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Given that we're not (yet) facing anything that's a credible threat to Gerad's Walking Tank ass, its hard to write a 'fight' that leaves something for the others. That said I fully expect something that he will have to take seriously.
@Athol
I wouldn't be saying that, or we'll get a mech with a shield or something and a anti-tank cannon for an enemy.
I don't know about you, but having played D&D, it is rather unwise to start tempting and giving the GM ideas...
As a follow-up, given the number of bad guys present, I don't expect be us to mow them all down in one go between your posts and my next one. The numbers you decide to take down is your call.
Post is now up with editing being applied for tomorrow. We're in combat now and there is plenty to go around.
I'm checking on that. Likely still busy I wager.
S'all right...by the way, where'd Arthanus go? (If you've already answered that, I've totally forgotten)
I'm checking on that. Likely still busy I wager.
Silas listened to Gerad's explosive suggestion. The idea was plausible for sure and would save them plenty of time in killing Deval as well. He remained silent for a moment before eyeing the holographic projection of the occupied manor. Ducaelia however pointed out that such a loud method of dealing with Deval could backfire. Thus far, the Horsemen had essentially decayed Precolis military forces from the inside out and whatever was left, or more specifically, remaining loyal to Precolis' citizens whom trained them into guerilla fighters were small in number and scattered. Apocalypse's forces far outnumbered them and for some time, haven't recognized them as a true fighting force. Blowing up the manor, assuming Deval would truly be inside during the detonation, would no doubt get the attention of the rest of the Horsemen. If that were to happen, Madlock would surely come after them while Lasminee and Gorcht would either fortify their defenses, or worse, hightail it offworld. The contract was specific in nailing all four Horsemen and having them run off risked invalidating the job. And that was unacceptable.
As Ducaelia made her way toward the door and Cyne suspiciously eyeing her, Silas turned his gaze to his team, "I'll consider your proposal Gerad. However, I am uncomfortable about the butterfly effect that it could create as a result. I'd rather not chance our job becoming harder by spooking our prey."
Cyne then cut into the discussion, "Bad enough one of the Horsemen is a heartless pyscho-bitch; that Lasminee chick. If I understand the mission parameters right, the resistance will want minimum civilian causalities - that means the slaves as well. She could even hold 'em hostage if we put her into a corner. The resistance would likely stop backing us up if that happens. That means no extra fighters or live intel. I don't know about you but I'd rather not lose that kind of asset."
Silas took in Cyne's statement but struggled to grasp if his sniper's righteous or soldier-style thinking was talking. Perhaps it was both. Regardless, Cyne, before joining his crew, did serve in the SSA as a anti-insurgent warfighter and a peacekeeper too. No doubt that the man had run into scenarios such as this one, though albeit nothing as bad as what they were stepping into. But still, his experience on the matter was vital and Silas knew he needed to consider that point as well.
"Boss," Cyne began again, "I vote we hunt and kill Lasminee first; we're better off not having dead civvies being added to our name. Once we cut that snake's head off, then we could then blow Deval sky high without having to tangle with his PMC. Probably kill Gorcht along the way too."
"And Madlock?" Silas asked, intrigued were Cyne was taking this.
"We get him to come after us. It would save us the hassle having to find and pin him down ourselves. Consider it a call to challenge him."
Silas gave that one some thought. It would put Death into his natural element for sure and that was also risky as well. But without any of his friends to back him up at that point and with the city surely falling into resistance control, it would surely put him at a disadvantage as well in terms of movement. It was essentially flipping the tables of control. How Madlock would respond however, Silas couldn't begin to ponder.
Before he could say any more, he felt the Legion's End suddenly shaking and then becoming still. Seconds later, Sven's voice echoed through the intercom, "We've just landed fellas. Resistance fighters and leadership are just outside wanting to get the job going."
"Right, tell 'em we'll be out shortly." Silas replied before he turned his attention to his squad, "Okay, get suited up. We'll follow Cyne's advice for the time being unless resistance intel gives us something to ponder about."
After ten minutes, Silas' squad had assembled, this time, a reluctant Sven was accompanying him. Silas figured the extra man power would bolster their chances. Sven however didn't initially see it that was and took some convincing once the resistance fighters on site promised that his ship would be looked after and not harmed nor misused in anyway, shape, or form. Sven only then agreed after sealing off any external access into the ship.
Their landing site was apparently settled in an outskirt town, deep in one of the thick forested areas where Apocalypse's influence and surveillance was lacking, especially when the Horseman were nested in one urban center. Due to this fact, much of the patrols were withdrawn to the city in order to bolster their defenses. While the distance to Duran would've been a couple of kilometers out, resistance contacts offered to drive Silas' group as close as possible. Sure beat walking, that was for sure.
After they arrived, it was already sundown with limited sunlight illuminating Precolis' skies. Given what they were setting out to do, having the reduced visibility gave them the subtle edge they were looking for. Though of course more so for Cyne and Ducaelia. The city limits once they came to hit were, more or less, incredibly pitiful. Refuges huddled around an array of ignited trashcans positioned at the center of makeshift tents. Many of the individuals appeared barely cleaned and no so well fed. Many of the fighters weren't that much better but still seemingly in better shape. Given the circumstances; they had to be. Silas and company we led into the alleyways in order to avoid surveillance picking them out. Poor Sven and his cumbersome body barely fit some of the tighter corridors and occasionally dinged against the rough surfaces.
Eventually, they were led in far enough to be left to their own devices. Silas observed the updated map of the city and took note of several of the features. Deval's fortress was located Eastward with only a few roads leading to his claimed estate. The terrain certainly opened up if one were to approach the mansion; perfect for the defenders to pick off any force foolish to charge the large walled structure. There was very little in terms of cover or any sub-buildings surrounding the mansion. Lasminee's operation was located further West and was stationed within a fine business tower whose surroundings, while open were more so enclosed with many other office structures build around it. Gorcht's hangout was positioned in a more urban district though there were surprisingly little leads as to where he was hiding. Same thing with Madlock as his activities were track up towards the North. Nothing there of real importance with the exception of a government building as a ransacked police station. Other wise, his was a darkened area of literal uncertainty.
Following their intel and going with Cyne's advice, they pushed through Gorcht's territory. Knocking out the control towers, as Silas had pointed out before, would prove useful in denying Lasminee a leverage that could be used against them. Striking out against the main facility operating the collar control channel was their obvious target. Unsurprisingly, their approach was uncontested due to poorly structured patrols. Ducaelia and Cyne had no problem putting done some of the isolated patrols that got in their way.
And then, about five hundred meters away was their target; a power generate complex that was retooled for running the control towers. But between them and the generated complex was a small neighbor hood and an unusually populated service station. Dozens of small single floor houses were constructed in rows before their roads conjoined into a juncture past the station. Said station played host to what Cyne claimed was over thirty thugs. But the lowlifes Cyne was itching to start popping weren't guarding anything. Actually, there were guards stationed at the recharge and fueling pens that their own vehicles would use but the inflated number of thugs present seemed to entail a bit of a social gathering of sorts. Brutish men and women laughed and yelled as they invaded the stored of alcohol from the convenience store centered at the station, completely unaware Silas' group stalking them.
"Silas," Cyne softly spoke though the comms built into his sealed spider-like helm. Silas had noted that he had moved on ahead and was surveying the area from an elevated vantage point, "we have these guys with their pants down. They have no idea we're here. Hitting that complex would be much easier if we clear this sorry lot out. No reinforcements for the defenders."
Silas agreed that it would in fact virtually weaken the guarding personnel that looked over the generators by destroying any back up they could call upon. Though dealing with over thirty, likely drunken, thugs was still a tall order. Apparently Cyne knew this too and had a plan already formulated.
"I got eyes on one of the sub-generators behind the station that powers the surrounding street lights. I can have Pathfinder hit that box and blind these bastards. Should be easier to deal with them while their blind. I'd give them a minute before they can give a proper response."
It was a sound plan and one that wouldn't raise to much attention. In fact, the confusion would likely work in their favor and given them plenty of time before any one of the thugs tries to radio for help. That is, if anyone of them could even find theirs in the dark.
"Gotcha, we'll run the game. We'll fire on your mark. Gerad, Ducaelia. Get you night-vision ready. Once the lights go out, we become specters; weapons free."
It only took a half a minute for Cyne's drone to sneak around the back and fry the sub-generator. Immediately, the lights flickered before going out completely. The thugs looked up in confusion and began stumbling into one another as they tried to field their own night vision goggles. However, they were only given a second to respond as everything suddenly went to hell.
As Ducaelia made her way toward the door and Cyne suspiciously eyeing her, Silas turned his gaze to his team, "I'll consider your proposal Gerad. However, I am uncomfortable about the butterfly effect that it could create as a result. I'd rather not chance our job becoming harder by spooking our prey."
Cyne then cut into the discussion, "Bad enough one of the Horsemen is a heartless pyscho-bitch; that Lasminee chick. If I understand the mission parameters right, the resistance will want minimum civilian causalities - that means the slaves as well. She could even hold 'em hostage if we put her into a corner. The resistance would likely stop backing us up if that happens. That means no extra fighters or live intel. I don't know about you but I'd rather not lose that kind of asset."
Silas took in Cyne's statement but struggled to grasp if his sniper's righteous or soldier-style thinking was talking. Perhaps it was both. Regardless, Cyne, before joining his crew, did serve in the SSA as a anti-insurgent warfighter and a peacekeeper too. No doubt that the man had run into scenarios such as this one, though albeit nothing as bad as what they were stepping into. But still, his experience on the matter was vital and Silas knew he needed to consider that point as well.
"Boss," Cyne began again, "I vote we hunt and kill Lasminee first; we're better off not having dead civvies being added to our name. Once we cut that snake's head off, then we could then blow Deval sky high without having to tangle with his PMC. Probably kill Gorcht along the way too."
"And Madlock?" Silas asked, intrigued were Cyne was taking this.
"We get him to come after us. It would save us the hassle having to find and pin him down ourselves. Consider it a call to challenge him."
Silas gave that one some thought. It would put Death into his natural element for sure and that was also risky as well. But without any of his friends to back him up at that point and with the city surely falling into resistance control, it would surely put him at a disadvantage as well in terms of movement. It was essentially flipping the tables of control. How Madlock would respond however, Silas couldn't begin to ponder.
Before he could say any more, he felt the Legion's End suddenly shaking and then becoming still. Seconds later, Sven's voice echoed through the intercom, "We've just landed fellas. Resistance fighters and leadership are just outside wanting to get the job going."
"Right, tell 'em we'll be out shortly." Silas replied before he turned his attention to his squad, "Okay, get suited up. We'll follow Cyne's advice for the time being unless resistance intel gives us something to ponder about."
After ten minutes, Silas' squad had assembled, this time, a reluctant Sven was accompanying him. Silas figured the extra man power would bolster their chances. Sven however didn't initially see it that was and took some convincing once the resistance fighters on site promised that his ship would be looked after and not harmed nor misused in anyway, shape, or form. Sven only then agreed after sealing off any external access into the ship.
Their landing site was apparently settled in an outskirt town, deep in one of the thick forested areas where Apocalypse's influence and surveillance was lacking, especially when the Horseman were nested in one urban center. Due to this fact, much of the patrols were withdrawn to the city in order to bolster their defenses. While the distance to Duran would've been a couple of kilometers out, resistance contacts offered to drive Silas' group as close as possible. Sure beat walking, that was for sure.
After they arrived, it was already sundown with limited sunlight illuminating Precolis' skies. Given what they were setting out to do, having the reduced visibility gave them the subtle edge they were looking for. Though of course more so for Cyne and Ducaelia. The city limits once they came to hit were, more or less, incredibly pitiful. Refuges huddled around an array of ignited trashcans positioned at the center of makeshift tents. Many of the individuals appeared barely cleaned and no so well fed. Many of the fighters weren't that much better but still seemingly in better shape. Given the circumstances; they had to be. Silas and company we led into the alleyways in order to avoid surveillance picking them out. Poor Sven and his cumbersome body barely fit some of the tighter corridors and occasionally dinged against the rough surfaces.
Eventually, they were led in far enough to be left to their own devices. Silas observed the updated map of the city and took note of several of the features. Deval's fortress was located Eastward with only a few roads leading to his claimed estate. The terrain certainly opened up if one were to approach the mansion; perfect for the defenders to pick off any force foolish to charge the large walled structure. There was very little in terms of cover or any sub-buildings surrounding the mansion. Lasminee's operation was located further West and was stationed within a fine business tower whose surroundings, while open were more so enclosed with many other office structures build around it. Gorcht's hangout was positioned in a more urban district though there were surprisingly little leads as to where he was hiding. Same thing with Madlock as his activities were track up towards the North. Nothing there of real importance with the exception of a government building as a ransacked police station. Other wise, his was a darkened area of literal uncertainty.
Following their intel and going with Cyne's advice, they pushed through Gorcht's territory. Knocking out the control towers, as Silas had pointed out before, would prove useful in denying Lasminee a leverage that could be used against them. Striking out against the main facility operating the collar control channel was their obvious target. Unsurprisingly, their approach was uncontested due to poorly structured patrols. Ducaelia and Cyne had no problem putting done some of the isolated patrols that got in their way.
And then, about five hundred meters away was their target; a power generate complex that was retooled for running the control towers. But between them and the generated complex was a small neighbor hood and an unusually populated service station. Dozens of small single floor houses were constructed in rows before their roads conjoined into a juncture past the station. Said station played host to what Cyne claimed was over thirty thugs. But the lowlifes Cyne was itching to start popping weren't guarding anything. Actually, there were guards stationed at the recharge and fueling pens that their own vehicles would use but the inflated number of thugs present seemed to entail a bit of a social gathering of sorts. Brutish men and women laughed and yelled as they invaded the stored of alcohol from the convenience store centered at the station, completely unaware Silas' group stalking them.
"Silas," Cyne softly spoke though the comms built into his sealed spider-like helm. Silas had noted that he had moved on ahead and was surveying the area from an elevated vantage point, "we have these guys with their pants down. They have no idea we're here. Hitting that complex would be much easier if we clear this sorry lot out. No reinforcements for the defenders."
Silas agreed that it would in fact virtually weaken the guarding personnel that looked over the generators by destroying any back up they could call upon. Though dealing with over thirty, likely drunken, thugs was still a tall order. Apparently Cyne knew this too and had a plan already formulated.
"I got eyes on one of the sub-generators behind the station that powers the surrounding street lights. I can have Pathfinder hit that box and blind these bastards. Should be easier to deal with them while their blind. I'd give them a minute before they can give a proper response."
It was a sound plan and one that wouldn't raise to much attention. In fact, the confusion would likely work in their favor and given them plenty of time before any one of the thugs tries to radio for help. That is, if anyone of them could even find theirs in the dark.
"Gotcha, we'll run the game. We'll fire on your mark. Gerad, Ducaelia. Get you night-vision ready. Once the lights go out, we become specters; weapons free."
It only took a half a minute for Cyne's drone to sneak around the back and fry the sub-generator. Immediately, the lights flickered before going out completely. The thugs looked up in confusion and began stumbling into one another as they tried to field their own night vision goggles. However, they were only given a second to respond as everything suddenly went to hell.
Just as a follow-up, I do intend on putting a post up later this evening. College snuck up on me again and botched my intended post date...
<_< >_>
That and Ace Combat 7. I'm sorry.
<_< >_>
That and Ace Combat 7. I'm sorry.
New post is up and I will for sure be dealing with plenty of editing tomorrow... I blame Skyrim for keeping me from getting this done sooner this evening.
Silas silently watched while Ducaelia circled the group and presented her piece on Madlock. Cyne meanwhile had established a stiff and orderly posture since the beginning of the meeting and was presumably unfazed even after the Vandrell stepped closely around him. Nevertheless, he kept his eyes on her.
After Ducaelia settled back into the fold, Silas briefly turned his attention to Gerad, "Perhaps, but regardless he shouldn't be underestimated. Neither should his own league of assassins either."
Silas paused for a moment before pulling a holographic map of a city, with displayed colored borders representing the control for each Horsemen as well as the know battle lines as well.
"From what intel that was gather for this job, he'll have many of his "Ravens" scattered around the City of Duran. The resistance on ground had already lost many of their fighters to his assassins so we should certainly keep our eyes open. Things are likely to get dicey quick once they pounce. On the other hand, Ducaelia is right, his personal force wills till be relatively small so, 'Death' will not have much protection around him. The same unfortunately cannot be said about the other Horsemen..."
Numerous dots then appeared on the map, showcasing the number of troops, defensive positions, and mechanized assets at the control of each Horseman.
"Korman Deval, Pulov Gorcht, and Sheva Lasminee are known to surround themselves with many of their soldiers so they will not be as eacy to reach unlike Jason Madlock. This however could not be more true with Deval. While Gorcht's and Lasminee's forces are mainly thugs, his are professional and far more organized than the rest. Reaching him will prove the most difficult." Silas scanned the map, sighing as he did so, "I don't doubt our abilities but in all honesty, now that he has high jacked Precolis' military assets and even leveraged personnel into his unit, brute forcing our way to him with be nigh impossible. Our best way to getting rid of him will be to avoid contact with his troops and bypass his defenses 'til we're right on top of him. Intelligence of the area as well as information gathered by the resistance indicate two possible ways to reach him."
"Deval had decided to fortify the manor of an ousted and now deceased politician but apparently, he has yet to figure out that the former resident has designed a complex sewer network under the manor that also served as backdoor in case of escape was necessary. We could use this network to bypass his PMC troops altogether," Silas then pointed new a continuous dashed line that joined War's and Conquest's territories, "alternatively, Lasminee has a supply line where slaves are loaded and transported throughout the city for forced labor. Once such line pushes past Deval's defense line and is lightly guarded. If we could compromise one of her transports, that'll get us within reach of Deval also. Speaking of Lasminee..."
"Her's and Gorcht's forces as mentioned are nothing but immoral thugs - did I say they were immoral? Lasminee's cruelty knows no bounds and there have been many disturbing reports of unwilling slaves either being used as shields or even mixed in with her troops and forced to fight. While I am confident we can steamroll our way to her, we will however be risking civilian casualties. The resistance is already uncomfortable about requesting outside help and getting several civilians killed will undoubtedly cause the resistance to withdraw their support and aid to us."
Silas again tapped at the map and new blips appeared, "fortunately we do have a solution to this predicament. Many of the slaves will have remote detonation collars attached to them which can be easily and wirelessly interfaced with, resulting in their execution if they don't obey and fall in line. These collars receive control signals from several control towers which are in turn, networked to a facility within Gorcht's territory. Honestly, Gorcht's forces will perhaps be the easiest to deal with so we could very well not only kill Gorcht and eliminate Lasminee's trump card and throw her own troops into disarray dealing with the 'liberated' slaves."
Silas finally stepped backed and composed himself before turning his attention back to his team, "I understand that we have a lot on our plates for this job and there are going to be many obstacles we're going to deal with as well..."
He couldn't help but noticed Cyne's attention still locked on the map and he immediately knew what was going through his head, "...especially some moral ones as well. However we have to remember this is a job and we're not doing this out of the kindness of our hearts. If anything, we're doing the resistance a huge favor and they in turn will scratch our backs after this is all done. Having said that, does any of us have any questions or concerns?"
After Ducaelia settled back into the fold, Silas briefly turned his attention to Gerad, "Perhaps, but regardless he shouldn't be underestimated. Neither should his own league of assassins either."
Silas paused for a moment before pulling a holographic map of a city, with displayed colored borders representing the control for each Horsemen as well as the know battle lines as well.
"From what intel that was gather for this job, he'll have many of his "Ravens" scattered around the City of Duran. The resistance on ground had already lost many of their fighters to his assassins so we should certainly keep our eyes open. Things are likely to get dicey quick once they pounce. On the other hand, Ducaelia is right, his personal force wills till be relatively small so, 'Death' will not have much protection around him. The same unfortunately cannot be said about the other Horsemen..."
Numerous dots then appeared on the map, showcasing the number of troops, defensive positions, and mechanized assets at the control of each Horseman.
"Korman Deval, Pulov Gorcht, and Sheva Lasminee are known to surround themselves with many of their soldiers so they will not be as eacy to reach unlike Jason Madlock. This however could not be more true with Deval. While Gorcht's and Lasminee's forces are mainly thugs, his are professional and far more organized than the rest. Reaching him will prove the most difficult." Silas scanned the map, sighing as he did so, "I don't doubt our abilities but in all honesty, now that he has high jacked Precolis' military assets and even leveraged personnel into his unit, brute forcing our way to him with be nigh impossible. Our best way to getting rid of him will be to avoid contact with his troops and bypass his defenses 'til we're right on top of him. Intelligence of the area as well as information gathered by the resistance indicate two possible ways to reach him."
"Deval had decided to fortify the manor of an ousted and now deceased politician but apparently, he has yet to figure out that the former resident has designed a complex sewer network under the manor that also served as backdoor in case of escape was necessary. We could use this network to bypass his PMC troops altogether," Silas then pointed new a continuous dashed line that joined War's and Conquest's territories, "alternatively, Lasminee has a supply line where slaves are loaded and transported throughout the city for forced labor. Once such line pushes past Deval's defense line and is lightly guarded. If we could compromise one of her transports, that'll get us within reach of Deval also. Speaking of Lasminee..."
"Her's and Gorcht's forces as mentioned are nothing but immoral thugs - did I say they were immoral? Lasminee's cruelty knows no bounds and there have been many disturbing reports of unwilling slaves either being used as shields or even mixed in with her troops and forced to fight. While I am confident we can steamroll our way to her, we will however be risking civilian casualties. The resistance is already uncomfortable about requesting outside help and getting several civilians killed will undoubtedly cause the resistance to withdraw their support and aid to us."
Silas again tapped at the map and new blips appeared, "fortunately we do have a solution to this predicament. Many of the slaves will have remote detonation collars attached to them which can be easily and wirelessly interfaced with, resulting in their execution if they don't obey and fall in line. These collars receive control signals from several control towers which are in turn, networked to a facility within Gorcht's territory. Honestly, Gorcht's forces will perhaps be the easiest to deal with so we could very well not only kill Gorcht and eliminate Lasminee's trump card and throw her own troops into disarray dealing with the 'liberated' slaves."
Silas finally stepped backed and composed himself before turning his attention back to his team, "I understand that we have a lot on our plates for this job and there are going to be many obstacles we're going to deal with as well..."
He couldn't help but noticed Cyne's attention still locked on the map and he immediately knew what was going through his head, "...especially some moral ones as well. However we have to remember this is a job and we're not doing this out of the kindness of our hearts. If anything, we're doing the resistance a huge favor and they in turn will scratch our backs after this is all done. Having said that, does any of us have any questions or concerns?"
The new semester has started and college took me by surprise with the work load it dropped on my lap and took me much longer to clear up. I'll have a post up later this evening.
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