MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries/Moonlight (Talon)

Talon/Wernke

The Wernke system boasts two planets of significance to the Federated Commonwealth. Talon, a relatively barren and rocky world, has numerous mineral deposits of considerable value. Wernke, a fertile agricultural planet, is well-matched to Talon, providing much-needed food and water resources. Kallon Industries has a substantial investment in the system, maintaining a ‘Mech production facility on Talon.

Blackout

BRIEFING

Destroy the intrasystem communications array to degrade Davion communications between Wernke and Talon. Eliminating the living facilities and all vehicles on the base will allow Steiner forces to maintain the initiative. A Blackout Emitter will be jamming both long-range comm traffic and enemy radar, but only for a short time.

Castle: The Steiner merc liaison is contracting for a covert op to take out a Davion communications array. The plan calls for a Blackout Emitter to cover the assault, and a zero-witness cleanup. Pretty bloodthirsty stuff. Steiner must be pretty desperate to take this system.

DURING MISSION

Spectre: Cloaker, this is Spectre One, reporting ready op.

Cloaker: Copy that. You make the call on timing.

Spectre: This is Spectre One. Call is “Midnight.” I say again, “Midnight.”

Cloaker: Acknowledged. Emitter engaged.

Spectre: Okay, we’re on our own until this job is done. The emitter will tip them off that we’re coming, but they don’t know from where or in what strength. The Blackout Emitter jams our radar, same as theirs. You’ll have to rely on visual target acquisition.

Spectre: Platoon of quad panzers at Alpha. Fry ‘em!

Blaze: I have visual contact with enemy forces!

Spectre: Here come the ‘Mechs. Let ‘em have it!

Spectre: ‘Mech defenders neutralized. Let’s take out the base. All units, move to Beta.

Spectre: Comm station destroyed. Cloaker, comm station destroyed. Call is “Snowblind.” Repeat, “Snowblind.” Destroy all vehicles and habitat buildings. Zero witnesses.

Scrapper: We’ve met the mission objectives.

Spectre: Cloaker, this is Spectre One. Mission successful. Castle, let’s run a hasty salvage. I don’t want to be here when the Davions come looking for their comm relay.

Castle: Agreed. Salvage en route. We’ll get the MFB online back at base. Give us two hours.

AFTERMATH

Castle: Confirmed mission successful with the Steiner liaison. Payment has been released to our account. I needn’t remind you, sir, that covert ops are one thing, but taking on Victor’s people in the open is another. The Davions will blacklist us for that. Things are looking bad for Katrina on New Avalon. Siding with her may be signing on to a sinking ship.