Asteroid Blues

Rasail Rheet reporting on recent events at the Battery Field.

We were deployed from the Main Strip to secure important technology. We arrived to find Haq solders approaching on the same tech. Command didn't mention that Haq might look for the same tech, so their approach was a surprise. On seeing them, we deployed strategically.

We spread out.

Draal, Kriigel, and Kaeltar triad positioned field right. Draal deployed his Stratuscloud and ran ahead of his compatriots for their protection.

Hidden by a Holoprojector, Tagma led his Chaksa Auxs to field left. Tagma was near a ladder, but otherwise stealthily stayed inconspicuous to give himself as many options as possible later on.

Knowing we needed to focus on the tech-coffin in the middle of the field, I sent forward a Clipsos to guard the coffin from enemy approach. Since she was the data tracker and liaison officer she was deployed wrong. She deployed in marker state and was later revealed to correct the mistake.

Out company is joined by a Helot Militiaman and a Human Warcor. The Helot advanced up a ladder and laid in one of a few places with multiple strong lines of fire while the warcor positioned to have a good overview of the action.

The opponent must have seen our deploying, despite our wish to stay hidden. They positioned for attack and we took this as confirmation that they too were after the tech. I and my Chaksa, Scaarlot, deployed to the far field left as I saw a hole in their deployment and planed to exploit it.

The only active defense they had in place was a Khaqarij Heavy Rocket Launcher on lookout. I didn't want to chance him seeing me, so Draal lead his team to help my approach.

Kriigel took the lead and approached shooting smoke in three places to cover not only their advance and evac, but blind the HRL to my approach. Draal, Kriigel, and Kaeltar positioned defensively, midfield center, after deploying a dazer downfield center to slow the approach of any enemy that might try to advance on our prize.

With the HRL blinded, my approach was hidden. Scaarlot and I first found a Fanous bot, one of those mechanical toys the humans make. The toy shot some kind of beam of light at Scaarlot, confirming to us that they were hostile. Scaarlot was forced to burn the toy into disrepair.

I then moved quickly to the Khaqarij MSV Mk12 and Scaarlot and I shot and attempted to burn them to prevent the attack they were clearly planning, The Mk12 Khaqarij fell to my critical shots, but his teammates were able to dodge Scaarlot's heavy flame.

From nowhere, an SMG roared and bullets flew past me. Luckily, my symbio-mate saved my life. I dropped prone and turned to see the oncoming Nahab approach. His approach was fast and wounded Scaarlot and me. I put up a good fight, knowing I only needed to buy time, make sure the Haq units wouldn't be able to act before my team managed to continue their assault.

I killed the Nahab with Viral, but I was in a bad position, prone, my armour was gone and had at least 4 of their units in view, on the positive not, thee of those four were linked. So if any of them moved, I threatened all of them and had a high chance to take them down with me.

Instead a distance Ghulam shot, from bad range, with a Rifle, wasting the last of their time.

As I fell, I was aware that the HRL moved and was destroyed by our Helot. That explosion was the last thing I remember (a high note).

I can trust my team - Kaeltar and I were ready for this.

Kaeltar picked up the command and lead the team to victory. Knowing the Haq units were likely devastated at the confusion and loss. Kaeltar split from his triad and climbed the building next to him. He activated the antenna and stayed prone to protect himself in case the assault didn't go as planned.

He ordered Clipsos to advance and secure the tech-coffin. Still prone, no one can could see her and she was safe to stay and hold the objective no mater how long the skirmish continued.

With plenty of time remaining, having already secured most of the objectives, Kaeltar sent the Chaksas upfield. They approached the remaining Khawarij.

Once they were close enough, the real Chaksas continued their approach to get into flame thrower range while their leader, Taagma Viral Sniper repeatedly angled at their back line. the Chaksas' and Taagma's positioning was imperfect and that ended up being their main downfall. They didn't manage to destroy the remaining Haq members, but they did enough damage to spread enough fear.

Unfortunately, the whole link was lost.

The Haq, after little to no forward motion the whole skirmish, decided retreat was the best choice. They ran away.

Luckily, due to the foresight of Kaeltar, we had already secured much of the objectives and our Liaison Officer was successful in communicating a transmission to the Global Defense
Coordinated Command.

We didn't get all objectives, but this was a glorious success.

I was evacuated and am fine at the time of this report. I have also just been informed that we are okay with Haq and that we expected them to be there.

I wish someone had told me :(