MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries/Overlord

Tharkad

Tharkad, a largely arctic world that is the capital of the Lyran Alliance, is the traditional seat of power for ruling Archons. Tharkad is currently governed by General of the Armies Nondi Steiner, the high commander of the Lyran military machine, and aunt to Katrina Steiner-Davion, the current Archon.

Overlord

BRIEFING

Destroy Nondi Steiner’s forces in this quadrant. Peter Steiner-Davion is moving to reinforce the right flank. It is imperative that you break the defenders’ lines and destroy their Overlord-class DropShip. Steiner forces are well-prepared and supported by heavy artillery.

Castle: The mission is a DropShip assault against an Overlord and its attendant ‘Mech force. We are to spearhead the attack while Peter and his Command Lance move in on the right flank. Suggest Assault ‘Mechs with long-range weaponry.

DURING MISSION

Peter Steiner-Davion: The Lyran Alliance has lived beneath the tyranny of my sister, Katherine, for far too long. We are here to reclaim the throne of Tharkad and correct the errors that have plagued the Lyran state. It is for this reason, alone, that I have returned from self-imposed exile. I pray that we are not too late to right the course of this troubled ship. Unit commanders, commence assault!

Spectre: You heard the man! Our line of attack is Alpha through Gamma. We have to keep the pressure on, setting them up for Peter’s force to crash the right flank. Then we hit the DropShip together.

Castle: Sir, Allied Command is calling for more pressure at Alpha. You must hit them as hard as you can.

Spectre: Copy that. We’re on it.

BullsEye: They are tenacious!

Spectre: They’ll break soon enough. Maintain good target discipline. We have a lot of friendlies in the area.

Castle: Commander, don’t overextend yourself. You must take out the forces at Alpha before moving in on the Overlord, or you face getting caught out between them.

Spectre: Defenders at Alpha are broken. Inform Allied Command we are moving on Beta.

Castle: Roger. I have a clear channel. I’m patching you through.

Spectre: Commander, we’ve broken the line at Alpha, and are moving on Beta.

Peter: Acknowledged. Keep those defenders tied down while I move my lance in from the opposite side. You are the anvil and I am the hammer.

Spectre: Acknowledged. Engaging Beta.

Spectre: Okay, people, we don’t have to overrun them. Just hold their attention while Peter’s people do their work.

Peter: Beta force is neutralized. Now for the Overlord. Spectre, you and your people take point. Engines are heavily armored, but still the weakest point on that monster. We have to hit it hard and fast.

Spectre: Roger. Those Light Gauss Rifles it mounts will outrange us in any fight. If we can stay outside of 600 meters, we can avoid their lasers.

Spectre: Taking fire from the DropShip. Closing to weapons range.

Aisa: We are overwhelmed!

Spectre: Negative. We don’t get a second shot at this egg. Continue assault.

Spectre: Overlord is destroyed.

Peter: Excellent work. My dear aunt will find it difficult to outmaneuver us at this point. Morgan Kell has sent word that the Kell Hounds will be making planetfall in the next seven days. We have plenty to prepare before that.

AFTERMATH

Castle: Steiner forces are feeling the blow from that strike, sir. One does not recover quickly from the loss of an Overlord DropShip.