directly overflown their position, though I am reading a small number of intermittent air contacts in the area at low level. Will vector you in on the targets when you're within range.
Meantime, I'm getting a tanker over to you boys and girls. Gotta keep you topped up. Stay frosty, over".
The AWACS controller had a chilled australian accent, and sounded laid-back as he spoke smoothly to them. His back and forth continued as the operator guided a tanker to rendezvous ahead of them. Eventually a gleaming spot in the clear skies resolved into a big KC-10 tanker, capable of refuelling either by boom, or by hose-and-drogue, like the majority of the squadrons' aircraft were equipped for.

****

After clearing off the refueller, the rest of the flight stayed quiet, until the AWACS snapped into the channel with a more terse tone. "Ranger squadron, listen up - the Yerrill have suddenly got more active. Yerrill bandits have been positively confirmed by the ground team, and the bandits are flying an aggressive search pattern. We have a mix of high-speed contacts and larger, lower-speed craft; number twelve targets currently."

As the AWACS controller explained, the picture became clear; the bandits were split into two groups. The smaller, faster ones were remaining in formations of two. The four groups of high speed fighers were staying at medium-high altitude and sweeping the area in patterns centered around the larger, slower craft which were remaining solo and sweeping the ground, occasionally pausing it seemed. The ground team had reported the noise of machinery; it seemed the aliens were looking for them more earnestly at this point. Or for something, at any rate.
The AWACs explained that the exfil bird was en route to get the survey team out of the area, but they'd need some cover against the bandits before they could do much. That meant it was time to earn their pay.

"Okay gang," Ryan called out, his drawl now undercut with an edge of steel. "Time to earn the big bucks by doin' the fun stuff. Ranger Three, Ranger Five; stick up high and harass the bandits. Two, you're with me down low, we'll scare off the big ones, and see if we can't harass the ground forces a little too. Let's go!"