MechWarrior 4: Vengeance/Capture Convoy

Capture Convoy

BRIEFING

Rathburn: Sir, your sister just received a communication from Steiner. Specifically, Kommandant Kulin. He apparently requested to speak directly with her, and she agreed. She was pretty upset afterwards, but she's relayed the conversation and wanted you to see it.

Kulin: I presume I'm speaking to Ms. Johanna Dresari? This is Kommandant James Kulin, of House Steiner.

Johanna: I know who you are.

Kulin: I'm flattered.

Johanna: You shouldn't be. Is there a reason for this call?

Kulin: Yes. I'm aware that you've been gathering up renegade military personnel loyal to the deposed government, and stealing Steiner supplies and equipment to outfit them. Well, I have quite a collection of captured military personnel of my own in prisoner-of-war camps here and there on the planet. And what with all the supplies we've been deprived of lately, it's no longer in the best interests of my government to continue supporting them. In order to relieve the strain on resources, I will begin executing captured Davion forces, effective immediately. I'm sure you can see I have no choice in this matter. Your own actions have precipitated it.

Johanna: You're killing unarmed prisoners, Kulin. You, not me.

Kulin: It's my job to maintain peace and order among the populace on this planet. And that job often can't be accomplished without a certain degree of…sacrifice.

Johanna: As long as it's the people of my planet who are the ones being sacrificed.

Kulin: It's best they accept the inevitable. Ms. Dresari, things will go so much easier for them if they do that.

Karl: Young Duke, you've just salvaged a very dangerous Clan OmniMech. It's a Nova Cat. It should serve us well. Your father had a couple brought back from the Clan war, but this isn't one of them. I'm not sure how it wound up in Steiner hands. It has a wicked beam-weapon configuration. Heat can be a problem, but it's an extremely lethal design. It's not fast, but it's heavily armored, and it has devastating weapons. I strongly recommend you consider deploying it. I have seen what it can do. I have replaced some of the power conduits, so it should be in good shape if you want to use it.

Johanna: Ian, it's Johanna. I spoke to your Tac Officer. Kulin is following up on his threat. We've just learned a number of father's senior military personnel are being moved to the capital for a public execution. But, there's a chance to rescue them. We've identified the route the prisoner convoy's taking. If your team intercepted the convoy and destroyed the escorts, we could airlift the prisoners to safety.

Ian: Forward me what you have, Johanna, but I'll have to discuss it with my Tac Officer before I make a decision.

Johanna: I understand, but we have to save them, Ian. Those people were captured trying to defend Kentares. We can't turn our back on them now.

Rathburn: Sir, I assume your sister told you about the prisoner convoy?

Ian: Yes.

Rathburn: As your Tac Officer, I have to point out that, tactically, the mission has little to recommend it. The only credible evac is by air, but that necessitates taking out an air defense station, and then intercepting the convoy on a very tight timeline. If that's not enough, there is the distinct possibility that the convoy's route was leaked as a trap.

Ian: So, you recommend against the rescue attempt?

Rathburn: Wars aren't won with tactics alone. Often, other factors are much more important. Tactically, this mission doesn't make sense, but the same could be said of our effort to free Kentares.

Karl: Young Duke, this will be dangerous. You'll need something fast to intercept the convoy, and that means less firepower. Best take a mix of long- and short-range weapons, so you can hit the air defense station at a distance, but get in close when you intercept the convoy. A difficult mission, but saving the prisoners from Roland is the right decision, young Duke. It's what makes us better than him.

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Capture Prisoner Convoy: A group of your father's veteran MechWarriors is being moved to a prisoner camp for possible execution. We have helicopter assets standing by for a rescue attempt. We will strike at the convoy, destroy the escorts, and then move the convoy to an LZ for extraction.

DURING MISSION

Rathburn: Omega, the resistance will be providing our support on this sortie. The first target is the Steiner air defense site at Nav Zeta. Take it out before you intercept the convoy, so we can evac the prisoners by air. Once you intercept the convoy and neutralize their guard units, escort the prisoner vehicles to the landing zone at Nav Delta and provide cover for the evac choppers while they're transporting the prisoners. Once they're away, break contact with Steiner forces. We're pretty close to a major Steiner firebase, so we just want to get our people and get out with minimal losses.

F09: Foxtrot Zero-Niner. We're moving into suspected start point. We'll keep you updated.

F07: Foxtrot Zero-Seven. Moving up to recon route.

Rathburn: Roger, Foxtrot. Charlie-Tango-One, stand by.

CT1: Roger, Control. Good luck, guys.

Ian: This is Omega Lead. We're coming up on the Steiner air defense site. We'll hit it fast before they warn anyone else or get their defenses powered up.

Rathburn: Roger, Omega. Take out the radar dish and control tower first. Repeat – radar and tower first.

Ian: Roger, Control. Over.

Ian: Control, this is Omega Lead. Air defense site destroyed.

Rathburn: Roger, Omega. Charlie-Tango-One, this is Control. Air defense neutralized. When the convoy is stopped, you should be able to slip in and out with no one the wiser.

F09: Foxtrot Zero-Niner. Convoy is getting underway. Looks like two light 'Mechs and a few tracks on guard. Targets are ID'd and uploaded.

Rathburn: Roger, copy.

F09: Foxtrot Zero-Niner. Convoy is passing Nav Point Alpha.

Rathburn: Roger.

F07: Foxtrot Zero-Seven. Looks like the convoy has scrambled and is getting underway. Two light 'Mechs and a few tracks on guard. Targets ID'd and uploaded. I'm picking up chatter on Steiner frequencies. We probably can expect some company.

Rathburn: Roger, confirm that. All units, looks like something tipped them off. Let's make this fast.

Gonzales: Looks like a fuel depot. Let's eighty-six it and see if Steiner can operate their tanks on fumes.

Rathburn: At your discretion, Omega. Just ensure no witnesses.

[If Ian shoots any of the convoy vehicles]

F07: Check your fire, Omega! That's one of the prisoner buses. Repeat, that was one of the prisoner transports. Check your fire!

F07: Foxtrot Zero-Seven. Reporting convoy guard is neutralized.

Ian: Steiner convoy, your escorts are destroyed. You will immediately proceed to Nav Delta. I'm transmitting now. When you arrive, you are to shut down and wait. Do as I say, and you'll not be hurt.

CT1: Command, this is Charlie Tango One, inbound on the LZ at Delta. ETA less than one minute. Keep 'em off our back. We'll be in and out in no time.

F07: I've got a single Steiner Vulture on radar at range.

Rathburn: All units, we've got a Steiner Vulture near Omega Lance. Omega, TKO.

Ian: Roger that, Control.

Gonzales: Whew, it's hot. I'm glad I'm not in the infantry.

CT1: This is Charlie Tango One. We're getting all our guests on board. Give us two minutes, tops.

Jen: Ian, it looks like we have two Steiner 'Mechs trying to make an end run on the landing zone.

Ian: All units! We have two 'Mechs inbound on the landing zone.

CT1: This is Charlie Tango One. Prisoners are aboard, and we are airborne.

Ian: Okay! Control, this is Omega Lead. Looks like they're away.

Rathburn: Roger, Omega. Break off and avoid all Steiner units. Once you're clear of all contact, head back to base.

CT1: This is Charlie Tango One. We're clear and headed for safe ground. Thanks for the support.

Rathburn: All units, Charlie Tango is away. Break contact and return to base.