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Feng Residential ComplexNew Beijing, Epsilon Eridoni Chaos March 26 December 3060 |
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Ty Wu Lang, the oldest member and de facto leader of the Liao Eridoni Movement, called the meeting to order. He had to speak up over the excited chatter and he sound of heavy traffic from the busy streets below. The LEM was an underground activist group seeking, often violently, the return of the Epsilon Eridoni system to the Capellan Confederation and thus had to frequently change its meeting place. This time they were meeting in a member's flat, but last week, when they planned the latest factory raid, they met at their former leader's warehouse.
The small group of resistance fighters began to get excited and whisper again. Lang's stern look quickly stopped that. Ignoring the interuption, he began again, "the Confederation has given us word that they are going to send us reinforcements for our cause." Having been chastened by their new commander, the rebels didn't burst out with the cheer that was evident in all of them. With a slight smile, Ty Wu continued. "They are going to send us two dropships and a wire shipment of funds. The funds have already arrived. We will be able to obtain better arms and heavier personal weapons that we can use to better conduct raids. Then, after a few weeks, the first dropship will arrive insystem. This one will contain trained soldiers and military equipment. We will then become official Capellan soldiers!" The smiles on their faces were as large as they have ever been, Lang thought. And he had yet to even tell them the greatest part. Being a part of the regular army was a wonderful thing for these kids, with nothing really to look forward to on this world. He had one more thing to tell them. "Lastly. Lastly, there is the matter of the second dropship. That ship will contain vehicular assets. That includes a company of light Battlemechs." They could not help themselves. Most let out a cheer that could be heard above the traffic and threatened to bring undo attention on the meeting. Lang made a mental note to punish them for the outbreak later, but to let it slide for now. "There is one thing we must do first," continued Ty Wu, "We have to make ready the approach of the dropships. With the C-bills that we now have I was able to obtain several hovertanks. In two days time we will destroy a radar facility just outside of New Beijing. The first dropship will land, unload it's contents, and take off before the locals can pinpoint it's landing zone. Here's how we're going to do it. . . ." |
In this first battle of the entire campaign, a small force of Liao troops, two SRM and two rifle foot infantry platoons, one motorized SRM platoon, and two Blizzard Hover Transports. An Eridoni radar instillation is currently only guarded by two rifle platoons and their two Maultier Hover APCs. This is an easy and fast battle, and it has to be. The dropship is closer than the Liao forces realize, so they only have five turns to destroy the radar dish before it computes the ship's landing zone. If the attackers manage to destroy the radar dish in five turns, then they may withdraw. After this battle, they recieve the full contents of the dropship. If they fail to destroy the dropship in under five turns, then they get only half of the contents of the dropship. If they fail to have a single until survive the battle, then Liao gets none of the contents of the dropship. The Eridoni army gets to keep all salvage, if any.
This adventure ended very quickly. In fact, we were able to play Game 2 afterwards. Liao troops set their SRM platoons up in squads on a low ridge looking down at the radar dish. One rifle platoon split into squads and scattered. They acted as spotters to the Blizzards hidden behind the ridge. The Blizzards, guarded by the SRM squads, used indirect fire for four turns to destroy the dish. The SRM platoon disabled one Maultier on the first turn and was able to pin down the Davion infantry. Several of the rifle spotter squads were killed (very quickly), but the rest of the Liao forces managed to withdrawl from the map. Victory went to the resistance.
The crowd fell into silence. Lang couldn't blame them for being excited. News like this doesn't come every day. In fact, it had never come before. He cleared his throat and began,"Members, brothers, this is a wonderous day. As most of you know, Brother Jiang-jun died during the raid a few days ago. But, by sacrificing himself to the cause, he has attracted the attention of Capellan government." Most people didn't even like Jiang-jun, so his loss wasn't a great disappointment. Ty Wu Lang, his second-in-commande, was a much better leader in nearly everyone's opinion.